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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-13-2018 Park Commission Minutes MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Tuesday, March 13,2018 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 Jan Berg, Commissioners Rick Carter, Brenda Johnson, Brian Roath, and Natalie Williams. Representing Staff were Public Works Director/City Engineer Adam Edwards, and Recorder Jackie Young. Mayor Walsh arrived at 7:13 p.m. Acting Chair Berg called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. JANUARY 2,2018,PARK COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES There were no corrections to the minutes. Due to a lack of a quorum,this item will be voted on at the May meeting. PUBLIC COMMENT None CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 2. BIG ISLAND MASTER PLAN Edwards stated before the Park Commission tonight is the master plan for Big Island. Edwards provided a brief outline of the history of the park, noting that the City procured the park on Big Island approximately ten years ago in partnership with the State,the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, the veterans, and other private donors. There is an easement covering the entire park that is administered by the Watershed District. That easement is broken into a very restrictive conservation easement and then an easement over the active recreational portions of the park. Edwards noted early last year some issues with Big Island arose when there was some discussion about removing the docks, which led to the creation of the Big Island Committee as well as a subcommittee steering committee. One of the goals of the two committees was to come up with a plan for improvements at the park. Last fall the City Council agreed to engage Bolton and Menk to assist the City in creating a mini master plan for the park. The idea was that the plan would help provide structure as those improvements are contemplated. The other task to be performed by Bolton and Menk is that they will produce the requisite grant documents. The main components of the master plan revolve around security, accessibility, and facility amenities on Big Island. The top priority of the steering committee was accessibility, followed by security. Edwards displayed a map of Big Island, noting that the yellow dotted line represents the existing trail network. The orange depicts the trails that are being considered for upgrades and the trail that is marked in orange and highlighted in green does not exist and is of a lower priority. The red dotted circles represent some areas are for increased amenities, interpretative signage, directional signage at the overlook, a picnic shelter with tables, and a restroom. On the north side of Big Island is being contemplated for some sitting stones. The southern blue center is the existing visitor center,and in the Page 1 of 8 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Tuesday,March 13,2018 6:30 o'clock p.m. vicinity of that building the committee is looking at constructing a restroom facility. There is also the potential relocation of the fishing/cleaning house that sits in the woods, which could perhaps be used as a historical item. Edwards stated he is not sure whether its condition will allow it to be removed. Lastly, the little blue star by the beach is a potential location for a picnic table. Scattered throughout the park are some possible locations for bollards/stones. Edwards noted there was a lot of vehicular traffic out there this past winter and the bollards would be installed to help deter that. Another option is to place large stones in those areas. Williams asked whether the master plan envisions the park being open year-round. Edwards indicated it does, but noted Big Island is primarily used in the summer. Edwards displayed some examples of amenities that are being considered. The thought behind the stone picnic tables is to help deter vandalism. Other amenities include sitting stones, crushed limestone on some of the trails, interpretive signs, swing gates, and a picnic shelter near the outlook. Edwards stated any structure would need to be sturdy and blend in with the environment. Berg asked where the vehicles are driving. Edwards indicated they enter near the docks on the south side of the bay. On the Cruiser's Cove side, there also appear to be some access points. In addition, ATVs come in from the beach. Edwards stated he is not sure whether the City can ever completely prevent some of the motorized traffic. Roath asked if the plan is to install security cameras. Edwards indicated security cameras are listed in the master plan and that is probably something that will be purchased with operation/maintenance dollars. Edwards stated the Public Works Department is testing a solar camera to see whether it will work since there is not ready access to electricity. The other option is trail cameras. The hope behind the cameras is to deter vandalism and misuse of the park. Berg stated if a bathroom facility is constructed out on Big Island, cameras would definitely be needed. Roath asked if some of the uses would be walking, snowshoeing, skiing, and