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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-05-05 P & R Minutes Approved Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes October5,2005 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, October 5, 2005 - 6:30 p.m. Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the Parksand Recreation Committee of the City of Centerville held the regularly scheduled meeting on October 5, 2005, at City Hall, 1880 Main Street. Present: Chairperson Tedd Peterson Committee Member Kathy Peil Committee Member Suzanne Seeley Committee Member Linda Merkel Absent: Committee Member Kevin Amundsen Council: Michelle Lakso Staff: Kim Stephan __________________________________________________________________________________ I. CALL TO ORDER 1. Roll Call Chairperson Peterson called the October 5, 2005 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting to order at 6:39 p.m. II. SET AGENDA Motion was made by Chairperson Peterson, seconded by Committee Member Peil to set the October 5, 2005 Parks & Recreation Committee Agenda as is. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. III. APPEARANCES Mayor Mary Capra made a brief appearance to update the committee on the status of the purchase of the St. Paul Water Utility property on Centerville Lake. At the September 14, 2005 City Council Meeting, Council directed Staff to prepare and submit a purchase agreement for the property in the amount of $280,000. This is the amount listed on the park property appraisal the City had done. This purchase agreement was sent to the St. Paul Water Utility with a $10,000 earnest money check. Council also authorized Mr. Jim Hoeft, City Attorney, to prepare the paperwork to begin the eminent domain process if the purchase agreement offer is not accepted. 1 of 6 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes October5,2005 Mr. Stephen Schneider, General Manager, St. Paul Water Utility, responded to Mr. John, Meyers, Finance Director, on September 30, 2005, in writing. The offer was not presented to the St. Paul Water Utility Board. The earnest money was returned and the offer rejected for the following reasons: The purchase price of $280,000 is not what the Board requested, which was $322,000. The Ponding Easement and Raw Water Conduit Easement requested by the Board were not included in the Purchase Agreement from the City. The City of Centerville was requesting a Warranty Deed at closing where the Board specified it only issues Quit Claim Deeds, The letter goes on to say the City’s 6 month extension has not yet expired until November 8, 2005 and the Board is still willing to negotiate. Mayor Capra informed the committee that the City Council felt the purchase agreement offer was fair market value. The St. Paul Water Utility has stated if the City purchases this property for a park it will decrease the value of their adjacent property. Council does not feel this to be true and will have Staff research this issue. Mayor Capra also felt it was unacceptable to turn down the City’s offer without presenting it to the Board. Mayor Capra & City Council will continue to pursue this purchase. City Administrator Larson and Mayor Capra wrote a letter in return addressing these issues. IV. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES Consideration of September 7, 2005 Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes Motion was made by Committee Member Seeley, seconded by Committee Member Merkel to approve the September 7, 2005 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes as is. Ayes – 3, Nays – 0, Abstain 1 - Peil. Motion Carried. V. COMMITTEE BUSINESS Hiring of Ice Rink Attendants for Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park The posting from the 2004-2005 season for the Ice Rink Attendant’s position was included in the packet for the committee’s review. Chairperson Peterson questioned whether the committee felt anything needed to be changed. The committee went over the schedule, when to post, what to pay and how to interview. Chairperson Peterson had previously met with City Administrator Larson to determine how he would like the interviewing process to work. In previous years Chairperson Peterson was involved in the process and supervised the rink attendants once hired. This has worked well in the past and if the committee and City Administrator are in agreement, Chairperson Peterson would like to continue being part of the interview process, as well as supervising the rink attendants.The rink hours will remain the same as in previous years, with dedicated Centennial Hockey Association time also remaining the same. It will be recommended to City Council that five (5) attendants be hired as this number has worked well in previous years. The starting wage would be $8.50 an hour, with those who are returning for a second or third year receiving a .25 per hour increase per year of employmentas a rink attendant. Staff will post the notice in the Quad Community Press as taking applications from November 23 to December 13, 2005. 2 of 6 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes October5,2005 Motion was made by Committee Member Peil,seconded by Committee Member Seeley to recommend to City Council that five (5) part-time Ice Rink Attendants be hired for a seasonal position, starting pay at $8.50 per hour, with no benefits. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. Tracie McBride Memorial Park Renovation Timeline - Removal of Water Tower Appointment of Subcommittee Chairperson Peterson informed the committee that the old water tower at Tracie McBride Memorial Park will be taken out of service at the end of October 2005. The new water tower will be adjusted accordingly and the old tower will remain in place empty until sometime in 2006. It was mentioned that all the parks look rather shabby, the signs need to be redone, there is graffiti on the Tracie McBride Memorial Park sign and the weeds were never pulled this summer, except by volunteers in some of the flowerbeds. Tracie McBride Memorial Park looks particularly bad with rotting timbers and old, outdated equipment. The committee was looking at replacing the timers a few years ago, when they learned the water tower was coming down and the entire park could be redesigned. The replacing of the timbers was put on hold at that time. None of the wood chips were replaced or added to in any of the parks this year. Chairperson Peterson stated Public Works does not have enough manpower to complete these tasks and a summer helper is needed to complete some of these seasonal projects. Because nothing will be done until the old water tower comes down, the committee would like to table this discussion until Spring/Summer 2006 when a subcommittee will be formed and a Public Informational Hearing will be held to help determine what type of park the residents would like to see at Tracie McBride Memorial Park. VII. UPDATES Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park Play Structure The committee had budgeted $45,000 for a play structure at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park, but also felt the entire $45,000 does not necessarily need to be spent on a play structure. The committee would like to see some type of shelter area offering picnic tables, as well as provide shade. There is also an additional $20,000 from charitable gambling funds which was to be for warming house renovations. The warming house has a new roof, fascia and soffits, as well as being painted last year. Committee Member Seeley researched using recycled materials when the committee was working on Tracie McBride Memorial Park and would like to use this type of material at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park. It is more expensive, but it doesn’t break down or rot. Committee Member Seeley will bring this information to the next scheduled meeting. Chairperson Peterson has catalogs from many different distributors and suggested the committee members stop by Public Works and take a look at them to get an idea as to what type of play structure they would like, as well as the costs involved. Chairperson Peterson also recommended each committee member go to Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park before the next meeting and look at where the play structure could be situated. Chairperson Peterson and Committee Member Peil feel the east end of the pleasure rink would be the best area to place a play structure. 3 of 6 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes October5,2005 A. Council Approval of Budget Request The committee had previously made a motionto request $25,000 per year from the General Fund to supplement the Parks & Recreation Budget which has been funded solely by Park Dedication Fees and donations for the last 3-4 years. The Council approved $25,000 per year over the next 3 years, but the way it is listed in the proposed 2006 budget it only shows $25,000 for Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park in 2006, instead of $45,000 as budgeted by the committee. Chairperson Peterson met with Mr. Meyer, Finance Director to discuss this and Mr. Meyer adjusted 2 line items. Tracie McBride had $25,000 on a line item for 2006, but will not be needed until 2007. Line items for Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park and Tracie McBride Memorial Park will just be switched to reflect the year they will be used in. B. $2,500 Donation from Dead Broke Saddle Club & Request for Additional Funding from Dead Broke Saddle Club The committee received a donation of $2,500 from the Dead Broke Saddle Club towards a play structure at Laurie LaMotte MemorialPark. The committee had previously sent a request for charitable gambling funds for this purpose. Mr. Mark Larson, Dead Broke Saddle Club said to continue periodically requesting funding, as they may be able to fund more of the play structure at a later time.A thank you note was sent, as well as a request for additional funding. A request will also be sent to the Spring Lake Park Lions. C. Requesting Donations from Local Businesses This item was not discussed and will be added to the next agenda. Centennial Youth Hockey Association - Use of Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park Hockey Rink for the 2004-2005 Season This was included on the agenda as the CYHA was to start dry land practice beginning in October, but had not returned a schedule or signed the required waiver, despite multiple requests to Ms. Laura Powers, representative for CYHA. Chairperson Peterson reported he had received the information today. Chairperson Peterson said he would contact Ms. Powers. The lock box is in place, but the nets need to be repaired and the CYHA will not be able to start until the week of October 10, 2005. Frozen Fete des Lacs Friday Night Event of Skating, Horse Drawn Hayride & Bonfire – Update as to Dates of Car Races on Ice and the Lion’s Annual Fishing Contest Chairperson Peterson reported the Lion’s Annual Fishing Contest will be held on February 11, 2005 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Car Races on Ice will be held on Centerville Lake on February 18 & 19, 2005. If the committee opted to have the event of skating, horse drawn hayride & bonfire on the lake at the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park as was done last year, either of the above weekends would be fine. If the committee would like to hold the event at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park it will need to be held in January as there is seldom ice on the skating rinks in February. 