HomeMy Public PortalAbout03.18.2015 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
March 18, 2015
Medina City Hall
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The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on March 18, 2015 at 7:00
p.m. at Medina City Hall. Park Commission Vice Chair Madeleine Linck presided.
1) Call to Order
Commissioners Present:
Commissioners Absent:
Also Present:
Madeleine Linck, Lori Meehan, Robin Reid and John Jacob
Steve Lee, Nate Pearson and Dino DesLauriers
City Council member Lorie Cousineau, Public Works
Director Steve Scherer and Assistant to City Administrator
Jodi Gallup
2) Additions to the Agenda: Blue Bird Trail Monitoring Program
A motion was made by Meehan and seconded by Reid to add "Blue Bird Trail
Monitoring Program" to the agenda after the Eagle Scout Project. Motion passed
unanimously.
3) Approval of Minutes:
• February 18, 2015 Meeting
A motion was made by Reid and seconded by Meehan to approve the minutes from
February 18, 2015 as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
4) Public Comments (on items not on the agenda): None.
5) City Council Update
Lorie Cousineau gave the Park Commission a brief update on City Council actions since
the last time the Park Commission met. Discussion also took place on being mindful of
when new trails are being proposed on what the maintenance plan will be for those
specific trails such as if those trails will be plowed/maintained in the winter.
6) Eagle Scout Project — Hamel Legion Park
It was noted that Ted Fust with the Hamel Hawks sent the Park Commissioners an email
after the last meeting explaining that there was a miscommunication on how the plans
were presented. His email noted that since the fences are being moved forward, as the
drawing indicates, they thought it would be more beneficial to move the "side" bleachers
up behind the new fence line; leaving the large slab directly behind the home plate. They
felt that this would allow better viewing of the ball game by those in attendance, allow
more green space between the three slabs and there would also be a lesser amount of
concrete than the plan approved at last month's meeting.
The Park Commissioners reviewed the plans that were approved at the February 18th
meeting and discussed the new proposal. It was noted that on the new proposal some
sightlines might be lost on the side of the bleachers closest to the dugouts. It was also
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
March 18, 2015
Medina City Hall
Page 2 of 3
noted that if the plan remained the same as approved on February 18th, it could
potentially allow for more seating at a future date and currently lawn chairs would be
able to be used in front of the moved up fences.
A motion was made by Jacob and seconded by Meehan to recommend keeping the
concrete layout plans as approved on February 18th with the fences moved forward to
improve sightlines. Motion passed unanimously.
7) Blue Bird Trail Monitoring Program
Linck stated that a previous Park Commissioner and she have installed Bluebird houses
scattered around the city in seven locations including City Hall, Holy Name Park,
Rainwater Nature Area Tomann Preserve, Hunter Lions Park, Hennepin County Public
Works and Medina Lake Preserve. She noted that the Bluebird houses need to be
monitored from April to August to be effective. Monitoring requires checking the boxes
every seven to ten days to record nests, eggs, and young that fledge and cleaning the
boxes each fall.
Linck stated that she has been monitoring all of the Bluebird houses each year, but 2015
will be her last year monitoring as she will be moving to the east coast next year. An
article has been placed in the April/May issue of the Medina Message Newsletter
requesting Bluebird Monitors. Linck is looking for volunteers to commit to this program
and is willing to train them this year.
It was noted that this could be a good class project if there was a willing teacher to
supervise or a great scout project. It was also suggested to try to find a bird watching
group to help with this program.
8) Planned Park Improvements — Each Member to Adopt a Park
Park Commissioners were asked to adopt at least one park to lead the efforts for that
specific park. The following parks were adopted by the following members:
• Lakeshore Park — Robin Reid
• Rainwater Nature Area — Dino DesLauriers
• Hamel Legion Park — Dino DesLauriers
• Hunter Lions Park — John Jacob
• Holy Name Park — Lori Meehan
• Tomann Preserve - Madeleine Linck
• Maple Park — Nate Pearson
• Medina Morningside Park — Steve Lee
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
March 18, 2015
Medina City Hall
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It was noted that Park Commissioners should plan to visit their adopted parks prior to the
May Park Tour to bring their ideas to the other members.
9) Schedule Spring Park Tour
A motion was made by Reid and seconded by Jacob to schedule the annual spring park
tour on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 5: 30 p.m. in place of the regularly scheduled May
meeting.
10) Staff Report
• Linck will be leading residents on a wildlife/nature walk at Tomann Preserve on
Thursday, June 1lt' from 6-8 p.m.
• An updated Park Dedication fund balance was included in the packet.
• Bids will be opened for the Park at Fields of Medina site work. The substantial
completion date of the project is expected to be mid -July.
• An updated tree plan for Hamel Legion Park was distributed to the Park
Commissioners. Lennar will be planting these trees early this summer.
• It was noted that the city was informed that the City of Plymouth has received an
application for a 270 unit apartment complex off Brockton Road adjacent to
Hamel Legion Park.
11) Adjourn
A motion was made by Jacob, seconded by Reid and passed unanimously, to adjourn the
meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jodi Gallup.