Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-07-2021 Park Commission MinutesMINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Tuesday, September 7, 2021 6:00 o'clock p.m. CALL TO ORDER Chair Roath called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono Park Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Chairman Brian Roath, Commissioners Janice Berg, Rick Carter, Casey Hudson, and Taylor Stephens. Representing Staff was Adam Edwards. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Roath led the Commissioners and those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. May 5, 2021 Park Commission Meeting Minutes Hudson moved, Berg seconded, to approve the May 5, 2021 Park Commission Meeting Minutes. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. PUBLIC COMMENTS Barbara Schmidt, 50 Landmark Drive, read a statement from the neighbors of Bederwood Park and Lowry Woods: We are advocates for the following.• Environmental impact analysis of proposed park projects prior to the final decision including examination of reasonable alternatives and mitigation measures, ample opportunity for citizens to be pursuant to an appropriate notice and comment, administrative procedure, transparent and timely communication to Orono citizens on all park -related topics including notifications for park neighbors when projects, plans, or other changes are being contemplated in their neighborhood. Prevention offurther damage to natural resources by reversing the decision to allow bicycles in Bederwood Park, restoring the environmental damage to Bederwood Park, and committing to keeping Lowry Woods a passive, bicycle free, nature conservation area as directed by the Nature Conservancy. If this is not honored, then enforcement of the Nature Conservancy's restrictive covenants as to the Lowry Wood, preserving our streams and wetlands as natural resources, preserving our big woods and maintaining them as natural areas similar to Wolsfeld Woods and Wood Rail. These are also big woods remnants designated as scientific natural areas (SNA's) by the Minnesota DNR. Passive enjoyment of Orono's big woods parks consistent with conservation of resources would preclude bicycles within the big woods portion of Orono parks. Specifically, we are concerned that allowing bicycles in the big woods park areas will result in safety issues associated with bikers and hikers co -existing on the same park trails, private property liability issues associated with bicycle -related activities including trespass and private property damage, negative impacts to trees and understory plants as well as wildlife, adverse impacts to soft dirt trails including soil erosion and compaction, the introduction and spread of invasive species, other environmental impacts determined by a thorough environmental impact analysis. We have also submitted a document that raises many questions to Exhibit A and B. Ms. Schmidt asked to submit Exhibit A and B for a response. Page 1 of 6 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Tuesday, September 7, 2021 6:00 o'clock p.m. Edwards asked for a list of signatories. Ms. Schmidt will submit those the following day. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT a. Park Chairman's Update Chair Roath stated there has been a lot of public discussion on social media regarding the City of Orono and activities within the City's parks, specifically Bederwood Park and Lowry Woods, The Park Commission wants to provide some clarity on those matters and will submit a statement. Chair Roath noted he visited Bederwood Park the previous night with his child as he wanted to be sure he had all the facts and information. He believes Hudson and Berg also went recently and asked if any of the Commissioners had comments about what they saw. Berg was there on Saturday and saw a woman walking her dog but no one on the trail. Most of the cars there were for the Luce Line trail. She did not walk through the woods. Chair Roath saw almost zero sign of anyone back in the woods, no fresh cut trees (fresh meaning in the last years), and no misuse of the woods whatsoever. He suggested an edit to the Commissioner's statement on point 6 that says: to date there have been no negative impacts from mountain bikes in the woods at Bederwood. In fact, any impacts are all positive. We appreciate the mountain bike team removing debris and dead branches. If in the future we hear of misuse in that part of the park, the City Staff and Park Commission will take this matter up and understand the impacts. Chair Roath read the following joint statement from the Orono Park Commissioners: There has been public discussion on social media about the City of Orono and activities within the City's parrs, specifically, Bederwood Park and Lowry Woods. The Park Commission wants to provide some clarity on those matters. 1) Everyone on the Park Commission understands the importance and duty to preserve and protect Orono's natural areas, including the precious Big Woods located in our community. All commission recommendations and activities are consistent with these values. 2) The Park Commission meetings are open to the public. Commission discussions and recommendations about parks occurs at public meetings and are a matter of public record. The videos and minutes of the meetings are available online. 