Parks Commission Minutes 02-20-2003
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, Fehruary 20, 2003 - 4:30 p.m.
"To enhance community pride through developin~ and
maintllining city parks with II high standllrd of quality."
Members Present:
Fran Fair, Larry Nolan, Nancy McCaffrey, Rick Traver, Mayor Bruce Thielen.
Members Absent:
Earl Smith
1. Call to Order.
Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present. Chair
Nolan welcomed those students present who were attending the meeting as a class assignment.
2.A Approve minutes of .January 15.2003 special meetinl!.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES Of THE JANUARY 15.2003
SPECIAL MEETING. FRAN FAIR SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSL Y.
B.
Approve minutes of January 16.2003 regular meeting.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 16.2003
REGULAR MI':ETING. FRAN FAIR SECONDED TIlE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
None.
4. Citizen Requests
None.
5.
Review of park and traillavout - Wild Meadow Development
Mark Gergen representing MW Johnson was present at the nleeting to review the park and
pathway layout f()r the Wild Mcadow development. Mr. Gergen noted that this had come before
the Parks Commission at their last meeting. Based on fcedhack fronl that meeting, certain
changes were made to the plat. The Parks Commission had requested the elill1ination of three lots
adjacent to the proposed park in order to open the park area and give it morc street frontage. For
thosc students present it was noted that the development was located in the area of Gillard and
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Parks Commission Minutes - 2/20/03
Haug Avenues. The developer in the revised plan did eliminate two lots and that resulted in a hetter
alignment of the trail coming into the park. The developer is proposing to change the lot frontages
from 80' to 76'. The park frontage would be 498 feet instead of 530 feet. The developer stated
that 75' lots arc common in many cities and still could accommodate a nice size house. The
developer stated they had met with MnDOT regarding any impact to their propel1y by the
realignment of the interstate.
2.09 acres of the proposed park land lies within a gas line easement. Although a structure could not
be placed in the easement area, it would still be usahle for ballfields or open space. The developer
was requesting pm1ial park credit for the land under the gas line easement. If credit was given for
the area in the gas line easement, the total park dedication would be 8.4 acres. The developer
pointed out that there will be a trail running along 95th Street. Adam Hawkinson asked about the
pathway from the wetland areas and whether it would be an casement or owned by the city. The
developer stated that has not yet hcen determined. Adam Hawkinson indicated the City would
prefer to have it as an casement. The trail will be ]0' in width.
Fran Fair asked with the new configuration of the park land, would there be adequate room for the
placement of the play structure. The gas I ine casement is approximately 100' in width so the
question was if there was adequate land outside the casement area for placing the play structure.
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In viewing the drawing, the Park Commission recommended squaring up the lots a(~jacent to the
park (Lots 1 &2, Block I). The developer also pointed out that the park land extends down to the
wetlands area. At this time JeffO'Ncill entered thc meeting. He reported that the city staff had
revicwed the plan carlicr and was okay with the concept. Jeff O'Neill stated that even with the
changes the developer was ahle to keep the same nLllnber of lots in the development. approximately
280. City Planner, Steve Grittman, had suggested transferring some of the park land back to the
developer so that the developer could havc 80' lot frontages. Bruce Thielen statcd that from a
Council perspective they would prefer to see 80' lot frontages. The City has had some difficulties
\vith small lots and small homes and for that reason would like to see larger lots. Jeff O'Neill
recommended that cnough park land he given back so that the developer could have 80' frontage.
Larry Nolan liked the trail alignment and fclt that it was an overall bctter layout. howcver he still had
concerns ahout the park land within the gas line easemcnt. Mayor Thielen at this time briefly
explained to the studcnts thc City's park dedication policy. There was some discussion on the
amount of street fi'ontage needed for thc park area. Presently it is proposed to be 496 fcet and
Larry Nolan was not in favor of rcducing the frontage because they nccd maximum space for the
play structure. The developer stated that lots taken out of the single family area were replaced in
the townhome arca. They did not lose density but morc of the units were in townhomes. Mayor
Thielen stated he was not as concerned with lot frontages as he was with the qual ity of the homes in
the development.
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RICK TRA VER MOVI-:J) TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSED I ,A YOUT FOR WILD MEADOW
WIn-lOUT CHANGING THE LO']" FRONTAGES FROM 76' AND SQUARING OFF TIlE
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Parks Commission Minutes - 2/20/03
LOT ADJACENT TO THE PARK. NANCY MCCAFfREY SECONDED THE MOTION.
Jeff O'Neill mentioned that the engineer had questioned the grading in the area. There is a 4 to 1
slope coming into the park and the engineer wanted to know if that was acceptablc to the City as he
had concerns about the water being directed to the park. With the grading proposed the water will
be directed towards the park but the developer stated the water will not be standing in the park but
will drain away. Larry Nolan stated that the park lands needs to be f~lirly flat for the play structure
and also notcd that any trails would have to meet ADA requirements. In response to how Jar the
trail should be extended into the park, Larry Nolan felt it should be brought up to the point where
the play structure and ballfield would be located.
