HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-05-2001 Park Commission Minutes CITY OF ORONO
PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5,2001
(#1) ATTENDANCE
The Park Commission met on the above mentioned date with the following members present:
Chair Andrew McDermott, Commissioners Pauline Bouchard, Rick Meyers, Irene Silber, and
Debora Halvorson and Commissioner Sherokee Ilse amved at 8:21 p.m. Representing Staff
were Public Services Director Greg Gappa and Recorder Jackie Young. City Council
Representative Jay Nygard was present.
Chair McDermott called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.
(#2) APPROVAL OF JANUARY 2, 2001
Corrections were made on Pages 2, 3,and 4.
Silber moved, Halvorson seconded, to approve the January 2, 2001 minutes
Orono Parks, Open Space and Trails Commission Meeting as amended.
VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0.
MEETING REPORTS
(#3) January Council Meeting
McDermott stated he attended the January 8`�City Council meeting where they recognized
former Mayor Gabriel Jabbour and former Council Member Charles Kelley for their service
to the City over the past several years. McDermott stated there were quite a few members in
the audience on behalf of Jabbour and Kelley.
Halvorson stated she attended the January 22"d City Council meeting where the City Council
presented a plaque to the outgoing Chief of Police Gary Cheswick in recognition for his
service to the City.
(#4) PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS/UPDATES
(#5) Navarre Park
Meyers stated he is planning on having an article included in the local newspaper notifying the
residents of the opportunity to donate various plants for the Navarre Park. Meyers stated he
plans to include a list of the types of plants he is looking for, which include different types of
hostas daylilies and ferns. Meyers commented in his opinion the plants will help add some color
to the parks.
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CITY OF ORONO
PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2001
Meyers indicated the children in the area havc been using the park on a regular basis.
McDermott inquired whether a ne�v sign for this park has been ordered.
Gappa stated he has not ordercd a new sign for this park, and inquired whether the_y �vould like to
have the present sign just relocatcd.
McDermott stated the present sign at the Navarre Park was one of the original signs erected at the
parks and contains the small narro«� lettering. McDermott stated the ne�ver signs contain the
wider lettering.
Gappa stated hc «�ill look into it.
Me��ers stated he is considering planting of daylilies on top ofthe bcrm facing the road and
on thc backside planting hostas and ferns. Meycrs stated lie would be �villing to come up «�ith
a landscape plan for this park Meyers stated he «�ould also like to put some boulders in arowid
the bi�trces along with hostas.
Silber pointed out that thc bloom time of most plants is onl��for two weeks out of thc scason, and
suggested selecting plants with diffcrent blooill times to provide color throughout most of thc
summer.
McDermott stated the variegated hostas �vill also provide somc color.
Bouchard inquired whether Mevcrs currently e�perienccs any problems witl� dccr in this area.
Meyers stated he has approximately 40 varieties of hostas and has not eiperienced any problems
���ith decr in the area. Meycrs commented he is also contemplating planting a taller prairie grass
towards the back of the park. Mcyers stated he is anticipating planting thc hostas to�vards late
May, early June.
Gappa stated he will talk�vith tl�c c�cavator}�rior to him complcting tl�e final gradc on this
proj ect.
Meycrs notcd the Parks Conlmission did not havc sufficient monc}� in tlie plan to construct a trail
outside the park arca. Mcyers inquired wlletller the Parks Commission �t-ould bc iutcrested in
having a trail connection from tl�e park constructcd do�vn to Count�� Road 19.
Gappa stated they should probably have thc excavator complete the rough grading for that portion
of the trail at the saille timc the��are doing the grading at the park.
Meyers stated he would also like to have a children at play sign and a sign designating a
crosswalk erected prior to the completion of the park to get thc tra�c in the arca acclimated to
the idea of a park in this arca. Mcyers commented this park has not bcen hcavil�� used in the past,
but with the improvements that are underway, l�e cxpccts this park to become il�ore popular«ith
the young children and residents in the arca. Mcycrs stated the Cit�•could tn'thc signs to sec if it
helps reduce the specd in the area, and if that docsn't work, perhaps somc consideration should bc
givcn to a specd bump. Meyers statcd Minnetonka Beach utilizes }�lastic speed bumps �vhicll can
be rcmoved in thc winter.
