Parks Commission Minutes 03-25-2004
Park Commissioll Minutes - 3/25/04
MINUTES
PARKS COMMISSION - REGULAR MEETING
March 25, 2004 - 4:30 p.m.
"To enhance community pride through developing and
maintaining city parks with a high standard ofqualizy. "
Members present:
Fran Fair, Ben Hitter, Nancy McCaffrey, Larry Nolan and Rick Traver.
Members Absent:
Council Liaison, Robbie Smith
Staff Present:
Adam Hawkinson, Parks Superintendent
1. Call to Order.
Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
2A. Approve minutes of February 23. 2004 special Parks Commission meeting.
Fran Fair indicated the committee on the parking lot for Mississippi Park had met. Adam
Hawkinson added that a property owner adjacent to the park site did express some concern about
having a parking lot situated there so there needs to be an additional meeting before anything is
decided.
FRAN FAIR MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 23,2004
SPECIAL PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. LARRY NOLAN SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED.
2B. Approve minutes of February 26,2004 rC2:ular Parks Commission meetinl:.
Chair Nolan asked if the City had heard anything further from Xcel Energy on additional land
for ballfield use. If the City is able to acquire the additional land for ballfields it would not be
until later in the summer. It is hoped that in the fall the City could do the seeding of the land.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUfES OF THE FEBRUARY 26,
2004 REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. BEN HnTER SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Consideration of addin2: items to the a2:enda.
Nmlcy McCaffrey asked that the Comprehensive Park Pian be added to the agenda. Fran Fair
asked that a discussion of the drawing of the plantings and terracing of East Bridge Park be
added. Adam Hawki nson added a revision of the ordinance relating to park dedication and also
changing of the wording on the park regulation signs.
4. Citizens comments and request.
Michelle Brandt, a resident of the Groveland development, asked about the results of the survey.
Adam Hawkinson stated that at the public hearing on the grant application for the Groveland
park, residents had said that before the City does further development in Groveland park they
Park Commission Minutes ~ 3/25/04
should find out what the residents want. The Parks Department sent out a survey basically
requesting residents to identify what amenities they would like to see in the park, how often they
use the park and any other concerns relating to the parle The results of the survey was presented
to the Parks Commission and a copy was given to Ms. Brandt. Out of 187 notices, 56 responses
were received as of this date. Based on the responses received, a basketball court and picnic
shelter were the most requested items. Adam Hawkinson noted that some residents responding
to the survey noted their concerns with some of the activities that are taking place at the park.
These comments were tabulated as part of the survey results and Larry Nolan suggested copies
of this be sent to the Police Commission and the Wright County Sheriff's Department.
Adam Hawkinson reported that they had caught an individual on a A TV that had been tearing up
the seeded area and he will be charged for damages incurred. Michelle Brandt reported that
they are having their first meeting of the Crime Watch group tonight. She read and submitted a
letter stating that the park in Groveland is a violation ofthe City's noise ordinance and is an
invasion of their privacy. The letter closed with a request to move the park to a location that is
sufficiently located away from people's homes and property.
Chair Nolan acknowledged receipt of the letter and indicated that at this time the Parks
Commission was taking no action on her letter. Michelle Brandt replied that she has been
contacted by Councilmember Glen Posusta and will be addressing the City Council on this
matter at the April 12, 2004 Council meeting.
S. Park Maintenance.
Adam Hawkinson submitted a list of work completed for the month. Nancy McCaffrey asked
about the pathway construction by Front Street. Adam Hawkinson indicated that they are
putting in a wood chip path in the area that leads down to the landing where the dock will be
installed. l~Je indicated that the dock should be coming in Mayor June.
6. Report on survey of Groveland area residents.
Although this topic was cover under citizens comments, the Parks Commission felt that if the
Grove1and park was going to be discussed by the City Council, they should have background
information on it. Larry Nolan will meet with Bruce Thielen and discuss the Parks Commission
position and submit the minutes of the informational meeting and public hearing as background.
Nancy McCafIrey felt that the point John Simola made to Michelle Brandt that this is a
democratic society where the good of the whole should not be sacrifIced for the wishes of the
individual should also be expressed to Robbie Smith, the Council liaison and Mayor Bruce
Thielen. The Parks Commission discussed the noisc issuc and questioned whether additional
plantings would aid in muffling the noise. Adam Hawkinson stated that approximately 45 trees
were planted 3 feet off of the park property line around the perimeter of the Groveland park..
