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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-04-2001 Park Board MinutesPark Board Meeting – January 4, 2001 Minutes 1 The January 4, 2001 City of Lino Lakes Park Board m eeting was called to order at 6:30pm, by Chair Lindy. Roll call was taken, members present were Pam Tasch uk, Paul Montain, George Lindy, Chris Welsand, Bill Kusterma n, Michael O’Connor, and Pat Huelman. No members were absent. Also present were Rick DeGardner, Public Services D irector, Sandie Wood, Office Manager. APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 4, 2000 MINUTES: Pam Taschuk made a motion, seconded by Pat Huelman, to approve the December 4, 2000 minutes. The minutes were app roved. SETTING THE AGENDA: The Agenda was passed as presented. OPEN MIKE: Mr. Kirk Corson, 6662 Ruffed Grouse Road, came forw ard and gave the background regarding the Quail Ridge developmen t noting there are approximately two acres available for park land . He stated that part of the park dedication included a bridge over the wetlands. The DNR was very restrictive regarding d amage to the wetlands from a bridge. Therefore, a dock structur e was installed. After six years, the structure was remo ved due to damage. Mr. Corson appealed to the Park Board to do somethi ng for this neighborhood. He stated that at the very least he would like to see access to other park areas. He stated the resi dents in this area are locked in. He indicated he would also lik e to see some sort of play structure in the park area. The neigh borhood needs a way to gain access out of the area and clear the existing park land for kids to play. Chair Lindy asked if Mr. Corson would be agreeable to having a trail along Birch Street. Mr. Corson stated a trail along Birch Street would be a good option. A bridge over the wetlands would be very e xpensive. Even a gravel trail to start would be a great impro vement. He stated he does not believe that a culvert would be necessary if a trail is installed. Mr. Tom Pawlak, 6618 Ruffed Grouse Road, came forwa rd and read a letter he and his wife wrote. The letter urged the Park Board to complete the Quail Ridge Park this year. The lette r outlined reasons why the park should be developed that inclu ded safety issues, the number of young children in the area, a nd a way to build a community. Park Board Meeting – January 4, 2001 Minutes 2 Ms. Brittany Corson, 6662 Ruffed Grouse Road, came forward and stated she always thought she would have more place s to play in her neighborhood. Mr. Todd Corson, 6662 Ruffed Grouse Road, came forw ard and stated he is always stuck at home because his mother will not let him cross the street due to safety issues. Pam inquired about the number of children in the ar ea in Todd’s age group. Mr. Corson stated there are 10-11 children in the a rea that are 12 years old. Chair Lindy advised the Park Board has a goal setti ng session this evening. Quail Ridge Park will be discussed. Mr. Pawlak stated that in some neighborhoods the re sidents have participated in sweat equity and financial donation s to help develop a park. He asked for suggestions from the Park Board on ways the residents can help. Chair Lindy stated there is a organization called F riends of the Parks that works with organizations that give donat ions to parks. Pat added the organization is not as active as it u sed to be. However, they have matched contributions in the pas t. Another option for residents is to help the City Council re alize that the Park Board needs more money to develop parks. Mr. Pawlak stated the Park Board has done a great j ob in the past in developing parks. Pat stated that park dedication funds are used for parks. There is not a large pool of money to develop parks. Rick advised that he is not aware of any neighborho od groups that have raised money for park development. The City h as had residents in the past that have helped install park equipment. The City Council does not allocate General Fund dol lars for parks. The Park Board has received excess revenues in the past that enabled the Park Board to purchase playground equipment. The problem with Quail Ridge is that based on the e xisting state of the park, it will take a large chunk of money to get the park started. The most practical way to raise dollars f or park development is to have the City Council use General Fund dollars, a bond referendum, or obtain additional park dedica tion funds from commercial/industrial development. If the dol lars were available now, the park would be developed right aw ay. There are Park Board Meeting – January 4, 2001 Minutes 3 other parks within the City that have sat vacant fo r quite some time. Development for each individual park depends on how the park dedication funds were received, either land, c ash, or combination of both. Mr. Corson stated he has been in the area for eight years. The City needs to come up with some low cost options fo r park development. Mr. Pawlak stated a referendum has previously been discussed. He indicated he thought he would have heard more about it by now. Chair Lindy stated the City has to find the right t ime for a referendum to make sure it has the best chance to p ass. A referendum has to be something that the citizens wa nt. If park development is a priority for residents, the Park B oard will pursue it. Rick added that the bond referendum will be put on a ballot when the City Council authorizes staff to proceed. The Charter Commission has indicated they want road projects on a ballot every other year. The City also has to look at the tax impact of a referendum. The Park Board will be giving the Ci ty Council an update on the referendum in May 2001. Pam stated the City Council needs to hear from resi dents regarding this issue. A copy of Mr. Pawlak’s letter can be found in the P ark Board packet. Ms. Deb Savageau, 2212 Clearwater Creek Court, came forward and appealed to the Park Board to develop the