Loading...
Parks Commission Minutes 02-24-2005 -. -. ..... ,.,. Parks Commission Minutes - 2/24/05 MINUTES PARKS COMMISSION February 24, 2005 - 4:30 p.m. "To enhance community pride through developing and maintaining city parkv with a high standard o/quality" Members Present: Ben Hitter, Nancy McCaffrey, Rick Traver and Council Liaison, Tom Perrault. Members Absent: Fran Fair and Larry Nolan. Others Present: Adam Hawkinson, Park Superintendent; Councilmember Wayne Mayer. 1. Call to Order. Acting Chair Rick Traver called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. and declared a quorwn present. 2. Approve minutes of Januarv 27. 2005 re2ular Parks Commission meetine:. NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 27,2005 REGULAR PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. BEN HITTER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. Consideration of addine: items to the ae:enda. Discussion of sidewalk from 1-94 to Chelsea Road on the west side ofTH 25 and planting guide were added to the agenda. Also added to the agenda was a discussion with Councilmember Mayer relating to a number of park concerns. 4. Citizens comments and reQuests. None 5. Review of Hidden Forest/Sunset Ride:e Revised Park Plan. Tabled until March meeting. 6. Fence Selection Riverside Cemeterv. Park Superintendent, Adam Hawkinson brought samples of the fencing for the Parks Commission to view. Some time ago a cemetery committee had been set up to deal with issues relating to Riverside Cemetery and to set forth policies and regulations for the cemetery. When the committee disbanded the functions relating to cemetery issues and improvements became the jurisdiction of the Parks Commission. Jo Havel who had been on the Cemetery Committee had expressed her concern that nothing was being done on the list of improvements that the Cemetery Committee had recommended for Riverside Cemetery and noted in particular the fencing and landscaping. ~-_._- Parks Commission Minutes - 2/24/05 . With the Core Street Reconstruction Project being proposed for this in area in 2005, it was felt that this might be an appropriate time to look at including some improvements for the cemetery. Although it has not been determined at this time whether the Core Street Project will proceed as planned, be revised in scope or be delayed, it was felt that replacing the cemetery fencing should still be considered even though it may have to be done in smaller increments if the Core Street Project is delayed. With that intent in mind different types of fencing were looked and prices were obtained. ~ .. The samples the Parks Commission reviewed were of black painted aluminum fencing which was guaranteed not to fade. The price is similar to the price of vinyl fencing. One sample had gold caps on the interior posts and black balls on the end of the fence section. The other sample was simpler in design with no caps on the interior posts and no balls on the ends. The consensus of the Parks Commission was that the design with the black caps was the preferred design. Adam Hawkinson stated that any ofthe existing fencing that could be salvaged would be used delineate the property line on the east side of the cemetery. The fence can be purchased in 4' , 6' and 8' heights. The current fence is 4' . Ben Hitter asked about the frequency of replacement. Adam Hawkinson stated that this sample is similar to fencing material used at Hillside Cemetery and that fencing has stood up well and maintenance was not a problem. Nancy McCaffrey asked if there was going to be an arch at the entrance. Adam Hawkinson stated there are pillars there now that the new fencing would be attached to. Rick Traver asked about who would do the installation and Adam Hawkinson said it could be done either by park staff or by the contractor. The Parks Commission was being asked to select a design so that this item could be brought to the City Council for action. There was some discussion how installation costs would be impacted if the fence was replaced in increments rather than all at one time. Wayne Mayer asked ifthe ornamental tops on the fence could be fastened in any other way other than with a Phillips screw like possibly a pop rivet. Adam Hawkinson will check into that. The colors that were available were considered and the Parks Commission determined to go with the black fencing with the gold caps. Wayne Mayer asked ifthey knew the number of sections of fencing that would be required and the estimated cost. Adam Hawkinson stated he had that information, although not with him, but he believed the cost estimate to be around $15,000. --. Wayne Mayer asked if the fencing was installed now and the Core Street Project was delayed for two years how would the construction project impact the newly installed fence. Would the fence need to be relocated? Rick Traver felt the fence would be far enough back so that it would not be affected by the street reconstruction. Adam Hawkinson stated that there are burial sites within two feet of the fence so the contractor would have to be careful in how close to the fence he would be working. He added that it could be included in the contract that if the fence needed to be removed the contractor would be responsible for replacing it. Wayne Mayer and Rick Traver felt that this language should be noted in the file so that if the project is done in the future this concern is on record. It was suggested that the City Engineer also be made aware of this concern so that he can incorporate it into any contract documents. 