Parks Commission Minutes 09-20-1995MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMLSSION
Wednesday, September 20, 1995 - 4:30 p.m.
Members Present: Bruce Thielen, Earl Smith, Larry Nolan, Fran Fair
Members Absent: Steve Andrews
City Staff: Jeff ONeill, Roger Mack, Wanda Kraemer
1. rall to nrd r.
Bruce Theilen called the meeting to order.
FRAN FAIR MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR
THE AUGUST 16, 1995 MEETING. SECONDED BY STEVE
ANDREWS. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Consideration of mi ingngenda items.
There were no items added to the agenda.
C 4. Battle Rapids Townhouse Asao iation requpqts review of park qaW.
(Denton Erickson will attend for Battle Rapids Townhouse Association.)
Jeff ONeill reported that the City obtained ownership of the Battle Rapids
park land and $3,500 as parkland dedication in conjunction with the Battle
Rapids Subdivision.
Denton Erickson and Gar Holley, Battle Rapids Townhouse Association,
attended the meeting. Mr. Holley requested that the dead fall be taken out
of the park land. He suggested that the townhouse association could do the
work and pay for the removal. There would be no cost to the City.
Mr. Erickson stated that he was one of the first buyers and thought the park
area would be maintained more as a city park. He did state that he did not
expect it to be a picnic area but thought there would be view of the river. He
passed pictures around to the commissioners so they could see how the trees
block the view from his townhouse.
The Commission discussed removing the dead fall and possibly a few of the
smaller trees. The park is on the river and the Wild and Scenic guidelines do
apply. It was never intended to be a groomed park but a natural setting
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Park Commission Minutes - 9/20/95
place for birds, ducks, and wildlife. If a "partial" clearing would allow the
park to remain a natural habitat for wildlife, maintain the erosion control
along the bank, and create a window view for the residents it could be
ca .�i3ere3. A sugge5uc a was made w cuutact the DN`R Forester, Mark
Wurdeman to inspect the site and report to staff to assist the Parks
Commission in determining on what could be removed/disturbed without
spoiling the natural setting.
FRAN FAIR MADE A MOTION TO HAVE STAFF CONTACT AND WORK
WITH THE DNR FORESTER FROM CAMBRIDGE TO OBTAIN INPUT ON
TECHNIQUES/STRATEGY FOR REMOVING VEGETATION WITHOUT
NEGATIVELY IMPACTING THE NATURAL SETTING. SECONDED BY
LARRY NOLAN. Motion passed unanimously.
Jeff ONeill, Assistant Administrator, and Bruce Thielen, Parks Chairman,
reported on the outcome of the request to add a more detailed park plan to
the Comprehensive Plan that is now being prepared. The City Council voted
against the i$4,000 increase to the present plan for park issues. There was a
L suggestion by the City Council that the Park's Commission consider this as a
in house project.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reported that the 4th Street Park
hockey rinks will be permanent structures. The City Council decided that
their preference would be to have two permanent hockey rinks, despite the
additional cost of moving the fire hydrant and lights, rather than a
temporary rink which requires installation and removal of boards every year.
It was suggested that the two hockey rinks be turned horizontally to allow
both to be permanent. The Hockey Association would provide the labor to
rebuild the original hockey rink.
Jeff ONeill, Assistant Administrator, reported that he met with Mary Jo
Jepson the Connect 4 Student advisor. She was very enthused about the
students working together with the City on a project. The main project that
was discussed was the pathway. There would be a wide variety of areas the
students could work on like: safety brochures, public information packets,
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Park Commission Minutes - 9120195
trimming trees and bushes, identifying plants, assisting in the grand
opening. Mary Jo Jepson will be in contact with the City after school starts
and she has a better idea of the schedule.
The commission did have other concerns regarding the pathway. They
thought the seeding in front of the Monticello High School and the old Gille
Auto site should be inspected and also, questioned how close the trees had
been planted together.
O'Neill answered that he had contacted Lori McCrostie, who designed the
landscaping plan at OSM, with the same questions and she confirmed that
the trees were planted correctly. The seeding would be checked by the City
Inspector.
8. Diacncsinn nnPathwav:
1. Discuss Spring Rally Day Concept {postponed grand opening ?
stripping,
2. Discuss a winter use policy
1 Discuss motorized vehicle restrictions
Jeff ONeill, Assistant Administrator, informed the Commission that the
grand opening for the pathway was going to be changed from October to in
the Spring. In the Spring the bridge will be in and everything complete. It
will be a good time to hold a bike safety rodeo and conduct an all around
pathway safety awareness day.
Neat, if the pathway should be maintained for winter use was discussed.
Roger Mack, Parks Superintendent, replied that the City does not have the
proper equipment to do an effective job of removing the snow from the
pathway and is concerned with the snow getting packed down before the
plow can go through. This first winter would have to be the trial time if the
pathway is kept cleared of snow.
The Parks Commission decided not to recommended keeping the pathway
open over the winter. In the future this item should be taken to the City
Council for the final decision because of the cost and maintenance hours
involved.
The pathway does not allow motorized vehicles but this will be hard to in
force if the pathway is not cleared of snow. There will need to be signs
installed alerting snowmobilers and pathway users of places where crossing
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CPark Commission Minutes - 9/20/95
occur. The Wright County snowmobile association should be contacted and
informed what is decided with the pathway.
Diszan-in th- `S'- r -•r -l' am; Fmrk 'aeo intinn Afate
t:o f r n
Jeff ONeill, Assistant Administrator, informed the Commission that the 58th
Annual State Conference and Exhibit Hall is being held November 1-3, 1995
at the St. Cloud Civic Center in St. Cloud. If anyone is interested in
attending they should let Wanda Kraemer know by Thursday, October 12, so
the registration forms can be sent in.
10. Discussion on Trees:
1. Boulevard Trees
2. Shade Tree Program
3. Current ordinance on trees in new subdivisions
The discussion on trees was postponed until a future meeting.
11. Adinurn.
FRAN FAIR MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
SECONDED BY LARRY NOLAN.
Respect&Uy submitted,
�lflC�' r✓l��%'F/�
Wanda Kraemer
Development Services Technician
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