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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPK PACKET 09141998CITY OF ST. ANTHONY PARKS COMMISSION AGENDA September 14, 1998 7:00 PM Conference Room I. CALL TO ORDER BY CHAIR JINDRA. II. ROLL CALL. III. APPROVAL OF AUGUST 10, 1998 PARKS COMMISSION MINT IV. DESIGNATE PARKS COMMISSIONER TO SEPTEMBER 15 PLY COMMISSION AND SEPTEMBER 22, 1998 CITY COUNCIL ME (Planning Commission will begin at 8:00 PM due to the Primary Ele V. REVIEW SILVER POINT PARK WITH WSB, INC. A. Excavation material from Silver Point Park. VI. DISCUSSION OF WATER TOWER PARK AND OVERALL CENTRAL PARK PLAN. VII. NEXT PARKS COMMISSION MEETING (October 12, 1998) AND DISCUSS AGENDA ITEMS FOR THAT MEETING. VIII. OTHER BUSINESS. IX. ADJOURNMENT. September 3, 1998 PRESS RELEASE The City Council has appointed a Parks Commission whose purpose is to be involved in the planning and redesign of the City's park system. Members of the Parks Commission are Carol Jindra, Chair; Doug Koehntop, Vice - Chair; Paul Louiselle; Tim Morris; Joanne Kosciolek; Andrea Lambrecht; Don Siggelkow; and representatives from Community Services (George Wagner); School Board (Kathie Wolff); Sports Boosters (Jan Jensen); and Public Works Director Jay Hartman is the City's liaison. Meetings are on the second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at City Hall. Resident's comments and suggestions are encouraged and may be directed to City Hall, 3301 Silver Lake Road, to the attention of the Parks Commission. I CITY OF ST. ANTHONY PARKS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 3 AUGUST 10, 1998 4 I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL/OPENING REMARKS 5 The meeting was called to order by Chair Jindra at 7:05 PM. 6 7 Present: Chair Carol Jindra, Vice Chair Doug Koehntop, Commissioners Joanne 8 Kosciolek, Andrea Lambrecht, Paul Louiselle, Tim Morris, and Don 9 Siggelkow. 10 Absent: None. 11 Also present: Public Works Director Jay Hartman; Representative from Community 12 Services (George Wagner); Representative from School Board (Kathie 13 Wolff); Representative from Sports Boosters (Jan Jensen); Todd Hubmer, 14 WSB & Associates, Inc. 15 16 Chair Jindra addressed the Commission, asking whether any changes or modifications were 17 needed to the agenda. She stated she wanted to add the topic of audience participation to the 18 agenda. She said a policy should be formed by the Commission for future meetings, and 19 asked for Commission input. 20 21 II. APPROVAL OF JULY 21,1998 PARKS COMMISSION MINUTES. Motion by Koehntop, second by Siggelkow to approve the minutes of the July 21, 1998 23 meeting. 24 Motion carried unanimously. 25 Lambrecht asked whether the residents from the Harding Community should be included 26 in the July 21 minutes. 27 Jindra stated that these people and their comments could have been added, but since they 28 didn't identify themselves at the meeting, a general statement could be given this time. In 29 the future, she continued, all speakers should identify themselves prior to commenting. 30 She added that a sign -in sheet may be used by people who would like to speak at future 31 meetings. 32 Jindra stated a time limit of ten minutes for public speaking may be instituted at future 33 meetings. 34 III. DESIGNATE PARK COMMISSIONER TO AUGUST 18,1998 PLANNING 35 COMMISSION AND AUGUST 25,1998 CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS. 36 Jindra asked whether the schedule for attending Council meetings was agreeable to all 37 Commission members. s 9 Morris stated he and Koehntop switched dates with each other. 40 Parks Commission Meeting Minutes August 10, 1998 Page 2 Motion by Koehntop, second by Siggelkow to approve the Commission schedule for attending City Council meetings. Motion carried unanimously. 4 IV. PRESENTATION OF THE PARKS ORDINANCE AND THE PARKS 5 COMMISSION BY-LAWS. 6 Jindra stated City Manager Mike Morrison discussed this at last month's meeting. She 7 then asked for Commission input as to whether the item could be approved or should be 8 tabled. 9 10 Koehntop asked what the procedure should be for a member who cannot attend a 11 Commission meeting, and whom they should call. Jindra replied that members who 12 cannot attend meetings should call the City offices before 4:30 PM at 789-8881. 13 14 Motion by Koehntop, second by Siggelkow to approve the Parks Commission By -Laws. 15 Motion carried unanimously. 16 V. REVIEW CENTRAL AND SILVER POINT PARKS WITH WSB, INC. 17 Hubmer reviewed drawings of the park proposals, and asked the Commission to move 18 toward final a concept plan. In addition, he modified cross-sections of the drawings to 19 provide Commission members with more information. He also showed the depths of cuts 20 as compared to current park conditions. He stated that the concern was over installing an 21 adult softball field. 22 23 Wolff asked if a child -sized soccer field could be added. Hubmer replied that yes, this 24 could be added. Morris then asked if the two ball fields would be on the same level. 