biking. Edwards stated biking is not currently permitted and that the proposed master plan does not change any of the current authorized use. The permitted uses are covered in the easement or in a separate section of the City Code that deals specifically with this park. Dogs are allowed on leash. Edwards indicated the master plan is simply a planning and budget document at this point. Williams asked what the goal is for implementation of the items. Edwards stated the idea behind the plan is to help guide improvements, and that once the plan is agreed upon, it will be used to produce the documents necessary to seek grants. It is the Council's intent for Big Island to limit the amount of City resources on the improvements and that they are looking at grants and the creation of a nonprofit 501(3)(c) for donations. Page 2 of 8 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Tuesday, March 13,2018 6:30 o'clock p.m. Carters stated to his knowledge the 501(3)(c) has not been formed yet and that they were waiting for the master plan to be created. Edwards noted he has met with representatives at the Watershed District and that this is the first public forum on the plan. If the Park Commission is okay with the plan, it will then go to the Watershed District, followed by the City Council. If the City Council approves the plan, Bolton and Menk will be given the go-ahead to prepare the grant documents. Carter asked whether the Park Commission can endorse the plan tonight without a quorum. Edwards indicated they can provide a consensus and that typically the Park Commission is a recommending body. James Wisker, Administrator with the Minnehaha Watershed Conservation District, noted the MWCD owned a 56-acre easement over the entire park, with approximately 45 acres covering natural areas and 1 1 acres covering active recreation area. Wisker noted within the last year there have been some violations of the easement in regards to vegetation management and vegetation removal and the District has been working on corrective actions with Staff. Wisker stated given that recent history, the MWCD Board has asked staff to be as active as possible with the various groups to ensure any work is in line with those goals. Wisker stated a full board meeting of the MWCD will be in April. Wisker asked whether there is a Big Island meeting or whether the steering committee will be handling it all. Edwards stated right now the process is to bring the plan to the Park Commission,then the MWCD, and finally the City Council. Edwards stated Staff is looking at the broader Big Island committee as a second opportunity to have a public forum and that the meeting with the steering committee this Friday is aimed at a volunteer effort for the visitor center. Laura Donanchi, MWCD, stated the MWCD Board will be providing direction to Staff and the City on the plan as they go through the process. Donanchi noted the switchback trail from the dock is a new trail and not an existing trail and is something that was contemplated by both the easement and trail map. The easement and management plan both look at ADA accessibility as a priority and identifies areas within the park that are suitable for that access as well as which trails are appropriate to convert for that accessibility. The recreation areas within the conservation area are outlined by white dotted lines and those are areas that are allowed by the plan. The picnic plan would need to be approved by the Board since it is within the natural area. As it relates to the restroom facility, since there has been vandalism to restroom areas in the past, the MWCD would just like to emphasize that that is a possibility and that the City will need to maintain those facilities in the future. Another factor to keep in mind is the difficulty in getting equipment out to Big Island. Donanchi stated the MWCD is very interested in being involved in the process and in providing oversight as some of the improvements are implemented and permit approval is sought. Donanchi requested the City add back into the plan the labeling of the existing concrete pads,the eagle nesting sites and the buffer areas around those sites. Donanchi stated there are two known eagles' nests on the Island, with one being currently active, and that the MWCD would request those be put back on the plan. Page 3 of 8 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Tuesday,March 13,2018 6:30 o'clock p.m. City Administrator Rief stated the reason they were pulled off the plan was because they distracted from the other elements on the plan and that a separate map will be created depicting those. Carter asked whether the nonactive eagle's nest should be depicted. Donanchi stated if it is not active, it is not necessary to have it marked, but that the active eagle's site should be marked. Carter asked if the MWCD Board reviewed the original plan. Donanchi indicated they have. Carter asked if there are any other changes that should be made. Donanchi stated the feedback from the MWCD Board is that the entire conservation area should marked and that this plan shows that it is the entire park. Carter asked if they can leave the picnic area on the plan. Donanchi indicated