HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001.12.12 Parks MinutesParks Commission Meeting 12-12-01
Minutes
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Hugo, Minnesota Parks and Recreation Open Space Commission Meeting
November 14, 2001
6:30 p.m.
Firstar Bank Building
Meeting Chair: Robyn LaCasse
Minutes By: Laurie McRostie
Present: Robyn LaCasse, Pete Pedersen, Bunny Peterson, David Strub, Tom Weidt, Chuck Haas,
Bronwen Kleissler, John Rask, Laurie McRostie
Absent: Nancy Chelmo, Tom Cheesebrow,
Copies To: Commission Membrs, Michele Lindau- Community Development Assistant, John Rask -
Community Development Director, Mike Ericson - City Administrator
Everton Avenue Development Plan
A. Most members of the Commission had attended the joint Council and Planning Commission meeting.
They were all very pleased that the neighborhood is pleased with the plan and accepts a lot of the good
ideas.
B. The Commission preferred the trail concept that shows the trail off road and to the side of the
greenway. They do not like the trail in the middle of the parkway median.
C. The Commission is excited about the prospect of athletic fields at the possible school complex and
looks forward to hearing more as these ideas develop.
D. As an aside to the meeting Senator Jane Krentz told us about the Wilder Foundation and the work they
do to help design facilities that are accessible and serve special populations. The Commission will
contact the foundation and ask them for assistance in making Hugo's facilities more accessible.
II. Grants
A. The Commission is exploring grant possibilities for 2002.
B. Two possibilities were discussed. The old school house still needs to be renovated and this maybe is a
candidate for a grant that would support this facility as a trailhead along the Hardwood Creek Trail. A
grant from DNR Metro Greenways will be explored. There is a possibility that parts of the Clearwater
Creek Greenway could be expanded south of the Victor Gardens Development.
C. It will not be possible to apply for any federal grants for the trails or amenities associated with the
CSAH 8 project. This project is already obtaining federal funds.
III. Meeting Process and Attendance
A. The Commission will start a more formal meeting process. Minutes will be approved and
parliamentary procedure will be introduced. The meetings will still be casual but as issues become
more controversial and more development proposals require review it will be necessary for the
Commission to vote on recommendations to the City Council
B. John Rask will provide rules about voting and procedure to the Commission.
C. Attendance at the Commission meetings has become an issue. At this time the ordinance states that the
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This is an interpretation of the events that happened at the meeting. If there are any additions or corrections
please call Laurie McRostie at 612.758.6743 or email her at lmcrostieksehinc.com within ten days of receiving
the minutes.
NEXT MEETING: January 9, 2002 at 6:30 p.m.
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Parks Commission Meeting 12-12-01
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Council can remove a member is they do not attend regularly. This may not be adequate for the future and
John Rask will draft some by-laws for operational rules and present them to the Commission.
IV. Open Position
A. Nancy Chelmo has resigned from the Commission and everyone thanked her for her effort.
B. Nancy's position would have expired in March and the City Council will determine what to do about
the open term until March and discuss this issue at the next meeting. They will probably recommend
advertising for the position in the next issue of the Hugonian.
V. Open Gym
A. The school gym at Hugo Elementary School has become a success. At least 28 kids were in the gym a
couple of weekends ago
VI. Park Budget
A. The park budget was reviewed and some inaccuracies were discovered.
B. The budget print out will be reviewed and a revised accounting sheet will be presented to the
Commission.
VII. Land Search
A. The Park Commission is still looking for parkland to purchase.
B. The City will advertise in the White Bear Lake Paper and the Hugo Newsletter, letting the community
know that the City is interested in purchasing large parcels for parkland. Any interested parties should
contact City staff if they would be interested in selling parkland to the City at a reasonable price.
VIII. Beaver Ponds
A. The orange plastic fence around the soccer field is falling down. The wood snow fence has stayed in
place.
B. The Commission asked that new posts be installed and that the fence be reinforced. After speaking with
Chris Petree it became apparent that more fence posts would cost about $100 to purchase and more
labor costs to install. There is no guarantee that the fence would stay in place so it was decided that the
orange fence would be taken down and that no additional money would be spent. This soccer field will
need to be reseeded no matter what next spring and it did not seem prudent to spend more park fund
dollars on protecting an area that will need to be repaired in any case.
IX. Comprehensive Plan Review
A. The Commission reviewed material that John Rask presented describing park types.
B. The Commission is exploring the idea of adding more park types to the existing categories. The mini
park is one under discussion. Mini parks would not be a substitute for neighborhood parks but they may
serve a special need. The City is still not interested in supporting a lot of mini parks in the system
C. Park service areas were also explored. John presented a map that showed '/2 mile service areas within
the MUSA. These service areas overlapped the Neighborhood Park Districts that have been identified
in the Comprehensive Plan. Comments on each district were made.
1. NP -1 This neighborhood already contains Lions Park and with the new service areas at least one
additional neighborhood park will be required. These park locations were explored in the Everton
Avenue Study and are reflected in the development proposals that are being presented to the City.
2. NP -2 This neighborhood needs a park in a central location. It may be possible to use part of the
Preserve for a neighborhood park.
3. NP -3 This neighborhood is mostly developed and it may be possible to serve the neighborhood in
the future with a park that could include Oak Shore Park.
4. NP -4 This neighborhood needs a park. The Bernin property may start to serve this need.
Development to the west of Bernin's may also provide opportunity for a neighborhood park in this
district.
5. NP -5 There is no park in this district and at least half of the district is outside the MUSA. The need
for a neighborhood park and a location will be dependent on future development.
6. NP -6 No neighborhood park is needed in this district.
7. NP -7 This neighborhood needs additional parkland and it is proposed that Beaver Ponds will be
expanded at the time development occurs south of the park.
http://www.ci.hugo.mn.us/Parks_Recreation/minutes/12122001.htm 9/19/2007