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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-06-03 P & R Minutes Approved Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 06-03-09 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, June 3, 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, June 3, 2009 at City Hall, 1880 Main Street. Present: Chairperson Suzanne Seeley Vice-Chairperson Kevin Amundsen Committee Member Kevin Selander Committee Member Patrick Branch Committee Member Brian Peterson Absent: Committee Member Mark Haiden Committee Member Savannah Lee Council: City Council Liaison Tom Lee Staff: Staff Liaison Kim Stephan _____________________________________________________________________________________ I. CALL TO ORDER 1. Roll Call Vice-Chairperson Amundsen called the June 3, 2009 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. II. SET AGENDA Vice-Chairperson Amundsen requested adding Dr. Randal Barnes under Appearances, swearing in of new Committee Member Brian Peterson and a discussion of the climbing wall installation at Tracie McBride Memorial Park both under Committee Business. Council Member Lee requested adding the resignation of Committee Member Savannah Lee, also under Committee Business. Motion was made by Chairperson Seeley, seconded by Committee Member Branch, to set the agenda with the above additions. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. III.APPEARANCES Dr. Randal J. Barnes, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota – Discussion regarding the low water flow at Hidden Spring Park. Committee Member Branch invited Dr. Randal Barnes, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minnesota, to attend the Committee Meeting as a Hugo resident with expertise in natural 1 of 7 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 06-03-09 hydraulics, to potentially give the committee some insight on what could be done to increase the water flow from the spring at Hidden Spring Park. Also in attendance was Mr. Nathan Barnes. Dr. Barnes first corresponded in an email with some background information and questions for the committee: I am currently involved in studying the long-term trends for groundwater in the greater metropolitan area. Centerville’s Hidden Spring Park is an interesting, and potentially enlightening, specific example. In anticipation of the meeting this Wednesday, we have done a bit of background research. We were unable to find any records of past flow in the spring, although we have a fairly good sense of the groundwater regime in the area. Any pictures, stories, and anecdotes would be useful. We need to try and get a sense of how often the spring flowed in the past. Some specific questions include: 1.When was the last time the spring flowed freely? 2.How much water was produced? 3.What is the history of the spring? For example, does it (did it) flow every spring, but dry up in the summer or fall? 4.Does anyone have a record of the flow (e.g. regular diary entries)? Photos of the flow could be useful. 5.Were there years in the past when it did not flow at all? 6.Are there any long-time Centerville residents who are familiar with the spring and the properties in the vicinity (up-slope) on the committee? Dr. Barnes and the committee discussed as much history as was available on the spring. Vice- Chairperson Amundsen reported that there are springs in the area, on both Centerville Lake and Peltier Lake, that flow freely all year long. Dr. Barnes is interested in this project because in his position on the faculty at the U of Minnesota, he is already doing research on springs in the area Dr. Barnes spent some time educating the committee on the geology in this part of Minnesota comparing it to a layer cake slightly tilting towards the Mississippi River. All drinking water in Hugo/Centerville is pulled from the Prairie du Chien - Jordan Aquifer(s) which covers a large area. As the aquifers tilt towards the convergence of the three rivers near St. Paul, the wells have to be deeper.Typically with this much development you do not draw drinking water out of the glacial tilt, it has to be taken from deeper in the aquifer. Some lakes in the area are spring fed, like Centerville Lake. White Bear Lake gets most of its water directly from the aquifer as it is actually a fairly deep lake at about 90 feet in some places which comes in direct contact with the aquifer. Centerville Lake is shallow at about 20 feet, but quite a bit of its water is from the Prairie du Chien - Jordan Aquifers also. The aquifers are extremely low, look at White Bear Lake for instance, which is lower than it has been in years. This is perhaps one reason why the spring at Hidden Spring Park has such a low flow. The committee then discussed rainfall as a factor, and while we are in a dry period, it is not driest ever; rain is a factor, but not the significant cause. Dr. Barnes said the DNR has consistently monitored Peltier Lake with the exception of a gap from 2000 to 2004 when the lake was not monitored, and there is valuable information recorded that goes back many years. Anoka County also has a well index requiring every well drilled to be register with the state. The driller, by law, has to supply a report on each well. Vice-Chairperson Amundsen’s contention has been that there is 2 of 7 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 06-03-09 a constriction holding the spring back as he knows of at least two other springs which flow freely all year, one on Peltier Lake and one just a few houses down from Hidden Spring Park. Dr. Barnes stated there are things we can do to help replenish the aquifers. Water cannot be injected into the aquifer, but an increased recharge can happen by capturing water and sending it into the aquifers through things like rain gardens. Met Council is looking into a variety of things, but it is a very slow process. The lag time between rain and rising of lake levels for instance rain has to go through 100 feet to get to the aquifers. Dr. Barnes suggested the committee do more research on trends in the area, investigate for instance the other actively flowing springs on Centerville and Peltier Lakes. Vice-Chairperson Amundsen will talk to the neighbor on Centerville Lake and look at the spring on Peltier Lake for comparison. The committee thanked Dr. Barnes for his valuable input. IV. