Parks Commission Minutes 01-26-2012PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES i JAN 26, 2012
MINUTES
PARKS COMMISSION
THURSDAY
JANUARY 26, 2012 - 8 A.M.
"To enhance community pride through developing and maintaining City parks with a high standard of quality. "
Members Present: Larry Nolan, Nancy McCaffrey, Tim Stalpes
Members Absent: Gene Emmanuel, Brian Stumpf
Others Present: Tom Pawelk, Park Superintendent, Angela Schumann, Community
Development Director, Beth Bigelow, Parks Commission
Applicant
1. Call to Order.
Chair Larry Nolan called the meeting to order at 8 a.m. and declared a quorum present.
2. Approve Minutes of December 1, 2011 Parks Commission Meeting.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE
DECEMBER 1, 2011 PARKS COMMISSION MEETING. TIM STALPES
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
None.
4. Citizens requests and comments.
Nancy McCaffrey said that she spoke with Jim Lawrence out at Swan Park and he
requested that the large feeder (for the swans) be moved from his property to the park
property. Tom Pawelk said that we will look into that and look at the foundation to see
what we can do in the future when Mr. Lawrence is no longer able to feed the birds.
Beth Bigelow said that in her neighborhood off of Oak Ridge Circle there's a trail that's
used frequently in the winter and there's a possible safety issue because there's no light
on the trail and maybe at some point that could be addressed. Larry Nolan said that we
should add that to the upcoming spring park tour.
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PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES JAN 26, 2012
5. introduction of Parks Commission Applicant Beth Bigelow.
Tom Pawelk introduced Beth Bigelow to the Parks Commission. Beth introduced herself
and said that she's married, has two children and moved to Monticello in June. Her
husband's grandparents live here and have been encouraging her to become more
involved in the community. Professionally, she has worked with governments and in
government communication for five years. She said she wants to help out in her own city
and parks are especially a passion for her. She said since moving to Monticello she and
her family has been thrilled with the city and all of the events the city hosts. She said
Monticello is very on top of things and she's very impressed.
TIM STALPES MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPOINTING BETH BIGELOW AS A
NEW PARKS COMMISSION MEMBER. NANCY MCCAFFREY SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Spring Tree Order Update.
Tom Pawelk said that the City is moving forward with spring tree sale. The flyers were
sent out with the utility billing in January and the order form is also available on the City
website. Tom said he's been seeing more and more people getting involved through the
years; and 205 trees were sold last year. Trees will be available for pickup by City
residents the week of April 23 — 27 at the Public Works Facility. By not having a
Saturday pickup day the Parks Department is able to cut costs by eliminating overtime.
7. Cemetery Caretaker Resignation.
Tom Pawelk informed the commission that Roger Carlson is resigning from the position
of Riverside Cemetery Caretaker effective March 1, 2012. Roger currently shows graves,
sells graves and performs cremation burials for the City. Tom said over the years things
have changed at the cemetery and Public Works Administration and the Parks
Department has absorbed many of the caretaker duties. If Roger were to continue in the
position he would request $100 more per month to the contract which would bring his fee
to $450 per month. Tom said that Parks and Public Works Administration can absorb
those duties in house and stay under that cost. Tom said he and Beth Green are working
on the guidelines and then will bring to City Council if necessary. Tom said a full update
will be included in the next green sheet distribution.
8. Riverside Cemetery Future Planning — Cremation Niches.
Tom Pawelk said the cremation section is getting fairly full and planning starts now for
above ground cremation niches. Niches are typically 6' tall and 6' wide and have a
bronze face. Tom said that with the cost savings on eliminating the caretaker position
that money could be put towards a cremation niche. Tom said he's looking for a spot at
the cemetery and will bring it back to the commission when that's decided.
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PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES I )AN 26, 2012
9. 4th Street Park Hockev Rink Update.
Tom Pawelk said the rinks officially opened last week. Tom said one rink is holding up
well but the other one has an open blacktop spot from the sun and warmer weather. Tom
said the rinks will be opened until the weather no longer allows the ice to be sustainable.
More than likely they will be open through the middle to end of February.
10. Park Proiects Update.
Tom Pawelk went over the park projects on the agenda for 2012. Tom highlighted few of
the major areas including West Bridge Park: playground panel replacement and
resurfacing the concrete in the community room; East Bridge Park: landscaping; Pioneer
Park: panel replacement and resurfacing restroom floors; new slides in Sunset Ponds and
Meadow Oaks; new fencing at Freeway Fields, Xcel Ballfields and safety fencing around
new box culvert on CSAH 75; 4a' Street Park: ballfield renovation with the Baseball
Association kicking in funds, hockey boards, striping and painting; Ellison Park: turf
restoration, resurfacing with a skid resistant surface in the log shelter, restriping parking
lots and building enclosures around dumpsters. Fog sealing of pathways will be ongoing
as well as the tree inventory in Riverside Cemetery. Tom said that many of the wooden
park signs still have hail damage and when time permits they will repair those signs. The
thistle removal program will be input this spring.
