HomeMy Public PortalAbout04-20-2011 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2011
Medina City Hall
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The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on April 20, 2011 at 7:00
p.m. in the Medina City Hall. Park Commission Chair Janet White presided.
1) Call to Order
Commissioners present: Janet White, Jean Beaupre, Ben Benson, Madeleine Linck,
Bill Waytas and Ann Thies
Also Present: Public Works Superintendent Steve Scherer and City
Council member Melissa Martinson, Pemton
representatives Dan Herbst & Dave Nasin, Mr. & Mrs.
Jubert, City Planning Consultant Nate Sparks
2) Additions to the Agenda: White would like to add a discussion on distance
signage at Hamel Legion Park. This is to be discussed
before the staff report.
3) Approval of Minutes
• March 16, 2011 Regular Meeting Minutes
o Page 3: 2nd Paragraph: Linck state that the Buckthorn would need to be removed
early in the season prior to any animals birds starting to nest in it.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes with the noted changes.
Motion passed unanimously
4) Public Comments (on items not on agenda): None
5) City Council Update:
Martinson gave an update from the City Council meeting as follows:
• Chad Adams resigned to take a position at Albert Lea. May transitions with plans of
hiring an interim while the search for a replacement administrator takes place.
• Hennepin County police 911 is looking for a potential new location, since the demand is
growing in this area.
• The City is looking at hunting regulations and laws with consideration to the
developments.
• Hamel Athletic club wants some portable toilets in Hamel Legion Park. They asked for
three (3) portable toilets. The City has approved two (2) to be allowed for safety and
traffic reasons which were discussed.
6) Pemtom Presentations:
Application for a mixed use stage 1 plan is under review. This stage for the Park
Commission is more of a requirement then a recommendation. This development is to be
located North of Highway 55 and west of 116. Areas that are included: Jubert's and
Rolling Green Business Center. This development consists of roughly 63 single family
homes and 130 town homes to bring in density to the area. (Stage 2 will come for
recommendations also.)
Martinson asked about price points, but this will be discussed at the next stage of the
process. The document provided is a changing product, but Pemtom has asked the Park
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2011
Medina City Hall
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Commission to compare the park's comprehensive plan to the one they are proposing for
the park and trail area. The comprehensive plan is in area 1 of the active study area 1. It
also includes a trail through the area from east to west through the property. The
proposal for the park area in this development was explained. It would include
potentially totaling 10 acres of active park with ball fields and access with parking. The
current plan does not include all 10 acres, but it was suggested that to complete the 10
acres the plan could include town home development acreage, which would add an
additional 3 acres. This would also allow for trail connectivity. There was discussion
concerning putting a trail in the right of way for cost saving measures. The trail could
connect to existing and future planned trails.
Tamarack ending at future Meander Road was also discussed, which would be the
entrance to the park. The idea was discussed to have the trail connect with a location in
the Foxberry Farm development, but would take work in connecting with the HOA of
Foxberry. The Park Commission unanimously decided this was a good idea to explore
and that a report of the area to connect with should be researched and presented. The
major concern discussed was the definition between a homeowner's yard and the
maintenance issues for the trail area. Linck asked about the ordinance of wetland
preservation. Nate clarified that there is an ordinance about buffering of 30'. Thies
discussed separation from the sidewalk and road. Scherer clarified it would be a raised
curb and could potentially be separated. A traffic study needs to be done to determine
traffic light/speed, as this is a concern of the Park Commission as well.
Herbst shared his background with the companies. He would like the Park Commission
to look at the Locus property in Wayzata to see an example of work that Pemtom has
recently completed. Dan is partnering with Madame Homes to work on this project.
Originally this project was to be proposed on the Cavanaugh property to the West, but
because of fee structures for sewer & water this was too costly and no longer feasible.
Herbst answered Martinson's earlier question on cost of the town homes ranging from
$175,000-250,000. It was discussed that these town homes may be hard for families in
this area to afford. The single family homes will range from $350-490,000. Stage two
(2) of this project will bring in floor plans.
After discussion the Park Commission summarized that they are in agreement with the
following items:
• East-West Trail through development
• North -South corridor to 55 needs to be reviewed
• The internal development needs to be reviewed
• The trail system through Foxberry Farms needs to be explored by
discussing the connection with HOA
• A pedestrian system through the development is necessary
• Open space does not need to be studied, because the City has ordinances
for this, Thies states.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
April 20, 2011
Medina City Ha11
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These agreements were motioned and unanimously passed.
7) Hamel Library Relocation Request
The library relocation is to be discussed with the Park Commission, but it is currently not
in ownership to be located at current spot. In relation to the provided map it was
discussed that spot one (1) and two (2) blending and water issues, three (3) would work
well, four (4) potential water demonstration area, four (4) and five (5) block entrances
and six (6) is not visible. It was also shared by Scherer that the mural could be moved so
that it would not be hidden from view. Benson strongly recommends location three (3) to
the Park Commission.
Benson motioned and it was seconded to approve location three (3). Motion passed
unanimously.
8) Park Landscaping Projects
Benson would like to request financial help from the Hamel Athletic Club for trees.
Beaupre & Scherer will do further research on the finalization of plants. The crab trees
were set as a high priority to be accomplished this spring at Hamel Legion Park.
9) Distance Markers on Trail
The Park Commission was unanimously in agreement about the addition of distance
markers on the trails at Hamel Legion Park for pedestrian use. White is going to do
research on the variety of signage that could be put in.
10) Staff Report
• Scherer updated the Park Commission on the $25,000 Ball Field grant. Staff would bid
out this project and then would choose best bid to write the proposal around. Late
summer the supplier & design would be picked to insure using all $25,000 this year and
then in the fall apply again for more. The Hamel Athletic Association has agreed to pay
for 25% of the cost. This is a formal bid procedure since this project is over a certain
dollar amount. Bonestroo has to put bids together. This will show our dedication and
also show the Lennar development that this area will be lit.
• The staff and Park Commission unanimously agreed that Playful Cities would be
something that we would not continue with. They are not sure another task force of
volunteers can be created at this time, nor does the City necessarily have the need for this
sort of initiative. Neither the Park Commission nor the City Staff will execute this
project at this time.
11) Meeting Adjourn
A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
Minutes prepared by Jean Beaupre.