Parks Commission Minutes 01-16-2003
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, January 16,2003 - 4:30 p.m.
"To enhance community pride through 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 and Jeff O'Neill, Deputy City
Administrator.
1. Call to Order.
Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
2.
Approve minutes of December 19. 2002 regular Parks Commission meeting.
EARL SMITH MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 19,2002
REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. FRAN FAIR SECONDED THE MOTION.
MCYrION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3.
Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
Greg Schlink of Bruggeman Homes requested to be on agenda for review of the plat of Wild
Meadows for park and trail layout. Adam Hawkinson, Parks Superintendent added review of
changes to Groveland Park layout and sites for ballfields to the agenda.
At this point the Parks Commission determined to deal with those agenda items where individuals
were present to make presentations.
Wild Meadows. The Parks Commission had looked at a plat for this area previously. At that time
the Parks Commission expressed their concerns about the park land being within utility easements and
the park land and trails encroaching in wetland areas. The developer redesigned the plat and was
bringing it back again fiJr Parks Commission review. Greg Schlink stated that the design of the plat
was driven by the location of wetlands and utility casements. The proposed park is located in the
northeast corner of the plat bounded by Gillard and 95th Avenue and would be a public park since,
according to Jeff O'Neill, this area is under served by parks. The park area is approximately 6 Y2
acres ineluding the area of the gas line easement. The park area was sketched out to show a
soccer/ballfield area, play structure, shelter, hard court and open area. It is the City's policy not to
accept land within utility easements as park dedication. Adam Hawkinson stated that if the City were
to place any equipment or play structure within the casement area, it would have to be removed and
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Parks Commission Minutes - 1/16/03
replaced should the utility company to any work or repair to their lines. In addition there may be
restrictions as to how close to the line a structure could be placed. The developer felt the layout of
the park provided good access to the wetlands area. An 8' bituminous trail is proposed within the
development. Jeff O'Neill stated that if the trail is internal, the developer picks up the cost of the trail.
If the trail serves area outside of the development, pathway credit is given. Rick Traver asked about
elevation of the park land area noting that the area appeared fairly t1at and could easily accommodate
ballfields. The elevation of the trail area was also discussed and the Parks Commission was
concerned about the trails e10se proximity to the wetlands area. Jeff O'Neill stated that the plan has
not yet been reviewed by planning staff. Larry Nolan asked about sidewalks. Greg Schlink replied
there are 5' sidewalks on at least one side of all streets within the development. Mr. Schlink stated
the streets will be public streets but the right-of-way will be narrower than the typical street.
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Larry Nolan questioned whether they would want parking area for a park of this size. Adam
Ilawkinson responded that it would probably only be 10-12 stalls. Earl Smith asked about
accepting easement area as park land as he was concerned about the City getting land that they may
not be able to utilize for parks but would have to maintain nevertheless. Adam Hawkinson suggested
that if Lots 12-18 located southeasterly from the park be ineluded in the park area it would provide
the park with sufficient area not impacted by the utility easement. Greg Schlink stated that was too
much area to give up for park. It was suggested that perhaps the westerly area of the proposed park
where the sketch showed plantings and play structure could be utilized for lots. The developer did not
think that would be appropriate since it would require those lots to have driveway access off of 95th
A venue instead of from the streets within the plat.
The Parks Commission again expressed their concern about accepting land under an casement for
park dedication and noted that would be an issue they would face again when looking at the
development of the Ken and James Shultz property. This development will contain approximately
280 homes and consists of approximately 94 acres. Based on ] 0(% of land area, the park dedication
for this development should be about 9 acres. Greg Schlink stated that the property owner, Gene
Bauer had been given park dedication credit for an easement he had given and that amount had been
deducted from the 9 acrcs of park dedication flW this area.
