HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-02-2003 Park Board MinutesPark Board Meeting – June 2, 2003 Minutes 1 The June 2, 2003 City of Lino Lakes Park Board meet ing was called to order at 6:40pm, by Chair Lindy. Roll call was taken, members present were Pam Tasch uk, Katie Boyle, Michael O’Connor, Bill Kusterman, Pat Huelma n and George Lindy. Members absent were Paul Montain. Also present was Rick DeGardner, Public Services Di rector. APPROVAL OF APRIL 7, 2003 MINUTES: Pam Taschuk made a motion, seconded by Katie Boyle, to approve the April 7, 2003 minutes. The minutes were approv ed. SETTING THE AGENDA: The Agenda was passed as presented. OPEN MIKE: No one was present for open mike. FLAAA PROPOSAL FOR BATTING CAGE AT CITY HALL PARK: Rick advised the Forest Lake Area Athletic Associat ion (FLAAA) is requesting that the City install a batting cage at City Hall Park. FLAAA currently schedules games and practice s for their youth softball program at City Hall Park. The City has received a check from FLAAA for $2,500 to help offset the co st of the batting cage. This is the second time where FLAAA has contributed significant dollars for City Hall Park improvements. In 1999 t he City received $2,500 to renovate both ball fields. Spec ifically, the infield backstop, fencing, and bench areas were upg raded and replaced. Preliminary cost estimates for a batting cage are $5,000 to $7,000 depending on layout, design, materials, in-h ouse vs. contracted labor, etc. Staff recommends designatin g up to $3,000 of undesignated Park Dedication funds for the const ruction of a batting cage at City Hall Park. Not only will a ba tting cage be beneficial for the FLAAA softball participants, it is important to encourage cooperative projects with various user groups. Rick noted there have not been any discussions rega rding design or the placement of the batting cage. The intent i s to install the batting cage early this fall or next spring. Pat asked if the batting cage would be used for bot h softball and baseball participants. Rick stated staff could loo k at a batting cage for both participants. The intent is however, for softball players and more productive practices. The batting cage would also benefit residents. FLAAA is the only organize d group that
Park Board Meeting – June 2, 2003 Minutes 2 utilizes City Hall Park. Staff has proposed to FLA AA to consider replacing the outfield fences. Bill asked if the cages and fence is constructed of chain link. Rick stated batting cages typically consist of cycl one fencing with netting inside. Staff will need to look at po ssible designs and costs. Pat inquired about the cost of replacing the outfie ld fences and asked if that is a higher priority. He also inquir ed about vandals and safety issues in regard to a batting ca ge. Rick stated the fencing is on the sides of the batt ing cage as well as the top. Typically, the cages are locked w ith a combination lock that changes every year. There is more of a security issue if a pitching machine is located on the premises. Pam stated participants could bring their own pitch ing machine for the batting cage. Rick noted the City could pr ovide a lock box to store a pitching machine if FLAAA decides to provide a pitching machine for the participants. Chair Lindy asked if there is more benefit in appro ving the fencing. Rick stated that from the City’s perspect ive, there is more benefit to consider replacing the outfield fen cing. Staff has discussed that issue with FLAAA. However, FLAA A would prefer a batting cage and will contribute $2,500 to the co st. Bill stated he would like to know more about the an ticipated use of the batting cage. He stated he is not convinced there is a real need for a batting cage. He noted he would pr efer to spend the dollars on the fencing. It was the consensus of the Park Board to get more information before a decision is made on designating dollars fo r a batting cage at City Hall Park. Pam noted her concern is the location of a batting cage. She suggested FLAAA attend a Park Board meeting to pres ent more information. PARKS AND TRAILS DEVELOPMENT UPDATE: Highland Meadows Park – Rick stated work has included the installation of playground equipment, water irrigat ion system, landscaping, the ½ court basketball court, trail re pair and grading and seeding. Clearwater Creek Park – Rick advised wet conditions have again delayed the park development efforts this spring. T.A. Schifsky and Sons are installing the base and bituminous for the
