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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-07-07 P & R Minutes Approved Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 07-07-10 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, July 7, 2010 - 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, July 7, 2010 at 7022 Centerville Road, Chauncey Barett Gardens Present: Chairperson Patrick Branch Vice Chairperson Jon Grahek Committee Member Suzanne Seeley Committee Member Brian Peterson Committee Member Mark Haiden Committee Member Kevin Amundsen Committee Member Kevin Selander Council: City Council Liaison Mayor Capra Staff: Staff Liaison Kim Stephan Mr. Bob Cordell, Mr. Nathan Capra, Mr. Mark Statz and Mr. Warren Solheid were also in attendance. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ I. CALL TO ORDER Roll Call Chairperson Branch called the July 7, 2010 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. II. SET AGENDA Committee Member Amundsen requested adding an update on the Trail Project as #7 under Updates. Motion was made by Committee Member Grahek, seconded by Committee Member Haiden, to set the agenda with above addition. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. III. APPEARANCES Mr. Phillip Capra, Boy Scout Troop 232, Many Waters District made an appearance to discuss a possible Eagle Scout Project with the committee. The project would involve a diversification of tree plantings to take place in the fall of 2010 or the spring of 2011. This was a preliminary discussion intended to determine the Parks & Recreation Committees interest before Mr. Capra moves forward seeking approval from the Boy Scout Council. Mr. Capra has done some research for possible funding sites such as availability of grants from the Re~Leaf Program, which will be awarding grants potentially in August 2010. It was explained by Mr. Capra that diversification of the tree varieties in our parks is important not just because it is aesthetically more appealing, but one species alone may be prone to disease, such as Emerald Ash Borer, Oak Wilt or Dutch Elm. Diversification would help 1 of 6 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 07-07-10 prevent all the trees from being eliminated with a disease. Mayor Capra stated none of the City’s Ash trees are infected with the Emerald Ash Borer at this time. Chairperson Branch stated the DNR representative he spoke with said only two locations in Minnesota has been confirmed. The City received a proposal in 2009 to treat the City’s Ash trees, but it was expensive and there were no guarantees. Motion was made by Chairperson Branch, seconded by Committee Member Seeley to tentatively approve and support Mr. Phillip Capra in his Eagle Scout Project ~ Tree Diversification Project. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Capra mentioned some upcoming seminars offered to Cities to educate on different options for treating the Ash Trees and diversifying plantings in parks. Mr. Mark Statz, City Engineer made an appearance to update the committee on the Trail Project and the Storm Water Reclamation Project. Trail Project Prior to the Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting there was an Open House for the Trail Project at St. Genevieve’s Parish Center where residents were invited to voice their concerns, ask questions and gather more information regarding the project. There were not many residents in attendance. Mr. Statz presented drawings of the parks, kiosk, flagpole, fountain and trail; as well as updating the committee as to the schedule for the project. Chairperson Branch informed Mr. Statz that the committee was approached by a resident to make the flag pole a Veteran’s Memorial, but this should not change anything in the plans. The project is taking bids on July 13, 2010. Committee Member Seeley questioned whether the giant Cottonwood tree on Centerville Road between Heritage and Progress is going to be able to be saved. Mr. Statz reported the property owner gave an easement to the City to go around the tree opposed to cutting it down. Mr. Statz stated after th the July 13 bids the next steps will be to wait for MNDOT’s approval and then City Council to award the project possibly the first meeting in August. The contract will specify the project be completed by Thanksgiving and will include approximately 2 miles of trails. All of the trail will be asphalt except the north/south section on the east side of Centerville Road where it joins sections of sidewalk. The trail map showing a trail on the north side of Sorel Street, west of Centerville Road was incorrect, that trail will be on the south side of Sorel Street on City property. The bridge work being done on Brian Drive south of CSAH 14 (knee wall) will look like the one on CSAH14 near Water Works. Mr. Bob Cordell asked about an entrance to the trail at Lakeland Circle where he has seen safety hazards with pedestrians and bikes trying to cross. Chairperson Branch explained City Council has requested Anoka County look at this, but the County will not do anything about it. Storm Water Reclamation Project Mr. Statz reported to the committee that the Storm Water Reclamation Project is moving forward using the storm water pond located in the Anoka County Regional Park located at the end of LaMotte Drive. The pond is not currently designed to take as much water as will be directed into it, but changing inlet/outlet structures and adding the Storm Water Reclamation System will meet the requirements of volume control designated by Rice Creek Watershed District. The pond will not need to be made bigger or deeper. The City has received a grant which will fund a portion of this project. 