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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