Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-01-1995 Park Commission Minutes OR�NO PARK COMMISSIQN MEETING MINi1TES FOR MAY 1. 1995 ATTENDANCE The Park Commission met on the above date with the following members presezrt: Chair Richard Flint, Lili McMillan, Sherokee Ilse, Robert Howells, and James White, who arrived at 7:30 p.m. Susan Wilsvn was absent. Representing Staff were Public Works Director John Gerhardson and Recorder Sherry Frost. Chair Flint called the rneeting to order at 7:24 p.m. (#1)APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 4, 1995 PARK COMMISSION MEETING This item was tabled by Chair F1int ta allow for correctic�ns to be made to the minutes. (#2)OPEN SPACE PLANNING QUESTIDNNAIRE John Gerhardson asked the members of the Park Commission to peruse the Open Space Worksheet and retarn the worksheet to City Administrator Moorse when completed. (#3)CRYSTAL BAY PLAYGRUITND McMillan presented a worksheet on ihe cast breakdown for the playground. A 3-rail split-rail fen�e made ofmountain hardwood is recommended. This wood is considered more durable than other woods, having a capacity for not splinterin�, and comes with a 20 year warranty. The cost af the fence is $3,000. The contractor is Sterling Fence. Fiint voiced his concern with the use of this type af fencing as his experience is one of easy breaka�e. This problem should be eliminated by the type of waod used with locust posts and oak rails. The plantings along the fenceway are reported to cost $4,004, and will consist of such plantings as gray dagwood, black chokecherry, spirea,junipers, barberry, and ot-namental trees. Some trees will be transplanted farm the Orono Golf Club. Two srytes of benches were discussed. The chosen bench cost $904 and $300 for insta.11ation into concrete. The playground equipment cost is $8100. This does not inc(ude the ADA eyuipped proposed to install at a later date, consistir�g of one swing, one superscoop and rubber surFace. Randi Carlson nated that she knew of no chi}dren requiring this type of ec�uipinent in the neighborhood. The ADA equipment allaws disabled children a "like- sensation" when using this type vf equipment. The original tire swin�with an estimated five years of life left will be used alang with the existing swing set. 1 MiNUTE5 OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MAY l, 1995 (#3 - Crystal Bay Playground - Continued) The electrical wires will be buried under�round. The lights, post office, and well will be serviced by these underground wires. Ail of the above is part of Phase I of the Crystal Bay Playground Project. The playfield has already been aerated and no grading is necessary. The field was seeded. The contemplated cost of Phase II, to include the ice rink, gazebo, and basketball areas is at least $30,004. McMillan moved, Howells seconded, to recommend to the Council approval of the costs for Crystai Bay Playground of$25,100 plus the additional cost of pearock to be determined prior to the Council meeting. Ayes 5, Nays 0. The bids have been completed. The fence and plan#irigs are proposed to be completed in May, and Yhe playground over the summer months and walkway when the post office lot is installed. (#4)UPDATE �N OROND BASEBALL ASSOCIATIUN PLANS FOR 1995 INCLUDING BEDICATIQN PLA.NS FOR NEW BASEBALL FIELD Steve Carlson, President of Orono Baseball Assaciation, and Rich Keyman, Project Manager and member of the Board of Directors of the same organization, update the commission an the baseball field. Keyman said that the infields were sodded and outfieids seeded last fall. The seed, however, did not germinate resulting in an unplayabte fietd. If the field were to be reseeded,the field wvuld not be playable this baseball season. Solicitations are being made of association members and other cammunity members to fund sodding of the field. Based on the time of the sodding, the opening of the field will be rescheduled for June 3. The sod needs to have been in place for two to four weeks prior to use. The new sod will be laid by Monarch and Pearl Sod Companies. The sodding will be hired out due to the lack of time prior to the opening. With good watering and mowing, the field will be safe and playable by the end of May if laid the first week in May. The concession stand will be stained soon and is, otherwise, complet+ed. The fence is in. The back stops will be fmished in about two weeks. Keyman said the association would welcome any contributions frorn the City of Orono. Ilse asked how much money needed to b�raised. The association reported being short $S-9,Q4Q prior ta the problem with the seeding, and desire to raise$20-22,000 to complete the project. The sod is estimated to cost $12,000 for the two fields. 