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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-2000 Park Commission Minutes CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2000 (#1) ATTENDANCE The Park Commission met on the above mentioned date with the following members present: Chair Andrew McDermott, Commissioners Jim White and Rick Meyers. Commissioners Irene Silber and Cherokee Ilse were absent. Representing Staff were Public Services Director Greg Gappa and Recorder Jackie Young. Mayor Jabbour was present. Chair McDermott called the meeting to order at 7:55 p.m. (#2) APPROVAL OF JANUARY, 2000 MINUTES Corrections were made on Pages 2 and 3. White moved, Meyers seconded, to approve the Minutes of the Park, Open Space and Trails Commission meeting of January 3, 2000, as amended. VOTE: Ayes 3, Nays 0. MEETING REPORTS (#3) JANUARY COUNCIL MEETINGS This item was not discussed. (#4) PUBLIC COMMENTS None SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/UPDATES (#5) NAVARRE PARK Pavement/Path Material McDermott stated he has supplied Gappa with some information regarding stamped asphalt, which may be a viable alternative to regular asphalt. McDermott requested Gappa review the information and obtain an estimate for the Navarre Park. Layout Adjustments McDermott stated he has fine-tuned the proposed plan for the Navarre Park, noting he has angled the slide to line up with the angle of the boat. Gappa stated it was his understanding the slide has to meet certain ADA requirements and may not be able to be re-angled. Page 1 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 7, 2000 DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant Proposal McDermott noted that Silber has applied for an application to obtain a grant from the DNR. McDermott stated the Park Commission could purchase the necessary items for this park out of the park fund, with the remainder of the items being purchased with the grant money. McDermott stated he would like to have enough money ailocated to this park so the Park Commission can purchase some play equipment and provide ADA access to this park. Gappa stated in his view the proposed plan is very basic and not extravagant. White stated since this park will serve approximately 300 to 400 people in this area over the next 20 to 30 years, $200,000 is not an extravagant amount of money to spend on the park. Meyers stated in his opinion the Navarre area needs a good park due to the number of small lots located in this area. Meyers commented what has been spent in the past should not dictate what the City should spend on parks in the future. Meyers suggested requesting matching funds up to $124,000. Gappa suggested proceeding to the City Council with the proposed plan at their February 14th meeting. McDermott stated he has attempting to obtain a better price on the drinking fountain. Pull Tab Money Gappa stated he is not aware that the City of Orono receives any money from pull tabs at this time. Meyers stated it was his understanding the City is entitled to receive 10 percent of the revenues generated from pull tabs. Gappa stated he will review this item further. McDermott remarked if money is received from pull tabs, he would like to see the money dedicated towards the local parks, noting that there are not a lot of revenue sources currently available for parks. White suggested looking at possibly obtaining some revenue from the public golf course by perhaps charging a higher green fee Meyers suggested non-residents could pay a higher green fee. Meyers stated in his opinion this revenue source should be pursued further. McDermott recommended this item be pursued further, and stated he will discuss this item with the City Administrator. Easements Along County Road 19 from Park to Railroad for Sidewalk Construction McDermott inquired whether Gappa has had an opportunity to see what type of easements the City has along County Road 19 between Navarre Park and the railroad. Gappa stated the City has the standard right-of-way, with the City needing to obtain the necessary easements in order to construct the sidewalk and trail. Gappa stated he would like to do a feasibility study to determine the costs, with this portion of the project being paid for out of state Page 2 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 7, 2000 aid. Meyers stated since this is a heavily traveled road, a sidewalk should be constructed in the area to allow for safe pedestrian travel. Meyers commented he would like to see the City become more pedestrian friendly. Gappa stated he will address the City Council regarding this item to obtain their input. Meyers suggested that landscaping along the trail be considered as well. Meyers stated in his opinion a landscaped trail would help enhance the neighboring properties. (#6) SAGA HILL Gappa stated the Public Works Department is continuing to look for the corner monuments. Gappa stated they have looked at the fence located in this area. Gappa stated they hope to remove this fence, which is fallen down in several areas as well as tangled up in the trees, sometime this spring. Gappa stated he has spoken to the City Administrator regarding the possibility of naming the road into Saga Hill after Palmer. Gappa stated since the land was purchased by the City rather than donated, the Park Commission may want to consider other names for this access road. McDermott noted that