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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-06 P & R Minutes Approved Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 04-06-11 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - 6:30 p.m. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Parks & Recreation Committee of the City of Centerville held the regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at Centerville City Hall, 1880 Main Street. Present: Chairperson Patrick Branch Vice-Chairperson Jon Grahek (6:40) Committee Member Suzanne Seeley Committee Member Mark Haiden Committee Member Kevin Amundsen Committee Member Brian Peterson Committee Member Kevin Selander Absent: None Council: Council Liaison Steven King Staff: Staff Liaison Kim Stephan City Administrator, Dallas Larson Public Works Director, Paul Palzer Also present was Ms. Tina Lobin. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I. CALL TO ORDER Roll Call Chairperson Branch called the April 6, 2011 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. II. SET AGENDA Chairperson Branch requested the following be added under Appearances; Mr. Dallas Larson & Mr. Paul Palzer, Cornerstone Park Fountain and Concessions at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park. Chairperson Branch requested Centennial Soccer Club’s Request to Use Soccer Fields at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park for the 2011 Soccer Season be added as #4 under Committee Business. Motion was made by Committee Member Seeley, seconded by Committee Member Haiden, to set the April 6, 2011 Parks & Recreation Committee Agenda with the above additions. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. III. APPEARANCES 1 of 8 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 04-06-11 Ms. Tina Lobin, Bald Eagle Water Ski Shows Ms. Tina Lobin, Bald Eagle Water Ski Shows, made an appearance to update the committee on the research the club has done over the winter and request approval to move forward. The committee has been working with the club for the last couple of years to help find them a new home on Centerville Lake. The club has been offering their shows free to the public for the last 10 years from the Waterworks site and would like to become more visible, attract new members and become a larger part of the community. One of the issues for the club is the weeds on Centerville Lake. They have contacted a company and received an estimate of approximately $3,000 to treat 10 acres. The club has half of the funds and plans to find sponsors for the other half. The company secures the appropriate permits through the DNR. Mr. Dallas Larson stated no motion was needed for the committee’s approval as this is a DNR issue. The club could try and treat 5 acres opposed to 10, but this may not be adequate for their needs. The club is comprised of all volunteers with funds raised by membership fees and outside shows. The club recognizes the weed treatment is something that may have to be done each year. The club has requested leaving a trailer on the property, parked out of the way, for the duration of the season which begins sometime in May (weather dependant) and ends usually mid-August. The trailer is 10 x 12. Council Member King was concerned this is a violation of City Code, if homeowners couldn’t park trailers on their property then the City should not make an exception, but home owners can park trailers up to 35’ on their property. Vice-Chairperson Grahek was concerned the City would be setting precedence for other organizations to park equipment on City property. Vice-Chairperson Grahek supports the project, just not the storing of the trailer on City property. Most of the members would like to allow the club to park the trailer on site and re-evaluate if it becomes a problem. Committee Member Amundsen has expressed concern in general with the boat activity causing damage to the shoreline which goes against the philosophy the Parks & Recreation Committee followed when constructing Hidden Spring Park. Motion was made by Committee Member Haiden, seconded by Committee Member Selander to recommend to City Council that Bald Eagle Water Ski Shows be allowed to park their 10 x 12’ trailer at Trailside Park during their Ski Show season between May – August, 2011 contingent upon complying with City Ordinance, the City is supplied with proof of insurance and Bald Eagle Water Ski Shows signs a waiver releasing the City of any responsibility. Ayes – 5, Nays – 2 (Amundsen, Grahek). Motion Carried. Mr. Mark Spitzmueller, Bald Eagle Water Ski Shows, has contacted the St. Paul Water Utility and spoken to Mr. Bill Tschida regarding placing a dock on this property. Mr. Tschida has stated he did not foresee a problem; he has worked with the City before on this property, though the club would need to secure a dock permit. The club would be responsible for all fees associated with this project. The club has had a dock on Centerville Lake for the last 10 years at Waterworks and has had some problems with others using the dock for fishing, etc. and the dock being occupied when the club arrived for their practices or shows. Some of this has been alleviated by making the dock collapsible on itself, the club folds the dock inward when not in use. The club has insurance on all of their equipment and each skier. Committee Member Amundsen felt allowing a dock on City property would set precedence in allowing other organizations to install docks on City property and should not be allowed. Motion was made by Committee Member Haiden, seconded by Committee Member Peterson to recommend to City Council the approval for