This was done to help delineate the park area so residents know where the park boundary runs.
The Parks Commission also discussed Ms. Brandt's suggestion that the park be moved away
from residences. It was notcd that Minneapolis parks are enclosed by streets. Rick Traver
stated that the City's ordinance does require park frontage on two streets. Larry Nolan felt that
the Parks Commission and City staff needs to be more conscientious of making sure dedicated
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Park Commission Minutes - 3/25/04
park land has frontage on two streets. As far as Michelle Brandt's comment about the light
from the park shining into her window, it was noted that there arc no lights in the park and the
light she was referring to was the street light. The Parks Commission has no control on where
those lights are placed. The Parks Commission feIt the Groveland park points out the need to
mark park land before any homes are built in a development.
7. Review of proposed ordinance amendment relating to park land, Title XI, Chapter 6.
Adan1 Hawkinson submitted the proposed ordinance amendment prepared by the City Planner to
the Parks Commission. Since the Parks Commission just received the information at this
meeting, it was decided to table consideration of the amendment until the April meeting. The
Parks Commission asked that the City Planner be present at that meeting so any questions on the
ordinance amendment could be addressed.
8. Ulldates and added items:
Comprehensive Plan: Nancy McCaffrey and Adam Hawkinson met concerning finalizing the
inventory portion of the comprehensive plan. She submitted a draft of the inventory section to
the Parks Commission. When the draft park comprehensive plan is completed it will be
reviewed by the Parks Commission and then forwarded to the city staff and city planner for their
review and then to any other entities who need to review it. It is the hope of the Parks
Commission to have the draft document completed in June.
East Bridge Park: Adam llawkinson stated that when the ground is thawed, they can begin
work anhe parle Fran Fair asked if any drawing has been complcted showing the location of the
terraces and the type of plantings proposed. Adam Hawkinson indicated that has not yet been
done. There was some discussion on advertising for vendors who donate materials for city parks
and how that should be handled. The Parks Commission suggested contacting other cities to see
what they do or contact the League of Minnesota Cities.
Rick Traver asked if the Parks Department had been contacted by the Youth Football League.
Adam Hawkinson indicated they have not but the City has meetings scheduled with the softball
and basebal I associations.
Adam Hawkinson stated that there is $65,000 in the budget for improvements to Groveland park
and he would like continue with park development for that area especially getting the basketball
court in. The Parks Commission suggested not doing anything until after the April 12th Council
meeting.
Park Regulation Sign...: It is proposed to change the wording in the park regulation signs to
language that is more positive. Adan1 Hawkinson went over the language that is currently on the
signs and presented revised language. The regulation signs contains information on the hours
the park is open but the Parks Commission questioned whether those hours should apply to the
pathway since many people use the pathways early morning or late evening which is outside the
hours the park is open. Other items on the sign include: 1) No motorized vehicles; 1) No
destruction of public property; 3) No shooting mechanisms; 4) No golf activities allowed; 5) Pet
waste must be picked up and disposed of properly; 6) No rollerblading or skateboarding and 7)
No alcoholic beverages. Another provision discussed by the Parks Commission dealt with no
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Park Commission Minutes - 3/25/04
foul language or indecent behavior and it was pointed out that not everyone agrees on what
"indecent" means. It was also suggested that language stating "Please respect the parks" be
added. Adam Hawkinson will review the changes with the Public Works Director.
Adam Hakwinson reported that the painting of the hard court at West Bridge Park will be done
in May. Larry Nolan asked about the 4th Street Park and if the Public Works Department was
going to replace the hard court there. It was suggested that maybe the hard court could be placed
inside one of the rinks as there is limited space at the park and it is questionable where else a
hard court could be placed. Adam Hawkinson will talk to the Public Works Director and Water
Superintendent about this. Adam Hawkinson also added that his staff has been making some
repairs to the building.
Larry Nolan brought up Walk and Roll which will be held on May 22, 2004. The Parks
Commission would like to be located in the parking lot at East Bridge Park since that will be the
site of a new trail. At a future meeting the Parks Commission will discuss what activity they will
provide for Walk and Roll.
There was a brief discussion on the irrigation box at East Bridge Park and how to landscape
around it.
9. Adjourn:
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 6:45 P.M. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED
THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Recording Secretary \
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