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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-01-1993 Park Commission Minutes MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 1 , 1993 ATTENDANCE 7: 13 P.M. The Park Commission met on the above date with the following members present : Chair Dick Flint , Susan Wilson, Sherokee Ilse and Alex Vongries. Lili McMillan and Robert Howelis were absent . Council member J . Diann Goetten and Public Works Director John Gerhardson were also present . Chair Flint cailed the meeting to order at 7: 13 p.m. (�1 ) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Wlison asked that Page 1 , Paragraph 4, be changed to indicate the beach will increase by one-thlyd the existfng size, and "willow trees" shouid be singular . She said Paragraph 6 shouid read, "Wilson said that the Park Commission wanted to make improvements to Summit Beach area, as it is a prime swimming beach. " She asked that the motion be changed to indicate the canoe rack will be revfewed at the end of the season. Iise asked that the discussion pertaining to the Park Commission being responsive to nelghbors concerns, if any arise, regarding the canoe rack be included in the minutes. Gerhardson noted the minutes do indicate the Commission wiil respond to any compiaints, and the Councii very specifically addressed that concern. Ilse referred to Page 3, Park Monitoring, and noted McMillan was responsible for the report . She asked that Paragraph 9 of that page be changed to read, "may want to put in some benches at the park" . It was moved by Wilson, seconded by Ilse, to approve the minutes of the February 1 , 1993 Park Commissfon meeting as amended. Ayes 4, nays 0. (�2) GOIF COURSE - RON STEFFENHAGEN GOI.F COURSE SUPERINTENDENT Gerhardson introduced Ron Steffenhagen , Superintendent of the Orono Golf Course . Wilson stated the financiat information was not presented to them. Gerhardson said that would be available at the next meeting. Steffenhagen referred to the memo submitted which explains the history of the course. He said they average 15,000 rounds per year, and that has been consistent for a number of years. They currently are trying to increase their senior citizen membership by offering an annual membership fee . 1 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 1 , 1993 GOLF COURSE - CONT. Chair Flint asked Steffenhagen' s schedule for operating the goif course year-round. Ste#fenhagen sald spring is the busiest time, summer is more routine, in the fail he prepares the course for the winter , and during the winter months he works on machinery, painting and whatever needs repair . Chair Flint inquired about the staff size. Steffenhagen said he is the only fuil -time person and between 8 to 10 part-time peopte work inside the club house and 2 people on the grounds during the season. He said they open on the average by April 15th and close by October 31st . Wilson asked about riding carts. Steffenhagen said they lease 10 carts to be rented out upon request . Wllson inquired about teaching programs. Steffenhagen noted they currentiy do not have any programs, but he has recentiy been approached by a part-time employee certified who is a certffied golf teacher and is interested in offering a junior teaching program. Wilson asked about a practice range. Steffenhagen said with the land they own, there is not enough space for a practice range. A net system may be a posslbility. Chair Flint inquired about the course budget . Steffenhagen said he submits his propased budget to the Public Works Director, who submits it to the Administrator who forwards it to the Councii for approval . Wilson asked if they have made money in the operatlon. Steffenhagen stated the last four years they have realized a profit . Wilson asked about the use of the course for winter activities. Steffenhagen sald he coordinated the cross country ski proJect with the DNR. 2 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 1 , 1993 GOLF COURSE - CONT. Gerhardson noted Steffenhagen coordinates preparation of the trail with the DNR and thereby reduces the possibility of doing damage to the course. Ilse questioned the need for liability insurance for the winter activities. Gerhardson noted the City does not schedule the activities. He said the City has tried to put up safeguards to prevent inJuries. W( ison suggested checking with other golf courses that use their facilities in the winter to see how they handle liability issues. Chair Flint asked Steffenhagen his views on the purpose of the golf course. Steffenhagen repiied that he feels it is to supply the City with a piace for the average person to goif . Wilson asked the percentage of golfers that are non-resfdents. Steffenhagen said he was not aware of that percentage. He stated the course can accommodate most golfers that want to use it . Wilson suggested giving Orono residents preferred tee-times. Steffenhagen noted a preferred system was used in the past , but ft was not used much. He added most golfers that play at Orono are middte-aged. Gerhardson explained when Steffenhagen began with the City there were two employees at the golf course: course superintendent and club house manager, which now has been combined into one position, and Steffenhagen has done a great job managing both areas. Vongries asked if Public Works does any work on the course. Gerhardson said periodfcally they will help when needed. Chair Flint asked where the profit from the course goes. Gerhardson indicated any proflt realized goes to the General Fund. Wilson inquired abou# average profit . Steffenhagen stated for the last four years, the average prof ( t was approximately $30,000. GOLF COURSE - CONT. 3 _ . _ �'�'� T. � _ MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 1 , 1993 Wilson asked about the club house. Steffenhagen noted the City recently renovated the building and it is in good shape. (#3) SUMMIT BEACH - SUSAN WILSON Wilson reported the Council approved the expansion of the beach and the instailation of a canoe rack . The City Attorney is reviewing the recommended conditions for canoe rental . Gerhardson stated the canoe rack rentai wiii be advertised in the newsletter the City will soon be sending out . (#4) BIKE/HIKE TRAIL - REPORT CHAIR FLINT Chair Flint reported he has explained the bike/hike trail to the School Board , and they expressed support of the project . He reviewed the School Board ' s suggested change to run the traii to the east behind the proposed new elementary schooi . Shawn Gustafson advised that if this were done the trail wouid not be MSA reimbursabte. Chair Fiint explained how the bike/hike trail will run east of the road right-of-way along the former church property to avoid major destruction of existing vegetation . The School Board has been asked to grant an easement here. The question is whether to continue that along the rest of Oid Crystal Bay Road to County Road 6. He reported language has been drafted for the easement . Members reviewed the draft plan from Gustafson and necessary easements . Gerhardson reviewed the suggestion by Council member Kelley to run the traii off the right-of-way to the property owned by the DNR and then connect to the Luce Line. This would require additional easements over private property. It appears that if the trail is not installed on the right-of-way or adjacent to it , MSA funds could not be used. Chair Flint suggested the engineers estimate the cost of the trail if it were to run off right-of-way as suggested by Councii member Kelley. It was moved by Vongries, seconded by Wiison, to schedule a meeting on Monday, March 8, 1993 promptly at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the final bike/nike trail plan and agreement . Ayes 4, nays 0. 4 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 1 , 1993 (�5) WILLOW DRIVE UPGRADE 12-6 - JOHN R. GERHARDSON Chair Flint revlewed the question as to whether or not the Commission should recommend the construction of a bike/hike trail along Willow Drive during the road improvement process. He felt if the tra11 is approved, it should run on the west side of the road f rom H i ghway 12 to at I east Ke I I ey Parkway so that i t cou i d connect to the planned east/west trail along the north side of Kelley Parkway. Gerhardson noted the Cfty has dedicated a 10' wide bike/hfke trail easement along Keiley Parkway. He reviewed the differences between the urban and rurat sections of road improvement . Vongries felt they have just requested a maJor expense for a bike/hike trail , and a trait along Wiliow Drive would require additional easement acquisition . He felt they should forget this portion of the trail . Wilson reminded them that they have ( n the past requested an easement from Shadowood Farms development for a trail to run along County Road 6 and along the east side of Wfllow Drive. Chair Flint asked the plan for the property north of Kelley Parkway. Goetten stated It is zoned commercfal phasing back to multi - residential , but what happens with the property Is dependent upon the outcome of Highway 12 corridor study. Gerhardson noted that most likely there will be some residential use for that parcel . Chair Flint said there are two issues: 1 ) whether or not an easement is requested, but the City does not have that a right as there is no subdivision proposed; and 2) whether or not an urban section is built , which substantially increases the price. Gerhardson stated the road wi i I be bu i i t as an urban sect ion to Keliey Parkway whether or not there is a bike traii along the road. Chair FI ( nt felt if the City proposes an urban section, the trail should be built at least to Kelley Parkway. It was moved by Ilse, seconded by Wiison, to recommend construction of a bike/hike trail along the west side of Wiliow Drive to the north side of Kelley Parkway, and if the City decldes to build an urban section further north, to extend the trail as far as the urban section continues. Ayes 3, nays 0. Vongries abstained. 5 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 1 , 1993 (�6) OTHER ISSUES A. OBA• Goetten reported initially OBA was to appear before the Council to discuss their future plans, but the City received several calls from residents upset that the City would not allow OBA to continue using Bederwood Park. Since that time she and Ilse met with OBA to discuss options. Goetten feit the OBA should establish a committee to develop a long-range plan. OBA was asked to present their position at the March 8th meeting. She added she has heard several different opinions since the informational meeting . Ilse reported Gary Larson has indicated he is no longer representing Little League in the pursuit of these fields. He is still the OBA President . She understood that because of all the uproar by citizens, OBA is no longer considering new fields in , Maple Plain . After the review of prior minutes, Ilse noted OBA was ' on � y to receive extension of the use of Bederwood Park if they were ' moving forward on obtaining new permanent bali fieids . Goetten said she was hopeful that a resoive could be found through i a committee of concerned citizens and members of OBA. Chair Flint agreed to present the Park Commission ' s recommendation as contained in the December minutes to the Council at it� March 8th meeting . B. Meetinq Time : It was moved by Vongries , seconded by Ilse , to change the meeting time of the Park Commission to 7 : 15 p.m. effective immediateiy . Ayes 4, nays 0. C. Park Monitorinq : The following Commission members have been assigned to manitor the respective parks beginning April 1st . Their reports are to be submitted to the Commission at the first meeting in May: Chair Flint . . . . . . . . .Summit Beach Wilson . . . . . . . . . . . Crystal Bay & 8ederwood Parks I I se . . . . . . . . . . . . Hackberry Vongries. . . . . . . . . . Hackberry, Navarre & Sandy beach Howe I I s . . . . . . . . . . 6 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 1 , 1993 D. Bederwood Skatinq Rink: Concern was expressed over the condition of the skating rink at Bederwood Park. Gerhardson said that maintenance of the City's rinks needs to have a higher priority in future years. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Itse, seconded by Vongries , to adJourned the regular meeting of the Park Commission at 9:30 p.m. The next meeting will be Monday, April 5, 1993 at 7 : 15 p.m. C f� � �� � ichard Fiint , Chair Person 7