Clearwate r Creek Park. She stated the residents there are isolated from th e rest of the City and need a park. The children need a park to play in and a park will help establish a sense of community. WELCOME NEW PARK BOARD MEMBER, MICHAEL O’CONNOR: The newest Park Board Member, Michael O’Connor, was introduced. Mr. O’Connor lives in the Clearwater Creek developm ent and is currently a soccer coach in the fall soccer program . Mr. O’Connor was appointed to a three year term, which expires December, 2003. Also, Mr. Pat Huelman was re-appoi nted to a three year term. It was noted that a current list of members with their addresses and phone numbers was included in the packets. REVIEW PRELIMINARY PLAT FOR BEHM’S FARM PARK ADDITI ON: Rick advised that in July, 1999 the City Council au thorized the sale of 2.55 acres of park land in exchange for dev elopment of Park Board Meeting – January 4, 2001 Minutes 4 the remaining park area referred to as Behm’s Park. This preliminary plat is for nine single-family resident ial homes. Since land dedication is not practical, staff is re commending cash dedication for the Behm’s Farm Park Addition a s follows: Assuming land value of $27,000 per acre X 2.55 acre s is $68,850.00. The current Park Dedication Ordinance indicates 10 percent of land dedication or cash equivalent. The refore, park dedication would total $6,885.00. Perhaps the park dedication for this addition should be designated for the deve lopment of Behm’s Park. Paul stated than when Mr. Uhde developed this area he gave a park dedication. He asked if the City is charging him t wice with this dedication for the nine lots. Rick advised the nin e lots are not part of Behm’s. The City indicated there would be park dedication for the nine lots and Mr. Uhde concurred . Pat Huelman made a motion, seconded by Bill Kusterm an, to accept 100% cash dedication and designate it for the devel opment of Behm’s Park. The motion passed. REVIEW CLEARWATER CREEK MASTER PLAN: Rick advised that earlier this year the City obtain ed 5.5 acres of parkland in the Clearwater Creek Third Addition for a neighborhood park. A meeting was held on November 6 to allow area residents an opportunity to provide input on w hat amenities they would like to be considered for Clearwater Cre ek Park. A follow-up meeting was held on December 4 to look at and comment on some better defined scaled master plans. Rick r eferred to a final draft of the master plan and preliminary cost estimates. Rick asked for comments or suggestions from Park Bo ard Members related to this plan. He noted that Jeff Schoenbau er, from Brauer and Associates, will be presenting the final master plan to the City Council on Monday, January 8, 2001, at 6:30pm, in the Council Chambers. Paul referred to the costs of storm sewer and remov als and earthwork. He stated the costs look very high beca use the developer should have done a lot of that work. Ric k advised the park calls for a 3-4’ berm around the entire park s o a lot of fill and grading work will be needed. The soils in this area are very much a clay base. Rick stated he did speak wi th the constituent regarding the estimate on storm sewer. The estimate is preliminary and there should only be minimal cos ts for storm sewer. Rick stated the cost for the play area is h igh in relation to recent playground projects in other nei ghborhood parks. He noted that the costs are only a prelimin ary cost estimate. Park Board Meeting – January 4, 2001 Minutes 5 Pat suggested the designated funds that are availab le be listed under total cost of the park. Rick advised that th e Council will be made aware of the funds that are available for t his park. The park dedication for this development was for the la nd for the park and paving of trails. CONSIDER SUBMITTING OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANT APPLIC ATION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF CLEARWATER CREEK PARK: Rick advised the Minnesota Department of Natural Re sources (The DNR) operates several financial assistance programs . The purpose of the Outdoor Recreation Grant Program is to incre ase and enhance outdoor recreation facilities. Eligible pr ojects are for park acquisition and/or development/redevelopment i ncluding picnic shelters, playgrounds, athletic facilities, trails boat accesses, fishing piers, swimming beaches, campgrou nds and others. This program is for cities, counties, and townships. The highest priority projects are for acquisition, development and re-development of outdoor recreation facilities . The Outdoor Recreation Grant Program is a very comp etitive program with hundreds of grant applications submitt ed annually. Projects selected to receive a grant receive assist ance of up to 50 percent of total eligible costs. These costs mu st be incurred and paid for before reimbursement can be made. The refore, if a grant application was submitted and subsequently aw arded, the City of Lino Lakes would need to commit to 50 perce nt of the total project cost. This would need to come from e ither the General Fund or Park Dedications funds. Rick advised that if the Park Board is supportive o f submitting an Outdoor Grant Application, he will discuss this with the City Council at an upcoming work session. Pam inquired about what the DNR looks for when awar ding the grants. Rick stated it is very difficult to say wh at the DNR looks for. A park does not necessarily have to be unique. Most of the grant applications are for development of ne ighborhood parks. Pam stated that Clearwater Creek should be a good c andidate because it is so isolated. Rick stated there are m any good reasons why Clearwater Creek Park is a good candida te. He noted that the City would have to match the dollar amount to the grant that is awarded. Chris inquired about the range of the grant awards. Rick advised the grant awards are unlimited this year. The City can ask for as much as they can match. The City can also submi t grants for