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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-01-1996 Park Commission Minutes ORONO PARK COMNIISSI4N MEETING MINUTES FOR JUL�' 1, 1996 ATTENDANCE The Park Commission met on the above mentioned date with the following members present: Chair Richard Flint, Commissioners Lili McMillan, Susan «'ilson, Sherokee Ilse, Andrew McDermott, David Beal and Jim White, who arrived during item #2 on the agenda. Representin� Staffwere Public Works Director John Gerhardson and Recorder Sherry•Frost. Chair Flint called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. (#1) APPROVAL OF 1�IINUTES OF NIA�' 6, 1996 AND JUNE 3, 1996 I�IEET'INGS Wilson moved, Ilse seconded, to approve the Minutes of the Park Commission Meetina of May 6, 1996. Vote: Ayes 4, Nays 0, Abstain 2, Beal, McMillan. Wilson moved, McDermott seconded, to approve the Minutes of the Park Commission Meeting of June 3, 1996. Vote: Ayes 5, Nays 0, Abstain 1, McMillan. (#2) INTRODUCTION OF SUi�IIVIER INTERN, MICHAEL SCHULTZ - DISCUSSION OF WORK TO B� DONE BY I�YTERN The park intern, Michael Schultz, introduced himself to the Commission. He reported that he is a first year graduate student in urban studies with an undergraduate degree in geology and sociology. Schultz passed out site plans on Casco and Hackberry Parks. The plans were reviewed and clarified. These plans include the topoaraphy of the area as well as the elevations. An inset map also notes the location of the particular park to the City as a whole. Flint asked that the park area in relation to the surrounding area be clearly noted. McDermott informed Schultz about an inventory sheet he designed to use in collecting the information. Flint said any applicable restrictions on usage should be noted for the parks and suggested Schultz meet with Gerhardson to obtain the information. McDermott noted that the packet contains an area to record the deed restrictions. McDermott suggested that Schultz be�in with the generalities of each park and then work into more detail as time allows. �'ilson inquired about the open space areas. Schultz said open space plan would be the second part of his categorizing. Gerhardson noted that the park and recreation map does not indicate the open spaces but that l�tike Gaffron had done a separate study regarding open space. Schultz said he would be adding an open space map. ,a, 1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMi1�1ISSION MEETING HELD ON JULY l, 1996 (#2 - Park Intern - Continued) Schultz was asked to attend the August and September Park Commission meetin�s. McDermott asked that information be compiled by August 1 in order that it could be included as part of the packet sent out by Staff for the Au�ust meeting. Flint noted that the Park and Open Space Plan would be discussed at the work session with the City Council and noted the areas VIII A and B and XI. McDermott was asked to work with Schultz as the Park Commission contact person. (#3) REVIEW DRAFT OF PARKS & OPEN SPACE PLAN; ESTABLISH NIEETING DATE FOR�VORK SESSION `VITH CITY COUNCIL The Park Commission discussed�rhat was required to be completed prior to a work session with the Council. White�vas asked to compile the information regarding population demographics for the park plan. The demographics will be limited to Orono for the time being. It was clarified that a household is a family. It was suj�ested that the term "dwelling units" be used. It was pointed out that confusion arises regarding the use of the word "residence" instead of "residents". The demographic section was chan;ed to read "residents". In reviewing the mandate, III, McDermott said he made deternunations based on the majority opinion and gave the deciding vote �vhen necessary. White said the mandate should state, "The Park Commission does not operate as a typical park and recreation department." It was noted that there is no staff member primarily assijned to parks and recreation. Gerhardson said those staff personnel involved with parks are parks maintenance workers. The notation as quoted will be added under the heading of the mandate, item III. Gerhardson will abtain a copy of the public survey for McDermott. ,�.. 2 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COA•�'VIISSION MEETING HELD ON JLTLY 1, 1996 (#3 - Park and Open Space Plan Draft - Contin��e�� There�vere dii�ering opinions on whether the park plan as drafted contained too much information or not. Flint suggested the Council be informed the numbered items under each heading were opinions only and not yet approved. Wilson sugaested the discussion would move smoother if(ess detail was provided since much of this detai! has not been considered by the Commission. Ilse su�gested the details be left out for the work session �,vith the City Council but remain for use by the Park Commission. White said the detail would be added at a later date. Wilson suggested using the headinas along with three main subpoints. White saw the need for the basic framework su�aesting no detail at this tirne but addin� it in later. Flint suggested maintainin� all of the detail as background and seeing where the conversation ��ith Council leads. Wilson suggested leaving out specific time lines until Council input is obtained. McDermott was concerned that leaving out the detail would render the goals meaningless. It was decided to review the two areas where chanoes were needed, items III and V, McDermott suggested maintaining the detail for the purpose of guidelines. Beal said he saw the mandate as havin�two operatives, review and evaivation, �vith an eventual recommeadation. 