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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-01-1999 Park Commission Minutes ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 1, 1999 (#1) ATTENDANCE The Park Commission met on the above mentioned date with the following members present: Chair Andrew McDermott, Commissioners Sherokee Ilse, Jim White, Irene Silber, Peter Welles, and Van Douglas Erickson. Commissioner Susan Wilson was absent. Representing Staff were Public Services Director Greg Gappa and Recorder Jackie Young. Chair McDermott called the meeting to order at 7:22 p.m. (#2) APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 11, 1999 A conection was made on Page 2. Motion by White, second by Welles,to approve the minutes of the Parks, Open Space and Trails Commission meeting of January 11, 1999. VOTE: Ayes 6, Nays 0. MEETING REPORTS (#3) January 11, 1999 City Council Meeting. Silber attended the January 11, 1999 City Council meeting and reported that Council Member Sansevere and Council Member Flint volunteered to chair the committee for the Dakota Rail to Trail. Mayor Jabbour requested that two Park Commission members also be appointed to this committee. Ilse attended the January 25, 1999 City Council meeting and reported that the City Council wanted a deadline set on the Eisinger property in order to make a determination on whether the City will be purchasing this property. White noted that the owner of the Dog House has first rights to the property. Gappa stated that the Mayor would like a meeting scheduled with the owner of the Eisinger property as well as the owner of the Dog House in order to discuss this issue. Silber questioned whether the land is necessary now that the School District is proposing to build two new ballfields with the new school. Sansevere said there has been some discussion regarding Saga Hill and Fairview Covenant Church possibly not wishing to grant an easement to the City for access to that area. Page 1 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 1, 19999 (#4) PUBLIC COMMENTS: A. Navarre Area Presentation. Rick Meyers, a resident of the Navarre area, presented the Parks Commission with a slide show depicting the various parks in Orono and surrounding area along with some ideas and goals for the renovation of the Navane area. Meyers commented that Orono has a rustic character and the local parks should try to complement that aspect of the community. Meyers suggested that the Parks Commission consider developing a park that would serve as an attractive front door entrance into the Navane area and to consider forming a committee comprised of local businessmen in an attempt to improve the shopping area in Navarre. Meyers noted that the current existing park in Navane is not very attractive and inviting to the residents there. Meyers suggested that the Parks Commission solicit local garden groups to help maintain the parks and to develop different access points in Navarre to access the trails. Welles questioned whether a budget has been created for the renovation of the Navarre area. Gappa stated some monies could be allocated out of the park dedication fees and that City Staff could remove the fence and clean up the existing park somewhat. Welles suggested that a master plan be developed for the Navarre area which would encompass the shopping area as well as recreational sites. Gappa commented that the City could perhaps renovate the park similar to what was done at Antoine Park and that perhaps Shardlow could look at the situation. Meyers suggested that the Parks Commission consider the overall vehicle/pedestrian circulation patterns and develop walking trails that would accommodate those needs. Meyers commented that he would like to see a walking trail from Lord Fletchers up County Road 19 with low lighting being installed. Meyers stated that a lot of good will was created in Navane when the City improved the local streets and that the City is now taking an active interest in improving the area. McDermott inquired what issues the Saturday morning meetings with the Mayor will be dealing with. Sansevere stated the meeting in Navarre is to give the residents an opportunity to talk informally with the Mayor about what they would like to see for recreational sites in their community. McDermott suggested waiting until after that meeting before bringing this issue to Shardlow. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS (#5) SEVEN NATIONS PARK FORMALLY DICKEY PARK Page 2 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 1, 19999 Seven Nations Park Formally Dickey Park, Continued A. Thoughts about the name change. Ilse suggested that perhaps an interpretation of the name could be highlighted on a plaque for the park. McDermott suggested that the name be formally proposed to the City Council for their approval. Gappa inquired whether the name has to be approved by the Indian Affairs Intertribal Board. Ilse stated she will do further review of the name Seven Nations. McDermott stated he will also do some research on the name. B. Cost Estimate "a four-year plan". Gappa reviewed his January 27, 1999 memorandum regarding Dickey Park Improvements and the estimated costs, noting that he has broken the improvements out over a four year period. Silber questioned whether the Parks Commission should spend that amount of money on trees for this park. Erickson stated a large number of trees is needed for this park to serve as a buffer zone for the adjoining property owners. McDermott remarked that bids could be obtained for the purchase of the trees and that the cost for the trees could possibly be reduced somewhat. White stated in his view the$30,000 being proposed for this park is very inexpensive. McDermott stated he would like this list presented to the City Council at their February 8th meeting. Ilse inquired whether the parking lot needs to be paved. Gappa stated having the parking lot blacktopped prevents the gravel from being washed away. Silber commented that the Parks Commission should show solidarity for this project. Gappa suggested that this item be presented to the City Council at their T'hursday morning work session. It was the consensus of the Parks Commission to present this item to the City Council at their February 1 lth or 18th Thursday morning work session. C. Right-of-way- Does the City need additional land to construct a trail along the south side of Watertown Road? Page 3 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 1, 19999 Seven Nations Park Formally Dickey Park, Continued Gappa stated he has nothing to report on this issue at this time. D. Archaeological Study- MN State Statute 307.08 Gappa stated according to Minnesota Statutes it appears an archaeological study is necessary before work can commence on the Seven Nations Park. E. Arboretum Sign Style. McDermott noted that Wilson will be researching this item and should have something to report at the next Parks Commission meeting. (#6) SAGA HILL A. Update of fund-raising activities. Silber stated the matching grant