05-02-2016 Park Commission Packet

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday, March 7, 2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. Brenda Johnson moved, Julie Ruegemer seconded, to adopt the plan for Saga Hill Park. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. 7. TRAILS Edwards noted this item is for information purposes and that the City Council has already approved it. Three Rivers Park District is applying for three Hennepin County bikeway grants that will impact the City of Orono. Because the grant applications require endorsement from the City, Three Rivers approached the City and requested they adopt a resolution of support. The three trails that would be improved with the grant money include the Navarre connection to the Dakota Rail Regional Trail, the Dakota Rail Regional Trail Crossing, and the Lake Independence Trail Crossing. In total the overall project is estimated to cost $300,000. This cost would be shared three ways between the County, the City, and Three Rivers. The City's expected level of participation would be $100,000. Edwards indicated the high cost of the project in Navarre is due to the terrain in the area. In order to qualify for the grant, it must be an 8 -foot wide trail and not a sidewalk. Three Rivers will also be looking for some dedicated parking space in the municipal lot in Navarre. Edwards stated as the project gets closer to fruition, a joint agreement will be developed. Pesek asked if the parking lot is close to the trail that people would park there. Edwards stated he has noticed people parking in the municipal parking lot and then going to the trail. The parking spots would be shared parking spots for the park and the trail. Edwards stated no action is needed by the Park Commission, 8. OUTSIDE FUNDING Edwards noted he also included this item for information purposes. Bryce Johnson noted the Orono Baseball Association is applying for two grants to improve the facilities at Bederwood Park. One grant is from the Minneapolis Twins Fields for Kids Grant, which would be used to repair the fences at the Bederwood Park baseball field and make repairs to the dugouts. The other grant is through Hennepin County and would allow the baseball association to procure field maintenance agreement. Johnson stated the Hennepin County grant requires the baseball association to partner with a local government agency to act as the fiduciary agent. The City's portion of the cost for the Bederwood baseball field fence project would be $2,000. Edwards noted the City Council approved the resolution of support and the money would be taken out of the Park Fund. 9. COMMISSIONERS' UPDATES Page 7 of 8