Parks Commission MInutes 01-15-2003
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Wednesday, January 15,2003 - 4:30 p.m.
"To enhance community pride throu~h developing and
maintaining city parks with a high standard of quality"
Members Present:
Fran Fair, Larry Nolan, Earl Smith and Rick 'Traver.
Members Absent:
Nancy McCaffrey and Council Liaison, Bruce Thielen.
Staff Present:
Adam Hawkinson, Parks Superintendent
1. Call to Order.
Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present. He
noted the purpose of the special meeting was to conduct public hearings on grant applications the
City is pursuing for funding of various park improvements.
2.
Public Hearing - Outdoor Grant Application - Groveland Development
Parks Superintendent, Adam Hawkinson outlined the scope of the project stating that the City had
received approximately 5 acres of land to fulfill park dedication requirements for the Groveland
development. The park is proposed to include a play structure, hard courts, ballfield area, three
shelters and a parking lot. There has been changes to the proposed layout because of the grant
requirement that the play area be as far as possible from utility lines.
Adam IIawkinson submitted sketches showing various play structures from dilTerent vendors. At
this time no decision has been made on which structure will be used in the park but it was noted that
all structures met ADA requirements and NRA (Nationa] Recreation Association) requirements.
The prices for the play structure ranged from $35,000-$40,00. Adding the wood chips and the
swing equipment would bring the cost up to $50,000-$60,000. The grant application request is for
$60,000 and the City has budgeted $60,000 in the 2003 budget. If the grant is received it would
allow for completion of the park improvements to be done in one year. Adam I Iawkinson noted
that after completion of the project, the City could expect to spend about $3,500 a year in general
maintenance for the facility. The City is not proposing to assess any of the improvemcnt cost.
Chair Nolan opcned the public hearing for comments. Heidi Seidenkranz from 40 I 0 I Iampton
Court, askcd about the layout of the park and the time frame for making the improvements. 'l'he
Parks Commission informed her that there will be a meeting of the neighborhood later in the year
(May) to provide residents in the area an opportunity to give input on the layout of the park. The
public hearing tonight was f()r the purpose of receiving input on proceeding with the grant application
flJr the park. Chair No]an then closed the public hearing.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 1/15/03
EARL SMITH MOVED TO PROCEED WITH THE SURMITTAL OF THE GRANT
APPLICATION FOR THE GROVELAND PARK. RICK TRAVER SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Parks Commission discussed the incident of a contractor removing 600 yards of material from
the park site and how the City was handling the matter.
2.
Publie Hearinl! Trail Conneetions Grant Application - Pathway from East Bridge Park to
West Bridge Park.
This grant cover the connection of the trail from East Bridge Park to West Bridge Park with the
exception of the trail segment under the bridge. The trail would meet ADA requirements. There will
be terraced areas along the trail that trail users could use for rest areas. Park staff will be helping
with removal and replanting of materials. Adam I lawkinson stated that regardless of whether or not
the grant was received, the existing steps would have to be removed this year because of their
deteriorated condition. The existing steps are not in compliance with ADA requirements. The
grants are awarded in early summer. No work can be done prior to that time since the grant funds
cannot be used to reimburse costs incurred prior to the signing of the grant agreements. None of
the cost of the proposed improvements will be assessed but will come from budgeted park funds.
Adam Hawkinson stated one of the conditions of the grant is that trail would have to be maintained
year round. This segment of trail is important as it allows flJr crossing ofTI-I 25 in a safe manner.
The Parks Commission discussed the location of the terraced areas, height of the walls and type of
plantings. It would also noted that there are some irrigations lines in the area that would have to
be relocated.
Chair Nolan opened the public hearing. There was no one present who spoke for or against
proceeding with the grant application proeess. Chair Nolan then closed the public hearing.
r;;ARL SMITI-I MOVED TO PROCEED WITH TI IE SUBMITTAL OF THE GRANT
APPLICATION FRO T(IE EAST BRIDGE PAT I IWA Y. FRAN FAIR SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Earl Smith stated that with the number of grants the Parks Department is applying for and the
number of new and ongoing projects, he would like to get at a future meeting, the Parks Department
priority list for these projects.
4.
Public Hearing Trails Connections Grant Application - County Road 18.
