2016.11.09 Park Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Larry and Deb Adams, 13555 Geneva Ave N, approached the podium. They stated that there is trash at the city-owned property, kids have started cutting trees and moving back in the property,there have been fires. They said they used to let kids walk through their property but not anymore due to issues. They stated that they would buy a piece of the city-owned property if it was available for sale to the surrounding property owners. Michelle Lorentz, 6140 135th Street North, stated that when she bought her property that the builder promised a park that was going to be built but instead they got this ugly property with no bathrooms. Lorentz said kids using the property would pick up litter if trash cans were put in place. Scott Anderson, Public Works Director informed that for the last two summers,the City has removed brush, trimmed trees, weed whipped and place trash cans at the park. Keith Fritsche, 13545 Geneva Ave N,suggested splitting the parcel for connecting owners to purchase and said he had no interest in the property being clear cut. He discussed seeing littering occurring even with garbage cans are on site,vandalism to his property, disrespect,fires and inappropriate use. Commissioner Berger asked if they knew where the kids were coming from who use this park. Fristche responded that the kids cut through from the neighborhood, but not always from the neighborhood. He stated that there is a regular group of neighborhood kids. Mary and Jerry Scutter, 13580 Goodview Avenue, approached the podium and stated that Grace, of Grace Development,wanted the city-owned property to be a natural place. They reported living at the property for a long time and needing to build a fence around their property to keep out snowmobilers, protect their property, and for their dogs. They stated that that their fence has been damaged and that they have heard bad language. They said that the kids should be told to use stuff at Hanifl and that the property should be mowed down, leveled, and planted with flowers. Commissioner Rauschendorfer asked if this is a new occurrence or that it happens in cycles. The Scutters said that there has been more destruction in the last 10 years. Lorentz (in the audience) disagreed. The Scutters stated that it has been bad for the last 5 years and that they get rude remarks when they ask the kids to stop. Commissioner Strub asked to hear more about the natural area wanted by Grace as that was new information for the Parks Commission. Lorentz(in the audience)said that Birch Tree Ponds owns the park and that she didn't know what was being talked about. She said that her property deed said that she paid for the park in 1990 so they own it. Denaway, informed about the park dedication process. Developers are required to dedicate land or pay a park dedication fee to the City and the developer can pass those costs on to the property owners. In this case,the property was dedicated and it is now owned by the city. Mark Paipal, at 13565 Geneva Ave N, reported checking out the property earlier in the day and getting flicked off by a kid on a bike. He asked what clear cutting would solve.