HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-04-2000 Park Commission Minutes MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO
PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING
MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2000
(#1) ATTENDANCE
The Park Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the follo�ving members present:
Chair Andrew McDermott, Commissioners Rick Meyers, Irene Silber, Jim White, and
Sherokee Ilse arrived at 8:54 p.m. Commissioners Debora Halvorson and Pauline Bouchard
were absent. Representing Staff�-vas Recorder Jackie Young. Public Scrviccs Director
Greg Gappa was not present at tonight�s mecting.
(#4) PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Jabbour thaiilced the Park Commission for the fine job they have done througl�out the
years he has been mayor. Jabbour commented unfortunately the Cit�� of Orono at this time does
not have additional fiinds to allocate to parks for the upcoming ��ear, but noted that the City of
Orono has been blessed bv its citizens with a number of land donations which allows the Citti�of
Orono to have a significant amount of land dedicated for parks. Jabbour stated those citizens
will be recognized at an open house in the near future.
Jabbour informed the Park Commission that he will continue to work on the Dakota Rail to
Trail project even after his ternl as Mayour is over. Jabbour stated Hennepin County is willing
to assume $�00,000 of liabilitv to�rard costs associated with environmental issues. Jabbour stated
he will continue to keep the Park Commission informed on the progress of this project.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/UPDATES
(#5) PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO LEE CARLSON FIELD
Clarkson Lindlev. Orono Baseball Association. and Kurt Borner. Presidcnt of the Orono
Baseball Association.
Lindley addressed the Park Commission rcgarding the proposed improvements to tl�e Lee
Carlson field. Lindle�� stated the School Board has determined the land east of the Lee Carlson
fields is surplus land and has indicated the�� �vould like to make this land available for
conuilunity use. Lindley stated the School District �vill have fee o���nership of the land and
�vill enter into a lease with the Citv of Orono and the Orono Baseball Association ��ith
approval from tl�e City of Orono and thc Orono School District.
Borner stated they are on the School Board's agenda tomorro�v night to make a formal request
to coirvert the land into a baseball/soccer field.
Lindley stated if the School Board reacts favorablv to their proposal, constniction of the ne��
field will commence in the spring. Lindley conunented the School District's contractor for the
ne�� school has gone in and removed a significant amount of debris from the site. ��ith additional
cleanup anticipated in the spring.
Lindley stated the Orono Baseball Association is also looking at adding some amenities to
this site in conjunction ���itl� the School District and the Cit��. Lindle�� stated the�� �vould like to
construct a restroom facility, conccssion stand. and a small �ark. Lindlev indicated tl�c�� «�ould
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO
PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING
MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2000
not need financing from the Cit�� to coi�struct the baseball field itself. but are looking to the Cit��
aild its citizens for some t��pe of contribution to enable them to construct the other proposed
amenities on this site.
Broner indicated the Baseball Association currentl�� has a pulltab operation at Bill_y�s Lighthouse,
�vith appro�iillatell� $120,000 in escrow earnlarked towards this project.
� McDernlott inquired �vhether thesc �vould be multi-use fields.
Lindle5� stated they would like to construct a basebalVsoccer ficld in addition to the t���o
baseball fields that currentl�� exist at this site. Lindle� stated the intcrest in those t��o sports
w�ill result in the fields beii�g utilized to tl�c mazii��ui��. Lindle�� iiidicated the�� ���ould also like to
have a professional landscaper revie«�the site. Lindley stated thev ���otild like to install a
chain link fence on the site along«�ith boulders and landscaping to screen the fencing.
Lindley invited the members of the Park Commission to visit the site, and welcomed the
support of the Park Commission on this project.
Meyers indicated he �vould be interested in touring the site, and inquircd ��hcther the field
�rould be lit.
Lindlev statcd thc ficld ���ill not bc lit. Lindlc�� statcd thc ticid ���ill bc ablc to bc convcrtcd
from a baseball ficld to a socccr ficld dc�cnding on ���hich sport is utilizing thc sitc. Lindlc��
stated tl�e�� arc coi�tcmplatii�g access off of Cn�stal Ba�� Road and not off of Count�� Road 6
Mevers inquired �nc�ther the soccer association ��ould be contributing to��ard this pro.ject.
