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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-02-05 P & R Minutes Approved Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 2, 2005 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, November 2, 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 November 2, 2005, at City Hall, 1880 Main Street. Present: Chairperson Tedd Peterson Committee Member Suzanne Seeley Committee Member Linda Merkel Committee Member Kevin Amundsen Absent: Committee Member Kathy Peil Council: Michelle Lakso Mayor Mary Capra Staff: Kim Stephan __________________________________________________________________________________ I. CALL TO ORDER 1. Roll Call Chairperson Peterson called the November 2, 2005 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting to order at 6:39 p.m. II.SET AGENDA Council Member Lakso requested a discussion be added to the agenda regarding the maintenance of the City’s park monument signs and their state of disrepair. This will be added as #1 under Committee Business. Motion was made by Committee Member Seeley, seconded by Committee Member Amundsen to set the November 2, 2005 Parks & Recreation Committee Agenda with the above addition. All in favor.Motion carried unanimously. III. APPEARANCES Mr. Wayne LeBlanc made an appearance to receive a plaque of appreciation from the committee for his years of service. Mayor Capra was also in attendance to show her appreciation. Chairperson Peterson stated he was honored to give Mr. LeBlanc the plaque, but felt it didn’t even begin to explain everything Mr. LeBlanc has done for the City over the years as a Parks & 1 of 6 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 2, 2005 Recreation Committee Member since 1998. Chairperson Peterson went on to say Mr. LeBlanc is passionate about whatever he is involved with, working long and hard on projects for the City; such as the City’s Parks & Trail System, Grant Applications, the No Wake Zone on Peltier Lake and he was instrumental in the Design Team. Mr. LeBlanc stated his work with the City has been a real pleasure and felt this city has so muchpotential for future generations, giving examples of the purchase of the park property on Centerville Lake and the widening of CSAH 14 with the additions of trails and infrastructure. Mayor Capra added she has worked with Mr. LeBlanc for many years on various projects and wanted to personally thank him for his dedication and commitment. Committee Member Seeley thanked Mr. LeBlanc for his hard work on the Grant / Trail Subcommittees, to which Mr. LeBlanc replied he would be willing to assist with Grant Applications in the future,if assistance was needed. IV. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES Consideration of October 5, 2005 Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes Motion was made by Committee Member Seeley, seconded by Chairperson Peterson to approve the October 5, 2005 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes as is. Ayes – 3, Nays – 0, Abstain 1 - Amundsen. Motion Carried. V. COMMITTEE BUSINES S Council Member Lakso requested a discussion be added to the agenda regarding the maintenance of the City’s park monument signs and their state of disrepair. The park signs have needed to be redone the last few years, but Public Works has not been able to get to it for lack of manpower. There are also other park items that could be addressed if Public Works had more additional help, such as a summer helper. Council Member Lakso has had some input from neighbors to Tracie McBride Memorial Park that given the supplies; the neighbors would repair the signs. Chairperson Peterson stated that may get the park in ‘their back yard done’ but, volunteers were hard to get to even plant flowers, would we be able to get volunteers for all the park signs? Council Member Lakso asked if a summer helper was in the budget for 2006 and if not, can we get one in the budget? Chairperson Peterson said he would talk to Paul Palzer, Public Works Director and John Meyer, Finance Director to see if a summer helper is or could be budgeted. Council Member Lakso will bring it to council. Mayor Capra added as a side note that all 15 of the wood duck houses are now in place from the Eagle Scout Adopt a Wood Duck House Project. VI. UPDATES Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park Play Structure Committee Member Seeley had previously researched using recycled materials to replace the timbers and wood chips in Tracie McBride Memorial Park. This research was done two (2) years ago when the committee was looking at repairs needed at Tracie McBride Memorial Park. The project was put on hold when the committee found the water tower was coming down and they opted to redesign the park instead of replacing existing timbers and equipment. One of the samples supplied by Committee Member Seeley was a cross section of a 6 x 6 timber which was made from all the parts of junked cars, except the metal. No chemicals are added with this 2 of 6 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 2, 2005 process, it is completely done with compressionand heat. The estimated life span of these timbers are 50 to 80 years or more, they are graffiti resistant, do not require painting or staining, although they can be painted, and at the timethe research was done the pricing was not the lowest, but comparable. Treated timbers last approximately 10 years. Earl F. Anderson, Inc. is the manufacturer and the City has worked with them previously on projects. Score Funds cannot be used even if purchasing recycled products as Score Funds are for educational purposes only. Committee Member Seeley also supplied the committee with a sample of shredded tires which would be used instead of wood chips. Two years ago the closest place to get shredded tires was in Missouri so transportation costs were quite high, but they were looking for more facilities at the time to process the tires to make it more economically feasible. The shredded tires cannot be mixed with existing wood chips, they are considered ADA accessible, and