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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-07-2016 Park Commission Minutes MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday,March 7,2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono Park Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Acting Chair Bryce Johnson, Commissioners Brenda Johnson,Paul Pesek and Julie Ruegemer. Representing Staff were Public Works Director/City Engineer Adam Edwards,Planning Director Michael Gaffron, and Recorder Jackie Young. Council Member Lizz Levang was present. Acting Chair Bryce Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Minutes of the January 4,2016,Park Commission Meeting It was requested the minutes on Page 1 be corrected to read Antoine Park rather than Hackberry Park under Item No. 3. Pesek moved,Brenda Johnson seconded,to approve the minutes of the January 4,2016,Park Commission meeting as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. PUBLIC COMMENT None CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 2. CO-OPERATION WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY FOR GREENCORPS GRANT Edwards reported the City was approached by Hennepin County regarding a GreenCorps grant that is available. GreenCorps is a program that is funded by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. GreenCorps will provide interns on 11-month stints to work on specific projects. The grant would basically pay for the salary of the intern and Hennepin County would provide office space,vehicle, mentorship, and administrative assistance. Edwards noted Hennepin County has applied in the past for this grant but have not been successful. Hennepin County was shown that they should demonstrate that they are partnering with a municipality within their jurisdiction. As a result, Hennepin County has reached out to Orono to see if the City would be interested in partnering on this grant. Edwards stated if this endeavor is approved by the Park Commission,he would take it before the City Council next Monday to get their support on the grant. Edwards indicated he has reached an agreement with Hennepin County that the City would pursue an intern urban forester, with the main function of the intern being to conduct tree inventories along the city and county right-of-ways within Orono. Edwards stated the secondary benefit of the intern would be to categorize some of the City parks, which would allow the City to do some planning on how to handle invasive species. Pesek asked what a tree inventory is. Edwards indicated the intern would identify the species of tree and the location and that it is his understanding they would only count trees over a certain diameter. Page 1 of 8 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday,March 7,2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. Bryce Johnson asked how the individual would be managed by the City. Edwards stated they would need to be mentored by somebody in that field, so they would be mentored by Hennepin County's forester and would receive their daily orders from them. Edwards stated Hennepin County would then coordinate that work with the City. Pesek asked when this would happen. Edwards stated the applications are due in a few weeks, with the 11-month period starting in early summer. Brenda Johnson moved,Pesek seconded,to endorse the letter of support for the Hennepin County application for the Minnesota GreenCorps grant. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. STAFF REPORTS 3. 16-3807 PRELIMINARY PLAT REVIEW FOR ORONO PRESERVE,425-595 OLD CRYSTAL BAY ROAD NORTH Mike Gaffron stated this application deals with a 17-acre parcel located at the southwest corner of Old Crystal Bay Road and Wayzata Boulevard, with 14 acres of dry buildable as well as a small wetland. The applicants have submitted a three-part application. The first part of the application deals with the density. The site is currently guided for seven to ten units per acre and the applicants are proposing three units per acre. Gaffron noted changing the density on this site will require a Comprehensive Plan Amendment. The applicants are also requesting rezoning to Residential Planned Unit Development(RPUD). The property is currently zoned for 2-acre single-family and the applicants are proposing density of roughly three units per acre. The third part of the application is a preliminary plat application. Gaffron displayed the proposed layout of the development. The average typical width of the lots is 65 feet. Gaffron stated the Park Commission is being asked to review the application to see whether there is a need for a land dedication or a pedestrian/bike trail along the west side of Old Crystal Bay Road. The Planning Commission reviewed the application in February and felt there was no benefit to adding a trail on the west side of the road since there is already a trail on the east side. The Planning Commission was also asked to consider access to the existing trail. The Planning Commission indicated they do not support establishment of a crosswalk over Old Crystal Bay Road between the Highway 12 bridge and the signalized intersection due to questionable need and safety concerns. The Planning Commission, however, encouraged upgrades to the signalized intersection to make it more pedestrian friendly at all four quadrants. The Planning Commission also suggested there is no need for public or private park land dedication for this site given its proximity to the Orono Schools' recreational facilities. Gaffron stated the City does expect there will be a number of families in this development that will have children, but the Planning Page 2 of 8 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday,March 7,2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. Commission suggested that even though this is an RPUD,they did not feel it was needed since the school campus is located across the street and has recreational facilities. The Park Commission is asked to review the City's trail and park plans and recommend whether there is a need for park land;trail easements or trail construction; or merely a park dedication fee for this development. City Code requires dedication of eight percent of the land as public park or payment of the equivalent value in cash as a park dedication fee. The standard park fee for this property, based on 39 new building