Lindley stated the�� have spoken ���ith the soccer association and fecl there are parents ���ho
�vould be willing to financially support this project.
McDermott inquired what tvpe of lease the Bascball Association has ��ith Bill��s Lighthouse
on their pulltab operation.
Lindley stated the}� have an annual lease�-vith Bill��'s, ��vith the operation being staffed bv
volunteers of the Baseball Association.
Borner inquired what the Park Commission ��ould like to see from the Orono Baseball
Association in connection with the proposed improvements.
McDermott stated they would like to see a concept plan and final plan.
Lindley stated they would like to get the lease finalized with the School District and the City.
Meyers inquired whether they are plauning on utilizing a PA systen�.
Borner stated they have a modest PA system at the present time and have ilot received any
complaints to date. Borner stated they are looking at over 600 kids using these fields ranging
in age from 6 to 18 years old.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO
PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING
MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2000
McDermott commented in his opinion the City would be willing to support this project, and
reconmlended an environmental studv of the site be undertaken because of the evidence of
a farm dump site.
(#4) PUBLIC COMMENTS, CONTINUED
Paul Kerr, Orono resident, indicated he would be interested in applying for a seat on the
Park Commission. Kerr commented he is impressed by the amount of parkland available in the
City of Orono and is interested in improving the parks located within the City.
MEETING REPORTS
(#3) NOVEMBER COUNCIL MEETINGS
McDermott stated Isle attended the November 27 City Council meeting and did not have
anything to report.
McDennott stated Bouchard attended the November 13 Citv Council illeeting. McDermott
stated Bouchard e�pressed some concerns from the Council that there are some people in the
State House and Senate who are not in favor of the Dakota Rail to Trail project, and encouraged
the members of the Park Commission and other residents to write letters to their representatives
indicating their support ofthis project as individuals.
(#11) 39 LAKE ACCESS POINTS
McDermott stated Bouchard will continue work on this item, ���ith a possible work session or
meeting with the City Council in April to discuss this matter more in depth.
Kerr commented the City of E�celsior also surveyed and located their lake access points,
with the Planning Commission visiting several of the sites. Kerr stated it was his understanding
the City merely identified the fire lanes and access points and was not interested in advertising
them at this point.
McDermott inquired whether the City turned any of the lake access points back over to any
of the neighboring property owners.
Kerr stated he does not know at this time but could possibl�� find that inforillation out.
Meyers statEd in his opinion the City of Orono needs to identify tl�eir lake access points and
take steps to stop any encroachments that exist b�� erecting fences and posting signs denoting
the area as City-owned land. Meyers stated the City should take steps to reclaim some of the
lake access points.
McDermott noted there are some lake access points that should be rephotographed, especially
the wooded sites «�hich should be more visible in the �vintertime. McDennott stated Gappa
will also be preparing a plat map for each site to help identify the adjacent properties and
structures.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO
PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING
MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2000
(#10) DAKOTA RAIL/TRAIL
McDermott noted Mayor Jababour gave a brief update to the Park Commission on tliis item.
McDennott stated the possible contamination alwig the Dakota Rail is a very important
issue due to the e�penses that may be uivolved with cleanup. McDernlott noted Hennepin
County is willing to allocate$500,000 towards cleanup.
(#9) SAGA HILL
White stated he will be attending a luncheon with the Hennepin Parks Commissioners and
will be discussing the status of Saga Hill with the naturalist/biologist. White commented it
was his understanding the naturalist was not going to plan the park but was to identify what
was there.
McDermott stated it was his understanding the}�would be assisting in the�lanning.
White stated he informed the naturalist to do a survev of what was there.
(#8) NAVARRE PARK
Meyers stated the �vood chips have been pLit in the park, with the pla}� equipment I�aving been
installed. Meyers stated unfortunately the slide was daniaged duriilg installation and needs to
be removed and replaced. Meyers commented in his opinion there are ample slides already in
the play equipment and that perhaps another piece of play equipment be installed in its place.
