Parks Commission Minutes 03-27-2014PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES I March 27, 2014
MINUTES
PARKS COMMISSION
THURSDAY
MARCH2 27, 2014 - 4:30 P.M.
"To enhance community pride through developing and maintaining Cityparks with a high standard of quality. "
Members Present: Larry Nolan, Nancy McCaffrey, Tim Stalpes, Jack Gregor
Members Absent: Brian Stoll
Others Present: Tom Pawelk, Park Superintendent
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 Special Parrs Commission Meeting from February 26,
2014.
Correction of Larry Nolan as present and not absent at the February 26th meeting.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE
FEBRUARY 26, 2014 SPECIAL PARKS COMMISSION MEETING WITH
THE CORRECTION AS NOTED. MOTION SECONDED BY TIM STALPES.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, 4 -0.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
None.
4. Citizens requests and comments.
None.
5. Recap of March 4th Special Joint Planning and Parks Commission Meeting.
Tom Pawelk said there are no minutes from the meeting as there was not a
quorum present. However, Tom said it was a good thing for the Parks
Commission to meet with and understand the Planning Commission. Tom said
that it came to his attention that we need to work on marketing and advertising
our parks as one of the Planning Commission members was unaware of the
number of parks and park amenities in Monticello. Briefly touched on the
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PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES I March 27, 2014
pathway connections from Spirit Hills to the Wildwood Ridge developments, and
the Fenning Avenue Project from Spirit Hills all the way to Hillside Farms. Tom
said with the Monte Club project they were able to move forward and form a
subcommittee for the mountain bike use on the hill. Tom has not had a chance to
meet with them but he has been meeting with MORC. Tom said they should be
able to put in 12 miles of trails up there. The subcommittee direction is to
develop the plan for the hill and bring it to the City Council for approval.
6. Monte Hill update with newly developed subcommittee.
Tom Pawelk said the subcommittee members that volunteered included Don, the
owner of Broadway Cycle, Kevin Sorenson, Riverwood Bank, Grant from the
Planning Commission, Larry Nolan from the Parks Commission and Tim Stalpes
as the Parks Commission backup. Tom said they will be working with MORC to
create a design for a sustainable single track trail. They will talk about design and
layout of the loop trail system so it starts in the parking area and comes back to
the parking area. They will review the topography of the hill and follow the
contour lines. The potential is for a 12 mile course. Tom said that when they are
designing the trail they want to create an experience for the user. Tom said they
are very particular of what they do to the land. The challenge area will have a
separate design and include rocks, stumps, logs, etc. and will be a core loop trail
that is designed for experienced riders. The final plan to bring back to the City
Council will identify the core benefits of the single track being on the hill and
how it will benefit the City of Monticello. The subcommittee will need to explain
to council how the trail will be established by finessing through the landscape and
saving the native trees, explain the future maintenance of the trail; and lastly, the
budget and how it will run. This will be more defined when we see what's
happening out there at Bertram with their newly developed trail. Tom said so far
there has been no City staff labor at Bertram; it has all been done by MORC.
Nancy McCaffrey shared information from the "Explore Minnesota" brochure
which talks about finding your sport and mountain biking is one of the activities.
Nancy talked about eventually having the opportunity to advertise through
Explore Minnesota. Nancy asked if it's possible in the future to have a few bikes
to rent up there in the lot or verbally phone in to arrange to have the rental bikes
dropped off; basically a pickup and delivery service. Tom will look into that.
Tom said there is money in the budget this year which will be utilized for the
planning efforts. The goal will be to do the build next year and will take a full
season to create as the trail is created by hand. Goal is to have the trails open by
the fall of 2015.
7. Update on springy tree orders.
Tom Pawelk said that this year we sold 225 trees, which is up 42% from last year.
That is great news for the number of trees going into the community. Tom said
that we did more advertising and allowed residents to order more trees per order.
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PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES I March 27, 2014
It is helping to expand the urban forest and is a great thing. Tom said they may
look at increasing the minimum order amount for next year. Tom said this is the
7th year of the Spring Tree Program.
