Parks Commission Minutes 12-17-2004
Parks Commission Minutes - 12/16/04
.
MINUTES
PARKS COMMISSION
December 16,2004 - 4:30 p.m.
"1,) enhance eOlllll/unil.rpride Ihrough developing and
nwinlaining eil)' parks )I'ilh a high slandard o('I"alil)'''
Members Present:
Fran Fair, Ben Hitter, Larry Nolan, Rick 'I'raver, Councihnembers-Elect Tom
Perrault and Wayne Mayer and Mayor-Elect Clint Herbst.
Members Absent:
Nancy McCaffrey, Council Liaison Robbie Smith.
Staff Present:
Adam Ilawkinson, Parks Superintendent and JeIT(YNeill Deputy City
Adnli nistrator.
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 November 18, 2004 reeular J)arks Commission meetine.
.
3.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF TI IE NOVEMBER 18, 2004
REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING WITH THE CORRECTION TIIAT THE
BOOK RECEIVED WAS FOR EAST BRIDGE PARK NOT ELLISON PARK. FRAN FAIR
SECONDED THE MOTION, MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Consideration of ad dine items to the aeenda.
Review of proposed Sunset Ridge/Hidden Forest Development and review of Ryan Companies
development were added to the agenda.
4. Citizens comments and requests.
There was no one present who spoke under citizens comments.
Added Items: Since representatives from Insignia Development were not present at this time, the
Parks Commission proceeded with the review of the Ryan Companies development. Jeff O'Neill
discussed with the Parks Commission Outlot D in the proposed commercial development. This outlot
is at the cntrance to the development and is located adjacent to the proposed CSAH 18/1-94
interchange. Initially the thought was that this outlot could be utilized for park purposes. The City
Council felt the parcel should remain in the hands of the developer and not be part of the park system.
City stalf and the developer will work on how the outlot can be utilized. Larry Nolan stated the outlot
is in elose proximity to the trail system with a trail along CSAII 75 and on CSAII ] 8 going over the
freeway and a trail along the north side ofi" Street. Because of its proximity to the trail he felt
development of the outIot might include a little gazebo or benches and landscaping. As this area
would be highly visible, Larry Nolan stated the landscaping of the arca is vcry important. Ben Hitter
_said because l:ft~le high amount oftratlic in the area he didn't fee~ people would ~Itilize this area as a
lay area or plCt1lC area but agreed that a landscaped green area adJacent to the trail would be very
Parks Commission Minutes - ] 2/ J 6/04
.
attractive. There was discussion on possihly using the site as a location for the remaining entrance
sIgn. The Parks Commission will consider this further at their January 2005 meeting.
5. Inshwia Develooment.
Dave Seiholdt, developcr, Troy Gamhle, developer's engineer, and Paul Quarberg, Vice
Prcsident of acquisition were present to review the proposed development and park related
ISSUes.
Bascd on the drawing submitted, thc park land is calculated at 26 acres. There are wetlands
and area undcr the power line but that is not included in the 26 acres. Including the wetlands
and power Iinc easement area would bring the park land total closcr to 40 acres. Jeff O'Neill
felt the priority l(H' the Parks Commission is to make sure enough park area is preserved. Larry
Nolan stated that the comprehensive park document shows a large multi-use lacility l(H'
ballfields in this area similar to the set up for the Xcel hallfields. The Parks Commission was
looking at having four ballfields, SOccer lields and parking as well as a buffer arca. The intent
is that the hallfields will eventually be lighted fields. Larry Nolan stated wetland areas could
not be utilized for the ballfield complex hut the area under the power line could be used l(H'
parking. Dave Seiholdt said his concern is that the 26 acres is not sufficient to layout the
facility the Parks Commission was considering. Larry Nolan agreed and added that another
consideration is that there should be access roads on two sides of the park.
.
There is approximately 4 acres of land under the power line easement which could be utilized
for parking and would receive full park credit. The 26 acres of dedication is based on over 700
residential units. The overall development site is ahout 230 acres so if park dedication was
hased on 10% land area then 23 acres would be the requirement. Since the formula used in
this case was based on density the park dedication is slightly higher than 23 acres. It was noted
there are apartments being proposcd as part of this developmcnt and ifthcy are not approved by
the City that would change significantly the number of units in the developmcnt.
It was pointed out that there is a ponding area that splits the proposed park area which would
leavc a 3+ acre parcel one side that would not he very usable. Troy Gamble noted that the pond
ercates a scparation between the intense use of the ballfields and the residential area adjacent to
it.
