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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-01-94 Park Commission MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA SEPTEMBER 1, 1994 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a regular meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission of the City of Little Canada, Minnesota was held on the 1st day of September, 1994 in the Council Chambers of the City Hall located at 515 East Little Canada Road in said City. Chairman Ken Wehrle at 7:35 p.m. and the were present at roll MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Mr. Ms. Mr. Ms. chaired and called following members call: Ken Wehrle, Chair Howard Remerowski Karen Johnson Jim Greger Berniece Magnuson the meeting to order of the Commission MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Larry Hartmann Mr. Tom Holm ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Jim Morelan, P&R Director Mr. Bill Sanders, Parks Consultant Ms. Kris VanSchoonhoven, Rec. Secretary MINUTES Magnuson stated that on page 10, the last sentence of the second paragraph should be changed to read "Magnuson felt that if the curb was not going in, the trail would not be needed to be paved at this time." Magnuson recommended that the minutes of the August 4, 1994 meeting be approved as corrected. Motion seconded by Johnson. Motion carried 5 - 0. 10% FUND Wehrle stated that the items on the 10% list so far are as follows: * Top dressing machine * Bike racks at Pioneer Park * Monument sign at Pioneer Park * Tree grant matching funds * Portable toilet screening at Spooner & Pioneer Parks * Benches & picnic tables at Pioneer Park * Permanent batting cage * Portable batting cage He stated that the Commission still needs to prioritize these items. Sanders stated that the City did receive the $5,000 matching fund grant. Therefore, it must be matched, and planting will begin this fall at Gervais Mill Park. -1- MINUTES Parks & Recreation Commission September 1, 1994 Wehrle asked the Commission members to take a few minutes to prioritize the list. He stated that this list will be combined with other departments' needs for the 10~ Committee's consideration. Sanders stated that the City Administrator felt it would be wise to re-roof all the Spooner Park shelters at the same time. Sanders asked if it should be considered in the 10% list. The Director stated that it should not since the City Administrator had indicated that it may be able to be funded with this year's CIP budget. Wehrle stated that the shelter re-roofing is in the proposed Capital Improvement budget for 1995. Remerowski expressed concern are on the 10% list, possibl The Director stated that the a certain amount of money to take a look at all the items rank them. that if only expensive items ~ none of them would get funded. loo Committee will not allocate each department. They will from all the departments and Johnson asked what would happen if money was not allocated for the tree grant. Sanders stated that there is $5,000 in next year's budget for the tree grant. He felt that the City Administrator could possibly shift some money this year to fund it. The Director felt that the Council will make it happen. He stated that the tree grant should be removed from the 10% list. The other Commission members agreed. The Director felt that some costs should be assigned to the items prioritized for the budget. After some discussion, the Commission prioritized the list as follows: 1) Desoto portable toilet screening $5,000 2) Pioneer Park monument sign 3,000 3) Pioneer Park bike racks (2) 1,000 4) Top dressing machine 4,000 5) Pioneer Park benches/picnic tables 2,500 6) Additional portable toilet screening 5,000 7) Portable batting cage 2 500 8) Permanent batting cage 15,000 GENERAL FUND Wehrle stated that he was unsure what the time line was CAPITAL on the General Fund Capital Improvement priorities, but he IMPROVEMENTS was sure that it would be discussed this fall. The Director agreed. The Director felt that the Commission was budgeted for 1994, and there are five years. However, the Commission budgeted for 1995. was on track for what estimates for the next should look at what was -2- MINUTES Parks & Recreation Commission September 1, 1994 Wehrle asked about the roof repair of the band shell. Sanders stated that it would be completed this year along with the other shelters. The Director stated that the City Administrator indicated that the City may have enough extra funds to complete all shelters at this time. Wehrle stated that the shelters were on next year's budget, but if funding is available this year, it makes sense to go ahead and do the project. Wehrle asked if Gervais Mill Landscaping should remain in the budget since the matching grant was received. Sanders felt that the $5,000 for the landscaping should remain. Wehrle felt that Pioneer Park site amenities and Pioneer Park signs should also remain. However, that would depend on whether they were funded with the 10% money. Wehrle felt that if some 1995 budget items are funded in 1994, items from 1996 should be moved forward to 1995's budget. Johnson felt that if the portable toilet screening does not make 10% funding, the General Capital Improvement money should fund it. Johnson felt that the Commission should wait to change the Capital Improvement list until it knows what was funded with the 10% money. Wehrle stated that both funds have to come together at the same time. Remerowski stated that if an item is moved forward from the 1996 budget into 1995's budget, he felt it should be Gervais Mill landscaping. He asked if the small parking lot off Edgerton Street at Gervais Mill Park would be paved. Sanders stated that it is planned for a