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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04-1996 Park Commission Minutes ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR MARCH 4, 1996 ATTENDANCE The Park Commission met on the above mentioned date with the following members present: Commissioners Lili McMillan, Sherokee Ilse, Andrew McDermott III, Susan Wilson, and Jim White_ Chair Richard Flint and Commissioner Robert Howells were absent. Representing Staffwere Public Works Director John Gerhardson, Building and Zoning Commissioner Jeanne Mabusth, and Recorder Sherry Frost. Acting chair McMiltan called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. (#1) APPRO�%AL OF MINUTES OF FEBRUAR�' S, i996 It was verified that the charts and matrix provided by the Orono Softball Association would be attached to the Minutes of the February 5, 1996, Park Commission Meeting. Item #6 on page 8, 2nd paragraph, will be rephrased to note that the decision on Park Dedication far requesting land or money would be dependent on the location of the land. Item#8 on page 9, 3rd paragraph, the word charter was changed to chapter. Item #8 on page 11, Vb'hite asked that the reference to "no motorized planes" note the planes as being model planes. Wilson moved, Ilse seconded, to approve the Minutes of the February 5, 1996, Park Commission Meeting as amended. Vote: Ayes 5, Nays 0. (#2} INTERIOR TRAILS ON DICKEY PROPERTY Jeanne Mabusth was in attendance to assist with questions relating to this and other agenda items. Mabusth said the grading plans for the Dickey property subdivision ref�renced a 5' graded trail. A 10' easement is shau�n as being far public trails. Previaus nunutes from June 27, 1994, City Council meeting were referenced to substantiate these findings. Mabusth said the final plans resolution indicated interior traiis within the Dickey property. Mabusth reported that the preliminary resolution of Application #1933 for Tandem Properties relating to the 2nd phase division of interior trails went into grading specifics of the Coffin site, which is private. The final resolution, 2nd phase, noted a pedestrian trail easement within Lot 6, Block 2. The 2nd phase referenced the completion of the 10' wide trail, with 5' on first phase and 5' on second phase. The same resolution referenced that private covenants were to be created for both private and public trails. Block 2 showed public trails on Oid Crystal Bay Road, 2nd Addition; Block 3, 4 trails were shown to be private, and the Coffin trail was said to be laid with wood chips. 1 MIN[1TES OF THE REGULAR ORQNO PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON 1VIARCH 4, 1996 (#2 - Interior Trails on Dickey Property- Continued) Wilson said she had thought the original discussion referred to the trail connecting the Luce Line to the park parcel. Mabusth said the trail now provides access to the DNR portion of the park trail. VVhite noted that the DNR and Luce Line trails are contiguous. Wilson asked if there would be the ability to go from the Luce Line to the DNR trail to the park trail, to the road, and over to the Dickey property. Mabusth said the road is currently private and wil( remain so until the road connection is made. The easement on the raad is far public access and is a dedicated �ublic easement but is currently private. Wi(son asked if it was still the desire of the Comrnission to maintain public segments of the trail. The Commissioners did wish to maintain public trails. McDermott elaborated that once a trail was public, it was always public. The difficulty in going from a private trail to a public trail was noted. Ilse questioned whether the trail wouid get alot of use. White said the trail would result in a loop system, similar to that at Casco Point, which has a great deal of use. Mabusth reported that tllere is no indicatian within the resolutions regarding what type of surface should be laid, whether overlays or chips. She noted that the City would be responsibie for the maintenance. White said that pavement would be easiest for maintenance. Gerhardson agreed that anything hut all-weather surface was difficult to maintain. McDermott said wood chips would disappear within a couple years and asphalt would establish where the trail was located. He also noted the steep incline of the trail leading into the City park. McMiilan no#ed that the trail from the DNR was similar to walking through a back yard. She was totd that about 5' of grading would be required. McMillan said she did not believe the Couneil would want to see asphalt an these trails leading into the DNR. Wilson said she preferred natural trails and was opposed to paving. McDermott said the Commission needs to look at the liabiltiy aspect of the trail surface. White suggested limestone as a goad salution. It was determined that the Commissioners wauld drive by the trail areas and direct their suggestions to Gerhardson, who will make a recommendation to the Commission prior to gaing before the Council for approval. Mabusth threw a suggestion of pavers to the Commission, noting their stability and tow maintenance. Gerhardson said the surface couid be laid as soon as construction season began. McMillan said she felt Wilson was on the right track with recommending a natural type surface. Wilson moved, McDermott seconded, to recommend the trails remain public. Vote: Ayes 5, Nays 0. 