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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-05-1994 Park Commission Minutes � � t „f. MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 5, 1994 ATTENDANCE The Park Commission met on the above date with the following members present: Richard N. Flint, Robert Howells, Alex Vongries, Sherokee Ilse, Susan Wilson, and James White. Lili McMillan was absent. John Gerhardson, Public Works Director and Carole Haseman, Recorder represented City staff. Sandra Smith, Planning Commission Member, also was present. Chair Flint called the meeting to order at 7:25 p.m. (#1) APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Howells, seconded by Ilse, to approve the minutes of the March 16, 1994 and May 3, 1994 Park Commission meetings. Ayes 6, nays 0. Chair Flint asked for volunteers to attend upcoming Council meetings: July 11, 1994 - Vongries; July 25, 1994 - Howells; August 8, 1994 - Flint; August 22, 1994 - Jim White; and September 12, 1994 - Sherokee Ilse. (#2) POST MORTEM ON PARKS TOUR Chair Flint asked for comments regarding the June park tour and whether any follow-up would be necessary. Ilse favored visiting fewer parks as was done this year and mentioned future needs at Hackberry for new equipment and improvement of ground conditions under various equipment. Gerhardson noted shock absorption materials could be added under some of the equipment. Wilson agreed the tour was more productive by visiting only three or four parks. She asked if marks had been added to the short court? Gerhardson said the free throw line had been done but the three point line would not be added because it would overlap. Howells mentioned fencing had been discussed for the Crystal Bay Park. He asked if the removal of the old City Hall was a park expense? Gerhardson explained it was not a park expense but was considered part of the demolition costs for the entire project. Vongries inquired about the lead abatement. Gerhardson said certain things are allowed in approved landfills and that was one of them. Howells asked if the ground has been seeded. Gerhardson stated no seeding had been done. Some material had been brought in but not enough to get the necessary grade. The monitor wells are still in operation and will be until November for testing ground water contamination. Planning Commission Member Sandra Smith appreciated the opportunity of joining the tour and extended an invitation to the Park Commission to join them as they review applications. Chair Flint noted it would helpful for the Park Commission to receive a copy of the monthly Planning Commission agenda to see what might be pertinent to them. Smith suggested that a copy of the monthly legal notice which offers a brief explanation of applications be mailed to Park Commission Members. 1 , . MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 5, 1994 (#3) UPDATE ON PENDING PROJECTS Chair Flint noted the second phase of the Dickey/Coffin subdivision had been approved by the City Council at the last meeting. Gerhardson stated construction approval had already been given for one home because the builder intends to complete the house in time for inclusion in the Parade of Homes. Wilson asked for a brief review of the Dickey/Coffin subdivision. Chair Flint explained it had been agreed to leave the barn in its present state for awhile until someone proposes a plan and has sufficient funding. The developer will be responsible for tearing it down. Gerhardson said the house has no value and will be demolished. Wilson inquired about the dedicated piece of land. Gerhardson explained three acres will be dedicated to the City but the actual use has not been decided. Chair Flint noted the developer was receiving credit for 50% park dedication. Gerhardson asked if anyone was interested in the barn? Ilse felt there had been no organized effort to develop the barn. Smith commented the developer was interested in taking the barn down with the intention of preserving and possibly donating the unusual Tamarack wood which was a type used in the construction of early barns. She suggested placing a memorial plaque to commemorate the fact it is sacred ground to the Native Americans. Vongries believed no one had ever declared the land to be a sacred site. Ilse explained official bodies have not commented on the land as a sacred site but individuals such as Medicine Man, Clyde Bellecourt and others have provided documentation which has been given to the City. Wilson noted there were problems with the internal trails because of wetlands. Chair Flint explained that was only on the Coffin side and those were never intended to be public trails. The Dickey parcel will have public trails with chips and a blacktopped one along Old Crystal Bay Road. Wilson specifically asked if park dedication fees were going for the internal trails on either parcel. Chair Flint stated they were not. Chair Flint proceeded to discuss the French Creek Preserve. Wilson reported the sign is not up yet and suggested a deadline be given. The abandoned road needs to be plowed. Seed can be dropped off anytime. Melamed, the adjacent property owner, planted Timothy grass on some of the City property which had been intended to be seeded with native natural grass. At this time, it has been suggested to not remove it but wait to see how it will look. She asked Gerhardson to order the seed within the next few days. Several blue birds, blue herons, ducks with second broods and other wildlife had been observed. Also she noted that nothing had been mowed. Gerhardson said the mowing would be done. Chair Flint felt it important for the land to look like a park rather than a private residence. Ilse asked about the weir and if there was leakage. Gerhardson stated ther? is always some bypass but because it consists of several layers of wood, he doubts there is a problem. He will personally check it. Chair Flint suggested a grand opening be scheduled this fall. The publicity would be helpful as the preserve can also be used in winter for walking and skiing. After some discussion, Howells suggested scheduling a date for the grand opening at the next meeting. 