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The Parks Commission needs to respond to two issues on this proposcd plat; 1) Whcther to accept
land within utility easemcnts for park dedication and 2) Whethcr the layout for park and trails was
acceptable. Rick Traver liked the layout out better than the previous plan but did not feel credit
should be given for the easement area. Sincc they could not build in the easement arca, it would
make the placcment of play structures and other facilities morc difficult. It was not known how much
ofthc park land area was easement. The developer stated he did not believe thc City would be
prohibited from placing the trail in the casement area. .lefT O'Neill stated that if the Parks Commission
was comfortable with layout it could go forward to the Planning Commission and cjty staff would
work out the park dedication fccs. Earl Smith stated that he didn't feel the arca proposed was
adequate in size to meet the 10% land area dedication and he didn't feel the easement arca should be
accepted as park dedication. ~Iowever, he was comfortable with the concept plan. Larry Nolan felt
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the land within the easement area could be considered green space but not park dedication. Earl
Smith asked if the land was accepted as green space how would it be handled and who would
maintain it. Adam Hawkinson stated he liked the idea of including Lots 1-3 on the west side of the
proposed park as part of the park. This would make the area more open. Earl Smith also
recommended that the developer stake the trail and park out immediately as that shows residents
where trails and parks are going to be loeated and they know ahead of time which lots abut trails. It
was noted that with the eombination of trails and sidewalks that arc proposed all areas of the
development ean access Gillard Avenue. Greg Sehlink said they would like to get some crcdit for the
trail if it is put in up front.
EARL SMITH MOVED TO ACCEPT THE CONCEPT PLAN FOR WILD MEADOWS WITH
SUPPORT FOR LOTS ],2 AND 3 BECOMING PART OF THE PARK LAND WITH THE
TRAIL LAID AS SHOWN BEFORE RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION OCCURS SO THAT
RESIDENTS KNOW WHERE THE TRAIL AND PARK IS LOCATED.
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.leff O'Neill asked about the land along the easement. Parks Commission stated land along the
casement would not bc part of the park or park dedication. Jeff O'Neill stated that if the land in the
easement area is not taken the amount of thc park dedication fee paid in cash is greater. If the City
accepts the land as green space (not park) the City would still have to maintain it which would be a
cost for the City
FRAN FAIR SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
8.-9. Review updated park and trail plan for Hillside Farms and Spirit Hills subdivisions.
Mario Cocchiarella and Robert Pearson were present to discuss the development plans for Ilillside
Farms and Spirit Hills (property owned by James and Ken Shultz). Jeff O'Neill reviewed thc
proposed trail layout for thesc developments. Portions of thc proposed devclopment abut Fenning
A venue and staff feels there is a nced for trail along this road. However, at some future point it is
proposed to improve Fcnning Avenue so no trail would be added until the improvements to the road
arc complete. It was felt that this trail along Fenning Avenue should be shown on the plat even
though it may not be built for some time. In addition to thc trail along Fcnning Avenue, the Spirit Ilill~
development shows another trail coming between Lots 7 and 8 as shown on thc sketch and extending
through Ken Shultz property (10 acre parcel), to the City water tower site and ending at an open area
adjacent to the watcr tower site and behind the Methodist Church site. The dcvelopcr of Hillside
Farms changed their layout so that the trail did not run along back property lines. There will bc
sidewalks that will provide the acccss to the trails.
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There was discussion ofthc trail connection point betwecn the two dcvelopment. The drawing for
Spirit Hills showed a trail connection to the east bctween Lots 12 and 13. It was suggested in lieu of
that connection, there should be a trail running between L,ots 10 and 1 ] which would align more
closely with Outlot A of Hillside Farms.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 1/16/03
Larry Nolan asked whether park land would be dedicated as part of this development. There is
currently the 5 acre Tower Park and when the Parks Commission previously reviewed development
for this area, they stated they did not want small parks within each development. Based on that no
park was proposed for Hillside Farms. In the Spirit Hills development there is a knoll in the gas line
easement which is the high point of the area. Since this spot would provide a nice view of surrounding
area, there might be interest in having this as a passive public park. Earl Smith and Rick Traver felt
that this knoll area should be public park since it was abutting the existing Tower Park. Larry Nolan
concurred. Mario Cocchiarella emphasized that it should be a passive park and the consensus of the
Parks Commission is that it should be a passive park.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE PATHWAY DESIGN FOR THE SPIRIT
HILLS/HILLSIDE FARMS DEVELOPMENT WITH THE CONNECTION POINT FOR THE
TRAIL BETWEEN SPIRIT HILLS AND HILLSIDE FARMS BEING ON THE EAST SIDE.
EARL SMITH SECONDED TIlE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOlJSL Y.
12.
Update on Hospital District Planned Unit Development reQuest - Trail Development
Planninu:.