parking lot in the future. Remerowski stated that right now it looks like it is just dirt. He felt that something should be done with it. Sanders agreed stating that it should either be sodded or paved. He stated that he would look at the site. The Director felt that the Commission should deter people from using that area now for parking since there is a parking lot off Noel Drive. Wehrle felt that a berm could be placed there temporarily until a parking lot is developed in the future. The Director asked if the Watershed District had any plans of doing something with that area. Sanders indicated that it was not addressed in their plans. Wehrle stated that if the re-roofing of the shelters and band shell is done in 1994, he favored moving an item from 1996 into 1995's budget. Remerowski asked if the portable toilet screening should be included in the General Capital Improvement budget also so -3- MINUTES Parks & Recreation September 1, 1994 Commission that it would be on both lists. The Director stated that the problem with putting it on two lists is that the definition of the two lists is different. Remerowski felt that the portable toilet screening may be too expensive for the 10& list. He felt it should be added to the 1995 General Capital Improvement list in the amount of $10,000. The Director asked Wehrle to summarize what was done to the budget. Wehrle stated that the 1995 General Capital Improvement budget was left the same except for the addition of portable toilet screening in the amount of $10,000. Wehrle asked if the $5,000 for the Gervais Mill Landscaping under the 1995 budget was the funds for the matching grant. Sanders stated that $5,000 is in addition to the matching grant funds. The Director asked how the grant would be funded since it was dropped from the 10% list. Sanders felt that City would come up with the funds. Wehrle stated that if the City comes up with the money, he would prefer that it would be in addition to the $5,000 budgeted for Gervais Mill Landscaping. However, if the City does not have the funds available, the $5,000 for Gervais Mill Landscaping could be used. Wehrle felt that in a year, the Commission will have to put together another five year plan to meet the needs of the future. PARK MASTER Wehrle asked for the Commission's ideas on how to review PLAN the Park Master Plan. He felt that the members should look at it and if they see problems, those items could be discussed at a future meeting. Remerowski stated that it was his idea to review the plan due to the negative comments that were brought up by the general public attending the last meeting. Sanders stated that if the Commission wants certain park projects, they should leave them in the plan even if there is opposition from certain members of the community since conditions change over time. Remerowski commented that things may not change. Wehrle stated that if things do not change, the Commission would have to look at alternate routes for trails or condemnation. He indicated that the City does not favor condemnation. Wehrle stated that if the route for the trail to Pioneer Park is changed to run down Payne Avenue and LaBore Road, some of those residents would probably not want it down -4- MINUTES Parks & Recreation Commission September 1, 1994 their road either. He felt that there would always be opposition to every proposal. Remerowski suggested leaving the plan the way it is for now. However, as streets are developed, the Commission could look at other options. Wehrle felt that the Commission members should still review the plan and comment on it. COMMUNITY Remerowski stated that the meeting that took place on the SURVEY community survey was a good one where lots of positive ideas came forth. He indicated that they have decided to follow a format similar to the 1988 survey. However, the section on parks and recreation will be toned down. Remerowski commented that another meeting will be held before the survey is done. He commented that 400 residents will be surveyed. Wehrle felt that the proposed questions should be reviewed by the Commission. He indicated that what is asked and how it is asked is very important. Remerowski stated that there were many issues talked about. One of them was park usage relating to renting of the parks. There will also be general questions on trails and parks. However, the questions will not go into depth. Johnson stated that she felt the people surveyed should be asked if they want to circulate the City in ways other than in cars. She felt this would help decide if trails are really wanted. Wehrle stated that he would like to know how the public feels about neighborhood verses community-type facilities. Remerowski felt that there should be more open space parks in the City. Wehrle stated that a question that was asked in the 1988 survey pertained to if residents would favor increased taxes to support additional recreational facilities. Johnson felt it was a worth-while question. Remerowski felt that with Little Canada being on the high end of taxes, residents would not favor increased taxes. Johnson felt that those surveyed should be asked if they are renters or owners. Wehrle stated that everyone is welcome to attend the meetings on the survey. He felt that the survey will be a basis for making decisions in the future. Wehrle felt that the Commission should discuss the survey at the next meeting and see if the questions are available to review. Remerowski stated that there was discussion at the meeting regarding sending a written survey to members of the -5- MINUTES Parks & Recreation Commission September 1, 1994 business community possibly in the newspaper. Wehrle felt that mainly people with complaints would respond. The Director felt that