2 of 6 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 07-07-10 The irrigation system is being designed with many variables in mind. It will be a system typical of those used on golf courses using a minimal number of large heads to sprinkle wide areas. There will be a pump station at the pond with a forced main feeding the irrigation system. The entire park will be irrigated. Drain tile will also be installed which was a concern to the committee as complaints are frequently received regarding the fields being too wet. The drain tile discharge will be put in the south west corner of the park to the pond which is often dry. The construction will affect any fall sports that may use the park during this time such as football and soccer. The question may arise from residents as to whether the fields are being re-graded during this project and Mr. Statz said they will not as this would be too costly. Committee Member Seeley questioned whether Mr. Statz was aware of the committee’s plans for a volley ball court and how this project may affect the area intended for the court. Mr. Statz was not aware of the project. Ms. Stephan will send the City Engineer the preliminary plans and intended location of the sand volley ball court so this can be taken into consideration with the design of the irrigation system. Mr. Statz reported the gravel drive way from Centerville Road will be removed. Committee Member Haiden said a portion of this was intended to be used for a parking lot for the volley ball court. Mr. Statz reported City Council had directed Bonestroo to test soil in the ball fields, water quality in the pond, as well as sediment for contaminates. The water met all criteria for a swimming beach, soils were low in heavy metals and within normal levels and there were no contaminants of concern. Salt in the water may be a problem in the future, but not at this point. Mr. Statz stated that if a build up of salt levels in the soil becomes a problem there will be ways to mitigate this. Committee Member Seeley asked if there were plans to continue testing on a regular basis. Both Mr. Statz and Mayor Capra said this requirement was part of the Storm Water Management Plan. Mr. Statz stated the pump is being designed to never suck water from the top (eliminating oil and greases that may float on the top) or off bottom 2-3’ so sediment will not be pumped. The system will be able to pump enough water to provide 1” of water per week for 3 straight weeks over the entire park without rain before the pond would become low. The City will be responsible for blowing out the system prior to winter. The committee asked about the possibility of using some of this water to irrigate Hidden Spring Park. Mr. Statz said it could be a possibility. Motion was made by Committee Member Haiden, seconded by Committee Member Selander to recommend City Council consider including Hidden Spring Park as part of the Storm Water Reclamation Project. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. With further discussion the committee questioned whether the large sprinkler heads would damage the plants at this park, whether the potential for salt in the water would be detrimental to the vegetation Committee and whether the potential for water run off into Centerville Lake would be a problem? Member Haiden added a friendly amendment to the motion, seconded by Committee Member Selander to request Mr. Statz research the above questions and advise the Committee and City Council. Mr. Statz asked the committee to think about potential complications of fall construction (sports groups using the field) and any concerns regarding the sprinkling system. Chairperson Branch stated in the future the committee will want to regrade the ball fields and build a volleyball court and would like these items considered with the design. 3 of 6 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 07-07-10 IV. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES June 2, 2010 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes Committee Member Haiden requested changing the wording under Roll Call regarding the time of Committee Member Seeley’s arrival. Committee Member Seeley requested adding a period to the end of the last sentence, first paragraph under Flea Market on page 3. Motion was made by Committee Member Amundsen, seconded by Chairperson Branch to approve the May 5, 2010 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes with the above corrections. Ayes – 6, Nays – 0, Abstain – 1 (Selander). Motion carried. V. COMMITTEE BUSINESS Discussion with Chauncey Barett Residents as to what programs they would like to see offered by the Centerville Parks & Recreation Committee Mr. Warren Solheid was in attendance representing Chauncey Barett residents. Chairperson Branch explained the function of the Parks & Recreation Committee (volunteers, make no financial decisions, make recommendations to council) and as a committee the volunteers try and find ways to make the parks the most usable and beneficial to all of the residents of Centerville, including the senior community. It was explained the reason for meeting at Chauncey Barett was the committee felt a large age 55 plus portion of town was perhaps being missed and the committee wanted to inform the residents of program such as Music in the Parks. The committee was also looking for input as to what the community would like to see offered and to let the residents know the committee is