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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-05-2013 Park & Rec Comm. MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 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 5th day of September, 2013, in the Council Chambers of the City Center located at 515 Little Canada Road East in said city. Chair Patti Sullivan called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and the following members of the commission were present: MEMBERS PRESENT: Ms. Patti Sullivan Ms. Linda Fahey Mr. Jeff Heikke Mr. Tom Maida Mr. Kevin Steinert Mr. Kong Vang ABSENT: Mr. Dan Slain ALSO PRESENT: Mr. Jim Morelan, Parks & Rec Dir. Mr. Kevin Helander, Cable TV Prod. Ms. Kathy Glanzer, City Clerk MINUTES The Commission unanimously approved the minutes of the July 11, 2013 meeting. REQUEST The Parks & Recreation Director reported that the Veterans Memorial TO RENAME Committee has requested that the City rename Round Lake Park to ROUND Veterans Memorial Park, which will be the site of the future Veterans LAKE Memorial. The Director indicated that he did not believe the park area PARK had ever been formally named as it has not yet been developed. The area has just been referred to as Round Lake Park as it abuts the lake. The Commission was in full support of the request and felt the name Veterans Memorial Park was appropriate. Steinert recommended that Round Lake Park be renamed to Veterans Memorial Park. Motion seconded by Heikke. Motion carried 6 — 0. MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 56 LITTLE The Director reported that the property at 56 Little Canada Road, CANADA abutting Round Lake, is being put up for sale. The realtor for the ROAD property has contacted the City to determine if the City would like to purchase this property given the others it has acquired along Round Lake. "Me Director reviewed a map of the area which showed the property the City has already acquired as well as the four lots remaining lots abutting Round Lake that are under private ownership. The Director felt the City's purchase of this property would be beneficial to the future development of Veterans Memorial park, noting the ability to extend future walking paths in this area. Fahey asked if there was money budgeted for the acquisition. The Director indicated that past purchases of Round Lake properties were paid for from the Park Land Acquisition Fund. He anticipated that this is where the money would come from. He indicated that the realtor has suggested a purchase price of just under $130,000. The Director indicated that there would be sufficient dollars in the Park Land Acquisition Fund for this purchase. Vang stated that he would like to know more about the budget for these types of purchases. The Director stated that he did not look up the Fund balance, but estimated there were more than enough dollars for this purchase. He was not sure, however, that there would be adequate dollars to acquire all four of the remaining properties. The Director also noted the history of the property acquisitions along Round Lake, pointing out that the City acquired these properties as they came up for sale. He noted that it could still be several years until the remaining three properties were available for purchase. Fahey asked if the existing house would be torn down. The Director replied that it would. Maida felt that the City should purchase this property now that it is available, and pointed out that to wait may make a future acquisition more difficult. Sullivan asked how quickly the City would be looking to make the acquisition. The Director felt it would be soon given the property is going to be listed. Maida recommended that the City proceed with the purchase of 56 Little Canada Road for future park usage. Motion seconded by Fahey. Motion seconded 6 — 0. 2 MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 BALLFIELI) The Director reported that the Council has asked that the proposed USAGE 13allfield Usage Policy be redrafted. He reported that he has found a 1998 POLICY draft of a usage policy which was never formally adopted. The Director indicated that the policy committee would be reconvened and asked to review and update this 1998 draft. This policy will be brought to the Commission for action before it is submitted to the City Council. COMMISSION The City Clerk reported that as part of the 2013 Goal Setting Session a ORDINANCE goal was established to update the Parks & Recreation Commission and REVIEW Planning Commission ordinances. The Clerk submitted a draft Parks & Recreation Commission ordinance amendment as well as a summary of key issues and how they are addressed in surrounding cities. The Clerk suggested that each key issue be reviewed, commented on, and a consensus of the Commission formed. Interview Process — The Commission supported the change to the interview process which states that applicants to the Commission shall be interviewed by the Mayor, any City Council Member wishing to participate, the Chair or Vice Chair of the Commission, and the City Administrator. The Commission