3) Because the Parks Commission is an advisory group, we do not make any decisions about parks — only recommendations to the Council and Cita). 4) Orono routinely partners with youth organizations to make improvements to our park amenities and to promote responsible use by all community youth and adults. These organizations include the mountain bike team, soccer club, baseball and softball associations, lacrosse club, football association, rowing club, hockey associations, scouts, etc. Partnership with these community organizations for the betterment of our parks and their enjoyment of them as residents, is a key component to maintaining and managing our park space for the entire community. 5) Lowry Woods: Last autumn, the City's Park Commission had an informal discussion with the Orono Mountain Bike Team to consider their request to use the Lowry Woods trailsfor mountain bikepractice. Page 2 of 6 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Tuesday, September 7, 2021 6:00 o'clock p.m. The Commission recommended the team reach out to park neighbors and gauge neighborhood support for such a use prior to moving the idea forward formally. It was determined that bicycle access into the park was not suitable for the team. No further action is planned at this time. Still, the Commission believes access to Lowry Woods —for any user - is inadequate. The property is nearly surrounded by private property. And, the natural terrain adds other access challenges. The Commission will continue to explore options to provide improved access to this beautiful natural park for all residents. 6) Bederwood Park: In Spring 2021, the Commission recommended, and the City Council passed a resolution, allowing the Orono Mountain Bike Team to use a portion of Bederwood Park to conduct skill training for their youngest riders. The approval allows the team to use existing grass and dirt pathways and to make minor improvements (clear deadfall, leaves and debris from the ground) creating a dirt pathway in the undeveloped areas of the park. To date there have been no negative impacts from mountain bikes in the woods at Bederwood. In fact, any impacts are all positive. We appreciate the mountain bike team removing debris and dead branches. If in the future we hear of misuse in thatpart of the park, the City Staff and Park Commission will take this matter up and understand the impacts. 7) At both Lowry Woods and at Bederwood, the Commission does not have any plan to: a. Take%ondemn private property b. Permit the removal or cutting down of healthy trees in protected park woodlands c. Fill drainage ways or wetlands d. Engage any landscape engineering or architectural firm for any work related to protected undeveloped areas of the park Any such plans for these activities in the future would first be contemplated in public City Council or Commission meetings, where all residents have the opportunity to voice support or concern. 8) Please be aware that making unauthorized changes to our parks is not allowed. Activities such as clearing trees or even planting seedlings in Orono parks without City approval are violations of city code. 9) Park Commission and Cit1) Council meetings are the fora to receive accurate information on Cit)) park projects. Your participation is the way to invoke change in our parks. This is the proper channel to voice concerns or complaints. You are all welcome, and encouraged, to participate in the process of improving our parrs. 10) Lastly, Orono parks are for everyone. It is important everyone — whether child, adult, organized, not - organized, resident, non-resident —feel welcome in all parrs. Any activio3 that makes Park users feel intimidated, scared, bullied, harassed, or otherwise unwelcome will not be tolerated. Carter moved, Hudson seconded, to add the Park Commission Statement to the record. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. b. Park Assignments Review Chair Roath asked to walk through the goals for each park. Berg updated regarding Summit, noting the boy scouts were putting in the stairs and she looked at the designated playground area and thinks they just need some swings and a slide. Edwards is looking at playground vendors and noted there are grant opportunities in the fall and the spring. Page 3 of 6 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARD COMMISSION Tuesday, September 7, 2021 6:00 o'clock p.m. Chair Roath noted they have two big events coming up at the parks. On November 17, 2021 they will have golfer appreciation day with live music, food, and family -friendly events. The Orono Tree Lighting is also coming up and Chair Roath asked if they can schedule a planning meeting. Berg said so far all of the people from last year are still available; she will be talking to Otten Brothers next week about their participation. Carter updated on Big Island and noted it is open to the public, all the work should be done by the September 23, 2021 ribbon -cutting ceremony and it looks amazing. Carter shared they are also done at Bederwood and the effort at Lowry will be to find a safe and legitimate public access from the Luce Line Trail into the park. He noted the connector to the Dakota Trail is open. Chair Roath updated regarding the golf course and the 100 -year anniversary in 2024. He said they will budget to make some improvements in 2022. Hudson met earlier in the week