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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-02-2000 Park Commission Minutes r � f MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2000 (#1) ATTENDANCE The Park Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Chair Andrew McDermott, Commissioners Debora Halvorson, Rick Meyers, Irene Silber, Jim White, and Pauline Bouchard. Commissioner Sherokee Ilse arrived at 8:06 p.m. Representing Staffwere Public Services Director Greg Gappa and Recorder Jackie Young. Chair McDermott called the meeting to order at 7:17 p.m. (#2) APPROVAL OF AUGUST,2000 MINUTES Conections were made on Page 1, 3, 4,and 6. White moved, Meyers seconded,to approve the minutes of the August 7, 2000, Orono Parks, Open Spaces and Trails Commission Meeting as amended. VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. MEETING REPORTS (#3) August Council Meetings Silber stated she attended the September City Council meeting, noting the City Council recommended the Parks Commission not pursue a fishing pier at Summit Beach since it might attract visitors from outside the area. McDermott commented a number of people currently utilize the swimming dock for fishing, which creates the potential for safety issues. Meyers stated he would support the idea of the City installing a fishing pier at this location rather than the DNR. Silber suggested this item perhaps be reviewed in the future. Silber noted the City Council did approve the preliminary plat for Brenshell Homes, with the developer placing a conservation easement over the sensitive areas to protect the natural environment. Silber commented Garden Lane will be extended into this development, �vith Council Member Flint proposing that a bituminous trail be constructed to connect to Saga Hill Park. Silber stated the City will need to seriously consider acquiring the Hennessy property. McDermott noted the Watershed District still has to review and approve the wetland report, with the land possibly containing two wetland areas. Gappa noted Garden Lane will be a public road all the way to the cul-de-sac. Silber noted that Hennessy has recently indicated some interest in developing the land. Gappa stated the property owner in the past has indicated they�vere not interested in swapping PAGE 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISS�ON MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2000 their land for the City-owned land on Wildhurst. McDermott stated the City in his view will need to fund the acquisition of this land since the Parks Commission is not financially capable of paying for the acquisition. Silber suggested the City in addition to offering to trade land should also offer some financial incentive to acquire the property. Halvorson stated she attended the August 28, 2000 City Council meeting�vhere they reported the City had received a resolution from the LaFayette Club indicating opposition to the Dalcota Trail project. White commented that Minnetonka Beach has decided to support the Dakota Trail project. Gappa stated a number of residents have indicated they would be supportive of the trail. Meyers commented the main goals of this project is to help preserve and protect the property and safety of the neighborhood fronting the railroad. (#4) PUBLIC COMMENTS None SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/UPDATES (#5) SEPTEMBER PARK TOUR Meyers commented the park tour was well received by the people who attended and offered a good opportunity to informally discuss what they would like to see for the parks. Silber stated she was disappointed more City Council members were unable to attend the tour. McDermott noted there was good attendance by the members of the Parks Commission. White commented the park tour helped demonstrate that progress is being made on the local parks. (#6) NAVARRE PARK Gappa stated the play equipment is scheduled to be delivered October 9`�, with installation of the equipment occurring shortly thereafter. Gappa stated the contractor is not going to begin any grading until the equipment arrives. Gappa stated the contractor will be submitting a change order for the stamped asphalt to see if the City would be willing to go ahead with that item. Gappa noted the cost associated with water hookup came in at$6,000, with some money being saved by going with concrete curbing. PAGE 2 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2000 McDermott inquired whether City Council approved paving of the Navarre Municipal Parking lot. Gappa stated paving will start this Wednesday, with the parking lot being closed for three days. Meyers commented the recent improvements to the Narrow's Saloon have improved the area. Meyers stated the owner is eYpanding his pull-tab operation at the bar. Gappa stated it�vas his understanding the MS Society has appro�imately$10,000 available to allocate towards handicap accessibility projects. McDermott stated the money from the MS would need to be obtained through a grant. Silber indicated she would be willing to write the grant if more information were provided. Gappa stated he could check to see if more information can be obtained on the grant monies. Meyers suggested one additional maple tree located towards the back by County Road 19 be removed. McDermott stated he will look at the tree to see whether it should be removed. (#7) SAGA HILL Silber stated she has nothing new to report. White stated he has provided a new map to the biologistlnaturalist and will contact him to see what progress has been made on this project. (#8) CRYSTAL BAY PARK McDermott reported the City Council has turned over the strip of land to the Parks Commission. Bouchard stated the Pazks Commission should consider what they want to happen with this area. Bouchard inquired whether the Parks Commission will need to pay for the capping of the wells located on the site. McDermott stated it was his understanding the wells had already been capped and that the Parks Commission would not be responsible for that. Gappa stated the wells have been capped. Halvorson inquired whether the street would be vacated or has been vacated. Bouchard stated the street