2 �itiINUTES UF THE RE(iULAIt URUNU YAltK L'UMM1SSl()N MEETING HELD ON MAY l, 1995 (#�4 Orano Bas�b�tl Ass�ciation- Cv�siinued; Carlson reported a twa manth delay white waiting for the building of a ravine by the MCWD. This resulted in the incurrment of an additional $7,OU0 for excavation. Service donations assisted in this cost. The season onenins is Mav 6 with the maior leaeue. Other team oneninss fall throu¢hout the month of Mav. T-ball and instructional baseball will end nrior to Julv 4 with other teams the second week in July, and tournaments at the end of July. A dedicatian ceremonv for the new field will be scheduled for the be�innin;� of next vear's season. A wall of fame will be developed as well as an appreciation plaque over this coming year. Ilse moved, McMillan seconded, to e�rtend the use of Bederwoad Park for baseball until June 15, 1995. Ayes 5, Nays 0. Ilse asked to be notified of the dedication ceremony and receive confirmation of the June 3 openin�date. White asked if advertising si�ns were allowed. Keyman reported that their lease prohibited this without prior approval. (#5)PLANNING FUR JUNE 5TH PARKS TOUR The final plans for Che parks tour were made and are as fallows: The start time is 6:00 p.m. • Dickey Property Bike Trail-Flint (drive by) • Crystal Bay Park -McMillan (stop) • View of proposed DNR lake access on Maxwell Bay and property proposed for sale by the DNR on the east - Gerhardson • Antoine Pa.rk - Gerhardson • H'i�hwood Nature Preserve-Wilson • Saga Hill Park- meet members of the Sa�a Hills Preservation Society • Lowry Woods Nature Preserve - Wilson • Bederwoad Park- proposed shortcourt for basketball - Ilse • Cy�net Park -Flint • Brown Road Bike Trail -Flint • New OBA Ball Fields 3 MINUTES OF `THE REGULfIR ORONO PARK COl�Ilv1ISS101`I MEETING HELD ON MAY l, 1995 (#S)RESCAEDULING OF JULY' 3TH PARK COMMISSION MEETING TO JULY 13, 1995 The July meeting of the Park Commission was rescheduled ta Thursday, Juty i 3, 1995. (#7)REPORT ON TOUR 4F BIG ISLAND The tour consisted of circling Big Island and walking the Veterans Camp. The purpose of the tvur was to gain background information on the island. Gerhardson handed out information on the island. Hennepin Parks proposed to develap two major parks in the future. With the cost of$25,OQ0 to maintain several islands, the Big Island property possibly will be sold. The maintenance cost is for a pontoon boat picking up the litter on the island. In 1972, Orono encouraged Hermepin Parks to develop a major park on the island but this is not the current opinion. White reported that the residents do not wish for another large regional park on Lake Minnetonka. Flint questioned how Orono would be able to maintain the istand in view of the cost involved. This issue would only need#o be resolveti if and wl�en Hennepin Parks decides to sell the propertry. White said that a watch over this issue shauld be maintained and noted that Hennepin Parks has the first right of refusat on the Veterans Camp property. (#8) PLANNING FOR FRENCH CREEK PRESERVE DEDICATION - SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2:00 P.M. Wilsot� is in charge of t�e dedica.tion but was absent from this meeting. MeMillan reported a tour of the preserve with Wilson. Many species of birds were noted on this tour. McMillan said a girl scout troop was putting together a brochure on the preserve. More landscaping is being instalted between the park and the Melamed property ta blocic the view of homes when the fence is moved. McMillan also said that the wildlife is bein�pushed to the far end of the pond due to the activity in the area. Stumps for the blinds will he hauled in when the graund firms up. The Cauncil will be reminded of the dedication at their upcoming meeting. A notice will also be placed in the newspaper. 4 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR 4�UN0 PARK CC?M3VIISST�N MEETING HELD C3N MAY ], 1995 �o LQUATi+ QN S]KF 'jf��; !''lll�jCT�iTC'�iQltT PT A 1V747�T1 Ffli? 1 O4C �� Bids wiil be awarded this month for the current portion of the trait. Funding for future trail sections is being researched. McM�11afl questioned the carrectness of the trail cost figures. $117,500 will be paid from the Orono Park Deciication fees. Phase I, trail sectian up to the Crystal Bay railroad bridge, will be cotnpleted in I9�5. Phase II will be spread out over a longer time period. Moorse is reported to be worlcing on the plans with Hennepin Parks and the DNR_ The agreement for the trails has nat yet been si�ned. (#10) REPORT ON CONSTRUCTION PLANNED FOR THE FOLLOWl1YG PA.RKS DURING 1995t A. LOWRY WOODS Developer is eurrently working �vith the City on the third building lot, whose development is needed prior ta moving ahead an this project. B. HIGHLAND NATURE TRAIL The t-shaped parking lot will be installed in about three weeks. McMillan reparted seein� alot of litter in the area. A few wet areas need fitlin� in as well as placin� iogs to bridge some areas. The trail is