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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-06-1998 Park Commission Minutes ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR JULY 6, 1998 � ATTENDANCE The Park Commission met on the above mentioned date with the following members present: Chair Andrew McDermott, Commissioners Peter Welles, Susan Wilson, Irene Silber, and Sherokee Ilse. Commissioner Jim White arrived at 7:20 p.m., and Commissioner Van Douglas Erickson arrived at 7:28 p.m. Representing Staff were Planner/Zoning Administrator Elizabeth Van Zomeren and Recorder Jackie Young. Chair McDermott called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. (#1) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 4, 1998 Corrections were made on pages 2 and 3. Welles moved, Silber seconded to approve the Minutes of the Parks, Open Space and Trails Commission meeting of May 4, 1998, as amended. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. (#2) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JUNE 1, 1998 Wilson moved, Silber seconded to approve the Minutes of the Parks, Open Space and Trails Commission meeting of June 1, 1998, as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. MEETING REPORTS (#3) JUNE CITY COUNCIL MEETING McDermott attended the June 8, 1998 City Council meeting and apprised the City Council that the Park Commission will be initiating the tree preservation ordinance process again. The City Council requested the Park Commission keep the ordinance as simple as possible for enforcement reasons. McDermott reported there was a neighborhood information meeting at the June 8 City Council meeting to present access information to the Sage Hill park area residents. No final decision was made by the City Council concerning the Saga Hill park access. (#4) JUNE PARK TOUR McDermott reported he went on the Park Tour. City Council expressed some disappointment at the poor turnout. Maps of the existing and proposed parks were distributed. Overall the Park Tour was a good success. There was a nice turnout for the Antoine Park Dedication. McDermott stated City Staff should follow- up with some good publicity regarding the park dedication. (#5) BIG ISLAND TOUR McDermott reported he attended the Big Island Tour on June 24 with Hennepin County Park Staff and City Council. The future goals of Big Island were discussed with a decision being arrived at to draft a cooperative agreement stipulating that Big Island should be left in a natural state due to the impact that a fully developed park might have on Lake Minnetonka. Page 1 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR JULY 6, 1998 (#6) PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. (#7) PRESENTATION - LANDSCAPING CITY PARKS BY STEVE RUCE Steve Ruce presented a 10 minute slide show to the Park Commission concerning future plans to landscape the city parks. Ruce recommended the Park Commission consider using perennials for the majority of the planting, and suggested Purple Conefiowers, Daylilies, Geraniums, Hostas, and Daisies, among others, because of their hardiness and the wide variety available. McDermott inquired whether protection over the winter for the perennials would be necessary. Ruce stated the perennials suggested would not require much winter protection, with mulch around the plants being recommended to reduce weed growth during the summer months. Poor soils can be improved upon by adding organic matter, such as a mixture of black dirt, sand, peat moss and compost. McDermott commented he thought the soils in the parks should be enhanced wherever necessary. Wilson remarked that landscaping of the City parks is a great idea, but raised a concern regarding the long-term maintenance of the plants which might become too time-consuming and costly. Wilson stated Crystal Bay Park had been landscaped previously but a majority of the plants died due to a lack of watering. Wilson suggested the Park Commission address the issue of how the parks will be maintained before proceeding with the actual landscaping. Welles stated landscaping of the City parks is a great idea, but also raised a concern about the long-term maintenance of the plants. Welles noted the Park Commission should adopt some simple guidelines on how to install and maintain the landscaping first before proceeding with planting. Wilson suggested that the Park Commission implement long-term care and maintenance guidelines first concerning the parks, followed by planting of trees and shrubs, and then planting of flowers. No action was taken by the Park Commission. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS (#8) REPORT ON SAGA HILL, GRANT APPLICATION Silber reported the City has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the DNR and now matching funds need to be raised. Silber suggested the Park Commission consider a mixed use park; some active and some passive park use which might be more attractive to fund givers. Silber reported there were four families in the Tonkaview and County Road 19 area who were opposed to any active park in that area due to concerns about loss of privacy, but the majority of the people in the area expressed excitement over the project. Silber stated if the City is able to Page 2 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR JULY 6, 1998 (#8) Report on Saga Hilt, Grant Application (Continued) gain access through the church property, then Garden Lane can be vacated, if a solution is arrived at for the Hennessy property, which will benefit the property owners on Wildhurst Trail who have concerns about water runoff issues. Silber requested the Parks Commission develop a definite plan for this area so the property owners in the area will be accurately informed about the project. (Parks Commission took a recess from 7:50 p.m. -8:12 p.m.) (Continuation of Sage Hill Update) McDermott inquired about the status of fundraising for the project. Silber stated $1,000 has already been raised, with an additional $74,000 being needed to match the grant monies. The residents are seeking to obtain matching funds through private donations and grant monies from various small foundations. (#9) REPORT ON DICKEY PARK PLAN Van Erickson presented the Parks Commission with a copy of a preliminary site plan for the Dickey Park prepared by Brian Butterfield and Ms. Rutledge outlining a picnic area and a bike and walking trail. Silber noted native grasses and wildflowers are being specified for this park development. Wilson commented the Park Commission will need an estimated dollar amount for this project before a decision can be reached on what portion or portions of the project should be completed. McDermott suggested Butterfield and Rutledge estimate the costs based on a prepared site. Wilson remarked the Park Commission should have all the costs outlined, including City costs, involved in this project, and recommended getting competitive bids on the proposed work. McDermott stated the Park Commission should have a detailed plan on the size and type of trees and shrubs that are being specified for this park. Erickson suggested the project costs be kept under$30,000. Wilson recommended approaching the City Council to obtain conceptual approval of a detailed site plan for Dickey Park, citing a desire to obtain competitive bids and to keep the project under $30,000. Van Zomeren suggested Wally Case, landscape architect with Dahlgren, Shardlow and Uban (DSU), be contacted to review the site. Van Zomeren noted that the City budgets annually for consulting services from DSU. McDermott suggested Wilson approach the City Council at their July 13 meeting regarding this issue. Page 3 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR JULY 6, 1998 B. STATUS REPORT -SITE CLEANUP Van Zomeren stated Gappa noted the encroaching lean-to has been removed. Wilson remarked she would like the site cleaned up and would request the City Council take appropriate action. McDermott noted this issue has been discussed at the previous four meetings, and due to safety reasons the site should be cleaned up as soon as possibie. (#10) ICE RINK STUDY Van Zomeren stated she has no written information to present. Wilson noted first-class ice rinks are very expensive, and the alternative is to have a winter sports complex at the golf course. Wilson stated it was her feeling that the City of Orono did not have the money available at this time to commence work on this project. Silber stated City Staff should draft a memo outlining the Committee's conclusion and present it to the City Council. Wilson noted Gappa has the information available and has been requested to write a memorandum. (#11) TREE PRESERVATION Wilson stated there presently is a misconception regarding the proposed tree preservation ordinance which should be clarified. The concept behind the tree preservation ordinance is to adopt parameters that commercial and new development property owners can follow. Wilson recommended creating a brochure containing suggestions for the property owners on what types of trees are best suited for the area and when trees should be cut down. McDermott noted the City Council has instituted regulations regarding the Carpenter property as far as preservation of the bluff and vegetation, which could apply to other developments as well. Van Zomeren stated the tree preservation policy should focus first on Highway 12 and commercial. Wilson recommended having a presentation ready for the next work session with the City Council. (#12) SPRING HILL TRAIL Welles stated he has gone by the property several times and will make a run of it tomorrow to check on the status of the trails. Wilson commented Fortuna Farms might possibly be sold, which would be an ideal property to acquire to connect the bike trails, and suggested a representative from the City approach Medina. Van Zomeren stated she will contact Sandy Larson at the Medina City Offices