Bald Eagle Water Ski Shows to install a dock in Centerville Lake from Trailside Park to use for their 2011 Ski Shows contingent upon proof of 2 of 8 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 04-06-11 insurance, St. Paul Water Utilities permit and subject to DNR approval if necessary. Ayes – 6, Nays – 0, Abstain – 1 (Amundsen). Motion Carried. The club has offered to help landscape the area to any degree the committee would like, but they don’t necessarily need to do anything with the shoreline at this time. Trimming of some of the lower branches of trees on the property may need to be done, but that will be determined if the project moves forward. Mr. Dallas Larson & Mr. Paul Palzer, Cornerstone Park/Trail Project Committee Member Seeley reported to the committee she had talked to Mr. Larson and Mr. Palzer prior to the committee meeting regarding some concerns from the Parks & Recreation Committee's perspective on the upcoming Trail Project. 1.The City, the Parks Committee, Bonestroo, and Veit all have the same understanding of what "fountain ready" looks like for the Cornerstone Park. The committee was under the impression from Mr. Mark Statz, City Engineer that while the fountain itself was removed from the project, the footings, electricity and plumbing would be installed so nothing would have to be ripped up at a later time when the committee had funding to install the fountain. 2.The City is not paying $30,000 for landscaping that could potentially be done with volunteer hours. 3.The committee felt $10,000 was too high for one informational kiosk. Both Mr. Larson and Mr. Palzer said they would look into the concerns, especially the specifics behind what can be expected for "fountain ready". Mr. Larson reported that the plans for Cornerstone Park show ornamental plantings around the perimeter of the park, the kiosk, the colored concrete with the message engraved ‘May Peace Prevail On Earth’ in 4 languages and a round area where the fountain would be that is basically a planting bed for now. The original plan called for an expansive footing system, but this was not included in the final plan, neither were electricity or plumbing. Mr. Palzer said there is an electrical box in the area that serves all the street lights, but no electrical work was included in the bid. There is nothing barring us from getting electric and water to the site at a later date. Mr. Larson and Mr. Palzer had done research on pre-fabricated fountains and presented the committee with some ideas that would be more economical and require fewer footings or no footings at all. Committee Member Amundsen was concerned about the flat stainless steel grates included in the original plan for Mill Road. These were to be installed to drain yards under the trail to the ditch. The committee specifically requested high domed ones as the flat or smaller dome ones fill up with leaves and back up water. Mr. Statz said the plan would be changed to reflect the larger dome ones. The current plan calls for smaller dome ones. Mr. Palzer said he would look into this and talk to the contractor about changing them. The kiosk is in the plan, even though Committee Member Seeley was under the impression it was removed. The location of the kiosk was moved in the alternate plan, but it is still included in the project as it is a requirement of the grant. There is not flexibility in making changes to the contract because it is a federal project. The original plan had approximately $30,000 of landscaping included in the plan. Staff and the Parks & Recreation Committee objected to this plan as too expensive, as well as we do not have the staff to care for an additional planting of that size. The project was scaled back by Bonestroo, but still contains 3 of 8 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 04-06-11 significantly more plantings than was expected. The plantings were left in the plan, but the irrigation was not. This is an on-going problem with all the other parks in Centerville, particularly Hidden Spring Park. The committee had budgeted and requested funding for irrigation at Hidden Spring Park, but the plan was not approved by council. The committee feels it makes no sense to install more plantings without irrigation. Chairperson Branch requested Mr. Palzer research the most cost effective way to get irrigation to the plantings in Cornerstone Park. Committee Member Seeley expressed concern over taking mature trees down along Mill Road for the trail project, but Mr. Palzer stated that has already been determined by the plan. Mr. Dallas Larson & Mr. Paul Palzer, Concessions at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park Mr. Dallas Larson and Mr. Paul Palzer updated the committee on the progress of attempting to sell concessions at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park during the Centennial Little League season. Mr. Mike Jeziorski provided the committee with the attached memo. Mr. Larson reported it will not be economically feasible to renovate the warming house for this purpose, but another option would possibly be to sell concessions from the Centerville Lion’s concession trailer. The Anoka County Health Department typically issues permits to this type of trailer on a temporary basis only, but feels there is potential for the City to be licensed for this particular purpose for the summer. The Centerville Lions need to meet to discuss this item, but the general consensus at this time is favorable. The Lions would receive 25% of the profits in exchange for the use of the trailer. The City would provide the Lions with proof of insurance and potentially connect the trailer to