HomeMy Public PortalAbout05.21.2013, park work session minutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
May 21, 2013
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The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in special session jointly with the City
Council on May 21, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. Chair Jaeb presided.
I. Call to Order
Commissioners present: Paul Jaeb, Ellis Olkon, Madeleine Linck, Ann Thies, Dino
DesLauriers and Janet White
Commissioners absent: Steve Lee
Also present: City Administrator Scott Johnson, Assistant to City Administrator
Jodi Gallup, Public Works Director Steve Scherer, City Planner Dusty Finke and the
Medina City Council
II. Park & Trail Master Plan Presentation & Discussion
Jaeb stated that the Park Commission embarked on creating this plan in 2012 to better
guide and manage the current system and more effectively plan for future growth. He
indicated that over the course of the last year, the Park Commission has assessed our
current inventory, brought in experts to provide park planning insight, created
subcommittees, and looked at numerous examples of park and trail master plans from
cities of similar size and nature across the country.
Jaeb briefly introduced each section of the plan including the goals, objectives, design
standards, development policies, and existing facility inventory.
City Planner Finke described the Future Facility Planning Map, which shows existing and
future home sites, existing and two potential future park locations, and existing and
planned trails. The existing and planned parks have a highlighted area around them
within 1/2 mile in red and 1 mile in tan to illustrate the radius of residents these parks will
serve.
Thies introduced the Trail Plan that was updated by a subcommittee of the Park
Commission. She noted that a number of the trails on the plan were along roads, but one
of the goals of the subcommittee was to create off road trails that go cross country near
high quality natural areas such as the proposed trail (numbers 28, 29 & 30 on the map)
that connects Baker Park Reserve to Wolsfeld Woods SNA.
Thies highlighted a few other trails and explained the surface types for each trail.
City Council Member Pederson questioned if the City knew of any proposed parks or
trails in Corcoran near their new proposed developments. No one knew of anything
proposed at this time, but there was a general consensus that the Park Commission should
annually review what Medina's surrounding cities are planning for parks and trails.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
May 21, 2013
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City Council Member Anderson questioned if there would be any benefit to reach out to
Three Rivers Park District annually to hold joint meetings to discuss park and trail
planning It was noted that a representative from Three Rivers Park District had attended
a Park Commission meeting in 2012 and the City has worked with our previous
representative Sara Wyatt to address issues such as adequate horse trailer parking at
Baker Park Reserve.
Finke explained the construction cost and maintenance cost analysis documents that were
included in the plan. He noted that to build out all of the planned infrastructure in the
plan, it would cost roughly $18.5 million dollars. He also noted that when the entire city
is built out according to the current comprehensive plan, the city will receive
approximately $14.7 million dollars in Park Dedication funds. This will happen over the
next 20 to 30 years, but the cost estimates were made using today's dollars.
Discussion took place on the likelihood of all the trails in the plan being acquired and
built. It was guessed that maybe 70% of these trails would be built, which would save
some park dedication dollars.
City Council Member Martin questioned if the Park Dedication fee could be raised and
how Medina's fee compares with surrounding cities?
Finke stated that in the past it would have been hard to justify raising the Park Dedication
fee, but this study could justify a fee increase. He also noted that Medina's Park
Dedication fee was slightly lower than surrounding cities, but Medina's sewer and water
connection fees were much higher than surrounding cities.
It was noted that an annual review of the cost analysis documents should be completed
based on the current construction rates and planned improvements.
The City Council complimented the Park Commission on the time and detail that went
into creating this plan. It was noted that the City Council would be providing their
individual comments to the Park Commission for further discussion and incorporation
into the plan.
III. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jodi Gallup.