HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-06 P & R Minutes Approved
Parks & Recreation Committee
Meeting Minutes 05-06-09
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, May 6, 2009 - 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, May 6, 2009 at City Hall, 1880 Main Street.
Present:
Vice-Chairperson Kevin Amundsen
Committee Member Savannah Lee
Committee Member Patrick Branch
Committee Member Mark Haiden
Absent:
Chairperson Suzanne Seeley
Committee Member Kevin Selander
Council:
City Council Liaison Tom Lee
Staff:
Staff Liaison Kim Stephan
Mr. Mark Statz, City Engineer, Bonestroo
Mr. Geoff Martin, Bonestroo
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I. CALL TO ORDER
1. Roll Call
Vice-Chairperson Amundsen called the May 6, 2009 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting to order
at 6:34 p.m.
II. SET AGENDA
Vice-Chairperson Amundsen requested adding a discussion of weeding Hidden Spring Park to the
agenda under Committee Business #3.
Motion was made by Committee Member Branch, seconded by Committee Member Haiden to
set the agenda with the above addition. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.
III. APPEARANCES
Mr. Mark Statz and Mr. Geoff Martin, Bonestroo, made an appearance to discuss the Trail and Park
Project. Vice-Chairperson Amundsen reported he had talked to Mr. Dallas Larson, City Administrator
and the City did not get the stimulus monies which would have paid the City’s matching portion of the
$750,000 grant. Council Member Lee stated there is a possibility of other grants, but at this time the
City will have to come up with the matching approximately $300,000 to complete this project.
Mr. Statz stated City Council will have to decide whether the project gets put off or proceeds; the grant
money has to be used by 2012. Bonestroo will have the plans completed within a few weeks. Council
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Member Lee said the budget concerns are very real, but also felt if we do not proceed with this project
now, we may not get it done, and it would be a shame not to utilize a $750,000 grant. Mr. Martin
added that the bids they have been receiving for other projects are very reasonable with today’s
economic situation. Mr. Statz said at this point there is nothing that can be taken out of the project to
reduce costs as all elements are required by the grant. Mr. Larson had reported that he did not believe
the driveway could be moved as the property owner wasn’t in favor of it. Mr. Martin felt the small
‘pocket park’ could be made to work with the driveway where it is.
The committee discussed removing the pergola, even as an alternate, because of financial constraints.
Removing the pergola would allow the fountain to be moved over to accommodate the driveway better.
The committee directed Mr. Martin to remove the pergola from the plan. Mr. Martin reported he had
gotten quotes for the fountain and engraving which were as high as $25,000. He went back looking for
other options and found if granite were used from the ‘bone yard’ the cost for the fountain could be
$5,000 - $6,000 without the engraving. Instead of engraving on the granite, the committee discussed
buying brass plaques and having them engraved, instead of engraving on the granite. The committee
then discussed the sign kiosk, which from the sign company Mr. Martin received bids from, were
quoted at approximately $10,000. The committee felt there were many other options to do this less
expensive and directed Bonestroo to not proceed with this option. Council Member Lee will come
back to the next committee meeting with some other ideas for a kiosk. Bonestroo will leave space for
the kiosk in the design and asked whether to stub electric? The committee opted for no electricity to
the kiosk itself as it will not need lights. Grading was also discussed for the park.
Mr. Statz reported he had met with representatives of MNDOT regarding some of the trail
requirements. The committee discussed ADA requirements such as striping or stamping and coloring
trails to include the required color contrast.
IV. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES
April 1, 2009 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes
Vice Chairperson Amundsen requested changing the wording on page 2 of 7, second paragraph, to read
‘Dates were briefly discussed, a week night would be preferred by the LaValles, but a weekend could
work.’
Motion was made by Committee Member Haiden, seconded by Committee Member Lee, to
approve the April 1, 2009 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes with the above
correction. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.
April 8, 2009 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes
On page 2 of 3, under Recruiting Volunteers, Committee Member Branch asked that Creative Kids
Daycare be changed to Creative Kids Child Care.
Motion was made by Committee Member Branch, seconded by Committee Member Haiden to
approve the April 8, 2009 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes with the above
correction. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously.
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V. COMMITTEE BUSINESS
Playground Safety Issues
Vice-Chairperson Amundsen handed the play ground safety issues to Mr. Paul Palzer at the last
committee meeting and they are being resolved by Public Works as normal spring maintenance. Vice-
Chairperson Amundsen also stated that when the committee did the Earth Day Cleanup it was not as
bad as previous years. Eagle Park in particular did not have the issues it did last year with bottles,
cigarette butts, and drug paraphernalia in the middle of the trees. This is attributed to trimming up the
trees, opening the spaces and increased police awareness of the problem in the area. The committee
was disappointed in the lack of volunteers who turned out to help, but thanked those who did.
