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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMMISSION_MINUTES_1989-09-28MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA September 28, 1989 Mounds View City Hall Council Chambers 6:30 p.m. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:37 p.m. by Chairperson Wayne Burmeister ROLL CALL Commissioners present: Starr, Trettel, Silvis, Burmeister, Stevenson and Long Councilmember present: Quick Staff present: Director Saarion, Administrative Assistant Linke Visitors present: Members of the Mounds View Athletic Association (MVAA) were present to discuss Greenfield Park ballfield. They were: Dennis Flanagan, Neal Valley and Mazzocco. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Silvis, seconded by Commissioner Stevenson to approve the August 24, 1989 minutes as written. Motion carried TOUR OF GREENFIELD PARK BASEBALL FIELD The Commissioners, along with MVAA members went to Greenfield Park to review the baseball field which has been requested to have improvements. GREENFIELD PARK BALLFIELD DISCUSSION Upon returning from the tour of Greenfield Park, the Commission reviewed and discussed the requests made by Mr. Neal Valley, coach in the MVAA. Mr. Valley suggested that the following improvements be undertaken: 1. Moving the outfield fence to a minimum distance down the foul lines to 300 feet and center field to 360 feet. 2. The distance from homeplate to the backstop should be back 10 feet. -2- 3. The infield should be resodded and the outfield reseeded. 4. dugouts should be constructed. 5. A sprinkler system should be installed throughout to maintain a quality playing field. Commissioner Stevenson stated that upon reviewing the area, he felt that better ground conditions should be the priority for improving Greenfield baseball field due to safety factors. When asked where the nearest playable baseball field was, Mr. Valley replied that it was in Blaine. Mr. Dennis Flanagan stated that the field at Edgewood Community Center and Irondale were not adequate for play by the majors. He further stated that there were approximately 550 participants in the MVAA baseball program, 12 teams being in the major league category. Mr. Valley was asked by the Commission if he could set a priority between creating a smooth playing surface or extending the outfield fences. He replied that the two go hand in hand and could not be prioritized. Director Saarion asked MVAA Treasurer Dennis Flanagan if the organization had any opportunities for raising funds. Mr. Flanagan replied that the organization did carry a $5,000 balance, but at this time, the only fund raising opportunities have been through registration fees. Councilmember Quick explained that the reason the Commission was concerned about funds, was that the money in the park improvement fund had already been earmarked for other projects. Councilmember Quick suggested that the MVAA solicit such service organizations as Kraus-Hartig VFW, Tri -City American Legion, the New Brighton Eagles and the New Brighton, Mounds View and Spring Lake Park Lions Clubs. Mr. Valley stated that he would be willing to approach such organizations for donations. -3- Councilmember Quick suggested that staff prepare plans and specifications to obtain cost estimates for the project with the possibility of presenting them to Council for possible partial funding through the General Fund with additional funds coming from the park improvement fund and MVAA. After further discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Silvis, seconded by Commissioner Long to direct staff to prepare plans and further investigate costs for the improvements to Greenfield Park baseball field. The motion passed unanimously: 5 ayes, 0 nayes (Commissioner Stevenson was absent left at this time.) SILVER VIEW PARK PICNIC SHELTER Director Saarion reported that the plans and specifications for the project have been completed and would be available to contractors on September 29. The bid opening will be held on October 13 at 2:00 p.m. Director Saarion further stated that the contract for the installation of sewer and water at Silver View Park was awarded to Volk Water and Sewer Company. Installation will begin in approximately two weeks. Commissioner Long asked what the timeline was for the shelter. Director Saarion replied that the project is to begin by November 1, 1989 and be completed by April 1, 1990. SILVER VIEW TRAIL AND BRIDGE ESTIMATES Director Saarion reviewed memorandums regarding cost estimates for the installation of a trail and bridge at Silver View Park. Since the time when the Commission had requested the estimates, the City Council has stated that additional projects, other than the park shelter, will be postponed until a new Silver View Park master plan is established. Chairperson Burmeister stated that he would like to see the trail portion behind the Scotland Green Apartment Complex be installed as soon as possible. He also inquired as to the need for an easement. Director Saarion replied that the Gaughan Company, owners of the Scotland Green Apartments, were very receptive to the trail and easement. ra It was recommended by the City Attorney that an easement be acquired before construction begins on the trail. A motion was made by Commissioner Long, seconded by Commissioner Silvis to request the City Council to pursue the extension of the pathway behind the Scotland Green Apartment Complex by obtaining an easement from the Gaughan Company for the installation