BCOL Advisory Council Minutes 12-02-2011MINUTES
BER'1'RAM CHAIN OF LAKES REGIONAL PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL
Friday, December 2,20118:00 a.m.
Bridge Room, Monticello Community Center
Advisory Council Members Present: Martyn Dibben, Lyle Trunnel, Larry Hance, Pat Sawatzke,
Rose Thelen, Gene Emanuel, Clint Herbst, Pete Stupar, Sandra Theros, Glen Posusta
Advisory Council Members Absent: Janice Bergstrom, Wes Olson, Jim Lindberg
Staff Present: Jeff O'Neill, Angela Schumann, Marc Mattice, Stacy Marquardt, Tom Pawelk,
Bob Paschke
Staff Absent: Kitty Baltos
Others Present: Graham Sones
Martyn Dibben called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
1) Approval of the November Minutes
PETE STUPAR MOVED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 4, 2011 MEETING
MINUTES. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY LARRY HANCE. MOTION CARRIED
10 -0.
2) Consideration of adding to and approving agenda No changes
3) Phase 3 Purchase Update and Progress Report
Marc Mattice reported that the Phase 3 purchase closing date was scheduled for
December 19''. Appraisal work submitted to the grants program was approved. Federal
encumbrance for the funds is expected. The settlement statement will be prepared. The
recent survey completed shows the boundary of the acquisition.
Both the City Council and the County Board recently approved the shared use agreement
with the YMCA, the MOU and the purchase agreement.
Staff intend to work with local legislators to draft a bonding request similar to the one
submitted to the OMB in the event a bonding bill were scheduled. The Senate Capital
Investment Committee had not yet arranged to tour Bertram Park. Clint Herbst suggested
that it might be useful to develop a brochure to inform legislators as to the project
accomplishments, goals, and future needs. Tom Pawelk will prepare a draft brochure. The
Friends Group will also discuss strategies to get legislators involved at their next meeting.
4) 2012 Program Update
Bertram Regional Park Advisory Council: 12/06/11
• Norseman Bike Race
Parks Superintendent Tom Pawelk reported that the Norseman Bike Race would
not be held at Bertram this year because the organization can't find enough
volunteers to complete trails maintenance. Tom pointed out that this is the last year
that it would be an option to host the bike race at Bertram.
• Family Fun Day
There was some discussion about whether or not to host Family Fun Day at
Bertram in 2012. Rose Thelen noted that the Bertram Advisory group should make
the decision as to whether or not it is needed now that there is a shared use
agreement in place for boat access every weekend during the summer and an
interest in also moving forward with a shared use beach access agreement. This
issue will be included as part of the January agenda. The Friends Group will
discuss this issue at their next meeting.
Donations paid for the cost of last year's event with the exception of staff time
involved. As a result of the recent Norseman decision there would be no funding
resulting from the bike race this year. There was some suggestion that the event
might be scaled down in scope.
Tom Pawelk will reserve June 9, 2012 with the YMCA as a tentative date for the
event. He shared some programming ideas as outlined by Kitty Baltos and the
MCC staff including: canoeing, kayaking, full moon events, hiking, mountain
biking, and campfire cooking classes.
The Advisory Committee requested information about estimated costs to host
Family Fun Day. Clear Waters Outfitting and Broadway Cycle events are expected
to pay for themselves.
Although the City had budgeted $5,000 including staff time to upgrade trail
systems at the old day camp, Public Works had not budgeted for additional initial
park maintenance costs. There is a need to upgrade a parking area on the south end
of the Day Camp, some firepits, and two areas of existing trails. Tom Pawelk will
estimate costs to ready the park for Family Fun Day. The Wright County Board
had approved $2,500 for maintenance materials not including staff time. There was
some mention of potentially teaming up to provide initial low level park
maintenance. In addition, there was some consideration of the need to move a
deteriorating bridge in the park.
