Parks Commission Minutes 04-22-2004
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MINUTES
PARKS COMMISSION
April 22, 2004 - 4:30 p.m.
West Prairie Room
"To enhonce wmnltl1li~r pride through del'eloping I/nd
maintaining ci~f' parks with a hi!:h standard of quaWI'"
Memhers Present:
Fran Fair. Ben Hitter, Nancy McCaffrey, Larry Nolan and Rick Traver.
Memhers Absent:
Council Liaison, Robbie Smith.
Staff Present:
Adam Hawkinson, Parks Superintendent, .TeffO'Neill, Deputy City
Administrator and Bruce Thielen, Mayor.
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 March 25 2004 re ular Parks Commission mectin .
lUCK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 25,2004
REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3.
Added I terns.
Adam lIawkinson added an item relating to the pathway in the Mcadow Oaks area.
4. Citizens comments and requests.
Cory Doyle, 10040 Somerset Avenue presented a petition signed by residents in the Grove/and
development who wanted the Parks Commission to continue with the development of the
Groveland Park according to the plan. Mr. Doyle stated in going door to door he found
wholehearted support f()r the park and he was pleased with the response to the petition.
Mayor Bruce Thielen stated that he and Parks Commission Chair Larry Nolan met with the two
residents living adjacent to the Groveland park who were in opposition to the park
development. This meeting resulted in a proposal to I) plant trees between their residences and
the playstrueture; 2) installation of the hasketball court would he delayed for at least this year
and 3) construction of the restrooms would be delayed. Bruce Thielen stated he didn't know if
he agreed with having permanent restrooms as he felt they were places for individuals to loiter.
He telt portable toilets would eliminate the problem of questionable activities and loitering.
Bruce Thielen stated it was not his intent to micromanage the parks but he did feel the situation
with the residents in Groveland park needed to settle down. Chair Larry Nolan thank Cory
Doyle for petition and the support of the residents.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 4/22/04
5.
Wril!ht County Health Representative - No Smoking Policy
Allison Hortzman from the Wright County Health Services and the Monticello Teens Against
Tobacco Use (T A TlJ) were present to request the City tconsider adopting a "No Smoking"
policy for the parks, pathways and entrances to city owned facilities. The group gave a
presentation outlining some of the goals and activities they are involved in. Their primary goal
is to educate young students not to start smoking. There are 41 cities in the State of Minnesota
that have adopted a "No Smoking" policy for their parks. No Wright County cities have as of
yet adopted a "No Smoking" policy. Since Monticello initiated the "Great American Smoke
out Day" the group felt it would be fitting that the City of Monticello be the first Wright County
community to adopt a "No Smoking" policy fix its parks/pathways and public areas.
The group noted that some orthe communities that have adopted a "No Smoking" policy have
exempted certain facilities or events. Should the City go with a "No Smoking" policy, the signs
designating the no smoking area would be provided at no cost to the City. Bruce Thielen stated
that Brittany Myers had made a presentation to the City of Coon Rapids and the Coon Rapids
has gone with a "No Smoking" policy for their parks/public facilities. Kitty Baltos noted that
they were proposing that the area around the Community Center be designated as a no smoking
area and she pointed out that because of the weddings and other adult events held at the
Community Center the no smoking designation might not be practical. The group stated that
while cities may wish to exempt certain facilities or events, doing so would give a mixed
message about smoking so they would prefer a total ban on smoking.
lhe Parks Commission discussed what should be exempt, like adult oriented activities such as
the softball leagues, River Fest at Ellison Park, etc. Parks Commission also discussed
enforcement of such a policy. Brittany Myers stated that enforcement of the policy was not the
main issue but rather education about the dangers of smoking.
Roger Pribyl stated that he is a smoker and he does not belicve his smoking infringes on the
rights of the non~smokers of the world. He suggested that the ordinance against smoking start
at the school and ALP since that is where a lot of smokers hang out. He did not believe every
park should be smoke free. Adam Hawkinson asked about events such as Riverfcst or
tournaments at the ballfields where people are coming in from outside the area. Bruce Thielen
stated that some state athletic organizations such as the state soccer association support the
smoke free ell(Jrt. Larry Nolan stated the Parks Commission needs to study this more and
bring it back at the next mceting. This will give staff time to check with other communities
who have adopted the smoke free policy.
Bruce Thielen suggested a period of public comment (15-30 days) with a notice being put in the
paper that the Parks Commission is looking for publ ic input on a "No Smoking" policy for City
parks/trails/facilities. Bruce Thielen indicated it may be difficult for the City to get the
ordinance in place for this year. Fran Fair said the efforts of the group may not change the
attitude of those people who do smoke but it might encourage people to not take up thc habit.
Rick Traver felt it was good to open this up for public comment. Parks Commission
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Parks Commission Minutes - 4/22/04
commended the willingness of the young people to get involved with this issue. Rick Traver
suggested that if a "No Smoking" policy be adopted that it could perhaps be phased in and the
Parks Commission felt there was merit in that suggestion.