Dave Seiholdt said state statutes specifies amount of park dedication requirenlents but does not
specify that the park land dcdication has to be usable. Hc didn't feel the City could be selective
in what land they chose to take. 'fmy Gamble stated there is concern about the park area being
located adjacent to homes. If that is the case, Larry Nolan and Adam Hawkinson felt there may
not be sutlicient space left for the complcte ballfield complex.
.
Dave Seiboldt felt to get what the Parks Commission wanted it would take 34 acres out orthe
development and the Parks Commission could end up having to purchase and additional 12
acres to meet thcir needs. Thc developer suhmitted a design showing the park dedication area
plus the additional land that could he purchased. Larry Nolan felt this had benefit because all
of the park was on one site. Dave Seiboldt reminded the Parks Commission that if the
apartmcnts were not approved as part of the development the amount of park land that would
2
Parks Commission Minutes - 12/16/04
.
have to be purchased could be as much as 12 acres. Dave Seiboldt said from an economic
standpoint he doesn't win by this layout.
Riek Traver asked if the City Council had ever discussed the need for ballfields. Jeff O'Neill
said these fields would just help ease the immediatc need and would not be a long term
solution. Rick Traver suggested one option was to make the fields in this area just
soccer/football fields and look elsewhere for land f{)r ballfields.
Troy Gamble submitted scveral sketches showing field layout fl1r the proposed area. Dave
Seiboldt said if he got what he wanted on the unit count for the development then he could do
the park layout. J Ie said it is an economic issue and he wants to make sure everyone
understands that.
Adam Hawkinson explained the reason for the four fields in the design. If you have at least
four fields on a site you have more opportunities for tournaments. J losting tournaments could
be considered as an cconomic benelit for the City as it will bring people into the city. Adam
Hawkinson didn't feel it was practical to go with less than fClUr fields at the site.
.
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO ACCEPT THE PARK DESIGN FOR INSIGNIA
DEVELOPMENT WITH THE FOCUS TI-IAT TIlE PARK LAND WILL BE UTlIJZED FOR
SOCCER/FOOTBALL FIELDS AS OPPOSED TO A BALLFIELD COMPLEX AND THE
PARKS COMMISSION WOULD LOOK ELSEWHERE TO SITE THE BALLFIELDS.
LARR Y NOLAN SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANlMOUSL Y.
In further discussion, Wayne Mayer askcd if the socccr fields would be lighted. At this time it
is not in the plans to have lighted soccer fields. JefT O'Neill suggested that in looking for
ballfield site, the Parks Commission may want to consider the Heritage Dcvelopment.
Although this development may be a year or two away this site could accommodatc a ballfield
complex. In addition it would be located across the lfeeway from the Xcel fields. The City
Council has authorized preparation of feasibility studies for the Heritage Development.
Ben Hitter felt the Insignia site was a good spot for soccer field not ballfields. He asked if the
need was grcater for soccer fields or ballfields. Adam Hawkinson noted soHball and haseball
compete Jar field use. Because there are limited number of fields, these associations can't
grow.
Jeff O'Neill suggested that perhaps the Heritage Development would allow park development
prior to their development going in. He noted that Heritage offered to put in the hallfields if
the City would encourage extension of utilities to serve their site. There was also a brief
discussion if anything could he done for interim fields either at the Xcd site or elsewhere.
Added Item: Sunset Rid2:e/Hiddcn Forest Brad Pauman and representatives from the development
came before the Parks Commission to review the park layout for the proposed Sunset Ridge and
} lidden Forest developments. Mr. Pauman discussed the concept of a wetland park and submitted
pictures oYthat type of park that had been done in other communities. The park is basically an
enhancement of wetland area.
.....
.....
~
.J
Parks Commission Minutes - 12/16/04
.
The proposed developments consist of 170+ acres bound by the wetland area which is east of the
Sunset Ponds development. County Ditch #33 runs through the development. Brad Pauman stated
that the entrance to County Ditch #33 is in bad shape and is the reason ti)r flooding in the area.
The developer is proposing a trail system that will go around the wetland area. Tn addition to the
wetland park area there is a 2.84 acre park on a knoll area. City Planner Steve Grittman noted that
knoll park was secluded and felt it should be more out in the open. Tn addition the park should be
fronted on two sides by public streets. The developer indicated if the wetlands could be utilized the
knoll park would be eliminated. The developer pointed out that the City acts as LCi-U for
administering the wetlands act and with cooperation from the City the developer could make the
wetlands into a nice area.
