HomeMy WebLinkAbout#14 - 45th Parallel Marker at Lions Park STAFF REPORT
DATE: September 4, 2018
REGULAR
ITEM #: 14
MOTION
TO: City Council
FROM: Ben Prchal, City Planner
AGENDA ITEM: Lions Park – 45th Parallel Marker
REVIEWED BY: Kristina Handt – City Administrator
BACKGROUND:
During the development and renovation of Lions Park it was brought to light that the field was very close
to the 45th parallel latitude line. Knowing this, the field was moved so that home plate and the first base
line would directly line up with the 45th line. Having moved the field to ensure that this was possible, it
had seemed appropriate to place a marker ensuring the efforts and significance were not forgotten.
ISSUE BEFORE THE COUNCIL:
The Council is being asked to provide comment and final approval on the Parks Commission
recommendation of the 45th parallel marker at Lions Park.
PROPOSAL:
Planning Commission member Kathy Weeks and resident Jay Knutson have been working with Eric
Mayne, owner of Livingstone Concrete Design to create a template for us to review. Livingstone
Concrete produces high end, heavily durable specialty concrete and custom made material for
countertops, furniture, sinks, etc. There were three options presented to the Parks Commission. One
option would be built directly into the concrete walking path for the field (Option A) and the other two of
the options were between the field and the asphalt walking path (Option B and C). Accompanying the
marker would be a sign, which would be produced at no cost by Weeks-end Signs. The content of the
sign would be informational in nature, providing a description of why it is there and the significance of
the 45th with the field.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is expected to be a fiscal impact.
Informational sign – No cost (Donation by Weeks Family)
Marker – $1,000 (estimated for material and install)
There were two funding mechanisms presented to the Parks Commission
Option 1:
Use park dedication funds for the project. Based off the last discussion on the 2019 CIP, at a minimum
there will be $562,704 in the account at the beginning of the New Year. The total of all the projects for
2019 is expected to be $337,000 (Pebble Imp., Sunfish Imp., and New Park Development). This leaves the
fund with $225,704 remaining in the account. The expected cost of $1,000 would not significantly
impact the account.
Option 2:
Use funds from the sign advertisement program at the park. As of now, the revenue generated
from the program has already been earmarked for improvements. However, if the commission
does not mind waiting a year for the proposed project, next year’s funds could be use.
Page 2
OPTIONS:
1) Motion to approve the project with park dedication funds
2) Motion to approve the project with next year’s sign funds
3) Motion for denial unless donations can be obtained to cover the cost
4) Motion to deny the project
RECOMMENDATION AND STAFF COMMENTS:
Parks Commission Comments:
The Parks Commission is recommending that the Council approve funding for Option C. However, the
commission would like to see a wooden post placed on the edge of the pad (centered) near the sidewalk
which would hold the sign. Their motion was “Motion to recommend pouring the concrete marker with
stamping, from the asphalt sidewalk to concrete sidewalk, matching the grade as well as adding a cedar
post for mounting a sign” Passed 4-2. The stamping was added for a decorative touch which staff is in
support of. (Option C)
Staff Comments:
Out of the options presented, staff is inclined to follow the recommendation of the Parks Commission with
the exception of the sign on the wooden post. Staff is under the impression that the marker is capable of
standing on its own. Though the sign would provide value in that it is informational, it may detract from
the marker due to its placement. Perhaps the Council would like to consider a similar sign imbedded in the
concrete.
The Commission, by general consensus would like to use funds generated from the sign program at Lions
to fund the project.
“Motion to approve funding for the 45th parallel marker as recommended by the Parks Commission”
ATTACHMENTS:
• Design proposals A, B, or C.
o Write up describing Livingstone and informational sign.
45th PARALLEL
e 45th Parallel is halfway between
the Equator and the North Pole.
e 45th Parallel of North Latitude on the surface
of the earth passes directly through this marker.
It is an East and West line which is midway between
the Equator and the North Pole.
