Parks Commission Minutes 07-24-2003
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MJNlJTES
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, .July 24, 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, Bcn Hitter, Nancy McCaffrey and Larry Nolan
Members Absent:
Rick Traver and Council Liaison, Robbie Smith
Stan' Present:
Public Works Director, John Simola; Park Superintendent, Adam Hawkinson;
Deputy City Administrator, Jeff O'Neill.
1. Call to Order.
Chair Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
2. A rove minutes of the .June 26 2003 re ular Parks Commission meetin .
Adam Hawkinson had a correction to Item #7 of the minutes relating to the construction of the
berm. The statement should have read that the debris from the berm was on the pathway and
in the neighbor's back yard as well as on the street.
FRAN FAIR MOVED TO APPROVE TI IE MINUTES WITH THE CORRECTION
NOTED. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSI,Y.
3.
Consideration of addinl!: items to the agenda.
None.
4. Citizens comments and requests.
None.
5. Klein/O'Brien develo
Since no representatives of the developer were prcsent at this time, this item was tabled until
later in the meeting.
6.
Glen posusta - Berm on Park Property.
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Glen posusta was present regarding the berm he had constructed on park property and other
related issues. He stated that since the site is under construction it looks bad but the site will
look bcttcr once the construction is completed. Glen posusta talkcd to Deb Colcficld from
Xce\ Energy regarding the berm being in the easement area. Xcd Energy indicated they
Parks Cornmission Minutes - 7/24/03
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didn't have a problem with the location of the berm. The overhead lines, however are GRE's
and he has talked to Michelle Lumley from their ofliee regarding the berm. Glen Posusta
stated he is under the northcrly string of the overhead wires. If the bcrm is allowed by the
Parks Commission it should be contingcnt upon GRE/lJP A approval.
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Glen Posusta brought up mowing of the park area and presented pictures of the area in its
unmowed state. He stated that similar areas along County Road 117 and School Boulevard
are mowed and his berm is not any steeper than those areas. He challenged the statement
about liability concerns as he didn't feel the liability would be any greater here than at any
other park location. Glen Posusta presented pictures of the berm stating that the berm was
meant to be a little further to the north and ifneed ~e he would relocate it there. He
questioned the validity of the eoncerns raised by the Parks Commission. He felt the biggest
issue would be the location of his driveway. The ordinance requires it to bc 3' from the
property line. Glen Posusta proposed that ifthe Parks Commission would allow the berm to
remain, he would seed or sod the berm and would move his driveway to the north side of the
power pole thus reducing the hazard. Glen Posusta questioned whether the bike path was in
the proper location and pointed out safety concerns with how the bike traffic enters onto the
street. lie offered to pay f()f the relocation of the bike path. If he relocates his driveway to
the north of the power pole, he would like to erect some type of berm to protect his driveway
from runolfflow. Public Works Director, John Simola had a drawing of the Posusta property
that showed the driveway 25' from the property line. Mr. Posusta stated that the driveway
location shown on the drawing was placed there by the surveyor. He ended up changing the
driveway location in order to preserve some trees. John Sill10la stated that he was
disappointed that Mr. posuta built the berm prior to the Parks Commission having an
opportunity to consider it and that he continued to work on it even though the Parks
Commission did not approve it.
Glen Posusta stated that he is considering plantings of somc sort i()!' the berm to make the area
more attractive to people using the pathway. This would eliminate the need to mow and
creatc a nice visual attraction. John Simola stated that placing the perm on park property
was likc a taking of the property. There was discussion on the location and width of the berm
with Glen Posusta stating that at its highest point the berm would be T. There was discussion
whethcr thc berm would clivert runofT !lows or concentrate the tlow to the bcrm causing the
bern1 to washout. In addition, the area around the berm should have silt fencing. John
Simola statcd there is nothing that allows Mr. Posusta to do plantings or anything elsc on park
land. Cilcn Posusta questioned the cflectiveness of silt fencing. John Simola stated the silt
feneing is required by ordinance and should bc placed around any area that is disturbcd. The
silt fencing is to remain in plaee until vegetation is established.
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Fran Fair stated the question was why the berm was placed on park property in the first place.
She felt it \vas too late to come bcf6re the Parks Commission now. Cilen Posusta stated he
purchased the lot before the pathway was in and he was not aware that the City owned Outlot
A. Adam llawkinson asked ifhe knew where his property line was located and why Mr.
Posusta thought it would be okay to build sOlnething on property that was not his own. The
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Parks Departll1ent has required other property owners to remove fences, structures and
plantings li'om park land. Adam Hawkinson felt that since the Parks does not allow those
encroachments they should not allow the bernl to encroach on park property. He also
pointcd out that thc power company indicated they did have restrictions on what could bc
placcd in the eascment area. Larry Nolan stated thc minutes did not rcflect the concern of the
Parks C0l111nission about setting a precedent by allowing this berm to remain.
