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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-06-2017 Park Commission Minutes MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday,November 6,2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono Park Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Chair Rick Meyers,Commissioners Jan Berg, Brenda Johnson, Bryce Johnson,Julie Ruegemer,Natalie Williams and Alternates Rick Carter and Beth Davis. Representing Staff were City Administrator Dustin Rief, Public Works Director/City Engineer Adam Edwards, and Recorder Jackie Young. City Council Member Victoria Seals was present. Chair Meyers called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—SEPTEMBER 5,2017 Chair Meyers requested the minutes be corrected on Page I 1 to read 100'" anniversary rather than 150`h anniversary. Ruegemer moved,Bryce Johnson seconded,to approve the September 5,2017, minutes of the Orono Park Commission as corrected. VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. PUBLIC COMMENT None STAFF REPORTS 2. GOLF COURSE PLAN Edwards noted at the last Park Commission work session they reviewed the capital improvement plan for the golf course,consisting of both golf related and other recreational opportunities. Based on the feedback from that meeting and the golf course subcommittee, a list of priorities was developed. At this time Staff is looking for endorsement from the Park Commission on the plan and the list of priorities. Also included in Staff's memo is a list of possible other golf course projects that are outside of the scope of the Golf Course Plan. Ruegemer asked if snow tubing would be allowed without the tow rope. Edwards indicated people currently snow tube at the golf course without a tow rope but that the snow tubes are currently not available at the golf course. Edwards stated if the golf course were to have snow tube rentals, it would require staffing. Edwards noted before any of these programs are implemented, they would be brought back before the Park Commission to review and finetune. Ruegemer stated she would prioritize the trail over the tow rope. Meyers stated from the feedback he has received, people are interested in the snow tubing with a tow rope,and that Council Member Seals felt the City had enough trails. Meyers noted the Park Commission would need to obtain the approval of the City Council to proceed with these projects and that the multi- use trail does not appear to have a lot of traction at the present time. Page 1 of 11 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday,November 6,2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. Meyers stated the main goal of the golf course plan is to increase its use during the winter and that there could be cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snow tubing. Brenda Johnson noted the trail could be used year-round. Meyers pointed out the City currently does not have ownership of some of the land necessary for the trail and that it will be necessary to work through that. Meyers commented the porch/patio will help increase use of the clubhouse and that the new cart parking area is a component of that given the fact that the current parking will be eliminated with the porch project. Williams asked how much use the golf course gets during the winter. Edwards indicated there is some use of the golf course for sledding and tubing on the weekends but that the City cunently does not have anyone on staff at the golf course during the winter. Bryce Johnson stated bringing the golf course under the context of the City's other parks raises a different dimension regarding the use of the park and that he would like to see some type of business plan developed for the golf course to assist the Park Commission when they discuss different expenditures for it. Meyers noted the Stay the Course committee did come up with some type of plan for the golf course and some recommendations. Edwards stated a few years ago some recommendations and fundraising was done to help improve the clubhouse and a few other items. Edwards noted there is some ongoing maintenance of the golf course that the City continues to do. Bryce Johnson asked if any profit and loss analysis has been done on the golf course. Edwards indicated there has not been and that that responsibility would likely fall under the purview of the Park Commission,with the City Council having final approval. Rief stated historically when it comes to capital expenditures,those would come from the different funds, and the goal would be to, at a minimum, maintain the current operations. Edwards noted a golf course subcommittee consisting of Rick and Brian was established a while back. Berg asked if it was decided that the concrete pad for a food vendor truck will not be done. Meyers indicated they did look at possible locations for the concrete pad but that no final decision has been made at this time. Meyers stated the subcommittee also looked at having different courts for various games, such as bocci ball or lawn bowling, but that nothing has really been finalized on that except for including it on the list. It was the consensus of the Park Commission to approve the Golf Course Plan and list of priorities. Page 2 of 11 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday,November 6,2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. 