25 Hubmer replied that yes, the levels would be the same. Wagner asked the size of the 26 "adult" field. Hubmer answered that this field would measure 260 to 300 feet. 27 28 Wagner stated that Community Service is concerned over the loss of the adult field. He 29 added that there is presently a shortage of adult fields. Hubmer asked whether there is a 30 plan for Central Park to install an adult field. Wagner replied that yes, this is planned, but 31 not in the near future. 32 33 Kosciolek asked about trends in adult softball. Wagner replied that adult softball trends 34 are maintaining. He added that some interest decreased when it appeared there would be 35 a lack of field space, but that has reverted back again. 36 37 Wolff stated there is a need for pre-teeball, and that perhaps Emerald and Silver Point 38 Parks could be used for this. Hubmer stated more input is needed from the Commission 39 and the community on this issue. 40 Parks Commission Meeting Minutes August 10, 1998 Page 3 1 Wolff stated a soccer field is needed to replace the one being lost behind Central Park. 2 Wagner and Louiselle agreed with this statement. 4 Hubmer stated the basketball court and playground have been moved away from County 5 Road 88, but this move could affect the size of a future soccer field. He asked whether 6 the picnic shelter is necessary, and if it could be removed to install the play area in that 7 position. 9 Lambrecht asked whether it would be safer to switch the playground area site with that of 10 the basketball court, so as to contain stray softballs. Hubmer stated that players generally 11 bit balls farther down the line and the central field may be safer. 12 13 Jindra asked whether there is a full-sized basketball court at Silver Point Park. Hubmer 14 replied that no, this court is not full-sized, but the court in Central Park is a full-sized 15 court. Jindra questioned whether a full-sized court is needed in Silver Point Park as well. 16 17 Hartman asked whether the basketball court could be full-sized if it were fenced in. 18 Hubmer stated that no fencing could be added. 19 -1) Jindra said most players using the basketball court would probably be teens, and so a full- sized court may not be needed. Jindra stated a basketball court in Central Park should be 22 fenced in, even though players tend to be middle school to adult age. Louiselle suggested 23 the remaining space could then be used for soccer. 24 25 Lambrecht asked if the hockey field could be used as a play area. Hubmer replied that 26 yes, it could be used but would get wet in this area as the ground is lower. Koehmop 27 stated the area could be used for youth soccer since the area could be small and still 28 suitable. 29 30 Moms suggested the boards be taken away as walls, as a soccer field should be wider 31 than a hockey rink. He added that removing the walls would depend on where the 32 plantings are located. Morris stated that soccer could be played inside the boards as well; 33 which could save time and money on labor. He added that small -sided games could be 34 played this way. 35 Kosciolek suggested the Commission consider how the community might change over 36 the lifetime of the park, and think about what age groups could use either a full or half - 37 court. She added that 25% of households in the area have school -aged kids now and 38 asked if the average age of resident children could change as new families move in. She 39 stated she would like the Commission to think long-term, regarding both the lifespan of A0 the park and the future demographics of residents. 42 Louiselle suggested the Commission should also think about the popularity of sports now 43 being played and whether soccer, for example, could be predicted as remaining popular. Parks Commission Meeting Minutes August 10, 1998 Page 4 2 Morris stated that skateboarding or rollerblading could continue to be more popular than 3 organized sports. 4 5 Jindra asked if this area could accommodate rollerblading in the summer and then frozen 6 over for hockey in the winter. She added that it's very difficult to enforce a rule against 7 rollerblading but if there was a designated area for rollerblading, it could be a safer 8 recreation. 9 10 Siggelkow stated that no impervious surfaces can be used in a flood plain. Hubmer said 11 that if the area was paved, it could buckle in a freeze -thaw situation. He added that tiling 12 and drainage could be expensive. Wolff suggested paving take place at Central Park 13 instead of Silver Point Park, as Central Park is not part of the flood plain. 14 15 Jensen stated he took the conceptual drawings to a Sports Booster meeting. He added 16 that more people preferred the full-sized park version. He said that many people asked 17 for the park to be lit at night, so it could be used day or night, especially in the fall after 18 school. 