Parks Commission Minutes 06-26-2003
.
.
.
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, .June 26, 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, Ben Hitter, Nancy McCaffrey, Larry Nolan and Rick Traver.
Members Absent:
Council Liaison, Robbie Smith
Staff Present:
Public Works Director, John Simola; Park Superintendent, Adam Hawkinson,
Deputy City Administrator. JetT O'Neill.
1. Call to Order.
Chajr Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
2A.
Approve minutes of Mav 15.2003 rel!ular Parks Commission meeting.
RICK TRA VER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 15,2003 REGULAR
PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. FRAN FAIR SECONDEl) 'fl-fE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2B.
Approve minutes of June 12.2003 special Parks Commission meeting.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES Or: THE JUNE 12,2003 SPECIAL
PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. FRAN FAIR SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIEI) UNANIMOUSI"Y.
3. Consideration of addine items to the a!!enda.
Ollie Koropchak requested the IIans I Iagen development be added to the agenda.
4.
Citizens comments and request.
Tom Link who lives adjacent to East Rridge Park was present to state his concerns about the plan
f()r a pathway in East Bridge Parle He felt the pathway alignment is too close to his property. He
is in favor of replacing the steps at East Rridge Park because they are in bad shape but he would not
like to see the steps replaced by a pathway. Public Works Director, John Simola, stated he had
met with Mr. Link regarding the pathway and discussed alignment of the pathway. It was felt the
pathway would be more acceptable if it started at the top of the steps or was moved further towards
the river. John Simola stated that the Parks Commission does not need to make a decision until it is
known whether or not they receive grant funds. He pointed out that installation of the pathway
.
.
.
Parks Commission Minutes - 6/26/03
would accomplish the goals of the Parks Commission. Rick Traver asked if only the steps were
replaced, is there some way to allow f()r the movement of bikes up and down the steps. Roth John
Simola and Adam Hawkinson felt because of the poor condition the steps were in there should be
warning signs placed on them.
Ollie Koropchak came before the Parks Commission to discuss the plantings that had been done in
the median on County Road 75 between Walnut Street and Locust Street. A group called
Community Exceptionales will be taking care of the pIantings. She submitted an application for
Adopt A Park, a planting design and a cost breakdown. Ollie Koropehak noted that although the
median was sprinkled, the soils were poor quality and densely compacted. The cost of the
plantings was funded with money remaining from the County Road 75 project. There was
discussion whether this kind of project qualified t(Jr Adopt A Park since it was street right of way
rather than park. Jeff O'Neill felt the Adopt A Park program applied to any beautification project
on public propel1y. Rick Traver concurred noting that when the entrancc signs to the city are
installed they will also be located in the right of way and the plantings that are proposed for the sign
area would have to be installed and maintained. John SimoIa stated they would monitor whether
the planting was successful and after a year or so evaluate the project for further funding in the
Cuture. Larry Nolan stated that the Parks Commission docs not formally act on the Adopt A Park
applications and the applications are.i ust submitted to the Park Superintendcnt.
Ollie Koropchak then brought up the Riverwalk development and the park along Front Street. Pal1
of the HRA agreement with Hans Hagen Homes calls f()r the City to have the park landed seeded or
sodded by September, 2002. The area was seedcd last fall and was re-seeded last week according
to Adam Hawkinson.
5.
Wild Meadow (Sunset Ponds) - Review of park and trail plan.
Lynn Giovanelli was present and reported the developer is still working on the ponding and drainage
issues f()r this development. The Parks Commission reviewed pictures taken of this area after the
recent rainfall which confirmed some the drainage concerns that had bcen raised. Lynn Giovanelli
did state that they had received verbal indication that the gas company would allow 8' of fill along
the casement area but would require hlisters over the gas line. Lynn Giovanelli said the question
remains whether developer could provide the 5 acres of usable land the Parks Commission desired
especially since the ponding and drainage issues have not heen resolved.
Lynn Giovanelli had two sketches one showing the proposed park land if the City would take the
water from the Tyler East area and the other showing the proposed park land available if the
developer provided ponding area for the Tyler East storm water. The 1.94 acrcs of green space
that was proposed for park land in earlier versions of the development has been taken out as per the
Parks Commission recommendation. Lynn Giovanelli stated the developer is looking for park
dedication credit for the land in the easement area. I,arry Nolan statcd that thc casement area has
marginal value since the easenlent lilnits what the city could do in that area. Lynn (i-iovanelli
suggested that ballfields could be placed in the easement area but Adam Hawkinson stated they
2
Parks Commission Minutes - 6/26/03
.
could not place backstops in the easement area or install an irrigation system.
