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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002.05.08 Parks MinutesParks Commission Meeting 5-8-02 Minutes Page 1 of 3 Hugo, Minnesota Parks and Recreation Open Space Commission Meeting May 8, 2002 6:30 p.m. Oneka Room — City Hall Meeting Chair: Robyn LaCasse Minutes By: Laurie McRostie Present: Robyn LaCasse, Jennifer May, Pete Pedersen, Bunny Peterson, David Strub, Tom Weidt, Chuck Haas, Bronwen Kleissler, Laurie McRostie. Absent: Copies To: Commission Members, Michele Lindau- Community Development Assistant, John Rask - Community Development Director, Mike Ericson - City Administrator I. Old School House A. City staff and a few commission members completed a site visit to the old school house. B. The structure is in good shape. The chimney has collapsed on one side and water is leaking into the building. The roof and windows are shot. The interior is in pretty good repair; the wood floors nice and the tin roof are in tact. C. This site has been considered for a trailhead and this has been explored in the past. The opportunity to collaborate with Washington County and Forest Lake is one that will be pursued. D. Renovation plans were developed in 1995 in the pursuit of a grant that was not obtained. Katie Riopel also had worked on this structure in 1999 attempting to start a youth center in the school. E. The historical status of the structure is not clear. F. Tom Weidt and Bunny Peterson will team up and do some research on the historical status and the possibility of applying for a grant G. It is important to secure the building and at a minimum repair the roof. Chris Petree will obtain two or three quotes from roofing contractors. II. Beaver Ponds Landscaping A. The landscaping concept for Beaver Ponds was reviewed. The concept shows how to plant the total site and considers the possibility of parkland expansion to the south. The planting plan can be completed in phases. B. City Council has authorized $4000 for planting at Beaver Ponds. The first phase of planting will be along the southern boundary adjacent to the Haubel property C. Robyn LaCasse will contact a few local nurseries and obtain quotes from them for planting the first phase of the park. III. Water Tower Site #3 A. A site visit was made to the water tower site, under construction north of Creekview Preserve. B. The need for a neighborhood park in this area was identified in the Everton Avenue Neighborhood http://www.ci.hugo.mn.us/Parks_Recreation/minutes/582002.htm 9/19/2007 Parks Commission Meeting 5-8-02 Page 2 of 3 Study. C. It would be possible to build a small park in the northwest corner of the site but the City does not own this property. D. There are also access issues to the existing tower site. The existing easements are for utilities and construction of the tower. It might be possible to modify the easement to include temporary park access until permanent access can come from the west. E. This is also a remote area and the Commission is concerned about vandalism. F. Leonard Pratt owns the property that is being considered for park at this time. Pete Pederson will approach Mr. Pratt about Park's interest in this property. IV. Block Parties A. Jennifer May, email address - jennifermay24ghotmail.com, or city hall for her phone, is the new community open house (block party) coordinator. B. The purpose of these open houses is to introduce people to the community. Neighbors can meet each other and representatives from all areas of the city attend. The Lions Club will stay involved in the community open houses. V. Hugo Elementary School A. At the time the play equipment was installed there was a commitment made to install some trashcans and picnic tables or benches. B. We need to check how many benches are present and to determine how much vandalism occurs at the school. C. There was also discussion about picking up the trash and how that would be handled. D. If trashcans are installed they will need to be anchored to the ground so that they will not be moved or vandalized. E. Robyn LaCasse will call the principal of the school and talk about what is needed. VI. The McCollar Property A. The developer for this property will be at the next park meeting to talk about parkland dedication. B. The development is adjacent to the 80 -Acre Preserve. C. Park dedication will be discussed at the next meeting. One issue, among others, will be park location in proximity to the Preserve and the location of a neighborhood park in Neighborhood Park Areas 2 and 3. D. Trail connections are also an important issue to consider in this development VII. LCMR Grants A. The Commission will look at LCMR (Legislative Committee on Minnesota Resources) as a possible source of grant money for parkland development. VIII. Oak Shore Park A. The homeowners association presented an offer to the City for purchase of the Oak Shore Park. B. This park could serve the most people in the most central location for Neighborhood Park Area 3. C. It is not clear what types of activities could be included in the park. This needs to be a fairly active park with some passive activity included. Possible park activities were discussed and they included; a passive area around the existing wetland, trails, play area, soccer field, picnic shelter, parking, entry from the north, hard court basketball, volley ball, youth softball, horse shoes, lawn bowling, and bocce ball. D. The City will talk to the Oak Shore Park people and find out how they view park activity and to discuss whether they will place any restrictions on the activities that could be included in the park. E. The decision about this park needs to be made as soon as possible in order to respond to the need for neighborhood parks in the area. IX. Special Projects A. The Park Commission will continue to work with the White Bear District to move more programming to the Hugo side of the district. B. We also want to organize and have more senior projects developed. C. More special events are also desirable for the future. Something that involves the community around a special seasonal event may be considered. X. Updates http://www.ci.hugo.mn.us/Parks_Recreation/minutes/582002.htm 9/19/2007 Parks Commission Meeting 5-8-02 Page 3 of 3 A. The Bernin purchase agreement has been signed. Thank you to Pete Pederson for all the coordination work he did on this project. Thank you too to City Staff, the City Council and the Minnesota DNR for all their help and support. B. We also want to thank Firstar Bank for the use of their conference room for over two years. It was a great place to meet until there was a new community room at city hall. Thank You. C. Volunteers are needed for Good Neighbor Days. If you would like to help please call Tony Vilgos at 651-429-1961 to volunteer. D. Park Plan updates will be done a chapter at a time. As they are completed they will be mailed electronically to members for review and comment. 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 lmcrostie@sehinc.com within ten days of receiving the minutes. NEXT MEETING: June 12, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. NEW LOCATION — CITY HALL \\sehmp1s\1andarch\projects\f-j\hugo\parks\meetingminutes\12122001 doc http://vvww.ci.hugo.mn.us/Parks_Recreation/minutes/582002.htm 9/19/2007