Parks Commission Minutes 10-17-2002
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEKl'ING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, October 17,2002 - 4:30 p.m.
"To enhance community pride through developing and
maintaining city parks with a high standard of quality"
Members Present:
Fran Fair, Naney McCalTrey, Larry Nolan and Earl Smith
Members Ahsent:
Riek Traver and Council Liaison, Roger Carlson
Stall Present:
Adam Ilawkinson, Parks Superintendent
1. Call to Order.
Chair Larry Nolan ealled the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
2. Approve minutes of Scptember 19. 2002 re1!ular Parks Commission meeting and
September 25. 2002 Special Parks Commission meetin1!.
Earl Smith moved to approve the minutes of the September 19,2002 regular Parks Commission
meeting and the September 25, 2002 Special Parks Commission meeting.
3.
Consideration of adding items to the a1!cnda.
None.
4. Citizens Requests.
None.
5.
Development Plan - Groveland Addition
Parks Superintendent, Adam IIawkinson, presented a drawing showing the proposed layout of the
park for the Groveland develoPlnent. The plan showed two driveways into the parle approximately
36 parking spaces, three park shelters, play area and fields fi.1r soccer/football use. The Parks
Commission discussed the proposed layout. One issue was the placelnent of the three shelters. It
was felt that the shelter located 15 feet from the property line should be shifted over 1110re toward
the children's play area. The placement of the fields was reviewed. If the lields are moved
towards the li'ont of the park land, the children would have to walk through the fields to get to the
play area. Adam Hawkinson stated there is a drainage swalc in the area that has to be retained so
that impacted the placenlent of the various park design elements. Larry Nolan asked if some type of
fencing was going to be installed so the adjacent property owners would know where the park land
starts. The feeling was a split rail fence at the corners of the park land should be suHicient for this
purpose. Fran Fair suggested that instead of having the two shelters in such close proximity to each
other, one should be moved closer to the playground equipment so that the parents would have a
place to sit while watching their children. Fal'l Smith suggested locating one of the shelters by the
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Parks Commission Minutes - 10/17/02
ballfields. Nancy McCafhey felt that nlaybe the location of the shelters was sOll1ething that the
residents could have input on when the neighborhood meeting on the park plan was held.
Nancy McCaffrey asked whether the parking spaces would be straight in or angled. Adam
lIawkinson stated they would be straight in. The dumpsters would be enclosed and the Parks
Department is in the process of building dog eared fences around the dumpsters in the existing
parks. Weather conditions will dictate how n1Uch can be accomplished yet this year. The plan
layout for the Groveland park was acceptable to the Parks Commission.
6. East Bridge Pathway Plan.
Adam Hawkinson submitted a plan for the pathway at East Bridge Parle The existing steps will be
removed and replaced with a bituminous pathway. There are three spurs extending off the pathway
and these spurs would be adjacent to the retaining walls where there would be plantings. It is
proposed that the existing plantings by the parking lot area would be transplanted to the areas by the
three spurs. The spurs could be surfaeed with wood chips, Class V rock, or aggregate lime. The
main pathway would be blacktopped and would connect to the pathway to West Bridge Park.
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Fran Fair asked about the plantings along the back of the parking lot. Adam Ilawkinson stated he
didn't know where the property line ,vas so he didn't know irthere was room for the plantings. The
Parks COll1mission felt there should be some colorful plantings lining the side oflhe parking lot. The
Parks Commission discussed the planting areas by three spurs and it was felt that perhaps each
planting area could emphasize a certain type of plant, i.e. iris bed.
The time fi'ilme f()\' the improvement was discussed. Initially Adam Ilawkinson had hoped that the
plantings could be moved this fall but he now felt that would be unlikely. Itis proposed that the
planting areas be set up first so that when the plantings in the area by the parking lot need to be
moved the new area is ready for thell1. Earl Smith noted that they could not wait too late into the f~tll
to move thc plantings because otherwise thcre would not be sullicient time to complete construction
of trai I in that arc a and hc suggested that they try to have the plants moved by September 1 st. Fran
Fair stated that if the pathway goes in, they would probably want to open the area to the river bank.
This area now is overgrown. According to Adam lIawkinson, the pathway while it is not ADA
accessible it is very close.
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There was additional discussion of the time frame for moving the plantings and whether the bushes
currently adjacent to the steps could be moved. Adam Hawkinson felt that the Fran Fair and the
group who currently takes care of the plantings should study this aspect of the project and determine
what existing plants would be utilized, what would be transplanted and when and the layout for the
new beds. Nancy MeCaHrey asked if fill would have to be brought in and Adam Hawkinson stated
they would use what is there but if fi II was needed there was fill from 7lh Street that could be used.
