HomeMy Public PortalAbout01.18.2012 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
January 18, 2012
Medina City Hall
Page 1 of 4
The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on January 18, 2012 at 7:03
p.m. in the Medina City Hall. Park Commission Chair Paul Jaeb presided.
1) Call to Order
Commissioners Present: Paul Jaeb, Ben Benson, Madeleine Linck, Ann Thies, Bill
Waytas, and Jean Beaupre
Commissioners Absent: None
Also Present: City Council Liaison Melissa Martinson, Public Works
Superintendent Steve Scherer and Assistant to City
Administrator Jodi Gallup
2) Appointment of Officers:
A motion was made by Thies and seconded by Benson to nominate and appoint Paul Jaeb
as Chair, Madeleine Linck as Vice Chair, and Jean Beaupre as Secretary. Motion passed
unanimously.
3) Additions to the Agenda: Add discussion of scheduling the nature walk and 2012
goal setting session prior to the staff report.
A motion was made by Thies and seconded by Benson to approve the additions to the
agenda. Motion passed unanimously.
4) Approval of Minutes:
• December 21, 2011
A motion was made by Linck and seconded by Beaupre to approve the minutes with no
changes. Motion passed unanimously.
5) Public Comments (on items not on the agenda): None.
6) City Council Update:
Council Member Martinson updated the Park Commission on recent City Council
actions.
7) Great River Greening Grant for Medina Lake Preserve
Scherer gave an update to the Park Commission that the City previously submitted a
grant proposal to Great River Greening for Tomann Preserve, but after the representative
from Great River Greening evaluated Medina's prospective options, he felt that Medina
Lake Preserve provided a much better fit for the grant.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
January 18, 2012
Medina City Hall
Page 2 of 4
Great River Greening's proposal for Medina Lake Preserve would cost approximately
$21,000 for Buckthorn cutting, stump treating, stacking and burning and spot treating
seedlings in Area A, which has high to moderate density buckthorn. The proposal
included buckthorn basal barking and/or cutting with stump treatment and spot treating
seedlings in Area B, which consists of low density buckthorn.
Scherer stated that the grant is a one-to-one match, which leaves the city share at
approximately $10,500 for the cleanup of Medina Lake Preserve. Scherer suggested that
the project be spread out over three years to make it more affordable, since the total
annual park maintenance budget is $10,000.
The Park Commission discussed the proposal and noted the following:
• Questioned if the small buckthorn seedlings needed to be spot treated or just
pulled out of the ground.
• Stated that the fall would be the best time to remove Buckthorn to make sure they
are not disturbing any nests.
• Requested that staff get a second quote to see if the price is comparable.
• Questioned the timeline on how many times and years they would return to do the
ongoing spot treating.
8) Ba11 Field Lights at Hamel Legion Park
Scherer shared some background information regarding the ball field lighting project
stating that the city did not receive the Hennepin Youth Sports Grant for funding of phase
two of this project. The Park Commission was asked to give staff a recommendation on
how to proceed.
Discussion took place on reducing the project down to one field, instead of the original
plan to install lighting on two fields. This would mean the city would have to spend
$50,000 of park dedication funds, with a $50,000 match from the Hamel Athletic Club.
The city has already received $25,000 in funding from a Twins grant. It was noted that in
order to fund the project this way, the Park Commission would have to ignore the City's
funding policy which states that the City would contribute up to 25% of the project,
because it would be contributing 40% of the funds.
Jaeb stated that he opposed that much money from the park dedication funds going
towards this project because the city has a number of other parks including a new park in
the Pemtom development that could be using this money.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
January 18, 2012
Medina City Hall
Page 3 of 4
Benson and Beaupre agreed that the issue of the Hamel Athletic Club wanting ball field
lights would never go away, until the lights were installed.
There was a general consensus of the Park Commission not to rush into the installation of
these lights and wait another year so the City can apply for another grant from the
Hennepin Youth Sports program and the Hamel Athletic Club can look into getting
additional funding or grant money from the Twins grant program.
9) Park & Trail Master Plan Work Session
The Park Commission reviewed the park rating and park assessment report from their
December 21st meeting and decided to discuss three parks in further detail at the meeting.
Medina Morningside Park — This park does not need any new equipment. Suggestions for
park include: burying power lines, re -seeding old ball field to make a more open play
area, and look at east border.
Hunter Lions Park — Suggestions for park include: enhancing back area with mowed
loops for walking and signage, striping parking lot, update building, fix tennis court, re -
stripe basketball court and include a 3 point line, add more bleachers for ball field
seating, replace outfield fence, and eventually add a restroom and drinking fountain.
Maple Park — Suggestions for park include: equipment to enhance ball diamond area,
possible future sport court near road, and benches and picnic tables at top of hill.
It was noted that a BMX course might be a good fit in the new park in the Pemtom
development. The City of Maple Plain has a BMX course and it is very popular. Further
discussion on this will take place when reviewing that park at a future meeting.
10) Schedule Nature Walk & Goal Setting Session
Linck suggested that the nature walk be held at Tomann Preserve this year from 9 a.m. to
10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 19th. Discussion took place on whether to give away prizes
such as bird houses or feeds to try to encourage people to attend. Staff was directed to
advertise the nature walk in the spring Medina Message newsletter.
A motion was made by Linck and seconded by Benson to schedule the Nature Walk at
Tomann Preserve from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2012. Motion passed
unanimously.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
January 18, 2012
Medina City Hall
Page 4 of 4
There was a general consensus to talk about the 2012 Park Commission goals at the
February 15th Park Commission meeting.
11) Staff Report
a.) General Items — Gallup noted that an updated Park Commission roster for City
Council meetings had been created.
12) Adjourn
A motion was made by Benson and passed unanimously, to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jodi Gallup.