HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004.03.10 Parks MinutesMinutes
Hugo, Minnesota Parks and Recreation Open Space Commission Meeting
March 10, 2004
7:00 p.m.
Oneka Room — City Hall
Meeting Chair: Robyn LaCasse
Minutes By: Chris Petree
Present: Parks Commission: Kitty Cheesebrow, Robyn LaCasse, David Strub, Roger
Clarke, Jennifer May, Tom Weidt and Kelly Bailly.
Staff Chris Petree, Scott Anderson and Mike Ericson.
Consultant: Laurie McRostie and Kendra Lindahl.
Absent: Pete Pederson.
I. Approve Minutes from February 11, 2004 meeting
LaCasse made a motion, Cheesebrow seconded, to accept the Minutes from the February
11, 2004 Parks Commission Meeting.
All Aye. Motion Carried.
Proposals for play structures at Oneka Ponds Park (Laurie McRostie)
Consultant Laurie McRostie provided an overview of the updated master plan for the
Oneka Ponds/Bernin Park properties. Resident Lyle Swanson stated that he would like
the trail on the southern portion of the Bernin property to be shifted to the north to
provide a greater buffer zone.
A. St. Croix Recreation, Mike Basich
Mike presented one option to the Park Commission for play structures. Mike did
indicate two handicap access points on the structure. The price for this option was
$74,000 and would be a volunteer installation. Mike also stated that this price did not
include the resilient surface, installation of equipment and the $10,000 allowance for
Class 5, drain tile and geotextile fabric. With the additional items that were not
included in the bid, the estimated price for this play structure was $96,000.
B. Minnesota/Wisconsin Playground, Harlan Lehman
Harlan presented three options to the Park Commission for play structures. Each
structure had a minimum of two handicap access points. All of the options included the
resilient surface, installation of equipment and a $10,000 allowance for Class 5, drain
tile and geotextile fabric. All of the options were priced at $80,000.
C. Park Commission discussion on improvements
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Hugo, Minnesota Parks and Recreation Open Space Commission Minutes
March 10, 2004
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Following the presentations by both vendors, the Park Commission and residents
reviewed the play structure proposals. Two residents commented both in favor of the
play structure, Option #1, presented by Minnesota/Wisconsin Playground. Park
Commission members stated that they felt it was important to adhere to the $80,000
budget for this equipment and they also stated that they were generally in favor of
Option # 1 from Minnesota/Wisconsin Playground.
Cheesebrow made a motion, Weidt seconded, to recommend that the City Council
award the play structure equipment at Oneka Ponds Park to Minnesota/Wisconsin
Playground in an amount not to exceed $80,000 and to select Option #1 with the Kid
Time 2-5 equipment and the S rock wall in lieu of picnic tables, benches and trash
receptacles.
All Aye. Motion Carried.
III. Discuss Beaver Ponds South Park
Consultant Kendra Lindahl informed the Park Commission that the Planning
Commission had tabled its decision on the Beaver Ponds South development to allow
residents and Park Commission members a chance to comment on the proposed park.
Developer Len Pratt was in attendance and provided a brief overview of the park land
that was dedicated as part of this proposed development and possible concept ideas for
future park development.
Many residents were in attendance and the comments received by the Park Commission
were as follows: concern about volume of traffic driving by this park with new
development and only one outlet, consider possible parking lots/off-street parking in
park, coordinate scheduling of soccer field to reduce traffic, add garbage receptacles at
soccer field, consider traffic control at Fondant Tr. & 128th St. N. and as park develops
consider a baseball/softball field with backstop.
Chairperson Robyn LaCasse responded to the residents on behalf of the Park
Commission. Chairperson LaCasse stated that the City would work with the White Bear
Athletic & Soccer Associations to improve scheduling on the site as to reduce traffic
congestion. Also, the City will install additional trash receptacles this summer around
the soccer field and will review the street width and congestion concerns as stated by
the residents and consider possible solutions. Residents were also encouraged to voice
their concerns to the City Council regarding traffic, parking and other transportation
issues.
IV. Discussion on Rice Lake Park & Community Room
Public Works Director Chris Petree provided a summary of the public works building
project and its status. Councilmember Mike Granger and Councilmember Frank Puleo
were in attendance to discuss the option of a community room adjacent to the public works
building and the future of athletic fields on the Rice Lake Park site. Park Commission
members stated concerns about the use of the park, the number of fields that could fit on
the site and the cost of developing this park. Park Commission members explained to the
Councilmember's in attendance that they were generally in favor of a community room on
this site and they would be willing, at the City Council's direction, to work with a park
planner to form a preliminary plan for the site that takes into account the natural amenities
of the park while providing necessary athletic fields. Councilmember Granger stated that
Hugo, Minnesota Parks and Recreation Open Space Commission Minutes
March 10, 2004
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both he and the City Council are aware of all of the park projects that the Park Commission
is currently working on and it would be the intent of the Council to find other possible
funding sources for this project and not hamper current/future projects as identified by the
Park Commission.
V. Update on City Park Adjacent to Fable Hill/Clearwater Preserve (Roger Clarke)
This item was tabled until the next meeting.
VI. Park Naming Guidelines
This item was tabled until the next meeting.
VII. Updates
A. Planning Commission: No updates given.
B. City Council: City Administrator Mike Ericson attended the meeting and presented a plaque and
resolution on behalf of the City Council to Dave Strub for his hard work and years of dedication
to the Park Commission. City Administrator Ericson also announced that the City Council had
selected Kitty Cheesebrow as the Parks Commission Chair beginning in April 2004.
C. Robyn LaCasse: No updates given.
D. Chris Petree: No updates given
NEXT MEETING: April 14, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION — CITY HALL