Nancy McCai1i'ey asked what material the retaining walls would be constructed of. It was felt that
boulders would be used since there is a stockpile of them available and it would complement what
exists in West Bridge Park. The Parks Commission felt the pathway plan was workable.
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Parks Comlnission Minutes - 10/17102
7.
Development Plan - Ballfield.
Adam Hawkinson submitted a drawing that showed the location of the existing fields at the Xeel
I':nergy property. Added to this drawing was the layout for two additional1ields. l':arl Smith has
contacted Xcel Energy and had discussed getting a strip about 120 yards by 100 yards which would
be adequate for the additional fields. The Parks Commission approved the plan showing the
additionallields and Earl Smith will continue to pursue this matter with Xcel Energy.
8. Sports Association Poliey.
The purpose of this item was to initiate discussion on what staff and Parks Commission felt were
important elements to include in a policy for lield use. Adam Hawkinson noted several items from a
League of Minnesota Cities publication that he felt should be addressed in any policy the City would
draft. Earl Smith mentioned an agreement with the baseball association for the use of the fields
which he believed would be expiring in 2004 or 2005. Staff will check into the expiration date of
the agreement. lie felt the City should have the new policy in place so that it could be implelnented
when the current agreement expires. It was felt that the policy would give the City more control
over the use of the fields by various groups.
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The Parks Commission discussed issues relating to the use of the fields such as maintenance. Adam
I-lawkinson stated that the ball field fences arc 13 years old and in need of maintenance. lie has
budgeted to replace one fence this year but he felt this fence replacement should be accelerated.
The fields are not being dragged properly after use and it was discussed whether this was a lack of
effi.Jrt on the part or thosc doing the dragging or lack of knowledge on the proper technique for
dragging fields. It was discussed having the City take up the responsibility for dragging the lielcls and
charge the participants a fee for the maintenance. Adam Hawkinson indicated he had discussed
with the Community Center Director stalling fllr the concession stand and whether those individuals
could also drag the fields in preparation f<Jf the games to be played.
The Parks Comrnission discussed the present condition of the fields. It was felt that any policy
drafted concerning field use should specify who is the governing authority to determine when the
fields are playable. llopefully that would mitigate some of the damage that occurs to the turf when
games are played on fields that arc too wet. The importance of keeping different uses of the fields
apart from eaeh other. such has not having a soccer game going on in a field next to where a softball
game was being played. was also discussed. The Parks Commission was informed that the
League of Minnesota Cities reeommends that liquor liability insurance be increased. The City
presently has $300.000 has the liability amount and the LMC suggests $500,000.
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The Parks Commission stated that they will be continuing discussions on what is needed in the policy
at futLlre meetings. It was suggested that the sports associations be given copies of some of the
policies the Parks Commission is looking at so they have some idea as to the basis for the City's
policy for ballfield use. Earl Smith felt it was important for the Parks Department to be working
with the Community Center and it was generally felt that the area where the eollaboration would
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Parks Commission Minutes - 10/17/02
work best would be in scheduling.
9. Park Maintenancc Itcms:
Adam Hawkinson submitted a list of the work completed by the Parks Department which was
reviewed and discussed by the Parks Commission. The Parks Commission discussed the status of
the work at the Rolling Woods Park and it was suggested that SOlne kind of neighborhood event for
that park be scheduled. Larry Nolan asked if the pathway that was proposed as part of the
Riverwalk development was going to be done yet this year. Adanl I lawkinson indicated that was
the intent.
10. Review Pathway/Sidcwalk Plan.
Because Jell O'Neill was not present this item was tabled.
11.
lJ pdates.
Nancy McCafhey reported that she and Larry Nolan made a presentation to the Council regarding
the entrance signs to the City. John Simola had prepared the agenda itenl which covered the sites
fi.lr the signs and a copy of the sign design. The Council approved the ordering or all fllUr signs. It
was added that city staff would be responsible t~)r the installation, landscaping and lighting j(W the
signs. Nancy McCaflrey indicatcd that she will be getting a'lime line !(lr the signs to be prepared
and more detailed costs. She also wanted to verify the sign locations with John Simola and have
the sites staked. The balance of the work rclating to the signs would bein the hands of the city stall.
Adam Hawkinson submitted information from a 1978 trail plan that talked about the Battle Rapids
overlook. In addition a map of the Wright County Trail Plan was submitted and of interest to the
Parks Commission was the proposed off shoulder path to run along County Road 39.
Larry Nolan informed the Parks Commission about an upcoming parks seminar in the first part of
November and encouraged those who could attend to register.
12. Adjourn.
Earl Smith moved to adjourn at 6:30 p.m. Nancy McCaffrey seconded the motion. Motion carried
unanimously.
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