option from the DNR expires March 21 st and that the committee has been unable to raise the necessary funds to get the matching grant. Silber remarked that perhaps the City Council be approached about allocating funds to this project. B. Update on Property line/church. Silber stated if this parcel is purchased,the total land acreage for Saga Hill would be approximately 27 acres. Silber commented the committee for this project is proposing to meet with Fairview Covenant Church to discuss access, and that their goal at this time is to acquire the land with the goal being to improve the site at a later time. White inquired whether the matching grant could be extended beyond March 21st. Silber stated the deadline could possibly be extended, but that in all likelihood the City will need to be approached about allocation of the necessary funds to acquire this parcel. McDermott remarked this item should be put on the March agenda to allow some additional time for fundraising. Ilse suggested this item be brought up at the February l lth or 18th City Council work session. C. Property Line Survey and Signs. Gappa reported Bonestroo could probably commence work on the property line survey. Page 4 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 1, 19999 (#7) Tree Preservation/Vegetative Buffers This item was not discussed due to Wilson's absence. (#S) Community Play Field/Central Park McDermott noted that a meeting is being proposed with the owner of the Eisinger property,the owner of the Dog House, and the City to discuss this issue. Gappa commented that perhaps the environmental studies be delayed to avoid those costs until a final decision is made on whether the City will be acquiring the property. STATUS REPORTS: (#9) Orono Area Athletic Association A. Is there any decision about the proposed recreation facilities for Orono School District? Erickson stated the concept plan has not been formally presented to the Orono Area Athletic Association. Gappa stated a preliminary plan has been submitted to the City as part of their application for their conditional use permit. B. What Athletic Facilities Will They Still Need? McDermott inquired whether this plan will meet the needs of the City. Erickson stated the City is in need of additional soccer/baseball fields, and noted that what is being proposed will replace what is being lost. Silber inquired how many fields are needed to meet the needs of the City. Erickson commented that the City appears to have sufficient fields to meet the cunent needs, but that the City needs to address the long-term needs. Ilse commented that perhaps the school could become the focal point for the community recreational fields. Erickson noted that a bike trail cunently exists to the school. McDermott commented that the City will probably still need a site similar to the Eisinger property to accommodate additional recreational fields for the community. Page 5 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 1, 19999 Status Reports: Athletic Facilities, Continued Silber commented that at the January l lth City Council meeting an architect complemented the City on the basketball court at Crystal Bay. Erickson stated he has heard a lot of positive comments regarding the basketball court from the local residents. (#10) HIGHWAY 12 McDermott inquired whether any new meetings regarding the Highway 12 improvement project have been scheduled. Gappa commented that this item was discussed at the January 25th City Council meeting, and the City is planning to schedule a formal public hearing on the issue, but to his knowledge no dates have been set. Ilse remarked Representative Johnson stated they are proposing to make Highway 12 four lanes into Delano and that a hearing will be held on Wednesday. (#11) Winter Recreation 1999 Season. Gappa stated the new equipment is working fine and City Staff has flooded the ice rink a couple of times with good results. McDermott commented the ice at Casco Point looks good and the Parks Commission may want to review and start planning for an ice rink at Crystal Bay Park. NEW BUSINESS (#12) DNR Property Classification. This item was not discussed. (#13) March for Parks. Ilse suggested that Rick Meyers be contacted as a possible volunteer to serve on the March for Parks committee. Silber recommended that a citizen run committee be set up to handle this function. Ilse stated she will continue to work on this project. Page 6 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 1, 19999 (#14) Dakota Rail to Trail. McDermott noted that Mayor Jabbour and Council Member Flint have been appointed to this committee, and City Council has requested that two members from the Parks Commission be appointed as well to this committee. McDermott stated Commissioner White and himself will serve on this committee. McDermott remarked that Mound, Spring Park, and Hennepin County is interested in pursuing this project, and that there hopefully will be a joint effort between the communities to make this project happen. White noted that a lot of work has been done by a number of people to make this project possible. Silber commented she would be willing to complete a grant application for this project. White stated that the DNR has already been contacted regarding funds. (#15) Bederwood Gappa reported the containers are in and a recycling company needs to be contacted regarding pickup. (#16) Friends of Orono's Parks Award Ilse suggested the LMS students be nominated for their work on the Walk for Park project. McDermott inquired how many awards the Parks Commission would like to give out this year. Silber sug,gested that two awards be given, one to the Antoine group and one to the Environmental School Group. Ilse suggested that an awards presentation be held in their honor and a certificate of appreciation be handed out to all the participants. McDermott commented that April would be a good time for the awards presentation. McDermott suggested that the people involved in the Adopt-A-Park program be recognized as well. Welles stated that signs could be installed at the local parks recognizing the people who participate in the Adopt-A-Park program. McDermott inquired whether the Parks Commission would like to present certificates to the people involved in the Adopt-A-Park program. It was the consensus of the Parks Commission to hand out certificates of appreciation to the participants in the Adopt-A-Park program. Page 7 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 1, 19999 Motion by Ilse, second by Silber,to nominate the LMS Students,the Antoine Neighborhood Group, and the 1998 Friends of the Park as recipients of Orono's Friends of the Parks Award. VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. McDermott commented that Diann Gcetten should also be recognized the same night as the awards presentation. (#17) Park Tour June 7th McDermott stated the park tour will be held June 7th, 5:00 -5:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT � Motion by Welles, second by Silber, to adjour t at 9:35 . An McDermott, Chair Page 8