Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Packet 06.15.22Page 1 of 2 Parks Commission Agenda June 15, 2022 Agenda Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission Meeting of June 15, 2022 Hugo City Hall, 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 1. Approve Minutes from April 20, 2022 Meeting 7:03 pm 2. Irish Avenue Park Complaint 7:40 pm 3. Neighborhood Park Improvement Plan 8:00 pm 4. Schedule Bernin Property Tour 8:10 pm 5. Updates • Public Works • Lions Park • North Star Wetland Banking 8:30 pm 6. Adjournment Page 2 of 2 Parks Commission Agenda June 15, 2022 Background Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Commission Meeting of June 15, 2022 Hugo City Hall, 7:00 pm Approve Minutes from April 20, 2022 Meeting Staff recommends approval of the minutes of the Parks Commission meeting of April 20, 2022. The regularly scheduled meeting of May 18, 2022 was cancelled. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED MINUTES. Irish Avenue Park Complaint Staff has received a complaint and request to address the Parks Commission from the Rupnows at 8340 140th Street regarding dogs at Irish Avenue Park. Staff has been in discussions with the Rupnows regarding dogs and construction of Public Works. A trail was re-routed and the City installed a fence adjacent to their property per previous requests. Staff asked Washington County Sherriff’s Office for input on incidents reported related to dogs and Irish Avenue Park which have been summarized. Staff will present background information and the summary incidents. The Rupnows plan to be in attendance and address the Commission. A LETTER AND SUMMARY OF INCIDENTS ARE ATTACHED. Neighborhood Park Improvement Plan The Parks Commission approved $60,000 for Neighborhood Park Upgrades in their Capital Improvement Plan. Annually, staff evaluates the City’s Parks and proposes needed improvements. This year, staff is recommending a fence be constructed at the pickleball courts at Arcand Park and payment of the final invoice for construction of Arcand Park. Adaptable swings have been purchased to improve Arbre Park and Diamond Point Park in response to resident requests. Staff has also been notified that a grant was received to allow for the purchase of water saving irrigation controllers at seven city and park properties. Staff will present a plan for neighborhood park improvements for discussion. Schedule Bernin Property Tour The Parks Commission reviewed the concept plan for the Bernin and Oneka Lake Park properties at their February 16, 2022 meeting. It was requested that the Commission tour the property. Staff is asking for direction on the date of the tour. Updates Staff will provide updates on construction of Public Works and Lions Park. Staff will also provide an update on the North Star Wetland Bank and Council action. THE PARKS PLAN CAN BE FOUND AT: https://www.ci.hugo.mn.us/2040compplan From:Shannon Rupnow To:Shayla Denaway Subject:Re: Irish Ave Park - Dogs Date:Thursday, May 5, 2022 2:43:37 PM Caution: This email originated outside our organization; please use caution. Thanks for getting back to me. We look forward to hearing from you and moving forward! Shannon & Eli > On May 5, 2022, at 2:36 PM, Shayla Denaway <SDenaway@ci hugo mn.us> wrote: > > Hi Shannon, > > I am sorry I haven't responded back to you yet. I got your voicemail. We have had quite a bit going on and I wanted to check a few things out at the property before I gave you a call back. I hope to give you a call back to discuss soon. > > Thanks, > > Shayla Denaway > PARKS PLANNER > CITY OF HUGO - MINNESOTA > 14669 Fitzgerald Ave. N., Hugo, MN 55038 > o: 651.762.6342 | www.ci hugo mn.us > > -----Original Message----- > From: Shannon Rupnow > Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2022 8:15 AM >To: Shayla Denaway <SDenaway@ci hugo mn.us> > Cc: A Eli ~ My Husband > Subject: Irish Ave Park - Dogs > > Caution: This email originated outside our organization; please use caution. > > > I drafted this email a couple weeks ago; this morning, another dog ran into our yard, up by our house, and killed a favorite, friendly chicken of ours. This needs to stop. > >>Dear Shayla, >>Greetings! Happy Spring! >> >> How do we go about making improvements and changes to our current Irish Avenue Park? As our community grows, there are many more park users than ever before which is great. Many people use the park as a dog park. There seems to be that need and desire in the Hugo community. However, the park is not a dog park and it is not fenced or regulated as a dog park. Not everyone who uses the park wants dogs running off leash. Many park users are very respectful keeping their dog near them and under control. Many park users are not respectful of other park users who do not want dogs running at them, chasing them, or jumping on them. This is very frustrating as a family who uses the park every week, and wants to bring children into the park, but does not appreciate strange dogs, off leash and running at our children on a regular basis. >> >> We love dogs, own a dog ourselves, and want to be great neighbors. But this problem has only gotten worse as more and more people hear about the park and come and let their dogs run free (often in groups). Dogs