FRAN FAIR MOVED TO SET UP A SMOKE FREE POLICY FOR CITY PARKS,
P ATHW A YS AND PUBLIC FACILITIES AND TO HAVE A PHASING PLAN FOR THE
POLICY AND TO IIA VE A PERIOD OF PUBLIC COMMENT RUNNING UNTIL MAY 27,
2004. RICK TRAVER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSL Y.
Roger Pribyl asked Bruce Thielen why Coon Rapids exempted the golf course. Bruce Thielen
stated it was exempted because it was an enterprise fund. Roger Pribyl questioned whether
there wasn't political pressure to exempt the golf course because it generated revenue for the
city. He asked if Monticello would exempt the ballfields since that does generate revenue for
the city. Brittany Myers stated that some of the communities that adopted ordinances with
exemptions for various facilities have gone back and eliminated the exemptions from their
ordinance.
6.
Review of proposed ordinance amendment relating to park land.
Jeff O'Neill reviewed the proposed changes to the ordinance. There was considerable
discussion on the three methods for determining park dedication fees; 1) 10% of land value at
time of platting; 2) a set fee as established by Councilor 3) land area based on density. It was
not clear whether the three methods provided more benefit to the developer or to the City. Jeff
O'Neill stated this would be discussed at site review and perhaps some clarification made in the
language. It was also suggested that the language in Section 8 be changed so that instead of
listing specific tree species, it would reference any species that are on the invasive species list.
Jeff CYNeill stated that the language requiring park land to be I' above the high water mark was
taken out.
7.
Park Rental Fees.
Adam Hawkinson reviewed the current fees and park rental policy. It was noted some facilities
have more amenities than others and perhaps could support a higher rental fee. It was
suggested that for residents the fees be set at $50 for the Ellison Gazebo and the West Bridge
Open Building and $75 for Ellison Log Shelter, West Bridge Shelter and Pioneer Park. for
non- residents the rental fee would be set at $150.
8.
East Bridee Park Retaining Wall Construction and Plantings.
Adam Hawkinson asked if the Parks Commission wanted to continue with the boulder walls or
do something different. The Parks Commission felt they should stay with the boulder walls.
Adam Hawkinson indicated the lookout area by the spruce tree would need a block retaining
wall. Larry Nolan asked what kind of surface would be utilized for the pathway laterals.
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Parks Commission Minutes ~ 4/22/04
Adam Hawkinson suggested trying different patterns such as a herringbone or cobblestone.
Adam Hawkinson will meet with the East Bridge Park gardeners and go over the plantings and
go through the stuff that was removed last year. Fran fair stated they will be purchasing potted
materials and noted that some of the specimen originals that were planted are gone.
Park Maintenance Items.
Adam Hawkinson summarized the work that was completed and informed the Parks
Commission about new equipment that will be coming in. He reported they burned the grass
along Prairie Road to the Xcel training facility and planted trees in the Oroveland area. Fran
Fair asked about getting compost materials for one of the beds at East Bridge Park. Adam
Hawkinson is getting bids on the irrigation system for West Bridge park and the fishing pier
should be installed in May. fran Fair asked about using funds from Adopt-a-Park for the
plantings.
to. Park Regulation Signs:
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No changes were made to the park regulation signs.
Loss of Dark land throue:h Wetland LGU action.
Adam I lawkinson explained that a portion of the Balboul park had been taken for use as a
storm water holding area. This determination was made by the City in their capacity as the
LOU to administer the wetlands act. Although it was noted that this particular piece of land
was not the most ideal land for park purposes, the Parks Commission was concerned that the
land was not only taken without compensation but that the Parks Commission was not notified
that the land was being considered for storm water use. It was felt that a letter should be written
stating that the land in question was dedicated for park use and there should be compensation to
the park system for loss of that land. It was felt it was a condemnation of the land by the LOU.
'('his will be brought back at the next meeting. Larry Nolan asked if there was any document
showing the designation of the land. Adam Hawkinson indicated there was not.
12.
Park Signs.
The Parks Commission discussed what kind of signs should be placed at East and West Bridge
Park and Par West park. The Parks Commission preferred the sand blasted style that is in
place at Ellison Park and Otter Creek Park but did question if there was a more durable material
that could be used. Adam Hawkinson will check into this. The Parks Commission also
discussed the designation for East and West Bridge park. They felt by designating it East
Bridge Park and West Bridge Park it made it sound like they were separate parks in different
locations. It was suggested designating them as Bridge Park-East and Bridge Park-West which
would make it clearer that it was just one park. There was some discussion on the possibility of
getting electric service to the evergreen tree so it could be lighted.
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13.
IJ odates:
Swan Park - It was noted that the adjacent property owner had some reservations about having
a parking lot next to his property. The committee is working on revisions to the parking plan to
accommodate the property owner.
Walk and Rol/- Parks Commission wants to be located in the parking lot of Bridge Park-East.
There was some discussion on what items to hand out.
Added Item:
Adam Hawkinson stated that the 2004 Core Street Project would cover certain streets in the Mcadow
Oaks area. It was suggested that at the same time this project was taking place, that some work be
done on the trail in this area. It is proposed to remove the 6' section and replace it with an 8' section.
Adam llawkinson reported that he will be using rubber mulch instead of wood mulch for the climbing
wall at West Bridge Park.
14.
Adiourn.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 7 P.M. BEN I liTTER SECONDED
TIlE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Recording Secretary cS-
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