HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-04-1994 Park Commission Minutes r
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• �RUNU PARi� COMMISSI4N MEETING
1VII�UTE� F�IZ €�'i`���� �, �39�
ATTE�DAN�E
The Park Commission met on the above date with the foliowing members preset�t:
Richard Flinit, Al�x ti'�ngries, �usan VJilsc?n, Lili McMillan,Rc�bert Houaetls, Sherc�kee
Ilse, and James White. Counci�member Hurr was present. Public Works Director 3t�hn
C'iQxhardson ���R��rder�h�ry Frost r�resent� S+aff. C4�air Flint cailed the*��tia�g
to order at 8:�10 p.m.
(#1)APPROVAL OF MINUTE�QF S�PTEMBER 6, 1994
Howe}ls had t�c�correctiQns. Pa�;e 4, paragraph 2, shc�uld read "canaes�re removed"
rather th�r: "'�aroe rack�are rs:r.�4Ted_". �r:�ab��, ��-�gra�h 3, under.#fi�*her
Bu�iness; the last sentenc� shou}d tead, "The�ityo uwrts the r e; and wit� pay for the
na,°;k;,;-��,i�t'��s�u on i�e���-y�a;)�a��cam,;,;tm�s��." 17t,'3zit€nzove�,', ]1�Ic��illan s�eon��d,
to apprave the minutes of t�e September 6, 1994 Park Commission meeting as amended.
Ayes 7,uays 0.
(#2)COUNCILIPARK SL�RVEY RESULT DISC[?SSION
The Park Cammission met with the City�ouncil prior to the start of this meeting and
disc:��eu the park s�:rvsyr.
{#3) SIGNS FOR BEACSES(SUMI�IT BEACH}
Item#3, Signs for Beaches, was tabled to the Parks�ommission meeting an November 7,
1994.
(#4)PARKS URDINA�iCE
The Commissianers were provit�ed with a copy Qfthe City Ordinance, Sec. 9.31, Park and
Swimming���ch Reg:�lat:ons -U:�ati��ful Aeis. I?;scu�si�n lxas ta�l�i to the Cc�mmissi�n
me�ti��c�n Nc�v�mher 7, 1994.
(#5j ICE R1NK MA1NT�l�iANCE
Flint ask�d w�hether ice rink maintenance will continue this year at the same four parks,
Casco, �u�kber:�,�, Ber�erwac�d, and ���taine. �ron�ss aske�if i� was rassible to redu�e
the number of rinks ta two to abtain better maintenance. Gerhardson said it had been
���r_rr�in��t�m��ntain ttn�f��r rir�ks fnr�ne m�re y�r: and t�e City wa�obtai�it��mc�re
equipment to assist in this area. A cab for the tractc�r is being purchas,er!to protect the
€�Yerater t�::�s Plir►i:nati�g snQ4��r�m beang thre���n buck �nto thP operat�r`s face. �he
niaintenance of th�rinks is being stressed as well as the schedulin�af the maintenance.
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• �Lfi.INVTES OF THE REGIJLAR OROItiTO PARK CO'1�.�VIISSIflN
M��TII�C7 H���t?N �:'I'Q3�R=�� l 994
��5 - Ic�IZir��?��Iaintenance- Conti�ued)
Flint ask�i a�out the floodin�procedures. Gar;�,.�-dsan has been talking with another city
in a��wir:ng ihe c��-:-�ct metheds of flo�c�ing_ ��i��l�be ex�erimer��ing��ith a del�ge
sys�et�ir�vc��vin; Ch� use of rnassive fiboding �rc�rn a fire hydrant versus flooc�ing in
ir;��rin;tte�t stages. Th��ity�;�as a pi�.e Ur e�€�;��-nent, w3;�c�is a scaled-da����ion �f
a Z�mbri:�i, which w-iil s�,vab the v�rater o�the rini�rather than sprayu�g it on.