3. 2018 PARKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Edwards noted the City goes through an annual review of its capital improvement plans for the various departments and that the CIP is considered to be a planning level document that lays out future capital expenditures. The draft CIP for 2018 is before the Park Commission for their review and endorsement. Edwards noted the two major changes to the CIP were merging the Golf Course CIP into the Park CIP and incorporating all equipment regardless of funding source into the Equipment CIP. Items added to the Parks CIP include the following: a. Navarre Playground basketball court surfacing b. Crystal Bay basketball court surfacing c. Hackberry Park basketball court surfacing d. Golf Course Clubhouse foundation restoration e. Golf Course cart parking f. Golf Course fairway drainage,tent area, and fire pit Added to the Equipment CIP were a mower and boat for Big Island. Edwards noted all items on the CIP are subject to funding availability and approval by the City Council. Items on the Park CIP are funded through a combination of the Park Fund and Equipment Outlay Fund. Carter asked what type of boat for Big Island is being considered. Edwards stated that is undetermined at this point. Edwards noted the amounts for the court surfacing include possible grants. Meyers stated he might be interested in pushing some of the court surfacing back until the Park Commission has looked at the parks in totality to determine whether the courts are in an ideal location. Edwards stated in compiling the CIP,he looked at possible projects in 2018 first and then went out five years from there. Edwards stated the projects listed beyond that point are merely intended to serve as reminders and they would be looked at more closely as the time gets closer. Brenda Johnson asked if there is any possibility of obtaining some grants for the golf course. Johnson stated it appears quite a bit of money is being recommended for the golf course and Big Island. Edwards stated some of the projects definitely depend on obtaining grants or some other type of cost sharing. Edwards noted the trail construction along CSAH 19 to the Dakota Trail would be a cost sharing type of arrangement. Edwards stated as the projects are reviewed in greater detail, grant opportunities would also be looked at. Brenda Johnson suggested the Park Commission consider perhaps targeting some of the underserved groups when applying for the grants. Page 3 of 11 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday,November 6,2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. Bryce Johnson stated his only concern is that the golf course and Big Island will come first instead of some of the other projects that had been planned for some of the other parks. Johnson noted improvements to Bederwood have been delayed due to the golf course improvements. Brenda Johnson commented she has the same concern, noting that some people do not have access to Big Island and that a limited number of people use the golf course. Meyers suggesting moving Bederwood to 2019 and delaying the Crystal Bay basketball surfacing. Ruegemer asked whether Bederwood could be done in 2018 if the grant is not received for the Navarre Park. Meyers indicated that is a possibility. Meyers noted the City will know about the grant sometime in December. Ruegemer commented Crystal Bay is an underused park. Meyers stated an overall plan for Crystal Bay Park needs to be developed as well as Bederwood. Bryce Johnson stated in his view they could finalize the plan for Bederwood at a work session. Meyers noted the Park Commission also wanted to finish all the land-based parks prior to moving on to Big Island and that he woutd be fine with finalizing the plan for Bederwood at the February work session. Ruegemer asked if anything would be done to the Navarre Park if the grant is not received. Meyers stated the final approval would need to be made by the City Council but that the Park Commission could make a recommendation that the basketball surfacing be done in 2018. It was the consensus of the Park Commission to update the Park CIP as discussed. 4. 2018 PARKS FEE SCHEDULE Edwards requested the Park Commission review the parks related portions of the City's 2018 Fee Schedule. Proposed changes for 2018 include the following: a. Golf course season passes are proposed to be increased by 2.5 percent for inflation. The area average rate for an individual season pass for public courses is$524. Edwards noted season passes do not amount to a majority of the income generated from the golf course but it does account for approximately 40-plus percent of the greens used. Edwards stated the season pass can be used for league play and that there are;three leagues currently, which is an increase from one league a couple of years ago. b. Golf course cart rentals are proposed to be increased by 2.5 percent for inflation. The rate is currently$16,which is below the area average of$18. The new rate is proposed to be $16.50. Page 4 of 11 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday,November 6,2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. c. Golf fall rates. The junior and senior fall rates have been removed to simplify the