there would be less response from a written survey verses a telephone survey. Johnson suggested that in addition to having the telephone survey, a small sample of questions could be put in the City newsletter. Wehrle stated that the problem is that all the comments received would be negative. Johnson felt that questions would be asked in a way that would generate positive comments also. Remerowski stated that possibly the complaints received would be valid. The Director felt the response would be poor if a survey was in the newspaper, and those responding would not represent a good cross section of the public. Greger questioned the usefulness of the telephone survey. He felt that people may answer questions where they do not know all the facts, do not care, or may tire from the length of the survey. He felt households should have a couple of days to complete the survey so all people in the household could discuss it not just the person answering the telephone. Wehrle felt that surveys should be left to the experts. They have proven that statistically, telephone surveys work. Greger felt that survey companies are in business to make money. Sanders stated that he has much faith in Decision Resources. He indicated that they are very good at predicting the outcome of referendums. Remerowski stated that if the proper questions are asked in short form, the City could possibly improve different things by getting actual wordage feedback verses yes/no answers. The Director felt there was no way to go into detail on a telephone survey. Remerowski agreed, but felt there are ways of getting answers from people that are more substantial. Wehrle stated that if the survey showed dissatisfaction in an area, something could be done to address the concerns. Remerowski asked if that happened, would there be a way of going back to those people to find out just exactly what they are dissatisfied with. The Director felt the concern could probably be addressed without going back to the people. MCNAMARA Wehrle stated that he talked to the City Administrator on Pi20PF.IZTY how to proceed with the McNamara property. The Administrator felt that the Commission should come up with a concept of what is needed to show McNamara in the event he develops his property. Sanders stated that the area being -6- MINUTES Parks & Recreation Commission September 1, 1994 considered for park land is 100' x 359' or .76 acres on the north end of the McNamara property. The Director commented that it is approximately 18$ of the whole parcel. Remerowski felt that McNamara should be contacted for his feedback first. Sanders felt that the City should probably look at the soils and drainage to see if it is a desirable location for a park. Wehrle stated that he envisioned a tot lot, open space, picnic tables and benches in the area. Wehrle felt that Sanders should look at the 100' to see if it works for the City. Wehrle felt that possibly the City may not need property in a certain area and more in another. Remerowski still felt that McNamara's comments should be obtained first. Sanders felt that possibly both could be done at the same time. The Director felt the proposed park land was in the right area, but he questioned how much was needed. Johnson felt that the width needs discussion, but she felt the depth was locked in. Wehrle asked Sanders to contact the City Administrator on the procedure that should be taken. Remerowski felt the City should find out how much the whole parcel is worth. PIONEER & Sanders stated that the contract for the Pioneer Park and WESTWIND Westwind Park trails was awarded to Daily & Sons. He TRAILS indicated that construction would begin in two weeks. Wehrle asked if the homeowners in the area were aware that work will soon begin. The Director stated that the homeowner's in the Westwind area are very anxious to see the trail go in. He felt there was no need to notify the residents about the Pioneer Park trail. However, he will give written notice to the Westwind Park trail residents. SPOONER PARK Sanders stated that request for quotations were sent to six SHELTER contractors. He indicated that they will be bidding on each RE-ROOFING shelter using metal roofing. Sanders felt that dark green would be a good color since it would be more subtle than the others. He stated that the bids are due September 16, 1994. FIELD USAGE The Director stated that while he was calling other cities SURVEY for information, he learned that the Maplewood Parks and Recreation Department is in the process of re-working their policies regarding this matter. In doing so, they have requested the same type of information that we are looking for from neighboring cities and will forward him copies of the information that they receive. He felt this item should be placed on next month's agenda for discussion once all the information is obtained. -7- MINUTES Parks & Recreation Commission September 1, 1994 K-9 MEMORIAL Wehrle stated that the City Administrator would like to take action on the K-9 memorial. Wehrle stated that he has informed the City Administrator about the Commission's discussion on the matter. Wehrle stated that the Commission favored the idea, but did not want the plaque at Pioneer Park. It was felt that the tree could be planted at City Hall or at Pioneer Park. However, the plaque should be located at City Hall. The Commission wanted the public's visit to the park to be a positive one. It was the consensus of the Commission that the City Administrator take action on obtaining the memorial. ADJOURN Johnson recommended that the meeting be adjourned. Motion seconded by Magnuson. Motion carried 5 - 0. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Respe gully szubmi ted, ~,~~ ~~ ~~ ~. Kris VanSchoonhoven -8-