the warming house electric and plumbing. The committee questioned whether the warming house would then be able to be used for storage of product and whether a refrigerator would still be required. Part of the business plan would be to purchase product from a Coke Distributor who would then supply the cooler at no charge. Committee Member Grahek suggested contacting a Pepsi Distributor also to compare prices. Committee Member Amundsen suggested having a big bin or fenced area like other non-profit organizations do for recycled cans as a potential fund raiser. Motion was made by Chairperson Branch, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Grahek, to recommend to City Council that City Staff proceed with the business plan being formulated to work with the Centerville Lions to use their concession trailer to sell concessions at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park for the 2011 Centennial Little League season. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. IV. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES March 2, 2011 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes Chairperson Branch requested changing the sentence on page 2 of 6 from ‘The committee requests staff such as research what other types of food can be offered with a Class 9 License, would pizza be an option?’ to ‘The committee requests staff research what other types of food can be offered with a Class 9 for example License, , would pizza be an option?’ what ever whatever Chairperson Branch also requested changingto on page 6 of 6. Motion was made by Committee Member Seeley, seconded by Committee Member Haidento approve the March 2, 2010 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes with the above 4 of 8 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 04-06-11 corrections. Ayes – 5, Nays – 0, Abstain – 2 (Branch, Selander) Motion carried. V. COMMITTEE BUSINESS Music in the Park Contract Ms. Stephan provided the committee a proposed contract for bands performing for Music in the Parks. Chairperson Branch had one concern; add language to clarify that if a performance is cancelled due to weather and the band is paid, if the performance is successfully rescheduled, ensure the band knows they will not be paid again, the performance will be for the monies already paid from the cancelled performance. Vice-Chairperson Grahek would like language added to specify that the performance can be cancelled by members of the committee who are present at the event or City Staff. The changes will be implemented and on approval of the City Administrator the contracts will be mailed to each entertainment group representative. Earth Day ~ Saturday, April 30, 2011 The Parks & Recreation Committee will meet at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall on Saturday, April 30th to celebrate Earth Day by cleaning our City Parks. Ms. Stephan will post on the City web site, the front sign and tweet it, as well as posting for quorum. Potential Eagle Scout Flag Project Mr. Rob Faust, Boy Scout Troop 232, has been corresponding with Chairperson Branch regarding a potential Eagle Scout Project involving a flag pole in Cornerstone Park. Mr. Faust plans to present a proposal to the committee at the May 4, 2011 committee meeting. The committee discussed the idea and came up with some suggested guidelines for Mr. Faust. The flag pole should be raised in the northwest section of Cornerstone Park. The City will provide the flag pole. The pole is 30 feet with a 6" base diameter and is a double rope pole with a brass ball top. This is an older pole that we have received from another city. Part of the Eagle Scout Project would be to restore the pole. Mr. Robert Hathaway, a resident interested in the project as a Veteran’s Memorial, provided the City with polish he had researched and found to be the best for this particular project. Mr. Paul Palzer, Centerville Public Works, has the pole and can give the Eagle Scouts space to work on the pole at Public Works. The pole is fairly large and heavy and will need a foundation with proper footings. Mr. Palzer can advise on the footing requirements. The flag on a pole this size should be about 5 x 7 feet, that size is not a requirement, just a suggestion and should be researched. The flag needs to have at least two lights to illuminate it at night. Solar lighting should be considered. A plaque at the base of the flag pole is probably all that is necessary to create the Veteran's Memorial. A dedication ceremony should be planned to commemorate our veterans when the project is completed. It was suggested Mr. Faust discuss this with Mr. Hathaway. Perhaps the Eagle Scout ceremony and the flag pole dedication could be combined. Centennial Soccer Club’s Request to Use Soccer Fields at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park for the 2011 Soccer Season 5 of 8 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 04-06-11 The Centennial Soccer Club requested the use of the soccer fields at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park for the 2011 soccer season in a letter dated April 6, 2011 with the following three parts to the request: 1.Requesting two fields, 25 x 40 yard open spaces, located east of the parking lot and bound by the bike path, for the U2 – U8 age group, for games only. This request is for Monday – Friday from 4 p.m. to dusk, April 28 through July 4, 2011. The Centennial Soccer Club will set up goals and manage a reservation system to assign teams to specific dates and times for games. 