lots, ranges from a minimum of$3,250 per lot and a maximum of$5,550 per lot,for a potential total fee of$126,750 to$216,450. Gaffron stated in his view the park fee would likely be closer to the higher number. Gaffron stated the recommendation from the Park Commission would go before the City Council on March 14. Bryce Johnson stated there are three issues before the Park Commission as he understands it. Johnson asked whether the Park Commission feels there is a need for a park within the development. Pesek stated as pointed out,there are a number of play areas located across the street and that he does not believe a park is needed as part of this development. Brenda Johnson commented the older children and adults might like some benches somewhere within the development. Bryce Johnson stated the map shows the proximity to the school and that it is not that much further to a couple of other small parks, such as Seven Nations and Hackberry. In addition, further down the highway is Lurton Park. It was the consensus of the Park Commission that a parkland dedication is not necessary for this development. Bryce Johnson asked how the Park Commission feels about the trail. Johnson stated the map appears to depict a trail along Wayzata Boulevard. Gaffron pointed out the intersection and the current trail. Gaffron noted the current Comprehensive Plan does not include any trails going west along Wayzata Boulevard. Gaffron stated this property is the old Eisenger landfill site. The City is expecting to receive an application next month to develop the high area of the site with 26 or 27 single-family homes. Gaffron stated at some point in the future the Dumas property will also likely be developed. In addition,the plans for the Old Highway 12 upgrade do not include a trail west of Old Crystal Bay Road. Edwards stated the preliminary plans for that corridor show a trail coming from Long Lake along the north side of Wayzata Boulevard. The trail will cross Old Crystal Bay Road but only goes to the far side of the school property. Edwards indicated the trail will end near the dirt access to the school campus. Brenda Johnson asked what the process would be for getting a trail further down to Lurton Park. Gaffron stated the City Council would likely add that to the Comprehensive Plan. Gaffron stated the entire trail system will be up for discussion as part of the update to the Comprehensive Plan. Page 3 of 8 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday,March 7,2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. Council Member Levang asked if it would be difficult to construct a trail in that area and if that is the reason for why it was not included in the Old Highway 12 plans. Gaffron stated there are wetlands and steep slopes on both sides of the road and that there is not enough room to construct a trail in the right-of-way. Brenda Johnson asked if a trail could be constructed up to Highway 6 and then over to Lurton Park. Gaffron stated that is an option, and at the present time there are existing trails that Hennepin County has that go west. To access Lurton,the trail would need to be extended. Bryce Johnson stated it does not make sense to require a trail on the north side of the development. Johnson asked if there is a trail proposed along the southern side. Gaffron stated the intent was for the trail to be on the south side of the new corridor. Currently the City has a number of easements and a city-owned open space along that side, but that the question is what the value of the trail would be and what will it access. Gaffron stated he is not sure whether that trail corridor will stay in the Comprehensive Plan going into the future. Bryce Johnson asked what would happen if the Park Commission recommended an easement on the south side. Gaffron indicated the easement would not be part of this property since this site is located on the north side. Gaffron stated the developer is looking at constructing 39 homes on the 17 acres and then the City is anticipating another 26 to 27 homes on the Eisenger site. The Dumas property is currently guided for seven units per acre but the Dumas family has not expressed any desire to develop their land at any time in the near future. Gaffron stated it would be up to the City Council to decide whether that guided density is correct for the Dumas property, but that the density scenario would be at least 65 units and perhaps as many as 100 units. Bryce Johnson stated it does not appear that there is any need for the Park Commission to recommend an easement from this development. Johnson stated to address the nexus argument of providing something for the people in this area, it might be appropriate for the City to invest money in Lurton Park since it will be close to these two developments. Pesek stated in his view there will be quite a bit of traffic going to the school across that intersection. Edwards noted that intersection is currently signalized,which is why the recommendation was made to the developer that pedestrian traffic be directed to that corner. Gaffron noted there will also be an internal sidewalk system that will allow pedestrians to access that intersection. It was the consensus of the Park Commission not to require an easement from this development. Gaffron stated they will inform the City Council that the Park Commission does not feel there is any need for an additional easement for a trail or trail crossing or an internal park given the proximity to the school campus. Gaffron indicated he will pass along the Park Commission's comment to the City Council about improving Lurton Park. Page 4 of 8 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday,March 7,2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. 4. LURTON PARK TRANSITION TO OFF-LEASH DOG PARK Edwards noted he presented the same plan that was presented to the Park Commission at their work session to the City Council at their work session. Edwards stated no significant changes have been made to the plan. Brenda Johnson moved,Bryce Johnson seconded,to endorse the master plan for Lurton Park as presented. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. 5. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER UPDATE Edwards reported the concession shack at Bederwood has been demolished and removed. The concrete will be touched up once the weather is appropriate. Edwards stated the ice rink at Casco Point was installed but the ice did not last long due to the weather. Park benches and tables have been procured for Livingston Tower Park. The contractor will complete the remaining plantings in the spring, with the Girl Scouts planting the butterfly garden. Edwards noted the deer stand at Lowry Hills has been removed. In addition,the Public Works Department has continued work on trimming trees throughout the City and has begun work on the golf course kitchen remodeling project. Edwards noted there was a community volunteer event this past Monday that Council Member Levang coordinated. The volunteers helped cleaned up the lot that is west of the municipal parking lot in Navarre. Council Member Levang stated the main goals were to pick up the trash and to trim the trees to create a nice clean view of the parking lot. Levang stated they picked up five to six bags of garbage and the area is now much cleaner and more light is able to shine through as a result of the tree trimming. Levang stated eventually the City will likely put six more parking spaces in there and that picking up the debris should help increase the use of the lot since it is cleaner and brighter. Levang stated the one point she would like to make is how a group of volunteers can really make a difference. Levang stated there were four people there for a couple of hours, and with the help of the Public Works Department, it worked very well. Levang stated when the Park Commission talks about the Adopt-a-Park program,they should be aware that improving the city parks and trails does not take a lot of time with the help of volunteers but that the City needs to be committed to it. Levang noted the City will be engaged in what is called the Step To It competition and one of the routes that gets used a lot is the trail near the City Hall facility,which is just short of two miles. Levang stated she walked it today and that the amount of garbage and litter on the Old Crystal Bay section is significant. Levang indicated she will be going out tomorrow to pick up trash and that she would encourage the Park Commissioners to come help. Levang stated she is talking about only picking up the debris. Page 5 of 8 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday,March 7,2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. Levang stated the Park Commission could also approach the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts about helping to clean up the various parks. SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS 6. SAGA HILLS Brenda Johnson noted at the February work shop removal of Item No. 4 was suggested. Johnson indicated she has rewritten it and modified it. The goals for 2016 are as follows: 1. Install a historical sign and an overall map of the paths at the entrance to the path from the parking lot. 2. Place path markers along the paths to inform visitors of their location within the park and provide direction to the parking lot and other entrances. 3. Restoration of the area around the small pond near the parking lot and develop a path and clear buckthorn. Add a bench in that area. 4. An Adopt Saga Hill program will be implemented to help determine park user needs, engage the neighbors and other visitors in its upkeep and foster appropriate use. 5. Restore forest areas within Saga Hill to preserve high priority trees. Johnson indicated she and Commissioner Ruegemer have not come up with a cost for the restoration and cleanup at this point but that they will be doing that in the near future. Johnson stated she would also like to seek input from the neighbors and volunteers in determining the priority areas. Johnson noted the last action item would be to establish an address for the park and include it on the City of Orono's park web page. Bryce Johnson stated when they visited the area with the Hennepin County forester, he pointed out the quacking aspen and a nice stand of white pines. Johnson asked whether there is a way of harmonizing the GreenCorps person with the forester to take a look at this park. Edwards stated the other part of the grant was to look at the parks. Brenda Johnson stated she would also like to install some benches in those priority areas as well as giving some consideration to adding a sign on County Road 19 for Saga Hill since it can be difficult to locate. Johnson stated it is likely they will need to work with Hennepin County on the location for the sign. Ruegemer noted there is a fair amount of parking available at this park as well. Johnson stated they can work with the neighbors to see if there are any concerns. Johnson noted there is a small 3-acre portion that is not controlled by the DNR and that perhaps that could be restored to a flower area or picnic area but that she would like to clean up the woods first. Page 6 of 8 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 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday,March 7,2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. Bryce Johnson stated one other item of business is the April 4th workshop and what topics should be on the agenda. Johnson indicated he has spoken with Rick Meyers about this and that one of the ideas discussed was to move forward on the signs for the parks. Currently signs have been completed for Livingston and Saga Hills. Johnson stated it might be worth taking the mockup that he showed the Park Commission previously and then deciding whether the Park Commission is okay with that as a general sign for the parks. Johnson stated the French Creek sign is pretty much finalized. Johnson stated the Park Commission does not need to replace all the signs this year but that they could discuss it at the upcoming work session. Johnson stated the actual sign portion can be replaced for approximately$100, with the rest of the sign costing around $700. Ruegemer asked if they should be working on the historical sign for Seven Nations. Bryce Johnson stated the historical signs should have some commonality. Edwards stated he currently has some signage for trail marking and he can bring that to the work session so the Park Commission will have an idea of what the marker sign looks like. ADJOURNMENT Pesek moved,Brenda Johnson seconded,to adjourn the Orono Park Commission meeting at 7:29 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 4,Nays 0. ATTEST: Ili B 11 J• •n, Acting Chair 0 Page 8 of 8