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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-06-2016 Park Commission Minutes ZiC��1 I MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday,September 6,2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono Park Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Chair Rick Meyers, Commissioners Paul Pesek, Bryce Johnson, Sarah Lindahl, and Julie Ruegemer. Representing Staff were Public Works Director/City Engineer Adam Edwards and Recorder Jackie Young. Council Member Lizz Levang was present. Chair Meyers called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. APPROVAL OF JULY 5,2016,PARK COMMISSION MEETING Pesek moved,Ruegemer seconded,to approve the minutes of the Orono Park Commission meeting of July 5,2016,as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. 2. APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 2,2016,PARK COMMISSION WORK SESSION Pesek moved,Ruegemer seconded,to approve the notes from the Orono Park Commission work session of August 2,2016,as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. PUBLIC COMMENT None CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 3. LIVINGSTON PARK UPDATE Meyers reported the bird bath and sign have been installed. The grand opening ceremony will be held at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, September 18. Invitations will be sent to the Girl Scouts who helped plant the butterfly garden,Norling's and other individuals. Meyers indicated he has ordered 75 cupcakes and that those will be paid for out of the Park Fund. Meyers indicated they will also have some brochures available on the City's parks. 4. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNTIES Edwards stated the following volunteer activities are available: • Weeding and mulching the gardens at the Crystal Bay playground • Removing dead branches and buckthorn at French Creek Preserve • Building foot bridges at Hackberry • Clearing trails at Highwood • Placing wood chips on the trails and building new trails at Lurton Park • Smoothing the sand, removing milfoil and debris at the City beaches • Mulching gardens, stacking stones for erosion control at the Navarre playground • Clearing the trails at Saga Hill Preserve Page 1 of 7 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, September 6,2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. • Removing dead branches at Seven Nations Park • Raking the beach and picking up downed branches at Summit Park Meyers stated he will arrange a meeting with Jack Randolph, an Eagle Scout candidate,to discuss possible projects for him to complete. Edwards requested the Commissioners contact him if they see anything volunteers can do at their assigned parks. Edwards noted the butterfly garden at the Livingston Tower Park and the wood chip trails have been completed at Lurton Park. STAFF REPORTS 5. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER UPDATE Edwards reported on the following work completed by the Public Works Department: • Moved picnic tables at Antoine Park • Trees have been trimmed at Casco Point Ice Rink • Information sign installed at French Creek and weir structure repaired • Map created for Highwood • Birth bath moved at Livingston • Fence staked at Lurton • Aquatic weeding performed at Lydiard • Shoulder repair completed at Navarre Playground • Map created for Saga Hill Preserve • Aquatic weeding performed at Sandy Beach • Mowing performed at Seven Nations • Aquatic weeding, fence repair,privacy screen installed and brush clearing at Summit Beach • The Brown Road Trail was repaired Pesek noted there is a wood fence at French Creek that is falling down and rotting. Edwards stated to his understanding the fence is located on private property but that the Park Commission has discussed replacing it with park funds. Meyers stated the City can look into that to see whether there is anything they can do. Edwards reported the first year of aquatic weeding has been completed at Sandy, Lyiard, and Summit Beaches. The weeding was performed once a month over the summer months and cost a couple thousand dollars to do. Edwards stated since the milfoil grows back,the weeding should be done yearly. Meyers asked if some complaints were received about the weeds or whether the City was taking a proactive approach. Edwards stated it is his understanding some comments were received by the Council. Page 2 of 7 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday,September 6,2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. 6. LURTON PARK UPDATE Meyers noted the City received the approvals for the Lurton Park improvements. Edwards reported the survey work has been performed and the fence line has been staked. Work on the fence should begin in the next couple of weeks. The fence will be re-enforced around the parking lot with top rails and then agricultural fence throughout the rest of the park. Edwards indicated he also had the well driller on site to look at exact locations for the well and that the contractor has submitted the necessary paperwork to obtain the permits. Edwards noted the Park Commission talked about having two signs at Lurton Park. One would be a normal informational sign similar to the other signs at the parks and the other sign would be a historical sign near the wetlands. Edwards stated the Park Commission has budgeted for both of those signs and it is just a matter of having the sign committee put something together. Meyers commented the historical signs help create an identity for the park and the community. Pesek stated there should be a larger sign at the entrance. Edwards stated the sign is easy to see if someone is going westbound but that it is somewhat obscured if someone is traveling to the east. Edwards reported the City Council approved the funding for all the proposed improvements, including the well,additional picnic tables, benches, and shade sails. Meyers stated the picnic tables and shade sails will help draw attention to the park. Edwards stated one agreement made with the residents