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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMMISSION_MINUTES_1989-03-16MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW COUNTY OF RAMSEY STATE OF MINNESOTA March 16, 1989 Mounds View City Hall Council Chambers 6:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m. by Chairperson Wayne Burmeister. Commissioners present: Burmeister, Long, Silvis, Starr and Stevenson Councilmember present: Wuori Staff present: Director Saarion, Administrative Assistant Linke Guest speaker: Greg Mack, Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department Visitors: Patricia Jensen, 2184 Hillview Rd. Virgil Kinnunen, 2132 Oakwood Dr. Connie Miller, 2138 Oakwood Dr. Richard Kops, 2147 Oakwood Dr. Tammy Kissick, 5714 Cornell Dr. Glen Hammond, 2146 Oakwood Dr. Virgil E. Peterson, 2152 Oakwood Dr. Cindy Huro, 2146 Hillview Rd. Carol Mohrman, 5706 Cornell Dr. INTRODUCTION OF GREG MACK, RAMSEY COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR A motion was made by Commissioner Silvis, seconded by Commissioner Long to approve the February 16 minutes as written. Motion carried; 5 ayes, 0 nayes Director Saarion introduced Mr. Greg Mack, Director of the Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. Mack explained that he is going throughout the County speaking with Parks and Recreation Commissions informing them of various projects in which they are involved. He stated that the principal projects were getting the word out to use the parks by expanding media contact and redevelopment of tired facilities. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes March 16, 1989 Page two Referring to County maps, Mr. Mack pointed out the many different types of facilities Ramsey County Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for including regional parks, county parks, ice arenas, open space and waterways. Councilmember Wuori asked Mr. Mack if there would be a trailway along Rice Creek. Mr. Mack stated that both land and water trails were planned for that corridor and that funds were requested to be funded during this biennium. Councilmember Wuori asked when the trail would be completed. Mr. Mack stated that it would be done the same time the north section was developed, but at this time they are having difficulty working out details with the Army regarding the arsenal property. If those problems cannot be ironed out, the trail would probably be developed along with Long Lake Regional Park. Chairperson Burmeister thanked Mr. Mack for his presentation. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT Chairperson Burmeister stated that the bid opening for the Lakeside Park beachhouse would be on March 17 in Spring Lake Park. COUNCILMEMBER'S REPORT Councilmember Wuori gave a brief update on the progress of the Mounds View Community Theater Board in preparation for their summer production of "Sound of Music". She also stated that the Irondale High School theater would get new air conditioning this summer. OPEN DISCUSSION WITH RESIDENTS REGARDING IMPROVEMENTS AT OAKWOOD PARK Chairperson Burmeister welcomed guests to the meeting and asked for their comments and suggestions for improvement of Oakwood Park. He also gave a brief overview of the Commission's 5 year planning process and stated that Oakwood Park was chosen as a priority for this year. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes March 16, 1989 Page three The following comments and suggestions were made by residents: 1. Put in an ice rink. 2. Do soil corrections. 3. Large oak tree by ball diamond needs trimming. 4. New play equipment is needed. 5. Sandlot volleyball court is a high priority. 6. Get rid of the sandburrs. 7. Plant some large trees. 8. Better maintenance of grass. 9. Install picnic tables and grill. 10. Put volleyball court close to the tot lot and put the portable toilet between the tot lot and volleyball court. 11. A cagelike backstop. 12. Horseshoe pits Director Saarion informed the Commission that $8,000 had been allocated for installation of new playground equipment at Oakwood Park in 1990. In addition, the 1989 capital improvement budget allotted monies for the installation of a picnic table and grill on the Greenfield Park site across from Oakwood Park. She also indicated the possibility of a $50,000 park dedication fee from Sysco which could be received within a year. A portion of these funds could be used for improvements at Oakwood Park. In reference to the picnicking area, a resident expressed concern about the patrolling of the area. Chairperson Burmeister assured her that the area would not be secluded and would be easily patrolled by the police. Residents expressed a great deal of interest in construction of a sandlot volleyball court. The Commission stated that this was an inexpensive item and could possibly be done in 1989. Parks and Recreation Commission Mintes March 16, 1989 Page four Director Saarion requested comments from residents regarding the parking situation at the park. After considerable discussion, the residents agreed that parking should be available on the park side of Hillview, Quincy and Oakwood, and that NO PARKING signs should be put on the other sides. They requested that the signs state that the no parking is in effect May - August, 5:00 -8:00 p.m. Director Saarion said she would bring this request to the Chief of Police for his review. She reminded residents that the no parking policy would pertain to them and their guests. The residents were agreeable to this because they were concerned about the safety of the children when cars are parked on both sides of the road. Resident Connie Miller asked if there was a possibility of the residents doing some of the work at the park. Commissioner Long gave them background on the Groveland Park Foundation and stated that a member of that group would be happy to meet with the Oakwood Park residents to help them get organized. Much concern was expressed about Oakwood Park turf being full of weeds and sand burrs. Director Saarion addressed this issue with her same concern for Oakwood and all the other parks. Her preference is for a turf management program including weed spraying, grass seeding and fertilizing. Unfortunately, the monetary resources for such a program has been prohibitive. Chairperson Burmeister reiterated the requests of the residents and stated the the Commission would review the items and ask them back for the June Commission meeting. PARK MAINTENANCE STANDARDS Director Saarion distributed and reviewed copies of the recently developed park maintenance standards. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes March 16, 1989 Page five Director Saarion explained that in order to provide an adequate amount of maintenance in the parks, a total of 5,886 hours would need to be spent to achieve all the items listed. The current manpower hours available is 4,448 leaving a deficit of 1,438 hours. Director Saarion suggested three alternatives to achieving the standards: 1. Lowering the maintenance standards. 2. Hiring another full-time maintenance person. 3. Hire two seasonal employees during the 12 week winter skating season. This guideline is minimum standards for satisfactory park maintenance. The hours given to each duty is unproven, rather a guess. One year's experience using the new computer scheduling software system should verify truer numbers of hours. A motion was made by Chairperson Burmeister, seconded by Commissioner Long to support the proposed park maintenance standards and recommend to the City Council that they be adopted. Motion carried; 5 ayes, 0 nayes. A motion was made by Commissioner Stevenson, seconded by Commissioner Starr to recommend to the City Council that in a step to achieve the park maintenance standards, that a minimum of two full-time park maintenance employees be assigned eight hours per day, five days week to park maintenance duties. Motion carried; 5 ayes, 0 nayes. CUTTING OF PUSSYWILLOWS Director Saarion reported that a resident called concerned about a large group of people cutting down pussywillows in Silver View Park. The police have been notified of the incident and residents have been advised to call the police if this occurs again. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes March 16, 1989 Page six ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS Director Saarion distributed two memos to Commissioners. One regarded costs for installation of asphalt in hockey rinks for multi-purpose use. The other was the official announcement of the Celebrate MN grant award. SILVER VIEW PARK SHELTER Director Saarion reported that the Lion's Club has formed a committee to coordinate the construction of the park shelter building at Silver View Park. As the project progresses, Director Saarion will keep the Commission apprised. WORK SESSION Director Saarion suggested that the April Commission meeting be a work session to review the five year capital improvement plan and make choices for 1989 equipment purchases. COMMISSION APPLICANT The Commission was advised that Edward Trettel had applied for the position of Parks and Recreation Commissioner. His application will be forwarded to the City Council for review and possible approval. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Commissioner Silvis, seconded by Commissioner adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m. carried; 5 ayes, 0 nayes. Respectfully submitted, Mary Saarion, Director Parks, Recreation and Forestry MS/SL Long to Motion