09-07-2017 Parks & Rec Commission Minutes

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MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION September 7, 2017 thought the invasive species should also be cleared from the area north of the tennis courts. Horwath asked if additional parking would generate an increase in revenue from shelter usage. The Community Services Manager stated it would not impact revenues since the shelter is booked almost every weekend. Councilman Fischer asked the Commission if they thought Spooner needed additional parking. Horwath thought additional parking was needed. Chair Miller agreed, but wanted to preserve existing trees. Horwath made a motion to add additional parking for Spooner Park to the prioritization list. Ray seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. The Community Services Manager stated there seems to be a desire for a year round dog park and had considered an option at 304 County Rd. B2. The Commission was provided a map of the area in their packets. He stated the site could be accessed via the Morrison Street cul-de-sac. The Community Services Manager explained there wasn’t very much useable land due to much of the property being wetland and the developable space being in between the two wetland areas. Horwath noted this site would not be able to offer parking. Schletty stated this is a quiet area, and the neighbors would most likely be opposed to an increase in use of this area. Horwath suggested a dog park somewhere in Thunder Bay/Westwind Park. The City Administrator asked the Commission to focus on prioritizing projects so staff would then be able to focus on reports for projects the Commission values. Horwath made a motion to direct staff to look into a year round dog park, and also a community garden. Sullivan seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Chair Miller asked if the City could also look into more cost estimates for the Edgerton Street tunnel. The City Administrator stated he would work on firming up costs. Chu agreed with Chair Miller that the list should be separated into two groups by cost. Chair Miller stated the projects should be related to the Parks Master Plan vision statements. Horwath asked if the Commission needed to add additional benches to Veteran’s Memorial Park. The City Administrator explained the limestone benches were rather expensive costing around $2,500, and he wasn’t sure there was a need for more of them. The City Administrator noted there were open spaces for benches, so it may be necessary to fill those spots. Chair Miller suggested the list be broken down by projects lower than $15,000 and greater than $15,000. Councilman Fischer suggested the list be put into groupings based on available funding. He explained the funding amount available for each year could be included and used to sort which projects could be funded. The City Administrator stated this may be difficult as the costs of other items in the CIP budget are in flux, but he would look at ways to package items so as to give attention to both large and small items.