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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-05-1993 Park Commission Minutes , , MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 5, 1993 ATTENDANCE The Park Commission met on the above date with the following members present : Dick Flint , Susan Wilson , Sherokee Ilse, Lili McMillan , Alex Vongries and Robert Howelis . John Gerhardson , Public Works Director and Shawn Gustafson , City Engineer represented City staff . Chair Flint called the meeting to order at 7 : 15 p.m. (#1 ) APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ilse asked that Page 6, Paragraph 2 , be changed to read : " Ilse reported Gary Larson has indicated he is no longer representing Little League in the pursuit of these fieids . He is still the OBA President . " Chair Flint said Page 4, Paragraph 6, should read "Chair Ftint explained how the bike/hike trail . . . " It was moved by Howells , seconded by Ilse, to approve the minutes of the March 1 , 1993 Park Commission meeting as amended . Ayes 6 , nays 0 . (#2) LETTER FROM MINNETRISTA REGARDING DAKOTA RAIL LINE RECREATIONAL TRAIL Chair Flint referred to the letter from Minnetrista regarding the Dakota Rail line , inviting tocal Park Commissioners to meet next Tuesday to discuss the establishment of a recreational trail along the railroad right-of-way. Gerhardson explained the railroad line begins in Minnetonka and is an active line to Hutchinson . Wilson felt this would make a fabulous bike trail . Others agreed . Chair Flint and McMillan volunteered to attend the meeting . (#3) UPDATE ON BIKE/HIKE TRAIL A. Review of Plans & Specifications : Gustafson reviewed the plans and specifications beginning at the northern end of the trail . He said the trail is shown typically with curb and gutter , next to a sodded strip followed by the sidewalk/trail area, and then an area sloping away from the trail to be seeded . McMillan asked if the grassed areas will need to be maintained . Gustafson said that would be best and Orono/Hennepin Parks is responsible for such maintenance along the whole trail , but typically the property owners will maintain along their property. 1 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 5, 1993 BIKE/HIKE TRAIL — CONT. Chair Flint asked about the possibility of growing prairie grass or wildflowers in this area. Gustafson said that was possible particulariy along areas where the adjacent private property is not developed . He said they like to use sod adjacent to developed areas as it keeps down the dust , but they could perhaps find a seed combination that would do so also. Wilson said even this type of planting would need to be maintained . Gerhardson stated these areas usually collect titter and it would be best to be planted with something the City could maintain . Chair Flint asked Gustafson to check with the County on what they typically use. Gerhardson suggested both options be requested with the bids . Gustafson explained the School District has agreed to give an easement to a I I ow the t ra i I to dev i ate f rom the roadway a I ong the i r property thereby allowing existing vegetation to remain . The trail will detour through the City property also. McMillan questioned the need to reduce the berms along the School property as they inhibit sighting . Gustafson said Hennepin County Parks requires gradual slope changes for trails . Chair Flint noted the trail will be connected to the proposed trail along Kelley Parkway and inquired if there were any specifications that should be include to accommodate such connection in the future . Gustafson felt they would not need to include anything else for the connection. He said the trail will be striped crossing Highway 12 and with a crosswalk button on the semaphore. He explained the bridge crossing the railroad is proposed for improvements this summer which will also include the trail crossing . Gustafson continued that Mrs. Hile, property owner to the south of the bridge , has expressed concern about replantings along her property as they may affect her drainfield . He said to minimize the impact on her property, the trail will be constructed closer to the roadway along her property. Chair Flint suggested the plans be submitted to the County Parks staff for review at this point even though they are not fully completed . 2 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 5, 1993 BIKE/HIKE TRAIL - CONT. Gustafson said north of Watertown Road the trail may require a variance to the slope standards. He continued reviewing the remainder of the trail . He noted the trail will be constructed closer to the right-of-way Just prior to the Luce Line Trail as the residence in that area is near the roadway. Chair Flint stated that the Engineers and Park Commission need to address Councii member Kelley' s suggestion to run the trail on the DNR park property to the Luce Line Trail . Gerhardson suggested touring the area with Kelley to review the grade change , drainage pattern of the area, and funding concerns . Gustafson and Gerhardson were asked to do so. Vongries pointed out the entire trail is predicated on MSA funding for the City ' s portion of the trail . He felt we should continue as originally planned along the right-of-way. Gerhardson noted that the owner nearest the Luce Line Trail has requested parking be minimized near his drive to allow for better sighting . Wilson recommended that parking not be reduced from that currently available near the Luce Line Trail . Gustafson reviewed the trail along County Road 6 , which detours away from the right-of-way for a short portion along the Otten property because of the slope in the area. He said the curves of the trail in this area will be very gentle with maximum slope of 5%. He reviewed the remainder of the trail to Baker Park . Chair Flint felt the portion of the trail east of Homestead Trail is too close to County Road 6 and questioned the need for storm sewer in this area. He requested that Gustafson check again with Hennepin County Highway Department to determine whether the preferred plan with the trail north up the ditch would be acceptable to them. Gustafson agreed to review this plan with the County Highway Department . Wilson indicated there is a portion just prior to the 10K loop that is currently gravel , and inquired whether that would be blacktopped and better marked . Gerhardson said he would verify Hennepin Parks ' plans for this area and report back . 