they can leave it on the plan but that it will need to be reviewed and approved by the Watershed District prior to being built. Edwards stated as these items become a definite project, it will need to go before the Watershed District and the City Council. Roath asked if there is such a thing as an ADA compliant dock. Rief indicated there is. Edwards stated to his knowledge the current docks are fully ADA compliant and that the compliance component has to do with the surface, slope, and accessibility for wheelchairs. Edwards stated the bigger issue is getting from the docks up the hill, but that once you reach that point, most of the grades are natural. Rief stated the City is currently reviewing the docks and that they are looking at more longer-term solutions for storage. Rief stated there is a cost for removal and installation every year and different solutions are being looked at. Edwards noted the City used to store the dock on the Island and then the docks were removed and floated into the bay, but over the years vandalism has occurred to the docks. As a result,a couple of the local marinas are now storing the docks for the City over the winter. It was the consensus of the Park Commission to endorse the master plan with the addition of the eagle's nest and labeling of the concrete pads. Page 4 of 8 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Tuesday,March 13,2018 6:30 o'clock p.m. 3. PARKS,TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE CHAPTER FOR THE 2040 COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT PLAN Edwards stated the City is currently undergoing a review of its Community Management Plan. The CMP covers a number of things, including zoning, utilities, and a chapter on the City's parks, trails and open space. Edwards noted the Park Commission has been reviewing that chapter since last fall and that they are now at the point in the process where the chapter needs to go before the bigger review committee. The CMP is scheduled to be reviewed by that group in April and that he is looking for feedback from the Park Commission on the plan. Edwards noted the comments from the Park Commission work session have been incorporated into the plan and refining the goals and priorities. In addition,the subcommittee on trails put together some priorities for the trail system, which was provided to the Park Commission via email a couple of weeks ago. Edwards stated segments of the plan did not appear on the website so a complete copy has been provided to the Park Commission this evening. It was the consensus of the Park Commission to endorse the Parks, Trails, and Open Space Chapter to the Community Management Plan. STAFF REPORTS 4. PUBLIC WORKS PARKS UPDATE Edwards reported on the following activities completed by the Public Works Department: -The snow was cleared and the ice leveled at Casco Point Rink; - The snow was cleared and treated on the trails; - Procured mower for Big Island; -Tree trimming has been performed at Saga Hills and some trails have been widened; -The Community Management Plan has been rewritten with Planning Commission edits; - Seasonal hiring is underway for the golf course; - Tree trimming/removal has been performed at the golf course; -The basement sealing project at the golf course was approved at the March 12°i City Council meeting and Staff is soliciting quotes for the deck and annual equipment maintenance; - Restocking of doggie bags,tree removal and wood chips have been accomplished at Lurton Park. Roath asked if there are any plans to ramp up enforcement at the dog park. Edwards stated the community service officer has been giving out warnings and records license plate numbers to see if there are any repeat offenders. Roath asked what is happening at the dump site off of McCulley. Edwards stated the City has been reviewing how that site is managed and that starting in April the site will be open and manned certain hours. There will not be a change for residents but there will be a fee for nonresidents. Previously the site was only open following wind storms, but Staff received approval last Page 5 of 8 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Tuesday, March 13,2018 6:30 o'clock p.m. year from the City Council to erect a fence due to problems with debris being dumped at the site. Access to the Luce Line will still be maintained even though it is not an official access point. 5. LURTON PARK TRAIL UPGRADE Edwards stated he is looking for consensus from the Park Commission to solicit quotes to upgrade the trails depicted in green. Edwards noted the red trails are the existing trails and the trails in green are the ones that have been identified for upgrades. The upgrades consist of a 3-foot aggregate trail and some rain bars periodically to help with erosion. Staff is projecting roughly $20,000 in revenue from permit fees for 2017 and 2018, and the intent is to solicit quotes and get as much work done as possible for that amount of money. Edwards stated it appears most of the erosion and mud issues have been created by the dog owners and not the dogs and it is the hope that the improvements will also help preserve the prairie. Williams asked whether the slope drains