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Parks Commission Minutes 08-26-2004 . . . MINUTES PARKS COMMISSION August 26, 2004 - 4:30 p.m. West Prairie Room "To enhance cOnlnluni(v pride through developing lIful nIaintaining ci(l' parks with a high standard of quality" Members Present: Fran Fair, Ben Hitter, Nancy McCaffrey, Larry Nolan and Rick Traver. Council Liaison, Robbie Smith Members Absent: None Staff Present: Adam Hawkinson, Park Superintendent l. Call to Order. Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m and declared a quorum present. 2A. Aporove minutes of Julv 22. 2004 regular Parks Commission meeting. RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 22,2004 REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2B. Approve minutes of July 13.2004 soecialParks Commission meeting. FRAN FAIR MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JUL Y 13,2004 SPECIAL PARKS COMMISSION MEETING WITH A CORRECTION ON PAGE 1, ITEM #2 NOTING TIIAT THE FISHING PIER IS LOCATED IN WEST BRIDGE PARK. RICK TRAVER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda. The following items were added to the agenda: 1) Council discussion of restrooms at city parks; 2) Request to extend ballfield fence line at Hillcrest Park. 4. Citizen comments and reauests. No one spoke under citizen comments. 5. Budget. Parks Superintendent, Adam Hawkinson informed the Parks Commission that the skyrocketing price of steel will impact the budgeted projects. It is anticipated that most of the projects involving playground equipment or fencing will run higher than planned because of the steel price increases. He stated staff may try to install the fence for thc ballfield this year that was originally planned f{)r next year in order to achieve some cost savings. . . . 9. Parks Commission Minutes - 8/26/04 6. Tree Plantin2 Event. Adam Hawkinson reported that with the City requiring planting of two trees in the boulevard area f(Jr each platted lot, there arc no great gaps of area that need to be filled in with trees. There was discussion on what areas should be considered for the tree planting event. It was suggested that side yard plantings or plantings along the pathway be considered. There was some concern about doing any plantings on private property such as side yard plantings. Larry Nolan questioned whether any survey had been done to determine what areas needed additional trees. Adam Hawkinson indicated that had not been done. Rick Traver suggested that Park Commission members when driving through the City should make note of any areas they feel are in need of trees and pass this information on to the Parks Department. It was also suggested that if the City could get some current aerial maps, that would also be useful in pointing out areas in need of trees. It was noted that one area that should be looked at is along TH 25 going out of town towards Buffalo. The Parks Commission felt the tree planting should be held in April. The Parks Commission will at the next meetings do more planning for this event. 7. UP Development. This item was tabled. 8. Park Maintenance. Adam Hawkinson submitted a list of the work completed by stafT and answered questions from the Park Commission members on the status of various projects. Larry Nolan asked about the thistles growing in the MnDOT right-of-way by the bridge. Park stafTwill cut the thistles, spray the area and then mulch it. Adam Hawkinson also reported that he had removed some of the playground equipment at Balboul Park since it was in poor condition. Since only two pieces of equipment remain at Balboul Park, Adam Hawkinson asked if the Park COl11mission wanted those removed as well. The Parks Commission determined that any pieces that met ADA requirements and were not a safety concern should remain. Fran Fair asked what work the Parks Department was doing at Battle Rapids park. The Parks Depmiment was mowing the poison ivy and they still have some vines that need to be removed there as well. Diseased TreePro2:ram {Jpdate. Adam Hawkinson brought up the existing ordinance relating to trees and suggested revising the ordinance to bring it up to date with current practices and to expand the program to cover diseases besides Dutch Elm disease. Since there arc other serious tree diseases such as oak wilt, etc. that can inflict significant damage to trees, he felt the program should include those as well. The Parks Commission discussed what expanding the program would do as br as costs. It was felt that this item should go before the Council for discussion as the Council needs to be aware of other tree diseases that threaten the trees and they also need to determine what kind of financial commitment they are willing to make. Fran Fair also suggested that stafT check with 2 Parks Commission Minutes - 8/26/04 . the League of Minnesota Cities to see what other communities are doing to address this problem. 10. Determination on parkin!! improvements for Swan Park. The Commission reviewed the discussion at the last Parks Commission meeting concerning this park and the proposed improvements. 11. lJpdates. A. Ryan Properties - Nothing to report on this development. B. East Bridge Park - Larry Nolan updated the Parks Commission on the work that has been completed at East Bridge Park and the positive comments he has heard about the improvements. It was suggested that perhaps some kind of celebration of East Rridge Park could be done in conjunction with Walk and Roll or River Fest. Added Items: . Bathrooms - At the budget workshop. the City Council had discussed monies budgeted for restrooms at Ellison Park. Their discussion centered on whether permanent restrooms should be part of the park improvements. The Councille1t portable units should be considered as they would be a more cost elJicient option. What was not clear from the Council discussion was whether they were not in support of the restroom replacement at Ellison Park. The Parks Commission stated that because Ellison Park is a premier park, there should be permanent restrooms. Fran Fair indicated she would talk to the Mayor and Council do see if they could get clarity their position on the restrooms for Ellison Park. Fence Extension - Hillcrest Park: Adam Hawkinson reported that he has received a request from the youth ball association to have the fence at Hillcrest Park moved out. The association indicated that if the fence was moved out they would help pay for a 4' fence. If it is decided to extend the fence, this work would not be done until next year. This item will be back before the Parks Commission in February. Welcome Signs - Nancy McCaffrey asked if locations had been determined for the last two "Welcome" signs. Initial discussion was to have it located at the Shell site but boulevard improvements have been made in that area and they would be disrupted by the installation of the sign. It was suggested that an area closer to County Road] 06 might be more appropriate. 'fhe location for the sign at the east entrance to the city was also discussed. It was noted that if the CSAH 18/1-94 interchange is initiated, this area of town would be torn up and maybe locating of this sign should be held olT until more is known about the scope of the project. One suggestion was to place the sign where the watermain crossing ofJ-94 was hcing done in the general area of Sunset Ponds as there was a bermed area there. . Xcel Ballfield - AdamlIawkinson informed the Parks Commission that there is a proposed development that might move forward the proposal for an interchange at Orchard Road. If this happens it could impact the City's plans f()r acquiring land from Xcel for additional ballfields. 3 . . . Parks Commission Minutes - 8/26104 12. Adiourn. NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 6 P.M. BEN IHTTER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. \:l~-~-AAvS~JL- ____ Recording Secretary. \.) 4