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