felt that the Parks & Recreation Director should also be a part of the interview team. Term /Term Limits — The Commission had a great deal of discussion on this issue. Fahey noted that there are many organizations that do not have term limits. She pointed out that change on the Commission occurs now through attrition and pointed out that if a Commissioner is not doing the job, the Council can choose not to reappoint. Maida stated that there may be people in the community who want to be involved, but have not been able to when current members are reappointed to Commissions. Heikke noted that term limits may be a way to save feelings when the alternative is to not reappoint. Vang agreed that term limits could save feelings, and also suggested that term limits are a way for other people to have a voice in the community. Fahey felt that if a Commissioner is not reappointed, then that person should be told why they were not reappointed. Steinert noted that even without term limits, there has been a lot of change on the Parks & Recreation Commission over the past 7 or 8 years. Heikke stated that he was O.K. with or without term limits, and indicated that a Commissioner that is not reappointed may not want to hear the reason why. Fahey suggested that if there are good people on the Commission doing a good job, then it was her feeling that they should be reappointed. Fahey 3 MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 pointed out that any Commissioner applying for reappointment takes the chance that they will not be reappointed. Sullivan asked when term limits would go into effect if they are put in place. The Clerk responded that the City Council would make that determination. IIeikke suggested that with the revised interview process which involves more people, change on the Commission is likely to naturally happen. Vang asked how often change occurs on the City Council. It was noted that there are no terms limits for the Council as these are elected positions rather than appointed. Sullivan agreed that the revised interview process should accomplish the same thing as term limits. Maida suggested term limits with a "however" clause that would give the City Council latitude. Suggestions related to not counting a partial term as part of term limits or allowing someone back onto the Commission if that person has a lapse in service: i.e. served three consecutive terms, had a year off, and then sought reappointment. Steinert stated that he agrees that there needs to be new people on the Commission but indicated that experienced members are valuable. At this point in the meeting, the Commission agreed to a show of hands. Sullivan, Heikke, Vang, and Maida indicated support for term limits as proposed in the draft ordinance. Fahey and Steinert indicated opposition to term limits. Joint Meeting with City Council — The Clerk indicated that this clause is proposed to be struck since it calls for a meeting with the Council a minimum of once per year. She noted that the Commission can request a joint meeting with the Council at any time. The consensus was to leave the clause in the ordinance but strike the words "and at least a minimum of once a year ". Chair and Vice Chair Appointments — The consensus of the Commission was that appointments of the Chair and Vice Chair should occur by members of the Commission. It was felt that the process that has existed for these appointments is working. Removal from Office — The Commission discussed the provision that the Council can remove Commissioners from office with or without cause by a majority vote of the Council. The discussion focused on the wording "without cause ". Vang did not feel a Commissioner should be removed without cause. Maida pointed out that if the provision only states "with 4 MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 cause ", the public may ask why a Commissioner was removed. Retaining the wording "with or without cause" may provide for more privacy. Maida indicated, however, that he would support either form of wording. The consensus of the Commission was that the wording "without cause" should be removed from this provision. Attendance Requirements — The Clerk noted that the ordinance draft is not proposing any changes to attendance requirements. There was discussion about imposing attendance requirements when a regular meeting date is changed due to a holiday, etc. While the wording appears to exempt rescheduled meeting dates from attendance requirements, it was the consensus of the Commission that some additional clarification should be added to this provision. Governing Mechanism — The Clerk noted the City has used an ordinance as the governing mechanism for the Parks & Recreation Commission. Some cities use ordinances and /or by -laws. It was the consensus of the Commission to continue with the ordinance method. The Clerk and Director indicated that the Commission's discussion will be forwarded to the Council for their consideration. The Planning Commission will have discussions relative to the Planning Commission Ordinance next week. If there are any