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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-05-1997 Park Commission Minutes URONO PARK COMMISSIUN MEETING MINUTES FOR MAY 5, 1997 ATTENDANCE The Park Commission met an the above mentioned date with the f�llawing members present: Chair Susan Wilson, Commissioners Sherokee Ilse, Andrew McDermott, James Wtute, David Beal, Van Erickson, and Peter Welles. Representing Staffwere Public Service Director(ireg Ciappa and Recorder Sherry Frost. Rict�ard Flint represented Council. Chair VVilson called the meeting to order at 7:23 p.m. Wilson welcomed the new members to the Comrnission, Van Ericksan and Peter Welles. She presented an oveiview of the work in pragress by the Park Commission. A copy of the park survey will be distributed to these new members to enable them to become farniliar with the priorities of the residents, na.mely the rural nature of Orono, open spaces, and natural features. Park inventory, park plan, and use of sub-committees was reviewed. Wilson noted the Commission is an advisory board that makes recommendations to the Council. Wilson said she thought the chair of the Commissian should rotate periodically and indicated the Council agreed. Beal asked that a central file be kept on the wark of the Park Carnmission. Gappa indicated he has begun such a fiie. lt was suggesteci (;arole Haseman maintain a information packet file on the meetings. Erickson and Welles informed the members of their background. (#1)APPRUVAL QF MINUTES OF APRIL 7, 1997 MEETING Page 3, 6tk paragraph, postmistress was changed to postmaster. Page 4, 4th paragraph, last sentence was changed to "No City funds are..." Sth paragaph was changed to reflect trash cans at Summit Beach. Last sentence was chan�ed ta reflect the need to watch the condition of the t-bail fields due to weed accumulation. Page 9, 7th paragraph, "development" was changed to "developments". Ilse moved,Beal seconded, to appzove the Minutes af the Park Commission Meeting of April 7, I�7 as amended. Vote: Ayes 7, Nays U. Wilson asked to follow-up on requests made for information at the last meeting. Gappa will report in June regarding the purehase price of Lowry Woods. 1 MINUTES OF'i'I-�REGULAR ORONO PARK CC?MMISSION MEET1NCi HELD ON MAY 5, 1997 {#Z Apprnv�l nfl_�1ir�}�tes - Contin��e�l) Gappa indicated a member of his crew has reviewed the maintenance issues at Bederwood and wiIl be making corrections to the fence posts, cancrete footings, and roof shingles. Van Erickson has volunteered to be the contact person between the baseball association and#he City as he is a member of that assuciation. Gappa will work with Erickson regarding a cQoperative effort towards maintaining the ballfieids. ilse asked that trash cans again be located by the fields and emptied on a regular basis. (#2) SPRING HILL TRAIL PLAN Wilson updated the Commission an the Spring Hill Goif Club application proceedings. The Park Commission has been asked to make a recommendation regarding the placement of the trail. Wilson said she walked the course with Welles and McDermott to determine the best location for the trail. Issues relating to the trail and its iocation were discussed. Wilson noted the trail shauld not travel through the golf course due to the nature of golf. The course perimeter was reviewed. There will be two separate trails. A bike trail will run along Spring Hill Road as shawn an the bike trail map. A separate walking trail will enter into and along the property ta result in a connection between Wolsfeld and Waod Rill, the two DNR scientific and nature areas. Additional park land must be acquired between Tamarack Roarl and Wolsfeld to make this connection occur. A subdivision in Medina may occur in the near future. Wilson said the walkin$trail should meander thraugh the trees to create a pleasant ambiance instead ot along the shau(cier ot�the road similar ta a bike trail. She notecl the golf club does not want ta view the walkers but felt screening could be created. It was noted that there is no Park Dedication fee for this application. It results in the loss of approximately $350,040 if the property had been subdivided. Wilson indicated the City of Medina has planned a bike trail atong Tamarack. Hunter Drive is currently the designated location for a bike trail for Orono. Wilson suggested the trail location be changed to eorrespond with the Tamarack trail but changed to the west side of the road. There is more right-of-way an the west �ide and utility lines are located an the east. The bike trail will require amending to reflect this change. Welles noted safety as a compelling reason to change the bike trail to Tamarack. Flint reported the County bike trail maps show trails along CoRds 6 and 24. Orono's trail map ends at CoRd 6 and Spring Hill Road. Flint feels the trail should cantinue to the ea.st. Wilson noted the need ta review the bike trail plan. � MINUTES OF THE REGULAR(JRONO PARK COMMISSION MEET1NCi HELD UN MAY S, l 997 (,#2 Spii»�Hi11 'I'rail PI�n - (;n�tin��e.c11 McDermott noted that when the Councit rece�tty approved the bike trail plan, the Council asked the Park Commission to designate which side of the roadways the trail should run_ Flint said there were many factors that lead to such a decision and questioned whether this could be accomplished at this paint. He noted the City has made use of opportunities for trails as they arose in the past and should maintain some flexibility regarding location. Commissioners all agreed to asked for the bike trail change from Hunter Drive to Tarnarack to connect with the trail in Medina. Options for the walking trail were reviewed and discussed by the Commission. The main objective is to allow the path to meander through the treed area along the perimeter of the golf course. �ther cases where paths meancler through golf courses were noted. The trail surface woutd be similar to those found in the two SNA. The Commissioners prefer a natural sur�ace made up initially of wood chips to estabfish the base. Commissioners recommended the golf club maintain the trails to eliminate the need for City equipment to intrude on the golf course property. lf the City were to maintain a trail, it would most likely suggest the surface be bituminous. An easement would be required for the trail. Flint asked the Commission to present a plan for immediate Council, Staff and developer review. The plan will include the parameters, background, and recammendation. Weiles noted the walking path would create good public relations for the golf club. Wilson said she would also recommenct the entrance to the golf club he along CoRd 6. A genera] descriptian of the walking trail is as follows: The trail would nrn along Sprin� Hill Road on the south side of the galf course and north of the wetland area. The tee is located significantly higher at this point. The trail would come back out to the road and af�er the first driveway, turn back in. The trail would hug the northeast side ot'the tence along Spring Hill road to the break in the hill in the southwest corner of the course and wind through the pines. The Commission then presented two options for the north parcel. One option would have the trail run across CoRd 6 near the tunnel to the east of the maintenance facility and north of Tamarack Raad on the west side of the gotf course meandering in and out. There is some concern with the low wetlands and separation between the trail and the course. The second aption for an easterly path would wind alflng the woods and near the low area of the wetlands along the residentiat area and then turn to the west ta connect back to the northwestern boundary of the property at Tamarack Road. 3 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONU PARK COMI��IISSION MEETING HELD 4N MAY 5, 1997 (#2 Spring Hill Trail Plan - Continued) McDermott moved, Welles seconded, to propose a walking trail route inside of the property fence line along the north side of Spring Hill Road to CoRd 6. Once it crosses aver CoRd 6, two options are pravided. One option would run along the inside property line on the west aiong Tamarack. It would be located on the east side of the maintenance facility. A boardwalk would be recommended along the wettand. The trail would continue north to the property line. The second option wouid be for the trail to continue to the east along the residential area and crosses ftom the east ta the west along the northern property line. The construction cost is to be paid by the developer. Maintenance is to be provided by the golf club. The walking trail surface��ill be natural with an initial wood chip base at a 4-5' width, A dedicated easement will be required by the City. Vote: Ayes 7,Nays 0. Flint noted the cost af the trail will be suhstantially iawer than a trail running along the roadway which would require curb and gutter. (#3) COUNTY PLANS F�R BIKE TRAIL COMPLETION (WH1TE) White reported that Doug Bryant of Hennepin Parks indicated construction of the bike trail in Baker Park will commence this falt and completion of the trail to CoRd 6 will occur in the spring of 1998. � Commission discussed whether the City or County will maintain the trail. White said Bryant would like the trail to be a part of the County's regional trail and maintained by the County. Cauncil Member Flint indicated the City will patice the trails and have control aver the uses but responsibility far maintenance had not been determined. Wilson noted the Caunty does not want the trail used by snowmobilers or horses. The County also will not maintain the trails during the winter months. Wilson will cantact Doug Bryant to schedule a meeting to discuss completion of the trail and maintenance. White and Wilson wi�l attend the meeting. Flint infarmed the Commissian that there were canditions placed on the DNR grant received by the City that were to be met by the end of 1997. He said City Administrator Maorse felt the DNR would most likely be willing to e�end the commitment date. 4 MINU'�ES 4F THE REGULAR ORONO PARI� C4MMISSION MEET1NCi HELD UN MAY 5, 1997 (#d_) AI1(lPT-A-�'��T� VQT,�TN'I'EE�2_A�S!