are still coming into our yard and our neighbor’s yard on a regular basis, and I would like to see a change that works best for everyone. I feel this is a liability issue, as there is a sign at the parking lot, but no clear or regulated guidelines for the space. >> >> If someone wants to pursue making an official dog park space in Hugo, I think they should go for it. But this passive park design with dogs off leash is getting more complicated as it’s no secret anymore (social media posts share the park as a dog park). There is a high daily number of users which equals many dogs. >> >> Let me know when we can talk further about this; I know we’ve talked about this in the past. There has to be a better solution for the community. >> >> Thank you for all you do. >> Respectfully, >> Shannon Rupnow >> From: To:Scott Anderson Cc:Shayla Denaway Subject:RE: Irish Avenue Park - Loose Dog Issues Date:Wednesday, April 1, 2020 10:15:27 AM Caution: This email originated outside our organization; please use caution. Hi Scott & Shayla, We talked a few weeks back about the trail layout that we think would be great. We put some thought into it and think the attached would be a great layout and add some flexibility to the walking paths within the park. Ideally there would be a separate path for non-dog folks and dog folks with a fence divider to allow a safer environment for kids, however I understand there isn’t support for restrictions to dogs within the parks at this time. If that sentiment changes, would be great to have an interior ring for dogs to be free and an outer one for leashed dogs and people without dogs that don’t want to get jumped on by other dogs while walking. With the park planning potentially beginning soon and transitioning from a passive to active park, I understand the idea of not limiting funds Thanks for your assistance making our property safer for our family! -- Eli Rupnow From: Eli Rupnow Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2020 7:54 AM To: Scott Anderson <SAnderson@ci.hugo.mn.us> Cc: Shayla Denaway <SDenaway@ci.hugo.mn.us> Subject: Re: Irish Avenue Park - Loose Dog Issues Great, thank you Scott! On Tue, Mar 17, 2020, 7:46 AM Scott Anderson <SAnderson@ci.hugo.mn.us> wrote: Yep, we have the signs. They will be put up today. Scott Anderson Public Works Director City of Hugo 651-762-6326 -------- Original message -------- From: Eli Rupnow Date: 3/17/20 7:28 AM (GMT-06:00) To: Scott Anderson <SAnderson@ci.hugo.mn.us>, Shayla Denaway <SDenaway@ci.hugo.mn.us> Subject: Re: Irish Avenue Park - Loose Dog Issues Caution: This email originated outside our organization; please use caution. Hi Shayla and Scott, Please add the "trail re-routed" sign that we discussed last week, unfortunately the barricades are being ignored as the mowed trail is the path most are following. We met a lady walking last night who assumed the barricades were put up by the homeowner, and she was irritated that the trail was blocked. We need a clear sign on the barricades from the City of Hugo so people understand this is no longer a trail. Thank you for fencing, that has prevented all dogs from entering since installation last week! Eli and Shannon On Mon, Mar 9, 2020, 2:10 PM < wrote: Hi Scott, Hope all is going well today for your daughter at Mayo. Walked this area yesterday and this is what we’re looking at (red) and preferred (yellow). See you tomorrow at 8. -- Eli Rupnow From: Scott Anderson <SAnderson@ci.hugo.mn.us> Sent: Friday, March 6, 2020 9:27 AM To: Shayla Denaway <SDenaway@ci.hugo.mn.us>; Rachel Juba <RJuba@ci.hugo.mn.us>; Tom Weidt <mayortom@ci.hugo.mn.us>; Becky Petryk <jdpetryk@gmail.com>; Phil Klein <philklein7@msn.com>; Chuck Haas <charles.haas27@gmail.com>; Chuck Haas <charles.haas27@gmail.com>; Bryan Bear <BBear@ci.hugo.mn.us> Cc: Subject: RE: Irish Avenue Park - Loose Dog Issues Good morning Eli, We will have an internal discussion today and get back to you asap. Thank you, Scott Anderson PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CITY OF HUGO 14669 Fitzgerald Ave. N., Hugo, MN 55038 o: 651.762.6326 | www.ci.hugo.mn.us From: Sent: Friday, March 06, 2020 9:02 AM To: Scott Anderson <SAnderson@ci.hugo.mn.us>; Shayla Denaway <SDenaway@ci.hugo.mn.us>; Rachel Juba <RJuba@ci.hugo.mn.us>; Tom Weidt <mayortom@ci.hugo.mn.us>; Becky Petryk <jdpetryk@gmail.com>; Phil Klein <philklein7@msn.com>; Chuck Haas <charles.haas27@gmail.com>; Chuck Haas <charles.haas27@gmail.com>; Bryan Bear <BBear@ci.hugo.mn.us> Cc: Subject: RE: Irish Avenue Park - Loose Dog Issues Caution: This email originated outside our organization; please use caution. Good morning, Multiple dogs were in our property AGAIN yesterday from Irish Avenue Park. One of the dogs killed another pet chicken and badly injured two others, which may not survive. We have a small family flock so we are almost out of chickens because of these repeated attacks. This also affects our family’s food (we need more eggs). This is the fifth time our animals have been injured or killed this year (6/15 chickens only one year old are dead and two more may not survive yesterday’s attack). Dozens of dogs have run into our property scaring our little kids so that they are now scared to go outside. We have seven young children (ages 13, 12, 