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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015.09.09 Parks PacketAgenda Parks Commission Hugo City Hall, 7:00 pm of September 9, 2015 7:00 pm 1. Approve Minutes from August 12, 2015 Meeting 7:05 pm 2. Irish Avenue Park Update 7:30 pm 3. Recreation Program Annual Report 8:00 pm 6. Adjournment Background Parks Commission Meeting of September 9, 2015 Hugo City Hall, 7:00 pm 7:00 pm Approve Minutes from August 12, 2015 Meeting Staff recommends approval of the minutes of the Parks Commission meeting of August 12, 2015. Please see the attached minutes. 7:05 pm Irish Avenue Park Update At the meeting of August 12, 2015, the Parks Commission held a neighborhood meeting to discuss the remote control car track at Irish Avenue Park. The Parks Commission made a motion to post a sign to stating that only electric remote control cars were allowed. A temporary sign has been placed near the track and a permanent sign has been ordered. The Parks Commission also heard a variety of concerns from the neighbors which were not related to the remote control car track. A follow up discussion on those issues was requested. The City Council discussed the radio controlled car track at their meeting of August 17, 2015. Prior to the meeting, staff and Councilmember Chuck Hass met with Sergeant Wayne Johnson and MN DNR Conservation Officers to discuss the concerns. Staff will provide an update on the discussions at the meeting. The City Council generally agreed with the Parks Commission continuing to monitor the radio controlled over the next year. Please see the attached City Council Minutes. 7:30 pm Recreation Program Report Staff will provide an annual report on the recreation programs held in 2015. 8:00 pm Adjournment Upcoming Recreation Programs: Tour De Hugo: Saturday, September 12 Movie Night in the Park: Friday, September 18 Minutes Parks Commission, City of Hugo August 12, 2015 7:00 P.M. Council Chambers, City Hall Call to Order Present: John Pontrelli, Mat Rauschendorfer, Nicole Schmid, Dave Strub, Ranelle Tennyson, Tom Windisch Absent: Cinde Morris City Council Present: Chuck Haas Staff Present: Scott Anderson, Public Works Director Shayla Denaway, Parks Planner Rachel Juba, Planner Anna Wobse, Accounting Clerk Tom Windisch called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. I. Approval of Minutes from June Meeting Strub made a motion, Tennyson seconded to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2015 Parks Commission meeting. All Aye. Motion Carried. II. Clearwater Cove Park Dedication Proposal Parks Planner, Shayla Denaway provided background to the Commission regarding the Clearwater Cove concept plan and park dedication proposal that was discussed at the May 13, 2015 Parks Commission Meeting. A concept plan was submitted by D.R. Horton for a residential development known as Clearwater Cove. Discussion included the proposed trail design, construction and donation of a park, and a proposal to pay full park dedication fees in the amount of $213,600.00. At the August 3, 2015 City Council Meeting the Council approved the Preliminary Plat and Planned Unit Development (PUD) for Clearwater Cove. Staff recommends that the Parks Commission approve the park dedication proposal for Clearwater Cove. Windisch questioned if a decision had been made regarding the trail spur that was slated to end at private property. Mike Suel from D.R. Horton stated that the spur was discussed and that D.R. Horton would either place money in an escrow account for the City to finish the spur when the private land was developed or that D.R. Horton would complete the spur in Phase 3 or 4 depending on the rate of development. Planner, Rachel Juba stated that the above options have been included as a condition of the PUD. Rauschendorfer made a motion, Pontrelli seconded to approve the park dedication proposal for Clearwater Cove as presented. All Aye. Motion Carried. Irish Avenue Park Neighborhood Meetin Parks Planner, Shayla Denaway updated the Commission on the resident input that Council Members and staff have received from residents regarding the radio controlled (RC) car and truck race track and driving area at Irish Avenue Park that was unanimously approved that the June 10, 2015 Parks Commission Meeting. Property owners from the three properties immediately south, east, and north of where the track is located voiced concerns. Concerns included noise, disruption of the peace, an increase in park users, lack of input from the neighborhood prior to construction, and not wanting a track in their backyard. There has also been input from residents in favor of the track. Staff has heard from two owners of properties adjacent to Irish Avenue Park that are supportive of the track and plan to use it. Councilmember Chuck Haas requested that a neighborhood meeting be held and an apology letter be sent to residents adjacent to the property. Staff recommends that the Parks Commission invite residents to give input and discuss the radio controlled car and truck track at Irish Avenue Park. Windisch opened the neighborhood meeting for comments Chad Hanson at 14195 Irish Avenue shared a letter from his father who lives by the park but was unable to attend the meeting. The letter stated that the jumps of the track attract four -wheelers and dirt bikes and that the park is supposed to be used for green space, not dirt and dust. The letter also questioned if there was land more suitable for the track that would have a better police presence. Mr. Hanson then expressed his concerns which included; the