is that they would be given an opportunity to review the location of the fence line prior to it being constructed. The current buffer is 100 feet from the corner to the property line and 150 feet from the other corner to the property line. Meyers reported the Council changed the hours of the park from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. to alleviate some of the concerns of the neighbors. Meyers commented he hopes the park receives a lot of use and that he would like to invite the Lurton family for a walk through once the work is completed. Levang stated the City may also want to have some type of grand opening for the park. Meyers suggested waiving the permit fee for a short period of time to let people walk the park to see if they would be interested in going there on a regular basis. Meyers stated the grand opening would likely have to be held next spring. Levang stated the licenses would likely be sold starting in January and that they could perhaps include something in the City newsletter about the permits for the dog park. SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS 7. PARK SIGN UPDATE Page 3 of 7 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday,September 6,2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. Johnson stated two signs have been installed and that he is working with Council Member Levang on a third sign for Navarre. Johnson stated there are no immediate plans to start another sign except for perhaps Lurton Park. Johnson stated they could have one sign with a map of the park and the rules and then another sign that has the history of the park. Johnson stated another sign that could be done over the winter is Highwood Park. 8. COMMISSIONERS' UPDATES French Creek Preserve Pesek stated he would like to spray the buckthorn at French Creek and then plant 10 arborvitae plants along the property line. Pesek indicated he did speak with some of the neighbors and that they are fine with that. Meyers stated he spoke with the new Public Works employee who indicated there are regulations about visibility into the parks due to security concerns. Meyers stated they also talked about creating a landscaping plan for the preserve and that they could perhaps berm it up by the fence and plant the arborvitae on top of that. There are also some rocks that are available onsite that could be incorporated into the plan. Meyers indicated the Park Commission can look at it further and perhaps come up with a landscape plan for the park over the winter. Edwards noted Metropolitan Council approval would be required. Meyers stated he would also like some landscaping around the sign. Lindahl asked if someone would be contacted to provide some recommendations on landscaping. Lindahl noted deer like arborvitae. Meyers stated they would have to look into it and that the Park Commission could investigate some kind of natural vegetative screening. Once a more definitive plan is developed, Staff could discuss it with the Metropolitan Council. Johnson suggested contacting one of the local nurseries to see what they recommend. Lakeview Development Park Meyers stated he went out with Bryce and Adam and visited the new park on North Arm Drive near the Lakeview development. Edwards illustrated the location of the new park on the overhead. Meyers stated the private citizens in the area came up with the money to purchase the park and that it will be a nice complement to the City's park system. Meyers stated in his view it is important to remove some of the vegetation along the road since there will be more foot traffic once the park is open. Meyers stated the City could trim the trees back but that they should also consider making a trail connection from West Branch up to the new park. The trail would basically involve a gravel shoulder. Meyers stated the topography is fairly level in that area but that there are some ditches. Page 4 of 7 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, September 6,2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. Meyers stated the Park Commission could recommend to the City Council that a feasibility study be done of the trail. Meyers noted the City received $250,000 in park dedication fees from the Lakeville development and that a trail would be a nice way to create a connection to the park. Meyers noted the park will be done with no City money. Pesek suggested the Commissioners walk the area. Ruegemer stated she lives in the area and has walked along the road a number of times and that a trail is something that is desired by the residents. Levang stated she walked the area approximately a week ago and that in her opinion it was quite dangerous given the traffic. Levang noted the City would need to get the agreement of one resident to allow people to cross their driveway. Meyers commented the feasibility study would look at issues like that. Edwards stated the City's right-of-way extends approximately ten feet on either side of the road. Meyers noted the City owns more land toward the development since the road is off center. Meyers stated he is in favor of trail connections to parks if they make sense,which it does in this case, and that the feasibility study would also look at whether it should be paved or gravel. Levang stated bike lanes have different standards than a walking path and that a certain width would be required. Johnson pointed out the distance from the road to the start of the park is approximately four-tenths of a mile and that the park's conservation easement prohibits bikes and that the park is meant for walking. Johnson stated as part of their research into this area,they learned that this land was the original Mdewakanton trail, which would lend itself to a gravel path more than a paved trail. Johnson stated it would also be good to let the residents know that a trail is being considered for that area. Meyers stated undertaking a feasibility study would not require the City to commit to anything but would help determine whether a trail can be constructed and what the anticipated costs would be. Edwards