Palmer was recognized by the City Council for his goodwill efforts in resolving the access issue into this park. (#7) DAKOTA RAIL McDermott distributed a map showing the Dakota Railroad line, noting that the tracks go from Maple Street all the way out to Hutchinson. Gappa stated the Dakota Railroad Line had contemplated replacing some of the bridges in the past. McDermott noted the Cities of Mound and Minnestrista have formally adopted this trail route into their comprehensive plans. McDermott stated he is unsure whether Spring Park has taken any formal action on this trail at this time. McDermott commented he is unsure what involvement the City of Wayzata will have in this trail. Meyers stated there is a very limited amount of track located in Wayzata. (#8) SPRING HILL ROAD Gappa indicated he has not had an opportunity to visit this site. (#9) WINTER RECREATION PROGRAM Gappa stated there has been good use of the ice skating rinks this winter. Meyers inquired whether a rope tow could be installed at the golf course if enough interest is shown. Gappa stated a rope tow would be feasible. Page 3 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 7, 2000 Meyers suggested another possible revenue source could be rental of inner tubes. Meyers stated he would like to pursue these two options, noting the City will need to look at the liability issues. Meyers commented a rope tow and inner tube rental would help enhance the winter recreational opportunities in this area. Gappa indicated the Public Works Department has attempted to maintain the ice rinks better this season, with good results. NEW BUSINESS (#10) FRENCH CREEK McDermott stated he has received a call from former Commissioner Susan Wilson regarding the use of French Creek as an ice skating rink. McDermott stated currently this area is being used by a few of the children in the area as an ice skating rink, with the lake being plowed by the local residents. McDermott inquired whether this area should be recognized as one of the City's ice skating rinks, with the ice being plowed and maintained by the City. Gappa stated there is a problem accessing this area with the City's equipment and the ice would need to be shoveled by hand, which would be too time consuming. McDermott inquired whether there was a water source located at this park. Gappa stated currently there is not. McDermott stated the City Council has indicated in the past that they might be interested in providing an area somewhere on Lake Minnetonka for ice skating. Gappa stated there may be an issue regarding access onto the lake with the City's equipment. McDermott noted the City has had to eliminate some of the local ice skating rinks due to a lack of available water. McDermott stated the City has attempted to keep the ice skating rinks more neighborhood oriented. (#11) SITE PLAN - 6TH AND WILLOW DEVELOPMENT Gappa stated he has requested a copy of the final plat from the Administrative Zoning Assistant. Currently a trail exists along Willow and along County Road 6, with easements needing to be obtained along the road along with an easement back to the school property. Gappa stated no trail has been constructed at this time. Meyers stated in his opinion the Park Commission should have a definite position on what they would like to see for this development. McDermott stated due to past experience, the Park Commission has taken the position that the trails should be constructed prior to any homes being sold. Meyers suggested that position be reaffirmed on this development. Gappa stated they need to appear before the City Council for final plat approval. Page 4 ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 7, 2000 Meyers suggested an escrow account be maintained to insure the trails are constructed in this development. McDermott stated the City will be getting an easement along with a paved trail as part of this development. McDermott stated the developer is responsible for constructing the trail. Gappa stated the City will receive a letter of credit on this development, which will help to insure that the trails are constructed. Gappa commented he is unsure what position the school district has on the trails in this area. McDermott stated the Park Commission has approved a city-wide trail plan, which is included in the City's Comprehensive Plan. Meyers suggested a workshop be held to discuss this issue further. (#12) PARK COMMISSIONER APPLICATIONS McDermott noted the City has received three applications to the Park Commission. McDermott stated in his opinion they all appear to be good candidates. Gappa stated the interviews will probably be scheduled for the February 28th City Council meeting. Gappa noted Ilse has been reappointed to the Park Commission. (#13) RECOGNITION OF PAST PARK COMMISSIONERS McDermott stated in his opinion the City should do something to recognize the efforts of the past Park Commission members. McDermott suggested a plaque with the names of the past Park Commission members be purchased and hung in the lobby. McDermott suggested a list of past Park Commission members be drafted. McDermott noted Susan Wilson has served ten years on the Park Commission Board and will be given a tree in her honor, which will be planted in the French Creek Park. ADJOURNMENT � Meyers moved, White seconded r ee i 9:11 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 3, Nays 0. i % ndrew McDermott, Chair Page 5