Flint re�t�zste.cii the C�mmissi�ners pena�ic:atly eheck on the appearance and us�ifo�niiy c�f
th� ice:-�r.�s this�.vinte., ��h:t4�;ll :�tor.ii�r Casc�, I��cMillan at Hackber:�;, Ilse��
Becterwofld, and Howeils at �ntc�ine. �icMillan wilt provide mar�toring f�rms t�the
c�th�_rc,
{#G�C'ItY�TAi: B4Y' PLAYGRUUIYD- Fi,.�?�NIN�
'�4'ilsan ����, ?Vlc�iitlan secande�d, to formaliy reyuest $2700 fram CDPG mc�ney far the
Cryst�l B�3�P�.r.rk�}�.y�rc�und plan 3±ihe October I�J, 1994 �ity Cc�uneil Meeting_ Ayss 7,
I�rays�3.
In disc�ss�ot�, it�r�s dec'sded the sub-camm'sttee, svhQse representatives are Vongries,
V�ilson, Me�hi�lan, GerhardsQn, and Randi ��rl�n, ?►?e�ghbor, wili. meet tQ grepare the
presentation with the planner. This will inclu�e t�e survey, input fram neighbors, general
lay��ut, specife�s such �s sc:eenin�, ske��h of�ar�svaping and present inventory. Fiint
sug�ested Cammissioners vieui the De�pha�en park, located across fmm�deathcaLe on
Minnetc�nt�a Btvd. H�st��ed that h��hou�ht�tS ambian�e reflected wha#t�rano's resid�s
desared as indicated in the�rveY-
�'itn Pattrir� a neighbt�r c�f ihe �rap�sed park location, was present at this meetirzg. He
asked t�e Corr=r���s:�n �ar a t�tr.�3ine fc.this�,raject. It wa�felt that�he:;ommission
should complete its planning thi�winter and do the cnnstnzction in the spring. The
n�i�htior tiv�s�Qld t� c�mr_rn.�nicate infc�rm�tiQn tc�t��ir n�ighbor r��r��ntative, I�andi
Cartson, c�r t�a�+member ofthe sub-cc3mmittee.
Hc�weila int�u�re�about the results vf the percul�tian test. �er�ardsc�n said a monitoring
�v�13 n��r,'�t�h�ir,stalted to ar.alyz�u��her�cantamina4�s, wh:ch ar�still present, have
mc�ved t� �c�r�ain the stability of the situatian. A pipe witt€�xter�d fram the ground for
abou��year�ut sh4���c1 not ��f�ct the�ark develc��ment�lan.
��lson a]scr stressed the need fdr the post office parking lat plan t�praceed.
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. Mrrr�.�rEs a� �� ��uL�z o�o�ro P�co�ssloN
1vi�;�TINt����C3N 4f'TC}��Ii 4, 1994
�#7) CROSS �flUlYTRY SKI Pi�Q�RAMf �QitONO GOLF CflUItSE
3an Guenther�v�s present to repc�rt an the��n#inuing use of the gnlf course this v�inter fQr
t�:��rc��-�auniiy ski pr�gram. Th�cc�urse, ���l as�he�lubhou��, was used on
Wednesctay evenings la�t wint�r. Guenther said there is no night s�iing at Baker Park, and
F�-er�ch P�r�is�uery cr�s�r��i. �uenther u�o�?l�I�ke t� s�ntir��ae to ;��€�vicie grt�oming of
ihe course and is interested in ex�anding the pro�ram tc�include a vdeekend day far skiing,
sl�ddin�, ��o:�ba�rding, ete.