2.Requesting one field, 70 x 60 yard open space, located south of the skate park, for the U11 – U12 age group, for practice only. This request is for Monday – Friday 3:00 p.m. to dusk, Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to dusk, April 1 through October 29, 2011. The Centennial Soccer Club will set up goals and manage a reservation system to assign teams to specific dates and times for practices. 3.We would like to place a small storage locker along the northern boundary of the park. This would be north of the small fields next to the trees and would hold only soccer field barriers. We will provide a lock for the storage locker as well as a temporary anchor system for the storage locker. In past years the committee has approved the Centennial Soccer Club’s request for dedicated use of the soccer fields at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park as stated above in request #1, but recommended amending the request in #2 to the following days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with the hours as requested. The thought behind limiting the days for dedicated use by Centennial Soccer Club in the past were to keep some of the time open in case other organizations asked for dedicated time. In the past 4 years there have been no other requests and there are other open spaces available at the park. The committee opted to approve request #2 as is also. Vice-Chairperson Grahek has been involved in soccer for quite a few years with his children and was unaware of any storage lockers on any other fields for soccer equipment; he was under the impression coaches always brought the equipment with them. Vice-Chairperson Grahek felt unless the Centennial Soccer Club could show the necessity of having a locker in the park he did not want to set precedent by having sports organizations having their own lockers or sheds on park property. The rest of the committee agreed, but did ask Ms. Stephan to ask the club why they felt it necessary. Also, the proposed location would not work as that is near where the trail is being constructed. Committee Member Seeley questioned why Centennial Soccer Club has not been involved or requested to participate in any of the improvements at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park, specifically projects which benefit the soccer fields. Centennial Little League has purchased equipment for grooming the fields, they contributed to the cost of the improvements to the fields in 2010/2011 and they always clean the park for Earth Day. Committee Member Seeley would like to see Centennial Soccer Club get involved somehow. Motion was made by Chairperson Branch, seconded by Committee Member Peterson to approve Centennial Soccer Club’s request for use of the soccer fields at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park as stated in items #1 and #2, but not recommend item #3 - requesting a storage locker on park property, pending further information from the Centennial Soccer Club as to why it is needed. Ayes – 5, Nays – 2 (Seeley, Amundsen). Motion Carried. 6 of 8 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 04-06-11 VI. UPDATES Bald Eagle Water Ski Shows Item was discussed under Appearances. Blue Bird House Update (Amundsen) Committee Member Amundsen provided the committee an update on the status of the Bluebird Houses installed at Laurie LaMotte Memorial and Hidden Spring Parks. Committee Member Amundsen did a survey of each house and stated while he couldn’t tell how many ‘hatches’ there were during the previous year, he did have a pretty good idea of what kind of birds used the house last. Variety of birds includes; Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, Wrens, Starlings, House Sparrows and a Hairy Woodpecker. Committee Amundsen also noted a few issues he found with the houses;  Some houses are mounted too close to the trees and should be moved further away.  Squirrels, raccoons, possums and larger birds make the holes larger to enter or to eat the adult or young birds. Wire baffles could be made and mounted.  House #20 is missing a door locking screw because the wood is split. Signage for Trails (Seeley) Committee Member Seeley stated she has talked to Anoka County Staff regarding trail signage, but there was nothing to present at this time. The goal was to potentially have the City’s signage match the County’s signage, possibly submitting an order together for cost savings. Trail Project This item was discussed under Appearances. Concession Stand at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park This item was discussed under Appearances. Promotions ~ Quarterly Flier The flier Chairperson Branch coordinated with Wargo Nature Center was printed, paid for and delivered to City Hall by Wargo to be included in the utility billing. A copy of the flier was included in the packet for the committee’s review. Festival of the Lakes 8K Run Included in the packet for the committee’s information was a letter and permit application for the 8K events sent to Anoka County by Chairperson Branch who will follow the letter up with an appointment to ensure that all of questions Anoka County Staff may have are answered. 7 of 8 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 04-06-11 PA System The PA system has been ordered and delivered. Mr. Tom Lee will come to an upcoming Parks & Recreation Committee meeting to discuss the system and what additional equipment may be needed. The equipment was purchased on sale for less than $1,500. VII. ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Committee Member Peterson, seconded by Committee Member Seeley, to adjourn the April 6, 2011 Parks & Recreation Committee meeting at 9:20 p.m. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by Kim Stephan 8 of 8