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Parks Commission Minutes 05-27-2004 . . . Parks Commission Minutes ~ 5/27/04 MINUTES PARKS COMMISSION - REGULAR MEETING May 27, 2004 - 4:30 p.m. "To enhance community pride through developing anti maintaining ci"v parks with a high stamllml of quali"y" Members Present: Fran Pair, Ben Hitter, Nancy McCaffrey, Larry Nolan, Rick Traver and Council Ljaison Robbie Smith Members Absent: None Staff Present: Adam Hawkinson, Parks 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 the April 22. 2004 ree;ular Parks Commission meetine;. FRAN FAIR MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUES OF THE APRIL[, 22, 2004 PARKS COMMISSION MEETING WITH CORRECTION THAT THE CLIMBING WALL IS LOCATED AT WEST BRIDGE PARK. RICK TRAVER SECONDED THE MO'I'ION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSL Y. 3. Consideration of addine; items to the ae;enda. Rick Traver added an update on Balboul Parle Adam Hawkinson added park sign information. Fran Fair added the plantings at East Bridge Park and Larry Nolan added an updated on the pathway along County Road 18. 4. Citizens comments and requests. No one was present under the citizens comment portion ofthc meeting. 6. No Smokine; Poliev. Chair Larry Nolan informed those present that there would be ajoint meeting with MCC Advisory Board to discuss the proposed "No Smoking" policy for city parks/pathways. Larry Nolan stated that the Parks Commission did not want to make a recommendation on anything outside their jurisdiction. At this point, MCC Advisory Board Chair Harvey Kendall called the MCC Advisory Board meeting to order. The commission members were given copies of the comments received during the public comment period. There was general discussion on the comments received and Fran Fair asked if the respondents were aware that the City was proposing a policy rather than an ordinance. Parks Commission Minutes - 5/27/04 . Allison l-Iortzman, Wright County I-Tealth Department stated that approximately 49 communities in Minnesota have adopted "No Smoking" regulations and that 5 out of the 49 communities have adopted ordinances. She felt that education is the primary means of compliance to the "No Smoking" policy and noted that most communities that had adopted "No Smoking" policies had received positive comment. Larry Nolan felt that a policy rather than an ordinance was the way to go. Harvey Kendall and Kitty Baltos explained how the proposed "No Smoking" policy would impact the MCC especially since the MCC is rented out for private events. Harvey Kendall indicated his belief that if signs are posted people will expect that they are enforced and it is not realistic to try to enforce this policy. There was some discussion on the sign content of the T A TU sign that would be installed if a "No Smoking" policy is adopted. Adam Hawkinson suggested rather than having another set of signs in the park, the "No Smoking" policy be listed on the parks rules and rcgulations signs. Fran Fair felt the T A TU signs should be used because listing the "No Smoking" policy on the rules and regulations sign would not be as effective. In discussing the wording of the sign, the Parks Commission felt that "Smoking is discouraged as it is known to cause cancer" gives a different connotation that "No Smoking is allowed." It was felt that "No Smoking is allowed" might be offensive to some. It was also suggested placing the "No Smoking" signs only the area around the playstructures. . Harvey Kendall stated that personally he didn't like the idea of government telling him what habits are good and what habits are bad. He didn't feel smoking had the impact on outdoor activities the way it docs indoors or in a confined area. Kitty Baltos noted there would be difficulty in trying to enforce this policy in any of the parking lot areas. Richard Quick felt it was good to go forward with the policy and stated his belief that education about the effects of tobacco would bring compliance. The validity of setting out a regulation that is not going to be enforced was questioned. It was generally felt that the policy was making a statement regardless of whether it was enforced or not. Nancy McCaffrey concurred stating there arc a number of good health messages out there. The Parks Commission reviewed a draft of a "No Smoking" policy. Fran Fair questioned why The draft included exemptions. Since there is no penalty for non-compliance, there is no reason to have exemptions. A number of changes were made to the draft policy as follows: I) "Recreation facilities" was deleted from the proposed policy; 2) an exemption for the MCC was deleted; 3) The phasing plan was deleted; and 4) In discussion on the section dealing with implementation of the policy, it was felt that limited staff and budget would keep the city from implementing an community education program. The language was changed to: The City will support those education programs" Also changed in the section on implementations was item #4 which was changed from "Athletic associations" to "Youth athletic associations". Ben Hitter questioned the City establishing a "No Smoking" policy when cigarettes are sold at the liquor store. He felt that activity seemed to fly in the face of the policy. . FRAN FAIR MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTION OF THE NO SMOKING POLICY DRAFTED BY THE PARKS COMMISSION AS AMENDED. 2 . . 