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Parks and Recreation - 05/03/2004 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS,RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY,MAY 3,2004 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER Heritage Room III 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT: Rob Barrett, Chair; Jeffrey Gerst, Vice Chair(arrived at 7:07 p.m.); Tom Bierman, John Brill, Tom Crain, Cari Grayson, Randy Jacobus, Ian Mackay and Michael Moriarity COMMISSION STAFF PRESENT: Bob Lambert, Director of Parks and Recreation Services; Stu Fox, Manager of Natural Resources; and Carol Pelzel, Recording Secretary STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Chris Shea I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Chair Barrett at 7:05 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Lambert asked that an item be added under the Director of Parks and Recreation Services reports to include trespassing issues on park land. Motion: Brill moved, seconded by Crayson, to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried, 8-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—April 5,2004 Barrett asked that Crain's statement"that allowing dogs in a park is a viable use of the park"be included in the last paragraph of Item C. Soccer Association Request on Page 5 of the minutes. Motion: Motion was made by Gerst, seconded by Brill, to approve the minutes as corrected. The motion carried, 6-0-3 with Jacobus, Mackay and Moriarity abstaining because of absence from that meeting. IV. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION—April 13 and April 27,2004 Lambert reported that at the April 13 City Council meeting the Council did award bids for High Trail Estates Park Playstructure, for Willow Park Playstructure and for the City Center parking lot construction and playground site preparation. The Council also awarded a bid for re-roofing of Round Lake Park building pavilion and kiosk. Lambert further reported that the Council did conduct a public hearing on the DNR Natural Scenic Grant. The Council did support the grant application requesting funding from the DNR for acquisition of 4.04 acres of land on the north side of Birch Island Woods Road. The Council also accepted the Round Lake Water Quality Report and authorized staff to close Round Lake Beach until water quality conditions meet level one PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION May 3, 2004 Page 2 requirements, or full support of swimable use. Also, the Council authorized staff to meet with the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District to develop a plan to meet those conditions. Lambert reported that the Parks Commission did not have any items on the Council's April 27 agenda for consideration. V. PETITIONS,REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION VL OLD BUSINESS A. Update on Current Projects 1. Miller Spring 2. Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area 3. Purgatory Creek Recreation Area 4. Jean Harris Bridge Fox reported that staff has bid out the replacement of the roofs at the Staring Lake Outdoor Center as well as the Round Lake Picnic Pavilion and Round Lake Park Shelter buildings. These roofs were 22 years old and had received some hail damage. The roofs were originally cedar and are now being replaced with 50-year architectural shingles. Bierman asked if the City has insurance for hail damage. Fox responded that the City does have insurance; however, it is with a $50,000 deductible. With regards to the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area, Fox reported that they have completed 85 percent of the project. The contractor has started work on the concrete edge of the planting beds and landscaping and the anticipated completion date for the park is on or before June 1 and August 1 for the bridge. Bierman suggested that staff consider carrying the brick theme further into the project rather than the blacktop. He suggested that they put bricks from the pavilion down to where the paths start. Bierman said if cost is an issue they may want to consider selling bricks to the public to help finance the laying of additional bricks. Fox explained that there is another phase to this project that is not being done at this time. The phase duplicates what Bierman is talking about. The path going out is a temporary structure right now and the asphalt will eventually be replaced. Lambert stated that they have talked about selling bricks. This is an option for future fundraisers for art in the park projects. Bierman said with regard to lights on the trees and additional lighting,he suggested that they look at adding wiring prior to the final blacktopping. Fox reported that a contractor for the parking lot construction in the Richard T. Anderson Conservation area has been selected. The contractor anticipates starting the project in the next 15 to 20 days and the completion of the parking lot is anticipated on or before September 21. Bierman said he did visit this site and when standing at the top and looking at the map it appeared to be upside down. He suggested that they take that map and relocate it to the new parking lot and that a new picture be put up at the top. Fox responded that a sign has already been constructed for the lower parking lot. The original map is a background map behind the photos. Bierman asked if there would be a sign on Highway 212 identifying this park. Lambert explained that there are a number of City signs that need to be replaced. The City is currently working on a new logo. The signs are very expensive and they will not be replacing any of the signs until they PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION May 3, 2004 Page 3 know what the new logo is and a standardized sign is developed to be used throughout the City. Fox reported that there will be a temporary sign so people will know that the park is there but it will not be a colorized sign. Bierman asked if there would be smaller signs to designate the park. Lambert responded that the northern parking lot of this park was very controversial with the developer. You do have to wind through a residential area to get to an eight-car parking lot and they do not want to advertise that as the major access to this large park area. The major access is off of Highway 212. Bierman suggested that the park closing sign be changed to read that the park would be closed one-half hour after sunset. Lambert explained that specific park hours have been set. Fox reported that they are adding on to the storage garage at the Staring Lake Outdoor Center. The success of the outdoor educational program has required additional storage. A variance was necessary because of the facilities location to the flood plain. The variance goes before the City Planning Board in early May and with approval staff anticipates that this addition would be constructed within the next 60 to 90 days. Fox also reported that the Staring Lake Archery Range is under construction. Minnesota Valley Electrical Cooperative did provide 20 plus telephone posts necessary to