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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMMISSION_MINUTES_2006-05-25Park, Recreation, and Forestry Commission Meeting Minutes May 25, 2006 6:30 P.M. 1. Roll Call: Call to order 6:33 p.m. Present: Palm, Kunza, Kroeger, Kunz, Aukee, Long, Lee, McIntyre Absent: Weldon, Dazenski 2. Approval of minutes from the March 23, 2006 meeting. There was not a quorum for the April 27, 2006 meeting. Motion to approve March 23, 2006 minutes by Kunza, 2nd by Aukee. Passed 6-0 3. Public Input - Citizens are encouraged to speak to the Park and Recreation and Forestry Commissioners on issues of concern. a. Resident spoke about Groveland Park Tennis Courts. Wondering about resurfacing and if there was a document explaining the improvement plans for all city parks. Commission addressed resident that we are looking into resurfacing the tennis courts at Groveland and Greenfield later this summer/fall. Resident was supplied with a Park Improvement Plan. b. Katie Engman along with some high school students from Tobacco Free Youth Coalition presented a tobacco-free policy. The Commission had several concerns: 1. Should this be an ordinance enforced with a fine and policed, or just a policy? If a policy, how effective would it be if not enforced? Currently two MN cities have an ordinance rather than a policy. 2. Would smoking be allowed in cars parked in the parking lots at parks? 3. What about the exemptions listed by area communities? Doesn’t that discount this policy? (i.e. designated smoking area at Community Center, smoking allowed at private party park building rentals) Motion by Kunza, 2nd by Palm to recommend to City Council to adopt the Tobacco Free Park Policy as stated in item 3 of agenda with considerations for City Council to include exemptions as stated in neighboring city policies, and whether to make this an ordinance for all city property. Motion tied 3-3. Issue will go before City Council at the Work Session June 5, 2006 4. YMCA Update At the March 23, 2006 meeting, the Commissioners requested an update on the fee structure for field reservations that other communities are using in 2006. The YMCA has submitted a summary. The YMCA also has submitted information pertaining to room rental rates. YMCA has developed an optional classification system for fee structures. Kunza developed another alternative for classifications for MVCC, park buildings, and field rental. McIntyre will present existing fee structure at June meeting. Aukee and McIntyre will meet to discuss baseball field reservation use and availability. Kroeger will discuss field use and reservations with area soccer associations. 5. Unfinished Business: Groveland Park Building Replacement – Staff has been experiencing issues pertaining to negotiating with the contractor to set a tentative start date of August 5th The start date may be moved up. Staff will keep the Commission informed. Random Park Building Replacement Project –The City has been working with the contractor and consultant on possible building code issues. It has been determined that the building must be provided with a fire suppression system (i.e. sprinkler system). A motion to proceed with the addition of a fire sprinkler system was made by the City Council on May 22, 2006. There is also a good probability that Groveland building will need to have a fire suppression system as well. Park staff is working with the City’s Building Official / Fire Marshal on this issue. Oakwood Park Renovation Project – Staff will present a proposal for the rehabilitation of this park in June. This proposal will include the elimination of the baseball field on the southside of Hillview Road and replacing it with two soccer fields; one medium sized and one small. The proposal will also include a playground area in the southeast corner of the current baseball area; south of Hillview Road. It will also include a new disc golf course; in the park area north of Hillview Road. County Road 10 Corridor Improvement Program – On March 31, 2006, Staff received confirmation from the Metropolitan Council that the City of Mounds View was successful in receiving a transportation enhancement grant in the amount of $525,000 for the County Road 10 Trailway Project from County Road H to Silver Lake Road on the north side. This grant requires matching funds in the amount of $131,250 for a total project fund of $656,250. The grant funds will be available in 2009. The City also submitted a DNR Trailway Grant application for the segment on the south side in between Silver Lake Road and Long Lake Road (segments 9-10) on February 28, 2006. The City will know if we were successful or not with this grant application in June of this year. Ramsey County Walkable Communities Work shop was held on May 11, 2006. Gateway Monuments –This will was presented to City Council on May 1, 2006. The City Council did not was to pursue this at this time. Citing that other priorities such as pedestrian crossing safety and trailways that should be considered at this time. Council also expressed an interest in looking into cheaper design options. Facility Guide Update – On Hold; waiting for decisions on Mounds View Community Center Silver Lake Road Sidewalk Project – On April 24, 2006, the City Council adopted a resolution approving the plans and specifications and authorizing the advertisement for bids and setting a bid date for the Silver Lake Road Sidewalk Project. 6. New Business: Tobacco Free Parks-discussed during Public Input and moved up in the agenda Park Tour Summary – from April 18th was read. Staff will add items to PIP for discussion at June meeting. Park Improvement Plan – Finalize plan in June Addition of soccer/lacrosse field in MV A resident contacted Chairperson Kroeger about looking at options for a soccer/lacrosse field in the city parks. Resident wondered what would benefit residents more: a) eliminating a small baseball field to create soccer/lacrosse fields or b) eliminating lighted softball fields to create more soccer/lacrosse fields. McIntyre reported that adding soccer/lacrosse fields would require removing a ball field somewhere. The Oakwood baseball field is currently used for youth soccer and not reserved for baseball. Commission requested an overlay of a potential soccer/lacrosse field and where one could be placed at various parks within the city. Hillview’s storm drain running through the middle of the park limits the use of field space there. 7. Commissioner/Staff Reports: Filling Vacant Commissioner Seat Silver View Park Soccer Field Rehabilitation-Closure extended beyond June 21st due to weather Mounds View Community Center Commission Update-going to City Council Work Session June 5, 2006. Park Vandalism / Graffiti Update (Dazenski is working with Police to address this) Any Other Reports? Palm, Aukee, Kunza attended the Town Hall meeting. Items discussed with residents included: *Toddler parks were a plus in the community *Residents questioned fixing tennis courts *Swimming Program offered through YMCA a plus *Residents questioned the Woodcrest Playground. They do not see children playing there since it was moved to the back of the park. Should we make it something else? *Vandalism in parks: a. Perhaps have the police chief report to the Commission b. establish resident “Park Patrols” c. establish police explorers perhaps through the Eagle Scouts d. should we/can we gate Silverview park *Resident questioned park reservation fees 8. Request for future agenda items/other business Possible Items for June 22nd Agenda Park Improvement Plan Oakwood Park Facility Guide 9. Motion to adjourn made by Long, 2nd by Kunz. Motion passed 6-0 Adjourn 9:50 p.m.