2 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 4, 1996 (#3)AC�ESS TO LOWRY WO�DS The access to Lowry Waods was discussed. Mabusth noted that the property was at this time landlocked. McMillan asked how this road (Cristofori Circle) differed from the Dickey property road. Mabusth said Countryside is a dedicated road, which has not yet been made a thru road. This road near Lowry Woods is a private road. Wilson questioned the understanding that the Commission was awaiting the sale of one more lot to gain easement an �utlot C to gain the access. Mabusth said the approval for this subdivision was made prior to Lowry Woods being obtained from the Nature Conservancy. This would rule out the ability to have gained any easement for a tra.il. Mabusth said when the City recagnized that the property was landlacked, they requested a I S' outlot easement for emergency vehicles only. This was completed prior to the acquisition of Lowry Woods. The easement was not for public use but for maintenance only allowing the City to go over the private road. Mabusth did note, however, that this does allow the City to take the road as a public road if the City so desires. It wauld have to be taken as public up to the cul-de-sac. No condemnation would b�required. Mabusth said tliere is the question to ask the attorney, if the City takes the road as public, could the access be c�ver the utility easement. Outloi A is currently a secondary sewer site, and the owner, Knapp, is not interested in giving any easement to the City. Access options were discussed. There is the possibility of obtaining a walking easement over the Oison property, which abuts Lowry Woods. The parking and safety issue would then be a consideration. Gerhardson said there was not a proper shoulder width on the road to accommodate the parking and would need to be referred to Hennepin County. White suggested taking over the corner piece of land separating the road from Lowry Woods, making the road public, and allaw parking on the Lowy Woods property. Mabusth said the issue ofthe dedicated road would need ta be referred to the City Attorney. Mabusth asked if the park parcel was for a bike/pedestrian nature area, why it was necessary to assume that a car was needed for accessing the area. The remoteness of the area was noted which would result in those coming to Lowry Woods would purposely be there. White referenced the ADA requirements of providing access to all. It was suggested that a Commission member, Vt�ilson, �vili speak with Knapp in acquiring an easement to the property. The Commission was not in favor of condemnation. Ilse noted the Council's questioning of the need to have an access as Lowry Woods was for open space preservation. Gerhardson said the Commission should provide the documentation reminding the Cauncil of the stipulations for the�and use. 3 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORON�PARK COMMISSI�DN MEETING HELD ON MARCH 4, 1996 (#3 -Lowry Woods Access - Continued) All of the Commission members agreed that they would want to provide some type of public access. McDermott suggested providing the options and spelling out the benefits of each option, and making a recommendation to the Council. Mabusth said she cvould cantact the Attorney to gain his opinion an the access and road issues. (#4) DISCUSSION OF PARK DEDICATiON FEE PROCESS McMillan said she asked Mabusth to outline the process by which the Park Dedication Fee process operates. Mabusth said the sketch plan is a conceptual review. No notification is made to the public. This is the time when the applicant can discuss with the Planning Commission their ideas, gain an understanding of the requirements and issues involved in the particular plan. It is not required in the code to give the sketch review to the Park Commission. A sketch plan may never be�ame a reality and is for the benefit of the subdivider. The code advises Staff to send a preliminary subdivision to the Park Commission for their review. This is the next step in the process. The Planning Conunissian, however, would benefit from having an idea of where the Park Commission stands on a property under sketch plan review. Mabusth added that if the Park Commission had any major recommendation during the sketch plan review to inform her. Mabusth nated that at the time of preliminary plat appraval, the application is sent to the assessor to deternune valuation. She commented that it couid possibly be helpfui for the Park Comrnission to know the land's value in aiding their determination of taking land or money for Park Dedication. (#5) UPDATE ON SAGA HILLS McMillan informed the Commission that Moorse had successfully negotiated with the County to abtain the 9-1/2 acre park parcel at no cost. It is unknawn at this time where access will be gained, whether from the Valek property or the church property. McMiiian noted that access to the park land is very important to the Council in order to make the property into a park. The access easement from the Valek property was discussed. The City had requested the 10' easement be moved to another part of the Valek property and be widened to 20' as part of the agreement to allow the Valek's to obtain the 1/2 acre parcel they need for drainage. No agreement has been reached. It was nated that the Saga Hill Preservation Society has not public�y stated how much money