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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAudit Priority Work Session - December 2013 Audit Priority Work Session – December 2013 Due to getting through agenda efficiently, Zuleger suggested amending the agenda to include an audit priority work session. Weis added that the agenda should also be amended to include a date change for the January meeting. Agenda amended to include additional work from the audit and moving January meeting due to MLK holiday. Meeting was moved to Thursday, January 30. M/S/P: Ames/Steele: Agenda approved as amended. Approved 7-0 Zuleger asked the commission how they would like to tackle the audit and prioritize. Weis asked to clarify objective. Zuleger responded that the objective is to determine how to spend the $220 allocated to park improvements. Steele expressed concern that it would be hard to prioritize without knowing cost of improvements. Zuleger reminded the commission that they have excess funds available (up to $900k) if needed and an additional $150k-$200k would likely be added this year from new development. The commission agreed to go through the audit and prioritize line by line, recognizing two parks most in need of improvements to focus on. Zuleger informed the commission that Gonyea and Mattamy development would likely bring some improvements to Reid Park, next spring. Frick asked how many acres will be added to Reid. Zuleger said it would likely be 8-10 acres. Steele asked why they were only looking at six parks. Zuleger responded that they are the only ones that were audited. Steele confirmed the parks that weren’t audited: Stonegate, Kleis, Parkview (Park Ridge), Fields II, Tana. There is also an understanding that there will be a joint park at OakLand Jr. High. Steele confirms that they should be free to add in additional parks that they think might need some work. Inviting Entrance: Priority was ranked: 1. Pebble, 2. Reid, 3. Tablyn. Steele suggested doing signage system- wide; determined a high priority by commissioners. Zuleger said they would take a look at Carol Kriegler’s work with signs. Way-finding signs. Steele suggested that entrance signs and way-finding signs go together. Ames suggested that way-finding signs are more important in some parks than others (where you can see everything from the entrance of the park). Nelson suggested auctioning old signs. Reeves suggested focusing on big bucket items rather than on details in order to remain timely. Park Lighting. Commission agreed that lighting is a high priority Ames suggested that they differentiate what type of lights they need and where they are needed. Steele moveed to put Pebble as first priority, Reid and Tablyn second priority. M/S/P: Hartley/Ames: approve lighting priorities. 7-0 Park Safety. Nelson asked what electrical costs would be in parks that don’t already have it. Zuleger said it would be $1,500 at best. Sunfish, Pebble, Tablyn, Reid were ranked in order of illegal activities. Zuleger said that webcams are relatively inexpensive, also suggested call boxes as an option for parks with power. Weis asked if police reports were primarily crimes being inflicted on people or illegal activity. Zuleger responded that it depends on park. Primarily loitering at Reid, drug activity at Pebble. Steele moved to prioritize installing cameras or call boxes in Sunfish, Pebble, Tablyn and Reid. Commission agreed. Steele suggested that disabled accessibility be considered low priority, as they are in good shape. Bouthilet replied that standards are changing and it will need to be assessed at least. Parking. Hartley stated that increasing parking at Tablyn is priority. Steele added Carriage Station was in need in parking as well; currently streets are too narrow. Steele suggested digging road out a few feet and adding parking spaces along the side of the road and asked if it is feasible? Bouthilet responded that there is limited room for parallel parking. Weis asked about the Park off Inwood had parking; mentioned that it is not discussed much but is heavily used. Pebble, Tablyn determined priority for parking. Pathways/Trails Zuleger mentioned connection issues will be addressed at Reid and Tablyn (sidewalks at th Reid/30, and trail connection at Tablyn) Internal pathways well marked and maintained? Hartley mentioned that the stairs in Tablyn are in need of work; trails need to be marked at Pebble. Ames thinks the staircase in Tablyn needs to be looked at in terms of safety; Pebble improvements determined on the rest of the park plan), therefore leaving Tablyn at 1. Steele agrees steps at Tablyn priority; clearing brush in sliding hill. Commission discussed reconfiguring ball diamond at Tablyn – backstop close to retaining wall; bumpy field. Zuleger mentioned that Stonegate will be expanded by new development that was just approved (boulder ponds). Pebble and Tablyn determined priority for pathways and trails. Maintenance Steele asked for Bouthilet’s recommendations regarding what needs to be replaced; to bring to next meeting. Pebble, Reid Tablyn determined priority at this time. Amenities Steele asked if this section was referring to capital improvements. Zuleger clarified that they already touched on capital improvement with parking. Steele suggested Pebble and Tablyn as priorities in amenities. Weis asked if the LERT goes through, if the county would be interested in developing a new parking lot that serves as an entrance serving both Tablyn and the Reserve. Zuleger anticipated they will know by spring if they are included in the master plan. Ames suggested creating a contingency plan around parking in spring. Weis suggested that what is left are ‘big dream’ items – restrooms, ball field, etc. Weis asked each commissioner to suggest top item for improvement. Hartley: Volleyball courts and move basketball court at Pebble. Lighting in parking and courts – also adding bathrooms. Zuleger reminded the commission that from the retreat the commission decided to add one bathroom each year. Steele: Pebble ranks top; but not sure on highest priority for bathroom. Weis: As part of LERT master plan, funding may be available for a restroom at Tablyn Ames: Transform first 100 yards of Pebble as you enter - from street to swing set. Silvernale: Restroom combined with a picnic shelter (not park specific). Zeno: Supports work in Pebble Park Frick: Pebble top priority based on what was seen in audit. In Tablyn hopes that funding can be picked up through trail; hopes improvements in Reid may be funded in part by new development. Hartley: Can’t see into the entrance at Reid; at least wants to take down some weeds to open up visibility Frick: Thought some cameras and a lit parking lot could help at Reid. Ames: Adds brush removal to the list Hartley: Discusses issues with buckthorn off of Ideal. Nelson: Preserve character of the ball fields in VFW and Lions, but would like to see them upgraded. Hartley mentioned flooding in Lions/VFW. Zuleger responded that they are in the process of Washington county study and there are three issues that are naturally taking care of themselves. Options are being looked at including retention ponds/drainage considerations. Weis asked about time frame on the city center park project. Reeves responded that the village work group is looking at village green, plans are still being solidified. Zuleger added that plans are dependent on airport zoning. Nelson mentioned the perspective of guests coming from out of town and how they view the downtown parks. Zeno suggested that because they are unsure what is going to happen in that area, maybe best to do temporary cosmetic touches but not invest a lot. Zuleger agreed that would be prudent; looking at 3 years to finalize plans due to airport zoning and railroad crossing. Ames mentioned utilizing new development to support trail plan. Zuleger responded that trails were being implemented with new development. Weis summed up big bucket priorities: Pebble, Reid, VFW (smaller bucket). Unsure on improvements in Tablyn based on timing of LERT. Commission reviewed Boulder ponds trail structure plan/map.