HomeMy Public PortalAbout04-19-2006 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
April 19, 2006
Medina City Hall
Page 1 of 4
Call to order 7:07 p.m.
A. Commissioners present: Randy Hughes, Galen Bruer, Gerry Dykhoff, Ann Thies,
Madeleine Linck, Robin Reid
B. Absent: Tom Gregor
C. Also present: Chad Adams, Carolyn Smith, Rick Groth (Hamel Athletic Club)
D. Additions to agenda:
There were none.
Approval of last meeting's minutes:
Minutes of the March 15 were approved with one minor correction.
Public Comments: None
NEW BUSINESS:
A. Batting Cages for Hamel Legion Park
1. Rick Groth from the Hamel Athletic Club described the group's plan for
adding two batting cages adjacent to the quad baseball fields. The Club has
already purchased a pitching machine and is raising funds to cover the cost of
the required fencing, netting and a concrete pad. Total cost is expected to be
around $6,000. The Club is not asking for any City funding, but construction
would be done under City supervision.
a) Gerry Dykhoff made a motion, which was seconded and passed
unanimously, that the Park Commission recommend to the City Council
that they accept the Hamel Athletic Club's gift of the batting cages.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Open Spaces Planning
1. Chad Adams reported on Open Spaces Planning activities. An Open
Spaces Task Force has been appointed to develop an Open Spaces Plan,
which would then be incorporated into the City's updated Comprehensive
Plan. An RFP has been issued and several proposals have already been
received for a consultant to assist with Open Spaces planning. The City
Council will select the consultant at their May 16th meeting and introduce the
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
April 19, 2006
Medina City Hall
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consultant the following night at the Joint Meeting of the City Council,
Planning Commission and Park Commission.
B. Wetlands Ordinance
1. The Wetlands Ordinance has been placed on hold until a wetland value
assessment of all City wetlands has been completed. About a third of the City
has already been surveyed by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District staff.
The City Council will select a consultant to assess the remaining two-thirds of
the City's wetlands.
C. Moratorium
1. The City Council adopted the 50 ft setbacks recommended by the
Moratorium Task Force, and set the minimum lot width for Rural Residential at
300 ft. Landowners who have difficulty complying with the 300 ft minimum will
be allowed to go to the Council to seek an exception. The Council will also
hear any landowners who want to request an exception to any future Open
Spaces regulations.
D. "Friends of Elm Creek"
1. The Star -Tribune recently ran an article about a group of people who want
to establish a trail along Elm Creek, ending in Medina. Someone from the
group contacted Rose Lorsung but we were not given any information prior to
the appearance of the article. Park Commissioners expressed their surprise
that no one from the "Friends of Elm Creek" group has contacted the Park
Commission about Medina's portion of the proposed trail.
E. Cty Rd 19 Trail Planning
1. Galen Bruer is the Park Commission's liaison with Hennepin County
regarding the proposed trail for Cty Rd 19. Hennepin County and the Three
Rivers Parks District have expressed interest in holding a public workshop to
discuss the proposed trail and various alternatives. It was decided that the
workshop can be held at 6:00 p.m. before the regular Park Commission
meeting on June 21. Residents of the area will be notified about the
workshop. Robin Reid requested that Independence Beach residents be
surveyed about the need for a paved trail on the west side of Cty Rd 19 from
Independence Beach to Baker Park, because there may not be enough
interest to justify the expense of the project.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
April 19, 2006
Medina City Hall
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F. Report on City Council Actions and Discussions
1. Joseph Paumen has been hired as Director of Public Works. He formerly
was with the Golden Valley Public Works Dept.
2. At last night's meeting, the City Council discussed the possibility of putting
a referendum on this November's ballot proposing a tax increase to generate
money for open spaces, parks and trails.
Park Commissioners discussed the timing of a referendum, and there was a
consensus that more public education and more planning need to be done
before a referendum is held, so that voters have a clearer idea of what the
funding would be for.
OTHER NEW BUSINESS:
A. Hamel Legion Park
1. Harriet Dorweiler has donated money for two new park benches at Hamel
Legion Park, in memory of her late husband. She has two locations in mind for
the benches.
B. Hunter Lions Park
1. A Medina resident has asked about renting Hunter Lions Park on an
upcoming Saturday for a private wedding event. Park Commissioners agreed
this was acceptable as long as the ball field wasn't already scheduled for that
evening. City Staff will work out the details.
OTHER OLD BUSINESS:
A. 2006 Capital Improvement Plan and Projects
1. Chad Adams reviewed progress to date on the projects in the Capital
Improvement Plan for 2006. The City engineers will be completing the Hunter
Drive trail. There are still some right-of-way issues to be cleared up. The
Ryan/Target development may accelerate the construction of the Cty Hwy 116
trail. Park Commissioners noted the need to complete and connect some of
the trails in order to demonstrate that progress is being made.
2. There is money in the budget for a basketball court, additional parking,
hydroseeding, the fire pit, an entrance plaza and signage, a lighted flag pole
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April 19, 2006
Medina City Hall
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and additional benches for Hamel Legion Park. Decisions need to be made
about these projects. There was a brief discussion regarding the negative
impact of another paved parking lot on impervious surface area, but because
this park is primarily design for athletics, Commissioners recognize the need
for additional parking for game events.
B. Hamel Community Building
1. The Lions will continue as the lease agent, but they are having trouble
obtaining affordable liability insurance.
2. Bookings have been operating more smoothly and rentals have increased.
The Lions could use some assistance with marketing the facility. Galen Bruer
suggested that an online calendar, accessible to both the Lions and City Staff,
would make the booking process more efficient. Gerry Dykhoff noted that the
supply of brochures in the box outside the building needs to be replenished
more frequently so people can get the information easily when they are
interested in renting.
3. Chad Adams reported that the vending machine agreement proposed by
Coca-Cola would limit their exclusivity to City -sponsored events, but would not
cover private events at the Community Building. Park Commissioners directed
City Staff to approve Coca-Cola's offer for only one machine, for a maximum
of 3 years, at which time the agreement can be re-evaluated.
4. Gerry Dykhoff noted that the shelters need another coat of wood
preservative. He offered to contact the contractor about doing this.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
NEXT MEETING:
The joint meeting of the City Council, Planning Commission and Park Commission on May 17
at the Community Building will take the place of the regular May meeting.
A special meeting will be scheduled for June 7 for the annual Parks Tour. We will meet at
6:00 at City Hall to board the bus for the tour.
As noted above, the June meeting on June 21 will be proceeded by a public workshop on the
Cty Rd 19 trail.
Minutes prepared by Robin Reid, Secretary, Park Commission