1�IcMillan suggested fine tunin� the detail into less wording. Using #8 under III as an eYample, Mc1Vlillan shortened it to, "evaluate open space". Flint clarified how the Park Plan came to be. The:Commission has the responsibility to recommend updates in the comprehensive plan to the extent it relates to parks, tratls, and open space. The survey was the first step in the update. The Commission is now in the second step of the process. Mc�lillan said she keyed her remarks from the 1980 plan noting some of that plan was no lonaer appropriate to the times. She suggested eliminating what does not apply, making appropriate changes, completing the inventory, and using what remains as a framework far further work. i��fcDermott said this was similar to what he has done based upon the use of park plans from other cities as models. Wilson asked McDermott what changes were made. McDermott noted the introduction as an example. Ilse su�gested taking the idea by Beai of review and evaluation and use the guidelines as bullets, hitting the issues. Under V, A-F would become the bullets. The open space preservation plan by Moorse would remain. ��ilson suggested maintaining the introduction done by Moorse. The classifications �vould remain as w�riiten. � 3 MI�IUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK CONIMISSION MEETING HELD ON JLJLY l, 1996 (#3 -Parks and Open Space Plan Draft - Continued) Comnussioners were of different opinions regarding the details of standards under IX. McDermott felt standards would bring consistency in future decisions and allow citizens to know what to expect. It was noted that the park signs were completed without standards but have become the standard. Wilson said she like the uniqueness of Orono without everything being alike. White commented that standards often say what is not allowed rather than what is allowed. Beal asked if the Council w-anted standards. McDermott said Croetten said they would. Beal said if tasks were assigned to the Comrnission, the Park Corrunission would then provide the standards. Flint su�gested looking at priorities and limiting the amount of time spent on each item. In speaking of priorities, Flint noted that Jahbour asked that protection be added regarding Sij Island. Due to this, B-5, under V, was moved to V, D-9 (see page 3 and 6). �Vilson, who is Commission representative at the July 8 Council meeting, will inform the Council of the request to schedule a work session the week of July 29. In conclusion, White will complete the demographic information under IA. The introduction, II, will remain. The park mandate, III, subheadings will become bulleted guidelines hitting the main issue of each on a review and evaluate basis. The public survey, IV, will be obtained from Gerhardson for inclusion by McDermott. The park and open space �oals and action plan will be bulleted with A-F, eliminating the details, and chan��ing B-5 to D-9. The open space preserr��ation plan and park classifications will remain. VIII will be used by the park intern in his evaluation of each park. (#4) REPORT OF STAT`US OF SAGA HILL I��IATTERS (�11Ci�1ILLAN) Flint reported information from the recent Council meeting concerning the status of the Saga Hill park lands. The Saga Hili Group, along with the Minnesota Land Trust, proposed a conservation easement be placed on both the 11 acre property, currently owned by Midway Bank and being purchased throu�h these groups and the City for park land, and the 9.5 tax forfeit parcel. The Council was negative to having a conservation easement placed on the properties and tabled the item to the.Iuly 8 meetin; awaiting further information regarding the DNR grant restrictions. The Council did, however, approve the expenditure for the appraisal of the bank property. Flint said the Council members were concerned over the grant application expressing the Saga Hill Group's desire to see all of the 62 acre Saga Hiit property become park land, which has not been considered by the Council. �� � MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK C01VI�i ZISSION MEETING HELD ON JULY 1, 1996 (� - Saga Hill - Continued) A meeting of the Sa�a Hill Group following the Council meeting expressed a willingness for the new 11 acre parcel, but not the existina 9.5 acre tax forfeit parcel, to have a conservation easement. Fllnt noted that no City money is involved in the purchase of the new 11 acres of park lanci. The Minnesota Land Trust, although preferring a conservation easement, may be willin� to consider the DNR restriction for the park land as satisfactory. «`ilson commented that a conservation easement can be whatever the parties decide it to be. Wilson said the Saga Hill Group should speak �vith both City Administrator Moorse and 1bSinnesota Land Trust representative, Renee Leone. Flint added that the group should work with the Council. Wilson noted that the Sa�a Hill Group's desire is for the park land property to be left in a natural space with walking trails only. Flint reported on the necessity of gaining access to the tax forfeit parcel. The options are very limited �vith an easement through the Walek property or possibly through the church property. He noted that there is a public easement through Garden Lane, but that easement directly accesses the 9.5 acre parcel. Flint favored an easement through the church property, since it could use the church parking and have less impact on the neighborhood. Flint said the Council had no specific plans for the park land but did not want to place unnecessary restrictions on the City in the future. Ilse noted that there are no parks in this area, and there might be a need for a parking lot. McMillan commented that access from the church property would have been a natural place for such an access. Wilson suagested the Saga Hill Group make a proposal to the Council prior to the upcoming Council meeting to clarify the issues. (#�) PRESENTATION OF PLAN FOR 1996 BIKE TRAIL