Solar Lighting
Vice-Chairperson Amundsen has been looking into solar lighting for the parks and has supplied the
committee with some information, but was unable to get pricing as all estimates required too many
unknown variables. Vice-Chairperson Amundsen will forward the information to Mr. Paul Palzer.
Public Works Director. The committee was particularly interested in solar lighting for Eagle Park.
Weeding Hidden Spring Park
Ms. Stephan reported that thistle; dandelions and crab grass have taken over all of the flower beds at
Hidden Spring Park and are solid in the rock drainage areas. None of the perennial flowers or grasses
were cut back or cleaned up for the last few years and the park is really in a terrible state. Ms. Stephan
planted and weeded all the monument sign flower beds in the parks the last years and has done some
weeding at Hidden Spring Park this spring, but this job is bigger than one person can do in a limited
amount of time. The park was planted without a maintenance plan in place and Centerville does not
have the staff to keep this park maintained at this time. It is a shame to have such a beautiful piece of
property covered in weeds. Vice-Chairperson Amundsen asked if any of the committee members had
time to donate to a few hours of weeding. The committee members really do not have time for this
project at this time either. It is possible additional seasonal staff can get this park back to where it
should be.
VI. UPDATES
Fete des Lacs 8K Run
Recruiting Volunteers (Fete des Lacs / Parade)
– Council Member Lee reported a fairly good
response for parade volunteers, many of whom will also volunteer for the race. Ms. Michelle Lakso
also has CERT volunteers who are willing to work the race. Committee Member Branch announced
Fairview has agreed to sponsor the race by purchasing all the T-Shirts and Festival Foods has agreed to
donate half of the bottled water. Discussion was had regarding volunteer shirts and the necessity to
have them distinguished with a different color not just a sticker saying volunteer.
Submitting Application to Anoka County
– Ms. Stephan will send in the Anoka County Parks Permit
now that we have the required insurance information and a course map.
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Special Event Permit
– Ms. Stephan reported the Special Use Permit is being reviewed by the Police
and Fire Department personnel and was on the next City Council Agenda for Council consideration.
Vice-Chairperson Amundsen discussed placing the ads in the paper with both The Citizen and The
Quad. The committee felt all the details were coming together and now it was just important to get the
word out so as to get people registered.
Park Signage
Vice-Chairperson Amundsen submitted the sign information to Mr. Paul Palzer. Mr. Tedd Peterson,
Public Works ordered the signs, but had Vice-Chairperson Amundsen review the order first. Vice-
Chairperson Amundsen marked on an aerial of Hidden Spring Park where the signs should be placed.
Tree Removal at Eagle Park
The DNR Forester who met with Vice-Chairperson Amundsen to look at the trees in Eagle Park was
supposed to come back and mark the trees to be removed, but he never came back and does not return
phone calls. Vice Chairperson Amundsen informed the committee that Eagle Pass Town Home
Association owns the trees on the north side of the park and this helps to differentiate between park and
private property. The committee discussed getting rid of the scrub trees, buckthorn and noxious weeds
will open up the property and the pine trees may not need to be removed at this time. The park also
needs to be sprayed for poison ivy.
Summer Programs
Music in the Park
Banjo Bandits)
Vice-Chairperson Amundsen has been in contact with both Mr. Fred Bailey ( and Ms.
Brady’s Big Band and Jill & the Jacks
Kathy LaValle () to confirm dates. Brady’s Big Band is
th
booked the month of July, but Jill & the Jacks are available the 7 of July. Mr. Fred Bailey has
st
committed to Tuesday July 21 at 7:00 p.m. The idea is to have July be the Month of Music in the
Parks, each Tuesday night, but possibly go into August depending on the availability of Brady’s Big
Band. Having a band at Hidden Spring Park the Sunday of Fete des Lacs was also discussed as a
possibility. The committee felt 4 or 5 bands could be offered to the community for $1,000.
Motion was made by Committee Member Haiden, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Amundsen to
recommend to City Council the approval of funds not to exceed $1,000 for the Parks &
Recreation Music in the Parks Program for 2009. All in favor. Motion passed unanimously.
Battle of the Bands/Boards
Committee Member Lee said that Ollie & Company are not available this year so there will not be a
June Battle of the Bands/Boards. Battle of the Bands will be part of Fete des Lacs. Council Member
Lee stated they are still looking for another band to participate in the Battle of the Bands.
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BBQ at Hidden Spring Park
The committee discussed having a Volunteer Appreciation Picnic/BBQ perhaps the weekend after Fete
des Lacs. This discussion will be continued at the next meeting.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Vice-Chairperson Amundsen, seconded by Committee Member Lee to
adjourn the May 6, 2009 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting at 9:00 p.m. All in favor.
Motion passed unanimously.
Transcribed by Kim Stephan
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