fee schedule and to have one reduced fall rate. Edwards noted the fall rates basically apply to the months of October and November, which typically have low usage. d. Lurton park passes are proposed to be reduced to 75 percent on August 1 S'. The current rate for Lurton park passes are$25 for a resident and $40 for a nonresident. e. Park facility use permit is being created to allow for reservation on sports fields at Bederwood and Hackberry Park. Edwards noted this is a new fee and is the same amount being charged by Long Lake for use of their parks. Brenda Johnson asked if there is a way to ensure that the fee would not preclude other residents from using the park. Edwards noted rental of the ballfields is on a first come-first serve basis and that the other portions of the park would be available to visitors to the park. Edwards stated the Orono Baseball Association indicated a desire last fall to reserve the baseball diamond from 8 p.m. on Tuesday as well as Orono Thunder and that the City Council adopted a resolution giving different groups the ability to do that. Brenda Johnson asked if there have been any issues with park pass enforcement at Lurton Park. Edwards indicated no citations have been issued but that some warnings have been given and the person is given the opportunity to purchase a pass at City Hall. Edwards indicated checks of the park are made on a periodic basis. It was the consensus of the Park Commission to approve the proposed changes to the 2018 Orono Fee Schedule. 5. PUBLIC WORKS—PARKS UPDATE Edwards noted the City's new golf course superintendent and parks supervisor will commence his employment on November 27. Edwards stated the Public Works DepaRment has been spending a fair amount of time on Big Island the past few months removing buckthorn and volunteer trees crowding out the Big Woods maples and basswoods in addition to other minor improvements. The purchase of a mower that will be used and stored on Big Island has been included in the Park CIP. Meyers suggested the City consider purchasing a pontoon so the mower can be hauled back and forth as well as garbage. Edwards noted the small dog area at Lurton Park was created and the golf course has been winterized. Williams asked how the Lurton Park passes will be renewed. Edwards indicated the City will be mailing out reminder postcards and that in the future permit holders will be able to renew online. Page 5 of 11 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday,November 6,2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. Bryce Johnson suggested a notice be placed at the park alerting the users that park passes are available at City Hall. SPECIAL COMMITTEE REPORTS 6. SAGA HILLS UPDATE—Bryce Johnson Bryce Johnson reported a lot of progress has been made at Saga Hilis this past year with the clearing of trees and brush. Johnson stated a lot of the history associated with the park has to do with the view from the hill and that improvements are being made to improve the view with the clearing. Johnson stated the following items still need to be completed: 1. Remove buckthorn near the parking lot entrance and from around the trees at the east end of the lot. 2. Remove the"park hours" sign to entrance area to be more visible. 3. Remove the wood chip pile. 4. Relocate the park access gates back to the first trees on the trail. 5. Relocate the informational sign to the left in front of the gate. 6. Add stones and possibly plant native shrub alongside informational sign. 7. Clear the first trail intersection of buckthorn, install a directional sign, and add rocks/mulch around the sign area. 8. Remove buckthorn and volunteer trees blocking the view of the pines in the White Pine Trail area and place a tree identification sign in the white pine area. 9. Remove dead, diseased, or damaged trees as well as clear a narrow area of brush obscuring views of the Central Loop area and High Point. 10. Reorient the historic sign in the Central Loop to face West Arm, move the large limestone rocks from parking lot to sign area, and purchase one additional limestone sitting stone. 11. At the trail entrance to Big Woods,buckthorn and volunteer tree removal and possibly adding an informational sign describing the Big Woods. 12. Clear and widen the path to Garden Court. Consider installation of a restricted access gate at the street entrance. Johnson stated the vision for Saga Hill is one of creating a more open, inviting area that highlights the park's natural assets and history. The first phase of the clearing has been complete except for the path to Garden Court. Johnson stated the committee would like to work onsite with an outside vendor for one or Page 6 of 11 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday,November 6,2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. two days to address specific areas and complete as much work as possible before spring. The cost should notexceed $3,000. Edwards noted the City currently uses someone from MN Landscapers and that they were planning on doing the work at the same time they did the controlled burn but that they have been delayed a couple of times due to the weather. Bryce Johnson requested he be contacted when a date is scheduled so he and some of the other park commissioners could be present to help point out the