McDermott noted the ship was installed in the wrong directiou, with the brow of the ship
facing the rear of the park rather than the front. McDennott stated unfort�matelti� it cannot be
changed at this time since it has been installed in concrete.
Meyers stated there presently are some piles of dirt which could perhaps be incorporated as
some gentle berms to iinprove the appearance of the park.
McDernlott stated the trail should be paved in the spring. McDernlott stated the Park
Commission should consider the possibility of adding a fountain at this park in the ne�t couple
of years.
Meyers commented the Park Commission�vill need to pay for the�vater connection and
hookup to the fountain, noting he should be able to obtain the fountain for free.
(#6) DONATION OF CRYSTAL CREEK LAND TO CITY
Silber noted there is a letter included in the Park Commission packet to the City Council,
and inquired whether this item has already been acted on by the City Council. McDermott
stated the letter states this item was to be acted on at the November 27 Council meeting.
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MINUTES OF THE C1TY OF ORONO
PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING
MONDAY, DECEMBER 4,2000
Silber noted they have 29 acres at this site.
McDermott commeuted this site contains a number of wetlands, with little buildable area.
McDermott stated this park will probably have to remain natural with only a small portion
developed for active uses.
The Park Commission reviewed a map of the area.
McDernlott stated he will work with the Highway 12 Committee to see «�hether a trail could
be constructed through this area.
(#7) SUBDIVISION HIGHWAY 12 & BROWN ROAD NORTH
White reported the City Council did look at this item at tl�eir last Council meeting, noting this
is a new type of development for the City. White stated the developer«ill be requesting some
type of financial assistance from the City in connection�vith this project to make it more
affordable. White indicated the Metropolitan Council has stated that the park dedication fees
could be waived on this type of development, ���hich may be one option the City Council could
consider. White stated typically park dedication fees are paid on a per tmit basis for this t_ype
of project.
White indicated there are issues relating to zoning and height ���ith regard to this project, and
if approved, will resiilt in a seven or eight million dollar building.
Meyers stated he would like to see a TIF District created for this project, with a trail being
eonstructed in the area. Meyers noted the City is pursuing different types of life cycle housing
to meet the needs of its citizens.
White stated in his opinion the City needs senior housing.
Silber concurred that there is a severe shortage of senior housing in this area and there should
not be a problem filling this building.
White stated the building would be o���ned by a non-profit organization.
McDermott commented the Park Commission may „�ant to consider some t}�pe of play
equipment in this area for small children who come to visit the seniors. McDerniott noted
there is no grocery store or other retail stores in the immediate area and that perhaps this
type of development would be better suited for Navarre.
The Park Commission had no recommendation regarding this project at this time.
(#12) WINTER RECREATION SCHEDULE
McDermott stated the skating and sleddiug will probabl5� start after the Christinas l�oliday,
noting that is typically when it begins.
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MINUTES OF THE CITY OF ORONO
PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING
MONDAY, DECEMBER 4,2000
McDermott indicated he has some information regarding a mini Zamboni�vhich could be
pulled by a John Deere tractor for a cost of appro�imately $10,000. McDerniott stated he will
give Gappa this information at their nett meeting.
(#13) PARK COMMISSIONERS ASSIGNMENTS,2000-2001
McDermott stated they will wait on this item until Gappa is present.
NEW BUSINESS
(#14) RESIGNATION OF PARK COMMISSIONER JIM WHITE
White thanked the members of the Park Commission for their efforts over the}ears in
improving Orono's parks.
The Park Commission thanked White for his dedicated service on the Park Commission, noting
he has served on the Commission since April, 1993.
OTHER ISSUES
Meyers recommended the matter of pulltabs and a 10 percent donation to the Park Fund be
discussed at one of tl�e upcoming CitS� Coimcil meetings.
(#2) APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER, 2000 MINUTES
The Park Commission tabled the November, 2000 minutes to their next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Ilse, second by White,to adjourn the eting at 9:15 p.m.
There being no further business to di e eeting«�as a j rned at 9:1� p.m.
�
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w McDermott, Chair
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