RICK TRAVER AMENDED IllS MOTION TO INCLUDE ADDING THE TRAIL FROM
THE SIDEWALK INTO THE ENTRANCE OF THE PARK SUBJECT TO APPROY AL BY
THE PARKS SUPERINTENDENT AND CITY STAFF. NANCY MCCAFFREY
SECONDED TilE AMENDED MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6,
Park Maintenance Items,
Adam Hawkinson submitted a list of the work completed. It was noted that the floor was poured at
the Pioneer park shelter and the electricians would be out within the ncxt week or so.
7.
Review of estimated 2003 costs for Riverside Cemetery operations and consideration of
fee adiustments, if anv.
This item had been discussed at the last meeting and the Parks Commission directed stair to get
additional information on what other cemeteries charged. Adam Hawkinson submitted the survey
information and the recommendations of John Simola, the Public Works Director, regarding the fee
increase. If the fee increasc is approvcd, Riverside would have higher lot costs than most of the
other cemeterics. It was noted that the increase was necessary to take care of the capital
improvements which arc needcd but have not been done because of lack of funds. Brucc Thielen
stated any fee incrcasc would have to approved by Council but he felt that if the understanding was
that the increasc in revcnucs would be used flW capital improvements that would Inake it more
acccptable.
RICK TRAYER MOYEn TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PUBLIC
WORKS DIRECTOR AND TO FORWARD 'I'IIE RECOMMENDATION TO THE
COUNCIL FOR APPROY AI.. FRAN FAIR SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
8.
Wildwood Ponds/Hermes Property.
Jeff O'Neill statcd that he and Adam Hawkinson had not yet met regarding dcvelopment in this
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Parks Commission Minutes - 2/20/03
area. It is thought that a concept plan of this area would be coming before the Planning Commission
in April. Jeff O'Neill explained to the students wherc this property was located. The llermes
property is approximately 80 acres and some of it heavily wooded. It was suggested that if weather
permits, prior to thc ncxt mceting, the Parks Commission should walk the arca.
9. General and specific discussion Southeast area park and trail develooment concepts.
This item is ticd in with the Hermes developmcnt. This will be brought back at the next mccting.
10. Ballfield use for youth football - Alternative Options
At thc prcsent time youth football uses the softball fields for their games. The Parks Commission
committee set up to study thc fields felt that the use of the fields for football was too damaging to the
turf and they were recommending that youth fiJotball not be allowed to use the fields. However, they
wanted to have some alternatives in place. Since Earl Smith was not present at the meeting and
Adam Ilawkinson had left earlier, it was felt this matter should be tabled until they were present.
Rick Traver will contact Earl Smith and Adam I Iawkinson and try to meet prior to the next rcgular
meeting to discuss alternatives.
II.
Consideration of providing input on l!oals and oroiects for the City.
Jeff O'Neill explained the previous goal setting efforts. A number of tasks noted on the list had been
aceomplished. Since it had been several years since the first goal setting session and with the
ehange in Mayor and Council it was felt it was a good time to look at this again and refresh the list of
goals and priorities. The Council and stall was in the process of gathering input from the various
boards and committees. Onc of the items noted by the Parks Commission was to update the Parks
Comprehensive Plan. Rick Traver suggested instead of saying "establish" ballfield locations thcy
should say "acquire" ballfield locations. I Ie felt it was important to actually acquire land and start
developing the ballficlds since thc dcmand is so intense. The Parks Commission had talked about
this previously and i'elt that 40 acres was needed for ballfield devclopment. It was noted that
C)' Brien/Klein property which is 90 acres is nearing development and perhaps should be looked at.
The original city plan showed a complex in the area of the Schluender gravel pit but that area is not
ready for development yet. Growth is taking place in areas where no large parks have been
established and the Parks Commission fclt that was another reason why it was important to get the
comprehensive plan updated. Larry Nolan felt another item that should be considered is an annual
tree planting program. Bruce Thielen concurred, stating that if Walk and Roll could be conducted
annually then so could a trce planting program. Jelf O'Neill pointed out that some tree planting is
donc as part of residential development. lie also felt that tree planting should be put in as part of
public improvcment project contracts so that the trees get planted right away but the Public Works
Dcpartment i'eels that is a more costly way of doing it. Adam Hawkinson had submitted a list of
various projeet the parks staff was working on or had completed but these were more in the range
of short term goals. Prioritization of goals will be on thc March agenda for the Parks Comll1ission
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Parks Commission Minutes - 2/20/03
and it is hoped that the Council will get in April.
. Other Items
Larry Nolan noted that Adam Ilawkinson had the grant applications ready f()r submittal. The City is
applying for five grants covering trail improvements on County Road 18 and East/West Bridge Park,
removing of the steps in Fast Bridge Park, landscaping in the park and construction of a fishing pier.
Bruce Thielen announced that Robbie Smith will be the council liaison to the Parks Commission. The Parks
Commission also discussed the resignation of Earl Smith who will be leaving after the March meeting.
12. Adjourn.
fRAN FAIR MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 6:00 P.M.. NANCY MCCAFfREY SECONDED
THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED lJNANIMOUSL Y.
\)(.Lu....~_~ sS..'::~_._
Recording Secretary
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