HomeMy WebLinkAbout3.15.23 Park Minutes Minutes
Parks/ Recreation, and Open Space Commission
Meeting of March 1S' ZO23
Hugo City Hall, 7:0Opm
Present: Meredith St. Pierre, Ranell Tennyson, Cathy Moore-Arcand, Mat Rauschenclorfer,Jim Compton
Sr.
Absent: Valerie Boyd' Ennik/ McGinnity
Staff Present: Scott Anderson, Public Works Director
Shay|a Denaway, Parks Planner
Amber Lozier, Accounting Clerk
St. Pierre called the meeting tu order at7:04pm.
1. Approval 0f Minutes f[OOO the Febma[V15, 2023Meeting
Tennyson made a motion, Compton seconded to table the minutes of the February 15, 2023 Parks
Commission Minutes until the next meeting.
All aye.
Motion approved.
2. Be(0iD Property Master Plan
Shayla Denaway, Parks Planner reviewed the Bernin Property Master Plan and discussed current
considerations regarding the Master Plan. Denaway suggested that commissioners may want revisit trail
surfacing, and pointed out that the playground area has changed since the Master Plan was approved.
Denaway presented the proposal from VV3B QAssociates' Inc to update the master plan maps and
renderings. Next steps were presented to the Commission for their consideration, including Council approval
and public engagement plan, workshop to be held in June 2023, park naming, construction plan drafts in
I024' and construction inZ0Z5.
Denaway clarified where trail connections would be. K800/e'Arcand asked if residents were expressing any
concerns about the current plan. Denaway reported talking with a few neighbors, but that concerns have
been minimal as most of them new about the previously approved plan.
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February 15'zozs
Rauschendorfer brought up the naming of the park, and questioned what issues might arise out of that
process. Denaway discussed the plan to engage with the public, DNR and Bernin family. Denaway confirmed
naming will be discussed after public engagement. Rauschendorfer reminded the Commission that the
naming policy has not been used by the City Council.Commissioners discussed how to move forward with
naming the park.Tennyson suggested removing the naming discussion from the plan, and presenting the
Master Plan to the public with the name Bernin Park.
Rauschendorfer asked if Oneka Lake Park would be merged the Bernin property, and Denaway clarified the
differences in rules of use between passive and active parks, and suggested that if the commission would like
to merge the parks,they would have to make both parks either passive or active.
Tennyson made a motion, Rauschendorfer seconded to approve the WSB&Associates, Inc proposal and next
steps.
All ayes.
Motion approved.
:3. Pack Sign Replacement Plan
Denaway presented pictures of current park signs and discussed the condition of current park signage,
stating that eight(8) park signs need replacement. Denaway then presented the City's sign ordinance (Sec 90-
625)and restrictions held within the sign ordinance. Public property signage does not need permitting, but
approval from Council is required.
Denaway then presented various signage options, including pylon, monument style and alternatives to pylon
and monument signage,with pictures of the standard and non-standard signage being used in other city
parks. Denaway discussed common communication needs for each of the Parks, mentioning that messaging
needs are not high in most of the City's parks. She suggested a phased approach to replacement.
Denaway then presented the commission's options for a sign replacement plan. These include working with a
vendor that offers standard, predesigned signage or requesting proposals from firms that offer custom
signage. Commissioners discussed advantages and disadvantages of both options, including the simplicity of
using standard signage, and the custom signage coming with integrated landscaping designs.
Tennyson suggested utilizing a uniform signage design for all parks but in a variety of sizes.
St. Pierre and Tennyson suggested using a timeless design versus a modern or trendy design.
St. Pierre mentioned the need to keep in mind the goal of the signage, which is to inform the public of the
information they need to know about the park. Moore-Arcand mentioned the possibility of including
biographical information on the signage of family-named parks. St. Pierre mentioned that detailed signage
would need more maintenance to ensure that the information is not lost by fading and weathering. St. Pierre
suggested placing QR codes on signage that would lead park users to informational pages on the City
website.
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February 15,2023
Commissioners discussed advantages and disadvantages of the different styles of signage. Commissioners
prefer the metal pylon style because of cost benefits and lower maintenance needs. Commissioners also
prefer a consistent design throughout all park signage that utilizes updated City logos and natural coloring.
Tennyson made a motion, Moore-Arcand seconded to implement a park sign replacement plan utilizing
proposals from custom sign vendors with design services.
All ayes.
Motion approved.
4. Recreation Program Update
Denaway updated the commission on the upcoming recreation programs being offered by and throughout
the City.
YMCA will be offering summer programs again this year, including Park Play Days, and has requested funding
again this year.
Washington County Library will be implementing programming outside of County facilities,with a
performance by the Jolly Pops planned at the Peder Pedersen Pavilion.
Kidz N Biz will be held in September again this year. Planning for that event is in process.
Denaway presented an update on the Sledding Party turnout.
S. Other
Scott Anderson, Public Works Director, informed the Commission of the reorganization of the Public Works
Department.There is now a position of Parks Lead Worker. Anderson informed that new Parks Lead Worker
will be introduced to Commissioners when that position has been filled.
6. Adjournment
Moore-Arcand made a motion, Compton seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:19pm.
All ayes.
Motion approved.
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Parks Commission Minutes
February 15,2023