Parks Commission Minutes 11-15-1995MIN11TES
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Wednesday, November 15,1995 - 4:30 p.m.
Members Present: Bruce Thielen, Earl Smith, Fran Fair, Steve Andrews
Mea-.!)ers M.-Seut: I.al.'y i ulwi
Staff Present: Jeff O'Neill, Roger Mack, Wanda Kraemer
1. Call to order.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Thielen.
COMMISSIONER SMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE
MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 18, 1995 MEETING. SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER FAIR. Motion passed unanimously.
Wanda Kraemer added two items:
1. A request from the Women of Today to purchase a bench for the
pathway.
2. The Methodist Church requested permission to have a live
nativity scene in Bridge Park.
Joan Spence, an independent consulting forester with the DNR, presented an
outline of what assistance she could offer the City of Monticello with tree
programs. She has worked with other cities to complete city-wide tree
inventories, updating of ordinances, workshops on landscaping and
maintenance, worked with residence on where to plant trees and what type
to plant. The extent of her services depends on each city's requests.
The Commissioners discussed the various projects that Joan Spence's
assistance would be valuable. During the next year the issue of boulevard
trees will be a target area. Also writing and distributing information for
builders and homeowners on which kind of trees to plant.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 11/15/95
JefONeill, Assistant Administrator, asked what the cost is to have Spence
do an inventory of the City, assist in developing a better tree ordinance, and
advising the Commission on the planting of boulevard trees?
Spence replied that the cost to the City is $450 and the DNR will contribute
$2200. The inventory will be done by sections of the city. She was
estimating that Monticello would be divided in five sections. In each of these
sections Spence would make recommendations for planting trees and removal
of hazardous trees. Each year the Parks Commission could target one of the
areas until the entire City had been reviewed. The project is too large if the
entire city is looked at in a year. It is best to concentrate on a section each
year.
The Commission was hopeful that the inventory could be done soon because
during the winter meetings the new ordinances and information could be
written. The possibility of help from other organizations with planting was
discussed. This will be looked into later in the project.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reported that the appraisals cache in
less than the asking price and the HRA will continue to research the possible
purchase.
Jeff ONeill, Assistant Administrator, reported that HRA and the Chamber of
Commerce have sponsored Theresa Washburn, a consultant on downtown
revitalization. She has been very successful with a community hands on
approach to revitalizing main street. Al Larson, HRA Chairman,
recommended her after hearing her presentation at the State Planning
Conference. The entire community is invited to her presentation on
Thursday evening.
Othpr
The Women of Today are interested in applying to their state chapter for a
community grant to purchase a bench for the pathway. The City would be
responsible for a plaque indicating the bench was donated by the Women of
Today. This could be a community project for other groups that would be
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Parks Commission Minutes - 11/15/95
interested. The Commissions thought this was a very good idea and
recommended that Roger Mack, Park Superintendent, approve the type and
placement of the benches.
The other item discussed was if the live nativity scene that was usually at
Ellison Park could be moved to West Bridge Park. The people in the play
need a place to warm up and would like to use the skating shelter. The
Commission gave their approval for the event but thought that staff should
handle the details. This did not appear to be a policy decision.
AUU=-
COMMISSIONER SMITH MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN. SECONDED
BY COMMISSIONER FAIR.
Respectfully submitted,
wavya �pz-
Wanda Kraemer
Development Services Technician
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