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CITY OF ORONO
PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEET[NG
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2001
Gappa stated that issue would need to be brought to the attention of the City Council.
Meyers stated he �vill put the article in thc ne�vspaper in April.
Gappa stated there currcntly is not an adopt the park family for this park.
Halvarson suggested that Norenbcrg be contacted to see if they«�ould be interested in donating
somc daylilies.
(#6) Saga Hill
Silber statcd she has nothing ne���to report on Saga Hill.
MeDernlott requested Silber contact Jim Wl�ite to find out the status of the naturalist.
Gappa statcd thcv are still unable to locatc somc of the corner il�arkers for this }�ark but arc
hoping to be able to locatc them at the tin�c thc dcvclopment is bcing constructcd. Gappa stated
thcy may have to hire a survcyor to help identif��the property line ncar tlie Henness_y propert��.
(#7) Dakota RaillTrail
Mevers distributed a proposed bill recentl_y introduccd in the Legislative he found on the intcrnet.
Meyers stated tl�is bill could havc a negative impact on the trail sincc it requires the trail be a
minimum distancc of 1,000 feet froi�� all busincss, residential, or agricultural buildings on thc
adjacent properties �uilcss tl�e propert}� o«�ner���aives tl�at rcquirenicnt. Mcyers stated in his
opinion thc Parks Commission sl�ould scnd a lcttcr to thc Statc Lcgislativc outlining their vic«�s
on this trail.
McDernlott inquircd �vhether the City ��vill be sending a Ietter to the Lcgislative outlining the
City's position on this trail.
Gappa stated hc is unsure. Gappa statcd he will briug this bill to thc City Council's attention.
Gappa commented this bill could potentially impact any trail the City would build. Gappa stated
he �vill research thc intcrnet to see if there is a companion bill in the State Senate.
(#8) 39 Lake Access Points
Gappa indicated hc has prepared some improvcd plat maps depicting the various lake access
points and topograpliy in the arca.
Bouchard stated shc is planning to visit thrcc of the sites again to rephotograph in thc ncar futurc.
Meyers inquired�vhether any of thc lake access sites could be cleared of some trees.
McDerniott stated a variance�ti-ould necd to be obtained prior to an�� rcmoval of trees.
McDermott commented the Citv should take stcps to clearly mark and define these arcas as cit�
property.
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CITY OF ORONO
PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5,2001
Gappa suggested the Parks Commission priaritize the lake acccss points. Gappa statcd hc would
nced to rescarch somc of tlie access points to sec��hether thcy have actually becn officially
opened for public usc.
McDermott commented the City should perhaps clean up the ones that gct used on a regular basis
and erect the appropriate signagc. McDcnnott stated he is going to photograph Tonka Bay's and
EXcelsior Bay's corncr posts to dcmonstrate what othcr cities havc used.
Gappa recommended this item bc discusscd morc in depth in a work session. Gappa suggestcd
selccting the top ten lake access points that the City would like to improvc.
Meyers stated the City's goal and philosophy rclating to these lake access points nceds to be
clearly defined to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings.
Bouchard indicated one issue the Cit}� �vill ueed to deal with are thc lakc acccss points ���hcrc thc
adjoinin�property o�vners havc cucroached into the City-owned propert��.
Gappa stated it will be difficult to locate somc of the corners at a fe��� of thc lakc access points.
Bouchard recommcnded the City itemizc each lakc acccss point and dctail ho�v eacl� one will be
catcgorized as well as auv improvements that should be donc in the futurc to each one.
McDermott stated he is lookiug at schcduling a�vork session to discuss this �natter for sometimc
in April.
Mcycrs suggested the Parks Commission have their goals and objectivcs for cach lake access
point devcloped prior to having a�ti�ork session ��ith tlle Citv Couucil. Mevers stated issues
relating to sno«�mobilers will also ueed to be addressed.
Gappa stated another issue is the drivcwav encroachments that have occurred on some of the lakc
access points and illegal parking.
