Parks Commission Minutes 12-18-2003
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Parks Commission Minutes .~. 12/18/03
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, December 18,2003
West Prairie Room
"To enhance community pride through deve/oping and
maintaining city parks with a high standard (dquality. .'.'
Members Present:
Fran Fair, Ben Hitter, Nancy McCaffrey, Larry Nolan and Rick Traver.
Members Absent:
Council Liaison, Robbie Smith
StafT Present:
Adam Hawkinson, Park Superintendent
.lefT O'Neill, Deputy City Administrator (for portion of the meeting)
1. Call to Order.
Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
2. Approve minutes of November 20, 2003 ree:ular Parks Commission meetine:.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 20, 2003
REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. FRAN FAIR SECONDED TIlE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3.
Consideration of addine: items to the ae:enda.
A request by TDS for an easement in the Sunset Ponds development, information on the dock
that will be instalIed at West Rridge Park and play equipment for Country Club Park was added
to the agenda.
4. Citizens comments and requests.
None.
5. Park Maintenance.
Park Superintendent, Adam Hawkinson, submitted a list of the work compIcted by staff for the
month. Two skating rinks, West Bridge Park and 4th Street, will be operated this year. Rick
Traver suggested looking at a skating rink in the Groveland area or at least to serve that side of
the city. Grovcland and Pioneer parks were suggested as possible sites for the rink. There was
some discussion on the lIse of the sliding hills and safety measures installed by the Parks staff.
Adam Hawkinson stated that with Rill Kearns, the caretaker for Riverside Cemetery not
returning in 2004, the Parks staff will have more input and duties relating to the Riverside
Cemetery.
6.
Revisions to the Comprehensive Plan.
A copy of the park inventory was provided to the Parks Commission members. Nancy
McCathey reviewed the contents of the inventory. Some additions and revisions were made.
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Parks Commission Minutes- 12/18/03
The Fallon A venue Park was discussed. This is a small park of limited use. Because it is not
suitable for development as an active park, it was suggested that Adam Hawkinson and Jeff
O'Neill look into the possibility of selling the land.
The Mississippi Drive Park (Swan) was also discussed. Because of the increasing interest by
people in the swans this park is attracting more visitors. Nancy McCaffrey noted that the park
is listed in the DNR brochure. Since the park is commonly referred to as the "Swan Park" there
was some discussion on whether the name should be changed to reflect that. Chair Larry Nolan
suggested that the Park Commission members consider this matter and bring it back at the
January meeting. Battle Rapids Park was also mentioned as a viewing area for the swans.
There was discussion on the use of the Battle Rapids park area. Nancy McCaffrey felt the park
should be a passive park with the primary focus the view of the river. The Parks Commission
felt this park might be a possibility f()r a grant application.
With the revisions to the park inventory that phase of the Comprehensive Plan update will be
complete. At the November meeting, the Parks Commission made recommendations fCJr
changes in the city ordinance to clarify what is acceptable land for park dedication. Larry
Nolan asked if this matter had been taken forward to the Council for consideration. Jeff
O'Neill stated that since there are not any subdivisions immediately coming up, he felt this item
should be reviewed by staff before it went any further and added that as of this date it had not
yet come up at site review. This will be brought back at the next meeting so that the Parks
Commission can consider statI comments on the proposed changes.
The Parks Commission also discussed the need to update the maps in the comprehensive plan.
Although the maps will be done by the either the planner or engineer, the Parks staffwill need
to identify the locations of parks that have been added since the comprehensive plan was
prepared. An update will be brought back at the next meeting.
Jeff O'Neill stated that a developer is looking an area east of the proposed Carlisle Village.
This area was identified as a site for a neighborhood park. Adam Ilawkinson raised a question
about when park development is initiated. He questioned whether a certain number of lots in
the development had to be built on before the park is devcloped. Larry Nolan stated he did not
believe there was anything in writing that specilied when park development takes place. Adam
Ilawkinson felt that by developing the parks earlier before the development is extensively built
up, you eliminate thc issue of residents not knowing how close they are to the park site or what
type of park is in their development. The offset to that is that there may be some residents who
would question why a less built up development would get a park earlier than a development
that is built up and would have a greater need Jor a park.
7.
Updates.
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Jeff O'Neill stated that at an earlier Parks Commission meeting there was discussion of
applying park dedication fees to commercial property. Jeff O'Neill stated he would try to get
this issue before the Council in January.
Parks Commission Appointment.
The tcrm of Fran Fair expires on December 31,2003. She indicated her willingness to serve
anothcr term i r the Parks Commission was willing.
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Parks Commission Minutes 12/18/03
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THE
APPOINTMENT OF fRAN FAIR TO A THREE YEAR TERM ON 'fHE PARKS
COMMISSION COMMENCING JANUARY 1,2004. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED
THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
9.
Identifvinl! 2oals/projects for 2004 focus.
Adam Hawkinson and the Parks Commission discussed upcoming projects and priorities Jor
2004. The following are items that were felt to be priorities: 1) Acquisition of land for
ballfield complex; 2) Completion of the East Bridge Park trail and arboretum; 3) Completion of
the Groveland Park; 4) The construction of the pathway along CSAII 18 and 5) The restrooms
at Ellison Park.