displayed the Comprehensive Trail System Plan on the overhead. Edwards noted there is not a proposed future trail along North Arm presently. The yellow lines are proposed trails and the red lines are actual constructed trails. Edwards noted there is a trail along County Road 19. Johnson stated to his understanding an easement was not obtained from the Lakeview developer. Edwards noted it is a county road. Levang stated the issue is that it is a county road and that the easement is something the County would need to request rather than the City. Page 5 of 7 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday,September 6,2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. Meyers commented the Park Commission will be reviewing the comprehensive trail system over the winter and that they can make recommendations for changes. Meyers stated he would like the Park Commission to recommend a feasibility study be completed for the trail. Lindahl asked if there is anything else that could be recommended for the park. Meyers stated since the park is privately owned,there is not much for the City to do outside of the trail. Johnson stated even though the land is privately owned, it is a public space and that the philosophy behind the park is to welcome the public to the area. Johnson stated it is not intended to be a private park and that in his view the trail ties in with the intent of the park. Johnson stated it is likely the residents would welcome any collaboration with the City that they are willing to do. Levang stated the issue is more about safety since North Arm is narrower than the City's standard road width and that there are also trees and other vegetation hanging over the roadway which makes it difficult at the present time to walk along the road. Levang stated currently people either have to walk where the houses are or walk along the road and in by the trees. Meyers stated as he walked it, it became obvious that a trail would be a great improvement to get people off the roadway and make a great entrance to the park. Meyers noted the City received $250,000 for the development and that a feasibility study would give them an idea of the costs. Ruegemer stated in her view the residents would like to see the City of Orono construct a trail. Meyers stated this trail would also Meyers moved,Pesek seconded,to recommend the City complete a feasibility study for a possible trail connection from West Branch Road to the Lakeville Legacy Park along the south side of North Arm Drive. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. Edwards indicated he will obtain a quote from the City's consulting engineer on the cost of the feasibility study and then bring the matter before the City Council. Livingston Tower Park Levang distributed a sample brochure on the City parks that will be handed out at the grand opening for Livingston Tower Park. Levang noted the Navarre Festival is scheduled for Sunday, September 18, from 11 to 2 p.m. The grand opening for Livingston Tower Park will be at 2:15 p.m., and there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony. Levang indicated Mayor McMillan will be there as well as the City Administrator in addition to Adam and Rick. Levang stated one of the things the Navarre Community Initiative group has been working on is a t-shirt that can be purchased. The t-shirt will say Navarre Island City in the Big Woods. Levang stated they also have reduced the street banner down to a three-foot size that can be purchased as well. Levang stated she sees the banner as part of building the community. Levang stated they will have an Orono store at the festival where people can purchase these items as well as a map of the city with the parks highlighted. Page 6 of 7 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, September 6,2016 6:30 o'clock p.m. Community Garden Levang stated she also received a phone call from a resident inquiring about a community garden. The City currently has the donation garden located behind the fire department. All of the produce from that garden goes to Meals on Wheels,the elderly, and the local food shelves. Levang stated a community garden would allow residents to rent a plot from the City for the season. Levang stated the Park Commission might like to consider creating a community garden and then determining where it could be located. Levang stated they should also look at whether there is any interest in a community garden. Meyers stated a question regarding the community garden could be included on the survey. Meyers noted community gardens are somewhat popular in inner cities and suburban areas. Ruegemer noted there is a community garden in Mound. Meyers commented a garden would help get kids outside and that it is not a bad idea. Levang stated Mound has had one for quite a few years and that Spring Park just started one this year. Levang suggested the Park Commission think about it when they are doing their goal setting for 2017 and perhaps take the lead on it. Meyers stated there could be a subcommittee for a community garden and a subcommittee on trails set up when the Park Commission undertakes their goal setting session. Meyers commented he is not sure what the neighbors would think about a community garden. Levang stated Navarre and Crystal Bay residents might not have enough land for a garden and that it would be better to locate it in a more dense area. 9. WORK SESSION AGENDA—GOAL SETTING FOR 2017 Meyers noted a work session has been scheduled for October 3 and that the Park Commission will be setting its goals for 2017. Meyers stated it also might be a good time to visit Lurton Park again, especially if the improvements have been started. Edwards stated the Park Commission could have their work session in October,their official meeting in November, and then the 2017 plan could be presented to the Council in December. ADJOURNMENT Johnson moved,Ruegemer seconded, to adjourn the Orono Park Commission meeting at 7:35 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 5,Nays 0. ATTEST: Rick Meyers, Chair Page 7 of 7