Lynn Giovanelli said the ponding needs for the development would change dramatically if the City
would accept the drainage from the Tyler East area. Since that issue has not been resolved, the
question is if the developer can only provide 2.92 acres of usable land what would the Parks
Commission do? Would they require 5 acres or would they accept 2.92 acres and cash
dedication. Because of the density of units, the Parks Commission felt a park was needed in this
development. Lynn Giovanell i added that if the gas company allows the filling of the casement area
the 1.20 acres in the casement would be flat, usable land. Adam Ilawkinson commented that if the
City did include the area in the gas line easement. it could not be used for a parking lot nor could a
play structure be placed on it so the 2.92 acres (labeled # I on the map) would have to hold the
parking lot and play structure. The small basins that were shown on earlier drawings had been
renlOved but Adam Ilawkinson stated the City wanted no drainage going towards the park. Rick
Traver felt that it was unlikely they would be able to get any ballficlds from this park but they could
utilize the 3 acres to provide adequate parking, a hard court and play structure. The Parks
Commission said they could use the easement area as field area for a pickup games of soccer or
football.
.
Lynn Giovanelli indicated there was .92 acres of trail and asked how that would be handled. .lefT
O'Neill stated that city policy did not give credit for internal trails. Credit is given only if the trails
are part of the city's trail system. The internal trails are a benefit for the devcloper in that it helps
them market their property.
The Parks Commission discussed the amount of credit to be given for the easement area. Rick
Traver felt between 20%-25% would be appropriate. Jeff O'Neill indicated that the only previous
incident of park dedication credit was in the Battle Rapids development and they received 50<%
credit. Adam Hawkinson noted the Comprehensive Plan stated that no credit be given for easement
area. Lynn Giovanelli thought that applied only to power line easements. John Simola suggested if
the reference was only to power line easements, the Parks Commission should consider amending
the ordinancc to make it apply to all types of casements.
Lynn Giovanelli stated the developer prefers the option where the City would accept the drainage
from thc 'ryler Hast area. John Simola stated that the City does not want to use capacity in their
storm water systcm for areas outsidc the city limits. Not only does the City lose capacity in thc
system that could be utilized for development in the city, they also lose tax base and maintenance
fees. The City Engineer has indicated that the storm sewer line that drains Meadow Oaks is not
large enough. crhe staiT feels the pond nceds to be part of the development. There was some
discussion whether the gas line area could be used lor ponding.
.
Overall the Parks Commission felt that at lcast three acres of flat, usable land would be the minimum
and preferably more would be better but John Simola felt that five acres was needed. As far as
park dedication credit for the casement area, the Parks Commission will evaluate that when it is seen
what the final park layout is.
.,
_J
.
.
.
Parks Commission Minutes - 6/26/03
7.
Consideration of setting criteria for building a berm on park oroperty.
This item was moved up on the agenda so it could be discussed while John Simola was in
attendance. The request from a property owner to build a berm on park land came up at the last
Parks Commission meeting and during the Parks Commission tour they viewed the site in question.
John Simola indicated that the property owner asked him to bring this item up and to ask the Parks
Commission to consider: 1) Whether the Parks Commission would sell some park land so he could
relocate his driveway; and 2) Would they allow him to build a berm on park land to screcn his
property. The property owner constructed a berm, without authorization from anyone, and with
the recent rainfalls dirt and debris from the berm has wash cd into the neighbor's back yard as well
as into the street. This resulted in significant hours of clean up by staiT. John Simola discussed this
issue with the City Attorncy and the City Attorncy coneurrcd that no work should bc done on park
land without a permit and proper insurance and thc work must be done to certain standards as set
forth by the City. Another concern is the construction activity taking place in the power line
easement area. John Simola noted that there are restrictions on what kind of activity is allowed
within the easemcnt area. The Parks Commission needs to decide ifthere is merit in allowing the
construction of a bcrm on park land and if so what standards of construction should apply. In
response to the property owner's request to purchase park land, John Simola reported that City
Attorney refercnced Minncsota Statutcs 15.054 which relatcs to the prohibition of selling city owned
property to a city employec or city official. Rick Traver felt that based on the survey drawing there
was adequate space on the owner's propcrty to placc the berm and it was not necessary to have it
on park land. Larry Nolan felt that ifthc berm was f~tr enough away from the pathway, he didn't
have a problem with a berm on park land. Adam Ilawkinson stated that it would crcate problems
with Inowing. The property owner indicated that hc would maintain the bcrm but John Simola noted
that there were liability issues with private construction on public property.
