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HomeMy Public PortalAbout05.16.2007 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes May 16, 2007 Medina City Hall Page 1 of 4 The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on May 16, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Medina City Hall. Park Commission Chair Ann Thies presided. I. Call to Order Commissioners present: Ben Benson, Madeleine Linck, Bob Pastor, Ann Thies, Brian Kingsley, Gerry Dykhoff, and Galen Bruer Commissioners absent: None Also present: Chad Adams, Jodi Wunsch, Carolyn Smith, and Steve Scherer II. Additions to the Agenda: Add memo from City Attorney Ron Batty on the Park Plan/CIP under Staff Report item D. III. Approval of the Minutes from: 1. April 14, 2007 special meeting (park tour) A motion was made by Bob Pastor and seconded by Brian Kingsley to approve the minutes. Motion passed unanimously. 2. April 18, 2007 regular meeting A motion was made by Galen Bruer and seconded by Ben Benson to approve the minutes. Motion passed unanimously. 3. May 2, 2007 special meeting (comprehensive plan) ■ On page 2, section B, second sentence should read, "...possible future active parks." A motion was made by Ben Benson and seconded by Bob Pastor to approve the minutes with the noted change. Motion passed unanimously. IV. Public Comments (on items not on the agenda): Medina Resident Michael Fine, 550 Navajo Road, asked the Park Commission if tonight's discussion would involve neighborhood trails. Ann Thies said we were focusing more on trail connections from other cities, and he should return on Monday, May 21 st when it would be more applicable to address his concerns. V. Comprehensive Plan Planning a) Review Surrounding City's Comprehensive Plans Park Commissioners studied the surrounding city's comprehensive trail plans and marked the appropriate trail linkage areas on the Medina map which was placed in the middle of the surrounding cities' maps. The following city to city trail linkages were marked: ■ Plymouth: County Road 24, Elm Creek Corridor, Evergreen Trail ■ Independence: Sycamore Trail/County Road 19 ■ Corcoran: Willow North, Pioneer Trail, 116 & 101 are existing Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes May 16, 2007 Medina City Hall Page 2 of 4 • Orono: Tamarack Drive b) Draft Open Space Map The Park Commission briefly looked at the high quality natural areas composite map from the draft open space plan. It was hard to understand the data in its current form so it was suggested to reprint the map larger with an aerial view of the city behind the data. This map will be revisited at the May 21st Park Commission meeting. c) GIS Mapping (overlay) Chad Adams used the City's GIS mapping software to get a good look at the different features of the land such as wetlands, lakes, steep slopes, greenway corridors, Medina natural resources, and parcel data. This information helped the Park Commission better assess the active park study areas that were suggested at the May 2nd Park Commission meeting. After reviewing the data, there was a general consensus that the active park study areas needed to be at least 10 acres, scenic, but buildable, and accessible. After reviewing the three active study areas from the last meeting, the park commission narrowed it down to one area. There was a general consensus to remove area 2 & 3 and focus on 1 (Cavanaugh/Jubert Properties). It was suggested to take 4-5 acres from each property to create about a 10 acres active park. A more general active study area was added to the map with a large circle from Willow to Mohawk. Once the Park Commission has a chance to study more data such as population and proximity to other parks, they will be able to better narrow down their study area. Adams mentioned that Planning Consultant Jennifer Haskamp was working on creating formulas to calculate projected population densities in various areas of the city. VI. General Business a) Finish Park Tour Discussion Rainwater Park — The city has been talking to Ryan Companies about removing the dirt, but they are not excited to move the dirt. The city is still trying to figure out why there was so much extra dirt and if it could be moved somewhere else. Hunter Lions Park — The burn took place and residents were notified. It was requested to remove the pile of wood chips, which Steve Scherer will take care of Creating a volunteer program was also suggested. Hidden Lake — This could be a possible passive park. It was suggested to create access from County Road 19, but the city would still need the easement. There is an existing easement on the South end of the Sipe's property. It would also be nice for the regional trail users to be able to take a short jaunt from the County Road 19 Regional Trail to view this passive park. Ben Benson mentioned that this lake was an ideal high quality area and it needed an official name and needed to be on the map. A motion was made by Galen Bruer and seconded by Gerry Dykhoff to name the lake "Hidden Lake Sanctuary". Motion passed unanimously. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes May 16, 2007 Medina City Hall Page 3 of 4 Holy Name Lake — Steve Scherer and Jon Barten with Three Rivers Park District are planning on meeting next week to discuss the erosion problem and give the city some suggestions. Madeleine Linck mentioned that mowing the grass further away from the shoreline could create more of a buffer and also help with the geese problem. There was a general consensus that Holy Name Lake should be used as a "Lake Scaping" demonstration. b) Name City Park next to Bridgewater Development Gerry Dykhoff reminded the Park Commission that the lake next to this park was historically known as Medina Lake. He wanted to keep that name for historical purposes. Galen Bruer liked the idea of giving the park a name that is associated with a land mark that everyone knows such as Medina Lake. Brian Kingsley mentioned that the lake is not visible from the park. A motion was made by Gerry Dykhoff and seconded by Galen Bruer to name the park "Medina Lake Preserve". Motion passed unanimously. VII. Staff Report a) Plaza RFP update — Funds will be provided to the city by the end of the week and the RFP will go out next week. b) Basketball Court RFP update — The city is waiting for the funds for the playground equipment before going out for RFP for the basketball court. It will be two separate RFP's but it was recommended to do the projects at the same time so it does not interfere with the current playground equipment. c) Independence Beach — Buck Thorn — Steve Scherer updated the Park Commission on a resident complaint with Buck Thorn at Independence Beach. Carolyn Smith suggested creating a bank stabilization plan. Ann Thies suggested planting native plantings that will work well for stabilization on wetlands and banks. Carolyn Smith also suggested putting down compost rolls. d) Memo from City Attorney Ron Batty on Park Plan/CIP The memo from the City Attorney Ron Batty was addressing what the Park Commission needed for a Park Plan. Adams stated that the city was in good shape as far as having an extensive CIP. The city also already has a parks and trails plan. The memo also mentioned that it allowed for broader corridors. He also suggested coming up with a policy for a quick way to update the plan because the city has deadlines to respond to applicants and updating a plan could not always wait until the next monthly park commission meeting. Ann Thies suggested calling special meetings to order in those cases. VIII. Adjournment A motion was made by Gerry Dykhoff, seconded by Bob Pastor and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes May 16, 2007 Medina City Hall Page 4 of 4 Minutes prepared by Jodi Wunsch