Parks Commission Minutes 12-20-1995MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - PARKS COMMISSION
Wednesday, December 20, 1895
Members Present: Bruce Tltiele//, Earl Snub/, Steve Andrews, Larry Nolan
Members Absent: Fran Fair
Staff Present: Jeff ONeill, Roger Mack, Wanda Kraemer
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Bruce Thielen.
2. Consideration of approving the minutes for the regular mpptinn November 115
19K
COMMISSIONER SMITH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER
15, 1995 MINUTES. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ANDREWS. Motion
passed unanimously.
3. Consideration of ad ingyg ndn i ema.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, added discussion on HRA park purchase
and to review the January schedule.
1- 1 \' / 1' 1,1 M
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reported that the City Council approved
an escrow policy for unfinished site improvements during new construction of
residential homes. During the discussion the amount of $125 per tree was
reviewed. O'Neill stated that he informed the Council that the Park's
Commission was in the process of working on an overall policy for a City wide
tree inventory and planting schedule. The Council was in favor of this idea and
even encouraged the Park's Commission to continue working on the plan for
more boulevard tree planting.
The Commissioners discussed involving other community groups that would be
interested in the tree planting project. The ultimate goal would be to have an
annual tree planting day, probably Arbor Day, to target for planting each year.
School Boulevard was an area that was discussed as a possible starting point for
the project. There will he no final decisions made until the results from the
j inventory that Joan Spence, DNR, has been completed.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 12/20/95
5. Jo�Spence s report on tree env a nryif aisle.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reported that Joan Spence will have the
tree inventory complete by the January meeting. She docs have a conflict with
the regularly scheduled meeting which would be on January 17th.
It was discussed and rescheduled for January 10th at 5:30 p.m.
011M.
Jeff ONeill, Assistant Administrator, reported that the HRA tabled the
purchasing of the land adjacent to West Bridge Park until a overall downtown
redevelopment plan was in place. This Ilan would determira whether or not the
purchase is appropriate.
The Commissioners discussed this and questioned as to why the HRA would
wait to purchase this property. The Parks Commission thought that improving
use of the river as an amenity has always been a goal. The location of this land
next to an existing riverfront park makes it ideal. There was also a concern that
waiting to buy the property in the future from an unwilling buyer who just
purchased a dream home and built a garage may cost the City substantially
more and result in the property being too expensive. It is important to have an
overall plan, but if the downtown redevelopment happens or doesn't happen
park land along the river is still a very valuable asset to the community.
O'Neill informed the Commissioners that he did present the views of the Parks
Commission at the last HRA meeting. If they would like to attend the next HRA
meeting, it is January 10th, at 7:00 p.m. If the item of purchasing the property
is addressed, the Park's Commissioners could express their views and have their
questions answered. It would be a good idea to inform the Chairman Al Larson
so this item is on the agenda or could be added to the agenda.
Jeff O'Neill, Assistant Administrator, reviewed the schedule for January with
the Commissioners. The meeting dates for the Parks Commission are as follows:
January 10th -5:30 p.m Special meeting Parks Commission
January 10th -7:00 p.m. HRA meeting
January 20th -8:30 a.ni Theresa Washburn/Downtown Redevelopment
January 24th -6:30 p.m. Joint meeting -Parks Commission/Planning
Commission/HRA
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Parks Commission Minutes - 12120!95
C— T Adjsnmt.
COMMISSIONER SMITH MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER NOLAN.
Respectfully submitted,
_�U/tUG r, A.
Wanda Kraemer
Development Services Technician
�i
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