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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-02-1992 Park Commission Minutes , � MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF NOVEMBER 2, 1992 ATTENDANCE 7:05 P.M. The Park Commission met on the above date with the following members present : Chairperson Dick Flint , Susan Wilson , Alex Vongries, Sherokee Ilse , Lili McMillan, and Phil Bradley. Robert Howelis was absent . The following represented the City staff : John Gerhardson , Pubiic Works Director ; and Shawn Gustaphson , City Engineer . Gabriel Jabbour and J . Diann Goetten were also present . (#1 ) APPROVAL OF MINUTES McMillan noted on Page 4, Paragraph 6 should read, "McMillan indicated a pre-determined amount of space would need to be set aside for expansion of the beach prior to an approval for canoe racks" . Vongries requested Page 1 , paragraph 2, be changed from intent to " intend" . Chair Flint asked that Gerhardson send each Park Commission member a copy of Johnston ' s resignation letter . Vongries asked that Exhibit A, referred to on Page 2 be attached to the final copy of the minutes. It was moved by Wilson, seconded by Vongries , to approve the minutes of the September 1 , 1992 Park Commission meeting as amended . Ayes 6 , nays 0. (#2) BIKE/HIKE TRAIL UPDATE - DICK FLINT Chair Flint furnished the members with a copy of the draft contract regarding the trail between the Suburban Hennepin Regional Park District and the City for consideration . He reviewed the items contained therein and requested comments from the Park Commission either at the current meeting or by calling him within the next week . McMillan noted cross-country skiing is not addressed in the contract . Cha i r F I i nt exp I ai ned that deta i l ed uses wou I d be worked out i n the future by agreement between the Park District and the City. Chair Flint noted the contract requires the County to maintain the trail . Gerhardson felt the County was better equipped to do so. Jabbour suggested the Park Commission update the Council on the status of the trail and the use of MSA funds for such . 1 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF NOVEMBER 2, 1992 BIKE/HIKE TRAIL UPDATE - CONT. Gustaphson explained MSA funds are generated by the State from gas tax and license fees and are split between cities with over 5 ,000 population . He reported they have come up with an option for the trail , which the cost presented was based on, which is compietely within the right-of-way except for the Dickey property and 600 ' on the north side of County Road 6 . He stated the MSA funds will not pay for the trail when it is outside the existing right-of-way and will not pay for anything over a 6' width . The project is divided into two phases, the first being from Baker Park to the railroad bridge project and the second from the railroad bridge project to the Luce Line Trail . He reviewed the entire trail and project costs. He stated the total cost of the trail including street and sewer improvements is $498,000, and lt is estimated that MSA funds will reimburse the City for the trail on Old Crystal Bay Road $335 ,870 . The non-eligible costs , including all of the County Road , portions of the storm sewer and portions of the trail , are estimated at $162 , 490 . Ilse asked why the County is not paying for half of the trail and noted she felt uneasy about using a year and one half of MSA funds for this trail . Chair Flint said it might be possible for the County Park District to raise its contribution , but the Park District would not pay for City streets or sewer improvements . Jabbour suggested they determine availability of MSA funds and pending projects . Gustaphson noted the entire cost for the project will not be spent on the trail , but would also include the recommended curb and gutter and storm sewer within the road . Goetten suggested this information be presented at the forthcoming City Council budget meeting . Ilse suggested forming a Committee to continue work on this project . Wilson stated she was interested in keeping the "uses" paragraph of the contract flexible. Chair Flint stated he thought the County would agree to this change. Vongries stated he would not recommend the Council use MSA funds for the trai I and divert those funds from use to upgrade the roads . 