with the Orono Baseball Association director to discuss some potential uses and planning at Hackberry Park. Next, they will reach out to softball regarding what fields they are able to use. Hudson said at Crystal Bay Park they have identified quite a few key stakeholders including Three Rivers Park District who manages the Dakota Trail, Creative Kids Academy, USPS, and they will meet at the park on September 14 to do a walkthrough and discuss a greater plan. The Commissioners worked through park assignments. Berg wishes they can find a way to clean the beaches as there is a lot of stuff at Casco and Lydiard as both are at the south side of the lake with the north wind. Edwards said they have a contractor in June, July, and August that does weed removal, and once a week seasonal employees go down to the beaches and clean the seaweed on the shore. STAFF REPORTS a. Casco Point Ice Rink Improvements and Partnership Opportunity Edwards said at the last work session the Cormnission was approached by the Orono Youth Hockey Association about potential partnership opportunities. In the short-term they looked at the Casco Ice Rink with the City providing lighting, the club providing boards and goals, and both partnering on ice sheet maintenance. In the long-term they looked at Park Master Plan inclusion on Hackber7y and/or Crystal Bay. Jon Schwingler of the Orono Youth Hockey Association said other cornrnunities have done some public/private partnerships on ice rinks. It would be nice to have some local ice for the kids to go out and practice. Hudson noted they had discussed the use of a construction trailer for a warming house and asked if that will still happen. Mr. Schwingler said it would be nice to have something and they are still looking into a portable option. Chair Roath asked if they would look to the City to pay for the rental of a warming house. Page 4 of 6 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Tuesday, September 7, 2021 6:00 o'clock p.m. Mr. Schwingler is happy to work on a joint partnership on things. Edwards suggested using the 2021-2022 season as a trial and in the future, they can look at improving upon it with permanent or temporary warming houses. Carter moved, Roath seconded, that the Park Commission recommend to City Council that the City use $5,000 from the Park Dedication Fund to support the project. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. b. 2022 Parks Budget Review Edwards stated they are finalizing budgets across the City; in the packet is the Parks Operating Budget and the Golf Course Operating Budget. He highlighted some items that the City Council changed in their discussions and planning, including increasing the park levy from $50,000 to $100,000. As proposed, the park operating budget has an increase of 23.9% driven by the provision of a full-time parks maintenance worker and additional funding for park supplies and the contracted maintenance lines. Regarding the golf course budget, the main change was an increase into the personal services portion with additional seasonal help on the clubhouse side. Chair Roath requested revisiting the budget number for social media marketing for the golf course and hiring a consultant. c. Parks Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Review Edwards shared the CII' process has just begun with the City Council. He walked the Commissioners through updates and changes including moving the golf course wetland and fairway project back to 2030 as there is not a funding source or partner on that project, and the trail construction along North Arm Drive to connect to Legacy Park moved to 2024 to coincide with road construction. d. Parks Staff Update Edwards updated that the swim platform was installed at Sandy Beach, buoys were put out, the hand pump was replaced at Lurton Park, and there have been dead -tree removals. Staff will soon begin transitioning parks and lake accesses for the winter season. They have had some volunteer projects with boy scouts doing improvements at parks. Edwards noted Big Island is finally completed. Carter said they will also install a donor board at Big Island as a thank you to major donors Edwards updated regarding personnel changes noting the new Parks Superintendent will start the following day. There are currently 2 lawsuits the City is named in related to parks, one of which is related to Bederwood Park by the bike club and the other is the Smith Avenue Trail access signage. COMMISSIONERS REPORT a. Commissioners Updates Carter stated they have about $7-8,000 left in the DNR match for Big Island Park and about that amount in the Big Island Legacy checkbook so they are looking at adding some additional picnic tables, perhaps enhancing the security cameras, and doing something to allow wheelchair transfer from boats to docks. Berg has been approached by several people about getting pickle ball courts in the City. She understands it is a very popular sport in the area and is researching what it takes to get a court and she hopes they could look at installing one at a park. Page 5 of 6 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION Tuesday, September 7, 2021 6:00 o'clock p.m. ADJOURNMENT Carter moved, Berg seconded, to adjourn the Orono Park Commission meeting at 7:27 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. ATTEST: rian Roath, Chair Page 6 of 6