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES May 6, 2009 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes will markmarked Vice-Chairperson Amundsen requested changing the following sentence from to on page 4 of 5 under Park Signage. Vice-Chairperson Amundsen will mark on an aerial of Hidden Spring Park where the signs should be placed. Chairperson Amundsen also requested changing the sentence also on page 4 of 5 under Music in the thth Jill & the Jacks are Park that said Jill & the Jacks are available the 7 and the 14 of July to th th available the 7 of July. The 14 is still available. Committee Member Branch requested changing the sentence on page 3 of 5 under 8K Run from half of the bottled water Festival Foods has agreed to donate all the bottled water to . Motion was made by Committee Member Branch, seconded by Committee Member Selander, to approve the May 6, 2009 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes with the above corrections. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. V. COMMITTEE BUSINESS Swearing in of New Committee Member Brian Peterson Chairperson Seeley administered the Oath of Office to Committee Member Brian Peterson and welcomed him to the committee. Increasing Water Flow in the Hidden Spring / Hidden Spring Park This item was discussed under appearances. Irrigation at Hidden Spring Park The committee discussed the necessity of getting water to the plants at Hidden Spring Park. 3 of 7 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 06-03-09 Currently the seasonal help is hauling water in the back of a truck and on occasion connecting a hose to the drinking fountain with a sprinkler and then moving it throughout the day, but watering restrictions are in effect and watering can only be done on odd/even days, before 10 a.m. and after 6, which only leaves from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. on alternate days. Motion was made by Vice-Chairperson Amundsen, seconded by Chairperson Seeley to recommend City Council direct staff to research and get an estimate(s) to install irrigation at Hidden Spring Park.All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. Hidden Spring Park Plantings Mr. Jeff McDowell, Bonestroo Landscape Architect was at Hidden Spring Park on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 to determine which plants needed to be replaced as a warranty issue. Ms. Stephan met with Mr. McDowell to discuss the plantings on the lakeshore in particular and concerns regarding the lakeshore restoration plantings. Ms. Stephan’s concerns are there are so many weeds, mostly thistle and dandelions, on the lakeshore that if these are pulled there will be very little to sustain the soil on the lakeshore. There are some plantings which are believed to be weeds, but neither Ms. Stephan nor Mr. McDowell was sure that they weren’t natives planted as lakeshore restoration. Mr. McDowell took pictures which he brought back to the office to try and identify. He reported via email, ‘As far as the shoreline goes, I talked to three of our native plant guys. The picture is so poor that none of them could confidently identify it. However, they all agreed it was not a native, and was probably a weed. But as we discussed on site, be careful about removing plants. I don’t know how warranty and maintenance is being handled with the installer.’ He also determined 44 plants in the raingarden need to be replanted as they did not survive the winter. This is a separate issue from the lakeshore plantings. Bonestroo is only responsible for the warranty on the raingarden plantings. Mr. Larson and Ms. Stephan talked to a representative of Natural Shore Technologies; the company which did the restoration, to inquire as to what was planted and were the plants under warranty. There was some confusion over the invoice and whether the plantings were actually done. Natural Shore Technologies sent pictures via email to confirm they planted the shoreline and stated 1,100 plants were installed for a cost of approximately $3,000. There was a maintenance agreement for $900 which would have given a warranty for the plantings. For whatever reason this appeared to be lost in between Bonestroo, the City, Public Works, Parks & Recreation Committee and Natural Shore Technologies because the committee, Ms. Stephan, and Public Works did not know these plants were installed and needed to be watered. The plantings were not cared for last fall. The maintenance agreement was never agreed to, we didn’t even know it existed until this research was done and the conversation was had by Natural Shore Technologies. It is unknown at this time how many plants survived. The committee would like Mr. Larson have Mr. Statz, Bonestroo, explain how the failure to warranty came about, how could 1,100 plants at a cost of $3,000 not be under a warranty? The last reference in the Parks & Recreation Committee Minutes was in September 2008 when the committee asked when the plants were going to be installed. Apparently they were installed the end of August and were never watered by staff as we did not know they were there and needed to be watered. Ms. Stephan is meeting with a representative of Natural Shore Technologies on June 23, 2009 to discuss options and identify what was actually planted and what are weeds and will report 4 of 7 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 06-03-09 back to the committee. Climbing Wall Installation at Tracie McBride Memorial Park The climbing wall for Tracie