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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-05-1998 Park Commission Minutes CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1998 ROLL (#1) ATTENDANCE The Park Commission met on the above mentioned date with the following members present: Acting Chair Jim White, Commissioners Peter Welles, Irene Silber, Sherokee Ilse. Commissioner Susan Wilson and Andrew McDermott were absent. Commissioner Erickson arrived at 7:28 p.m. Representing Staff were Public Services Director Greg Gappa and Recorder Jackie Young. Acting Chair White called the meeting to order at 7:21 p.m. (#2) APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER, 1998 MINUTES Corrections were made on Page Three. Silber moved, Welles seconded, to approve the Minutes of the Park, Open Space and Trails Commission meeting of September 8, 1998, as amended. VOTE: Ayes 4, Nays 0. MEETING REPORTS (#3) SEPTEMBER CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Silber attended the September 14, 1998 City Council meeting, and reported that no action was taken regarding the ice rink study. Silber stated the City Council is pleased that the Parks Commission is moving forward with the Eisinger property. White attended the September 28, 1998 City Council meeting, and reported that he has sent a memorandum to Moorse about the Eisinger property and the steps that should be taken in pursuing this project. Welles inquired what the memorandum contained. White stated the landowner should be contacted and a valuation of the land be conducted, noting that the Courts have ruled that pollution issues can be factored into the value of the land. Gappa requested that White forward him a list of appraisals firms that could be utilized in valuing this land. (#14A) COMMUNITY PLAY FIELD/CENTRAL PARK (EISINGER PROPERTY LANDFILL) Gappa stated the City should retain someone who has experience in evaluating polluted sites, noting that Hennepin County is currently doing the appraising for the City of Orono. White stated the property owner should be contacted first to see how much he is willing to either lease or sell the land for before an evaluation is done. Page 1 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 5, 1998 (#4) ORONO AREA ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION Erickson stated the participating cities have been requested to attend a meeting to determine the status of the parks and what is needed for the long-term needs of the community. (#14B) COMMUNITY PLAY FIELD/CENTRAL (EISINGER PROPERTY LANDFILL), CONTINUED Erickson stated the Parks Commission should utilize someone who can evaluate the land for its usefulness. Welles stated the environmental issues will also need to be taken into account. Silber inquired whether City Staff can evaluate those issues. Gappa stated he can look at the topographical maps and sketch in the ballfields. Erickson stated the property is comprised of 27 acres, with only 15 buildable. Gappa stated in his view only 10 acres are buildable. Silber requested Gappa have a rough sketch prepared by the next meeting showing the possible layout of the ballfields and parking. Gappa commented he will have something prepared for the next meeting. Silber inquired whether lights will also be installed. Erickson stated if the City is limited to 10 acres, it might not be feasible. Silber suggested a picnic area also be included in the concept plan. Erickson remarked that he would like to have a playground and picnic area included in this park, but it depends on the amount of available land. Erickson commented he was also contemplating a soccer field for this park. It was the concensus of the Parks Commission that a small playground and picnic area be included in this park. (#5) PUBLIC COMMENTS There were no public comments. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS (#6A) SAGA HILL - PROPERTY LINE SURVEY AND SIGNS Silber inquired whether the property has been surveyed yet. Gappa stated it is scheduled to be surveyed, but work has not been commenced as of this time. Page 2 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 5, 1998 (#7) WATERTOWN/DICKEY PARK Gappa stated he has contacted Shardlow but nothing has been prepared as of this time. Ilse inquired about the utility line. Gappa stated it is an NSP line and it is on their list to be removed. Ilse stated she is still working with the American Indians on a name for the park. (#8) TREE PRESERVATIONNEGETATIVE BUFFERS Wilson was absent from tonight's meeting. (#9) SPRING HILL TRAILS (a) Proposed date for site meeting to review roughed in trails Gappa noted the September 15th meeting did not happen because work on the trails had not been commenced, and they are currently planning on touring the park towards the middle/end of October to review the progress. (#10) SUBDIVISIONS (a) Stickney Subdivision -Willow Drive South White noted the recommendation is to accept a money donation rather than a land donation and inquired why that was the recommendation. Gappa stated that Willow Drive is designated for a wide shoulder/bike trail in the City's Trail Plan. The road already contains a wide shoulder that can be utilized as a bike trail. Gappa remarked one new unit is being constructed in this subdivision and the limit is $4900 or eight percent maximum on the overall subdivision. Welles moved, Erickson seconded, to accept the park fee in lieu of a land donation for the Stickney Subdivision on Willow Drive South. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. White noted the Parks Commission has determined Willow Drive is to have wide shoulders to be utilized as a bike trail. (#11) STATUS REPORTS BEDERWOOD - RECYCLING CONTAINERS Gappa stated the containers have been ordered and City Staff is in the process of arranging for pickup. Page 3 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 5, 1998 ANTOINE - MISSING PICNIC TABLE Gappa stated a new picnic table has been ordered. Silber stated the trail has been paved. CRYSTAL BAY PARK -SHORT BASKETBALL COURT White inquired what the status of the court was. Gappa commented the court is located far enough from the roadway and can't be moved east because of a power line. It can't be moved north because of an existing drainage well. Erickson suggested some type of fence be erected to prevent the ball from rolling onto the roadway. Gappa reported the rock is in place and we are waiting for the contractor to do the paving. (#12) AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS Gappa stated the photographs have not been received yet. (#13) PARK DEDICATION FEES (a) Fees expended and account balance for 1998 Gappa reported $25,400.00 has been received in park dedication fees so far this year. Welles inquired whether the figures listed under the state grant column are offset by the expenditures on Old Crystal Bay Road and Saga Hill. Gappa stated they were, noting the monies were not spent in the same year. (#3) SEPTEMBER CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, CONTINUED Erickson stated he attended the September 28, 1998 City Council meeting, noting the Council inquired about the short basketball court. Erickson stated gaining access from Fairview Church was discussed. Ilse commented her understanding is the City is not close to signing any agreement as of this time. White commented this issue is not going to happen overnight and will take time. Erickson commented the City Council wanted the Parks Commission to move forward with the Eisinger property. NEW BUSINESS Silber commented she toured the Highwood Park area and noticed a lot of debris scattered. Silber remarked the City crew has since cleaned the debris up. Silber stated there still is some Page 4 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 5, 1998 (New Business, Continued) graffitti that needs to be cleaned up. Gappa stated that can be cleaned up. Ilse commented work should commence on the annual March/Bike for Parks. Gappa stated an article could be included concerning the annual March/Bike for Parks in the newsletter going out in the spring. White stated Casco Point Park still has not been cleaned up, noting in his view there is at least $5,000 to $10,000 worth of damage that has been done. White stated people are starting to haul in garbage and some action needs to be taken to clean up the park due to the safety issues that are involved. Gappa stated the City crew is attempting to clean up the park and has hired a tree service to trim the trees located by the roadway. White stated he has received complaints from the neighbors and the City needs to take action soon. OTHERISSUES None ADJOURNMENT Welles moved, Erickson seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. Welles moved, Erickson seconded, to reopen the meeting to discuss the Eisinger property. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. (Meeting reopened at 8:02 p.m.) (#14) EISINGER PROPERTY LANDFILL, CONTINUED Brian Fulmer, 3505 West Wayzata Boulevard, stated he is the current owner of The Dog House Boarding Kennels, and he is in the process of looking for a piece of property that his business could be relocated to due to the Highway 12 improvement project. Fulmer stated he is currently looking at the Eisinger property as well as other parcels in the City that could accommodate his business, and inquired of the Parks Commission what the City's plans were regarding the Eisinger property. White stated the City was contemplating putting in ballfields at this location. White stated the City will be contacting the owner to see if he is still interested in selling or leasing the land to the City, and then the City will determine how much land is usable, the activities that the land can be used for, and then the City will take steps to secure the proper funding for this project. Page 5 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 5, 1998 (Eisinger Property Landfill, Continued) Welles commented the Parks Commission makes recommendations to the City Council and then the City Council makes the final decision on whether to proceed with a certain project or not. Welles stated it is the Parks Commission's function to determine what the community's needs and wants are concerning the local parks. Silber inquired whether Fulmer had investigated whether a structure could be built over the landfill, because the City had been informed that the land would not support a structure. Fulmer stated if the property was acquired, he would look at using the whole parcel, and would have to look into whether the land is buildable or not. Ilse inquired whether Fulmer was looking at other sites to relocate to. Fulmer remarked that he is also looking at other sites in the City. Welles stated he was upset and frustrated that the Parks Commissions was not informed that there was another party interested in purchasing the Eisinger property. Fulmer stated he will be speaking further with MnDot regarding the expansion of Highway 12 and how his property will be affected. ADJOURNMENT Welles moved, Ilse seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. -�'; (�w� C.�i�v�� Jim White, Acting Chair Page 6