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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-04-1998 Park Commission Minutes 1 ' ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR MAY 4, 1998 ATTENDANCE The Park Commission met on the above mentioned date with the following members present: Chair Andrew McDermott, Commissioners Sherokee Ilse, Irene Silber, James White, Van Erickson and Peter Welles. Susan Wilson was absent. Representing Staff were Public Services Director Greg Gappa and Recorder Carole Haseman. Chair McDermott called the meeting to order at 7:47 p.m. (#1) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 6, 1998 Corrections were made on pages 1, 3, 4, 6 8, and 9. Wells moved, Ilse seconded, to approve the Minutes of the Parks, Open Space and Trails Commission meeting of Apri16, 1998 as amended. Vote: Ayes 6,Nays 0. MEETING REPORTS (#2) APRIL CITY COUNCIL MEETING Gappa and Ilses had nothing pertinent to report. (#3) HIGHWAY 12 Erickson did not attend the last Highway 12 meeting. Ilse asked for clarification regarding which Highway 12 meetings the Council would like the Park Commission members to attend. Gappa explained the design review committee meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month. The affected neighborhood associations hold their own meetings and send representatives to the City meetings. Ilse informed Erickson, who was unable to attend the work session, the Council's views regarding Holbrook Park located in Long Lake. The City of Orono may add property to Holbrook Park if Long Lake moves it closer to the City of Orono. It would then become an Orono/Long Lake park. (#4) HENNEPIN COUNTY PARKS BIG ISLAND TOUR McDermott noted the tour was canceled and no future date had been scheduled. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS (#6) REPORT UPDATE ON SAGA HILL, GRANT APPLICATION A. ANY NEW NEWS ON PROPOSAL? Silber reported the DNR felt the project could be funded as they had not received many grant applications. The amount asked for was $75,000 with a 50-50 match. She suggested prioritizing projects and applying every year for grant money. 1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MAY 4, 1998 B. UPDATE ON VALEK PROPERTY EXCHANGE/ALIGNMENT WITH CITY Gappa had not received any new information. McDermott explained that at the last Parks, Open Space and Trails Commission meeting Mrs. Valek expressed concerns with unfulfilled promises made by the City regarding a property exchange for an easement. He would like the City to clarify whatever commitment was made to her. Gappa felt this would be accomplished soon as a full time staff person was being hired to help alleviate the work load. C. STATUS OF BOUNDARY MARKING AND BOUNDARY SIGNS Gappa said a surveyor needed to be hired to stake the boundary markings before putting signs up. D. LAND SWAP WITH HENNSEY McDermott suggested Silbur obtain an update from the City Administrator. (#7) REPORT ON DICKEY PARK PLAN A. NAME PROPOSALS FROM NATIVE AMERICANS Ilse received a suggestion of Waubun Anung which means Morning Star and thought the name could be used interchangeably. She is waiting for an elder from the Native Americans to come out to further investigate the issue. McDermott noted the name Mississippian Tradition would allude to Native American heritage as the Mississippian Tradition was once in the area and later evolved into the Dakotans. B. MEETING WITH DESIGNER C. STATUS REPORT, ETC. Erickson indicated the designer is in the process of drawing plans free of charge for the park. No time commitment has been established. Some suggested improvements for the park have been a controlled burn over part of the area to set future trails and bring back native grasses and plants; a light seeding of prairie grasses; replace junk trees with natural trees; and a tree barrier between the neighbors and park. Costs could be minimized by using City workers to clean-up debris. Residents in the Thoroughbred neighborhood would like the trail to come off Old Crystal Bay Road and through the park. Welles said a future access could be established to Willow Drive. Staff should try to establish a connector trail from Dickey Park to Thoroughbred Lane as soon as possible. He asked what clean-up had been done to the property. Gappa stated the lean-to had been removed per the letter of credit requirements. McDermott noted the root cellar is a safety hazard and suggested an inspection of the site next week with Gappa and other Commission members. 