2 MINi1'rES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 5, 1994 (#3) UPDATE ON PENDING PROJECTS - CONT. Chair Flint noted the former City Hall site had already been discussed. He asked the status of the park survey. Gerhardson had not heard any survey results yet. Regarding the City Hall site, he checked the feasibility of moving the trees on the berm to create a more level area. The estimate received was $120.00 per tree to move. White asked how many trees would be involved? Gerhardson responded approximately 16 trees would be moved. Vongries suggested waiting until a decision was made regarding the property. Chair Flint said a good time to move the trees would be during the spring or fall. Wilson reminded everyone that funds were allocated for Shardlow to draw up a park plan for the park including parking and plantings for the post office. Gerhardson said the post office parking lot requires a 50' setback from the road and to proceed further, a variance would be required so it would be even with the building. Chair Flint reported that the OBA baseball site will be completed this year but because of delays it will not be available to use this season. Ilse added the road and parking lot were almost finished and more excavation was needed for the field. It was her understanding that OBA was on target so seeding would be done by fall. Chair Flint addressed the bike trail issue and was concerned whether Hennepin County was still willing to contribute 50% of the costs. He reported that at a recent meeting with Doug Bryant of Hennepin County and Ron Moorse, it was still Bryant's recommendation for the County to pay their share of the bike trail. Bryant indicated it had not been formally approved but he would resurrect the contract. Chair Flint indicated the Mayor and Council is comfortable proceeding piece-by-piece with the trail and there would be no need at this point for a meeting between the Park Commission and Council. Wilson asked about the segment from the Dickey property to the Luce Line? Chair Flint said it was his understanding that Ron Moorse had asked the engineer to lay out plans. Gerhardson stated it had been done but not finalized. The plan proposes two different views, one from the road and one from the house, for the Thompson and Minnick properties. Staff will be seeking their approvals. Wilson asked that a subcommittee be formed to attend future meetings regarding the bike trail. Chair Flint explained there already is a subcommittee appointed. Because of the short notice he received, he was unable to notify the subcommittee of the meeting. Chair Flint moved along to the Citizens' Survey regarding the park system. Gerhardson informed members that it has not been completed. Chair Flint proceeded to discuss the Lundgren Brothers Development and stated Lundgren Brothers had appeared again before the City Council at which time Council restated that one house per two acres would be allowed instead of one house per one acre for the subdivision. Any future growth within the area is a concern to the Park Commission because of the possibility of a bike trail being developed. 3 �1 MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 5, 1994 (#5) NEW BUSINE5S - SHEROKEE ILSE - SUMMIT PARK Chair Flint explained Ilse requested Item 5 be placed ahead of Item 4 because Ilse needed to leave early. There were no objections. Ilse distributed a memo regarding Summit Beach. The beach is heavily used and she pointed out several concerns: rope swing from tree, diving off dock, and possible injuries resulting from rough behavior by kids. She suggested the placement of a no diving sign, installation of an emergency phone, and the possibility of hiring a lifeguard. Gerhardson said the City did not install the tree swing and it will be removed. Vongries proposed removal of the dock. Ilse stated it is a favorite swimming beach for young children and the only one that offers a dock for young children to play on and enables them to jump from it into the water. Chair Flint noted it has not been a problem during times he has visited after supper and found children cooperative. Howells favored display of a no diving sign. Chair Flint advised that an effective warning sign needs to list the reason such as shallow water. Gerhardson said he would check into the cost of an emergency phone. He distributed a memo which listed the City of Long Lake's cost for lifeguard services in 1994. Wilson said the installation of a no diving sign would be a start to correct the problem. Gerhardson suggested contacting other communities for information on liability issues regarding warning signage. Chair Flint recommended the City Attorney be contacted for the appropriate warning language to be used. He noted the close proximity of houses which could be used if an emergency arose. Gerhardson stated when incidents or problems occur at the beach, it would be helpful for people to contact the police and fill out ICR reports. This process alerts the police to problems in the area and starts a paper trail. (#4) ACTION PLAN Chair Flint commented that according to the action plan agenda the Park Commission is up-to- date with its schedule. Wilson inquired if the OBA contracts were received? Chair Flint said they had been approved before work commenced. Regarding canoe rack rentals, Chair Flint suggested non-residents be advised that space remains available as only two or three have been rented. 4 Y MINUTES OF THE PARK COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 5, 1994 (#6) OTHER BUSINESS No other business. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Howells, seconded by Vongries to adjourn the meeting of the Park Commission at 8:45 p.m. Ayes 5, nays 0. r 1 r ichard N. Flint, Chair Person 5