Jay Nygard, City Council Representative, commented thc City should take steps to insure that
these lake access points are safe for recreational activitv.
Gappa suggested this iten� be revicwed again in April.
(#9) Winter Recreation Schedule
Gappa reported the golf coursc has c�pericnccd good use this winter, �vith the icc rinks also bcing
uscd quitc frequcntly.
(#l0) Park Commissioner Assignments, 2001-2002
Hackberry/Crystal Bay
McDcrmott inquircd �vhcther thc Parks Com►nission«aut to considcr purchasing nc�v pla��
equipment for one of the parks this vcar.
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CITY OF ORONO
PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSIOIv MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2001
Gappa stated Hackberry has been considered in the past for new play equipment.
McDermott commcnted the play equipment at Hackberry is definitclti� due for replacemeilt this
year.
Gappa stated in his view this issuc should perhaps be brought bcfore the City Cou�icil.
McDernlott suggcsted this item bc discussed in an upcoming Cit�� Council work scssion.
Bouchard commented that improvements to Cn�stal Bay have also been discusscd.
McDermott stated he is unsurc�vhcthcr the master plan needs to be updated since the Parks
Commission has considered blocking off a portion of the road intersecting thc t�i�o parcels of land
and then connect the park somcho���. McDermott stated they could perhaps leave the pavement
there if a hockey rink or rollerblading or skatcboard rink is constructed.
Gappa stated the two parks the Parks Con�mission had been considcring for pla�- equipment
replaccment have been Crystal Ba�� and Hackberr�-. Gappa stated before the Parks Commission
proceeds much further on Crystal Bay, thcy nced to look at replacing tl�c well in the arca prior to
constructing a hocke�� rink. Gappa suggested this item also be brought before tl�e Citv Cowieil at
one of thc Cit�� Cow�cil's upcoming�,vork scssions.
Lee Carlson Fields
McDermott inquired whether therc has bee�� any ne���progress on the e��ansion of thc Lee
Carlson ficlds.
Gappa stated no ne«�plans have bcen presentcd to the City at this time.
French Creek Preserve
Halvorson stated she would likc thc Girl Scouts or Bo�� Scouts to bc contacted to help �vith thc
updating of the historical information sign located at this park.
McDermott statcd the Girl Scouts originally helped with the information sign. McDcrnlott
suggested Halvorson contact the Girl Scouts again to see «�hether thc��«ould be interested in
updating the sign.
Gappa stated he �vill attempt to find the kc� for the information sign.
McDermott stated the Boy Scouts could possibl}� be contacted about constructing some benches
for some of the parks. McDermott commented the Navarrc Park���ill be in need of some uew
benches follo��ing the improvemcnts. MeDerinott stated he�vill supplS�the bencl� requircmeiits
to Gappa.
(#1 l) Recognition of Donors
MeDermott stated in 1ig11t of thc rccent land donations to the City, he would reconu��ald to thc
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CITY OF ORONO
PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMM1SS10N MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5,2001
Parks Commission that they seriously consider giving more recognition to those individuals that
have donated land to the City in the past. McDerniott commented the trail system and parks of
the City should also bc better identified. McDermott noted he has spoken with the City
Administrator regarding this item, with some consideration bein�given to having a big map
identifying the parks and trail s_ysteil� within the Citv being added to thc Friends ofthe Park
section located herc in City Hall. McDermott stated the map could illustrate thc donated parccls
of land as well as a legend telling who donated thc land, the number of acres involved, �vlien it
was donated and anv other pertincnt iuformation rclating to the la�id.
McDermott stated it was his understanding Summit Beach was donatcd by the Daytons.
McDermott inquircd whether Antoine was also donated.
Gappa stated Antoinc was donated, but at this time he is unsure �vho the e�act donor«�as.
McDermott statcd in his view all of thc individuals who have donatcd land in thc past should be
recognized. McDcrmott inquircd who has developed the maps for thc City at thc present timc.
Gappa stated the_y� have utilized BSU Consultants to assemble the �uaps. Gappa�Iotcd the maps
would need to be updated periodicall}.
McDern�ott suggested the maps could perhaps bc dra��n on poster board or some other similar
matcrial.