suggestions /comments from the Planning Commission that may trigger additional considerations by the Parks & Recreation Commission, this matter will be scheduled on the next agenda. FIRE BARNS The Parks & Recreation Director indicated that the Fire Barns Warming WARMING House project has been delayed as there were insufficient funds in the HOUSE 2013 Budget to cover the cost of the project. The Director indicated that PROJECT it is his hope that the City will budget enough money in 2014 for this project. The Director also reported that water and sewer service has been brought into the site as part of the Little Canada Road improvement. The Director indicated that the estimated cost of the project is $190,000, and the City had budgeted $150,000. He noted, however, that the budget estimate was merely an estimate put together by City staff. Sullivan asked if increasing the budget for the warming house project will result in the delay of other projects. The Director indicated that he was not sure. He reviewed the project priority listing that the Commission had put together. Sullivan pointed out that prices increase over time, therefore, delays will add to the cost of any given project. 5 MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 ICE CREAM SOCIAL NADEAU PARK PLAYGROUND DEDICATION TRIATHALON CITY PROPERTY NEAR MAPLE LANE LCRA KICKBALL I- Ieikke asked about property ownership relative to the pleasure rink. The Director reported that it was determined that the property for the warming house project is under the ownership of the City. The property on which the pleasure rink is located is owned by St. John's and the City's position is to continue the agreement with St. John's to use this property rather than acquire it outright. The Director noted that the Ice Cream Social went very well and was well attended. He indicated that if Commissioners have suggestions for changes or additions to next year's event, to let him know. Sullivan pointed out that this event is well attended by all age groups in the City. The Director thanked Steinert for organizing this event. The Director indicated that the Nadeau Park playground dedication went well and there were just under 50 people in attendance. The Little Canada Recreation Association as well as the playground company donated prizes for this event. The Director reported that a group has approached him asking to use a portion of the City as a course for a triathlon. The course would run along Edgerton from Highway 36 to Keller Parkway and then around the lake. The event is planned for Saturday, June 22, 2014. Traffic lanes would not he utilized so there would be no road closures. The Director indicated that he has asked for more information from the group, and will present that information to the Commission once it is received. The Director reported that the resident at 97 Maple Lane has requested to be able to purchase all or a portion of the City property adjacent to his lot in order to expand his yard. The Director noted that there is a trail adjacent to the property owner's lot. The Director reported that he has asked the Parks Consultant to review this request and comment on whether or not there would be any adverse impacts in selling the property. The Director stated that it appears the property is unusable for any formal park purposes. He also noted that there is no deed restriction on the property precluding the City from selling it. This matter will be brought back to the Commission at its next meeting. Maida requested that a diagram also be presented to the Commission at that time. The Director reported that the Little Canada Recreation Association will be hosting its annual kickball tournament this Saturday in Pioneer Park. 6 MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 5, 2013 TOURNAMENT Proceeds from the tournament help subsidize youth recreation activities in the City. FALL The Director noted that the Fall Registration Flyer has been distributed REGISTRATIONS to the schools. Activities include a Basketball League and Fall Gymnastics, Acrobatics & Tumbling. MARKETPLACE The Director reported that the next Marketplace Morning Talks will be MORNING held on September 11th and the subject is "Creativity...and Successful TALKS Aging of the Healthy Brain ". RONDEAU Sullivan asked if the Rondeau Park landscaping project had been PARK completed. The Director reported that the City Engineer is working with the Watershed to determine the appropriate type of plants to be used for this project. If necessary, the planting project will be delayed until spring with the budget carried over to 2014 for this project. PIONEER Sullivan asked about the clearing work that was done in Pioneer Park PARK near the ballfields. The Director reported that overgrown willows and BRUSH buckthorn was removed by the Department of Corrections work crew CLEARING in order to improve the drainage in this area. ADJOURN Steinert moved the meeting be adjourned. Motion seconded by Vang. Motion carried 6 — 0. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Respectfully submittee 2 Kathy Glanzea' City Clerk 7