items they would like to see completed. Edwards stated the Public Works Department will relocate the gates, signs,and stones. Edwards noted the moving of the stones will take place once the ground freezes and that the gates and signs will be done once the work on the parking lot is completed. The Park Commission took no formal action on this item. 7. LURTON PARK PAVER DONATION PROPOSAL—Bryce Johnson Bryce Johnson noted some permeable pavers have recently been installed at the Susan E. Lurton Nature and Off-Leash Dog Park. The pavers connect the parking lot with the large and small dog areas and are intended to reduce mud and the need for ongoing replenishment of wood chips in the entrance area. The pavers are made of an eco-friendly recycled plastic and rubber composite that also lends itself to easy laser engraving. The Park Commission has elected to give users of the dog park the opportunity to dedicate engraved pavers to their pets. The cost would be$l00 for a paver with up to three engraved lines, each with a minimum of 20 characters. Any proceeds raised in excess of the actual engraving costs will go into a fund that will support special events at the dog park, such as user appreciation days, pet adoption activities, dog training classes, and other educational opportunities. 8. PROPOSAL FOR AN ADDITIONAL SIGN STANDARD FOR ORONO PARKS—Bryce Johnson Bryce Johnson reviewed the proposal for the additional park sign standard. The current standard for an informational sign is a 24"x 36"metal frame on a 6"metal plate with TUFF film. The post is a 2" x 4"x 60"with a 45-degree plate constructed out of black powder coated aluminum. The approximate cost of the sign is $645 without delivery and would be used as a general park information/historical sign. The proposed additional park sign standard would be a 12" x 12" Romark laser engravable plastic on a 10"x 10"or 11"x 11"metal plate with a 2"x 4"x 48-60"post with a 45-degree plate. The post would be black spray coated aluminum. The estimated cost for this type of sign is$175 without delivery and would be used to demarcate an object of interest,as a trail marker,or other specific purpose. Johnson displayed examples of some of the signs that could be used at Saga Hill (White Pine area),the Lurton Dog Bone Bench,and Lurton Tamarack Grove. Rief asked how the signs would tolerate the weather. Page 7 of il MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday,November 6,2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. Johnson stated the signs are designed to handle the weather and are identical to the ones at the MN Arboretum. Johnson stated a lower cost could be obtained if the City ordered 10 to 12 of them at a time. Meyers stated these would be the standard signs the City would use at the different parks. It was the consensus of the Park Commission to approve the new park sign standard. Edwards noted this is a low dollar item that can go through the maintenance budget and would not require City Council approval. 9. CASCO POINT PARK—Julie Ruege�er Ruegemer stated the City has received a request by a resident to add some plantings to Casco Point Park and for the creation of some walking paths. Currently the Public Works Department rough mows the park one to two times per year. Ruegemer stated a possible option would be to mow the entire park every spring to help deter invasive species and then mow the paths one time per month. Ruegemer stated this park consists of a lot of tall grasses, woods,and a prairie area. The neighbors would like the park to remain passive but that they have a difficult time finding a path they can walk on. Ruegemer stated mowing some paths would be a start and that it would not be necessary to place any chips down. The residents also talked about adding some different flowers and native plants. Ruegemer stated some native plant seeds could perhaps be ptanted in different areas. Ruegemer stated she asked the resident to come up with a plan for where they would like some trails and plants but that they have not submitted that at this point. Ruegemer stated the residents would also be willing to plant the seeds and flowers. Edwards stated historically the City has mowed this park once or twice a year to help keep invasives down and that this year it was mowed once. Edwards stated one option would be to perform the rough mowing in the spring and then periodically cut some walking paths similar to what is being done at Lurton Park. Ruegemer commented there is likely not a lot of pedestrian traffic in that park and that the paths should not get too muddy since the grasses are fairly well established. Meyers stated in his view mowing it would be fine and that perhaps the Girl Scouts could help with the planting. Meyers stated he suggested putting this idea on nextdoor.com to get some input from the neighbors. Ruegemer stated they would like to keep it more of a natural improvement. Berg commented it is more of a neighborhood park and that people will not be driving from somewhere outside of the neighborhood to go to that park. CHAIRMAN& COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS 10. COMNIISSIONERS UPDATES Page 8 of 11 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday,November 6,2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. Weed Removal Brenda Johnson