CONSTRUCTION; REPORT ON I�'IEETINGS WITH HENNEPIN PARKS Gerhardson said he and the City Engineer are attempting to meet with property owners, Hiles and Brandenburg's, rejarding the trail along their property. Gerhardson said verbal contact has been made with other properties to the north and south of these particular property owners and does not foresee any problems. r, 5 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION I�IEETING HELD ON JCILY l, 1996 (#� - Bike Trail - Continued) Flint inquired why the cost for the trail was so hiah. Gerhardson said it had to do with installin� curb and gutter. Gerhardson said the property owners were concerned with losing their buffer. The property owners also do not want the City to fill on their property. Flint said he would like to look at the alternatives of a bridge versus cucb and gutter and retaining walls. NlcDermott commented that brid�es were also expensive and walkways were a possibility. Flint noted that Moorse has asked if the Commission wants the trail completed by 1997 notin� it was becoming late in the season to begin. He noted that the Council has agreed to the construction this year and the DIv'R grant of$50,000 is no�,� available. Wilson reported that Hennepin County has now agreed to be involved. McMillan added that Hennepin Parks would construct the trail along Co Rd 6 from Old Crystal Bay Road to Baker Park. White said the Hennepin County Board approved the trail construction at their last meeting. McDermott asked if plans �vere available. Flint said he had asked that the plans be available for this meeting, but they apparently«�ere not. Flint noted the total cost to be $240,000 includin� the Hennepin Parks portion along County Road 6, but he felt there was too much infrastructure. If curbs and gutters are to be provided, he fe(t the_y should be paid for from MSA funds. Flint recommended the Commission should tell Staff to go ahead but in a cost effective manner. McDermott said bids could be obtained for alternative methods, such as retaining walls. White said if the construction of the trail was delayed, it could be impacted by increases in costs. White suggested a limit be placed on the cost of the trail. Flint noted that the Commission needs to be involved in the design process as well. Wilson suggested the sub-committee become involved and report back to the Commission. The trail sub-committee consists of White, McMillan, and Flint. Ilse moved, McMillan seconded, to reaffirm the recommendation of the Park Commission to move ahead �-ith the construction of the trail in 1996. The sub-committee is to work with Staff in keeping costs to a minimum. Vote: Ayes 7, Nays 0. Flint asked Gerhardson to inform the sub-committee of ineetings with Cook regardina the trail. ��. 6 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORON�PARK COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JULY 1, 1996 (#5)STATUS REPORT�N INTERIOR TRAIL COI�IS?RU("TION OF DICKEY DEVELOPMENT Wilson moved, Wtute seconded, to reconfirm the recommendation for a natural interior trail using monument markiztgs. The lack of attendance of the developer of the subdivisian at the Park Commission meetings as requested was noted. Flint informed the Commissioners he had spoken with a neighbor in the subdivision who was in favor of a trail connection running north and south to the Luce Line and would consider the east-west trail from Countryside East to Countryside West. Commissioners agreed that construction of the interior tfails should be completed by the developer now. Vote: Ayes 7, Nays 0. (#7)REVIEW C)F PARK TOUR; DISCUSSION OF FOLL(3W UP This agenda item will be taken up at the August meeting. It was noted that representatives of the Antoine Park area have compteted a survey and will attend the August meeting. (#8)4THER BUSINESS A. CITY CUDE SECTI4N 2.52, SUBD. 2 SETTTNG OUT THE POVVERS AND BUTIES UF TAE PARK COMMISSION B. INFORMATIUN R�LATED TO THE PARK MASTER PLANNING PROCESS G C4PIES OF T�IE HENNEFIN COUNTY BICYCLE TRANSPORTAT�UN PLAN AND MAP D. HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE EQUIPMEPdT CRYSTAL BAY PLAYGR4UND F1int said the above matters were information passed on by Moorse. The handicap accessible equipment at C�-ystal Bay Flayground was clarified. One piece is a digger placed on a concrete platform, instead of the typical pea rock, and covered with fall ahsorption mat�rial. The buc�Cet swing will have a concrete ramp leading up to it. � NIIlVUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMiVIISSION MEETING HELD ON JLTLY 1, 1996 (#8 - Other Business - Continued) Gerhardson said the equipment was presented to the Council and approved. The money not spent on fencing and tandscaping will be used to complete the sidewalk. Wilson inquired about burying the utility lines. Gerhardson said he met with the contractor, who is ready to move ahead with the project. The purchase order was held off until the equipment was installed. Gerhardson said the contractor did have a suggestion regarding where the lines were buried which mi�l;t eliminate one 100 amp service and result in a savings. Ilse voiced concern over safety with the cement pad around the digger. It was noted that the pad is adjacent to the sidewalk to allo�v a wheelchair to access the scooper. She was advised that this pad does not present a safety problem. Flint noted the need for care in making park improvernents. The Commission should be advised of the full anticipated cost, including the cost to comply with ADA requirements. Before a pro}ect is authorized, the ADA consultant and at#orney will be consulted on such projects to ensure that all guidelines are bein� followed. ADJOURNiVIENT Ilse moved, McNlillan seconded, to adjourn at 9:30 p.m. Vote: Ayes 7, Nays 0. // � 'chard N. Flint, Chair ,,, 8