2 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF NOVEMBER 2, 1992 BIKE/HIKE TRAIL UPDATE - CONT. It was moved by Wilson , seconded by McMillan , to present the bike/hike trail proposal to the Council recommending the use of MSA funds. Ayes 5 , nays 0. Vongries abstained . It was moved by Chair Flint , seconded by Ilse, to form a formal Committee of McMillan , Chair Flint , and Gerhardson to proceed with the bike/hike trail project . Ayes 6 , nays 0. (#3) COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Short Court Basketball : Wiison reported the Committee felt the best location would be Hackberry Park . The court could be located at the north end of the piayground . It is estimated to cost $1 , 500. It was moved by Wilson, seconded by McMillan , to recommend approval of short court basketbali to be installed at Hackberry Park for the 1993 summer season . Ayes 6, nays 0 . B. Canoe Rack & Beach Area Expansion at Summit Park : Wilson reported the Committee (Wilson, Howelis and McMillan ) thought the beach coutd be expanded fairly easily to add an additional 15 yards to the west . The estimated cost is $2 , 000. She said the Committee felt the best focation for canoe racks would be at the northeastern corner . The City ordinances do not prohibit launching of canoes from this site . The Committee proposed that only Orono residents and landowners shouid be allowed to rent the spaces at a proposed $35 .00 per year, and that the City should provide a 6 canoe rack. Vongries did not agree that it should be opened to non-residents. He felt this could require additional racks . Goetten reminded the Commission that the nature of the park was to be kept very passlve, and felt they should not encourage parking on Old Long Lake Road . Chair Flint stated that he recalled neighborhood objection to parking on East Long Lake Road before the parking area of the park was increased in size. It was moved by Vongries , seconded by Bradley, to defer consideration of the canoe rack and beach expansion at Summit Park until the next meeting . Ayes 6 , nays 0. Ilse felt persons launching canoes for the day would have to go through the beach area to launch , and felt that may be a problem. 3 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF NOVEMBER 2, 1992 C . Park Use Monitoring Program: McMillan furnished the members with guidelines for monitoring the parks. Gerhardson also suggested asking neighbors to help monitor also. She felt this would help the Commission determine the needs and wants of the Community. It was moved by Wilson , seconded by Bradley , to form a sub- committee of McMillan , Vongries and Wilson to continue to establish guidelines and criteria for the park monitoring program, to report back to the Commission as soon as possible. Ayes 6 , nays 0. (#4) BEDERWOOD PARK A. Skatinq Rink/Park Eauipment : Gerhardson reported the skating rink is completed and trenching work has commenced for the water line . Members reported that the playground equipment is being used and is liked by children and their families. B. OBA: There was not a report . It was suggested to invite Gary Larson to the December meeting for an update on OBA' s progress. (#5) SEWER PLANT/CRYSTAL BAY SITE - DISCUSSION Jabbour stated the minutes of the last Council meeting should have been corrected to show the discussion was about the Crystal Bay site. He reported at that meeting it was suggested the City proceed with the subdivision of the sewer pond site in order to allow the City to sell the two residential lots , and after that is completed , whatever money is earmarked for the site should be transferred to the building fund . He reiterated that the Park Commission felt the City could possibly sell two residential lots at the sewer pond site and receive the required $150, 000 in total needed from the sale of the property to help finance the new City facilities . Bradley inquired whether the Council was suggesting that the Park Commission buy the Crystal Bay site for park use with park dedication funds . Jabbour stated unofficially the Council decided when the new facility site was chosen, that the Crystal Bay site would be used as a park and the City would not add to the density in the area. Wilson asked if the Park Commission would have to pay the cost to raze the buildings on the Crystal Bay site . 4 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF NOVEMBER 2, 1992 SEWER PLANT/CRYSTAL BAY SITE - CONT. Jabbour stated the cost would be paid through park dedication funds if the Park Commission decided to require the site as a park . McMillan asked if the Commission could be supplied with a map of both sites for discussion purposes at the next meeting . Ilse asked that the Commission be informed of the balance in the park dedication fund and what is expected in the future . Chair Flint suggested inviting John Shardlow and Tim Urkula to the next meeting to ask them what the City could do within the confines of $3 ,000 with regard to planning for the Crystal Bay site . He suggested asking several planners to consider starting the total park plan process with the money avaitable with the ir�tention that the Park Commission would asked for C. D. B.G. mon,ay for completion of the plan in coming years . Jabbour suggested if a tota� park plan is to be considered , it should be done witnin the confines of the Comprehensive Plan . Chair Flint suggested another sub-committee be formed to consider the Crystal Bay site. It was moved by Ilse , seconded by McMillan , to form a sub-committee of Wilson and Bradley to review options available for the Crystal Bay site and report at the next meeting . Ayes 6, nays 0 . ADJOURNMENT Chair Flint adjourned the regular meeting of the Park Commission at 10: 15 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, December 7 , 1992 at 7 : 00 p.m. . ichard Flint , Chair Person 5