2 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MAY 4, 1998 D. REMOVE RUSTED FENCE AND POSTS Gappa said the City easement does not go beyond the edge of the traiL McDermott said the rusted fence was between the trail and the street. He said small trees surrounding the rusted fence needed to be cut in order to remove the fence and posts. (#8) BIKE/MARCH FOR PARKS REPORT A. STATUS OF FUND RAISING Ilse reported 30 people participated in the march and the money raised was designated to be spent on a short court in the amount of$406, $100 towards landscaping, and $25 was unspecified. The total amount raised from marchers was $1,700 as the Long Lake Fire Department donated $500 to the City of Long Lake. It was noted with appreciation that both McDermott and Council Member Goetten volunteered their time and effort with the fund raising event. B. DISCUSS SHORT COURT BASKETBALL AND LANDSCAPING Erickson suggested solicitating additional funds from the local neighborhood in which the short court will be built. Ilse hoped the court could be built and in use this summer. She indicated the importance of residents seeing speedy results from the March for Parks fund raising. A resident complained to Ilse recently about the parks being unattractive and wanted a phone and street lights installed in Hackberry Park for safety reasons. McDermott said some of the money could be used to purchase the Beal tree. Ilse felt flowers could be bought and suggested Adopt a Park volunteers assist in the planting. McDermott proposed putting in flowers by the Hackberry park sign. Gappa noted care and watering would be an issue with any plantings. McDermott said added duties could be given to Adopt a Park volunteers. Welles suggested that Ilse appropriate the landscape funds wherever she deems necessary as she has already spent much time and energy with the fund raising project. McDermott requested Erickson to meet with Wilson to determine the placement of the short court at the Crystal Bay Park. (#9) ICE RINK STUDY A. PREPARE REPORT TO BE SENT TO COUNCIL B. COSTS TO OPERATE RINKS (LABOR), WAYZATA AND WOODHILL COUNTRY CLUB C. EQUIPMENT REQUIRED, ITEMS THAT ORONO SHOULD PURCHASE D. COST TO DEVELOP ORONO GOLF COURSE E. SHOULD WE PROCEED WITH GOLF COURSE RINK? 3 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MAY 4, 1998 (#9 -Ice Rink - Continued) � Welles reported meetings have been held with the Orono Golf Course staff, Woodhill Country Club and the City of Wayzata to obtain ideas to better manage the pond for an ice rink at the golf course. Woodhill Country Club contracts 10 man hours a day for maintenance and Wayzata is also spending comparable monies. The equipment used is fairly specialized. Gappa stated it would be a majar undertaking to maintain a similar ice rink and perhaps beyond what Orono needs. It would be labor intensive. He suggested building an ice scrapper which would improve the quality of the ice for Orono's rinks and sometime in the future building a warming house with lights. Welles felt an overall skating plan should be done to best determine how the City can meet the needs of the residents. He asked Gappa to contact the Tonka Bay Public Works Director to find the cost spent on ice maintenance last year. McDermott asked far closure regarding the ice rink study and that a report be submitted to Council listing the costs and options. Wells said he would have a report ready for the next meeting. (#10) TREE PRESERVATION A. ANYTHING NEW, WHAT SHOULD WE DO? McDermott noted Wilson was not present to give her report and passed this item on for discussion at a future meeting. (#11) SPRING HILL TRAILS A. ANY NEW NEWS? Welles said he would check on the status of the trails. (#12) ANTOINE PARK DEDICATION/RIBBONS CUTTING A. CONSTRUCTION STATUS,PAINT OLD SWING SET,PARKING STALL WITH ACCESSIBLE SIGN, SIDEWALK, ACCESSIBLE PLAY EQUIPMENT, ACCESSIBLE PLAY SURFACE ETC. B. "THE BEAL TREE", FLOWERING CRABAPPLE (DONALD WYMAN) C. CONTACT NEIGHBORS D. REFRESHMENTS E. CONTACT NEWSPAPERS Silber noted the park needs to be seeded. Gappa said he ordered a Donald Wyman flowering crabapple tree 8-10' high and 4" in diameter to be planted. Silber suggested using chicken wire around the tree to protect it from deer. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be scheduled as part of the park tour on June 1. Silber will help organize the dedication ceremony and plans to contact the neighborhood residents, Adopt a Park volunteers and newspapers. 