19 20 Jensen stated he was told a full-sized park could accommodate more age groups. The 21 smaller park, 180 feet in size, could accommodate only 12-13 year olds. If there were 22 lights in the park, there could be more games played per day. 23 24 Hubmer said there has been an increase in youth sports, and this need should be provided 25 for in park accommodations. 26 Jensen added that spring softball programs for girls would be increasing, and five new 27 ball diamonds are needed. He said that park concept #I would meet these high school 28 and middle school needs. 29 Lambrecht voiced concern about the use of parks in conjunction with community 30 services, Sports Boosters, and school activities. She added that this is a community of 31 people of various ages with differing needs. She went on to say that there are limited 32 resources for park space and all of the green space in St. Anthony shouldn't be used for 33 organized programs. She suggested addressing multi -generational needs, and looking 34 outside the school -aged bracket. She would like the Commission to represent a broad 35 range of interests in this community, such as seniors, the disabled, a changing 36 community, etc. 37 Lambrecht reiterated her concern for passive interests as well as athletics. Jindra stated 38 these concerns are valid, and the Commission intends to address these and all parks 39 concerns. Morris repeated that there are limited opportunities, but youth needs are 40 critical. Parks Commission Meeting Minutes August 10, 1998 Page 5 Andra stated the Commission was formed because the City Council was concerned for the youth. She added that young families moving into the area re-energize the community. 4 Hubmer reviewed the overall park plan. He summarized by stating that if a full-sized 5 basketball court was wanted, it would have to be fenced. If a half -court is acceptable, the 6 area could then accommodate soccer. Paving the hockey rink is an option, but could be 7 expensive. A lighting system for a hockey rink is a must, but residential input is needed 8 to address other park needs. A multi-age field for youth is needed, with a second field 9 just for the youth. The warming house and picnic shelter could have multiple uses as 10 well. He asked for Commission input as far as landscaping, as Silver Point Park's 11 renovations could generate 60,000 yards of dirt. This material might be stockpiled in 12 Central Park to save money. Since there is a depression in Central Park now, this fill 13 could create more green space, better drainage, and raise the park up three to four feet. 14 The north portion of the park could hold this stockpiling in the fall, but the process could 15 put Central Park temporarily out of use. There could also be problems with recreational 16 programming. This material would remain until the Harding Street improvements are 17 completed, about one year. Ball diamonds could be constructed next summer or fall. ' 4 Morris asked if this fill could be mixed with some kind of material so as to absorb more water, as this is a problem now. Hubmer answered that this could be done, but would be 20 expensive. 21 Morris stated that drainage is more expensive. He added that in the future, this City 22 might be installing new storm sewers. Hubmer agreed that the storm sewers would be 23 replaced. He said there is only one sewer pipe in St. Anthony, and that it is over capacity 24 already. Louiselle said that better drainage might not resolve the problem if the City has 25 only one pipe. 26 Morris stated the material could absorb water and slow the release of this water into the 27 storm sewer, which might ease the situation. 28 Wolff asked whether this material and process could affect the safety of children and 29 other residents. Hubmer replied that the filled area would be twelve feet high in some 30 areas, and six feet high in other areas. There would be a slope, but it would be mild. The 31 dirt would not be mounded, but leveled off. 32 33 Jindra asked whether the rain would run off into the neighbor's yards. Wagner replied 34 that this would not be a problem, as the sloping would create a berm. Hubmer agreed, 35 and repeated that this fill would only remain for one year. Hubmer said a preliminary draft plan could be ready for the Commission to review again 37 by August 24, and then presented to Council on September 8. He added that construction 38 could be bid in September, and work begin in October. Parks Commission Meeting Minutes August 10, 1998 Page 6 Jindra stated the Commission would discuss the plans and get back to Hubmer. She asked the Commission if an additional meeting would be needed. 3 Morris asked that the Commission discuss this further at the next meeting on September 4 14. He understood that the time table is tight. 5 Jindra asked if the Commission would like to meet on August 24. Morris stated he would 6 not be able to attend on August 24. Louiselle stated a special session could be held with 7 the Commission members that can attend, as long as a quorum is present. 