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Parks Commission Minutes 06-12-2003 Special . . . MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION Thursday, .June 12,2003 - 3:30 p.m. "To enhance community pride throu~h developing and maintaining city parks with a high standard of quality." Members Present: Fran Fair, Ben Hitter, Nancy MeCafIrey, Larry Nolan, Rick Traver and Council Liaison, Robbie Smith. Members Absent: None Staff Present: Public Works Director, John Simola; Park Superintendent, Adam Hawkinson 1. Call to Order: Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present. 2. Review of Wild Mcadow Develooment: John Simola indicated that the developer contacted him this morning stating they wished to withdraw their request to have the Parks Commission review their development at this meeting. They stated they don't have the llnal configuration of the ponding for County review nor do they have permission from the gas company to fill the easement area. John Simola reviewed the latest drawing with the Parks Commission. There are two areas described as proposed park; one is 4.63 acres, which includes the gas line easement and the other park is 1.94 acres. The developer indicated he wanted credit for the park land under the utility easement. The gas company will be reviewing the revised plan to determine whether they would allow the developer to Jill in the gas line easement area. John Simola noted the developer is picking up the storm water in a series of basins in the park area along 95tl1 Street. John Simola and Adam Hawkinson would like to see the basins moved further way from the park ifpossible. The basins would be l' deep and 50'-75'in diameter. Staff noted that the basins would making mowing diilicult. The drainage plan will be going back to the County for their approval. There is some question whether the ponding proposed is adequate. Parking area for the park would likely have to access onto an internal street rather than on 95[11 Street and there will need to be screening between the park and the Tyler East development. John Simola stated that the Bauer property was given credit for park dedication ffild storm sewer trunk fees because they had provided land for the storm sewer outlet that drained the Meadow Oaks area. Larry Nolan asked about the trail system and who would be maintaining it. The Park Board reiterated that it wants 5 acres of good usable park land and added that they would consider park credit for any land in excess of the 5 usable acres. The Parks Commission was not enthused about the proposed 1.49 park tract and would prefer to see that area owned by the developer. John Simola stated that the gas company docs not own the land but only has an . . . Special Parks Commission Minutes - 6/12/03 easement over it so the gas company may be amenable to the developer's proposal to fill in the easement area. NffilCY McCaffrey felt there were still too many unanswered questions about what is being proposed. Larry Nolan asked if there were any comments the Parks Commission felt should be relayed to the developer. The Parks Commission noted the following: I. The drainagc basins should be moved further from the park area. 2. Park land must be at least 5 acres of good usable land not including gas line area. 3. The peninsula of park land (1.49 acres) should be retained by the development association. John Simola stated that the amount of park land credit is something that the Parks Commission should consider. Larry Nolan asked about the width of the pathway and whether the pathway would be public or private. John Simola indicated the width would be 8'-10'. Rick Traver asked about the elevation of the area. John Simola replied that with filling, it would be 938-940. 3. East Bridge Park Trail: John Simola has been trying to contact Tom Link about Mr. Link's concern with the proposed trail in East Bridge Parle Mr. Link felt the proposed trail would be too close to his driveway. John Simola felt, after inspecting the site, that there is enough room to provide some screening between the pathway and the driveway. Fran Fair stated that the MCP (Monticello Community Partners) had some concerns about the proposed improvements to East Bridge Park but did donate $2,500 for tree and shrub replacement. Fran Fair felt thcrc was no consensus in the community that this project should be done. Rick Traver indicated that he was approached by an individual who also had concerns about the project. The Parks Commission discussed the concerns and stated there needs to be a better explanation of the project to the publ ic. John Simola suggested getting a cost estimate to replace the existing steps as that way there is a comparison between the cost of putting in the trail or replacing the steps. Parks Commission noted that even if they did not get the grant they applied for the condition of the steps is such that the steps needed to be removed. There is $25,000 in the 2003 budget f(x this project. The primary reason for renlOving the steps is safety. Other: John Simola presented a request from a property own to allow building ofa berm along the City's bike path. The berm would be on park land that lies under the power line easement. John Simola submitted a sketch ol'the lot in question and its proximity to the trail. John Simola suggested the Parks Commission look at the site and then make a determination on what they would allow. Because this would be in the arca of the power line easement, approval would also be needed from the power company. Robbie Smith informed the Parks Commission that vehicles sometimes use the bike path and asked that the Park staff look into doing something to correct that. John Simola left for another meeting at this time. On Monday, June 16, 2003 the Parks Commi ssion wi II conduct a tour of the parks, looking specifically at Pioneer Park, the driving range as a possible ballfield site and the trail on Eastwood Circle. There was some 2 . . . Special Parks Commission Minutes - 6/12/03 discussion on the driving range as a ballticld site. It is a 26 acre parcel with about 20 acres of usable land. Although the Parks Commission is looking for a 40 acre site, this parcel plus the park land from the Gold Nugget property would give them close to 30 acres. Adam Hawkinson noted that if the driving range site was acquired, they would have to do grading to the site, replace the turf and also replace the irrigation system. The Parks Commission discussed preparing a list of the pros and cons for the trail developmcnt in East Bridge Park as they felt there were some misconceptions about what is being proposed and why it is being proposed. Some items to consider in the list include: 1) Bridge Park is an cntrance park to the community; 2) The trail will provide a connection between East and West Bridge Park; 3) The improvcment would allow f()r more arboretum space; 4) The steps necd to bc replaced regardless; 5) The trail would allow for easier aeeess, even though it would not mcet ADA requirements and 6) The improvements would make thc park better aesthetically. Adam Hawkinson will get costs for replacing the steps and a copy of the grant application to Larry Nolan. Larry Nolan will mect with Mayor Thielen regarding the improvements. Adam Hawkinson submitted amap of the Wright County trails which was briefly discussed. 3. Adiourn: FRAN FAIR MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 5:00 P.M. RICK TRAVER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSL Y. ..1 ~ " ..Q.W--" -A--OS -.~ -,.--"-----~------,-.. Recording Secretary '" ,)