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Home My WebLink About01-04-1993 Park Commission Minutes . . v MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF JANUARY 4 , 1993 ATTENDANCE 7 :30 P.M. The Park Commission met on the above date with the foliowing members present : Chairperson Dick Flint , Alex Vongries, Susan Wilson , Robert Howells , Sherokee Ilse and Lili McMillan . The following represented the City staff : John Gerhardson , Public Works Director . (#1 ) CITY HALL TOUR Gerhardson led a tour of the new City Hall and Police Department facilities . (#2) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vongries asked that " they" be clarified in Paragraph 7 , Page 3 . Gerhardson stated "they" refers to the Council . Chair Flint suggested changing the wording to "proposed bonding" . Vongries asked that Page 2 , Paragraph 3 , be changed to " intent of the City Council ' s resolution" . On Page 3, Paragraph 3 , he asked that "they" be clarified as the Park Commission . Chair Flint asked Page 4, Paragraph 1 be changed to clarify $476 , 100 is the total of the project . $238,050 would be the City ' s half of the project . The following sentence should replace the existing : " If the construction cost of the trail from Baker Park to the Luce Line Trail exceeds $476 , 000 , . . . " . It was moved by Wilson , seconded by Howells , to approve the minutes of the December 7 , 1992 Park Commission meeting as amended . Ayes 6 , nays 0 . Chair Flint asked that the Commission members receive a copy of minutes after corrections are made . (#3) REPORT ON CITY COUNCIL & HENNEPIN PARKS' ACTIONS ON CRYSTAL BAY BIKE/HIKE TRAIL Chair Flint reported the City Council approved the bike/hike trail and authorized the City to enter into a contract with Hennepin County Parks on the basis recommended at the December Park Commission meeting . The Council did not designate funding for the project . Hennepin Parks Board also approved the trail proposal at the i r meet i ng i n December . The next steps are for the C i ty At torney to work out contractual language with Hennepin Parks and for the City Engineer to provide detailed plans and specifications. Gerhardson reported that the City Engineer has been instructed to develop plans and specifications . 1 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF JANUARY 4, 1993 BIKE/HIKE TRAIL - CONT. Wilson clarified that the traii Is to be buiit during the 1993 spring/summer season. Gerhardsan noted the estimated comptetion date wlll be included in the Engineer' s report . He stated there is only one problem area whfch the City will need to deat with, that being where the traii runs parallel to the Hfle property. Chair Flint reported Hennepin Parks tikes the name "Crystal Bay Trail " for the bike/hike trail . Gerhardson suggested naming the traii "Oid Crystal Bay Trail " so as not to be confused with the Crystal Bay portion of the City or Crystal Bay Road in the Navarre area. McMlilan suggested the contract include provisions allowing the City control over the trail with regard to speciai events or functions. She felt since the City initiated the trail , and it will be constructed through the Cfty, Orono shouid have some say over its control and usage. Chair Flint noted that since Hennepin Parks will be given a non- exclusive easement over the trail , it may not be possible to give the Clty excluslve control . Vongries said he is more concerned with Orono and its cltizens and he wants to protect them from intrusion from the general public. (�4) DEVELOPMENT OF ACTION AGENDA FOR 1993 Chafr Flint asked the Commission members to suggest items for the 1993 agenda. The foilowing were suggested: 1 . The Commission to schedule a Park tour on June 1st . 2. The instaliation of a half-court basketball court at Hackberry Park. 3. Proceed with the development of plans for the bike/hlke tra( I , and request bids to be returned prior to road restrictions befng lifted. 4. The northwest portion of the sewer pond property to be graded and seeded. Also, a mowed trafl is to be maintained around the dike. Wiison asked about cutting back some of the cattaiis to hetp increase the water level and improve the habitat for diving ducks. She said she would contact Ceil Strauss of the DNR for input on this opt (on. 2 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMINISSION MEETING OF JANUARY 4, i993 DEVELOPMENT OF ACTION AGENDA FOR 1993 - CONT. 5 . Update analysis of parks by Vongries. 6. Review enlarging Summit Beach and the instailing of canoe racks. Gerhardson noted it would be appropriate to ask for Council approval to enlarge the beach since it deals with lakeshore property. 7 . Continuatfon of park equlpment plan. Vongries, Ilse and McMiilan were appointed to a sub-committee to consfder upgrading another park in 1993. Wilson suggested evaluating Bederwood Park equipment prior to making any decisions. 8. Continue to work with the Council on pianning for the Crystal Bay site. 9. Consideration of greater Park Commission invoivement in oversight of the Orono Golf Course. It was suggested that the Go 1 f Course Manager be i nv i ted to the March Park Commission meeting to discuss the Goif Course. 10. Evaluation of park on Casco Point for appropriate future (mprovements. 11 . Mon ( toring usage of parks. McMilian reported she, Gerhardson and Vongries met about a month ago to establish policies and criteria for monitoring of Orono parks. Members of the Park Commission would do the initial monitoring of the parks, perhaps with assistance from interested citizens. Vongries felt an updated survey of Orono residents wouid be beneflciai to the Park Commission. OTHER ISSUES: Chafr Flint inquired whether OBA should be asked to leave the dugout and fencing in Bederwood Park. He asked if the City has any desire that those amenitfes remain. Wilson felt it encourages OBA to move to a new tocatfon if allowed to take the mentioned amenfties. Ilse said only the backstop should be left . ilse reported Bederwood Park still needs benches near the skating rink for the skaters to use. Gerhardson noted the skating rfnk needs to be eniarged. 3 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF JANUARY 4, 1993 ADJOURNMENT Chair Fiint adjourned the regular meeting of the Park Commission at 9 : 15 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, February 1 , �1993 at 7 : 00 p.m. �� // � r Y Richard Flint , Chair Person 4