has been raised towards the purchase of the adjoining bank property. McDermott suggested that park planning be held off until the disposition of the bank property be determined. � MINUTES OF THE REGULAR OR�NO PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 4, 1 R96 (#5 - Saga Hilis Update - Continued) VVilson asked Gerhardson to review the Wolsfeld Woods access from the Trinity Lutheran Church off County Road 6. (#bj UPDA'TE 4N OPEN SPACE PLANNING PROCESS Ilse reported that conections have been made to the draft. The next step in the process is the background information. Ilse asked the Commission, at a Council member's suggestion, to consider limiting the usage at the parks in the overall plan, rather than in the specific park delineation. This would allow a group not to dominate over a particular area. The City would like their parks to he open ta all citizens instead of narrowing the use to particular interest groups. The Comn�ission members will review the draft prior to the April meetir�g to pinpoint discussion priorities for the work session with the Council. Gerhardson will discuss with Moorse the hiring of an intern to aid in park descriptions. (#'1)COMPLETION OF PAASE I AT CRYSTAL BAY PARK McMillan reviewed the needs to complete Phase I of Cry•stal Bay Park. The well needs to be repaired, the utility lines buried, ADA requirements need review, and the sidewalk on the narth side of the post office is awaiting installation. Wilson will check into the number of ivy plants needed for the south side, which will be done in May. Gerhardson will check the budget amount available for landscapin�. McMillan also asked that a photograph be taken this spring of Jason Christenson of the Boy Scouts with the park bench that he built. (#8) HOCKEY BOOSTERS PRQ�RESS REPORT(REPRESENTATIVE FROM HOCKEY BOOSTERS) Pat Wolfe of the Orona Hockey Boosters Association was present. 5 1VIINUTES OF THE REGIJLAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD dN MARCH 4, 1996 (#� � Hrrekey Boosters- Cot�tirnied) Wolfe reported on the recommendation by the Planning Commissian on February 20, concerning an amendment to the ordinance allowing an ice arena under the school use with operation by a charitable organization. The Boosters are prese�tly preparing to make a formal application in April for a buildin� permit to be heard by the Council in May af 1996. Wo�fe revorted pro�ress beins�made with meetin�the needs and concerns of th� nei�hbors notin� si�nificantiv bermin� and landscaoin�. narticularlv on the north and west sides of the ice arena building. Wolfe also presented drawings of the ice arena building showing a flat roof, which aliows limiting the ma�mum height to under 30', a 15-i7' lawerin�; from the original desi�n. The exposed height on the west side will be about 20' as the buildin�will be built into the�Itside. Wolfe it�farmed Mabust�fhat the buildin� would be 2t)-22' in height from the e�sting grflund on the west wide. A substantial monetary savings v�i11 result from the flat roof design. Wo}fe also nated that the colored aggr�gate for the outside of the building will blend with that of the current buildings on the schoal �rounds. Wilson inquired about the Iocation of the rink on the property and the footprint of the building. Wolfe said the bui{ding would be located past the the football field near the CoRd 6 and Old Crvstal Bav Road intersection. The 8a0 person seatin� will be built into t�e hillside with a center doorwav facinr�the hiszh school. The fover wilI overlook th� arena, which will be sunk about 3'. Walfe noted the enclosed meeting rooms and staging areas. There will also be 4 locker rooms wi�h bath and showers allowing far team privacy. �otf�reported that the fund raising effflrts have been effective �vith 1.625 million dollars now raised. He noted th�receipt af a$80,000 gift from one donor. Woife said they would iike to purchase a Zarnbani and are soliciting funds for that purchase. The plans are for the ice collected by the Zamboni be dropped into a heat sink for meitin�, which will eliminate piling of ice and snow�utdoors. The maney has been raised from individuals with one million dollars coming fram association members and $6Q0,000 from others_ He noted that the ice arena would be operating with $150,040 in reserves. Wo�fe informed Wilson that the Boo�ters have an a�reement with the school that thev can break �round far th�facilitv, with some �uarantees, when $1.9 million has been raised. He noted�hat the arena can be opened for skating when they reach $2.1 million. At this point, there would be no seating ar locker rooms yet. Wolfe noted that the ice time projections are based on $100 per hour, but ice time cannot be purchased anywhere for less than $125/hr. He reported thai Breck receives $165/hr for ice time adding that this was a desirable arena for use. The teams are currently practicin� with 4 teams on the ice at the same time, and the�oal is to only have one team playin� at a time. The$antam team has only been getting sota ice time 5 times in the year with the youngest group only having ane hour. The outdoor conditions are very tenuous ,tk�roughout the winter months. � MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 4, 1996 (#8 -Hockey Boosters - Continued) Vb'olfe v,�as asked what materials would be used for the base of the rink area and what other activities could take