Parks Commission Minutes 06-16-1993MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO PARKS COMMISSION
Wednesday, June 16, 1993 - 4 p.m.
Members Present: Dick Frie, Fran Fair, Bruce Thielen. Roger Carlson
Members Absent: Larry Nolan
1. Call to order.
The meeting was called to order at 4 p.m.
2. Adoat agenda.
A review of the Cardinal Hills Park development was added to the agenda.
Dick Frie requested that this item he discussed first because Roger Mack had
to leave the meeting early.
Dick Frie noted that he visited the Cardinal Hills Park with Roger to review
the status of the development of the park in 1993. During his review, City
crews were at work clearing debris from the site and in the process of
removing dead trees. Frie stated that he had visited nearby residents to get
some input on the Cardinal Hills Park development. He reported that
C residents were pleased at the concept of developing a passive park that would
include a volleyball court with a 60 x 30 sand base. It was the consensus of
the Parks Commission to include a volleyball court in Cardinal Hills Park.
Frie also noted that in his conversations with Roger, Roger indicated that he
would like continued assistance, input, and direction from the Parks
Commission on budget items.
O'Neill asked if Mack had installed a water line into the Cardinal Hills Park.
Mack indicated that this had not been done yet. It was the consensus of the
Parks Commission that water service should he provided to the park at some
location and that now is the best time to install the water service.
Roger Mack brought up the concept of developing a kiddie ballfield at the Par
West Park. It was the concensus of the Parks Commission that the park is
large enough to accommodate a kiddie ballfield and that installation of a short
backstop should be completed in 1993. The group also discussed the possibility
of adding additional play structures at the site.
After discussion, a motion was made by Fran Fair and seconded by Dick Frie
to authorize development of a kiddie ballfield area along with installation of
additional play structures in 1993. Motion carried unanimously.
C
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Parks Commission Minutes - 6/16193
C 3. Consideration of aunroval of mcetine minutes --.lune 2.1993: Aoril 7.1993;
March 17. 1993: February 16. 1993: January 13. 1993: December 29- 1992;
December 16. 1992: and November 18. 1992.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill provided the Parks Commission with a packet
containing draft copies of the said meeting minutes. It was the consensus of
the group to review the meeting minutes and come prepared to consider
approval at the July meeting of the commission.
4. Review undated narks inventory and needs analvsis worksheet. develop list of
possible nark improvement proiects to include in the 1994 oreliminary hudeet.
Assistant Administrator O'Neill reviewed an updated inventory of park
facilities and needs analysis. Parks Commission reviewed the different types
of recreation facilities provided by the City and identified possible additions or
subtractions from the existing inventory of facilities that could be installed or
removed in response to the emerging recreation needs of the community and
various neighborhoods.
Plaveround. O'Neill noted that according to the inventory and the National
Recreation and Parks Administration Guidelines, the City has sufficient
playgrounds already established. It was the consensus of the Parks
C Commission to not add any playground facilities through acquisition of land
or installation of playground equipment at any particular park.
Soccer/Fcothall. It was recognized that field availability for soccer and football
is not good: however, centralization of the scheduling system and concurrent
improved use of parks now available will result in better access to fields for
soccer and football. In addition, it is likely that Outlot A of Meadow Oaks will
he developed which will provide another opportunity for mixed use of athletic
fields, thereby improving the potential for use by soccer organizations.
Hockev Rink/Open Skating. O'Neill noted that 68% of the people responding
in the survey indicated that outdoor skating facilities are fair or poor. He
stated that he had received a number of complaints about the quality of the ice
sheet at th.- 4th Street Park, and he also informed the Parks Commission that
the City has had problems in maintaining adequate supervision of the
warming house and skating area.