more than one project. Park Board Meeting – January 4, 2001 Minutes 6 Chris inquired about the maximum amount of a grant award. Rick advised there is no maximum. However, the grants a re contingent on the legislature. The deadline for the grant is March 31, 2001. The grants will be awarded in June 2001. Th e DNR determines the recipients of the grants. Chair Lindy stated that if both the City and the Pa rk Board commit to dollars to match the grant, it may be a w ay to facilitate the development of the park. The park i s unique because it is isolated. Chris stated she will help staff prepare and submit the grant applications. Pat stated he is in support of the City submitting a grant. He expressed concern regarding using too much of the P ark Board funds to jump start the development of this park. It was the consensus of the Park Board for staff to move forward with the grant submittal. REVIEW 2000 ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Rick distributed a summary of accomplishments for t he Parks and Recreation Department for the year 2000. He also d istributed the Parks and Recreation Department Recreation Division Highlights for the year 2000 and a list of the 2000 Program Of ferings. He stated Park Board members should call him with any questions. RECREATION DEPARTMENT UPDATE: Rick referred to the Program Highlights Flyer from December 2000. He noted that the Breakfast with Santa & Secret Hol iday Gift Shop has 182 participants and 46 volunteers in attendanc e. Approximately 100 children visited the Secret Holid ay Gift Shop. Rick noted that Snow Day, a collaborative special e vent with Anoka County Parks and Recreation, is just around t he corner. Snow Day, a free family even devoted entirely to sn ow, winter and outdoor activities, will take place on Saturday, Ja nuary 27 from 10 am – 1 pm at Wargo Nature Center. Rick added that the warminghouses are now open for the season. PARKS DEPARTMENT UPDATE: Rick reviewed a memo from Mike Hoffman, Parks Super visor, which summarizes the maintenance highlights for December 2000. Rick advised that most of the maintenance activities inv olved getting the rinks ready for use. Park Board Meeting – January 4, 2001 Minutes 7 Sunrise Park Warming House – Rick advised that earlier this month Esther Neu applied her artistic touch at the Sunris e Park Warming House. Esther and members of her Girl Scout troop painted the interior walls, doors, trim, and benches. Several winter scene murals were then painted on the walls. Rick referr ed to a few photos that were included in the packets. Black Duck Drive Trail – Rick advised that after almost three years of discussion, it appears that a public trail at the end of Black Duck Drive will finally become a reality. The City has reached tentative agreements with the two owners at the end of Black Duck Drive and the Reshanau Park E states Homeowners Association (RPEHA) to provide a 15’ wid e trail corridor. This trail will provide direct access to the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve and will connect to the existing county trail system. This trail will also permit area residents to walk around Reshanau Lake. The Mayor and City Council discussed this at the Ja nuary 3 Work Session and directed staff to proceed. Staff hopes to have the trail installed early this summer. The estimated p roject cost is $75,000. The City Council has already designated funding sou rces for this project. Rick advised he is in discussions with th e DNR to utilize the $30,000 Cooperative Trail Linkage Grant Award the City received in 1999. The designated funds for th is project are indicated in the Park Dedication Fund Summary. NEW BUSINESS: Annual Appointments for Park Liaisons and Community Service Award Committee – Rick advised that each year the Park Board designa tes a park liaison for each neighborhood park. Rick re ferred to a copy of the year 2000 Park Liaison List. A Community Service Award Committee Member needs to be appointed. Pam Taschuk was the Park Board representative in 20 00, therefore, she is not eligible to serve in 2001. Rick referred to an updated Park Board members info rmation sheet and Park System Guide. The Park Board designated the following park liaiso ns: Arena Acres Park Chris Behm’s Century Farm Park Bill Birch Park Pat Birchwood Acres/Park Grove Bill Brandywood Park George Park Board Meeting – January 4, 2001 Minutes 8 City Hall Park Bill Clearwater Creek Park Michael County Lakes Park Chris LaMotte Park Paul Lino Park Pat Marshan Park Pam Pheasant Hills Park Paul Quail Ridge Park George Rice Lake Estates Park Pam Shenandoah Park Pat Sunrise Park Paul Sunset Oaks Park Pam Woods of Baldwin Lake Park Michael Woolan’s Park Paul Chris volunteered to be the Park Board representati ve for the Community Service Award Committee. Qwest Tower at 1189 Main Street – Rick advised the City has received a formal application from Qwest Wireless t o place a 135’ high mono pole adjacent to the Public Works buildin g. The Planning Department is preparing information regard ing this proposal for the January 10 Planning and Zoning mee ting. Rick stated the moratorium on the mono poles was lifted in the last month. He indicated that he wants to keep the Park Board informed as the request moves through the City proc ess because the proposed location is on park land. The request must include documentation that the existing locations in the Ci ty will not work. OLD BUSINESS: None SCHEDULE NEXT PARK BOARD MEETING: The next Park Board meeting will be held on Monday, February 5, 2001, 6:30pm, at Lino Lakes City Hall. Chair Lindy noted he will be not be present for the February meeting. ADJOURN: Paul Montain made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Pam Taschuk. The meeting was adjourned at 7:40pm. Respectfully Submitted, Kim Points Recording Secretary Park Board Meeting – January 4, 2001 Minutes 9 There was a 2001 Goal Setting Meeting immediately f ollowing the Park Board Meeting.