always looking for volunteers. Mr. Solheid said he would take the information back to the residents and report back to the committee. Budget Items Consideration of PA (Public Address System) Mr. Tom Lee was going to supply the committee with an estimate of equipment needed but was unable to provide prior to committee meeting. Item was tabled until the September committee meeting. Chairperson Branch suggested the possibility of funds from the 8K Run/Walk to be allocated for a PA system. Play Equipment at Royal Meadows & Eagle Parks for 2 – 5 Age Groups Due to time constraints this item was also tabled for the September meeting by Chairperson Branch. VI. UPDATES 2010 ~ 8K Run/Walk 4 of 6 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 07-07-10 Chairperson Branch stated the 8K sponsors have been great and most of the items are covered, with a few sponsors yet to make decisions on what they want to do. There are very few registrants at this point which is concerning, other options the committee can do to get the word out was discussed. Other races have down registrants also. Mayor Capra suggested a section on the 8K with North Metro TV City Scope. It’s a free weekly news program. Chairperson Branch is unhappy with the service from Vacation Sports at this point and may look elsewhere. Volunteers should be reminded to bring and wear their glow in the dark t-shirts from last year. Approximately 25 volunteers will be needed for the race. Mayor Capra thought it might work to have the city buy reflector over vests. Because of the time-line to advertise in running magazines for 2011 at the August meeting the committee will need to discuss; what date should be used for next year and the possibility of adding an in-line and kid’s race. Mr. Bob Cordel was in attendance to discuss the needs of the committee regarding the Ham Radio Club and what they had to offer to support the 8K. Mr. Cordel stated 12 radios could take care of everything along the route with a direct link to police and fire. There are multiple ways to do it, for instance a Ham Radio Operator shadowing a volunteer. This has worked well at other functions working with the County and other emergency services. Chairperson Branch said a radio was needed at the start and finish line, one at Kelly’s Korner (there was a problem last year with controlling the intersection/parking lot traffic) and one at each of 3 water stops. The water stops are #1 -Water Works, #2 – Centerville Beach, #3 – Mile 4 in the middle of the park. Committee Member Amundsen added that it will be nice to have another person(s) on a 4-wheeler and it could be beneficial to have additional radios throughout the park. Mr. Cordel stated they have a Gator for transportation and can move locations fairly quickly. Committee Member Seeley reminded the committee to let Anoka County know of the 4-wheeler(s) being used within the park as part of the permit process. Music in the Park ~ Ice Cream Social th The committee will have an ice cream social on July 27 for Mr. Tom Lee’s performance at Hidden Spring Park and possibly another one at one of the other performances depending on the cost of the ice cream. Mayor Capra agreed to approach a few vendors to see if the ice cream could be donated, if not the committee authorized spending up to $150 (the amount remaining in the approved funding for the event by City Council). Fete des Lacs Parade Mayor Capra updated the committee on the status of the parade. The committee discussed having members walk in the parade and possibly hand out fliers for Park Programs and the 8K Run/Walk. A City truck could display the 8K banner. Movies in the Park Committee Member Peterson talked to Father Fitzgerald, St. Genevieve who said it would be acceptable to use the Parish Center for a Community Movie Night as long as the church had a certificate of insurance from the City. A one time showing of a movie is anywhere from $75 to $200 depending on the movie. The committee had originally intended to do this outside in one of the parks, but moving it indoors there will not be concerns with bugs, darkness or weather. In choosing a date the committee discussed interfering with summer vacations, school starting and fall sports and decided 5 of 6 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 07-07-10 on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at 7:00. Details will be discussed at the August committee meeting. Sand Volley Ball Court The estimates received were discussed by the committee who thought the amount of sand being used was very high. The committee requested Mr. Paul Palzer, Public Works Director inquire as to what other municipalities use for sand depth and to question the League of Minnesota Cities as to standards for Cities. Is it possible to use a smaller amount of sand by having less sand depth? Ms. Stephan will pass this on to Mr. Palzer. A request for Charitable Gambling Funds in the amount of $10,000 has been sent to Dead Broke Saddle Club. Master Gardner/Emerald Ash Borer Committee Member Seeley reported a representative from the Master Gardener Program will be in attendance at the September meeting to give approximately an hour presentation on the Emerald Ash Borer and what measures are available to potentially mitigate damage to the City’s Ash trees. VII. ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Committee Member Amundsen, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Grahek; to adjourn the July 7, 2010 Parks & Recreation Committee meeting at 9:05 p.m. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by Kim Stephan 6 of 6