HomeMy Public PortalAbout01-18-2006 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
January 18, 2006 (revised)
Page 1 of 4
Call to order 7:02
A. Commissioners present: Randy Hughes, Robin Reid, Galen Bruer, Tom Gregor;
Gerry Dykhoff, Ann Thies, Madeleine Linck
B. Absent: None
C. Also present: Jim Dillman, Rose Lorsung; Carolyn Smith
D. Additions to agenda: Soft Drink Machine for Community Bldg
Introduction of new Commissioners: Ann Thies, Madeleine Linck
Election of Officers: Randy Hughes was re-elected Chairman; Galen Bruer was elected
Vice Chair; Robin Reid was re-elected Secretary
Approval of last meeting's minutes:
Minutes of the December 21, 2005 meeting were approved, with the correction noting
Carolyn Smith's presence at the meeting.
Public Comments: none
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Hunter Park Playscape Update
1. Jim Dillman reported that last night the City Council accepted Earl F.
Anderson's proposal, as recommended by the Park Commission.
B. Skating Rink, Hamel Legion Park
1. There was a discussion about the lack of lighting on the skating rink and
sliding hill at night. During the short days, it gets dark early, but often people
are still in the park. Jim Dillman noted that there is a timer light in the center of
the skating rink that the skaters can turn on, but it is not bright enough to light
the entire area. The sliding hill is very dark, with no light source. This topic
was reserved for discussion later in the year.
C. Hamel Community Building Usage Rules
1. Galen Bruer reviewed his draft of new, more detailed Usage Rules. He
stated that he would like the City Administrator to have the authority to decide
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
January 18, 2006 (revised)
Page 2 of 4
who can use the building at no charge. Currently the applicant has to appear
in front of the City Council to get an exception to the rental fee.
2. Ann Thies noted that the rule stating requiring cancellations to be "in
writing" needs clarification: is a fax to be considered acceptable? Or e-mail?
3. There was a discussion of the policy on setting up the room. Carolyn Smith
suggested that there be a standard set-up. If groups want something else,
they should pay for set-up, or arrange the room themselves and return the
room to the original condition after their event.
4. Madeleine Linck questioned the statement requiring "adult supervision"
because adult is not defined. 18? 21? What is "competent adult supervison"?
She also noted that the policy prohibiting pets or animals in the building
should exclude trained service dogs who help their disabled owners
5. Tom Gregor stated that the policy on alcohol in the building should be the
same as the policy for the park, because people who use the building will
likely to be going back and forth between the building and the park areas.
Carolyn Smith said that the City Council had discussed an alcohol policy.
Because a copy of the policy set by the City Council was not available, this
topic was postponed for discussion at the next Park Commission meeting.
6. There was a discussion about whether to allow hard liquor to be served, or
limit consumption to beer and wine. Galen Bruer noted that wedding parties
often want to have a full bar available.
7. The rate for custodial services if required was clarified to 1 1/2 times the
custodian's hourly rate.
8. Galen Bruer raised the question as to what will be considered a non-profit
group that qualifies for free rental. For example, would a church group have to
should qualify for free rental. Carolyn Smith gave the example of a person
who taught a driving safety class at the building and charged the participants
a fee, who therefore should not qualify for free rental. Tom Gregor asked if
sports team banquets would qualify for free rental or not. There was a
consensus that the City Administrator should be empowered to decide who
qualifies for free rent, with the lessor having the option of appealing to the City
Council.
9. Robin Reid suggested that the specifics prohibiting attaching decorations
to the walls be left in the policy. Tom Gregor noted that people usually want to
decorate for wedding receptions. It was suggested that decorations should be
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
January 18, 2006 (revised)
Page 3 of 4
allowed as long as they did not require the use of tape, staples, tacks or other
fasteners that could harm the paint on the walls.
10.To eliminate any inappropriate activities, it was suggested that the lessor
be required to describe the planned activities when requesting a reservation.
11.The policy discussion will be continued at next month's Park Commission
meeting.
D. Open Space Planning (continuing discussion from last meeting)
1. Rose Lorsung met with the new Park Commissioners before the meeting
to bring them up to speed on Open Space Planning activities.
2. Rose is planning to set up times when Commissioners can tour the various
sites that have been suggested as Open Space.
3. Rose provided a map showing the proposed Corridor and the location of
several pieces of land that would make desirable parks or nature areas.
4. There was a discussion of how the proposed Corridor was determined.
Rose state that it was based on an inventory done by Dave Thill about 5 years
ago. The Commission can re -design the Corridor as they see fit. There was a
discussion about how to do this.
5. Conservation easements were discussed. Rose noted that most
easements are done privately and are not on any maps. There was a
discussion of how and why landowners might be motivated to preserve part of
their property if they benefited in other ways. For example, higher density
development might be permitted on part of the land, with the rest being
preserved.
6. It was noted that portions of the City such as Baker Park Reserve already
have certain restrictions.
7. There was a discussion of how to present the Open Spaces Plan to the
public, emphasizing the benefits of higher property values and preserving the
City's rural atmosphere which makes Medina such an attractive area to live.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
January 18, 2006 (revised)
Page 4of4
NEW BUSINESS
A. Soft drink machine for the Community Building and Legion Park
1. Jim Dillman reported that there have been several requests for a soft drink
machine. Tom Gregor said that the Fire Department is interested in
sponsoring the machine as a source of revenue. There was a discussion of
possible locations for the machine.
a) A motion was made, seconded and passed that the City Council be
asked to work with the Fire Department to get a soft drink machine
installed at the Community Building.
Adjourned at 9:36
Next meeting — There was agreement that meetings should return to City Hall. The next
meeting will be on February 15 at City Hall.
Revised Minutes submitted by:
Robin Reid, Secretary, Parks Commission