weIl marked. The �rl scouts will be asked to assist in the trail's clevelopment and upkeep. Howells suggested a trail map far tms area as weu as aaga Hitt. A rustic bencn was suggested tar the hagh point overlooking two ponds. It was determined that woads chips would just wash out tt ulStalled. (#11) REPORT ON AFRIL 24TH PUBLIC HEARINU REGARDING SAGA HILLS PARK FUNDING REQUEST It was reported that the Cauncil approved the grant application for DNR funding towards the purchase vf the 11 acre parcei an Saga Hiii. The commissianers would 1'rke the Saga Hill committee to assist in delineating the 9 acre tax forfeiture parcel and the 11 acre parcel under purchase consideration during the park tour in June. The sub-committee wili begin laoking at the issues of access point, trails, and parking. � J MINUTES OF TI-�REGULAR.ORONO PARK COIyIIvIISSION MEETING HELD ON MAY l, 1995 (#12)REVIEW QF STATUS UF VARI4US ITE�VIS ON 1995 ACTION PI.AN The Dickey property park development was discussed. ilse is speaking with Mr. Putnam and Clyde Bellecaurt regarding this proposal. Gerhardson suggested speaking with Moorse, who has information regazding this issue, and also Hennepin Parks, which has information on how to deal with property of this type. {#13) NE�V BUSINESS The Park Commission and Council received a letter#'rom Laurie and Tony Shull regarding the groposed use of Long Lake by the Utuversity af Minnesota Ski Team as its home base far its weekly practice sessions this season. Laurie Shull was present at the meeting, alvng with Ben and Becky Field, who live on the lake's north side on North Farm Road. It was noted that Julie Ericksan saw the article in the newspaper regarding this request and notified the Cities of Lon�Lake and Urono. Ben Field reported being against the use of the lake by the ski team. He referred to the recent iet ski ordinance nassed bv both Lonu Lake and Orono to reduce the times aliowed for jet skiing on the lake. Field asked for the City's support in order to keep the nois� leve� down as we11 as gas pollution on this smalllake. Fiint asked hovu often the ski team would be using the lake. Secky Field said there would be two boats and about twa dozen skiers twice a week. Shuli worried about the amount of people invalved and the resulting noise and possible spread of Eurasian Milfoil, McMillan wondered abaut the reasons why the Long Lake business district were for the proposed use as weil as the Chamber. McMillan said that they believed it wouid bring mare business ta the Long L�ke business district. Field asked who the gaverning body was regarding this issue. Flint responded that the Park Commission was an advisorv board and actian would need to be taken bv the Councils of Long Lake and Orono. Flint favored recommending proper action for the Council. McMillan said more facts were needed in order to make a recommendation. White asked Shull where this proposal originated. Shull said Ski Nautique used the lake two years ago, and it was found ta be dangerous for sr,uimmers nearby. McMillan agreed that the idea of elzminating motors on Long Lake would be a good idea. Flint recalled that Lon�Lake had been chemically treated one year a�o for milfoi}. VVhite moved, Flint seconded, to recomrnend to the Councii appasition to the ski club's use of Lon�Lake this season. Ayes 4, NaYs 0, Abstain l, Howells. 6 ' MINUTES OF THE REGULAR OR4N0 PARK COMIVIISSION MEETING HELD ON MAY 1, 1995 (#13 -New Business- Continued) Mc1l�illan reminded the Fields and Shull that this recommendation was advisary in nature, and the Council would make any decisions on the matter. McMillan recommended that they also go before the Long Lake Council. Flint recommended that the group discuss the issue with Mary Miller, past Council member of Lon�Lake, who originated the iet ski ordinance that was passed earlier this year. Howells inquired of the progress on the canoe rack�rental on Long Lake. Gerha.rdson regorted that one rack was rented, and there was raom for five more canoes. The seasonal rent is$40. The real estate development at 565 Leaf Street was discussed. The proposal is for a 3-lot subdivision by James Bruce, which is in the sketch plan stage. Ilse moved,McMillan seconded, to approve Park Dedication fees taken instead of land for this proposed subdivision. Ayes 5, Nays 0. McMillan asked about the Hennepin County bike transportation plan. Gerhardson said he notified Hennepin Caunty re�ardin�the bike trail, and they will contact the City if any major impravements are made. Flint reparted that the Long La.ke Council is talking about plans for trails ta tie into Orono trails. Flint will meet with Dale Bemer of Long Lake Park Commission to discuss this issue and pass any information on to the Park Commission members. ADJOURNMENT Howells moved, White seconded, to adjourn at 9:35 p.m. �� Richau'd N. Flint, Chair 7