Parks Commission Minutes 03-18-1999MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Thursday, March 18, 1999 - 4:30 p.m.
Members: Larry Nolan, Earl Smith, Fran Fair, Rick Traver, Jennifer Fearing
1. Call to order.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Larry Nolan.
2. Approval of the minutes for the regular meeting on February 18, 1999. (J.0)
The minutes were not available at this meeting.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda.
Commissioner Smith added discussion on Bridge Park and update on park surveys.
4. Citizens requests
Glen Nemec, representative for the soccer club, gave a short report on the growing
number of children in soccer. There are over 600 participants in Monticello. The
program has been able to meet the demands because of private business allowing the club
to use space and use of the school fields. The use of the area on private property will
only work as long as the business does not need the extra space for expansion. At the
school there are many scheduling conflicts because of all the school sport needs also.
Gregg Engle, Park Superintendent, stated the area on 7th Street would support two full
size fields, two junior fields with a parking lot. There could be a possibility of three full
size fields. Mr. Engle will review the site and report back to the Commission.
The Commissioners were given a "draft" Council agenda item to review at the meeting.
The Commissioners requested the item be taken off the Council agenda until after the
next Park's Commission meeting in April. There were a few items such as lighting,
amount of fields, and funding that need to be discussed further.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY EARL SMITH TO REMOVE THE SOCCER ITEM
FROM THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING UNTIL THE PARKS COMMISSION HAD
MORE TIME TO REVIEW THE SITE. SECONDED BY RICK TRAVER. Motion
Page 1
Parks Minutes - 3/18/1999
passed.
5. Garden Proiects
A. Review of concept plan for the Chamber Gardens (Merchants/Master Gardeners)
Connie Lonsbury, Master Gardener, presented a concept plan to the Parks
Commission for the corner of Pine and Broadway, by the Chamber office. The
Downtown Merchants had requested assistance with a garden design for this area.
Ms. Lonsburgy gave a presentation that included: window boxes added to the
Chamber office for flowers in the summer, boughs with lights in the winter, a
variety of flowers on the west side which included the large boulders already there
but added flowers in between the rocks, also a flower garden area around the flag
pole and the sign, pavers on the area next to the sidewalk - (Due to the snow being
piled in this area there is a large amount of salt which makes it difficult to grow
anything in that area, a bench and planter by the side door, and 18' trellises on the
west side in back of the flower garden. (Gregg Engle, Park Superintendent, stated
the Park's Maintenance Department would build the trellises next winter.)
Wanda Kraemer, Administration Assistant, stated the Chamber Director, Kitty
Baltos was aware the plan might be more than the Parks Commission had
intended for a garden project, however since the Master Gardeners were willing to
do an entire plan it was decided to have a complete plan done and then phase in a
portion each year. Ms. Kraemer added the intersection had been discussed at
other meetings as a place for improvement.
B. Review of the concept plan for Ellison Park (Girl Scouts/Master Gardeners)
Sue and Jim Johnson, Master Gardeners, gave a presentation on a concept plan for
a garden area in Ellison Park. The area would be on the south/west corner in front
of the Ellison Park identification sign. There would be a variety of flowers to add
color and interest to the garden. They estimated 20 to 25 Girl Scouts would be
involved with the project. Gregg Engle, Park Superintendent, stated the Parks
Department would till and add mulch to the area. It was discussed whether or not
the irrigation system would reach the garden. Mr. Engle stated there were
adjustments to the sprinkler heads that could be made after the garden was in and
the exact area was known. The estimated cost at this time was around $800. The
Parks Commission agreed that if the cost did not exceed this amount the Girl
Scouts and Master Gardeners could work with staff and order the supplies.
Page 2
Parks Minutes - 3/18/1999
6. Proi ect "Take Pride"
Wanda Kraemer, Administrative Assistant, reported on the progress with Project "Take
Pride. There will be two tree care workshops held in April. On Saturday, April 24t'',
from 9 to noon residents would be picking up their tree orders at the Public Works
building and Ms. Kraemer requested the assistance of the Parks Commission. At the
April meeting this could be finalized.
7. Discussion on Maintenance Items. - Gree
Gregg Engle, Park Superintendent, reported on maintenance items completed. The
department had checked all of the boulevard trees that were planted last year. Each tree
was pruned and the green ribbons were removed. There was a 95% success rate
according to maintenance department. A procedure for dealing with Dutch Elm disease
was completed, school for information on hazardous tree removal was attended, Mr.
Engle met with all of the sports associations to understand their needs, a partnership with
the school was being established - the City maintenance department would assist in the
care of the fields and in turn the school fields could be used for non -school sport needs.
Mr. Engle stated he had completed a calender of projects for April - August. He would
have the schedule mailed to the Commissioners.
8. Updates:
A. North Anchor Meeting
Earl Smith and Rick Traver attended the subcommittee meeting for the North
Anchor. They reported to the other Parks Commissioners that the idea of all the
Commissions discussing the project will be very good. Each Commission views
the project according to their focus. Mr. Smith and Mr. Traver explained by using
the boundaries for the project as an example. The Commissions were not all in
sync on this aspect. Mr. Smith and Mr. Traver had been concentrating more on
the park area where the EDA was looking a a number of blocks on either side of
the park. This will be one of the main topics at the next meeting, to establish the
boundaries of the North Anchor. A tour of other river cities would be on April 9t'',
1999.
B. Soccer Fields on 7t' Street
Discussed under citizens comments
Page 3
Parks Minutes - 3/18/1999
C. Walk & Roll
Wanda Kraemer, Administrative Assistant, inquired whether the Commissioners
would like to do the free throw basketball game by their booth for Walk & Roll.
The Commissioners were interested in doing this again. The Parks Commission
and Community Education would be sponsoring the 3 -on -3 basketball tournament
also.
9. Added items
A. River Mill Wanda Kraemer, Administrative Assistant and Gregg Engle, Park
Superintendent reported they had completed a grant for the River
Mill Park. The request to submit the grant application would be on
the March 22, 1999 City Council agenda. If the request to submit
the grant was approved, the grant would be mailed by March 31,
1999. A decision on which projects the grants are awarded to will
not be until next summer.
B. Surveys Commissioner Smith inquired as to how many park surveys had
been completed. Gregg Engle, Park Superintendent, stated the
surveys had been included in the budget and he was planning on
completing the surveys this year.
C. Bridge park Commissioner Smith stated he would like to make a few
improvements to Bridge Park even though the major improvements
would not be decided until the North Anchor subcommittee has
completed their recommendations to the City Council. The
Commissioners discussed this with Gregg Engle, Park
Superintendent. A few areas that could be improved would be to
fence the dumpster, remove the large boulders, and add posts to
deter vehicles from driving up to the building. It was requested to
add this items to the April Parks agenda for further discussion.
10. Adi ourn
A motion was made by Fran Fair to adjourn the meeting seconded by Rick Traver.
Wanda Kraemer, Administrative Assistant
Page 4