Glcn Posuta statcd the biggcst concern was the location of his driveway and relatcd safety
issues. lIe reiteratcd his proposal to relocate his drivcway ifthc berm could remain. John
Simola asked if the Building Department had approved a plan showing the drivcway in its
prescnt location. The drawing that John ~:mola obtained from the Building Departmcnt did
not show thc driveway where it is presently situated. Nancy McCaffrey askcd if the berm
couJdn't be built on his property. Fran Fair expressed her conccrn about the precedent sct by
allowing this. Ben Hittcr concurrcd and raiscd the issuc of future maintenance of the area if
therc are new property owncrs. Mr. Posusta indicated that thcre is no maintenancc done now.
Adam Hawkinson responded that the ordinance requires maintenance when it is within 100' of
an occupied structure. Chair Nolan askcd if anyone wanted to change the motion made at the
last Parks Commission meeting to have the berm removed. The Parks Commission did not
wish to change the motion directing that the bcrm be removed.
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10.
Youth Football.
Adam Ilawkinson reported that they met with Gene Emanuel and Mr. Emanuel was told that
youth f()otball would not have thc use ofthc Xcel fields. Genc Emanuel indicated that youth
football needcd five fields. Adam Hawkinson came up with alternative fields but was then
told by Mr. Emanuel that these wcre not suitable. Adam Hawkinson and John Simola will
work with Mr. En1anuel on a proposal to havc 1 game on each of thc three fields on Tuesday
and Thursday l()r this year. The possible acquisition of the site currently occupied by Our
Back Yard could lnake available somc land for use as fields. John Simola will talk to Duanc
Gates about the fields at Pinewood and the condition they are in as Mr. Fmanuel statcd those
ficlds are in poor shape. John Simola indicated that youth football would not play when the
fields arc wet. John Silnola notcd with the watering ordinancc in effect it does not make I()r
casy scheduling to get the watering done and the games in. The Parks Comlnission was also
informed that Mark Banyai may be forming a fall soft:ballleaguc which would in1pact the
youth 1()()tball play. Fran Fair suggested somc concession to the youth football this year but to
get the issues resolved fl.)!" next season. Stall exprcssed some frustration in working with
youth f()otball. Thcre was some discussion of "sweat equity" or fees being charged for use of
thc fields by the youth football.
Added Item:
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Lynn Oiovannell and John Wingard were prcsent to rcview the park land layout for what was
fonnerly the Wild Mcadow dcvelopment now renmned Sunsct Ponds. It was explained that the City
will be taking the Tyler ]':ast runoJT so only about 6 acres from the Tyler East area and drainage from
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the back yards on the east side ofthc plat would be going into ditch #33. The dcvelopcr has met
with Kerry Saxton of Wright County Soil & Water District who is in affirmative with their plan
although it has not been officially acted upon by the County. The devcloper also received
notification from the gas company relating to the park arca in the easement area. The gas company
would allow filling of the area but would require a reinf()rcing concrete structure for the gas pipc.
Ben II itter didn't feel a playstructure should be placed in the easement area. Lynn Giovanelli stated
that other cities consider easement area as usable land.
John Simola and WSB & Associates and had reviewed the grading plan in a preliminary way and had
the following commcnts: 1) Lift station location would requirc the area designated on the sketch as
Park #3 and possibly a portion of Lot 20 as well; 2) Change routing of the drainagc pipe so it moves
away from the open area. The park in the south would be assessed for drainage to ditch #33 and the
City would like that changed. It is approximately 2 acres that would be going to ditch #33 and John
Simola felt that some additional filling would accomplish this. John Wingard stated that when the
dcveloper was doing the filling they could shape the area for ballficld use. Larry Nolan stated the
ballfields in this area would bc pick up games not league play. Larry Nolan asked about parking
spaces. John Simola stated the ordinance specifics the number of parking spaces required and 20
spaces would be typical f()r a park area.
