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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-07-1992 Park Commission Minutes i MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF DECEMBER 7 , 1992 ATTENDANCE 7 :06 P.M. The Park Commission met on the above date with the following members present : Acting Chairperson Alex Vongries , Susan Wilson , Phil Bradley and Robert Howeils . Lili McMillan arrived at 7 : 28 p .m. Dick Flint arrived at 8: 10 p.m. Sherokee Ilse arrived at 8: 35 p .m. The following represented the City staff : John Gerhardson , Public Works Director ; and Teri Naab, Recorder . (#1 ) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vongries suggested changes to Page 3 , Paragraph 5 , and to Page 5 , Paragraph 7 . It was moved by Wilson , seconded by Howells , to approve the minutes of the November 2 , 1992 Park Commission meeting as amended . Ayes 4, nays 0 . (#2) ORONO BASEBALL ASSOCIATION Gary Larson , President of OBA, reported OBA has met with the Maple Plain Council on November 25th to present their idea to use the baseball field adjacent to the "Town Team" field . He noted the presentation was received favorably. The next step will be to present it to the Maple Plain Park Commission . Bradley asked when the field could be expected to be completed for use. Larson stated , if approved , they would commence constructing the field in the spring and it would be ready for use in the 1994 season . He added , OBA would like to move from Bederwood to the new site the dugouts , the concession stand , and the fence if it is deemed cost effective. Wilson asked if Larson felt it feasible to accomplish the goals of the fund raiser and asked how much they needed for the project . Larson fe I t i t was feas i b l e and noted they wou I d need approx i mate I y $20, 000. Bradley asked if the one field in Maple Plain would handle the projected population needs . Larson exp� ained one field can handle a 16 team league and currently they have 5 teams . Bradley asked if OBA is no longer pursuing the site across from the Orono High School . 1 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF DECEMBER 7, 1992 OBA - CONT. Larson stated that is definitely the preferred long-term site , but financialiy at this time OBA is in no position to pursue that option on its own . He noted OBA has helped to improve the school fields which they currently are using . Vongries recommended OBA continue to think about the site near the school as an option , and asked him to continue to think of the Park Commission as a supporting group for that complex project . Larson stated if the Park Commission wished to help in any way, they might consider assisting in the moving of the buildings to the new site . He added, this would mean that OBA would need to use Bederwood Park for the 1993 season , and noted he felt that was the intent of the City Council ' s resolution . Wilson noted the Park Commission is interested in OBA making progress toward a future plan . Vongries asked if OBA used Bederwood Park to the level it desired during the 1992 season . Larson stated they would have used it much more if permitted . McMillan arrived at this time, 7 : 28 p.m. It was moved by Bradley, seconded by Howells, to recommend the authorization of OBA to use the Bederwood Park for the 1993 season , to be considered the final year of use by OBA, conditioned upon the same terms and conditions as approved for the 1992 season . Ayes 5 , nays 0. (#3) SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT - CRYSTAL BAY SITE Wilson reported the sub-committee (Wilson and Bradley) met with Gerhardson to discuss some possibilities for the site, which are presented in the memo. She noted the Post Office is to remain and wishes to install a turnaround for better access. There is a possibility that Prospect Avenue could be abandoned , combining Parcels A and B. The sub-committee felt Parcel C (Council chambers site) was not needed for park land . Gerhardson said all buildings but the Council Chambers are scheduled for removal . Vongries noted the Council expects money from the Park Dedication Fund for the Crystal Bay site , and money for razing of the buildings . 2 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF DECEMBER 7 , 1992 CRYSTAL BAY SITE - CONT. McMilian stated at the last Council meeting , the Council decided to put any decision regarding the site on hoid . Gerhardson concurred and added , they have decided to schedu � e the removal of the buildings and seed the area. It was moved by Vongries , seconded by Bradley , to defer any decision regarding this property, and note the Park Commission does not have any immediate plans . Ayes 6 , nays 0. (#4) STATUS OF PARK DEDICATION FUNDS Gerhardson reviewed the expenditures and revenue reports submitted . Bradley noted the lack of revenue generated during the year . He asked that the Park Commission be supplied with a copy of the adopted 1993 budget at the next meeting . Wilson asked to see a comparison of revenue