down to the parking lot. Edwards indicated it does drain back down to the parking lot, then around the fence line, near the small dog park, and then eventually into the wetland. Edwards indicated the Public Works Department did attempt some seeding last fall but that he has a concern that it has been disturbed too much for it to take hold. Roath asked whether at some point in time the trails depicted in red will need to be improved. Edwards stated it is the hope that all the trails in the prairie will be improved at some point, with the trails in the woods holding up better. Edwards stated his priority is to improve the trails within the prairie at some point and that he is looking at having 900 feet of 3-foot wide aggregate trails. Edwards noted the idea behind the revenues generated from the passes was that they would be used at this park and that this is his suggestion for how to use those revenues. It was the consensus of the Park Commission to endorse the plan for the proposed improvements. Edwards noted once those quotes are received, they will be brought before the City Council. In addition, the Park Commission also has the Lurton Park Fund for ongoing maintenance activities. SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS 6. NAVARRE PARK SPORTS COURT UPDATE—BRIAN ROATH Roath noted a grant was submitted last fall which was not approved since the parameters of the project were not totally in line with the grant parameters. Roath indicated he has resubmitted a new grant under the equipment component of the program and that he has requested the maximum grant amount with the new grant application. Roath stated they should hear within the next couple of weeks whether it has been approved. Carter asked whether the City Council approved the additional $17,000. Page 6 of 8 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Tuesday,March 13,2018 6:30 o'clock p.m. Edwards stated the City Council approved the project tentatively last fall and that it is his belief the consensus of the City Council is that if the grant is received, they would be in favor of allocating the rest of the required funds. Roath noted they listed $5,000 for demotion. Roath asked whether they can do that inhouse. Edwards stated the Public Works Department could possibly perform the work but that it depends on timing. Roath asked if there is a reason why the City cannot go out to bid right now. Edwards stated he could do that. Roath stated the vendor he had talked to had indicated he could start a couple of weeks after road restrictions are lifted. Edwards indicated road restrictions will probably come off around the middle of May and that the City has to find three or four contractors to bid on the project. Roath indicated he will contact some other vendors to see if they might be interested in submitting bids. 7. CASCO POINT PARK PLANTING PROPOSAL—JULIE RUEGEMER Edwards noted the complete proposal for the Casco Point planting is included in the packet. Edwards stated Commissioner Ruegemer was approached by some local residents last year who were interested in doing some native plantings at the park. Chair Rick Meyer and Commissioner Ruegemer met with the Millers on site last fall,talked about the proposal, and asked them to put together a map of the plantings and a more formal proposal. The Millers have now submitted a proposal and are proposing to do the work. Roath asked if there is any risk of blowback to the City. Edwards stated he does not believe there will be any since they are proposing to plant native plants. Edwards indicated the City did receive some complaints where residents were planting non-native plants in the road right-of-way. Edwards stated normal activity by the Public Works Department is to rough mow the park once or twice a year but that they would like to conduct an experiment this year by doing a rough mow early in the spring and then perhaps mowing some paths that can be maintained throughout the year. Edwards stated they will coordinate the native plantings with that mowing. Rief stated there are some non-native grasses that will have to be addressed at some point in time but that this is an example of something that could be done. It was the consensus of the Park Commission to endorse the proposal to provide native plantings at Casco Point Park. Page 7 of 8 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Tuesday,March 13,2018 6:30 o'clock p.m. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS 8. COMMISSIONERS' UPDATES Berg reported a portion of the gate at Lydiard Beach has been removed by someone and that there are still a number of people driving down there. Edwards stated the gate will be replaced in the spring. Williams reported a meeting was held yesterday on Bederwood Park and that they are in the process of reviewing the park. Roath asked whether there is an agenda for the next work session. Berg indicated they can discuss Bederwood, review each commissioners' responsibilities at the parks, the Comprehensive Plan updates, Saga Hill, and Sandy Beach. ADJOURNMENT It was the consensus of the Park Commission to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. ATTEST: Jan Berg, Acting air Page 8 of 8