Another item that the Parks Commission felt deserving of focus was the development of a park
and recreation department. At the present time the City's role in park and recreation is
primarily on developing and maintaining parks. The recreational aspects are handled by a
numher of different groups such as the school, the associations, etc. It was felt that a
centralized focus on developing recreational programs and scheduling use of city facilities
would be more efficient. The question was how to accomplish the merging of various
programs operated by a number of different groups into one governing body for all recreational
programs. The complexity of developing an entity to handle the recreation programs made it
questionable whether this should be a goal for 2004. It was felt that at least there should be the
beginning steps of meeting with the various groups operating the existing programs and starting
discussions on how to set this up. It was suggested that perhaps having someone at the
meeting from a community who had set up a recreation program would be helpful. Another
possible resouree would be a representative from the Minnesota Parks Assoeiation. Adam
Hawkinson stated that the question of charging for the use of the fields is something that is
being considered. Jeff O'Neill stated that a decision like that should come from Couneil and
not staff.
Jeff O'Neill brought up the issue of crosswalks along major highways. At the last Council
meeting discussion came up on the need Jar a erossing at CSAll 75 and Prairie Road and
discussion on whether a pedestrian crossing should be located on TH 25 between ill Street and
CSAH 75. Fran Fair cited Gillard A venue and County Road 39 as another location that should
be considered. Larry Nolan stated that the Parks Commission could discuss it but because it
was an area relating to traffic and public safety he didn't know if it should be a primary focus
of the Parks Commission. Nancy McCaJlrey asked if sites were identified as meriting a
pedestrian crosswalk who would pay for the cost of constructing them. Jeff O'Neill indicated
that it would be likely that the City would pick up most of the cost. It was pointed out that
since CSAII 75 and 'I'll 25 are county and state roads and the City could not do anything in
their right-of-way without obtaining approval. Larry Nolan felt that perhaps lowering the
speed limit might also need to be considered.
Adam Hawkinson raised the issue of staffing. With the continuing increase in park land
acquisition it may be necessary to increase staffing in the parks department to handle it. While
the Parks Commission acknowledged that with the City's growth, the demands on the park staff
continue to grow, they felt that staffing needs would be more in the realm of the Parks
Superintendent with the Parks Commission supplying support f(lr obtaining budgeting f()r the
stafl. The determination of how mueh additional staff is needed and whether staff should be
full-time or part-time should be that of the Park Superintendent.
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Parks C 0111 111 ission Minutes -- ] 2/ 18/03
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Nancy McCaffrey asked how often park inspections are done. Adam llawkinson responded
that they try to do them 3-4 times a year. He added that another factor in determining how
often inspections are done, is the amount of use the equipment receives. Adam Hawkinson
stated that his staff, although small, has many talents. Because of the heavy load of routine
work that must be done, staff does not have the opportunity to fully utilize their talents.
A list of the goals for 2004 will be prepared and brought back at the next meeting.
Added Items:
Adam Hawkinson submitted a brochure showing the type of dock that will be going in at West
Bridge Park. The dock wi II be located off of Front Street on land that was acquired as part of
the Riverwalk development. The dock is a result of a grant application made in 2003. The
Parks Commission felt it would be nice if installation was completed in time for the River Fest
activities and if so then maybe some kind of event or activity could be done focusing on the
dock.
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TDS is requesting an easement for land in the proposed Sunset Ponds development for
placement of equipment needed for their utilities. The easement area would house a 6'x8' pad
with cream colored cabinets containing the equipment. The area would be screened and
landscaped. At this time who will ultimately own the site is not certain. The Parks
Commission has stated that the land would not be accepted as park land because the gas line
easement makes it unusable. It was felt that if this was to be considered open space or
common area then ownership should be by the developer. Although the ownership question
has not been resolved, TDS was asking for easement approval if the city should end up owning
the land at this time as this would allow additional time for planning. The Parks Commission
discussed this at length. They were firm in their position that they did not want the area in
question as park land or for any other use. Ilowever, if for some reason it did end up being
owned by the city, the Parks Commission was not adverse to allowing the easement to TDS as
shown on the attached drawing with the conditions that the area be screened and landscaped
and that the structure be placed at least 12' off the property line to allow mowing with the city's
equipment.
Adam Hawkinson presented drawings and price quotes from Flanagan Sales, Game Time and
Earl F. Anderson for play equipment for the Country Club Park. The price estimates were in
the $20,000 range. The bids were to include the material, edging around the entire play area
including the swings, playstrueture and installation of playstrueture. The swings from the
existing site will be used with the new playstructure. $20,000 has been set aside in the park
budget for this improvement. After reviewing the various sketches, the Parks Commission
consensus was to go with the Earl F. Anderson structure, which included a digger.
Adam Hawkinson updated the Parks Commission on grants that he will be considering
applying for in 2004. At this time Sunset Ponds would not be ineluded in any grant application
for 2004.
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The restroolllS in Ellison Park will not be done until after the River Fest activities. The statIis
trying to determine if the existing building could be retrofitted or uti lized in any way. It is
proposed that the new restrooms will also have an electronic lock.
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Parks COll1ll1ission Minutes - 12/18/03
Rick Traver asked if Par West and Hillcrest Parks could be looked at and have staff come up
with a revitalization plan. Even if work doesn't take place immediately having a plan will help
keep focus on what needs to be done.
to.
Adjourn.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 6:45 P.M. NANCY MCCAFFREY
SECONDED TI IE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOlJSL Y.
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Recording Secretary
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