3 MINUTES OF TNE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 5, 1993 BIKE/HIKE TRAIL - CONT. Chair Flint requested that Bonestroo redesign the trail west of Homestead Trail to made use of the traii easement that is available north of County Road 6 right-of-way. Gustafson said they would be submitting the landscape plan to MSA within the next two weeks. The plan will be submitted to the City Council on April 26th . It was moved by Itse , seconded by Wilson , to direct the City Engineer to prepare the final plans and specifications per the preliminary plans and based on the comments of the Park Commission members, and to submit those to the County Highway Department , Hennepin County Parks , MSA and the City Council . Ayes 6 , nays 0 . B. Approval of Easement Language : It was moved by Wilson , seconded by Howefls , to approve the easement language for granting easements along the trail as presented in Exhibit A attached . Ayes 6 , nays 0 . C. Aqqroval of Contract wlth Hennepin County Parks : Chair Flint reported in December the Council approved the general concept of the contract prior to precise wording being approved . Since that time , the contract has been drafted , but during the process , questions arose so Hennepin County Parks was contacted for clarification . They found that the County had approved the draft contract , which does not include all the appropriate and necessary items and is not in final form. He said the City does not want a drafting issue to become a major policy issue . He said he has called Jim White to ask for assistance in moving the project forward at the County Parks level . (#4) UPDATE ON BEDERWOOD PARK/OBA Chair Flint reported there was a lengthy discussion at the last Council meeting , after which the Council ratified the Park Commission ' s recommendation with respect to Bederwood Park. A joint committee has been established to review options for other ball fie � ds . Ilse said the committee is evaluating the Maple Plain and school property sites as long-term sotutions . Chair Flint felt the Maple Plain site could be the best short term solution . McMillan felt it would be appropriate to meet with the School District in the future to discuss their plans for this property and other issues . 4 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 5, 1993 (#5) JUNE PARK TOUR Chair Flint felt they should concentrate on only certain parks . He suggested touring the bike trail , the sewer plant site and the Crystal Bay site. I I se sa i d she wou I d I i ke to hear any comments f rom ne i ghbors on the future use of the Crystai Bay site . McMillan suggested they go by the larger parks including Bederwood , Hackberry and Navarre, and cut out the small swimming beaches . She suggested they point out completed and proposed projects to any Council members in attendance on the tour . Chair Flint noted that the sub-committee of Vongries , McMillan and Ilse were assigned to evaluate park equipment , and at the tour they could present their recommendations. Gerhardson clarified the list of parks to be visited as : bike trail , sewer plant site , Crystal Bay , Summit Beach, Hackberry , Bederwood and Navarre playground . Vongries suggested the sub-committee meet and develop a list of parks to be visited and proposals for each site . (#6) PLANNING FOR FRENCH LAKE PARK (OLD SEWER PLANT SITE) Gerhardson reported they have started to clean up the site and will remove materials by May or June . Wilson noted the trail has been mowed . She said they need to keep in touch since if some areas are mowed it will cut down on existing cover for wildlife. She reviewed several ideas for plantings and improvements . She felt it would be another year before the area could be used as a park . (#7) STATUS OF HALF COURT BASKETBALL COURT FOR HACKBERRY PARK Gerhardson reported this is scheduled for installation in June. (#8) STATUS OF CONSTRUCTION OF ENLARGED BEACH & CANOE RACKS AT SUMMIT PARK Gerhardson reported the canoe rack is ready with the exception of paint , and the City is in receipt of their first permit application . He said they will be removing the brush and tree in the near future to accommodate the beach expansion . 5 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF APRIL 5, 1993 OTHER Chair Flint reminded them that the park monitoring sheets are due at the next meeting in May . Chair Flint said the financial report for the Golf Course is not available yet , and will be presented at the next meeting . Ilse suggested they pursue the "Adopt a Green" program for the City, whereby certain groups or organizations would be responsible for maintenance of certain areas. Gerhardson noted the City is already involved with the program with respect to parks. Ilse suggested they make the program more City-wide and that it relate to open areas as well as parks. It was moved by Wilson , seconded by McMillan , to appoint Ilse and Gerhardson to a sub-committee to conceptualize and implement an "Adopt a Green" program. Ayes 6 , nays 0. ADJOURNMENT Chair Flint adjourned the regular meeting of the Park Commission at 9 :45 p.m. The next meeting will be Tuesday , May 4, �993 t 7 : 15 p.m. �,�` � %" '� C;.'!�if�c.�--t. � � !.L<c ichard Flint , Chair Person 6 EXHIBIT "A" Grant of Easement. Grantors hereby grant, bargain, sell, gift, quit claim and convey to City an easement for purposes of constructing, maintaining, and public use of a non-motorized bikepath and pedestrian trail over, upon and through the Easement Area, together with ingress, egress and access thereto over, upon and through the Easement Area (the "Easement").