4 of 6 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes October5,2005 Both Chairperson Peterson and Committee MemberPeil would prefer to have it at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park as it is less work for both the committee and Public Works. The committee discussed having two big Skate Nights in January, both with bonfire and horse drawn hayride. The committee questioned whether since this was an EDC function could the funding for the horse drawn hayride come from the EDC Budget? Ms. Stephan will contact Bunker Stables to get a cost for the hay ride and talk to the Finance Director regarding the possible funding from EDC. Chairperson Peterson stated the best ice is typically the weekend after Christmas vacation. The committee would like to tentatively schedule two (2) Skate Nights for thth January 6 and January 27 of 2006. St. Paul Water Utility Property on Centerville Lake This item was discussed under Appearances. Snowmobile Ordinance Chairperson Peterson gave a summary of the discussion had at the last Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting regarding the Snowmobile Ordinance and why it affected the Parks & Recreation Committee. A Subcommittee was formed,of concerned residents, to look at ways to eliminate some of the snowmobile problems in Centerville. They were also to look at different options for people on north side of town to be able to get to Centerville Lake as well as people on the south side of town to have the same ability. St. Genevieve’s Church has given access through their property to Centerville Lake in the past, but is now considering disallowing this usage. The possibility was discussed of having a snowmobile trail go through Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park via the dirt road from Centerville Road and then cross LaMotte Drive to 1601 LaMotte Drive, crossing that property to Centerville Lake. This trail would be cordoned off by snow fence. By ordinance, snowmobiles are not allowed in any City park so the ordinance would have to be amended if this was an option that would be pursued. It would also depend on the City obtaining the lake property. Pheasant Marsh, Third Addition The following excerpts from the September 14, 2005 City Council Meeting Minutes were supplied to the committee regarding the Development Agreement issues with Pheasant rd Marsh 3 Addition and how that affects Park Dedication Fees/Trails. City Administrator Larson informed Council that Phase I of this development had a reserve strip of land platted that was not caught by Staff. He then said that Phase III does as well. He further commented that the City’s Ordinance does not allow reserve strips. City Attorney Hoeft explained that the reserve strip would allow the developer to recover some of his costs because he can charge the property owner to the south for connection to the road. He then explained that the approval for Phase III requires that the final plat be recorded within 60 days so that approval is back on the table and the City will require that the reserve strip be removed. 5 of 6 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes October5,2005 City Administrator Larson reviewed with Council some of the discussions and negotiations he has been having with the developer asking if Council would be interested in having Outlot E deeded to the City for open space for a reduction in the drainage fees the developer is being charged. Council discussed the matter with Staff and made it clear that they had no interest in reducing park dedication fees for this developer. Council agreed to 25% contingency, replatting to eliminate the reserve strip, accepting Outlot E deeded to the City for a reduction in drainage fees, and to require a road easement or street stub for future access to the south property. The committee discussed the placement of the trail in Pheasant Marsh, Third Addition. This trail was not actually approved as it went to council as a recommendation in October 2003 at the same meeting City Council decided to suspend any future actions with Ground Development. Ms. Stephan informed the committee that the trail recommendation was provided to the City Administrator and will be brought to Council again when the project proceeds. The following information was supplied to the committee as FYI. Rice Creek Watershed District – Rake for Lakes Sake! Rice Creek Watershed District – “Enjoying the Outdoors” Photo Contest Regional Park System Plans / Local Comprehensive Plans Anoka County Department of Parks & Recreation Review Draft of Memorandumof Understanding on CSAH14 IX. ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Chairperson Peterson, seconded by Committee Member Peil, to adjourn the October 5, 2005 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting at 7:47 p.m. All in favor. Motion passed unanimously. Transcribed by Kim Stephan 6 of 6