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Home My WebLink About01-02-2001 Park Commission Minutes MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK5, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, January 2, 2001 (#1) ROLL The Park Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Chair Andrew McDcrmott, Commissioners Debora Halvorson, Jim White, Rick Meyers, and Sherokee Ilse. Commissioners Irene Silber and Pauline Bouchard were absent. Representing Staff were Public Services Director Greg Gappa. Chair McDermott called the mecting to order at 7:20 p.m. (#2) APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER,2000 MINUTES Corrections were made on Pages 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 of the November 6, 2000 minutes. Halvorson moved, Meyers seconded, to approve the November 6, 2000 minutes of the Parks, Open Space and Trails Commission Meeting as amended. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. Corrections were made on Pagcs 1, 2, 3, and � of the December 4, 2000 minutes. Meyers moved, White seconded, to approve the December 4, 2000 minutes of the Parks, Open Space and Trails Commission Meeting as amended. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. MEETING REPORTS (#3) December Council Meeting White attended the December Cit}- Council meeting and reported the Dakota Rail to Trail project was discussed. White stated some legislation is being proposed opposing funding ofthe project. McDermott commented another topic of discussion at the spccial Cit�� Council mccting was thc recognition of Mr. Lurton who donated approximately 40 acres to the City. McDermott stated the City is considering doing a recognition of Mr. Lurton at the time thc title is transferred to the City. McDermott stated the Carlsons, who have also donated some land to thc City, �vill probably be recognized at that time as well. Halvorson commented that perhaps thc naming of thc property could be done at thc time of thc recognition. McDcrmott recommcnded rivo nan�cs for cach property be choscn in the event thc person who donated the property prefers not to have the land named after him. McDerinott stated these t�vo individuals would bc good recipients of thc Friend of the Park a�t�ard, �vhich is t��pically awarded in Fcbruar}- or March. MeDermott suggested that perhaps the Friend of the Park a��ard could bc done at thc same time thc titic of tlic propert}� is turned ovcr to the Citv. PAGE 1 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, January 2, 2001 (#4) Public Comments None SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/UPDATES (#5) Saga Hill MeDermott stated Brenshell Homes has been givcn approval to develop a seven acre site in thc Saga Hill arca. The City desires to do something�vith the Hennessy property. McDcrmott stated Silbcr is going to follo�v-up on the possible acquisition of this piecc of property. McDcrmott noted the Hennessy property is only assessed at$7,000 at the present time, but following construction of the road in this area, the assessed value may go up considerabl��. McDermott commented in his view this lot should be considered a significant asset to the Saga Hill Park and ravinc in thc arca. White stated the meeting he had scheduled with the naturalist had to bc cancclled due to his schedule,but he is l�oping to arrailge a meeting with him sometime next week. White stated the neighbors have commented on thc large number of snowmobilers in this arca, whicl� is something the naturalist could address. Lowry Woods McDermott stated the Park Commission should perhaps look at the boundaries for this park and perhaps post signs along the Luce Line prohibiting snowmobiling in the park. (#6) Dakota Rail/Trail This item was discussed under the City Council report. (#7) 39 Lake Access Points McDermott statcd thc Park Commission is attempting to schedulc an April work scssiou with the City Council to discuss this issue further, with Gappa developing plat maps idcntifying the various lake access points. Meyers indicated they are revisiting some of the sites and rephotographing the area. (#8) Winter Recreation Schedule Gappa stated the ice rinks have beci� fairly busy, �vith an article going into the ne��s�aper this week telling the general public that the golf coursc is opcn for sliding. White stated City Staff has been doing a great job at maintaining thc ice at the Casco Point rink, with this rink getting good use. PAGE 2 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, January 2, 2001 Lurton Property McDermott inquired when the meetings regarding thc Lurton property are scheduled for. McDermott stated it would be nice if the barn could be relocated rather than demolished, noting the house and barn are going to be demolished as part ofthe Highway 12 improvement project. McDermott suggcsted that perhaps an agreement could be reached with Mn/DOT to relocate the barn. Ilse stated thc barn is approximatel}� 100 years old. McDermott commented this would be a nice piece of property to utilize for the��inter recreation program. Halvorson inquired whcther any mone}�would be available since it may be considered a historical building. McDermott stated the barn �night have been substantially altered, wl�ich would disq�ialify it for anv funding. Halvorson inquired what the barn �could bc used for if it is rclocated. McDermott stated it could be used as a�-varming house, with rental of skis being conductcd out of the building, or other possible uses. Ilse commented the idea of a connection from the south to thc Lurton property should be pursued. Ilse moved, Halvorson seconded,to recommend the City Council pursue negotiations with Mn/DOT and Hennepin Parks to acquire land to construct a pedestrian overpass or underpass from Stubbs Bay cul-de-sac to the Lurton property and potentially to Baker Park. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. (#9) Park Commissioners Assignments, 2000-2001 McDermott stated a new Commissioner�vill necd to bc appointed to rcplace White on liis assigned parks. Gappa stated the City is going to check back with the previous applicants to see whether thcy are still interested in serving on the Park Commission. Gappa noted there was not a lot of interest the last time there was a vacancv on the Commission. Halvorson stated in November she had toured French Creek Park, and at that time thc adjoining property owners �vere bringing their dogs over to that park to allow thcir dogs to run. Halvorson commented in her view this is probabl}� not very appropriate due to the natural wildlife tl�at is in the area and the duck houses that havc becn ercctcd at this park. Halvorson inquired whether that type of activity could be prohibited at this park. PAGE 3 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, January 2, 2001 Gappa stated it is his understanding the City does not have a leash law at the current time. McDermott inquired whether burning will be done at French Creek this spring. Gappa stated that is included as part of the maintenance contract and should be completed this spring. Lee Carison Field Ilsc inquired whether there were any questions raised regarding the Orono Bascball Association field next to the Carlson field at the last Park Commission meeting. McDermott inquired whether the Baseball Association has off`icially leased the ficld from the School Board. llse stated thc lease is for 99 vcars �vith the City, with the City bcing responsible for overseeing the maintenancc of the field. McDermott stated they have requcstcd the Baseball Association prescnt a preliininar5� and final plan for approval by the Park Co��mission. McDer��ott stated the Bascball Associatiou did address the Park Commission and indicated they«�ould like to construct a concession stand as �vell as a field that could be utilized for both baseball and soccer. Ilse stated it is her understanding that somc softball fields will be eonstructed behind the new middle school as we1L Ilse stated the City has made attempts to providc sufficient basebalUsoftball fields in this area. McDermott commented the new housing development in this area will havc a trail constructed to thc school as well as a trail to the new field. Ilse inquired whether the Baseball Association has sufficient mone��to construct a play area at the ne�v field. MeDermott statcd it is his undcrstanding the Baseball Association is looking to the Citv for some financial assistance in this project. McDermott statcd Mayor Jabbour had comnlented at his last meeting that the City is really not in a position at this time to providc a lot of financial assistance to thc Park Commission this ycar. Ilsc noted the City rcally does not have a pla5�area in this vicinit}�and suggested the Park Commission should consider constructing onc in the fi�ture. McDermott indicated there is onc at the school, with this area being primarily a baseball field. Ilse stated the Park Commission should considcr pursuing the availabilit} of funds to allo�� construction of a play area at this site. Senior Housing Project Meycrs inquired whcther the City is going to be receiving a park dedication fee from the PAGE 4 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARKS, OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday, January 2, 2001 proposed senior housing developincnt. White stated the devcloper and thc City are entering into negotiations regarding TIF assistance and City fees on that project. The TIF funds ��ould bc utilized to help develop that site. Lee Carlson Field McDermott stated tl�e Baseball Association has earned a significant amount of mone_y froiii tl�cir pull tab operation to help offset the costs of this project and that perhaps in a couple of ycars the funds would be available from that pull tab operation to help pay for a new play area at this site. Meyers stated the new Navarrc Park on Shoreline Drive could perhaps be utilized for sledding, with the parking area being widened somcwhat to accommodate a few more cars. Halvorson stated one tlling the Park Commission sllould consider for the futurc is the construction of an outdoor hockcy rink. McDerinott stated an outdoor llockev rink at Crystal Bay has bccn discLisscd in the past. Gappa stated another possible location�vould bc nc�t to the ice skating rink at Casco Point. Other Issues: January Council Meetings O1/08/Ol — McDermott Ol/22/Ol —Halvorson ADJOUR1vMENT Halvorson moved, White seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Thcre being no further business,the � ��,e�Tn ' ' t 9�: _ p.m. � f �� / An�re�� cDcrmott, Chair PAGE 5