Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015.01.15 Parks MinutesMinutes Parks Commission, City of Hugo January 15, 2015 7:00 P.M. Council Chambers, City Hall Call tn OrdPr Present: Rachel Berger, Dave Strub, Ranelle Tennyson Absent: Mat Rauschendorfer, Nicole Schmid, Tom Windisch Staff Present: Scott Anderson, Public Works Director Shayla Syverson, Parks Planner Anna Wobse, Accounting Clerk Parks Commission meetings require a quorum, this requirement was not satisfied. Discussion started at 7:04 pm. I. Approval of Minutes from December Meeting Approval of the December 10, 2014 minutes will be sought at the February 11, 2015 meeting or the next quorum. II. City Owned Property on Goodview Avenue Parks Planner, Shayla Syverson explained to the Commission that the City owns acreage off of Goodview Avenue and that Staff has received complaints from nearby property owners about noise, litter and hours of use. The 2.34 acres were acquired through park dedication in 1987. The property is currently available for public use but is not promoted as a park; the public use it for dirt biking and other activities. Access to the park is limited, along with its size. It has no amenities and has not been improved such as a neighborhood park would be. In recent years Public Works has graded the property, trimmed tress and removed shrubs. Syverson informed the Commission that the Public Conduct in Parks ordinance is applicable to the property and that both fires and motorized vehicles are prohibited on the property. She also noted that there are restrictions on what the City can do with the property because Minnesota Statues state that the land must be used for its intended purpose and cannot be sold. Adjacent property owners, James and Anne Manke of 13514 Goodview Avenue North shared their concerns regarding the use of motorized vehicles, litter, hours of use and safety of those using the property with the Commission. The Mankes feel that things have spiraled out of control and that the City needs to take action to improve the property and implement the same rules that are required for the other public parks in the City. The Commissioners agreed that they need to make a decision that is fair to both the neighbors and to those who use the property. They feel that Public Works should trim additional trees to facilitate better sight lines and that the property should be added to the weekly summer maintenance schedule to combat the trash issues. The Public Conduct in Parks rules need to be implemented and enforced, thus prohibiting both motorized vehicles and fires and also setting usage hours. Staff will provide a recap at a future Parks Commission meeting and ask that a motion be made at that time. III. Update on Lions Park Parks Planner, Shayla Syverson provided an update to the Commission regarding Lions Park planning. The three concept plans for Lions Park that were presented at the December 10, 2014 Parks Commission meeting were also presented to the Lions Club for their review on January 7, 2015. Next, the plans will be reviewed by the Economic Development Authority and Planning Commission in early February. Then they will be presented to the City Council and after that a preliminary master plan will be drafted. Depending on the types of changes recommended, the preliminary master plan may be available to present at the February 11, 2015 Parks Commission meeting. IV. Adjournment The meeting ended at 8:05 pm.