asked how the City currently handles buckthorn removal. Meyers indicated the City currently uses poison on the stumps. Brenda Johnson stated she is aware that some other cities have used goats or pigs to eat the buckthorn and pull up the roots. Johnson commented she is wondering if a demonstration could be put together using that method. Johnson stated it would be a more natural way to remove the buckthorn and weeds. Edwards stated Minnetonka has utilized goats in their parks and that he personally owns goats and that they are non-discriminate in what they eat. Edwards stated they will eat buckthorn but that it does not kill the tree. Brenda Johnson stated she was introduced to some hairy pigs and that they ate the roots of the buckthorn. Johnson stated she would like to explore different ways of eradicating weeds without the use of chemicals. Meyers suggested she research it more and provide some information to the Park Commission. Big Island Update Carter noted a steering committee meeting was held just prior to the Park Commission meeting and that they discussed the three-phrases to the Comprehensive Plan. Phase one basically consists of the cleanup of Big Island. At the present time the trails have been all cleared out and mowed and are now visible. There is also a solid container on the island now to store the mower and other equipment. Carter reported Home Depot has agreed to provide some labor and material to upgrade the building near the dock. The building will be scraped and painted and some other minor improvements. Phase 2 consists of creating a master plan outlining everything that is in the original Comprehensive Plan and Management Plan,which included a visitor center and platform. The committee agreed earlier tonight to ask the Council to do a similar thing for Big Island as the Park Commission did for Lurton Park. Carter stated at some point the plan would come before the Park Commission but that a number of improvements have been completed at this time. Meyers stated in his view it is important to have an overall plan to avoid miscommunication. Carter stated there has also been some progress on the 501(3)(c), which would allow the City to pursue some grant money for the consultant or other items. Meyers suggested the Park Commission have a work session specifically to discuss possible grants. Meyers noted the February work session is to discuss the Comprehensive Plan and that part of the Comprehensive Plan discussion would be to review and lay out the trails, with any possible connections being noted. Brenda Johnson and Beth Olson indicated they would be interested in helping lay out the trails. Page 9 of 11 MINUTES OF THE ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING Monday,November 6,2017 6:30 o'clock p.m. Meyers suggested Beth, Brenda, and Brian get together to discuss the trails. Berg noted the City did have a trails committee approximately 10 years ago and that there should be some renderings of how the trail would go along County Road 19. Carter stated the firm he works for did that plan and that he does have that information. Carter indicated he will share that with the committee. Meyers noted he will be gone January, February, and March, but that he will be in contact via email and telephone. Jan Berg will be chairing the meetings. Park Survey Rief stated Staff has revised the 2008 survey,which was fairly extensive, and that they have condensed it down to approximately 25 questions. Rief indicated that survey went out last week and is available on Facebook and the City's website. Rief suggested the Park Commissioners look at the park survey and provide any suggestions they might have to him so it can be revised. Rief stated the questions can be segmented out on the different types of recreational activities available. Rief stated the goal is to get the residents engaged and that they will want to know age and interests but that they do not need to know religion or race. The overall goal is to gain an understanding of what the residents would like to see in order to make appropriate decisions to increase use of the parks. Brenda Johnson stated sometimes listening circles are helpful where people can just have conversations about what the different neighborhoods might want for recreation. Rief stated at his previous employment they did the survey first and then after that they held some open houses and the community engagement portion. Rief stated the survey helps to narrow down the topics to discuss and then a plan is developed with a phased implementation of the ideas. Seven Nations Park Brenda Johnson thanked Adam Edwards for taking care of Seven Nations Park. Johnson stated the park looks much nicer than what it has in the past. Brenda Johnson commented the City's parks help people come together and that unfortunately the current tone of the nation is somewhat divisive. Johnson stated when people say the Pledge of Allegiance,they think of liberty and justice as something to strive for. Johnson stated in her view the Park Commission is helping to teach tolerance and bring people together. ADJOURNMENT Brenda Johnson moved,Julie Ruegemer seconded,to adjourn the Orono Parks Commission meeting at 8:10 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 7,Nays 0. 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