HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMMISSION_MINUTES_2002-07-25Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
July 25, 2002
Roll Call: Absent: Coughlin, Szczepanski, Pothen, Dazenski
Meeting Called to order: Gunn
Approval of the June 2002 minutes:
Lee noted that there were no minutes due to televising troubles at the last
meeting and it was not televised.
Unfinished Business:
Greenfield Park Registration Fee Letter
Roepke reported that a letter has been drafted explaining to the users of the field at
Greenfield Park, that due to maintenance and replacement costs of equipment, a fee will
now be required to help off set the costs. There are 3 main users of this field and they are
the: BabeRuth's, TriCity Legion and North Suburban Baseball. The City of Vadnais
Heights charges $6 per field for each registered team; this draft letter from Mounds View
states $7. Should the committee want to implement this for the 2003 season, the
Commission would need to approach the Council with this proposal.
Gunn asked if Silverview was charged? Roepke stated that the field is used by an Adult
Softball League almost on a nightly basis and that a fee is incorporated into the League
Fee but nothing is charged for practice time; this applies to the CH field also. Should it be
changed to charge for practice time also?
Gunn asked if fees are collected, where would they go? Separate fund?
Lee stated that an account could be setup and that we can make that language part of the
proposal that is presented to Council; a dedicated fund to maintaining Greenfield Park
field.
Recommend to Council to charge a maintenance fee to the registered teams of Greenfield
Park starting in the 2003 season, with a dedicated fund established.
Motioned:
2nd by:
Motion unanimously passed
Discussion: Kroeger asked that the letter be cleaned up. Roepke stated he would.
Roepke mentioned that New Brighton and Roseville will soon be requiring a rental fee
for their fields. Kroeger asked if teams that use a field would be willing to make
donations? Gunn replied that yes that can happen but then things start getting more
complicated and a flat fee would be easier to keep track of. Roepke inquired as to how
much to charge? Commission decided that $5 would be a sufficient fee and that Roepke
should change the letter reflecting new amount.
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Community Survey
Lee stated that attached to the Agenda was a copy of the staff report presented to the
Council on January 2, 2001. Lee also stated that staff reviewed video of the meeting and
it was determined by the Council that the Commissions could create approximately 10
questions each and submit them to the Council along with reasoning behind each
question. Kroeger asked if it was up to the Park and Recreation Commission to devise
questions or hire an outside consultant? Gunn said that per the staff report it states to hire
a consultant to devise a comprehensive park plan or to conduct a formal survey by a
consultant. Roepke asked if a survey could be put in the Mounds View Matters. Kroeger
stated that you do not receive any responses, the best approach used in the past was done
by telephone. Gunn agreed. Kroeger asked if a professional organization could facilitate
the survey? Gunn stated that the Commission could come up with 10 questions first and
propose them to the Council. Dedicate a full meeting to questions? Commission members
to brainstorm on questions and talk to their neighbors. The next meeting will be dedicated
to reviewing proposed questions.
Motioned:
2nd;
New Business
Bylaws of the Park and Recreation Commission
Lee stated that these bylaws were taken from the Mounds View City Code. Gunn read
each one aloud and the following recommendations were made:
3. "or" should be "and" in the sentence "outside of commission".
6. This should be restated to reflect "current" budget process. Lee stated that he
can certainly involve the Park Commission on capital purchases and
reinstitute this policy. Commission agreed that they would like to get back
involved.
9. Structures apply to Lakeside Park. Amusement Hall should be Community
Center. Should also include maintaining and construction.
10. Commission would like to definitely participate and meet with other
Commissions to determine if Parks, Trails etc would be affected by a project.
Lee will talk with the Community Development Director and ask that the
Planning and Zoning Commission Agenda be forwarded to the Park and
Recreation Commission. Commission then could determine if their input is
necessary.
Commission also stated that there are some miss numberings in the bylaws and they
should be corrected. Lee to investigate procedure on how to implement changes
suggested.by the Commission.
Recommend to present these changes to Council and ask for the appropriate protocol in
implementing them and for Council to review and approve changes with the
understanding of replacing the existing bylaws in the Municipal Code.