Roger Mack noted that the responsibility for maintaining the ice sheet and
removing snow at the 4th Street Park is in the hands of the Hockey
Association. Last year the equipment they were using to clear the ice was
malfunctioning most of the year, and the persons in charge of flooding the ice
did not appear to have sufficient experience. O'Neill concurred that it was his
experience that when using the park, the ice was in poor condition and/or it
was snow covered.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 6/16/93
Bruce Thiclen suggested that the City take over the responsibility of
maintaining the ice sheet at the 4th Street Park. Fran Fair agreed. She noted
that the public works department should consider asking for additional help
or pay overtime pay in order to maintain the park properly.
After discussiun, a mutiva was made by Fran Fair and seconded by Roger
Carlson to improve management of the warming house by hiring better
qualified attendants. Perhaps a higher wage should be offered to attract better
personnel. All maintenance of the ice sheet, including its establishment and
maintenance. become the responsibility of the City. Furthermore, it is
recommended that the Hockey Association be required to reserve times in
which it desires exclusive use of the hockey rink.
Sliding Hill. It was the consensus of the group that the existing sliding hill
should be maintained as is. Bruce Thielen indicated that development plans
for Montissippi Park include installation of a sliding hill at some point in the
future.
Ballfields. Dick Frio noted that due to the fact that the Baseball Association
is not in attendance, the Parks Commission should put an in-depth discussion
of ballfield development and utilization on hold. It was the consensus of the
group, however, to install a kiddie field at Par West as earlier noted and
install at least one hallfield at Outlet A of the Meadow Oaks development.
The Parks Commission reviewed Roger Mack's idea for installing irrigation at
Outlot. A of Country Club Manor. It was their view that irrigation is not
necessary for one field, that the development should include installation of a
hackstop, fences, and a fence line. It was the consensus of the group that the
Feld should he seeded sometime in the fall of 1993. The full cost to develop
the field should be placed in the 1994 budget.
Tennis Courts. It was noted that there currently are eight tennis courts
available in the community. There was nothing in the survey that indicated
that there was a need for additional tennis courts; therefore, the group
concluded that it does not make sense at this time to install tennis courts or
install lighting to serve existing tennis courts.
Basketball. It was noted that the only basketball courts available are located
at the Par West Park and at Pinewood School. Roger :Mack noted that the Par
West Park basketball court is being used constantly. O'Neill indicated that he
had heard a request for a basketball court from a Meadow Oaks resident.
After discussion, it was concluded that the 1994 budget should include
development of a basketball court at the 4th Street Park, Meadow Oak
Outlot A, and perhaps another basketball court if room is available at West
Bridge Park.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 6/16/93
C It was also concluded that a basketball court is not necessary at the Cardinal
Hills Park because it is expected that a court will be installed with the
development of Little Mountain School.
Volleyball. As noted earlier, it's proposed that a volleyball court be installed
at Cardinal Hills; uimilier location to include Meadow Oak Outlot A.
Racauetball. No discussion. This facility is provided by the school and private
health club.
Gym. No discussion. Gym facilities provided by the school district appear to
be adequate.
Cross Country Skiing. Local trails provided by county at Montissippi Park
appear adequate.
Vita Course. The group concluded that the vita course provided at Par West
Park does not get sufficient use to justify continued maintenance. It was
suggested that the vita course be removed. One idea that came up was to
reinstall the vita course structures along the pathway system. O'Neill noted
that it's not likely that the county would allow vita course structures on the
county right-of-way; however, we could check with the county to make a final
determination.
Picnic tables. Fran Fair noted that additional picnic tables would be nice at
East Bridge Park.
Other matters. Bruce Thielen noted that the "children at play" signs in mat y
neighborhoods are becoming worn out and that the reflective material needs
replacement..
5. Consider recommending establishment of a fee for reserving park facilities.
Due to the length of the discussion pertaining to item ii4, this item was tabled
until the regular meeting of the Parks Commission in July.
6. Review status of comprehensive Dian devekrpment.
This item was tabled.
7. There being no further discussion, a motion was made by Bruce Thielen and
seconded by Larry Nolan to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
Jefco' I
Assistant Administrator
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