only need to be replenished very 5 years opposed to wood chips which decompose and need to be replenished every 1-2 years currently. The committee was very impressed with the materials and would like to use recycled materials for any work done in the parks. It is more expensive initially, but will be a cost savings over time. Royal Meadows was the last park that was designed and built by the Parks & Recreation Committee / City and it required extensive planning. Chairperson Peterson suggested forming a subcommittee to work on the planning of the Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park play structure to do research for this park outside of the committee. However, all committee members want to be involved so it was suggested this item be put on the next agenda and the committee will pick a date, perhaps on a Saturday, to begin planning. Committee Member Seeley will get updated information on the recycled materials she presented to the committee. Wheels Skate Park Vandalism Chairperson Peterson was disheartened to report that there has been a lot of damage done to the Wheels Skate Park equipment. The sign was damaged almost immediately and had to be redone and covered in plexi-glass to prevent more damage. Vandals have attempted to steal the logos that are dead bolted onto the equipment. Public Works Staff caught it in time and re-enforced the bolts. Equipment has been ruined, pieces removed and thrown into the field surrounding the Skate Park. Everyday there has been a trash issuewith Public Works Staff picking up the trash. The Public Works Staff has talked to the kids using the park, but it doesn’t seem to do any good. Committee Member Seeley mentioned that working with Anoka County Parks this issue has been dealt with a couple of different ways. Monitor the area and require those responsible to pick it up or ticket them; or make a committee or group responsible to pick trash, such as volunteer boy scouts. Experience has shown that if the kids are picking up the trash they are less likely to litter and they will also use peer pressure to keep the other kids from littering. There is not a feasible way to monitor the area at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park. There is a four (4) foot fence surrounding the park which is not a deterrent if locked, as it is low enough to just jump. There is not a simple answer, but the committee members felt somewhat disillusioned since the investment of the new skate park pad and equipment was substantial and they had hoped there would be some pride in the community for the equipment and park. It was suggested it be handled the same as the vandalism that was ongoing Royal Meadows Park, when something was ruined, it was not replaced, simply removed, unless it was a safety issue. No more money was invested into the park. Chairperson Peterson has seen advertisements from other cities looking to buy used skate park equipment so that is an option also. It was decided to put this information on 3 of 6 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 2, 2005 the web site, cable and also get it to the local press perhaps as a warning or deterrent to the vandalism. Ms. Stephan will put somethingtogether to have the committee and City Administrator proof. Hiring of Rink Attendants This was added to the agenda as an update to inform the committee the ad for the hiring of rink attendants has been sent to the Quad CommunityPress. The ad will run the weeks prior to the City taking applications, which will be from November 23 to December 13, 2005. Chairperson Peterson has had some inquiries from previous rink attendants. Skate Nights with Horse Drawn Hayride & Bonfire During the previous two years Frozen Fete des Lacs events, sponsored by the Economic Development Committee, the Parks & Recreation Committee has worked with the EDC on the Friday night Skate Night with a horse drawn hayride & bonfire. The EDC funded the event, but it was manned by the Parks & Recreation Committee. In 2004 the Skate Night was held in February at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park.The event was well attended despite no ice on the skating rink as the temperatures had been too warmto keep ice. In 2005 the event was held at the Anoka County Regional Park, also in February. To ensure ice, the skating was held on Centerville Lake. This event was also well attended. Both events were held in February to coincide with the Car Races on Ice which were held on Centerville Lake. Prior to EDC disbanding in October 2005, the committee had asked the Parks & Recreation Committee to consider continuing with this Skate Night in the event the EDC no longer sponsored the Frozen Fete des Lacs. The Parks & Recreation Committeediscussed this and agreed it was a great event to continue for the residents, though because of the existing Parks & Recreation Committee’s budget commitments, the committee did not feel they could expend the funds for the horse drawn hayride. The committee agreed to organize and man the event if the funds could continue to come from monies allocated to Frozen Fete des Lacs within the EDC Budget. Ms. Stephan had talked to the Finance Director; Mr. John Meyers, who said the EDC has funds remaining in the 2005 budget as well as funds allocated for 2006 if that is where council would desire taking the monies from. Ms. Stephan informed the committee the invoice from 2005 from Bunker Stables was for $560. This was for a 3 hour event. Bunker Stables has not had a price increase in the rental portion, but has increased the travel fee from $10 to $25 due to the gas price increases. If the committee were to have two 2 hour events the first hour would be $375 with each additional hour at $100 per hour. Each two hour event would be $500. The committee discussed whether to hold the event in conjunction with the Car Races on Ice or the Centerville Lion’s Annual Fishing Contest, both which are being held in February, and whether to hold it at the Anoka County Regional Park or at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park. The committee felt