Nygard inquired���hethcr the Parks Commission would bc intcrestcd in updati»g the brochurc the
City lias utilized in thc past.
McDcrnlott concurred the brochure could perhaps be updated showing the currcnt parks in thc
CitS�. McDermott stated hc will work with Gappa on this matter.
Gappa stated he will work on getting a map togcthcr sl�owing thc parks in the area.
(#12) Highway 12/Stubbs Bay Road Area
McDermott stated hc did discuss tl�c possibilitv of adding a pedestrian overpass at onc of the
Highway 12 Design Review Committce meetiugs recently. McDennott stated inclusion of an
ovcrpass would not be easily acconlplishcd at tl�is point in the design stage and���ould require ice
tea funding.
Gappa stated Mn/DOT has been gctting some pressure from the State Legislaturc to finish this
projcct as soon as possible.
McDernlott cominentcd construction of an overpass �vould also be a rather espensivu project.
The Parks Commission reviewed a map of the proposcd High�va� 12 corridor.
Gappa indicated there are not too many fcasible sitcs �vhcre an overpass could be constructed,
noting there is a nwuber of�vctlai�ds in thc arca that�vould nced to be filled as �ti�ell as privatc
land tliat would need to be acquircd. Gappa stated in order to get icc tea fuilds, thc Cit�� must
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CITY OF ORONO
PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEET(NG
MO1vDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2001
demonstrate a regional purpose for this project. Federal funding is also unlikely due to the
amount of���etlands that would bc filled, which would negatively impact the Cit�°�s chances on
obtaining federal funds.
McDermott stated had the inclusion of an overpass becn discussed from the conccption of thc
new Highway 12 corridor, the Cit�� would have had a better chance of gctting one built t11an at
this late stage in the design. McDermott stated there is a possibilitv of connecting thc Lurton
property to Count�� Road 6 using part of e�cess conde���ned land.
McDermott inquired whether the Cit�� Administrator had discusscd with Gappa the possibilit�� of
doing some master planning with the Cit�� Engincer�s Office conccrning thesc trails.
Gappa stated the}� did discuss doing a feasibility study to determine wliether trails in tl�is area
could bc accomplishcd.
McDermott inquired whether a trail could be constructed from Old Crystal Bay to the Carlson
property.
Gappa commented in his vicw that trail «-ould be workable. Gappa stated thcrc is a progress
mecting schcduled for Wednesdar ��ith Mn/DOT.
MeDernlott statcd thc amount of d►-v buildablc land in that arca��ill also nced to bc dctcrmi�led.
Gappa stated in his vie�v there ma�� not be sufficicnt dry-buildablc land left over follo��in�thc
construction of the high«�ay to leavc much for a park.
Ilse questioned whether there «�ould bc room for people to park in order to access thc trail.
McDermott stated they would need to request land from Mn/DOT to allo«�for a corridor.
Gappa statcd the property o�vners i�i tl�is arca arc rcqucsting a berm bc constructed, ��°11ic1� limits
thc amount of available land. Gappa statcd it �ti11 dcpcnd on wh�t land cau bc ncgotiatcd���ith
Mn/DOT.
OTHER ISSUES:
City Council Meetings
Fcbruarv 12— McDer�nott
February 26—Meyers
New Commissioners
Gappa stated intcrviews for tl�c Parks Con�i��ission ��ill be conducted at thc Febniar�- 26°i Cit��
Council meeting.
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CITY OF ORONO
PARKS, OPEN SPACES AND TRAILS COMMISSION MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2001
Lurton Property
Ilse stated the Lurtons have indicatcd thcv would likc to sec the barn savcd if at all possible.
McDermott stated tl�c bani would necd to be relocated prior to construction.
Gappa commented l�c did present this idca to the Cit�° Council, ��ho indicated this secmed like a
reasonable project.
Ilse recommended the integrit�-of the stnicture bc reviewed.
ADJOURNMENT
Bouchard moved, Meyers seco�ided, to adjow•n the m ting at 8:57 p.m.
�-�
There being no fiirther business to � is �c �ourne at 8:i7 p.m.
rew McDermott, Chair
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