Normally the Parks Commission would not review an expansion to a planned unit development but
the Planning Commission moved to get Parks Commission input on this expansion. Since the hospital
area is at an entrance to the City, they felt therc should be appropriate landscaping and adequate trail
access. There is a proposed 10' trail along thc Broadway side ofthc property. There is also
suppose to be a pathway along River Street to the river. The hospital will give a 30' easement which
will extend at least to Mississippi Shores.
The Parks Commission was satisfied with the al ignmcnt of thc trail along the River Street sidc of thc
property. Adam Hawkinson asked if the hospital would he paying for the pathway and .lefT O'Neill
indicated that would be required. Larry Nolan asked when the pathway gets to Mississippi Shorcs
will it connect with the pathway coming down from Mississippi Shores and Jeff O'Neill indicted it
would. The trail along Hroadway may be outside the right of way and in that case the City would
need to get an easement for the trail location. There was discussion on the amount and types of
landscaping proposed. The consensus of the Parks Commission was that additional landscaping and
more variety of landscaping materials was needed.
EARL SMITH MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO Tl-IE PLANNING COMMISSION THE
FOLLOWING ITEMS RELATING TO EXPANSION OF TilE PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT FOR THE MONTICELLO HOSPITAL: 1) THA TEASEMENT RIGHTS HE
OBTAINED FOR THE PATHWAY AI DNG THE HROADW A Y SIDE OF TIlE HOSPITAL
PROPERTY; AND 2) THAT ADDITIONAL LANDSCAPING BE PROVIDED TO BUFFER
THE PARKING AREA FROM TilE PUBLIC ROAD AND TO INCREASE THE VARIETY OF
LANDSCAPING MA Tl~RIALS AND ALTERNATE THE SPECIES OF TREES PLANTED.
RICK TRAVER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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5.
Park Maintenance Items.
Adam Hawkinson submitted a list of the work completed by the Parks Staff. It was noted that a
considerablc amount of time was spent with flooding the rinks, making snow for the sliding hill and
clearing the area by Front Street. Parks Commission was also updated on the status of work at the
shelter at Pioneer Park. The block is in and they will begin laying the block next week.
6. Review of estimated 2002 costs for Riverside Cemetery Operations and consideration of fee
adjustments.
Adam Hawkinson submitted a report outlining projected revenues and expenditures fi)f Riverside
Cemetery. The report noted that with the present operating revenues they have not been ablc to
generate funds to put into the capital improvement fund for the cemetery. The purpose of the capital
improvement fund would be to take care of the cost of improvements such as blacktopping the roads,
new fencing and other improvements to the cemetery. "fhe report recommended an increase of $50
per grave. It was qucstioncd how it was determincd that $50 should be the amount to increase the
fees by and how the price of a lot in Riverside Cemetery compared with other cemeteries. The Parks
Commission felt that this item should be tabled until additional information is obtained concerning lot
prices at other cemeteries, such St. Henry's, BulTalo, Big, Lake, etc.
7.
Wildwood Ponds/Hermes property - Trail and pathwav considerations.
Tabled.
1 n. General and speeific discussion on Southeast area park and trail development concepts.
This item related to development of the water tower area and thc Hermes property. Adam
Hawkinson and lefT O'Neill were to meet on this and because they had not done so, it will be brought
back at a future meeting.
11. Updated on progress on park development planning in extraterritorial area.
The Parks Commission felt that the Comprehensive Park Plan should be updated since it was last
done in 1998. 'f"here was some question on whcther guidelines existed that made recommendations
as to number or size of facilities need to serve a given population size. Jeff O'Neill will check into
what funds are available for updating the Comprehensive Park Plan.
Other Items:
Park Superintendent. Adam Hawkinson, brought up discussion of possible sitcs for consideration for ballfield
development. The Parks Commission feels a 40 acre parcel would be the appropriate size. There was
discussion where the ball fields should be located, cost of acquiring the land and time frame for developing the
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fields.
Adam Hawkinson submitted a drawing showing the revised layout for the Groveland Park. Because the
grant application that is being sought for this park rcquires that a play area not be located under utility lines, it
necessitated some changes to the layout for thc park. Basically the location of the play structure and parking
lot havc been switched with a portion of the parking lot now encroaching in the utility casement arca.
There was also discussion on whcther the ballfields can continue to be used for youth football. It was felt that
this was an issue that should bc discussed further and that some alternatives to using the ballficlds should be
providcd.
13. Adiourn.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 7:25 P.M. FRAN FAIR SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Earl Smith informed the Parks Commission that he will not be in attendance at the February meeting.
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