8 Siggelkow asked if the bid would be for landscaping only or for the entire plan. Hubmer 9 replied that the excavation and park restoration work is included in the bid. If needed, a 10 change order could be added to switch locations, for an extra charge. Siggelkow said the 11 excavation work would be done regardless of the rest of the plan. He asked if the bid 12 could be in two parts. Hubmer replied that one bid is more economical, and could wait. 13 Jindra asked if the Commission waits until September 14 to meet, could the Council then 14 hold a special session. Hubmer replied that work is scheduled to begin by October or 15 November, so this wouldn't allow enough time. 16 Morris asked whether the project could wait until Spring, since the park would be 17 unusable at that time. Hubmer replied that the 29`h Avenue street construction would 18 begin in the Spring. There would have to be space for this area's water to flow, which is 19 planned for Silver Point Park. He said that without this water storage plan in place, the 20 street construction couldn't occur. 21 Kosciolek stated it is crucial for the Commission to review the plan before it is presented 22 to the Council. She suggested Commission members meet, if possible, or review the 23 plans by mail or e-mail, and then voice their concerns. 24 Hubmer stated that the excavation is the key issue. Bids may be done together or 25 separately on court size, playground equipment, basketball, hockey, playground 26 structures, pathways, etc., with all subject to change. 27 Siggelkow stated Council action is needed on the bid, but some time could be spent on 28 the configuration. He added that the excavation is imminent due to the storm water plan, 29 and the excavation is not a Parks Commission issue. 30 Kosciolek repeated her request that the Commission stand behind this plan before it is 31 presented to Council. Siggelkow suggested the Commission might not be prepared to 32 send the finalized configuration to the Council. 33 Jindra offered that the Commission needs more information, as this new plan would 34 affect the Central Park plan as well. She stated she agrees with Kosciolek that the Parks Commission Meeting Minutes August 10, 1998 Page 7 1 Commission should agree on the plan before it goes to Council. She then asked for a 2 motion to decide on the need for a work session. 3 Motion by Siggelkow, second by Koehntop to decide on two or three options at the 4 September 14 Commission meeting and forward these to Council, proceeding then with 5 bidding out the excavation work. At this time, they ask the Council to look at the scaled 6 drawings after September 14 in a special session with the Commission. These proposals 7 could then become published in the City Bulletin, requesting neighborhood input. Jindra 8 stated it is the Commission's responsibility to inform residents. She agreed with 9 Siggelkow, stating more time is needed to decide. 10 Motion carried unanimously. 11 Lambrecht stated that in the July 1997 recommendations for landscaping certain trees are 12 recommended to offer residents screening. She added that grade and soil conditions must 13 be considered. 14 VI. DISCUSSION OF WATER TOWER PARK AND OVERALL CENTRAL PARK 15 PLAN. Jindra asked the Commission if this issue should be tabled for the next meeting, due to lack of time. Koehntop agreed, stating the plan is not due at this time. No motion was 18 made, but the Commission agreed to table the issue until September 14, 1998. 19 VII. OTHER BUSINESS. 20 Jindra asked how school board meetings are conducted as far as audience participation. 21 Wolff explained the procedure for handling audience participation during school board 22 meetings. She said that Robert's Rule of Orders are followed. 23 Morris suggested the Commission take written comments from the public. He added that 24 this notice could be put in the paper to advertise what agenda items are coming up and 25 ask the community at large for their input. 26 Lambrecht suggested a timeline for getting items onto the agenda and Wagner suggested 27 that Jindra could bring whatever items she receives to Commission meetings. Jindra 28 stated the Commission needs to be open with the public to create trust, and that accepting 29 their input would help to do this. 30 Wolff asked Todd Hubmer for a timeline of when the drawings would be completed. 31 Hubmer stated that the scaled drawings would be completed and presented on September 12 14. Parks Commission Meeting Minutes August 10, 1998 Page 8 Jindra indicated she would like to review the Central Park and Silver Point Park with the Commission as well. Koehntop suggested the first hour be focused on Silver Point Park and the second hour be spent discussing the remaining items. VIII. NEXT PARK COMMISSION MEETING: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14,1998. 5 IX. ADJOURNMENT. 6 The meeting was adjourned at 9:11 P.M. 7 Respectfully submitted, 8 Laurie Berg 9 TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 10