McBride Memorial Park that was donated by Dead Broke Saddle Club was delivered last fall and stored at Public Works for the winter. Mr. Tedd Peterson, Public Works has some questions as to the placement and would like to meet with a member(s) of the committee at the park to discuss this. Chairperson Seeley will contact previous Committee Member Lori Harris, who was involved in the project, and contact Mr. Peterson as to a meeting time. Resignation of Committee Member Savannah Lee With regret the committee accepts Committee Member Savannah Lee’s resignation from the committee. Chairperson Seeley stated Committee Member Lee’s opinion was respected as a valuable member of the committee and wished to thank her for her contributions. VI. UPDATES Fete des Lacs 8K Run An update from Captain Ron Nelson of the Centennial Police Department via email concerning the run: Anoka County Highway department will need to be made aware that we intend to cross Centerville Road, which is a county road. This will require stopping traffic for a period of time; therefore the highway department needs to be involved. Anoka County Parks also need to be involved as the run will be within their jurisdiction. It appears you have already made arrangements with them. As far as Lino Lakes is concerned, the run travels through their jurisdiction, particularly while in the park. They respond to all calls in the park. Therefore they need to be notified of the event. They may have requirements that need to be met including their own staffing. Sergeant Blanc is in charge of this event and is the one meeting with Pat Branch. He will also be coordinating the other issues. We believe this event will be held, we just need to get all the players involved and on board. After everyone has been contacted, we understand each others’ role and needs; we will do our best to make the event happen in the safest manner possible. The route may stay the same, or it may have to change. That is yet to be determined. An update on Parade/8K Run from Council Member Lee via email: I have the route information for the run and the parade. I am hoping to coordinate our Policing needs with Committee Member Branch and Sergeant Blanc next week. I will be submitting the road 5 of 7 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 06-03-09 permit request to the county early next week and coordinate that effort with Mr. Larson and Ms. Terri Kline at the county. I also have letters ready to submit to notify Anoka County Dispatch, North Ambulance, Centennial Lakes Fire Department as well as the Centennial Lakes Police Department. I delayed the permit application because of the work being done on CSAH 14. As far as the road crossing for the run, we will need to detour traffic for the parade anyway, so I don't think it will be an issue, we'll just need police presence for traffic enforcement. We will have MANY volunteers along the route, watching for any health issues. We'll have 4x4 ATVs stationed through out the course as well. Our volunteers will have radio communication for both events, to coordinate barricade placement and removal as well as apprise every one of any unplanned issues. Committee Member Branch has contacted all of the sponsors and asked for logos the way they want to see them on the T-Shirts/Flier for the event. Committee Member Branch and Sergeant Blanc rode the course by bicycle and noted any areas of concern that will have to be dealt with such as traffic crossings. Sergeant Blanc would like another water stop added in the Anoka County Park. Closing the entrance to the park for approximately 20 minutes was discussed and Committee Member Branch will discuss this with the County. Barricades were discussed. Council Member Lee stated that these are ordered for the parade and can be moved for the run. The shirt design, flier design, sponsor donations and volunteers were also discussed, as well as the need to get the word out about the run so people will get registered. Chairperson Seeley is going to check with the Anoka County Parks Staff to see if race fliers can be hung on the board at the County Park. Ms. Stephan reported that we do have approval from Anoka County, but nothing in writing yet. The application and fee have been sent in. Emergency vehicles will be able to get in to the trail system; the gates will just need to be opened and Public Works has the ability to open these. Tree / Buckthorn / Poison Ivy Removal at Eagle Park Ms. Stephan reported she was in the process of trying to obtain more information as to how other cities handle poison ivy and buckthorn and would report back to the committee. To have it treated by an outside company is an expensive option. Music in the Park The following have been scheduled and confirmed. Ms. Stephan will make up a flier and get it sent out to the businesses and on the web site. 7 CATS SWING ~ Tuesday the 7th of July at 7:00 p.m. at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park. TOM LEE ~ Tuesday the 14th of July at 7:00 p.m. at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park 6 of 7 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 06-03-09 BANGO BANDITS ~ Tuesday the 21st of July at 7:00 p.m. at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park. BBB COMBO ~ Tuesday the 28th of July at 7:00 p.m. at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park. BRADY’S BIG BAND ~ Sunday the 9th of August Fete des Lacs Weekend ~ NOON at Hidden Spring Park. BBQ at Hidden Spring Park th The committee would like to host a Volunteer Appreciation BBQ, during the July 14 event at Hidden Spring. Details will be discussed at the next scheduled committee meeting. VII. ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Committee member Branch, seconded by Chairperson Seeley to adjourn the June 3, 2009 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting at 8:55 p.m. All in favor. Motion passed unanimously. Transcribed by Kim Stephan 7 of 7