2 . -- - -..... Parks Commission Minutes - 2/24/05 7. Park Sis.ms. Adam Hawkinson provided information he had received for a 4' x 8' sign that would indicate "Future Park Site". He had contacted three different companies for price quotes but had only received one response. The quote received is $508 for the 4' x 8' nylon sign with the lettering. Adam Hawkinson stated that when the development is 50% occupied the residents in the development will be notified of a meeting outlining the development plans for the park. Tom Perrault asked when the sign would be installed and Adam Hawkinson stated it would be installed when the first home is built in the development. After the park is developed the sign can be used to designate a future park in another development. Ben Hitter suggested that there be a telephone number on the sign for residents to contact to get information on what is proposed for that park. Adam Hawkinson noted this was a mock up sign so the Parks Commission should make any changes they felt necessary at this time. The Parks Commission felt having the sign up prior to the development being built up would eliminate some problems as far residents encroaching into the park land or not being aware their lot was adjacent to a park. There was some concern about listing amenities. Although the sign say these amenities may be in the park, it was felt that residents might take it literally that what is listed is what is going to be there. Wayne Mayer asked ifthe sign was going to be installed by the Parks Department or by the developer. He felt the developer should be paying for the sign. However if the sign was to be used multiple times in different developments it may not be feasible to charge a developer for it. Rick Traver suggested that Adam Hawkinson discuss this item with Jeff O'Neill, Community Development Director to see how it could best be handled. It was also suggested that since there are usually a number of developments going on at one time, they would need to consider having more than one sign. The Parks Commission then reviewed the signs proposed for East and West Bridge Park, Par West Park and Swan Park (Mississippi Park). Adam Hawkinson received two quotes; one from Nick's Signs for $650 for a 4' x 3'vinyl sign and one from Sign City for $780. He had another quote from Great Lake Signs but that sign was on 3;4" thick vinyl instead of 2" thick vinyl as the other signs were. The price was $650 not including shipping costs which were estimated at $300. 8. Park Maintenance. . Adam Hawkinson submitted a list of the work completed. There was some discussion on the time frame for snow removal from sidewalks and whether it was 36 hours or 24 hours. Wayne Mayer felt the property owner should be allowed as much time as the City was allowed to remove snow from the sidewalks. Nancy McCaffrey commended Adam Hawkinson on his time and effort on the grant applications. 3 . - ..-,. --., . Parks Commission Minutes - 2/24/05 9. Update on Park Dedication Review Committee. The Committee met and discussed the information that is needed to get out to developers to ensure that they are aware of the requirements for park land dedication. Adam Hawkinson stated that because the park dedications requirements are scattered in the zoning ordinance, city ordinance and comprehensive plan, it may be difficult for developers to track them down. Having them all listed in a handout that is given to the developers as part of their application packet should give them the information they need before they get into their design process. Tom Perrault asked about the requirement of having streets on two sides of the park land. Rick Traver said the Country Club Park was a good example of why this requirement was important. The Country Club Park does not abut two streets which makes the park too private. It becomes more like a park for the adjacent property owners than it is a public park and without the two streets for access parking can also be a problem.. Without good access a park loses its usability. Rick Traver noted in the past the City has ended up with park land that was not very desirable for park use. Wayne Mayer asked about the Country Club Park as far as maintenance. Adam Hawkinson noted that because of access only from Fairway Drive parking is an issue so that limits use of this park somewhat. He added that the Parks Department has removed the ballfield fence that was located there and did minimum maintenance on the ballfield surface. Wayne Mayer stated he did not want to see a lot of maintenance time spent on what is basically a park used by the adjacent property owners. Wayne Mayer asked the Parks Commission to review for him the process the Parks Commission follows from the time park land is dedicated through its development and he asked who determined what amenities are included in a specific park. Rick Traver outlined the process noting that the Parks Commission and staff develop a park development plan and at the neighborhood meeting the Parks Commission receives input from the residents. While the ultimate development is set by the Parks Commission the neighborhood meeting gives insight into what the residents believe are facilities that will be used. The Parks Commission also weighs in other factors such as cost, type of park and facility needs. Wayne Mayer asked particularly about the process with the Insignia Development. Rick Traver responded that the long range plan for the area included a ballfield complex. When Insignia came before the Parks Commission the park land had been laid out in the area of the