8, 6, plus a preschooler, toddler and an infant). They have bad dreams and are fearful to be outside! This must stop. Please fence our property or cease allowing loose dogs in the park immediately until you are able to provide a contained area for them. The only sign still says that dogs are “allowed off leash” despite our continued requests for clear signage to be placed there. I went to a City meeting Wednesday evening where the City was claiming to be a great neighbor. I didn't feel it was appropriate to bring up the extreme frustration we've been having due to having the City as a neighbor in that forum, however now I wish that I had. We do not want to move but are seriously considering it due to the challenge of being located right next to Irish Avenue Park and dealing with our children being traumatized by being chased by dogs larger than them into our house multiple times and having kids crying as the chickens they've raised and cared for are killed or wounded again. Three large dogs were in our yard just this week, and it will only get worse as the weather gets warmer! We need something done IMMEDIATELY. Park goers continue to think this is a fenced, secure dog park like others they go to - clearly, the average park user does not understand the concept of having dogs off-leash without a safely fenced area (this has been proven time and time again). Please put new signage that dogs are no longer allowed in the park until a solution is determined that allows our family to live in a peaceful existence. We don't want to have to kill people's pets who keep coming into our yard, but their pets keep killing ours and the rate keeps increasing. And God forbid one of our children gets physically hurt because of this preventable situation. That is our greatest concern going forward. With so many unknown, unsupervised dogs regularly running into our yard, we are most concerned for the safety of our children. This is unacceptable and very dangerous. We need a better solution because what has been done to date has not been effective. Please let know what will be done today about this issue. Sincerely, Eli & Shannon Rupnow & 7 Children From: Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2020 3:16 PM To: 'Scott Anderson' <SAnderson@ci.hugo.mn.us>; 'Shayla Denaway' <SDenaway@ci.hugo.mn.us>; 'Rachel Juba' <RJuba@ci.hugo.mn.us> Cc: Subject: RE: Irish Avenue Park - Loose Dog Issues thankful our boys are ok and our chickens were not free ranging... This would then be a very different email. We need the new signage put up at both parking lots immediately. Along with an informational Facebook message (“this is not a dog park”), please put a notice into the paper and any other place that walkers would see. This is getting to be a big problem. There is no way to “catch” the owners as they are not within sight when their dogs are in our yard. This is a very busy park now, with almost everyone having a dog or more off leash. If dogs are going to remain off leash, they must be within close voice range or a certain yardage from their owner. (See attached sample from another park.) We cannot afford to fence all our property that borders this park or we would definitely do that to protect our children. We are very concerned that nothing has been done to keep them and our property safe, even after we have brought this problem to your attention. We feel quite frustrated at this point. The signs would be a good start. Sincerely, The Rupnows -- Eli Rupnow From: Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2019 10:33 AM To: sdenaway@ci.hugo.mn.us; rjuba@ci.hugo.mn.us Cc: Subject: Irish Avenue Park - Loose Dog Issues Hi Shayla & Rachel, I wanted to reach out and make you aware of some issues with Irish Avenue Park that we’ve been dealing with. Our house borders the park on two sides and the park has been a great neighbor for a number of years since we moved here in 2011. However, in the past 6 months we’ve been dealing with a number of issues with dogs off leash entering our property and killing our chickens and scaring our kids. On Thanksgiving we had the most recent issue, the fourth of the year with a husky killing a couple chickens. There seems to be a marked increase in the number of uncontrolled dogs in the park and some of our kids are scared to walk in the park as we routinely have large dogs running at our family and jumping on us. It seems that the City is promoting the park more and more as an off leash dog park and less for the walking/horse users. If that is the goal, we’d request some fencing be provided to aid in protecting our children and property. Other off-leash dog areas are typically fenced and bags for collecting poop are provided. We’d also like to discuss the potential of converting part of the park to a maintenance facility for Public Works. This seems to conflict with typical planning and zoning goals for parks as locations in more industrial areas such as White Bear’s newer facility are often utilized. Would like to learn more before discussing publicly and with other neighbors. My daughter, Abby, who raises the chickens from birth and I would appreciate a time to meet in the next week or two. Please let us know a time that would work for both of you. Thank you, Eli -- Eli Rupnow