The bed for the pathway was laid when improvements were made to County Road 18. The trail
would run from the Wildwood development to the County Road 39/County Road 18 intersection,
or about 2,185 feet. The estimated cost for the trail is $40,000 and the trail is proposed to be 10'
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Parks Commission Minutes - 1/15/03
in width whieh would correspond to the trail width of the School Boulevard segment and Fallon
Avenue segment. Earl Smith suggested that crosswalks also he included. Under this program any
grant funds received would have to he used by 2004. Award of the grant would not be made until
October. If grant funds are used for the trail improvements, the City would he required to maintain
the trail year round. Adam Hawkinson has applied for both the Federal Trail Grant and the Local
Trail Grant. Earl Smith asked about the road from the water tower to the Ralph Maek property
and whether there were any erosion problems. Adam Hawkinson will be ehecking with the county
to see whether a culvert will be needed in that area.
Chair Nolan opened the public hearing No one commented for or against proceeding with the
grant application. Chair Nolan then closed the public hearing.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO PROCEED WITH SUBMITTAL OF THE GRANT
APPLICATION FOR TTIE COUNTY ROAD 18 PATHWA Y IMPROVEMENT. EARL
SMITH SECONDED THE MOTION. MCrrlON CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
5.
Public Hcaring: - DNR Program for Fishing Pier Grant for West Bridgc Park.
It is proposed to situate the fishing pier in the area the City reeently acquired along pront Street.
The City is working with the DNR to determine whieh fishing pier style would be most appropriate.
Adam Ilawkinson explained the various styles fiJ[ the fishing pier and indicated that they may go
with something similar to what was installed at Montissippi Park. A fishing pier was recently
installed at Maria State Park which was another model that eould he looked at. The final design
would he determined by the DNR and the City. The trail by Front Street is ADA accessihle and
the City could come off that for access to the fishing pier. 'The area from the trail to the pier would
be a wood chip trail. In the grant application the City states they will be providing manpower and
equipment for the improvement. It was noted that there is no dollar amount listed because the
DNR funds it 100%. The fishing docks are built by the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
The Parks Commission diseussed whether the proposed location fiJr the pier was a good fishing
spot. To their knowledge people had fished that area and Adanl Hawkinson indicated that the
DNR had the capability of determining whether it was a good fishing location. An alternative
location that was suggested was Ellison Park.
Chair Larry Nolan opened the public hcaring. No one was present to speak for or against
proceeding with the grant application. Larry Nolan stated that hc had received an unsigned letter
from a residcnt that questioned whether the proposed location was a good fishing spot. The Parks
Commission acknowledged receipt of the letter and indicated that the DNR would be ahle to make
a determination on the location of the pier at a good fishing spot.
Earl Smith felt that Battle Rapids would bc a better second choice location than Ellison Park. The
embankment is not as steep and the fishing pier would need to meet ADA requirements. The Parks
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Parks Commission Minutes - 1/15/03
Commission stated that there would need to be more study done if the Bridge Park site was
determined not to he feasible. Chair Nolan then closed the public hearing.
EARL SMlTI I MOVED TO PROCEED WITH SUBMITTAL OF THE GRANT
APPLICA nON FOR THE FISHING PIER. FRAN FAIR SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Larry Nolan suggested letting the DNR the Parks Commission preference for an alternative sitc if
one was needed.
The Parks Commission rccessed the meeting f()r a hrief break. The meeting was reconvened at
6:05 p.m.
6.
Public Hearing - Environmental Partnerships Grant - East Brid2:e Park Arboretum.
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With the existing steps being removed and a pathway installed, the existing plantings will need to be
relocated. As part of the pathway construction there will be terraced areas along thc pathway
where the plantings will placed. The type ofplantings and layout will be determined by the Park
Department and the Bridge Park Gardeners. There was some discussion whether this should be
called the East Bridge Park Gardens rather than East Bridge Park Arboretum because of the limited
area ofplantings. The proposed terrace walls will complement what is already existing in the park
and it was pointed out that there may be sections where it would require engineered wail material.
The trail is proposed to be 10' in width and the laterals running off from the trail would be 6' or 8'.
The grant funds, ifreceived, would be available in July or August. It is proposed to start
construction in June and continue it into the fall. The Parks Commission also talked ahout taking
precautions during construction to not adversely impact the root system of the existing large oak tree
at the park. Larry Nolan suggested talking to the U of M arboretum to sec if there would be a
student who would be interest in working on this.
Chair Nolan opened the public hearing. No one was present to speak l()r or against procecding
with the grant application. Chair Nolan then closed the public hearing.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO PROCEED WITH THE SUBMITTAL OF THE GRANT
APPLICATION FOR THE EAST BRIDOE PARK ARBORETUM. FRAN FAIR SECONDED
THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Adiourn.
RICK TRA VER MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 6:30 P.M. FRAN FAIR SECONDED TIlE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSL Y.
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