Parks Commission Minutes 04-15-1992L(Yl O�t-h C I(L I
MINUTES
C REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO PARKS COMt1ISSION
Wednesday, April 15, 1992 - 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Dick Frie, Bruce Thielen, Fran Fair, Roger
Carlson
Members Absent: Larry Nolan
1. Consideration of minutes of the reqular meetinq held
February 19, 1992.
After discussion, a motion was made by Bruce Thielen and
seconded by Fran Fair to approve the minutes as written.
Motion carried unanimously.
2. Consideration of information center landscapinq plan.
Chamber Director, Cyndle Johnson, was present to discuss some
Ideas for landscaping the Chamber office site. She noted that
the Chamber of Commerce is Interested In having a winter
celebration next year; and as part of that celebration, there
might be a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. She wondered if
the landscaping plan could include planting of an evergreen
tree at the site which would allow annual Christmas tree
lighting at that location.
Parks Commission reviewed the concept and thought it was a
good one; however, it was felt that it might make more sense
to provide a permanent sleeve In the ground somewhere on the
site to place a Christmas tree that is cut inbtead of having
a permanent evergreen at the site.
Roger Mack, Parks Superintendent, was concerned that there
wasn't enough room for a permanent tree at the site given the
potential size of an evergreen tree.
Parks Commission also discussed the possibility of planting an
evergreen in the landscaped area inside the skating area.
This tree could also be decorated. Perhaps the lighting of
the Christmas tree would work well with a skating party and
sliding party as part of the winter festivities.
As a side note, Parks Commission suggested that the warming
house include electrical work and speaker wire installation
that would allow for placement of speakers on the outside of
the warming house. Speakers would be there to provide
Information on general announcements to groups or people in
the park and would provide music for skating.
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Parke Commission Minutes - 4/15/92
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In summary, Roger Mack was directed to incorporate a tree
stand or sleeve into the landscaping plan for the Chamber
office area so as to allow a Christmas tree to be placed on
the grounds during Christmas season.
3. Update - community survey/budget history.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill informed the Parke Commission
that the township has been scheduled to meet regarding
recreation needs of the township residents on April 20. He
Informed them that he plane on attending this meeting. Bruce
Thielen and Dick Frie indicated that they are going to attend
this meeting as well. Dick Fria informed the commission that
Shelly Johnson indicated that the school would likely
contribute $5,000 to the project. Frie also talked to Ren
Maus. It was Dick Frie's understanding that Ren Maus would
support paying $5,000 for this survey as well.
Dick Frie recommended that after the township meeting that
Shelly Johnson sit down with City staff, Steve Frank, and
determine what type of questions need to be crafted in order
to obtain the information that is most positive for the school
district.
CO'Neill also went on to review the five-year budget history of
the parks department. He noted that in the last five years,
the parks department has spent over a million dollars in
capital improvements and operations cost. It was the view of
the Parke Commission that this information further supports
the justification for the citizen survey on park and
recreation needs. It is the Parke Commission's view that the
survey will be good for three to five years, and it makes
sense to spend time and energy finding out what the needs of
the citizens are via a survey when such a substantial
investment is already being made in park operations and
development.
4. Bike trail policy discussion.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill requested that this item be
postponed until after the survey Is conducted. He noted that
there are no pressing needs to define the pedestrian and bike
trail policy at this time.
Roger Mack, Parks Superintendent, reviewed a recent decision
by the City Council to install a pedestrian trail along the
western boundary of the Cardinal Hills Park. He noted that
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Parks Commission Minutes - 4/15/92
the trail will be 8 feet wide to allow for plowing, and the
trail will be graded with the street improvement, but the
concrete surface will be constructed by the developers.
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned.
Jeff O'Neill
Assistant Administrator
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