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HomeMy Public PortalAbout02-16-2005 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes February 16 , 2005 Page 1 of 5 I. Call to order 7:04 A. Commissioners present: Galen Bruer, Gerry Dykhoff, Robin Reid, Jeff Evanson, Tom Gregor B. Absent: Randy Hughes, Brad Kvanbek C. Also present: Jim Dil!man and two representatives from the Hamel Lions — Eric Jungels and Scott Lindsley II. Additions to agenda: Two items were added to the agenda: the Lions' items and the Capital Improvements Plan. Elections were moved to the end of the agenda. III. Approval of last meeting's minutes: There were two corrections to the January 19 minutes: On page 1, section IV, paragraph A, item 1., the donated land is east (not west) of the development's Tot Lot. On page 3, section V, paragraph D, item 1., Tom Gregor objected to the phrase "the donating organization cannot specify what the donation will be used for,..." because the donating organization can recommend or request a specific use, which the City may or may not follow. And, although the possibility of using the donation for Community Building furnishings was discussed, no decision was made at the last meeting. The topic will be revisited tonight. Minutes of the January 19 meeting were accepted, with the above corrections. IV. New Business: A. Hamel Lions Proposal for Additional Community Building Improvements 1. The Lions would like to donate a park bench at Hamel Legion Park in honor of Tom Gregor's late father, Rex Gregor. The bench is to be installed in one of the locations selected last year, along the south section of the trail. An 8 foot bench costs $1,100. 2. The Lions would like to see a fire ring build near the community building for groups that want a bonfire. Tom Gregor volunteered the services of the landscape architect on his staff, and will solicit donations of materials and labor from local landscape contractors. Tom has suggested that the $2,000 recently donated by the Hamel Firemen's Relief Fund might be used for this project. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes February 16 , 2005 Page 2 of 5 3. There was a discussion about the need for a fire permit when the fire pit is to be used. Tom Gregor stated that a fire permit is not required for a recreational fire. The renting group will need to request permission for a bonfire as part of their rental application. a) A motion was made and passed unanimously to accept the Tom Gregor's donation. The decision on the Firemen's Relief Fund was tabled until the cost of the project is determined. 4. The Lions' representatives reported that there is a problem with ice on the sidewalks around the Community Building. Snow melt is running off the roof onto the sidewalks and freezing. It was agreed that gutters are probably necessary. 5. Jim Dillman stated that the building also needs a water softener and water shut-off valves for the outside bathrooms. He also reported that the City Council has expressed a desire to see the area around the building sodded because of all the mud being tracked into the building. The ground was seeded in the fall but it will take awhile for the grass to get established. Jeff Evanson suggested that hydro -seeding also be considered. Any decision about sodding was postponed until Spring, when it will be easier to evaluate the existing grass. Snow fences could be used to keep people away from the muddy areas. 6. The Lions would like to donate $20,000 to improve and replace the playground equipment. Jim Dillman suggested they work with Earl F. Anderson, the company that designed and installed the play areas at Morningside Park and Independence Beach/Lakeshore Park. It was suggested that the Lions consider using natural colors (browns and greens) instead of bright primary colors for the play structures. The colors of the Lakeshore Park structure were changed in response to neighborhood input, and the resulting structure unobtrusively blends into the landscape. It was agreed that a harmonious appearance should be maintained for all of the various structures surrounding the Community Building. 7. Jim Dillman noted that the consultant working on the Uptown Hamel Traffic Study has stated that the intersection of Hamel Rd and Mill Drive, where the entrance to the Community Building's north parking lot is located, is a problem. If the intersection is changed as part of the Uptown Hamel project, this could affect the location of the park trail and the playground area. (See later discussion below.) The Park Commission again thanked the Lions for their very generous contributions to Hamel Legion Park and the Community Building. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes February 16 , 2005 Page 3 of 5 V. Old Business: A. Hamel Legion Park Donor Wall 1. Gerry Dykhoff showed a full size mock-up of the plaques listing all of the contributors in chronological order. The new design for the top plaque has the following inscription: "This park is the result of the foresight and generosity of the Hamel -Medina community" The plaque company will make a final proof for review and proofreading before the plaques are made. VI. New Business (resumed) A. Update on Planning and Zoning Projects 1. Jim Dillman reported that the City Council approved Charles Cudd's Bridgewater development, but the Council required a Park Dedication Fee in addition to the land donated to the City. B. Park Updates 1. Jim Dillman reported that the City Council has requested that the Park Commission complete and submit a Short and Long -Term Capital Improvement Plan before the Council's June 22 meeting. Commissioners agreed to review the draft Park Inventory at the March meeting, as the starting point for an Improvement Plan. 2. In reference to the earlier discussion about the additional improvements for the Community Building, it was noted that the Lions will have exhausted their current Community Building Fund by contributing the new playground equipment. a) A motion was made and passed unanimously to recommend to the City Council that Park Dedication Fees be used this Spring to pay for new gutters and a water softener. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes February 16 , 2005 Page 4 of 5 C. Hamel Legion Park Trails 1. Jim Dillman showed maps of the area around the Community Building and discussed alternatives for re -locating the trail to make room for the storm water pond needed for Uptown Hamel. The trail will also be affected if the entrance to the north parking lot is changed. Jim showed how the trail could be re-routed, and suggested that a plaza area with benches and a drinking fountain be created at the north entrance. The Commission asked Jim Dillman to coordinate the plans for all of the projects — the fire pit, the playground improvements, the ice skating rink changes, the parking lot alterations and the trail location — and prepare a Master Plan describing how all of these projects will be integrated. D. Rainwater Park 1. Jim Dillman showed the map of the new park area, and the proposed location of the rain garden which would help filter run-off water before it flows into Elm Creek. The center of the area is currently torn up because of storm sewer construction. Connie Fortin of Fortin Consulting has submitted a proposal to the City Council for preparing a natural landscaping plan for the new park. a) A motion was made and passed unanimously recommending that the City Council accept Fortin's proposals, pay the consulting fee out of the Environmental Fund. and proceed with the plans for Rainwater Park. A second motion was passed, with one dissenting vote, to use the name Rainwater Park (as opposed to Rain Water Park). E. What is a Park? 1. There was a discussion of what constitutes a park, versus open space. What about city -owned land designated as Nature Areas? What should Park Dedication Fees encompass? Should Park Dedication Fees be used for trails, or just for parks? Should land donated for open spaces be credited toward the Park Dedication Fee? Is an open space area that is undeveloped but has public access be considered a "passive park"? Should the Park Commission be responsible for open spaces planning? No motions resulted from this discussion, but in general the Commissioners agreed that a Park must be accessible to the public, therefore an open space without access would not qualify as a park. This discussion is to be continued at future meetings. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes February 16 , 2005 Page 5 of 5 F. Election of Officers 1. The following officers were nominated and subsequently elected by unanimous votes: a) Randy Hughes, Chairman b) Jeff Evanson, Vice Chairman c) Robin Reid, Secretary VII. Adjourn — Meeting was adjourned at 9:02 VIII. Next meeting — March 16, 2005