Motion by: Gunn
2nd;
Discussion: None
Motion unanimously passed
Park Dedication Update
Lee stated that the summary was attached to the agenda. Estimated annual revenue is
$50,000 but that can change year to year. He will obtain expenditures of the Park
Dedication fund for the years 2000 and 2001. Gunn stated that the Park and Recreation
Commission can spend or delegate Park Dedication Funds if under $5,000.Lee will also
obtain where or whom the dedication funds came from. Gunn asked what the ratio is as
far as Park Dedication fees go. Lee will find out. Kroeger stated that the intent for Park
Dedication is for the City to live off its interest. Gunn stated that that is the original
intent but also realizing that there will be times that the money will have to pooled and
wait x amount of years before an improvement can be done. Lee stated that he will get
the information together regarding comments about capital improvements. He also stated
that it maybe a good idea to invite the Finance Director to a meeting.
Skate Park Project
Gunn said that those members of the Commission that went on the tour, got to see
different type of equipment and materials used at various skate parks. Kroeger took
pictures and they are on a CD. He will forward to Lee to distribute to Commission
members. He also stated that the parks he visited seemed to be well controlled. Gunn
said that they all seemed to be in good shape. Kroeger Commission needs to consider the
maintenance of the skate park. Wooden (which was well liked by the kids), pretty easy to
maintain, Metal would involve constant painting. Gunn stated that she would like more
information from Ramp Rider, the price listing etc. New Brighton has True Rider and
they installed the wooden type of skate parks; but of course wood is more expensive. Lee
stated that compost material is the new wave type. Gunn showed a group of kids the
"Skate Way" plans and they rearranged a few things and liked the design that cost
approximately $50,000. May be we can enlist the help of parents to put it together? Kids
want the skate park and so do the parents. Where should it be built? Lee said that some of
our parks already have the infrastructure required. Kroeger stated that skate parks they
toured were not located around residential areas; they were away from people. Gunn said
that our parks were the only places we can choose from. Lee suggested that it go behind
the Community Center on the backside of the parking lot. Gunn asked what about
Greenfield Park? No one seems to use the tennis courts, but it is closer to houses.
Kroeger suggested that we could ask that question in the survey. Gunn asked does the
Commission want to wait that long because the survey won't go out that quickly. The
tennis courts are not used that often and it would be feasible to cut back on a tennis court.
Kroeger stated that if the skate park fades in the future, we can turn it back into a tennis
court. Gunn thought that Groveland would be the best location. Good visibility. Houses
are there but across the street. Lee stated that the Public Works Department is randomly
checking the usage of the tennis courts. He also suggested that we could use one of the
tennis courts on a 1 year trail basis for the skate park. That way the City won't be
spending money on infrastructure and because it's not permanent, the equipment can be
moved. Kroeger stated that most courses are concrete or asphalt. 1 tennis court would be
considered a mid-sized skate park (comparing to what they saw on the tour) and it would
be a good minimum approach. Need to get the input of the surrounding residents that
would be affected by the skate park. Lee said he met with 3 out of the 4 property owners.
1 owner was not happy about the idea because they utilized the tennis courts. 2"a owner
said he didn't think it was a problem. 3rd property owner thought it was a great idea.
Gunn stated that the Commission will need to make a decision on what area we want to
dedicate as a skate park and then proceed to talk with the affected property owners.
Kroeger said that the Groveland site has pad, fencing and is highly visible. Community
Center area will cost more because of the needed pad and fencing but it is located well.
Lee suggested listing the 3 proposed sites along with pro's/con's of each. Kroeger also
suggested SilverView Park. Gunn said that SilverView has no visibility. Could also
utilize Hillview Park for a skate park in the summer and dismantle in the winter. Gunn
how long does the Commission want to stretch this out? Must be part of budget process
for 2003. Suggest $55,000 in case we have to do some paving and fencing work.
Kroeger suggested listing pro's/con's of the 5 sites (Groveland, Greenfield, Community
Center, SilverView, Hillview) and email them to Lee by the week of August 5. Also can
add the survey questions. Lee will put this recommendation in for the 2003 budget and
the Commission can continue with research on the skate park. Gunn said to email Lee by
August 8, 2002 your pro's/con's of each of the proposed skate park sites and list your
survey questions.
No official motion was made, nor 2°d.
New Business
Kroeger asked if there was anything new regarding Spring Lake? Lee stated that he
hasn't heard anything for the past 3 mos.
Kroeger asked if it would be possible to put the pictures of the skate parks toured on the
City's web site? Lee will talk to Ericson.
The next meeting will be August 22, 2002 at 6:30pm. This meeting will be dedicated to
the community survey questions.
Gunn motioned to adjourn.
2„ d:
Motion unanimously passed