Parks Commission Minutes 11-17-2005
MINUTES
MONTICELLO PARKS COMMISSION ~ REGULAR MEETING
Thursday November 17, 2005 - 4:30 p.m.
"To enhance community pride through developing and
maintaining city parks with a high standard of quality."
Members Present:
Fran Fair, Ben Hitter, Nancy McCaffrey, Larry Nolan, Rick Traver and Council
liaison, Tom Perrault
Members Absent:
None
Others Present:
Councilmember Wayne Mayer, Adam Hawkinson, Parks Superintendent and
Jeff O'Neill Deputy City Administrator
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 October 27. 2005 rel!ular Parks Commission meetine.
Fran Fair moved to approve the minutes ofthe October 27,2005 regular Parks Commission
meeting. Nancy McCaffrey seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Consideration of add in I! items to the aeenda.
Parks Superintendent, Adam Hawkinson added a discussion of skatelbike parks to the agenda.
Jeff O'Neill added Emerald Heights development, grant program; tree planting at Montissippi
Park, increase of park dedication fees. An update of the 4th Street hardcourt was also added.
4. Citizens comments and reQuests.
No one was present to address the Parks Commission.
5. Pathwav Plan - Hidden Forest Development.
Neither the developer or his representatives were present. No action was taken on this item.
6. Park Maintenance.
Adam Hawkinson submitted a list of the work completed by the Parks Department and
reviewed items on that list including the status ofthe work at the 4th Street Park.
4th Street Park - The City awarded a contract for the work on the 4th Street Park. The
contractor did the work but the quality of the work performed is in question. At this time the
City is withholding 10% ofthe contract price and the contractor is to come back in the spring
to correct the defective work. It is planned to flood the rink and use it this winter.
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7. Comprehensive Pathway Plan - Updated Plan.
Jeff O'Neill stated the City is still in the process of documenting what the City has in place.
Jeff O'Neill and Rick Traver reviewed an updated plan submitted by WSB & Associates.
They are changes to be made and on the next review, Jeff O'Neill and Rick Traver will be
looking at where the power lines are located and where future pathways are to be located.
Rick Traver felt in the new developments the City has done a good job of putting in the trails
and needs to work on future trails and tying them into the existing trails. It was noted that
there are areas of "retrofitting" that is developed areas with no trail or sidewalk where the City
needs to go back and determine how trails/sidewalks should be provided for these areas. The
City will make an inventory of trails that need to be installed and do a capital improvements
program for funding ofthe trail installation. The Parks Commission will be making decisions
on whether they want pathways along both sides of major roads like School Boulevard. The
Parks Commission also discussed the possible extension of Mississippi Drive through the
Bondhus property to Ellison Park. It was felt that the trail system should take advantage of
the river.
Since the Transportation Plan and Pathway Plan are related the City would like to get them
updated at the same time. It is hoped that this can be done in early 2006. Adam Hawkinson
asked if the trail connection between the Mack property and Carlisle Village was on the list.
The Parks Commission asked that this item be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.
The pathway for the proposed Emerald Heights development was discussed. Wayne Mayer
asked if the pathway would be crossing Fenning A venue on the downhill side. He was
concerned about the safety of any trail crossing in this area.
8. Updates. if any.
Skate/Bike Park: Adam Hawkinson stated he has been talking to Kitty Baltos, Community
Center Director, about doing something with the skate/bike park. Attendance at the
skate/bike park at the MCC has declined and they are looking at providing some kind of park
away from the MCC site. One possible site is Outlot A of Country Club Manor which at one
time was being considered for the ice arena site. Adam Hawkinson and Kitty Baltos looked at
a facility in Mound and he presented pictures of the facility. It was noted that 4Jumps is the
maximum you can go without an attendant present. One facility they had looked at was a
concrete bowl. This type of facility can be used by rollerbladers, skate boarders and bikers.
The bowl would be a 4' drop and therefore would not require an attendant. The bowl was 50'
x 120'. It was questioned whether the present site at the MCC could be retrofitted. The MCC
site is only 80' x 35' so it is a smaller site to try to fit it on. The MCC Advisory Board was
meeting on November 17th as well and this information was being presented to them by Kitty
Baltos. Adam Hawkinson felt that 4 acres of the Outlot A site would be required for the
skate/bike park.
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Emerald Heights: leffO'Neill stated that the developer of the Emerald Heights property is
revising the development plan. They are proposing to eliminate the south cul-de-sac road
with 7 lots. Ifthe developer had stayed with the original plan it would have required
construction of a 16' retaining wall and removal of more trees so the developer is pulling this
out and will be submitting a revised plan that will again be going before the Planning
Commission. There is discussion that the area of the south cul-de-sac road could be
purchased or exchanged for a reduction in fees.
leffO'Neill stated that 90,000 cubic yards of material would be removed from the site and the
fill material would be used on the interchange project. Rick Traver asked if the development
site would be level with Fenning Avenue. leffO'Neill said the basement foundation of the
homes would be 8' above Fenning Avenue. The revised plan would allow a connecting trail
to Fenning Avenue and allow a good size park area, approximately 4 acres, The Parks
Commission indicated that they would like to acquire a portion ofthat area as part of the park
dedication fee and then purchase the remaining area. There was some discussion on the trails
and who would pay the cost of installing them.
Grant Program Information: leffO'Neill stated he had received information on the grant
program for park improvements. Adam Hawkinson will review the grant information and the
Parks Commission will determine whether to apply for trails, buildings/restrooms or play
equipment. Adam Hawkinson stated that the DNR is looking for projects that make
connections with existing facilities or where there is a cooperative venture with several
entities. The Parks Commission requested this be on the next agenda.
Adam Hawkinson stated that the water problem on the River Mill segment of trail has been
corrected. The trail could be installed unless a frontage road goes through it which is a
possibility. There has been discussions that with the new interchange the old freeway exit
could be converted to a frontage road. Tom Perrault asked who would be responsible for
taking out the old ramp. leffO'Neill said that would be a city project.
Park Dedication Fee: leffO'Neill said staff will be trying to get something on the City
Council agenda for December 12, 2005 to increase the park dedication fees. He would like to
see the park dedication fee amount tied in with the actual cost of land. By adjusting the
dedication fees to reflect land costs, the cash park dedication fees would be adequate for
purchasing equivalent land. leffO'Neill noted that trunk fees for sanitary sewer, water and
storm sewer fees are proposed to be increased. The City needs to have a rational basis for
establishing their park dedication amount. It is a fine line to keep the costs reasonable for the
developer yet collect adequate amounts to fund the improvements whether it is for trunk
utilities or parks.
4th Street Park: This was covered under park maintenance items.
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9. Adjourn.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 5:40. FRAN FAIR SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
\)QU.,~ ~~~Sl.
Recording Secretary ~
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