Park Board Meeting – June 2, 2003 Minutes 3 basketball court, and prepping the entire trail seg ments for bituminous. Concrete pads for park benches will be installed next week. The irrigation system is scheduled for installation on Monday, June 2. Upon completion of the irrigati on system, the entire park area will be final graded, seed bed pre pped, and finally seeded. Birch Park Trail – The landscaping areas have been planted. City staff needs to renovate the wetland areas for Rice Creek Watershed District approval. The only other outsta nding issue is the City Council needs to authorize payment of the trail easement over the Whitcomb property. This was delayed since the easement documents could not be prepared until the boardwalk segment was constructed. This item is on next weeks City Counc il Agenda. Chair Lindy asked about a bid for the asphalt at Cl earwater Creek Park. Rick advised the asphalt work has already be en completed. Pat inquired about figures of usage at the ½ court basketball courts. Rick stated he would look into how to obta in usage figures. Cost would be an issue. RECREATION DEPARTMENT UPDATE: Rick referred to the Program Highlights Flyer from May 2003. He noted fifty-six participants are registered for thi s summer’s Options program, which will be held at Centennial E lementary School. All three of the Golf Academy Sessions filled this summer. The City is offering a variety of new sport camps/clini cs this summer included Flag Football, Lacrosse, Basketball and Ro ller Hockey. The City is also offering six playground sites this summer – one morning site at Birch Park and five afternoon sites at Birch Park, Lino Park, Sunrise Park, Behm’s Park and Gold en Lake Park. As of May 28, 178 participants were enrolled in the playground program. Rick added that there are 42 teams registered for t he summer softball season. The summer edition of the Recreat ion Review is now out in homes and can be found on the web site. PARKS DEPARTMENT UPDATE: Rick reviewed a memo from Mike Hoffman, Parks Super visor, which summarizes the maintenance highlights for May 2003. Rick noted maintenance activities have included planting of ov er 100 new and replacement trees in City parks, including over 35 in Behm’s Park. Trees, shrubs and perennials were planted in Birch Park Trail planting boxes. Staff also removed and repla ced the landscape bed in front of the Council Chambers.
Park Board Meeting – June 2, 2003 Minutes 4 Other activities included the completion of Highlan d Meadows Park playground, soccer field preparation, and the order ing of site furnishings for Highland Meadows Park. NEW BUSINESS: Centennial Soccer Club Inquiry on Marshan Park Park ing Lot – Rick advised the Centennial Soccer Club (CSC) has submit ted an informal inquiry regarding the possible expansion o f the Marshan Park parking lot. This may be the impetus to furth er discuss the City’s role in providing adequate facilities for yo uth sports groups. Since the athletic complex has not become a reality, the City may need to look at to what degree it can prov ide facilities at various neighborhood parks. Obviously, organize d activities in the neighborhood parks impact the area residents . Specifically regarding this request, the Park Board may want to consider to what level of organized activities shou ld be scheduled at Marshan Park. If it is determined tha t this will be a long-term organized activity location, the City m ay want to look at expanding the parking lot. Rick advised that staff will start to put together the information necessary to discuss this issue further . Pam stated she is concerned about emergency vehicle s having access to the parks during activities. Pat stated the Park Board needs to get some idea ab out traffic and usage during the peak park activity nights. Bill inquired about complaints from residents. Ric k advised he has not had any complaints but the season has just begun. Pam suggested that some of the groups use fields at other parks or the middle school. Chair Lindy stated data is needed on the use at all fields. The Park Board has discussed not programming activities all the time at neighborhood parks. Rick stated that this issue will be discussed furth er in the fall after more information is gathered. Distribute Updated Parks and Trails Map – Rick advised an updated parks and trails map was included in the packets. Chair Lindy inquired about the connection in Pheasa nt Hills to the regional park along the easterly edge. Rick st ated that connection will be made when the residential develo pment in
Park Board Meeting – June 2, 2003 Minutes 5 Centerville is completed. The developer has been r equested by Centerville’s Park Board to extend the trail southw ard. Chair Lindy stated there has been a lot of wash out on the trail. He suggested it be fixed before it is completely lo st. Rick advised staff would take a look at the trail. Michael asked if the updated parks and trails map i s available on the web site. Rick stated the parks and trails map is available on the City’s web site. Katie asked if the City ever puts up some sort of f encing behind basketball courts. She stated the brush behind the court at Pheasant Hills is very thick and it is difficult to retrieve balls. Rick stated staff will view the area behind the basketball court at Pheasant Hills Park. NEXT PARK BOARD MEETING: Rick advised the next Park Board meeting would be h eld on Monday, July 7, 2003, 6:30pm. ADJOURN: Pam Taschuk made a motion to adjourn, seconded by P at Huelman. The meeting was adjourned at 7:23pm. Respectfully Submitted, Kim Points Recording Secretary Approved at the 7/3/03 Park Board Meeting