Parks Commission Minutes 06-19-2008MINUTES
PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, June 19, 2008 - 4:30 p.m.
"To enhance community pride through developing maintaining
City parks with a standard of quality."
Members Present: Gene Emanuel, Mark Larson, Larry Nolan and Rick Traver
Members Absent: Nancy McCaffrey and Council Liaison, Brian Stumpf
Others Present: Tom Pawelk, 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. Approve minutes of Apri124, 2008 Parks Commission meeting.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 24, 2008
PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. GENE EMANUEL SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
Nothing was added.
4. Citizens comments and requests.
Gene Emanuel mentioned that at Walk N Roll the resident at 315 Front Street registered a
complaint about unmowed property west of their lot. It was determined that this property
belongs to the city. Tom Pawelk stated he would notify the Street Department but added
that because of budget considerations the City is trying to reduce the amount of mowing
that is done. Gene Emanuel also noted that while manning the Parks Commission booth at
Walk N Roll they received many compliments about the condition of the parks. Tom
Pawelk stated that Reason of Hope, who had recently rented the park facilities, had sent a
thank you letter expressing their appreciation for the excellent condition of the park.
5. Park Maintenance.
Tom Pawelk submitted a list of the work completed. The flagpoles donated by civic
groups have been installed at the cemeteries. Spraying and fertilizing work is done. The
normal spring work has been completed and the Parks Department staff is getting into their
summer work routine. Larry Nolan thought the ball fields looked to be in good shape and
asked if all the work was completed on the concessions building. Tom Pawelk said except
for the mop sink everything else is done. Gene Emanuel complimented the landscaping
work that was done on the roundabout. Tom Pawelk said while City staff did the plantings
the Lions would be responsible for maintenance. Larry Nolan informed the Parks
Commission that the gardener's shed at East Bridge Park was working out very well.
6. Updates -Tom Pawelk
Welcome to Monticello Sign: Tom Pawelk is working with Ryan Companies on getting
their approval for the City to place the "Welcome to Monticello" sign on Outlot D of their
plat. The Parks Commission felt this was a good location and the lighting from the
commercial development would provide adequate lighting for the sign area.
Miscellaneous: Climbing walls are on order for Ellison and River Mill parks. Park
Department staff will be pouring the slab at Xcel ball fields for a storage shed that is being
moved from the old bowling alley site to the ball fields. Tom Pawelk brought up the
request made to the school about a student community project that would undertake
painting and touch up of the City park signs. He informed the Parks Commission that they
did not receive any response back from the school. During the next couple of weeks the
Parks Department will be preparing for RiverFest. The boulder wall at Pioneer Park will
not be done until after RiverFest.
Tom Pawelk indicated he has received anumber of a-mails from other communities about
concerts in the park. In the future he would like to look at a location where the City could
place a bandshell. The plans for the East Bridge Park gazebo are ready to go and the
construction work for this project will be done in-house.
Sunset Ponds Playstructure: Installation of the play structure for Sunset Ponds is set for
July 28th which is the date the contractor can make it. If the scouts are unable to help with
the installation, Park Department staff will work on the play structure installation. Larry
Nolan will contact an individual at the scouts about the status of the Eagle Scout project
relating to the play structure.
7. Review of Walk N Roll.
Larry Nolan, Gene Emanuel and Nancy McCaffrey manned the Parks Commission booth
at Walk N Roll. The day was nice and the turnout of people was good. They received
many compliments about the parks and distributed various park forms to those who came
to the booth. Tom Pawelk indicated he is working with Community Development staff on
a park brochure. Gene Emanuel suggested a small magnetic card, business card size that
had the City's website on it. This would be something that all the City functions, parks,
MCC and FiberNet could distribute as a handout.
8. Installation of a basketball court at the Fourth Street Park.
At the time the basketball court on Fourth Street was removed so that the pumphouse for
the well could be built on that site, the Public Works Director stated the basketball court
would be replaced. It was felt that the Parks Commission should look at getting the
basketball court installed again. Tom Pawelk felt they could utilize the rink area like they
did at Groveland Park. He said they would have to discuss it with the lacrosse team since
they are using it. The Parks Commission told Tom Pawelk to determine the best location
at the Fourth Street Park for either a full or half-court basketball court.
9. Meeting Date Changes -November and December.
The normal Park Commission meeting dates for these months fall on holidays. It was
determined to move the November meeting to the 20th and the December meeting to the
18th.
Other:
The upcoming process for setting the budget for 2009 was discussed. It was pointed out
that the state had imposed levy limits which restrict the amount the City could levy for
taxes for the next three years. In addition the City Administrator had requested that each
department look at cutting 5% from their budget. Tom Pawelk did not feel in the parks
budget that they could cut 5% from operating costs so he believes the 5% will have to
come from capital outlays. Tom Pawelk stated that next year there would probably need
to be some extensive work done on trail and pathway improvements. He also noted that a
gravel road is being constructed at the Busch property on Territorial Road. The black dirt
from this project is being stockpiled on city owned property.
10. Adiourn.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO ADJOURN 5 P.M. GENE EMANUEL SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Recording Secretary