HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMMISSION_MINUTES_2002-09-26Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
September 26, 2002
Meeting Called to order: Szczepanski
Roll Call: Szczepanski, Kunz, Long, Kroeger, Lee, Silvas, Gunn
Special Guest: Charlie Hansen, Finance Director
Absent: Kahn, Dazenski, Roepke
Approval of the July 2002 minutes:
Motioned: Silvas
2"d: Long
Unfinished Business:
Park Dedication Fund
Hansen updated the committee with information (December, 2001) as to how much
money was presently in the park dedication fund. ($402,000.00) Hansen mentioned that
Greg Lee and himself are working on the long range capital improvement program.
Szczepanski stated 2 years ago there was $110,000 in the fund and was surprised to see
the increase. Gunn stated that the Mermaid and Business Park projects were 2 big
contributions to the fund. Hansen did state that $50,000 came of the park dedication fund
in 2002 for the Hillview Park construction project. Gunn asked if Charlie could please
explain where the park dedication funds come from. Hansen replied that basically when a
property is developed or re -developed, the theory is that this now creates an increase of
services from the City, one being the Parks, a park dedication fee is then paid.
Kroeger stated that there was discussion regarding adding walkways on Highway 10 and
Silver Lake Road at the approximate cost of $300,000. Lee concurred that the cost is
estimated at $300,000 and the walkway would be constructed from Edgewood Drive to
the western City limits. Kroeger asked where would the funds come from. Hansen stated
that only the I" phase of the Highway 10 project has been approved and some monies
will come out of the special project fund. Lee also said that the segment from Old
Highway 8 to Edgewood Drive has been approved to come from the special project fund,
but it is quite possible money will come from Ramsey County (cost reimbursed by them).
Gunn asked if that's the same for Highway 10, where's the money coming from. Lee
stated that Ramsey County's policy is that pedestrian corridor's must be paid by the city
its in even though technically the corridor is in the Ramsey County ROW. Hansen stated
that the Highway 10 project is a multi-million dollar project and it is contingent on
obtaining funds from County, State, and the Federal Gov't. Some monies will still need
to be funded by the city; all will not be paid for by grant monies. Guam was glad that the
city is looking into grant monies. There is a lot out there for trailway's.
Committee thanked Charlie for attending the meeting and answering their questions.
Greenfield Park
Lee stated that Shannon Roepke drafted the letter that included the minor changes
requested by the commission. Kroeger stated that the letter has been sent. Any feed back?
Lee said no.
Community Survey
Lee asked if the commissioner's had come up with 10 questions. Kroeger had composed
questions earlier and they were reviewed along with questions from a previous survey
from 7-8 years ago.
Parks to be addressed:
Aidan, Greenfield, Lambert, Oakwood, Silver View, Hillview, Lakeside, Woodcrest,
City Hall, Groveland
Demographics of Household
Survey Questions:
1.
How often during the year do you use the Mounds View Parks? Please
specify: Summer Winter Spring Fall All of the Above
2.
How do you get to the Park(s)?
Walk Drive Bike All of the Above
How close are you to a Park(s)? (Please specify the Park(s) also)_
3.
Why do you use the Park(s)?
Walking Biking Child Summer Activities/Playground
Family Organization Recreation Sports Other
4.
In General, what do think of the availability and condition of the Mounds
View Park and Recreation features:
Identification/Signage
Walking and Bike Paths
Buildings
Playground Equipment
Picnic Areas
Trees
Fields (Softball, Soccer, Baseball)
Rinks (Hockey and Pleasure)
Open Space
Nature Study
How would you rate its features and condition?
What other features would you like to see occur?
5.
A. Which Park is closest to your residence? B. Would you support a bond
issue item for the development of items within the Park(s).
6.
Do you want a Golf Course in Mounds View?
7.
How would you rate the following:
Surface Play Areas (Football, Soccer, Baseball, Softball, Open Play
Fields) Lighted yes or no
Marked Nature Trails
Hiking/Walking Trails
F
Bike Trails
Cross Country Skiiing
Sleding
Golf Course
Handball
Basketball
Volley Ball
Shuffle Board
Horseshoe Pits
Playground Equipment
Picnic Areas
Shelter Buildings
Hockey Rinks
Pleasure Rinks
Ampi-theater
Skateboard Park
Lawn Bowling
Swimming Pool
Kroeger asked how does the commission get this survey out? Silvis suggested mailing it
with the water bills. Szczepanski asked what do we do with the information when it is
received? Should the Park and Recreation Commission do this alone or with other
departments. Lee said that it can be proposed to the Council to include other departments
or a stand alone survey. Szczepanski asked who should do the survey? Professional or in-
house? What's our direction. Kroeger stated that all the residents should receive this
survey. Gunn asked if the Community Center usage should be included in the survey?