8. Update on Monticello Tree City USA status award.
Tom Pawelk said that Monticello has been awarded Tree City USA. Got an
award for our tree program, tree preservation and tree management. Monday
night Tom presented the award at the City Council Meeting. Tom said that the
award is from the National Arbor Day Foundation. Tom said they will be sending
street signs for advertising. Tom thanked the Parks Commission for all their
guidance over the years. The Parks Commission wanted to personally thank Tom
Pawelk and the Park employees for all of their hard work and efforts.
9. Consideration of approving tree planting sketch for the Great River
Trailhead.
Tom distributed the tree planting layout for the Great River Trail and Trailhead
area. Tom said that Xcel Energy had some concerns about the shade trees and
possibly interfering in the power lines; however, they have given their blessing on
the plan. There will be four different species of trees to be planted which will
make the area look more aesthetically pleasing. Tom said these will be trees that
are ordered with the spring tree program. Tom said in the trailhead area they will
plant oak trees for the shade in the future. Tom said one of the tree species to be
planted is flowering and will attract birds and butterflies. There are some trees
that will be removed that were damaged with the construction. The Park staff will
water and maintain the trees.
Tom said as a heads up that next year they will be doing some collector route
plantings, on 7th Street, Chelsea Road, and School Boulevard where the street
lights have been put in.
10. Consideration of recommending a new scheduled time for the regular Parks
Commission meetings.
TIM STALPES MOVED TO CHANGE THE OFFICIAL PARKS
COMMISSION MEETING TIME TO 4:30 P.M. ON THE 4' THURSDAY
EVERY OTHER MONTH GOING FORWARD. MOTION SECONDED BY
JACK GREGOR. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, 4 -0.
11. Consideration of scheduling an upcoming spring park tour.
Tom Pawelk said that the Planning Commission has expressed interest on
attending the parks tour as well. Tom said we will plan to take both City vans for
the tour. Tom said it will be important to identify the park areas that we're
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PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES I March 27, 2014
working on and specifically including the Monte Club Hill and Rolling Woods
Park, River Mill Park, Pioneer Park, East and West Bridge Parks to demonstrate
accomplishments, and Sunset Ponds Park to highlight the newest play structure.
Tom also said that any time a Parks Commission member would like a complete
tour of Bertram to let Tom know and he will provide a tour around the park. The
consensus is to go on a separate tour with the Planning Commission at the
Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park.
The spring park tour will be scheduled for May 8, 2014, at 4:30 p.m. meeting at
the Public Works Department. The BCOL Regional Park tour will be a separate
tour to be scheduled at a later date.
12. Bertram Chain of Lakes (BCOL) Regional Park acquisition and
development update.
Tom Pawelk said the goal is to close on Phases 5 & 6 in June, and that will
include the Bertram Lake beach. Along with that, one of the focuses that the
mayor has is opening the beach this summer. Tom will be working on that as
required.
Tom said that the BCOL Advisory Council is working with the Frostbite
Challenge Committee to host the family fishing contest at Bertram Lake next year
due to the draining of Pelican Lake.
Tom said that the athletic complex design will be brought to the City Council in
April for the option of utilizing a portion of the City owned farmland for a portion
of the fields. This adjusted design which was approved by the Athletic Field
Subcommittee will allow for more open space and aid in the option of utilizing
lower match grant funds for future land acquisitions on the natural areas. Tom
will email the Parks Commission with the meeting date and time.
13. Consideration of approving the next regular Parks Commission Meeting for
May 22, 2014.
The next regular Parks Commission Meeting is scheduled for May 22, 2014, at
4:30 p.m. at the Public Works Department. Tim Stalpes will be unable to attend
the meeting.
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PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES I March 27, 2014
14. Motion to adjourn.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MOTION
SECONDED BY TIM STALPES. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, 4 -0.
RECORDED BY:
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DATE APPROVED: July 24 2014
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