Nancy McCaffrey said she's hosting the Bridge Parks Gardeners coffee at her house on
March 29h' at 10 a.m. She said she'll be sending Tom Pawelk an invite via email.
11. Draft Park Legacy & Memorial Program Policy Review.
Angela Schumann said this proposed policy started with the request of the Hoglund
family asking to rename Groveland Park. She said it was necessary for the City to look at
an overall policy before that request could be considered. Angela said she and Tom
Pawelk have done some research and the focus will be on the legacy naming component
of the program. Angela distributed the draft of the program. She explained that if there's
a future request such as this then this will be the criteria for considering that request.
With this program the Parks Commission would review and then make the request to City
Council. Tom Pawelk said that with Bertram coming into play we may have requests in
the future. Angela asked the commission members to take the draft, review it and then
she will bring a final version back to the next meeting. The commission will review and
get back to Tom Pawelk prior to next meeting.
12. Request for "In Perpetuity" Trail Adoption — Hoglund Family.
Angela Schumann said that the City was approached by Stuart Hoglund's grandson for a
legacy memorial in Mr. Hoglund's name. After coming up with the legacy program
guidelines, it was determined that an adoption of one of the pathways around Groveland
Park would be an appropriate memorial. Much of this property was originally Hoglund
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PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES I JAN 26, 2012
Property years ago. The grandson said he wants a longer term than one year and he
wants to put a sign at the trail point. He's talking with his family about the length of the
term. They will commit to the adoption and maintenance over long term. The family
will come out and do upkeep 2 x/year and they are willing to pay for the sign. Upkeep
would include picking up litter along the trail. Tom Pawelk said the City planted trees
along the trail seven years ago so it's all natural other than the row of trees. Tom said
there would be three signs with one at each end of the trail. Tom said we should cut it off
right at Park Place Drive but he said they won't do anything until spring. Angela said
that she will include a link on the City website identifying this memorial pathway.
Angela said that this doesn't need to go to City Council.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ACCEPT THE HOGLUND FAMILY
TRAIL ADOPTION OF THE GROVELAND TRAIL AS MAPPED FOR FIVE
YEARS PENDING FINAL DETAILS FROM ANGELA SCHUMANN IN
REGARD TO THE TRAIL LENGTH. TIM STALPES SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Note: Angela Schumann will return to the next Parks Commission Meeting with the final
details of the trail adoption.
13. DNR Trails & Transportation Enhancement Grant Application Status.
Angela Schumann updated the commission on the grant applications. She said that the
City was successful with 2 out of 3 of the DNR Trails Grant applications. She said the
City received a 50% match on segment 1 and segment 2 (connecting to Broadway and
connecting to Montissippi) and these connections will provide the links to the Mississippi
River Trail. Angela explained that the City will now move to the balance to complete the
federal grant application. She said the federal grant application includes 80% for the
proposed trailhead to be located near the Montissippi Park entrance (on Xcel property),
including an access connection and trail connection to segment # 1 and funding for an
interpretive kiosk. The application also includes 80% (to Xcel Ballfields) for segment 3
and 50% for segment 4 (to the county's paved shoulder on CSAH 75). Angela stated that
Bruce Westby said that when applying for grants it's important to keep the #'s low so that
it looks like the City is willing to put forth effort on funding. Angela said she'll be
making a presentation to the review committee in St. Cloud on Feb 7b, and shortly
thereafter we'll know if we're successful with the federal grant. After that, we'll turn
around and try to get match funding on the balance for segments 3 and 4.
Angela said that if we're successful with the grants then it should be hopeful that the City
Council can't say no. The first grant received is $36,000 and this DNR Local Trails
Grant requires the City to spend the money by 2013. With the Enhancement Grant the
City has until 2016. Angela said that the City would complete the project and then get
reimbursed through the federal grant. Angela said that Xcel Energy is very supportive of
the trailhead but we have not asked them for a financial contribution at this time. The
hang up may be in the final easement language and the City will need to make sure that
whatever the provisions are in the grant that they are acceptable with Xcel. If the City is
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PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES I IAN 26, 2012
not successful with the federal grant then we will have to go to the City Council for a
match or may have to go back to local private contributors for a match.
Nancy McCaffrey brought up the idea of a future trailhead at Battle Rapids and Angela
said there maybe funding available through the Scenic Byways Program and she will
research this further.
14. Swan Park.
Tom Pawelk said that all the cables are run for the swan cam and the camera has now
been put in place. He said that IT is figuring out the minor details for panning of camera
and that it should be up and running in a week or two. Tom said he'll email web address
as soon as he receives it.
15. Next Meeting March 22, 2012.
The next Parks Commission Meeting is scheduled for March 22, 2012 at 8 a.m. in the
Public Works conference room.
16. Adiourn.
NANCY MCCAFFREY MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 9:12 A.M. TIM
STALPES SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
RECORDED BY: VDf7liT car
DATE APPROVED: `p ?�
ATTEST:
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