Committee agreed it should.
Question 8: What do you use the Community Center for?
Exercise Equipment Banquet Center Gym
Kroeger and Lee to get together and compile questions, email to all of the committee
members for reviewal. Lee will then bring to Council.
Motion: Szczepanski
2"a: Gunn
Motion unanimously passed.
Kroeger asked how this will be managed. Want to get this survey to all of the residents.
Mailing? Telephone (random)? Szczepanski suggested that in order to get the most out of
the survey, a professional service should be used. Gunn asked if it would be funded out of
the park dedication fund. Szczepanski thought it was a good question and this could be
worked out at the next level.
Skate Park Proiect
Lee reiterated from the last meeting that there were 5-6 locations that were discussed for
the skate park. Commissioners were to list pro's and con's of each location and come to
the meeting with this information. Szczepanski said to refer to the handout in the packet.
w
How about the location between City Hall and Water Tower? Lee suggested trying it out
at Groveland or Greenfield Park. No permanent structure alterations would be needed.
We can see how it works; is it successful or if there problems with the neighbors,
vandalism, etc. Long asked if it would be a possible to construct another hockey rials;
would it be a problem maintaining it? Lee replied that it wouldn't be a problem, but the
money will need to come out of the park dedication fund. Guml asked if it's necessary to
spend that amount of money. Lee said by using the Groveland or Greenfield site, a trial
run can be made without spending a lot of money. Kroeger stated that there are a lot of
places with good facilities but they are being used and are close to the neighbors. Lee
suggested narrowing the sites to 1 or 2 and then have a neighborhood meeting. Kroeger
asked what the criteria should be for narrowing it down? Gunn stated cost. Kroger
suggested Hillview and Groveland, both are highly visible. Greenfield is right on the
property lines (tennis courts) and this may be too close to the neighbors. Gunn thought
Groveland or Greenfield sites would be the best due to the existing surfaces. Lee stated
that the recommendation to the Council should include that the Park and Recreation
Commission will evaluate the site in the fall of 2003 with local residential input included.
Szczepanski suggested having the Police Department patrol the area more. Let's take a
vote from all of the commissioners on which park site to use for the skate park:
Gunn Groveland
Silvis Groveland
Krueger Hillview
Long Groveland
Kunz Hillview
Szczepanski Groveland
Direct Staff to hold a neighborhood meeting regarding Groveland Park as a trial area for
a skate park (loss of 1 tennis court, noise levels); also have available samples of types of
skate parks available. Then recommend to Council the area, costs and equipment that's
necessary.
Motioned: Kroeger
2"d: Gunn
Discussion: Before the end of November 2002 and the committee members should make
every attempt to attend the neighborhood meeting.
Motion unanimously passed.
New Business
Lee stated that on September 3, 2002, the Council discussed changing the ordinance for
the amount of the commissioners needed on the Park and Recreation and Planning
Commissions (respectfully), from 9 members to 7.
Gunn nominated Kroeger for Chairperson. Szczepanski closed the nominations and asked
for a vote from the commissioners:
Kroeger Szczepanski
Long Szczepanski
Kunz Szczepanski
Gunn Kroeger
Silvis Krueger
C
Szczepanski Abstained
Szczepanski nominated as Chairperson.
Szczepanski nominated Kroeger as Vice Chairperson.
All commissioners were in favor. (Kroeger abstained)
Motion unanimously passed.
Commissioner Reports
Gunn asked that everyone attend the March of Knights at the Irondale High School on
Saturday.
Szczepanski would like to discuss whether the YMCA could add 2 trips for the winter
activities. (Snowboard and Skiing)
The next Parks and Recreation Meeting will be on October 24, 2002.
Silvis motioned to adjourn.
2id` Szczepanski
Motion unanimously passed.
Respectfully Submitted:
Tracy Juell