Parks Commission Minutes 09-21-1994MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - MONTICELLO PARKS COMMISSION
Wednesday, September 21, 1994 - 4:90 p.m.
Members Present: Dick Frie, Fran Fair, Larry Nolan, Bruce Thielen
Members Absent: Roger Carlson
Consideration of aooroval of minutes of the meetine held Aueust 3. 1994.
After discussion, a motion was made by Fran Fair and seconded by Larry
Nolan to approve the minutes of the special meeting held August 3, 1994.
Motion carried unanimously.
Review oroDosal to olace a veterans memorial monument in a city nark.
Consideration of recommendine a location and identifv maintenance
resaonsibilities (Joanne Yeaeer report).
Joanne Yeager was present to inform the Parks Commission that she is
attempting to organize a project calling for placement of a veterans
memorial monument somewhere at a city park. Dick Frie noted that
Yeager's request has received support from the VFW and Legion Clubs. He
also noted that the City Council is seeking the Parks Commission's input on
l the matter.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the Parks Commission to appoint
Fran Fair and Dick Frie to work with representatives of the VFW,
American Legion, and Yeager to define the proper location and setting for
the monument. This item is to be discussed at the neat meeting of the
Parks Commission.
Update on River Mill subdivision Dark and trail plan (Jeff report).
Roger Mack, Street/Park Superintendent, and Assistant Administrator Jeff
O'Neill described the changes made to the River Mill plat since the previous
meeting. It was noted that the Planning Commission approved the
preliminary plat with a park area as proposed by the developer.
Mack noted that the park design proposed by the developer will not achieve
the goals for the area as identified on August 3, 1994, by the Parks
Commission. Mack outlined a proposal to improve the park by eliminating
four residential lots on the northern boundary of the park. Removal of the
four lots is desired because it will reduce the level of isolation from the
public right-of-way and, therefore, reduce the sense that the park is private.
Removing the lots and grading the site accordingly will also provide
additional land area necessary to construct a ballfield in addition to the
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Parka Commission Minutes - 9/21/94
efootball/soccer area. The steep slopes provide an opportunity for
development of a sliding hill but take up too much of the park area. Under
the original proposal, the steep slopes provide an opportunity for
development of a sliding hill but take up too much of the park area. It is,
therefore, also recommended that sloped areas on the southeast side of the
park be removed from the park area and attached to the adjoining lots.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the Parks Commission that the
park plan does not achieve the spirit of the park dedication requirement
because too much of the area dedicated is unusable due to steep slopes and
access to the public street is insufficient. Furthermore, the development
area must provide sufficient area for active recreation, and the flat area
proposed is simply too small to satisfy needs.
Therefore, a motion was made by Larry Nolan and seconded by Bruce
Thielen to request that the park plan be modified by extending the park to
the north all the way to the right-of-way. Furthermore, with the exception
of the area needed for the trail, sloped areas proposed along the southeast
side should be removed from the park area and transferred to the adjoining
properties. Motion carried unanimously.
5. Update on ldein farm's subdivision nark Ulan (Jeff remort).
It was determined that the Parks Commission should meet at city hall on
Wednesday, September 28, 1994, rind travel to the proposed site for further
discussion.
6. Consideration of allowine city mrooerty to be used for Barden Blots. See
attached reauest from Terri at Hillside Terrace Apartments.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the Parks Commission that the
Parks Commission supports a public garden in concept; however, city land
is not available for such use. It was recommended that the petitioners be
referred to Community Ed due to the fact that Community Ed has
organized a public garden in the past.
7. Update on recent Council action.
A. Duane Gates was present to outline his report showing participation
levels in the Community Ed Summer Recreation Program. The
statistics show that participation in summer recreation by township
and city residents is directly proportional to the population levels in
each jurisdiction.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 9/21/94
CONeill noted that the statistics show that the argument that the City
should pay more because of a greater level of participation is not
valid. However, he also noted that it is possible that without City
funding, the summer recreation program might be cut back
significantly. The group discussed pro's and con's relating to City
contribution to the program. Duane Gates emphasized that the
School District will not be able to increase the levy to recover funds
necessary to run summer recreation in the event that the City quits
funding the program.
Parks Commission thanked Gates for his report.
8. Determine if need exists to nrovide a specific location for skateboarders and
rollerbladers (Jeff reuort).
It was the consensus of the Parks Commission to delay further study of this
topic until the pathway project has been completed and in use for some
time.
9. Discuss desien of West Brides Park skatine area - (Move meetine to West
Bridee Park).
It was the consensus of the Parks Commission to discuss this item at the
next meeting of the commission.
Jeff 0 � sill
Assistant Administrator
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