Th�Cammissioners diseussed the public's reacti�n to using the course and the eiuhl�use
an� f�un� t�t:re was a positive response. It wa� �eli the public's winter recreatit�nal ��ds
cauld be t�e�ter met by opening th.e caurse and cli�bhause on bafih Saturday and Sunday
aft�rr�c�t���_ G�rhardson was as��d hc�w��e C��issic�n would D� al�c�ut ge#�ing app��v�l
Far u�ing the clubhouse. G�rhard�n said a budget would need to be�repared. The
�err��issigr��ould ��ect t� �eterrrn"=.ne if there�,�eu1d be a user-feP Qr if this��a:�!d l�e
prc�vid�d as a public service. Flint de#errnined the annuai cost of usin�;ti�e cIubhouse for
skiin�£r�r t�vc�and ore-h�tf rnonths wau�c�b�appra�r�cately $6��, whieh u�as felt not tc�
be a big obstacie. Gerhardson wili get together with the City Administrator to diseuss a
possi�l�pl� ax�d pay�ent ther�of..
VQngries a�1:ed abnut the inter�;st shawn by#he residents, the safety issue, and the concern
u$ith re���pin�the c��t€�f a bigger pr��ram. +Guenther sai� �nQney is cQll�ted f�r�ae��.
Th�p�ssibitiiy c�f selling hot chocolate, cide�-, coffe�, candy, etc. was a�so discussed.
V6'hite moved, t�'stson seconded, to ask the t`ity Staffto investijate the feasibitity of
opening ihe�Qlf��urse a,nd clt�bh�au�e c��ring the wintpr season one�v�nin� a week and on
Saturday arid Sunday afternoons_ Ayes 6, Nays 0, with t{'ongrles abstaining.
(#8)�iUCI+;.EY ARENA PROGRESS REPaRT
Mark Ingebritson and Pat t��1f of the Orano Ht�ckey Assc�ciation pres�nted the initiai
feasibili#y �t�dv for��t�mmunity ice arena t�up�1�t�the CQmmi��ion�r.d get their
reacti�r�to the study. The !�ssociatian currently�ses Qpen ice time wf�en avaiIable at the
?�IQun�pond�-�na�n� at the Dela.�fl arena ffln c��ckey ptayers. The}� are stud�nts in the
Qron� Schaal Dis#rict, who live within th�ctistrict ar are fram open enrollment. Girls
hackey pragra�are taking hald an�i �?cpanding araund the state. Figur� skating is al�
boomit���ith local sl�ating�tubs, senior, adutt, and disabitity lea.gues. This has resutted in
a shorta��of:�p tim�. The a�s�ia#i�n has dRvel��.��h�o�ossil�le sc>�utigns: 1)tQ lea�
the devel�ptYtent af an 4rano arena, vr 2) expansion c�f the Pcmd arena in Maund ta two
sh��ts of:ce in conjunc�ion ���ith the City of�.�s�und. `The rAssoei�tio� ���auEd prefer�g see
a new arena built in Orono. One advantage would be alieviating the need to travel any
di���n�e. �he pt�spose �f this f�.sibi4ity study��t�make clear wh�t the right dec�si�n
shauld be so �chaice may be made by Rlavember.
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. MINUTES OF THE REGtTLAR�RONO PARK C'O�iMISSION
MFETING����?� �(�'TQRER 4, 1994
(#S -���.��y Arena Pro�ress Report - Gorninued�
The C3r�n� �Ic�ekev �►ssociation hired Archit�cis, Hamet & `�?, and Contractor, Krause
Anderser. The feas:biltt3� v�rork culminated 1n the repar� reeeived hy the Park
Commi�sic�n: A sit�is available through the �chc�c�l district. Siie re���w, planning, �nd
pricing hav�b�zn d�n�. The associatic�n has met with Staff on these issu�s. Pat V4'alf has
been leading the fi�nd ra��ing vs;hich is prima�ity through private donations to build the
facility with ihe future f�p�r�ting ct�sts t��e borne by user fees. It is reported that at this
point, no in�r�nountai�le prat�l�ms have aris�n. 'The key will be raising the constructic�n
casts; if these cannot be raised, �he As�eci��ic�n vtirill ttat praceed_
Cominis�ioner�hritson asked�f 4rono presently has a girls varsity team and also i�quired
of the number of children that u� skate. u:�ehr€tsor� sair3 it will be ahaut four years until
t}rono l:as � �irts varsity team, 4t pres�nt, the pee-wee team consists of 7th and 8th
�r��ers. `I'h�r� are 28i� children enrolled in th�;����th program this year from fo��r years
c�id �hro�gh junic�r high. I-Iowe(ls asked tiuhat `�as the dzfferen�e between girls and boys
h�c��3F��d rn�ettes. In�ebritsen said there is rtQ checking ine�olved in girls hockey but
otherwise, it is the same. In ringeites, a cheeric�-type puck is u�ed which does not come
t�ffth�ic�. H�fe�ls th�int�;est in ringettes is subssding�ith th�increased interest in girls
h�keye
Ilse asked abaut�peri ice tir��e, Ingebritson said cvrnmunity educatic�n has an interest and
would �ut fi:��ir� a�iu� :;�th the expeetation of using 175 hours ;f ic�:ir:3e at $1 F�0 per
hour durin�the six month period of operat�on. The schaal district also vvould purchase its
iGe time.