of the pathway. The motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nayes. Councilmember Quick stated that in the upcoming City survey, questions will be asked regarding park priorities. He urged the Commission to be aggressive in selecting questions to be put on the survey relating to parks and trails. ••D IMPROVEMENTS Director Saarion reviewed the progress at Oakwood Park. The catch basin drain was installed this week and the grading will begin next week. After grading is completed the City crew will reseed the outfield and put down new ag lime in the infield. The benches and backstop have been received. Director Saarion further stated that the section of the Greenfield Park pathway north of Oakwood Park had been resurfaced with ag-lime from the old Oakwood infield. There should no longer be washouts in that area as had occurred in the past. It was noted that the Pinewood Pandathon had used the Greenfield Park pathway the previous weekend and was pleased with its appearance. BICYCLE PATHWAY REQUEST ON OLD HIGHWAY 8 The Commission reviewed a letter written from City Engineer Minetor to the City Council, recommending consideration of the installation of a bicycle path along Old Highway 8 when the road is improved. The City would be responsible for funding the bicycle path. FESTIVAL REVIEW Director Saarion reviewed the events of the Festival in the Park. The Festival was on Sunday, September 17. This being the first time the Festival was held in the fall. There -were 18 arts and crafts booths, eight concessionaires, and 11 organizations participating. -5 - In addition, eight men's and eight women's teams participated in a softball tournament and six teams in the volleyball tournament. The entertainment was Westbound band, the Rockin' Hollywoods, Steel Drummerettes and magician Larry Williams. Staff reviewed a letter from a resident stating that she was unhappy with the date change and that she felt there was not enough publicity on the Festival. Director Saarion stated that staff maintained the usual publicity practices including sending 1,500 flyers to schools, over 150 posters to businesses, posting of posters in schools, community center, etc., Public Service Announcements on television and radio, articles in local as well as metro area newspapers, articles in two issues of the Mounds View City Newsletter, and posting on cable TV channel 16. The Festival date is basically determined by the availability of the showmobile. Unfortunately, September 17 was also the date of two church carnivals. REVIEW FALL PROGRAMS Director Saarion stated that the Fall programs were underway. The afterschool programs are going well. In November and December the afterschool program will be extending the hours of the activities to accommodate working parents. This will be a trial program to see if participation is increased with longer hours. PART-TIME POSITION Director Saarion reviewed the proposed position of a part-time Athletic Coordinator. With the increased participation in adult and youth athletics, it was felt that this position would be of more value to the department than replacement of the position of aquatics supervisor. The Athletic Coordinator position would be an in office position coordinating the programming of athletic leagues, supervision program employees, maintaining standings and assisting in the day to day office duties such as registrations and phone calls. Director Saarion further stated that with the approaching elimination of daytime pool use, the aquatics administration and programming could be handled by the present Parks and Recreation Department staff. For summer beach administration, a beach manager would be hired to supervise staff. H A motion was made by Commissioner Silvis, seconded by Commissioner Starr to recommend to the City Council that a part-time position of Aquatics supervisor be eliminated and that the position of part-time Athletic Coordinator be instituted. The motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nayes. COUNCILMEMBER'S REPORT None CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Chairperson Burmeister reported that the Spring Lake Park Lion's are planning to hold the dedication ceremonies for the Lakeside Park beachhouse in the early summer. Director Saarion stated that an article in the newspaper had listed Spring Lake as one of the lakes under consideration by Ramsey County to discontinue pumping. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Director Saarion distributed memos given to the City Council on the following: 1. Reported on a meeting attended by staff on Purple Loosestrife and Eurasian Watermilfoil 1 Reminded the Commission of the presentation on Monday, November at 7:00 p.m. regarding the Silver View Park pond study. 3. Reminded the Commission of the Town Meeting to be held on Saturday, October 7 at 9:00 a.m. 4. Reviewed price quotes regarding costs for bituminous pathway installation and bridge installation at Silver View Park. 5. Reviewed the response to the City Council regarding the agreement to leave school facilities free of activity in the month of August for maintenance. SLIDE PRESENTATION Director Saarion presented slides of the last five years of park improvements. -7 - ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Commissioner Silvis, seconded by Commissioner Long to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m. Motion passed: 5 ayes, 0 nayes. Respectfully submitted, M Saarion Mary , Director Parks, Recreation and Forestry MS/SL