it was not necessary to tie in with either of the February events as the Skate Nights were popular enough all on their own to draw residents to a winter event. It was also decided the committee would like to hold the event at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park as it was less work for both the committee and the Public Works Staff and the City’s park was more appropriate for a City event. Chairperson Peterson stated there is seldom good ice at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park during February and felt the best time to hold Skate Night events would be in January. The committee would like to hold two big Skate Nights opposed to having 4-6 4 of 6 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 2, 2005 throughout the season as they have done in the past. The two events would be held on Friday, January 6 & Friday, January 27, 2006 with skating, a bonfire, hot chocolate, popcorn and the horse drawn hayrides. Ms. Stephan checked with Bunker Stables and they are available for the two dates in January. Motion was made by Chairperson Peterson, seconded by Committee Member Amundsen to request funding not to exceed $1,000 for two horse drawn hay ride events to be held January 6 and 27, 2006 during the Parks & Recreation Committee’s Skate Nights at Laurie LaMotte Memorial Park with the funding to come from budgeted Economic Development Committee Frozen Fete des Lacs monies. All in favor. Motion passed unanimously. St. Paul Water Utility Property on Centerville Lake The committee discussed the council’s decision to make a purchase offer on two of the lots the St. Paul Water Utility has for sale. The committee was in favor of the proposal, but had a few questions regarding the agreement. Why was the stipulation added that the house had to be removed within 6 months? Committee Member Seeley questioned whether there was any historical value to the house and whether it could be used for some type of community center. Chairperson Peterson stated he believed there were life safety issues with house, but he would get clarification from the Building Official. The agreement presented to the committee showed the cost of the house being removed as $60,000, but Chairperson Peterson reported there is possibility of having it done when the City removes the buildings on the old Public Works site at 7073 and 7071 Centerville Road for a lesser amount. It has also been suggested it may be possible to get an Anoka County workhouse crew to demo the house and perhaps some of the wood could be saved for a gazebo. Mr. Meyer has said the Park Dedication Fees associated with the downtown redevelopment could be substantial to help defer the above costs. Snowmobile Ordinance Chairperson Peterson will contact Mr. Bob Wright, Planning & Zoning Commission & liaison to the resident’s Snowmobile Subcommittee to discuss the possible access to Centerville Lake from Heritage Street. If the Church of St. Genevieve no longer allows snowmobile access through the church, this avenue would allow snowmobilers to get to the lake. The changes that recently went into affect regarding the Snowmobile Ordinance do not affect the use of the City parks at this time. The committee has discussed the possibility of recommending Council change the ordinance to allow snowmobiles to cross park property to get to Centerville Lake in the event there is no other access available. This would apply to the Centerville Lake property the City is attempting to buy from the St. Paul Water Utility. Although the section would be cordoned by snow fence to minimize damage, Committee Member Seeley would also like to ensure language would be added that if in the future it proves to cause damage the right to rescind is available. Downtown Redevelopment Plan Update Committee Member Amundsen asked this item be put on the agenda as he is on the Downtown Redevelopment Task Force and wanted to update the Parks & Recreation Committee. Committee Member Amundsen stated the task force has met with residents and businesses for a 5 of 6 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes November 2, 2005 downtown walking tour and there has been a Public Meeting at Centerville Elementary School. There is another Public Meeting scheduled at the school for November 15, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. Committee Member Amundsen said there were mixed feelings among the residents and businesses regarding the plan, some quite vocal such as the resident who feels strongly his family had donated some of the land to the City for a hockey rink for $1 and the property had to remain park land and could not be developed. City Administrator Larson is researching that deed. There were residents who are concerned about possible condemnation of their property and those who moved to Centerville for the small city atmosphere and don’t want the downtown area redeveloped. Some residents did however; want to be able to walk downtown to coffee, card shops, etc. Committee Member Amundsen stated that the City Administrator did try to reiterate that in a M1 (Mixed Use) area those types of businesses are already allowed, the zoning is not changing. Also, this is planning only. Committee Member Amundsen suggested the committee members may want to attend the next Public Meeting. Chairperson Peterson brought up the rainwater garden that the Rice Creek Watershed District required be installed with the last street projectat the end of Heritage Street. The Downtown Renovation Plans show storm water drainage ponds and Chairperson Peterson questioned whether the ponds will be acceptable to treat storm water or is the City going to be required to install more rainwater gardens with this project? Committee Member Amundsen will bring this question to the next task force meeting. IX. ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Committee Member Merkel, seconded by Chairperson Peterson to adjourn the November 2, 2005 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting at 8:10 p.m. All in favor. Motion passed unanimously. Transcribed by Kim Stephan 6 of 6