M�Miilan asked who wc�uId own the ice rink if it was bualt. Ingebritson said the
Ass�ciatic�n would b� �n�n-�rc�fit, �O1(c}(��, organization, which would qt�alify f�r re�
estate and income ta.� exemption. The r�rganization would then either operat�the ar�na
ihernsPlves or hire someone to run the�rena. ?4�cM;lla� alsa inquired abQut feedbaek from
the school disirict. �ngebritson said the scho�l�are very cooperative and see a n�d for an
are.�a :.s�.�ia13y-with the start ofgirls ho:,kev_ �lt:�augh, th�re have been no formal talks,
the �chc�ot distriet is happy#o have the hocke53 as�t�ciatic�n investigate the building of an
ar�n�_ It i���nknc�wn ai this time whether the s�h�� di�riet�ould sell or lease the land to
th�a�ciatit��.
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. MINUTES {3F THE REGULAR(1R4N0 PARK COMMIS�ION
M�,�TING HE�.D►�N QCT(aBER 4, 1994
(#� F Hcck:;�4re�a F'rog:ess Report - Cantinuec�}
Flint �k�d abc��t the economics of the arena. Th�stu�ty shpw�the cc�st af the arena at
$2,SC�,�(}J kvith a yearly aperating co�t of$145,(?f�a. The hockey ass�ciation would be
the biggest user of the rink. They, alang�.��i�h t�;sehaol district, ��outd pay for th�ir ice
time. Th� arena plan calis for one ol��rnpic-size sheet c�f ice, t�hc�se use wouid carry the
c�perating c�ssis af the building but wauld nat cc�ntribute toward the cost of its
con§truction. Ingebritson said that g�nerally�, when an arena has a second sheet of ice, it
witl generate payment of the deht service on the ct�nstruetion debt_
Ingebritsczn relayed the break�e�wn ofuser costs as requested hy Flint. At �100/hr ice
cost, the rink sheuld reflect a pc�sitive cash flo�v. The projections shaw 750 haurs t�f use
by th�(iockey association, 2S0 hours af use ihrough the schroal's two v�rsity teams, 3b4
ho�rs of�igure skatir�#�me, �QO haurs of prime time skating, and other revenues suc�-�as
skate sh.arper.in�. ThesE are pro}ected funds raised without going outside of Orono, but
W�:yat��r�d 1_viound al�o Yiave expressed their interest in obtainin�fi�tj�re ice time. ?�s an
�xarrpl�, Ing�britson sai�that the association is prc�jected to raise�55,Q00 this year in ice
time.
H��ells asked if ti�e arena wili be a year-round facility. Ingebritsan said the arena has the
capab�l:ty citi�g sport events, practiees, mee#in�s,etc. �s pc>ssible uses, hut plan is for
b��,�3 i� np��-ation from October l tc� March 1. Th�fi,xed costs shown in their report
r�flect all year but th�revenue calculaiians are ft�r the six-manth ice ttme�nly.