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Of the park arcas shown on the sketch, areas #3 and #5 would not be available. According to Lynn
Giovanelli there would be 4 V; acres of park land with no rcstriction and 1.2 acres in thc casement
area which would be restricted. Park dcdication credit was discussed and the consensus of the
Parks Commission was that 25% would be an appropriate amount. It was suggested that park area
#5 be owned by the homeowners association and John Simola suggested that the filtration pond area
should also be sodded. John Simola also suggested that the Parks Commission eonsidcr amending
thc park dcdication ordinance to spell out the procedure f()r granting park dedication credit.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVr':D TO APPROVE THE PARK LA YOUT AS PRESENTED AND
ALLOW A 2YllJ CREDIT FOR THE LAND AREA IN TIlE EASEMENT AREA. FRAN FAIR
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED lJNANIMOUSL Y.
5.
Klein/O'Brien Development Plan Reviewer (Hunter's Crossing)
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The proposed dcvelopment includes townhol11es on the north and single family homes on the
south. Jeff (fNei II submitted a sketch showing future park locations in this area. .TeiT
O'Neill updated the Parks Commission on possible acquisition of a site for the relocation of
the redi-mix plant. The proposed relocation site is 25 acres and is the current location of Our
Back Yard. The redi-rnix plant would need between 5-7 acres leaving 18 acres for ballJields.
The site has highway frontage and is away from residential neighborhoods. Another option is
25-40 acrcs to the west of the Ciroveland development. There is some prelilninary
development activity in this area. .lefT O'Neill also updated the Parks COlnmission on the
driving range site. At $45,000/acrc the cost JCll' this site is somewhat prohibitive as filr as the
Parks Con11l1ission was concerned. The relocation site f()r the red i-mix plant would run about
$28,OOO-$30,OOO/acre but itis flat land and would require less work to make it usable J()r
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Parks Commission Minutes - 7/24/03
ballfields. The consensus of the Park C0111mission was that this was a good site to pursue for
the ball fields. After the update, the Parks Commission again looked at the layout of the
Hunter's Crossing plan and where in the development a park should be located. It was felt it
should be midway between the townhomes and single family homes with 85th Street as a
houndary. The Park Commission felt a 5 acre site would be adequate and the balance of the
park dedication would be in cash. Ben Hitter suggested a park along the Country Road 117
side to separate the flow of people. Jeff O'Neill pointed out that there is no sidewalk on side
of CR 117 that the development is adjacent to. The Parks Commission also fclt the park
should be located centrally between the park in thc Featherstonc developmcnt and Pioneer
Park.
7.
East Hrid2:e Pathway.
Adam Hawkinson informed the Parks Commission that the City did not receivc a grant for the
trail at East Bridge Parle The Parks Commission needs to decide whether to proceed with a
trail or replace the existing steps. It was suggested that cost cstimates be obtained for each
option. Adam I lawkinson said he would prefer to have the pathway, even if it is only 8' wide,
primarily hecause of accessibility for users and safety issues of utilizing the pathway
connection under 'I'll 25. Larry Nolan asked if a pathway is put in would a retaining wall
have to be installed by an engineer. Adam Hawkinson felt it wouldn't since retaining walls in
excess of4' need to be engineered and hc didn't believe the wall would exceed 4'. Fran Fair
felt the cost comparison would bc a major factor. Because of the time element, the Parks
Commission will hold a special meeting to look at the costs and authorize action. The Park
Department would plan on doing the work during August and September so it is important to
get going on this.
8.
Grovcland Plav Equipment
Adam Hawkinson got a call from a resident who was concerned about noise generated by the
play area. Adam Hawkinson suggested that the layout could be re-configured to encroach
slightly into the ball1ield arca thus eliminating the noise concern. Since the pressure may be
easing f(,r ballfields hecause of the possible land acquisition, the City may not need all the
space at Orovcland for ballficlds. Parks Commission discussed the distance there should be
betwecn activity areas. Generally they felt 40-50 fect would be a good distance and as low as
30 feet t(,r activity areas used by younger children. Adam Hawkinson will bring back a
drawing of the layout change. Adam Hawkinson noted the structure cost is $47,000 including
installation. It is anticipated installation will be done towards the end of August.
9. River Mill Pathway
Adam Hawkinson discussed the trail in the River Mill development running behind thc houses
toward the freeway. lIe is planning to budget for 2004 for the paving of the trail.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 7/24/03
Added Item:
Adam Hawkinson submitted a list of the work completcd by the Parks Department. Parks
Commission complimcnted the staff t()[ the work done at the Chamber and with the installation of the
entrance sign.
Update:
Naney McCaffrey updated the Parks Commission on infonnation for the website.
12. Ad iourn.
NANCY MCCAFPREY MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 7: 15 P.M. FRAN r AIR SECONDED
THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Recording Secretary 6
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