7. Parks Commission Minutes - 5/27/04 RICK TRAVER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 5. Review Hunter's Crossin!! Park Area: Jay Roos from Bison Development and Bob Schmidt from Sylvia Development carne to the Parks Commission concerning a wetland area that encroaches into the designated park area in the plat of Hunter's Crossing. Previously the Parks Commission had approved the designation of a 5 acre tract in the southeast corner of the proposed plat for park land. The balance of the park dedication Jar the 94 acre tract would be in cash. When the park land had initially been located in the southwest corner of the plat it was not impacted by the wetland encroachment. Had the park remained in the southwest corner, the wetland would have encroached into the back yards of a couple of lots. However, when the park land was switch to the southeast corner it was impacted by the wetland. The encroachment is approximately 4800 sq. ft. Jay Roos stated he did not expect the City to give him park credit for the wetland encroachment but he was asking the Parks Commission to consider cash in lieu of the 4800 sq. ft.. of land lost to the wetland encroachment. He indicated that redrawing the plat to add 4800 sq. ft. to the park would mean the lost of possibly] -2 lots. Because they are so far along in the platting process they would prefer not to go through the additional time and expcnse to rcdraw the plat. Adam Hawkinson stated that he would prefer not to have wetlands adjacent to park land as residents expect the City to maintain the wetland area. Jay Roos noted there is a culvert in the area which may be plugged and this is something they are investigating further. If this is the case, the developer could make a request for exemption to the LGU. He indicated that according the wetland regulations, they could fill 2000 sq. ft. of the wetland. Adam fTawkinson asked if there was enough excess soil to bring the park area to a 958 elevation. Mr. Roos indicated there was. Since it is still under investigation as to whether this area is actually a wetland, the Parks Commission asked that this matter come back at their June 24, 2004 Parks Commission meeting. The developer is planning to bring their preliminary plat before the Council on June 28,2004 so they should be ablc to bring back to the Parks Commission and still make their time line. Rick Traver felt since it was a small area it was not necessary to have thc developer redraw his plat. Bob Schmidt stated that wetland categories #1, #2 and #3 are tillable. He stated they will have the information for the Parks Commission for their next meeting and emphasized they will work with the Parks Department to grade the park land to an acceptable elevation. Review of proposed ordinance amendment relatin!! to park land, Title XI, Chapter 6. Tabled until the next meeting. 8. Park Maintenance Items. . Adam fJawkinson submitted a list of the work completed. There was discussion on whether the old shrubs at East Bridge Park should be removed. Adam Hawkinson will meet with the gardeners of East Bridge Park and determine what materials should be removed. Adam ,., j Parks Conlmission Minutes - 5/27/04 . Hawkinson suggested filling in some of the rock area with dirt and planting ground cover there. Nancy McCaffrey asked about the status of the remaining entrance signs. Adam Hawkinson indicated the sign proposed east County Road 75 is being delayed until MnDOT's plan for the I-94/CR 18 ramp are know. There had been some discussion among staff as to the location of the sign on TH 25 and it was finally determined that the sign will be located at the northeast corner of School Boulevard. It is anticipated that the sign along TH 25 would be installed yet this summer. 9. Updates. 1. Walk and Roll: Larry Nolan updated the Parks Commission on the turnout for Walk and Roll which they felt was very good considering the weather. They noted that they had received a number of compliments about the park. They also discussed the plantings by the Link residence and the need to have some kind of signage on the pathway at East Bridge Park because of its steepness. Fran Fair asked about the installation of the pier at West Bridge Park. The DNR had indicated it would be installed but Adam Hawkinson felt it would more likely be sometime in June. 2. Tree Planting Request: The Parks Commission had received an e-mail regarding tree planting. Larry Nolan suggested that with the next tree planting activity, planting trees along the City's pathways should be looked at. Adam Hawkinson will respond to the e- mai I req uest. . Added Items: County Road 18 Pathway - Larry Nolan questioned when the pathway would be paved. Adam Hawkinson stated the Spirit Hills development created some problems which the contractor is suppose to correct. The grant for the pathway in the amount of $20,000 needs to be used in 2004. Balboul Park: Rick Traver asked if the park area was going to be used for wetland since the Prairie Road improvement was not going in. Adam Hawkinson said he would check with John Simola, Public Works Director on that. The Parks Commission felt if the land was taken for wetland, the Parks Department should be compensated for that taking. Park Signs: Adam Hawkinson submitted some pictures for the Parks Commission to review. These would be for replacement signs for the various parks. The signs are sandblasted wood and have a cost of between $3,000-$5,000. The Parks Commission directed Adam Hawkinson to proceed with contacting vendors to get design proposals and cost estimates. Council Update: Council Liaison, Robbie Smith provided a brief update on some of the items that have recently come before the Council.. . 4 . . . Parks Commission Minutes - 5/27/04 10. Adiourn: RICK TRAVER MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 6:30 P.M. FRAN FAIR SECONDED THE MO'T'ION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSL Y. Nancy McCaf1l'ey indicated that she will not be present at the June Parks Commission meeting. \)cu..t~_ J:\ ~.:OJ~ Q Recording Secretary 6 5