Hurr inquieed at�out the Pond atternative. Ingebr�tsan said the Maund �chool Distriet is
lc�pk�ng into the building'�u��if an e�p�tssion is done b�t is nat as far along in its
ev�luatit�n.
Ingebrit�on wocttd like tc� see�coopera�ive effort with the Park Com�nissian a�d re�eive
their expertise and in�ut on these issues_ A deciston will be made by the hackey
associaiion ne�t month as to uThich directian the arena issue should�o. Qnce that
deci�i�n as m�r�e, ±h��l�s v�-ill be pre�ented tQ th�City Council.
#9)�RE�CH �ItEEK PRESERVE
Wils�sn reported that she, along with t�va giri scout troops, v�-ill cc�nduct a a ciean-�p as
c�J�II as huilc�ing a blind for ohservation, an Sur�day, 1 O/16I94 at l:OJ p.rn. She has me�
with Cr�rhardsc�n on c�l�taining lumber and paris n�es�ary, as well as a picnic table for the
prairi�area for tzext spring. It was notec3 that the guid�lines far building the btind came
fro�tl�te bt�k, "Lantlscaping for Wilcilife." Flint suggested the �ouncil be invited tv this
e�,P*:t, a�c��cMillan volunteered to take ri���r�s.
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. MINUTES OF THE RE�UI,AR ORaI'v�0 PARK COMMISSI4N
MEETII��HELI�Q�VF 4CTO�ER 4, i 99�
(#9 - French Geek Preserve- Continued)
Wilson alsa reparted that Pete Meyer, who doe�and will continue the bluebird house
monitoring, has received the "Blt�ebird c�f the Year" award from the�1flinnesota Bluebird
Recovery Program for his effort with bluebirds. He has agreed to buitd four matlard
houses this wir�ter to be installed on posts to keep predatars ai�vay. The�st�ili be�1 t�i}
cc�verir.g both matsrials and installation. It was nt�ted that bluebirds have been se� at c�ne
of th�blu�bird houses this year.
t�Viisc�n alsc3 info�ned the C.c�mmissioners af the information sign which wi1l be install�ct
near the�ntranee. It will be a podiur;-sty�E �ign, made af wood arfd�tetal, whic�witl
infarr�the�ubl�c of what has been �een in ihe area. $500 has been allc�cated far this si�n.
It wr�s noted that parking for five to six cars i�as availabte next to Metro Waste Pumping
Statian.
Wilson mQved, Iise seconded, ta recarnmend the City Council appmpriate the requested
funds frgm the park dedication fees. Ayes 7, Nays 0.
The falta::ring are the costs for materiai and iabor:
Lumt�er, posts, and hardware $ 140
z�eo�,�at�o�t s�gn sao
Picnic ta61e 480
Labc�r fc�r installing pQsts far blinds(City) 50
4 Duck feeders at $ZS each lt�
P�antin�s amund btincl 240
$1,470
Labor ft�r assembly�f the blir�ds witl�e danated by Girl Scauts
(#It3)4THER$[1SINESS
Gerl�ardson presented the Commission with the a copy of the letter of appreciation,which
wilt be sent to the �994 gark volunteers, and the letter far recnaitment tQ be sent to
community education groups, churches, girl scouts, boy scouts, se�ior cerrter, schoot
districts, and ot�ers who might show interest in helFing with the the beautification of the
City`s parks. F�int suagested attachin�a list of parks to the letter. This would aid in
carr3pilin$a tist tc� sh�w where people are interested in hetping. The letters wiil be si,gr�ed
by t�ie mayor�nd park commissian ch�ir.
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� MINtJT�S OF THE REGULAR QR(}N� PARK CO�MMISSION
M��TING HEI.I�4N 4�`TQBER 4, i994
ADJ(l���I��NT
II�e n��v�ci, Hc�wells �ond�, io acl��urn ih�meet�g. Ave�7, Nays 0. The�rY�it�� w�s
adjaurn�d at l�:10 p.�n.
/' '. >
� �
ch�'d?v�. ��int, C'hair
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