construct the archery range. Moriarity suggested that the Parks Commission Chairperson send a letter expressing their appreciation for the donation of the poles. Barrett said he thinks that is a very good idea and he would be happy to draft such a letter on behalf of the Parks Commission. Fox explained that the City is in the process of reconstructing the water trough at Miller Spring. The spring was relocated closer to Riley Creek and they have found it to be very successful. The parking lot was raised 2.5 feet and they are looking at constructing a bridge across the creek. They will be replacing some paving and the trough and pad will be heated to keep it ice-free. Hopefully this work will be done within the next month.Jacobus asked if the City is liable should someone get sick from the water. Lambert explained that there are signs posted warning people that the water may not be safe to drink. Bierman asked if there would be picnic tables located in the area of the water trough. Lambert responded that the bridge will take people to the Prairie Bluff Conservation area. There may be some benches overlooking that area but they do not plan to have picnic tables there. They do not want to encourage people to hang out in this area. Barrett asked if money had been raised for the Jean Harris Memorial Bridge. Lambert reported that they had raised $76,000. Their goal was $90,000. Barrett questioned the cost of the archery range. Fox responded that originally the cost was to be $30,000. With the donated poles the estimated cost is $10,000 to $12,000. Barrett suggested that the Commission tour the various parks throughout the City as they have done in the past. Lambert said he would plan a tour for either July or August. VIL NEW BUSINESS A. 2003 Annual Report Lambert distributed to the Commission a copy of the City's Parks and Recreation Department's 2003 Annual Report. He encouraged the Commissioners to review this document and explained that he would put this item on the June agenda for further discussion. Lambert stated the targeted PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION May 3, 2004 Page 4 audience for this document is the Parks and Recreation staff. It provides them with an on-going history of the Department and a working plan. B. Review Concept Design for Miller Park Softball Building Lambert reported that the City has been working with representatives of the Girls Softball Association to develop a concept plan and cost estimates for a building to serve the Girls Softball Complex at Miller Park. This project is included in the upcoming referendum. City staff estimates $600,000 for this facility including $250,000 in cash park fees; $50,000 from the Girls Softball Association; and $300,000 from the upcoming referendum. The Softball Association Board has reviewed and approved this concept plan and this Commission is now being asked to review the same plan and to make a recommendation to the City Council. Motion: Jacobus moved, seconded by Mackay, and all members voting aye to recommend approval of the concept design of the Miller park Softball Building. The motion carried, 9-0. C. Update on Round LakeNallev View Road Proiect Fox explained that the roadwork being done at Valley View Road and County Road 4 does affect Round Lake Park and the City's Community Center. For years it has been recommended that this intersection be widened due to the high amount of traffic. Fox briefly reviewed with the Commission the improvements being made to this intersection and how it will affect surrounding properties. It is anticipated that construction will begin the first week of June. Moriarity asked who pays for tree replacement for this particular project. Fox responded that the City would be moving existing trees and strategically placing them throughout the project. Jacobus asked if the referendum passes, would anything be done differently with this project. Fox explained that the only change would be the shifting of the storm water pond. Bierman questioned if the increasing of lanes would also increase the speed of the traffic. Fox responded that the Engineers are fully in support of this road upgrade because of the Valley View Road traffic. Bierman pointed out that the Walkable Communities Workshop did discuss this very thing. This upgrade will require longer traffic lights. Jacobus pointed out that this road improvement would back traffic up at the stop sign at the High School entrance and Hames Way. Fox said this project would actually improve the traffic circulation into Round Lake and the Community Center. It should help the flow of traffic move quicker. During special events, Staff does anticipate having some type of temporary stop sign and someone directing traffic. VIIL REPORTS OF STAFF A. Director of Parks and Recreation Services 1. Walkable Communities Workshop Lambert explained that a Walkable Communities Workshop was held on April 22. It was a very good workshop and did provide them with some very good information. There are a number of things that can be done with road design to make it more enjoyable to walk in the City. Moriarity said he attended the workshop and said he thought it was very good. The workshop did illustrate that a little planning makes it easier to cross streets and makes it more enjoyable to walk. Bierman also attended the workshop and thought it was worthwhile. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION May 3, 2004 Page 5 2. Update on Referendum Lambert reported that Staff did make presentations regarding the referendum to 35 different groups. 3. Reminder of May 19 Workshop on Dogs at Flying Cloud Fields Lambert reminded the Commission that a tentative City Council workshop meeting has been scheduled for May 18 and will include discussion on dogs at Flying Cloud Fields. A notice will be sent to the Commission members once a firm date has been selected. 4. Encroachment on City Park Land Lambert reported that every year the City has residents whose property abuts City park land and who encroach on that land either by mowing or by putting a garden on that land. When the City discovers this they send them a letter asking them to get off of the City land. Lambert indicated that last year they did find an excessive number of encroachments occurring. On Spyglass Drive there were 14 properties that interfaced with the park. Some of these properties encroached on park property by having their lawn extended into the parkland and others have put in major retaining walls. One resident had spent$75,000 on landscaping. Lambert explained that the property owners have been notified and this information is being presented to the Commission for information only. These residents will be appearing before the City Council on May 4 to try and negotiate with the City Council. Staff is recommending that there be no negotiation and that the property owners be required to remove their "improvements" from the parkland by June 1. VII. ADJOURNMENT Motion: Gerst moved, Grayson seconded, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 9-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.