4 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MAY 4, 1998 (#13) FRENCH CREEK A. WILL WE OR DID WE PRAIRIE BURN THIS YEAR? B. DID WIER REAPPEAR? Gappa reported Prairie Restoration was unable to burn because everything turned green early this year resulting in a short season for them. Orono is on their list for next year. Erickson suggested adding Dickey Park to their list. (#14) SUMMIT BEACH A. STATUS OF MAINTENANCE/RENOVATION WORK. Gappa stated for safety and vandalism reasons it was best not to move the port-a-potties. The dumpster has been moved out of the way. Brush needs to be trimmed away from the sign. It is not feasible to expand the area by mowing because the ground is too wet. McDermott suggested developing a sand volley ball court in the area. Gappa said it would be best to begin with only a net to see if there was any interest in playing the game before developing it further. (#15) LOWRY WOODS A. IS PROPERTY FOR SALE ACROSS THE STREET? Gappa said the only property for sale was further to the west. (#16) BEDERWOOD A. RECYCLING CONTAINERS STATUS REPORT McDermott said the information had been sent out late and could be discussed next month. (#17) BEDERWOOD AND HACKBERRY A. HAS A SOFTBALL, BASEBALL, T-BALL AND SOCCER ETC. SCHEDULES BEEN POSTED? Gappa said no sign has ever been posted. The City does not have a policy for reserving parks. Ilse felt a sign-up process should be implemented to schedule games. Welles said it is similar to a public tennis court, first come-first served. Gappa noted he has never received any complaints. Erickson said baseball, softball and soccer people are generally the ones using the parks but felt it would be a good idea to post a schedule. Ilse reported seeing large company groups playing ball at the park. McDermott concluded a plastic sign listing scheduled games should be posted for Bederwood park. 5 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MAY 4, 1998 (#18) BEACH REGULATION SIGNS, STATUS REPORT ON NEW SIGNS Gappa suggested the rules governing beach regulations should be codified and put into the City code. McDermott felt the language was too wordy to be used as a sign. White noted the signs would be a warning to people and enforcement would not usually be a problem. Gappa agreed to change the language. The signs will be brown with white letters and will be posted as informational signs. (#19) FRIENDS OF THE PARK AWARD, STATUS OF PICTURES AND NEWSPAPER ARTICLE McDermott noted the article had been placed in the paper last week and commended Gappa for doing a good job. (#20) HACKBERRY A. BACKSTOP REPAIR/EXTENSION IDENTIFIED AS A PROBLEM DURING JUNE 97 PARK TOUR Erickson said it has not been done. Gappa said he had a company lined up to extend the back stop. Erickson suggested waiting until the end of the season at which time the field could be redefined. (#21) ADOPT A PARK VOLUNTEER A. HANDOUT FOR APRIL 25 CITY CLEANUP DAY B. PREPARE PRESS RELEASE LOOKING FOR CARE GIVERS C. ANY NEW ADOPTIONS? Gappa indicated all volunteers had been sent a brochure explaining their duties and responsibilities. McDermott noted an increase in volunteers and would like to recognize their work at the end of the season with either a certificate and/or reception. (#22) PARK TOUR JUNE 1ST A. EARLY START TIME 6:30? Gappa reminded commissioners the tour began at 5:30 last year. McDermott agreed with the 5:30 start time. 6 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MAY 4, 1998 B. PARKS TO VISIT, ETC. Gappa noted Earth Day volunteers cleaned Navarre park. Silber suggested touring the Navarre town house development off of County Road 15. White recommended looking at the Hennepin County property along County Road 15. Gappa explained that Hennepin County has no plans to relocate. McDermott suggested touring both Antoine and Crystal Bay sites. Ilse felt the Eisinger old land fill area on Highway 12 could be visited. Ilse left the meeting at 9:50 p.m. McDermott told Commissioners to call with their suggestions of parcels to tour. He requested that Gappa obtain a set of aerial photographs of the City for the Commissioners to use. (#23) ANY COMMENTS ABOUT RECENT PARK NEWS LETTER Gappa discussed the Orono Parks, Open Spaces and Trails article in the Orono Reflections. (#24) SUBDIVISION PLANS A. VANMOORLEM APPLICATION, 4490 WATERTOWN ROAD - 3 LOT SUBDIVISION - PRELIMINARY PLAT Welles moved, White seconded to accept park dedication fees. Vote: Ayes 5,Nays 0. B. HAGLUND APPLICATION,4459 NORTH ARM DRIVE-2 LOT SUBDIVISION- PRELIMINARY PLAT White moved, Silber seconded to accept park dedication fees. Vote: Ayes 5,Nays 0. OTHER ISSUES: ANY INDIVIDUAL NEEDS,CONCERNS ETC.,AT COMMISSIONERS ASSIGNED PARKS White stated he would like the meetings to be concluded no later than 9:30 p.m. Gappa discussed the issue of park maintenance and projects that need to be completed. McDermott inquired about hiring additional staff. He felt a planner could evaluate parcels in connection with park land in less time than the Commissioners would be able to. McDermott again reiterated the importance of concluding the ice rink issue and forwarding it on to Council. 7 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON MAY 4, 1998 (#25) NEW BUSINESS No items were discussed. ADJOURNMENT McDermott moved, White seconded, to adjourn at 10:12 p.m. Vote: s; ,Nays 0. ___.,� ��--� � ndrew �ermott, r 8