�Z�NM�N'f'S (f�t�PP_A_� Gappa reported that the current volvnteers are beginning to work c�n their assigned parks. He did not receive any calis regarding the pragram from the request far volunteers in the spring newsletter. Itse said the Saga Hill neighbors have agr�ed to assist maintaining Saga Hilt. Patty Affeidt is the contact person. She also reported that Randi Carlson, along with several neighbors, will help mairnain the park at Crystal Bay. Wilson asked Gappa to continue waterin�the plantings along the fence and the trees in Crystal Bay Park. Wilson suggested the Park Commissioners meet with the volunteers of the parks ta review responsibilities and be the advocate for the particular park. Beal suggested the Commissinners take pictures of their assi�ned parks as well. The park assignments are as follows: Antoine -�eal Casca Pt Beach, Ice Rink -White Crystal Bay -Wilson Dickey -Ericksan French Creek -Wilson Hackberry -Erickson Highwood -Welles Lee Carlson Ballfields -Erickson Lowry Woods-Wilson Livingston Tower- McDermott Lydiard Beach-McDermott Navarre -McDermott Saga Hitl -Welles Orono Golf Course -Welles Sa�dy Beach-Er�ckson Summit Beach -Welles Gappa reported having spaken with Anita Gaman, wha has a nurnber of high school students willing to assist in cleaning up the parks. The City will provide bags. Ilse asked that the students clean up nearby the parks as wetl nating the roadways have become full of litter. llse asked that the Commission become involved in a park clean up day on Earth Day, April 1998, and line up valunteers prior to that time. Wilsan suggested the buckthorn in French Creek Preserve should be cvt out. White indicated the buckthorn would be mare noticeable in the Fall far such pruning. McDermott suggested the list af volunteers be noted in the newspaper to encaurage others to voiunteer. s MiNIJTES OF THE REGULAR ORON�PARK C�MMISSIQN MEETING HELD ON MAY 5, 1997 (#4 - Adapt-a-Park - Con#inued) White presented the News Release for the Friends of the Park Award Ceremony for release to the newspaper. Beal pravided photographs for the release. Gappa will turn the information over to Van Zommeren, who has volunteered to be responsible for community cornrnunication. (#5) CQMh'iISSION MEMBERS PARK RESPONSIBII.ITIES FOR SUMMER, 1997 (WILSON) See Agenda Item#4 above. (#6) PARK SIGNAGE Gappa indicated "no motorized vehicles" signs have been ordered. The signs are the standard trail signs. Gappa will check for standard consistency with County signage for the posts. Wilson asked that the Commissioners check their assigned parks' signage and report back at the July meeting. Ga�pa indicated the public works emplayees were given ta-do lists for the parks and have been making progress. (#7)PARK TUUR F�R JUNE 2ND The Park Tour is scheduled for June 2, at 6:Ofl p.m. Gappa will request RSVP's from the members of the Council, Pianning Commissian, and Park Commission regarding attendance. Suggested parks for tauring will be reviewed by Wilson and are as foltows: Casco Circle Hackberry Bederwoad Spring Hill Golf Club Dickey Property Crystal Bay Park (#8) UPDATE ON PARK DEDICATION FEE, F�ILLERTON SUBDIVI510N Gappa reparted the Council met in an Executive Session to discuss this issue. An amount was determined and relayed to the applicant's attorney for consideration. No changes have be�n made to the Park Dedication Fund fee schedule. Gappa said the Council's determination considers whether the fee based on the percentage is reasonable. Negotiatians may occur if the fee is determined to be unreasonable. 6 �mvu�s oF T��Gv1,�oRor�o P�co�ssloN MEETING HELD ON MAY 5, 1997 (#9) CANOE SIGN-LiP (WILSON) Wilson reported that the Commission advertised last spring for sign-up for use of the canoe rack located at Summit Beach. Gappa said he currently has one application. Wilson asked that Gappa advertise the availability of the canoe rack each April in the newspaper or newsletter. Wilson noted that the canoes are to be removed by 10/31 of each year but the twa canoes held on the rack were not removed. The Cammissioners did not feel this was an issue. Wilson asked Gappa to review the use of the rack for updated applications. (#10) COMiVIUNITY TEAM SPURT MEETING (ILSE} Ilse indicated that Van Erickson was on the cammittee assigned to consider administrative assistance for the teams. No further meetings have been held since last report. Wilson asked Ilse to keep the Commissian informed of any further developments. (#11}ATTENDANCE OF�OUNCIL MEETINGS June 9 -Ilse June 23 -White July I4 - Beal 3uly 2$ - Erickson August 11 - Welles August 25 -McDermott (#12)DISCUSSION OF FUTURE FUNDS FOR PARK DEDICATION (WHITE) White indicated he has been reviewing this issue and is exploring tax and non-tax funding possibilities. The sub-camcnittee will meet(Wilsan and Ilse) and report to the Commission at the July meeting. (#13) NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to report. Wilsan asked that the Park Plan be placed on the agenda for the Juty and August meetings. Corrections were made to the roster of the Commission members for further updating. Gappa will follow up with the Councii regarding reappointments necessary ta maintain the current Commissioners. It was regorted that Susan Wilson was appointed as Chair of the Cammission by the Council and Andrew McDermott as Vice Chair. 7 Nmvu�s oF T��Gu��x oxorro P� co�ssloN MEETING HELD ON MAY 5, 1997 ADJOURNMENT Witson adjourned the meetin� at 10:03 p.rn. � �� , � ����d.�-, J.�'-�%�tL Susan Wilson, Chair 8