lack of regard for the neighbors of the park on how the decision of constructing the RC track was reached, the lack of maintenance and upkeep of the track, the use of tax payer money to fund this project, and the illegal activities that are happening in the parking lot after hours and how those activities need to be controlled. Mr. Hanson shared that he is not so much against the track but is against how the process of approving it and building it happened; he wants to be included in the planning process and wants to bring attention to the serious problems taking place at the parking lot at Irish Avenue Park. Josiah Neuman at 14060 Irish Avenue stated that he is very concerned about the noise levels and the crowds that the RC track could draw. Now that the RC track is a permitted use the Sherriff Department will not be able to limit the kind, size or noise level of the RC cars and it is only a matter of time before things get out of control. Mr. Neuman asked that the track be moved to a location where it would not bother residents and if the track will not be moved that a sign be posted stating that only electric RC cars can use the track; he fears that he and his wife will not be able to use the park because of the noise. Trina Oswald at 14081 Hyde Avenue also voiced her concerns about how the track was approved and constructed and that the neighborhood received a letter after the RC track was already built. Mrs. Oswald is concerned about the noise and amount of people that could come now that the track is built and she is also worried about the illegal activities that happen at the park after hours. Kate Hanke, wife of Steve Hanke who made the original proposal for the RC track, was at the meeting along with their son to demonstrate the noise level of a battery operated remote control car. Mrs. Hanke stated that the original proposal was for battery operated RC cars only and that there will be volunteers maintaining the track. Mrs. Hanke also stated that these cars are very expensive and that the kids using them are responsible with them; they are not at the track to destroy their cars. Mrs. Hanke shared that her husband's vision was to have a place where preteens and teens could enjoy the park. Mrs. Hanke's son was asked to run his car at full throttle to demonstrate the noise level of a battery operated RC car. Mrs. Hanke pointed out that the kids do not usually run the cars at full throttle because that would destroy them. Eric Barth, a resident of Lino Lakes, expressed his support of the track. Mr. Barth's family has used the track and brought rakes and shovels to repair the track when they were done. Mr. Barth said that the people who use the track use it with the motto: leave the track in better condition than it was when you arrived. Mr. Barth shared that he thinks the track is good for Hugo because it will bring in people who will then patronize other establishments in Hugo. Louann Hanson at 14355 Irish Avenue expressed concerns over the current issues at the park and how those issues are not being addressed. Mrs. Hanson believes that the RC track will draw in older kids and cause more problems, she also questioned if there was a better location for the track. Rauschendorfer stated that the Parks Commission does value the input from the neighborhood. The Commissioners felt that the track was a very low impact use and would not cause any issues. If the Commissioners would have thought that the temporary track would have caused problems, they would not have approved the construction without a neighborhood meeting. Tennyson echoed Rauschendorfer's comments and shared that the Commissioners felt that there would be only a small group of people using the track and if things were to get out of hand it would be removed or relocated. Windisch closed the neighborhood meeting and thanked the neighbors for their input. The Parks Commission believes that community input is crucial in making decisions and apologized for not notifying residents prior to the construction of the track. Windisch stated that there appears to be much larger issues at the park, which the Parks Commission takes very serious, and that they will need to discuss those issues in more detail at an upcoming meeting. Strub made a motion, Tennyson seconded directing staff to post a sign next to the track stating "Electric Remote Control Cars Only". All Aye. Motion Carried. IV. Update on Recreation Programs Parks Planner, Shayla Denaway provided the Commission with an update on recreation programs. Nature Camp was held the week of August 10, 2015 and had good participation this year. The Tour de Hugo is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2015. This event continues to grow every year with the help from a large group of volunteers. A new addition to the six mile ride this year will be that the local principals will be joining in to ride with the students. Outdoor movie night will be held on Friday, September 18, 2015 at Hanifl Fields. V. Adjournment Strub made a motion, Pontrelli seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:56 pm. All Aye. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for August 17, 2015 Page 4 of 7 Award of Bid for the Bald Eagle Lake Dam Reconstruction Project At its August 3, 2015 meeting, Council was provided an update by City Engineer Jay Kennedy on the status of the funding for the Bald Eagle Lake Dam Reconstruction Project and informed Council that the DNR and MnDOT have provided funds to close the funding gap. Council approved the amended grant agreement with the DNR, and staff now recommends Council award the bid for the project. City Engineer Jay Kennedy informed Council that three bids were received on June 25, 2015 with Pember Companies being the low bidder. Staff worked to get the project fully funded. And the DNR revised their permit relating to ongoing maintenance. The city will not be maintaining it or owning it. The City will be notifying residents when the road will be closed Petryk made motion, Klein seconded, to approve the award of bid to Prember Companies in the amount of $616,090.97. All Ayes. Motion carried. Council thanked staff for all their work on the project. Discussion on the Washington County Library Strategic Planning Questionnaire City Administrator Bryan Bear discussed with Council the development of Washington County's strategic plan for future library services in the County. A questionnaire had been provided to local officials in Washington County to gain feedback as part of the library strategic planning process. Bryan explained that the County will be holding in depth stakeholder retreats for anyone who may be interested. Bryan offered staff's assistance to complete and submit the questionnaire on behalf of the City Council; however, Council decided to do it separately to provide a broader response. Chad Hanson, 14195 Irish Avenue, talked about the lack of internet access in the rural areas and how they have to pay hundreds of dollars for a Wi-Fi connection. Klein explained how the City is trying to get internet to the rural areas. No formal action was taken. Update on Irish Avenue Park Neighborhood Meeting At their meeting of August 12, 2015, the Parks Commission had a neighborhood meeting with residents that live near Irish Avenue Park. Discussions included the temporary use of a radio controlled car track and future uses. City Administrator Bryan Bear explained that the Parks Commission had approved the temporary use of a portion of Irish Avenue Park as a radio controlled car track. This involved the moving of some dirt near the entrance of the park, and the track was restricted to electronic cars only. Neighbors questioned this and were invited to attend the August 12, 2015 Parks Commission to discuss it. At the meeting, neighbors voiced concerns regarding noise from the track and others things that happened in the park besides the use of radio controlled cars. Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for August 17, 2015 Page 5 of 7 Bryan informed the Council that staff had met earlier in the day with the Washington County Sheriff s Department to talk about concerns at the park. Sergeant Wayne Johnson said he researched the complaints and found there were not many issues besides some noise complaints. There were a couple of instances where juveniles were asked to leave. Haas stated he was in attendance at the meeting and has also talked to the deputies who have responded to calls. Haas said he found that response times to the calls were quick, and he is confident that it is being acceptably monitored. Hass had also checked into alleged hunting violations and found that nothing has been brought to the attention of the MN DNR regarding game violations. These concerns are separate from the electronic car track issue. Haas stated that there may be other spots better suited for the car track. The Council generally agreed, stating that if it is an amenity to the residents, there are options. Chad Hanson, 14195 Irish Avenue, said his main concerns that it is an individual outside the City who started the track, and stated that the small cars are not terribly loud. Hanson said he felt this would not be a great place if it is used all the time since there are no regulations, and he suggested there should be. He stated that the cars are not really the problem, but the process was not followed and there were other concerns at the park. People are driving in the ditch, and he suggested having gates at the entrance that can be shut after hours. He had also heard there was deer poached at the park. Larry Hanson, 14355 Irish Avenue North, lives across from the park. Hanson said police scanners were alerting the kids when calls were made to the Sheriff s Department, and there is an ineffectual attempt to regulate what's going on there. The electronic track is just a start for more problems since there is no control or lighting. There are two spots at Hanifl Fields that would be better suited, and he did not think the race track is an appropriate use of the park. City Administrator Bryan Bear stated that he would pass all comments on to the Parks Commission. The Council agreed with the Parks Commission's intent to monitor the use of the track and evaluate it next year. If it is an amenity to the residents, there are options. Yellow Ribbon Network Update Council Member Haas and Klein reported to Council on the Yellow Ribbon Network activities held recently. The YRN responded to a request to repair playground equipment. Haas talked about the support from the Family Readiness Group on the packaging events and the high cost of mailing items, suggesting buying and send PX cards to troops that are employed at a base. Xcel energy is the burger night sponsor this month. The Suicide Awareness Group is having a run and they are looking for support on September 16a'. Hugo Area Business Association Networking Meeting on Thursday. August 20 2015 City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council of the Hugo Area Business Association networking meeting on Thursday, August 20, 2015. The meeting will take place on the St. Croix Paddle Boats departing from downtown Stillwater at 6 p.m.