On this ball eld home plate, rst base, the
rst baseline, and the right-eld foul line and
pole are located precisely on the 45th parallel.
Thank you to Jay Knutson & Rolf Larson
for calling attention to this unique distinction.
Pacic
Ocean Gulf of
Mexico
Atlantic
Ocean
120°110°100°90°80°70°50°
45°
40°
35°
30°
25°
27” in Diameter disc - cast specialty concrete - ush mounted
into existing concrete gallery.
12” x 18” framed polycarb. protected
sign Mounted on backeld fence.
North
OPTION A
45th PARALLEL
e 45th Parallel is halfway between
the Equator and the North Pole.
e 45th Parallel of North Latitude on the surface
of the earth passes directly through this marker.
It is an East and West line which is midway between
the Equator and the North Pole.
On this ball eld home plate, rst base, the
rst baseline, and the right-eld foul line and
pole are located precisely on the 45th parallel.
Thank you to Jay Knutson & Rolf Larson
for calling attention to this unique distinction.
Pacic
Ocean Gulf of
Mexico
Atlantic
Ocean
120°110°100°90°80°70°50°
45°
40°
35°
30°
25°
27” in Diameter disc - cast specialty concrete - ush mounted
into a concrete pad constructed in the grass strip between the walking
path and concrete gallery.
12” x 18” framed polycarb. protected
sign Mounted on post.
North
OPTION B
45th PARALLEL
e 45th Parallel is halfway between
the Equator and the North Pole.
e 45th Parallel of North Latitude on the surface
of the earth passes directly through this marker.
It is an East and West line which is midway between
the Equator and the North Pole.
On this ball eld home plate, rst base, the
rst baseline, and the right-eld foul line and
pole are located precisely on the 45th parallel.
Thank you to Jay Knutson & Rolf Larson
for calling attention to this unique distinction.
Pacic
Ocean Gulf of
Mexico
Atlantic
Ocean
120°110°100°90°80°70°50°
45°
40°
35°
30°
25°
27” in Diameter disc - cast specialty concrete - ush mounted
into a concrete pad constructed in the grass strip between the walking
path and concrete gallery.
12” x 18” framed polycarb. protected
sign Mounted on post.
North
OPTION C
45th PARALLEL
e 45th Parallel is halfway between
the Equator and the North Pole.
e 45th Parallel of North Latitude on the surface
of the earth passes directly through this marker.
It is an East and West line which is midway between
the Equator and the North Pole.
On this ball eld home plate, rst base, the
rst baseline, and the right-eld foul line and
pole are located precisely on the 45th parallel.
Thank you to Jay Knutson & Rolf Larson
for calling attention to this unique distinction.
Pacic
Ocean Gulf of
Mexico
Atlantic
Ocean
120°110°100°90°80°70°50°
45°
40°
35°
30°
25°
Eric Mayne, owner of Livngstone
Concrete Design (a local Lake Elmo
Company) has been working
with Kathy Weeks, owner of Weeks-
End Signs to create and produce
a unique marker for the 45th Parallel
marker for placement in Lions Park.
The concept is a 27” in Diameter disc
produced of cast specialty concrete.
This sign will accompany the concrete
marker disc to describe the 45th Parallel
signicance.
Weeks-End Signs will produce this sign
of sturdy aluminum or steel panel and frame.
The globe graphic and text info. will be
reverse mounted vinyl graphics directly
onto a clear polycarb./Lexan panel to make
it highly protected from weather and
vandalism.
12” x 18” framed polycarb. protected sign
This disc will be either ush mounted
into the existing concrete gallery (Option A)
or ush mounted into a concrete pad
constructed in the grass strip between
the Laverne Ave. path and the
existing concrete gallery (Option B)
Eric and Livingstone Concrete Design
produce high end, heavily durable
specialty concrete and custom made
material for countertops, furniture,
sinks, etc.
If you’d like to see a video of how this
product is made, please go to:
Livingstoneconcretedesign.com