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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015.08.12 Parks MinutesMinutes Parks Commission, City of Hugo August 12, 2015 7:00 P.M. Council Chambers, City Hall Call to Order Present: John Pontrelli, Mat Rauschendorfer, Nicole Schmid, Dave Strub, Ranell Tennyson, Tom Windisch Absent: Cinde Morris City Council Present: Chuck Haas Staff Present: Scott Anderson, Public Works Director Shayla Denaway, Parks Planner Rachel Juba, Planner Anna Wobse, Accounting Clerk Tom Windisch called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. I. Approval of Minutes from June Meeting Strub made a motion, Tennyson seconded to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2015 Parks Commission meeting. All Aye. Motion Carried. II. Clearwater Cove Park Dedication Proposal Parks Planner, Shayla Denaway provided background to the Commission regarding the Clearwater Cove concept plan and park dedication proposal that was discussed at the May 13, 2015 Parks Commission Meeting. A concept plan was submitted by D.R. Horton for a residential development known as Clearwater Cove. Discussion included the proposed trail design, construction and donation of a park, and a proposal to pay full park dedication fees in the amount of $213,600.00. At the August 3, 2015 City Council Meeting the Council approved the Preliminary Plat and Planned Unit Development (PUD) for Clearwater Cove. Staff recommends that the Parks Commission approve the park dedication proposal for Clearwater Cove. Windisch questioned if a decision had been made regarding the trail spur that was slated to end at private property. Mike Suel from D.R. Horton stated that the spur was discussed and that D.R. Horton would either place money in an escrow account for the City to finish the spur when the private land was developed or that D.R. Horton would complete the spur in Phase 3 or 4 depending on the rate of development. Planner, Rachel Juba stated that the above options have been included as a condition of the PUD. Rauschendorfer made a motion, Pontrelli seconded to approve the park dedication proposal for Clearwater Cove as presented. All Aye. Motion Carried. III. Irish Avenue Park Neighborhood Meeting Parks Planner, Shayla Denaway updated the Commission on the resident input that Council Members and staff have received from residents regarding the radio controlled (RC) car and truck race track and driving area at Irish Avenue Park that was unanimously approved that the June 10, 2015 Parks Commission Meeting. Property owners from the three properties immediately south, east, and north of where the track is located voiced concerns. Concerns included noise, disruption of the peace, an increase in park users, lack of input from the neighborhood prior to construction, and not wanting a track in their backyard. There has also been input from residents in favor of the track. Staff has heard from two owners of properties adjacent to Irish Avenue Park that are supportive of the track and plan to use it. Councilmember Chuck Haas requested that a neighborhood meeting be held and an apology letter be sent to residents adjacent to the property. Staff recommends that the Parks Commission invite residents to give input and discuss the radio controlled car and truck track at Irish Avenue Park. Windisch opened the neighborhood meeting for comments. Chad Hanson at 14195 Irish Avenue shared a letter from his father who lives by the park but was unable to attend the meeting. The letter stated that the jumps of the track attract four -wheelers and dirt bikes and that the park is supposed to be used for green space, not dirt and dust. The letter also questioned if there was land more suitable for the track that would have a better police presence. Mr. Hanson then expressed his concerns which included; the lack of regard for the neighbors of the park on how the decision of constructing the RC track was reached, the lack of maintenance and upkeep of the track, the use of tax payer money to fund this project, and the illegal activities that are happening in the parking lot after hours and how those activities need to be controlled. Mr. Hanson shared that he is not so much against the track but is against how the process of approving it and building it happened; he wants to be included in the planning process and wants to bring attention to the serious problems taking place at the parking lot at Irish Avenue Park. Josiah Neuman at 14060 Irish Avenue stated that he is very concerned about the noise levels and the crowds that the RC track could draw. Now that the RC track is a permitted use the Sherriff Department will not be able to limit the kind, size or noise level of the RC cars and it is only a matter of time before things get out of control. Mr. Neuman asked that the track be moved to a location where it would not bother residents and if the track will not be moved that a sign be posted stating that only electric RC cars can use the track; he fears that he and his wife will not be able to use the park because of the noise. Trina Oswald at 14081 Hyde Avenue also voiced her concerns about how the track was approved and constructed and that the neighborhood received a letter after the RC track was already built. Mrs. Oswald is concerned about the noise and amount of people that could come now that the track is built and she is also worried about the illegal activities that happen at the park after hours. Kate Hanke, wife of Steve Hanke who made the original proposal for the RC track, was at the meeting along with their son to demonstrate the noise level of a battery operated remote control car. Mrs. Hanke stated that the original proposal was for battery operated RC cars only and that there will be volunteers maintaining the track. Mrs. Hanke also stated that these cars are very expensive and that the kids using them are responsible with them; they are not at the track to destroy their cars. Mrs. Hanke shared that her husband's vision was to have a place where preteens and teens could enjoy the park. Mrs. Hanke's son was asked to run his car at full throttle to demonstrate the noise level of a battery operated RC car. Mrs. Hanke pointed out that the kids do not usually run the cars at full throttle because that would destroy them. Eric Barth, a resident of Lino Lakes, expressed his support of the track. Mr. Barth's family has used the track and brought rakes and shovels to repair the track when they were done. Mr. Barth said that the people who use the track use it with the motto: leave the track in better condition than it was when you arrived. Mr. Barth shared that he thinks the track is good for Hugo because it will bring in people who will then patronize other establishments in Hugo. Louann Hanson at 14355 Irish Avenue expressed concerns over the current issues at the park and how those issues are not being addressed. Mrs. Hanson believes that the RC track will draw in older kids and cause more problems, she also questioned if there was a better location for the track. Rauschendorfer stated that the Parks Commission does value the input from the neighborhood. The Commissioners felt that the track was a very low impact use and would not cause any issues. If the Commissioners would have thought that the temporary track would have caused problems, they would not have approved the construction without a neighborhood meeting. Tennyson echoed Rauschendorfer's comments and shared that the Commissioners felt that there would be only a small group of people using the track and if things were to get out of hand it would be removed or relocated. Windisch closed the neighborhood meeting and thanked the neighbors for their input. The Parks Commission believes that community input is crucial in making decisions and apologized for not notifying residents prior to the construction of the track. Windisch stated that there appears to be much larger issues at the park, which the Parks Commission takes very serious, and that they will need to discuss those issues in more detail at an upcoming meeting. Strub made a motion, Tennyson seconded directing staff to post a sign next to the track stating "Electric Remote Control Cars Only". All Aye. Motion Carried. IV. Update on Recreation Programs Parks Planner, Shayla Denaway provided the Commission with an update on recreation programs. Nature Camp was held the week of August 10, 2015 and had good participation this year. The Tour de Hugo is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2015. This event continues to grow every year with the help from a large group of volunteers. A new addition to the six mile ride this year will be that the local principals will be joining in to ride with the students. Outdoor movie night will be held on Friday, September 18, 2015 at Hanifl Fields. V. Adjournment Strub made a motion, Pontrelli seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:56 pm. All Aye.