'fhere is approximately 55 acres of wetland. There is long history of problems with Ditch #33. It is
hoped that with putting storm sewer in 50% of the water could be taken out. The plan is to keep water
t10wing through the wetlands area so it doesn't dry out. Rather than having areas that are periodically
t100ded and then dry into areas with no vegetation, they would look at making these areas assets by
having ponding sites that will always hold water. As part of these developments, a new storm sewer
outlet to the Mississippi will be put in place. The Parks Commission has to determine whether they
would support the enhancement of wetland
.
Rick Traver asked about the possibility of making the area of the knoll park into lots and taking away
some of the lots by the wetland area so that there is some high land that could be use for playground
equipment. I,arry Nolan added that the wetland park area should not be too secluded and needs road
access. Ben Hitter felt this area had some potential. It was suggested that the developer come back
with a more defined plan. Since the development impacts County Ditch H33 there is another
government entity involved in the process. 'fhese lots are proposed to be R-I A with a base price
range of $250,000 to $275,000 and the wetland park would be an amenity that would help market the
development. Clint Herbst suggested that in laying out the trail system, the developer might not want
to have the trail abutting the rear yard of the lots. Many people do not want to be in such close
proximity to the trail and the activity on it.
6. West Bride:e. East Bride:e and Groveland Park Sie:n.
Adam Hawkinson presented information and drawings from Nick's Signs and Sign City for the
signs at the various parks. Nick's Signs would be on plastic but etched so that it looks like a
wood finish. A 4' x 6' sign would be approximately $1900. Sign City submitted a price of
$65/SF for a vinyl sign and $1 OO/SF if it is sandblasted. The Parks COll1mission felt the signs
should be simple in design with earth tone colors and decided to go with 3' x 4' size.
7.
Ellison Park Bathrooms
.
Adam Hawkinson submitted a breakdown of costs relating to renovation of the existing
restrooms at Ellison Parle The estimated renovation cost is $86.600. He also presented
inf()ftl1ation from CTX tClf construction of a new facility. crx makes a precast building and
their bid for bringing it to the site, putting it together and off loading it is approximately
$75,000 for a three stall bathroom. This would include one stall that is ADA compliant. For
$150 they would include the conduit necessary so that automatic door locks could be installed
at a later date. Lap siding and river rock finish would add another $4,000 making a total
4
.
.
.
Parks Commission Minull:s - 12/16/04
estimated cost of approximately $80,000. Some additional footings would have to be added but
the existing footings would be utilized. There is $65,000 budgeted for the bathrooms and
Adam Hawkinson indicated that there were some funds budgeted for Groveland that could be
used for this project. The Parks Commission felt that Ellison Park is the City's prcmier park
and this typc ofrestroonl facility would be an assct to thc park. Since the existing facility is at
the end of its useful life the Parks Commission felt this improvement needed to be made.
FRAN FAIR MOVED TO PROCEED wrn I A PRECAST BUILDING FROM CTX FOR
THREE STALL HATIIROOMS AT ELLISON PARK AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF
$80,000 RICK TRAVER SECONDED TilE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSL Y.
Wayne Mayer said the Council will want to make sure the bathrooms are opcn when the park is
in use and suggcstcd that Adam Ilawkinson prcpare the proposal to include a price with the
automatic locks and one without.
8.
Park Maintenance
Adam Hawkinson submitted a list of the work completed by staIT. He also submitted a letter
indicating that gas main through the Sunset Pond park would be raised in early 2005. He
provided the Parks Commission with an updated listing of City owned parks, ponds and
wetland areas and the acreage noting there is approximately 117 aeres of city owned parks.
Flooding of the rinks will be begin this week by stafT. He also noted that the work at Country
Club Manor Park was completed except for the sod. Adam Hawkinson also submitted
information relating to DNR reimbursement on the grant for the trail along County Road 18.
He reported that he was inf()rmed that the proposed interchange design will not impact the
River Mill trail so the City ean now proceed with paving it. He asked if the Parks Commission
wanted him to apply for a grant. The preliminary work for the grant application had been
done last year so it just needs to be updated and a public hearing held. Parks Commission
directed him to proceed with the grant application.
Adam Hawkinson submitted a letter from Marc Mattice, Wright County Parks Administrator
expressing the importance of maintaining the YMCA property as a recreational faci I ity. There
is concern that this property could be developed and thus lost as a recreational asset. The
hope is that there could be some type of cooperative agreement made to keep the YMCA Camp
Manitou operating as a recreational facility.
9. Adjourn
RICK TRAVER MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 6:45 P.M. FRAN FAIR SECONDED TilE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
(\) o>>-J'r\ ~5~~.lL-
Recording Secretary ,
5