would be eliminated and the area made one large park. PAGE 3 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2000 Gappa stated a public information meeting should be scheduled to discuss this matter,and suggested one be scheduled for the November Parks meeting. McDermott suggested the public hearing be scheduled for January or February. McDermott stated the neighbors have previously expressed interest in a skating rink at this location. Gappa commented the basketball court at this park is well used. Gappa stated the City should look at installing a new well in order to provide a good water source at this park. McDermott stated the City crew may want to trim back the vines that are growing along the side of the Post Office, noting that they appear to be getting under the flashing on the roof. (#9) HACKBERRY Gappa stated he met with the property owner once regarding the life lease, noting he has obtained some right of first refusal forms from the City Attorney. Gappa stated he has requested some information from the City Attorney on life leases but has not received it yet. McDermott stated the Parks Commission has scheduled Hackberry as the next park for potential play equipment improvements sometime in the year 2001. McDermott stated in his opinion it will probably be necessary to spend between$30,000 and$50,000 on new equipment for this park. McDermott stated the current equipment in this park is at least 30 years old. Gappa commented in the past the City Council has seemed supportive of improvements to this park. McDermott suggested this item be brought to the attention of the City Council prior to involving the neighborhood on what they would like to see happen with this park. Silber complimented the City crew on their fine efforts in maintaining the local parks. Meyers stated the Parks Commission still needs to look at other possible options for raising additional funds for parks. McDermott concuned that the Parks Commission does need an additional funding source. (#10) 39 LAKE ACCESS POINTS McDermott inquired what progress has been made with reviewing the lake access points. Meyers commented a number of the lake access points are overgrown and inaccessible at the present time. Bouchard stated they should be ready to present their slide show at the next Parks Commission meeting. Meyers commented it was his understanding the City is not able to vacate any of the lake PAGE 4 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2000 accesses. Gappa commented the City may not be able to vacate any lake accesses, noting the City of Mound attempted to vacate a lake access and was challenged by the DNR, who prevailed in the lawsuit. Gappa stated he will attempt to find that Supreme Court decision and provide it to the Parks Commission. Meyers stated there is one lake access that is located between two residences that are fairly close to one another. Gappa stated that access is fairly heavily used by the snowmobilers in the wintertime. Gappa stated any lake access that is platted is definitely City owned property,with some easements being questionable. (#11) NEW PARK IN NAVARRE McDermott inquired whether the Parks Commission was in agreement with the potential name Langdon Park for the newly acquired land in Navarre. McDermott stated the name appears to be used in Mound somewhat. Gappa commented he likes the name. Silber suggested involving the public and having a historical or geographical name contest with publication in the next City newsletter. McDermott noted this land will not be developed for a long time, and if the public is involved in naming the park,they may anticipate improvements will be made to the park in the near future. McDermott requested the Park Commission continue to think of a name they would like to see for this park. (#12) PARK MAINTENANCE & IMPROVEMENTS—2000-2001 Gappa stated the City Administrator requested the park maintenance &improvements list be given to the City Council in their packets for information rather than as an agenda item. Gappa stated the City Council indicated they did not want to approve it at this time because they had the impression they were giving their approval to all the projects on the list. The City Council stated they would like to discuss the list in a workshop. Gappa indicated he informed the City Council the Parks Commission had developed the park maintenance and improvement list to help justify the park dedication fee and to help prioritize the parks for needed improvements. McDermott noted the City Council had requested the Parks Commission develop this list. McDermott stated the list is intended to serve in a similar fashion as the City's Comprehensive Plan by giving some guidance on the direction the Parks Commission would like to proceed in the future. PAGE 5 MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2000 Gappa suggested the City Council could revisit this item in the future. (#13) PARK GOALS FOR 2001 McDermott stated the top priorities for the year 2001 would be Crystal Bay Park and Hackberry Park. Silber commented Saga Hill and the acquisition of the Hennessy property should also be pursued. (#14) PARK COMMISSIONERS' ASSIGNMENTS Silber commented a number of snowmobilers utilize Saga Hill for snowmobiling, which is supposed to be prohibited in this area. Silber recommended signs be posted stating no snowmobiling in this area. Gappa stated cunently there is one snowmobiling sign posted in the parking lot area. Silber stated additional signs are needed, noting that a number of snowmobilers gain access to the park off of West Branch. Ilse commented the sign posted at the Stubbs Bay dock has appeared to resolve the parking issue in this area. Ilse noted the garbage can by Bederwood needs to be emptied. (#15) NOVEMBER ELECTION The Parks Commission acknowledged that Jim White, Commissioner, was running for City Council. OTHER ISSUES: October City Council Meetings: 10/09/00—McDermott 10/23/00—Meyers ADJOURNMENT Silber moved,Halvorson seconded,to adjourn the meetir�g at 8:39 p.m. .--,�-��,�'�� There being no further business to„�iscuss,t�i � ' � � as-a�e.�ed at`8:39 p.m. �'i �� � � - ----s�,���v- cDermo�f, air PAGE 6