place. The ice season will run from approximately September 15 through March 15, with an October 1 starting date, as it takes about two weeks to form the sheet of ice. The floar will be of concrete ta allow usage fQr such things as flea markets, graduatians, baseball tryouts. The rink will be Olympic in size allowing for two tennis courts, 3-4 courts for basketball, soccer, lacrosse, etc. Wilson was informed that there are no plans ta tay any other material over the cancrete at this time. A dense rubber material pad was noted to be a consideration if the funds were raised. The facility would have areas to store such pads. The parking lot will have 130 stalls with lightir�� and will be used for school parking also. There will be a sodded area on the locker room side of the building, which will have a base underneath far a road, in order to allow trucks to drive over the area for deliveries. Due to the poor soil conditions, the school is considering putting sand and aggregate down in the parking lot before blacktop is laid. They have recommended driving over the sand and aggregate for several years to create a solid base. It was noted that $300,000 has been budgeted for soil correction, which has raised the initial cost far the building. Woife said the Boosters have been unabte to obtain any "Mighty Ducks" grant funding but have recer�tly applied fQr a grant which shall be determined in the next two months. There is $900,000 left to raise. Wolfe nated that some service clubs and pull tab organizations are assisting in raising the remaining amount. The priority for the ice time�vill be given to the high school boys and girls, then to the youth hockey program, the community services, and to figure skating. The physical education department at the school also plans on using the arena. The Pond arena wi11 still be used by the organization. Other communities, such as Minnetonka and Wayzata, have requested to buy ice time. The Hockey Association will run the arena within the confines of the lease agreement with the school, wrhich has priority on the ice time. The land is being leased to the association for $i/year. The soil correction is being paid for by the associatian. The parking lot installati�n will be paid for by the school. White noted the value of the school being tied into the facility and congratuiated the school and association for their endeavors. Wolfe said it was a community project that would have many uses. 7 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 4, 1996 (#9) REVIEW OF SUBDIVISIQN/SKETCH PLAN APPLICATIONS A. NORBERT JOHNSUN, 1181 WILDHURST TRAIL There were no changes to report. McDermott noted that Cailahan suggested the Park Cammission ask for a fee. McDermott suggested the Commission review the house locations and where buffering is needed. The Commission will await a preliminary subdivision applicatian. B. BARNETT ANISION C4RPORATION AND HILLOWAY CORPORATION, 18U NORTH SHQRE DRIVE Gerhardson reviewed the tocation af this property and suggested considering a bike trail due to t1�e location near CoRd 19, Lakeview Golf Course, the Luce Line, and its close proximity to Saga Hilt. The speed timit on the road is currently 50 mph. Gerhardson will inform Mabusth that the Park Commission is leaning toward taking land for a trail. (#10)ICE RINKS It was reported that the only rink with noticeable use was at Casco Point this year. It was noted that the ice conditions were excellent. The Commissioners felt that the lack of lighting contributes to the lack of use at the other ice rinks. Gerhardson commented that he has received na phone calls from the closure of the rink at Antoine. With the lack of usage, the Commission will consider the closure of another rink ne�year at Bederwood or Hackberry. Adding a rink at Crystal Bay Park is under consideration for next winter. Gerhardson reported that the sledding at the gotf course was well attended on good weather days. No report is available on the budget for this year's activity. (#11) OTHER SUSINESS Wilson asked for an update on Highwoad. Gerhardson said the rough grading has been done and is awaiting crushed rock and plantings. The trees have been removed where necessary. The work shouid be completed in May. It was noted that the OBA's request for additional usage at Bederwood will be before the Council on March 11, 1996. 8 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MARCH 4, 1996 (#11 - Other Business - Continued) The bike signs for the trails will be ordered next month. Metal posts will be used adjacent to the roads with wood posts in other areas. The wood posts will be of green or brown treated wood, square in configuration. McMiltan noted the need to work on the trail area north of Watertown where plantings will not take root. Gerhardson said some grading will need to be done. McMillan nated that the dock replacement was approved by the Cauncil with funds taken from the Park Dedication Fund. The Council had not been made aware af the Park Commission's recommendation at t�e time of their vote. It was recommended that a memo be sent to the Council when time is of the essence. Wilson wili attend the Council meeting of Apri18. The Apri122 meeting will be attended by McMillan. ADJOURNMEN'I' Wilson moved, McDermott seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 p.m. Vote: Ayes 4, Nays 0. V � Lili h�IcMillan, Acting Chair . 9