John Simola stated the berm has been put there and the decision has to be made whether it can
remain. Rick Traver asked ifthc decision was made not to allow a berm, what would happen. John
Simo\a replied that the berm would have to be removed and thc area seeded or sodded. If the
Parks Commission allows the berm on park land, thc berm would havc to be constructed to certain
standards and the area restored. The property owner asked if purchasing the land wasn't an
option would the Parks Commission consider a lease of the park land. Fran Fair felt the city would
face the same issues with leasing the property to a city official or employee as thcy would with the
salc of the property to a city official or cmployee.
In reviewing the property sketch, John Simola noted that the driveway is locatcd very close to the
pathway and that could be a hazard. Fran Fair noted that if there was a hazard it was created by
the property owner in where he placed his driveway as he was aware of the location of the pathway.
City ordinance provides that the drivcway cannot be closcr than 3 feet to the property line. Rased
on the property drawing there appears to be 10'-12' between the pathway and driveway. Some
Park Commission membcrs voiced their belief that since the pathway was there first, the pathway
was not the hazard. If there was a hazard it was ereatcd by the placement of driveway which was
done after the pathway was in placc. Larry Nolan stated he didn't have a probleml11oving thc
4
.
.
.
Parks Commission Minutes - 6/26/03
pathway as long as it was restored to its original condition.
RICK TRAVER MOVED '1'0 HA VE THE PROPERTY OWNER REMOVE THE BERM AND
RESTORE TIlE AREA TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION WITHIN 14 DA YS OF
NOTIfiCATION. FRAN FAIR SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSL Y.
The proximity of the driveway to the pathway will be evaluated to determi ne if any hazard does
exist. Adam Hawkinson questioned why there was no erosion control or silt fencing in place as that
is an ordinance requirement. He also felt that the Building Department should watch that the
driveway is properly placed. The consensus of the Parks Commission was that the pathway would
not be relocated and thc driveway must bc placed on the property according to code.
6. Park Maintenance Items:
Park Superintendent, Adam Hawkinson submitted a list of the work completed. He reported that
there is still work rcmaining to be done on the Pioneer Park shelter but they arc trying to get as much
done as possible before the dedication of the sheltcr. Larry Nolan asked about the plantings at the
old library sitc and Adam Hawkinson stated they were replanted at the liquor store. Thc paving is
done at Rolling Woods park. Only installation of the backboard and hoops remains as well as some
soil work on both sides of the pathway.
8.
Updates:
A. East Bridge Park - The Park Commission will not make a final decision on the trail until it is
known whether the city receives grant funds. It was suggested that the trail alignment be
pushed more towards the river. Adam Hawkinson statcd that alignment would require
construction of a rctaining wall.
R. Pioneer Park Shelter - Parks Commission was advised of the dedication of thc shelter which
is scheduled for July 10,2003 at 5 p.m.
C. Update on Comprehensive Plan - No progress has been made on gelling the update
completed. The Parks Commission discussed some of the areas of the plan they felt needed
to be updated.
D. Ballfield Use for Youth Football- Adam Hawkinson will set a meeting date of the
subcommittee. lIe pointed out that the grass still has not grown back in some of the divots
left from the football leagues use of the iields.
E.
Entrance Sign - The sign arca has been staked and construction has started on the boulder
wall. It is hoped to have the entrance sign in by Riverfest. There was discussion of the
landscaping work done for the adjacent property owner.
5
.
.
.
Parks Commission Minutes - 6/26/03
F.
Mowing at Battle Rapids Park - Fran Fair has received calls from residents in that area
asking when mowing would be done. Adam Ilawkinson replied that they had staked the
stumps so that could be removed prior to mowing. Someone removed the stakes so the
stumps need to be restaked. Because the area is abound with poison ivy, it will have to
sprayed before they can go back in and mark the stumps. After the stumps are marked,
they will be ground out and then mowing will be done.
G. Steve Andrews expressed his concern about erosion along the banks at Ellison Parle He
questioned whether it would be better not to mow along the river bank but allow the grass to
grow there in order to curb the erosion.
9. Adjourn.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 6:30 P.M. FRAN f<AIR SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
\)~ ~5~
Recording Secretary
6