GENE EMANUEL MOVED TO REQUEST THAT THE CITY TO AUTHORIZE
ADDITIONAL STAFF TIME INVOLVED IN 1v1AINTENANCE ACTIVITIES
RELATED TO THE USE OF TRAILWAYS, BOAT LAUNCH AND PARKING
AREAS IN BERTRAM PARK. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY GLEN
POSUSTA. MOTION CARRIED 10 -0.
2
Bertram Regional Park Advisory Council: 12/06/11
5) Request from staff to the Board regarding information necessary to determine
acceptable motorized vs. non - motorized uses (Winter, Summer, Policy)
There was again considerable discussion and differing points of view about the issue of
acceptable boat use of the lake. It was determined to be extremely important to outline some
criteria for making an informed objective decision about motorized or non - motorized use. Clint
Herbst asked for information related to motorized restrictions on lakes throughout Minnesota.
Pat Sawatzke agreed that it would be useful to get information from the DNR The committee
is interested in park use numbers, demographics, access, regulations, impacts on shoreline
erosion, risk of invasives, opportunities for funding partnerships, and public perception. The
parks survey results will also be taken into consideration. Staff will research these issues and
report back to the Advisory Board.
6) Review Park Use Sub - Committee Draft Implementation Plan Document
The Advisory Council reviewed the park use implementation plan document designed to help
guide the development of the park. There was some discussion about providing access to trails,
trail maintenance, and improvement options which are planned for completion in time for
summer programming. A small trailhead could be developed which would provide long and a
short loop options. The nearby grassy area would be mowed and picnic facilities would be
provided. A small parking area would need be developed in the area near the horse bam.
7) Review possible option regarding Ground Lease and Y Day Camp Development
Marc Mattice met with the YMCA to preliminarily consider a revised proposal for
locating the YMCA Day Camp on the Bertram site in an effort to resolve some of the
issues with previous scenarios. This concept would involve locating the YMCA on Parcel
7B near the entrance of the park. There was considerable discussion about how this
location might be suitable in that it would concentrate YMCA activities in one area of the
park in close proximity to the beach and boat launch. It was also mentioned that utilities
are already available in that area. There was some discussion about the need to
reconfigure parking scenarios and park entrance with this proposal.
PAT SAWATZKE MOVED TO AUTHORIZE STAFF TO WORK WITH THE YMCA
TO CREATE A CONCEPT PLAN TO CONSIDER THE FEASIBILITY OF
POTENTIALLY UTILIZING PARCEL 7B AS THE LOCATION OF THE YMCA
CAMP TO PRESENT TO THE BERTRAM ADVISORY BOARD FOR REVIEW. ANY
COSTS RELATED TO THE DESIGN OF THIS CONCEPT PLAN WOULD BE THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE YMCA. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY ROSE
THELEN. MOTION CARRIED 10 -0.
8) Farm Lease vs. Maintenance Agreement for 2012
Bertram Park was required to pay property tax on the $500 received in income from the 2011
farm lease. Marc Mattice talked with the YMCA about plans to initiate savannah restoration on
this property in 2012. This would involve following a prescribed maintenance plan and the
property would then be subject to a maintenance agreement.
Bertram Regional Park Advisory Council: 12/06/11
PETE STUPAR MOVED TO RECOMMEND ENTERING INTO A MAINTENANCE
AGREEMENT WITH MARK HOLKER FOR 2012. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY
ROSE THELEN. MOTION CARRIED 10 -0.
9) MYSA Update
Angela Schumann reported that representatives from MYSA were recently in touch with
City staff. MYSA has engaged Steiner Development to complete an initial feasibility
study for their new complex as had been originally proposed. They will be in contact with
the city and county for more detailed information on the land north of Bertram. The
current MYSA facility is owned by Steiner Development. Steiner Development is
interested in utilizing Bertram consultant Graham Sones and colleagues as a resource in
conducting the feasibility study.
10) Adjourn
LARRY HANCE MOVED TO ADJOURN AT 9:34 AM. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY
GLEN POSUSTA. MOTION CARRIED 10 -0.
Recorder: Kerry T. Burri
Approved: January 6, 2012
Attest:
Angela Se him 1 , Bertram Advisory Council