Parks Commission MInutes 11-20-2003
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, November 20, 2003
West Prairie Room
"To enhance cOInmunity pride through developing and
maintaining city parks with a high standard olquality. "
Members Present:
Fran Fair, Ben Hitter, Nancy McCaffrey, Larry Nolan, Rick Traver
Members Absent:
Council Liaison, Robbie Smith
Staff Present:
Adam Hawkinson, and Jeff O'Neill, Deputy City Administrator
(O'Neill attended 1st 15 minutes only)
1. Call to Order
Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to order and declared a quorum present.
2.
Approve minutes of October 23. 2003 regular Parks Commission meeting.
RICK TRA VER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 23.
2003 PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
3.
Consideration of adding: items to the agenda.
.Jeff O'Neill updated the Parks Commission on the Hunters Crossing plat. The developer
has, at the request of the Parks Commission, included a 5 acre park that will be located in
the southeast corner of the development, bordered by Fallon and School Boulevard. The
plat will now go on to the Planning Commission for approval. Jeff O'Neill suggested that
the Parks Commission give consideration to creating a mirror park when future
development happens across School Boulevard.
4. Citizens comments and relJuests
No citizens were present. but Adam Hawkinson and Ben I litter said that a Ilycr was being
circulated in the Groveland neighborhood about creating a neighborhood watch group to
discourage vandalism and abuse of the play equipment (mostly kids with skateboards).
The abuse usually takes place when the skateboard park is closed. Adam Hawkinson will
talk with Kitty Baltos about keeping the skateboard park optn longer.
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5.
Park Maintcnance
Adam Hawkinson distributed a list of maintenance items. The installation of the 3,d
welcome sign at Hwy 25 and School Blvd. is still scheduled to happen before the end of
the year.
Thtre was a brief discussion ofvehic\es driving on the pathways. It was agreed that a
letter to the editor in this week's the Monticello Times encouraging people to report any
such sightings to the police is the appropriate thing to do.
Parks Commissioners approved the samples of "Master Mark" corners that Adam
lIawkinson will use to mark the corners of park land.
6. Revisions to the Comprehcnsive Plan relating to aCQuisition policv (Pal!e 18)
and revisions to the overall park/pathway plan.
Nancy McCaffrey said that the parks inventory list is almost complete. but needs to meet
with Adam Ilawkinson to claritly some items. The updated inventory list will be used
while updating the 1998 Comprehensive Plan.
Recommended rcvisions to the City Ordinance. Section 11-6-1. para2:raphs C & D
Adam Hawkinson distributed John Simola's recommended list of items to consider when
requesting park land. John Simola asked that the Parks Commission review the list and
add these specific items to the City Ordinance, Section 11-6-1, C & D.
The Parks Commissions also made these recommendations:
Paragraph C should read: "Park dedication credit should not include any utility
easements. wetland or ponding area necessary for the drainage plan of the particular
subdivision"
Changes to Paragraph D are as follows: Land dedicated for park purposes should be
transferred to the City of Monticello by warranty deed. The deed must be clear with no
encumbrances, with all taxes and assessments paid and accepted at time the plat is
dedicated to the City. and submitted for processing within two weeks of plat approval.
RICK TR^ VER MOVED TO ACCEPT JOI-IN SIMOLA 'S RECOMMENDATIONS.
TI IE ADDITION OF THE PARKS COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDATIONS AS
STATED ABOVE CIIANGING CITY ORDINANCE 11-6-1, SECTIONS C & D. BEN
IIITTER SECONDED TIlE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
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7.
Park Updates
Country Club Park
Adam Hawkinson stated the changes to be made include moving the play area about 40
feet from it current location so it will be about 60 feet from the nearest property;
shortening and painting of existing swing set, install new play set, wood fiber and border;
remove the fence and possibly the backstop; retain the volley ball area using grass rather
than gravcl.
Renaming Dark land adiacent to Meadow Oak Park
There is a strip of park land located by the Mcadow Oak Park parking lot/Park & Ride
that is called Parkside Park. Adam Hawkinson requested that the name be dropped and
the area be joined to the existing Meadow Oak Park.
FRAN FAIR MOVED TO DROP THE PARKS IDE PARK NAME AND TO INCLUDE
THE AREA WITII TIIAT IN THE ADJACENT MEADOW OAK PARK, BEN
HITTER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOl'ION CARRIED,
Ellison Park
There is $60,000 budgeted in 2004 to rebuild the bathrooms at Ellison Park, A new
building to coordinate with the existing log structure will be placed on the same site, new
concrete slab will be poured around the existing plumbing slab. Adam Hawkinson will
bring the plans to the Parks Commission t'(n review. The goal is to have the bathrooms
completed before Riverfest 2004.
West Bridge Park
The $4,800 climbing wall will be installed in Spring 2004. Adam Ilawkinson brought
documentation of other climbing walls that were far more expensive than the one chosen.
Ball/Athletic Fields
There was discussion about the slow progress in obtaining an additional site j'()J' ball
fields. An increased need for ball fields began in 1992 with temporary fixes to date, and
the need has been demonstrated and documented. Adam Hawkinson will request that the
City Council direct the city planner to work to identify and purchase property so new ball
fields are completed for the 2005 season.
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Adam Hawkinson stated that Xee\ Energy has brushed out the buckthorn and wild growth
in the back area of the park and city works have removed accumulated trash. A plant
screen will be installed.
Grants
Adam Hawkinson announced that the grant submitted to create a fishing pier in West
Bridge Park has been approved. Two of the five grants submitted in 2003 have been
approved. The first grant received is to redo the path along County Road 18.
In 2004 Adam IJawkinson plans to apply for grants to pave the pathway at the top of the
River Mill sliding hill and another grant to complete the bathrooms at Groveland Park
8. Adiourn
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 6:10 P.M. FRAN FAIR SECONDED
THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSI,Y.
Nancy McCcd rey, Acting Recording S'
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