generated for the last 3 to 5 years . She asked about other ways to generate revenue . Gerhardson stated the Council could propose bonding or raise the levy limit on general taxes for specific park use. (#5) REVIEW OF CITY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM - COORDINATION WITH PARKS & TRAIL - 1993-1995 Chair Flint explained he asked for this information because he felt it cost prohibitive to have bike trails carry road improvements with them. He felt it may be more effective to piggy-back bike trails onto City road improvement projects , thus eliminating much of the trail cost . Gerhardson reviewed the three road projects the Council is considering in the near future: Willow Road , Ferndale Road , and Old Crystal Bay Road railroad bridge . He noted it is not expected they will do the Ferndale Road improvement in 1993 . He explained, if a trail is considered along with a road improvement , the design of the road can be altered to accommodate that trail and the cost will then be much less . Chair Flint noted that Ferndale Road would be a good site for a pedestrian trail , and adjacent communities would have to help bear the cost . Ilse arrived at this time, 8: 35 p.m. Chair Flint asked that the Park Commission be kept apprised of all road improvement projects . 3 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF DECEMBER 7 , 1992 (#6) BIKE/HIKE TRAILS Chair Flint reported that , after extensive negotiations , Hennepin County Parks has agreed to provide the following : (a) half of the construction costs for the proposed Oid Crystal Bay Bike/Hike Trail from Baker Park to the Luce Line up to $238,050 , ( b ) tree planting along the trail where neighboring property owners are willing to grant easements for the trees to be planted , and (c) 100% of the cost of the trail extension within Baker Park so long as the City pays ( a) the other half up to $238,050, and (b) the easement acquisition cost . If the construction cost of the trail from Baker Park to the Luce Line Trail exceeds $476 , 100, either party can cancel . The County has applied for additional funding , which , if approved , would further reduce each party' s portion of the project . He stated the Park Commission is being urged to contribute Park Dedication Funds toward the project , and Flint recommended to the Park Commission offer to pay $70,000 , of which $30,000 has been designated for land acquisition . He reported , the County has stated i f they are requ i red to pay any add i t i ona I cost of the pro j ect , they just won ' t build the trail . He noted if the cost does exceed the estimate and either party cancels , the design costs will be split between both parties . The County feels the bids will come in lower than the estimated cost . It was moved by Bradley, seconded by Wilson , to recommend approval of the compromise between the City and Hennepin Parks for funding of the bike/hike trail and to authorize staff to draft the appropriate contract . Chair Flint and McMillan will present the recommendation at the next City Council meeting . Ayes 7 , nays 0 . Bradley asked if the Council would rather have $40 ,000 from the Park Dedication Fund for the Crystal Bay or the sewer pond site in lieu of the use of MSA funding for the entire trail project . Wilson suggested offering to pay $16, 000 plus the $30, 000 for land acquisition , thus making the City' s remaining cost ($222 ,000) equal to one year MSA funding . It was moved by Vongries , seconded by McMillan , to recommend authorization of expenditure of $16, 000, plus up to an additional $30,000 for land acquisition , to be paid from the Park Dedication Fund for the bike/hike trail . Ayes 7 , nays 0. (#7 ) GOETTEN SUBDIVISION REVIEW It was moved Vongries, seconded by McMillan , to recommend the City request payment to the Park Dedication Fund in lieu of land for the Goetten subdivision . Ayes 7 , nays 0. 4 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF DECEMBER 7 , 1992 (#8) RESIGNATION PHIL BRADLEY Chair Flint thanked Bradley for his service to the Commission and noted they would miss him. Bradley was presented his name plate in appreciation for his services . (#9) NEW BUSINESS Gerhardson reported the skating rink at Bederwood is completed . Ilse thanked staff and noted many children in the neighborhood are using the rink . *** Vongries asked about the survey of surrounding neighbors regarding the expansion of Summit Beach . Gerhardson stated it would be presented to the Commission no later than February . *** McMillan asked if the short basketball court needs the approval of the Council . Gerhardson stated it would not , but they could inform the Council of the decision to proceed . *** Ilse stated snowmobilers have been going through Bederwood Park again . Gerhardson stated the signs will be posted . ADJOURNMENT Chair Flint adjourned the regufar meeting of the Park Commission at 9 : 27 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, January 4, 1993 at 7 : 00 p.m. � ichard Flint , Chair Person 5