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Parks and Recreation - 07/10/2006 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY,JULY 10, 2006 5:30 P.M., CITY CENTER 8080 Mitchell Road PARK TOUR COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: John Brill, Chair; Geri Napuck, Vice Chair; Rob Barrett, Tom Bierman, Lee Elliott-Stoering, Randy Jacobus COMMISSION MEMBERS ABSENT: Jeff Gerst, Ian Mackay and Michael Moriarity COMMISSION STAFF PRESENT: Bob Lambert, Director of Parks and Recreation; Laurie Obiazor, Recreation Manager STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT: Danny Crichton I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Chair Brill at 5:45 p.m. II. PARK TOUR Members of the commission were provided the tentative tour schedule and rode the City van throughout the tour. Randy Jacobus drove separately as he was required to leave the meeting at 7:15 p.m. for a previous commitment. Lambert provided information at each of the sites, sharing cost information on various improvements and answering questions of Commission members relating to each of the projects. 1. Staring Lake Park A. STARING LAKE PLAYGROUND Lambert showed Commission members the tube slide that was replaced after vandals had burned the slide earlier in the year. B. STARING LAKE ARCHERY RANGE Commission members viewed the Staring Lake Archery Range and watched while the range was full, with people waiting to use the range. C. OFF-LEASH DOG PARK Staff discussed the City cost of the park to date; approximately $52,000, and the fact that the grand opening ceremony would be held on July 18 at 4:30 p.m. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION July 10, 2006 Page 2 D. CUMMINS-GRILL HISTORIC SITE The Commission walked the Cummins Grill Historic Site while Lambert explained the impacts of widening County Road 1 on the south side of the site, and the impacts of providing sufficient parking for the park on the north side of the site, for a possible private lesson. He explained the concerns of the Historic Preservation office, the DNR, and the National Park Service, that must be addressed to satisfy the LAWCON conversion. E. IMPACT OF WIDENING OF COUNTY ROAD 1 Lambert discussed the impact of widening of County Road 1 on all of Staring Lake Park. F. DISCUSS WIDENING THE STARING LAKE TRAIL AROUND THE LAKE Lambert reviewed the bid of$170, 865 for restoration of the trail system within Staring Lake Park, including widening the trail around the lake to ten feet, and restoration of the 8 foot trails leading to that trail. G. DISCUSS THE TRAIL EXTENSION TO THE EAST AND HIGHWAY 212 III. FLYING CLOUD BALLFIELD EXPANSION SITE Commission members viewed the proposed expansion site for Flying Cloud Ballfield from the Grace Church parking lot. Lambert explained that the City had been waiting four years, since the plan was approved by the Metropolitan Airports Commission,but remains to be approved by the FAA. Lambert cautioned Commission members that prices have increased significantly over the past four years and estimates that the site plan could cost over$2 million compared to the $1.4 million estimated four years ago. Lambert also indicated that some members of the Metropolitan Airports Commission board of directors have changed in the last four years, and the Commission staff have indicated that the board is encouraging staff to make "maximum use of all excess airport land at regional airports" in order to generate as much revenue as possible from each of the airports. City staff does not know if this change in philosophy will have a negative impact on this site, due to the fact that the City has an agreement with the Metropolitan Airports Commission,however, staff is anxious to get the lawsuit between Northwest Airlines and the Metropolitan Airports Commission resolved so the City can proceed with completing this park improvement. IV. CEDAR HILLS PARK LOCATION The Commission reviewed the Cedar Hills Park Location, which is another project that has been delayed due to the lawsuit between Northwest Airlines and the Metropolitan Airports Commission. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION July 10, 2006 Page 3 V. CEDAR HILLS CLUBHOUSE The Commission walked the site and were provided a quick tour of the upstairs and lower level of the Cedar Hills Clubhouse. Lambert posed the question of what the Commission members felt would be the best use of their clubhouse if the City were to acquire the property. Commission members proposed different uses such as wedding receptions, family reunions, executive corporate meetings, graduation parties, birthday parties, team building events, or a teen center; and were supportive of City acquisition of the site. Commission members want to know the cost for renovation of the site and operation costs. Lambert indicated that if, in fact, the City does acquire the property, staff would recommend a process that would allow all special-interest groups that would have an interest in use of the property to propose uses to the Parks Commission and the City Council prior to making recommendations. VI. MILLER PARK A. The Commission reviewed the location of the bike trail access across Highway 212 from the future Scenic Heights Road. B. The Commission discussed the renovation of the soccer/football fields and the need for lighting the soccer/football fields #12 and#13 in 2007, due to the loss of the lighted football fields at Flying Cloud Fields when County Road 1 is widened. C. Commission reviewed the site for the proposed park shelter/curling club facility. D. Commission reviewed the west access from Dell Road into the park. VII. EDENBROOK CONSERVATION AREA Commission reviewed the proposed access site for the Edenbrook Conservation Area. VIII. ROUND LAKE PARK A. ROUND LAKE BASEBALL FIELD RELOCATION AND PARKING LOT EXPANSION The Commission reviewed the plans for the relocation of the baseball field and the parking lot expansion and discussed elevations of the site and challenges for the timing of the reconstruction project. B. ROUND LAKE BEACH WATER CLARITY ISSUES The Commission toured the boat access and looked at the water quality and discussed reopening the beach in 2007. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION July 10, 2006 Page 4 C. ROUND LAKE SKATE PARK The Commission discussed the need for the Round Lake Skate Park expansion and the fact that there is a lot of use of the skate park, but no organized group demanding expansion of the facility. This project continues to "settle to the bottom of the pile" due to the number of higher priority projects that staff are managing at this time. IX. EDENVALE PARK The Commission reviewed the proposed expansion of Edenvale Park. X. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled for Monday, August 7. XI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 9 p.m.