powerline easement. The land in the easement area was not suitable for field use. Adam Hawkinson had submitted alternative drawings that showed how the area could be laid out so that it still could be used for a ballfield complex but the developer didn't follow up on that. After discussion of the process, Wayne Mayer stated he felt the process gave the Parks Commission the flexibility to determine what is going into an area. Going back to the signs identifying the parks, Wayne Mayer agreed with Nancy McCaffrey that the listing of amenities should be generic since the primary purpose of the sign is to identify as early as possible the area that is proposed for park land. Rick Traver suggested the language on the sign read "park land development will begin when the area is 50% built up. Adam Hawkinson listed the colors available for the signs. It was felt that that background should be either white or green (green is suggestive of parks) with black 4 ~ ,,--.., ~--, ~ Parks Commission Minutes - 2/24/05 lettering. Adam Hawkinson stated that if the Council has concerns about the park land dedication, they have the authority by amending ordinances to make changes. Added Items: Sidewalk: John Simola, Public Works Director, requested the Parks Commission to make a recommendation on the proposed installation of a 5' sidewalk extending from 1-94 past the Ford dealership to Chelsea Road. The Parks Commission discussed pedestrian traffic in the area and safety concerns. Noting that there is continuing development along TH 25, the Parks Commission felt this segment of sidewalk should be installed for safety reasons. BEN HITTER MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL THE INSTALLATION OF A FIVE FOOT SEGMENT OF SIDEWALK FROM 1-94 TO CHELSEA ROAD. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. John Deere Tractor: Wayne Mayer asked about the tractor purchase and whether the Parks Commission was aware of the purchase. Rick Traver indicated that the Parks Commission reviews capital outlays when they look at the Parks Department budget but the detailed analysis of what model is best suited for the work to be done is left to the discretion of the Parks Superintendent. Wayne Mayer stated he was trying to get information on the purchase and whether this was the appropriate equipment. He questioned whether the tractor would be out at the ballfields or whether it would be used elsewhere. Adam Hawkinson explained the equipment would be used outside the ball fields for aerating, fertilizing and grading work especially fine grading around playground equipment in parks and along trail edges. In the winter the unit would also be used for blowing and brooming snow from the sidewalk. Wayne Mayer stated that when presenting this purchase to the Council it needed to be presented that it was multi-use equipment and not just a mower. Rick Traver stated that you have to have the equipment to provide the proper level of maintenance and you also need to have backup equipment so that quality of maintenance can be continued if there is a breakdown of the equipment. Rick Traver said that he trusts the judgment of the staff to determine what is needed in the way of equipment but he also understands that the Council has the ultimate authority over city purchases. Wayne Mayer stated that if this equipment was only going to be for ballfield use he felt it would be appropriate to ask the various associations to contribute to it. If it was a multi-use piece of equipment he is not sure whether requesting contributions from the various associations using the fields would still be appropriate. Adam Hawkinson stated that an item similar to the tractor is the restrooms for Ellison Park. It is an improvement that has been discussed and budgeted for. The Council needs to authorize proceeding with the improvement so it is important that information on the need for this improvement and the options available is communicated to the Council. It is also important that the various groups who utilize the city's facilities have some accountability for the upcoming improvements. Some ofthe cost of improvements such as lights, equipment or other improvements should be defrayed by the groups using the facility. It was questioned whether a request for the Council to reconsider the purchase of the John Deere tractor be brought up at the February 28, 2005 Council meeting. Planting Guide: Adam Hawkinson also updated the Parks Commission on the spring tree planting event and the planning that has taken place thus far. He has contacted the high school about getting 40-45 students volunteers for this event. However, the liability issues relating to volunteers working at this type of event or 5 . .... ., . Parks Commission Minutes - 2/24/05 using city equipment will be checked out with the insurance company. Adam Hawkinson also noted that they are planning to use a color coding system for the planting. Each specie of tree will be tagged with a certain color ribbon and each stake marking the location for the tree will also be color coded. In that way the individuals just has to match the color of the ribbon on the tree to the color of the stake. He anticipates using 3-4 crews; one for planting, one for watering and one for mulching. He felt most ofthe planting could be completed in one day. The date for this event has tentatively been set for April 21st. 10. Adiourn: NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 6 P.M. BEN HITTER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. V<l...U.... ~ '-.../~ ,_~ "';, ~o >~ Recording Secretary 6