Parks Commission Minutes 11-29-2007Park Commission Minutes: 11/29/07
MINUTES
PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday,
November 29, 2007 - x:30 p.m.
~~To enhance community pride through developing maintaining
City parks with a standard of quality:'
Members Present: Gene Emanuel, Ben Hitter, Nancy McCaffrey, Larry Nolan, Rick Traver and
Council Liaison, Tom Perrault.
Members Absent: None
Others Fresent: Tom Fawelk, Park Superintendent
1. Call to Order.
Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum
present.
2. A rove minutes of October 25 2007 re ular Parks Commission meetin .
The Sunset Ponds park development plan had been discussed at the October 2S, 2007 meeting
and Larry Nolan clarified that the field would be a grass field and would not be a
formal ball field.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 25, 2007
REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. BEN HITTER SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Consideration of addin items to the a enda.
Review of design proposal for the Sunset Ponds park was added to the agenda and discussed at
this time. The play structure design was from Play World and was for ages 5 and above. Tom
Pawelk noted a problem with the play structure at Hillcrest Park with the netted portion of the
structure. The structure consists of swings, slide and crawling chamber. Everything comes off
one point so the user doesn't have to get aff the structure to get to another area of the structure.
Color scheme is burgundy, green and browns which are mare earth tones. The price for the
structure if purchased in 2008 would be $52,798.51. If purchased yet in 2007, it would be
$50,207.70. The site for the play structure needs to be 55' x 80'. The developer still has to
install the split rail fencing. Tom Pawelk will be getting some additional quotes on the play
structure.
4. Citizens comments and re nests.
There was no one who spoke under citizens comments or requests. The Farks Department staff
was complimented far the good job they do on woad chipping.
Park Commission Minutes: 11/29/07
S. Review ark cornce t laps for Featherstone Public Works site.
The City recently purchased 20 acres of land across from the Monticello Township Hall far a
future Public Works Facility. According the facility study, the City needs a minimum of 28
acres for the site and therefore needs to acquire an additional 8 acres. It is proposed that the
additional acreage come from the Featherstone Development. Horst Grazer, the developer of the
Featherstone Addition showed the location of the proposed Public Works site and also reviewed
concept plans for the land to be purchased from the Featherstone Development. Acquiring the
land from the Featherstone development will require them to redo the platting process but Horst
Grazer indicated the City would waive the platting fees. The Public Works site will be fenced far
security purposes and will be screened. Horst Grazer noted that the City owns a portion of the
area since it was deeded to them as an outlot. The Forks Commission discussed the revised park
land area. Horst Grazer stated he would be placing white corner posts to designate the park
boundaries and to discourage encroachment into the park area. The total Featherstone
development is 223 acres with 70 acres of it commercial/industrial uses. Tom Pawelk
questioned the elevation on some of the lots noting that John Simola, Public Works
Director indicated the City may have to reshape the pond. In exchange for removing
Lots 36T391ocated in the southwest azea of the development, the developer will be
allowed additional lots in northeast azea of the development (Lots 31-35). Horst Grazer
stated he may have to give up either Lot 60 or Lot 43 or 44 for access to the park from the
development. Ben Hitter and Rick Traver felt Lot 60 would provide a better access point.
In discussing haw the park is developed, Horst Grazer stated he would not like to see any
formal ball fields with lights as he thought it would devalue the land. He did not feel organized
leagues would be appropriate for this site. He also stated he did not want a trail running along
the back of the lots as he felt that would be intrusive. Nancy McCaffrey said the City likes to
have a sign placed indicating this is a park site. Horst Grazer when the city comes up with a
development plan they would include it in their project information even though the pazk may
not be built immediately.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO ACCEPT CONCEPT FLAN #3 WITH THE DELETIONS OF
LOTS 36-39 AND THE ADDITION OF LOTS 31-35 AND SQUARING OFF THE
TRIANGULAR PIECE OF LAND BY LOT 59. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. Park Maintenance.
Tom Pawelk submitted a list of the work completed by the Forks Department stafF. He
reported vandalism that occurred at the various pazks. He suggested that the Parks Department
look at upgrading their surveillance system. Staff worked on getting the snow plowing
equipment ready. He reported that YMCA visits by state legislators and finance people went
well. Staff updated sidewalk and pathway measurements. Everything is ready at Swan Fark for
viewing of the swans. They are in the process of flooding the rinks and hiring rink attendants.
Staffinet with the Department of Health regazding the concessions facility at the ball fields. City
will need to epoxy the floor, remove the walk-in cooler and make changes to the bathroom
according to the Department of Health. A tree donated in memory of former Mayor, Roger
Belsaas was placed in Ellison Park just east of the memorial.
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Park Commission Minutes: 11/29/07
Gene Emanuel asked if there was going to a tree planting workshop in 2008. Tom Pawelk
indicated that is being planned and a notice will be sent out in a future utility billing. Tom
Pawelk asked if the Parks Commission felt there were any particular areas in need of additional
trees. Ben Hitter suggested the Sunset Ponds area. Tom Pawelk stated a Dutch Elm disease tree
inspection will be done in 2008. It was asked why the hockey association does not pay any fee
for maintenance of the rinks. Rick Traver noted that at one time the association used to flood the
rinks and remove the snow. Tom Pawelk indicated the association no longer performs any of the
maintenance or flooding. Tom Pawelk pointed out that maintenance of the rinks takes a lot of
time and he felt some fee should be charged to the hockey association.
Tom Pawelk stated he has received a request to have a batting cage installed at Hillcrest Park.
Gene Emanuel suggested it be placed on the west side of the diamond.
7. Ex irin terms of Park Commission members:
The terms of Ben Hitter and Rick Traver will expire in December, 2007. Rick Traver indicated
he would be willing to serve another term. Ben Hitter stated he will be moving to Big Lake and
therefore will not be able to serve. The vacancy will be listed on the City's website.
$. Adjourn
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO AJDOURN AT 6 P.M. RICK TRAVER SECONDED
THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
~~ ~.r
Recording Secretary
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