10-04-2012 Council Workshop Minutes

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 4, 2012 Keis reported that in looking at the parks, he noted some tar on the Rondeau park sign as well as some of the equipment. The Director indicated that the Parks Supervisor is working to clean this up. Keis also noted some wood rot on some of the platforms. The Director reported that this type of replacement is done by the Parks Department. He indicated that the Parks Department has a checklist for the parks to ensure that safety concerns are identified and placed on the work schedule for repair. Blesener suggested that the platforms be replaced with composite materials. The Director indicated that composite is much more expensive than wood. McGraw asked if the Parks Department paints the equipment. The Director reported that it is contracted out since it is an electroplating process. The equipment was last painted a couple of years ago. Sanders indicated that the paint held up well noting that the equipment was in place for about 20 years before it needed painting. Blesener asked the Administrator to provide an update relative to the public safety meeting held on Rondeau Park. The City Administrator reported that given some thefts in the area, an incident on the evening of Night to Unite, and a recent suicide in Rondeau Park, the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department held a neighborhood meeting to discuss public safety issues. He also noted that the Sheriff's Department suggested that there be more lighting in Rondeau Park and that underbrush be cleared in areas of the park. The Administrator reported that over the winter this underbrush will be cleared, and a notification will be sent to the neighborhood outlining the timeframe for this work. Boss reported that a neighborhood watch group has been formed. The Administrator reported that there was discussion about the railroad tracks and how to discourage people from walking through the neighborhood, although this will be a difficult issue to manage. Blesener noted the landscaping improvements planned for Rondeau Park and suggested that the Parks Consultant and Parks & Recreation Director meet with Deputy John Eastham to review the proposed landscaping and ensure that it does not impede visibility in the park. Boss reported that at Night To Unite, one neighbor who operates a day care said that there is no shade near the playground equipment in Rondeau Park and the equipment gets too hot for the children to play on. Sanders noted that shade structures are utilized in some parks given the time it takes for trees to grow to the point that they are providing adequate shade. The Administrator noted that the park improvements programmed into the General Capital Improvement Fund work, but suggested that perhaps the Nadeau Park improvement be moved to 2013, Pioneer Park to 2015, Spooner Park to 2017 (both $50,000 for playground equipment and 5