BCOL Advisory Council Minutes 02-04-2011BCOL Regional Park Advisory Council Minutes: 02/04/11
BERTRAM CHAIN OF LAKES (BCOL)
REGIONAL PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
Friday, February 4th, 20118:00 a.m.
Academy Room, Monticello Community Center
Advisory Council Members Present: Martyn Dibben, Jim Lindberg, Lyle Trunnel, Larry Hance,
Pat Sawatzke, Glen Posusta, Rose Thelen, Gene Emanuel, Pete Stupar
Advisory Council Members Absent: Clint Herbst, Janice Bergstrom, Wes Olson
Staff Present: Angela Schumann, Marc Mattice, Kitty Baltos, Stacy Marquardt, Tom Pawelk,
Bob Paschke, Graham Sones
1) Call to Order
Martyn Dibben called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
2) Approval of January 7, 2011 Meeting Minutes
GLEN POSUSTA MOVED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 7, 2011 MEETING MINUTES.
MOTION WAS SECONDED BY ROSE THELEN. MOTION CARRIED 9 -0.
3) Consideration of adding to and approving agenda
a) Friends of Bertram Report
ROSE THELEN MOVED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 4, 2011 AGENDA AS
AMENDED. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY LARRY HANCE. MOTION CARRIED 9-
0.
4) MYSA Update and Next Steps
Angela Schumann reported that on January 26th representatives from the Bertram Advisory
Council and City staff met with three representatives from the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association
(MYSA) to share information about their respective projects. Both the Bertram Chain of Lakes
Regional Park project plan and MYSA new venue concepts were discussed. The MYSA is looking
for a home base for its statewide membership. Monticello seems to offer the organization a central
location, freeway access, and an ample amount of space. They'd like to build or lease a new soccer
complex facility to house ten staff members and accommodate phased development for up to 26
fields in order to host nationwide play. MYSA would like to be in operation and utilizing the first
phase fields by 2013. They pointed out that they would not build fields for a specific youth club and
BCOL Regional Park Advisory Council Minutes: 02/04/11
that their proposed use wouldn't involve the Bertram athletic complex. There might, however, be
ways to cooperate with the Bertram Park project through economies of scale.
Staff indicated that the 160 City -owned acres of Bio -Solids Facility (sludge farm) might provide a
viable opportunity for the soccer club. Bob Pascbke noted that this option hinges on upgrading the
City's wastewater treatment plant. He also suggested that it might also be useful for the City to
consider requesting an easement through the property for the Park's irrigation needs.
There was some discussion about the potential impact of a soccer complex north of the Bertram
Park. There were questions about how the City would handle the timing of infrastructure and
construction. Staff noted that this proposal would be an enormous economic development
opportunity for the area.
MYSA will meet and put together a response to this concept. The Bertram Advisory Council will
continue to monitor the proposal to stay apprised of any opportunities for cooperation.
5) Planning & Negotiations with YMCA
a. Day Camp Operations: Type of activities fit mission of park & public use
Marc Mattice met with representatives from the YMCA about their day camp. The
original MOU agreement had stated that there would be a 99 year lease with Bertram
Park on 20 acres of land used for the day camp on the south end of the lake. If that were
to change, the MOU would need to be amended and the purchase price renegotiated. The
Y is now proposing to use the north end of Bertram Lake. Activities offered through the
Y's Camp Manitou seem to have greatly expanded. There were questions as to whether or
not the camp is now interested in both ends of the lake. There was discussion about the
type of activities which would be allowed in the park. Motorized activities such as
minibikes or motorboats are prohibited. Accommodations for horse trails and pastures are
only allowed on the south end. There were questions about shared use for anything built
on the north end of the lake. It may be useful to organize a small group of the Bertram
Advisory Council to address the issues raised by the YMCA regarding the day camp.
b. Review Appraisal
The review appraisal of the Bertram property has been ordered and should be completed
by mid to late February. There will then be a joint meeting with the Bertram Negotiations
Team and the YMCA Executive Board to discuss the results of the appraisal.
c. Concepts for use agreement if Parcel #7 is successfully purchased in 2011
It seemed, in the previous negotiation meeting, that the YMCA was apprehensive about
the sale of the next scheduled parcel of the Bertram property. The grant applications
submitted depend upon that transaction.
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BCOL Regional Park Advisory Council Minutes: 02/04/11
6) Funding & Grants
a. Treasurer's Report
• There is $1,310 in the Bertram Fund as a result of the proceeds from the 2010
Norseman race plus a cash donation.
• The Farming Agreement for this season has been signed. The Wright County Board
asked that next year's Farming Agreement be put up for bid.
• Staff provided a project funding history spreadsheet for Phases 1 -3. The total funding
spent including grants and funding matches is nearly 7 million dollars.
• Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch will contact Marc Mattice should a bonding bill
be scheduled this legislative session.
• The Park & Trail Legacy Plan will be unveiled on February 14th at the state capital.
• The Greater MN Parks & Trails Committee will make a Legacy Fund presentation to
the House Natural Resources Committee on February 15th or 16th.
b. Grant Process Update: The grant has been drafted and is moving forward.
c. Public Hearing Schedule: The Wright County Board will hold a public hearing related to
the grant application on Tuesday, February 22nd at 9:30 am.
7) Family Fun Day Planning Update
Kitty Baltos noted that the Family Fun Day has been scheduled from 11:00 am -4:00 pm on
June 11, 2011. Representatives from the Advisory Council will report next month about any
sponsorship options from community businesses. Pat Sawatzke had sent an email to Xcel
Energy requesting $1,000 dollars for the event. Clint Herbst had planned to contact Cargill
for a donation. Walmart may also be an option this year. Angela Schumann will forward
examples of formal donation request letters to those requesting donations.
There may be an option to have an archery event hosted at no charge during Family Fun Day.
Bob Paschke also pointed out that the MN Bowhunters Association may obtain grants to
construct archery ranges on the Park site.
8) Developing Work Plan for 2011 (AS)
The Advisory Council will be asking at the next meeting that all members become part
of one of several task groups identified to maintain progress toward project goals.
Examples of these task groups might be: Funding Research and Public Outreach. These
groups would develop work plans, structure task priorities, define measurable outcomes,
and report back to the Advisory Council.
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BCOL Regional Park Advisory Council Minutes: 02/04/11
9) Consideration of items added to the agenda
a) Friends of Bertram Lake Report
Rose Thelen reported that the Friends, in conjunction with the Community Center, are
sponsoring the Have a Heart for Bertram Snow Sculpture Contest scheduled for February
12th at noon to promote awareness of the Bertram Park project. The grand prize of a three
month community center membership is sponsored by First Data. She also pointed out
that there would be a Friends of Bertram Lakes breakfast fundraiser at Applebee's on
Saturday April 9th 8 -10 am. Tickets are $5 each.
10) Adjourn
JIM LINDBERG MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 9:28 AM. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY
PETE STUPAR. MOTION CARRIED 9 -0.
Recorder: Kerry T. Burri
Approved: March 4, 2011
Attest:
Angela Schumann, Bertram Advisory Council