HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017.05.17 Park Minutes Minutes
Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission
Meeting of May 17, 2017
Hugo City Hall, 7:00 pm
Call to Order
Present: Cathy Moore-Arcand, John Pontrelli, Mat Rauschendorfer, Nicole Schmid, Dave Strub,
Ranell Tennyson
Absent: Scott Anderson, Public Works Director
Staff Present: Shayla Denaway, Parks Planner; Anna Wobse, Accounting Clerk
Strub called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Rauschendorfer made a motion,Tennyson seconded to approve the minutes of the March 22, 2017 Parks
Commission meeting as presented.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
GoodvIew Avenue Piro;)erly Discussion
Parks Planner, Shayla Denaway provided the Commission with an update on the City owned property on
Goodview Avenue. At the July 13, 2016 and the August 10, 2016 Parks Commission meetings the
Commissioners discussed four options for the property and directed staff to seek input from the City Council
and to schedule a neighborhood meeting to discuss selling the property because of the ongoing complaints
that have been received. The City Council reviewed the options for the property at their September 19, 2016
City Council meeting and the Council agreed that there is value in holding the property for future uses and
that it should remain City owned, however they stressed the importance of addressing the concerns of the
adjacent property owners. A neighborhood meeting was held on November 9, 2016 and numerous residents
shared their views, ideas, opinions, and concerns regarding the property.
Denaway asked that the Parks Commission provide direction to staff as to what they would like to see done
with the property. The Commissioners discussed that the property should remain City owned and looking
into ways to manage the property. In the future, the property could be used as a trail head or rest stop when
the trail that is planned for the west side of Goodview Avenue is constructed. The Commission discussed
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ways to better manage the property and they agreed that the first step should be to clean the property up
significantly; to remove the brush and limb up the trees in order to make more areas of the park visible. The
Commissioners talked about what could be done to make the property more agreeable for both the property
users and the neighborhood.
Jay Manke of 13514 Goodview Avenue North voiced his continued frustrations regarding the use of the
property and asked that the Parks Commission do a better job of managing the property. Manke requested
that the pedal bike track be flattened and relocated to a different park within the City.
Rauschendorfer made a motion, Moore-Arcand seconded to recommend to the Council that the property
remain City owned and be available for public use.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Rauschendorfer made a motion, Strub seconded to direct staff to remove the brush and low hanging limbs
from the property, to fill in any large holes on the property, to place new rule and property boundary signs,
to possibly place a portable toilet on the property, to evaluate the buffers to adjacent properties, and to
notify adjacent property owners of these changes.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
3. Request from Bruce Bernin
Parks Planner, Shayla Denaway shared with the Commission that Bruce &Virginia Bernin, who rent and
oversee the City owned property on the south side of Oneka Lake, are replacing the worn out environmental
signs on the property and have inquired if the Parks Commission would reimburse them for the cost of the
new metal signs. The signs are located along the public trails on the property and have quotes from Aldo
Leopold, Henry David Thoreau and numerous other environmentalists. Denaway displayed an example of the
new signs. Staff recommends that reimbursement be made to the Bernins.
Strub commented that the Bernins are great stewards of the land. The Commission directed staff to reach
out to the Bernins and ask if there is a way that they can make the trails easier for both residents and visitors
to find and explore.
Schmid made a motion, Strub seconded to approve reimbursement in the amount of$193.76 to Bruce&
Virginia Bernin for the cost of the new metal environmental signs.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
Parks Planner, Shayla Denaway updated the Commission on numerous projects.
Approval was given at the March 22, 2017 Parks Commission meeting to partner with the Washington County
Pheasants Forever to enhance pollinator habitats at Irish Avenue Park. Three acres will be treated with
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herbicide and tilled before being replanted with native flowering plants which support the life cycle needs of
many pollinator species. A curtesy notification has been sent to residents that live within 500 feet of the
park. Work to plant the three acres of pollinator habitat will be starting soon.
Staff has been continuing to work with City Engineer, Mark Erichson to add additional information to the
Lions Park Feasibility study; including an evaluation of the current condition of the elements at the park,
guidance on involving stakeholders in the planning phases, and fundraising. A draft feasibility study will be
presented at a future Parks Commission meeting.
Landform Inc provided a meeting summary from the March 22, 2017 Parks Commission meeting where the
Commissioners had discussed the Parks,Trails, and Open Space Plan. Kendra Lindahl, of Landform Inc will be
at the June 21, 2017 Parks Commission meeting to get input from the Commissioners for the 2040
Comprehensive Plan update.
The City of Hugo is partnering with the Forest Lake YMCA to offer Park Play Days at the Hanifl Fields Athletic
Park from June 12 through August 17, 2017. The Tech Tac Toe programs will be held in the Oneka Room at
Hugo City Hall during the months of June and July, 2017. The 6th annual Tour de Hugo bike ride will be held
on Saturday, September 23, 2017.
Schmid made a motion, Moore-Arcand seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 pm.
All Ayes. Motion carried.
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