about the property and report back to the Parks Commission. Page 4 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR JULY 6, 1998 STATUS REPORTS (#13) BEDERWOOD - RECYCLING CONTAINERS Van Zomeren had nothing to report. Welles stated City Staff can make the determination on which recycling containers to utilize. (#14) BIKE/MARCH FOR PARKS A. Landscaping Update. No report given. B. Crystal Bay -Short Court Basketball Update. Van Zomeren had nothing to report. Wiison stated she had the understanding the basketball court would be installed in Bederwood. McDermott noted the decision had already been made to construct a basketball court in Crystal Bay, with $1,000 being raised for the project from the March for Parks. The Parks Commission will contribute the remainder of the monies necessary to complete the project. Erickson noted Crystal Bay Park is not being maintained. Erickson commented the decision was made in 1997 to construct the basketball court in Crystal Bay Park. Van Zomeren stated she will inform Gappa about their concerns about the conditions of the park. McDermott stated the park has been reseeded twice, and suggested the Parks Commission have a meeting with the City Council to discuss plans on how to better maintain the City's parks. (#15) BEACH REGULATION SIGNS -STATUS OF NEW SIGNS Van Zomeren reported the new signs have been received but not installed. (#16) HACKBERRY- BACKSTOP REPAIR/EXTENSIONS Van Zomeren had nothing to report. Erickson reported the season is over and the repair work should commence soon. Van Zomeren stated she will inform Gappa to contact the low bidder and have the repair work completed. (#17) AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS Van Zomeren reported the photographs are on order. (#18) DESIGNATE A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE ORONO AREA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION Erickson stated he currently is on the Orono Area Athletic Association and attends all the meetings. Page 5 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR JULY 6, 1998 (#18) Orono Area Athletic Association Representative (Continued) Welles moved, McDermott seconded, to appoint Van Erickson to represent the Parks Commission for the Orono Area Athletic Association. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0 NEW BUSINESS Welles stated he will check on Spring Hill. White reported no lawn mowing has been done in the Casco Circle Park all year, with people hauling in downed trees and leaving them on park property. White noted heavy equipment has been left on park property for months which has resulted in damage to the ground cover, and the people responsible for the damage should repair it at their expense. McDermott stated Bruce conducts inspections of the parks and should have brought it to the Parks Commission attention. Wilson noted it is the Parks Commission feeling that the parks are not to be used for staging of construction, and that Gappa should check on the situation. White stated he has reported the problem to the police who have informed him that they tag the equipment. Wilson noted French Creek Park looks the best it has in years. Ilse reported she is still working on a name for Dickey Park. Erickson stated he has received some phone calls requesting the City upgrade the play equipment located at Hackberry Park. Wilson noted this is the first year the City has budgeted for parks. McDermott stated the Parks Commission traditionally only receives money from park dedication fees. Park dedication fees cannot be used for maintenance. Ilse suggested the Parks Commission look at a referendum on parks and open space and present the idea to the City Council for their input. Wilson noted the desired parcels would need to be identified for a referendum, many of which are privately owned. Van Zomeren stated an application for a variance has been received for the property at Kelly Avenue and Lydiard requesting access from Lydiard Avenue. A lot area variance has already been received with the developer requesting a variance to the hardcover and permission to use the platted road down to the beach. McDermott stated if that was approved it would be like using a city park road for a private driveway which would set a dangerous precedent. Wilson noted the Parks Commission feels land around parks should be protected, and the lane to the beach should be kept open. Ilse stated it was her feeling the City Council should not grant the requested variances. McDermott moved, Ilse seconded, to deny the Applicant permission to use the unpaved road down to the beach as an access road to private property. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. Page 6 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR JULY 6, 1998 ADJOURNMENT �� ' � White moved, Silber seconded, to adjourn the meeting at,9:37 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 7, Nays 0. � . ��-- � '� �__ ,,����,'� , And� cDer,rXiott, ir � _ �� Page 7