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HomeMy Public PortalAbout06-16-04 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes June 16, 2004 Page 1 of 5 I. Call to order 7:02 pm A. Commissioners present — Randy Hughes, Robin Reid, Tom Gregor, Gerry Dykhoff, Galen Bruer B. Absent — Theresa Richey, Brad Kvanbek C. Also present — Chad Adams, Josh Doty II. Additions to agenda There were no additions to the agenda. The agenda was rearranged to make the Independence Beach/Lakeshore Avenue park discussion the first topic so that residents present at the meeting would not have to stay until the end of the meeting. The report on the June 15 Regional Trail Meeting was postponed. III. Approval of last meeting's minutes a) A motion was passed to accept the corrected April 16 minutes. IV. Business A. Report on Status of Independence Beach/Lakeshore Ave Park 1. Josh Doty showed the concept for the new playground area as proposed by Earl F. Anderson. Several Commissioners expressed concerns about having the playground area so close to the road. 2. There were several Independence Beach residents present at the meeting and they, too, thought the location of the playground was less than ideal. 3. Citizens also requested that the Commission consider adding another picnic table, and perhaps a horseshoe pit. Chad Adams and Mr. Doty pointed out that there are safety issues involved in having a horseshoe pit, particularly in a small park like this one. 4. Mr. Doty reported that he had received a petition containing about 30 signatures from Independence Beach residents who want to encourage the Commission to improve the park, particularly for children. 5. Citizens also questioned whether some of the labor could be donated by residents to save money. A similar plan had been proposed when the Morningside Park was improved, but when the time came, the volunteers did not appear and the city crew ended up doing all the work. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes June 16, 2004 Page 2 of 5 6. The Commission directed Mr. Doty to direct the Anderson company to develop an alternative with the playground in a different location. a) A motion was passed accepting Earl F Anderson's design of the play structure as shown, but not in the proposed location. B. Report on proposed improvements to the Lakeshore Avenue park and boat ramp. 1. Josh Doty presented several alternatives proposed for upgrading the boat ramp. The proposed plan involves using 6 ft slabs of concrete. There was a discussion of the issues involved, including how far the ramp needed to extend into the water, and how the ramp could be constructed to minimize ice damage over the winter. Both Commissioners and residents thought that the proposed 20 ft width was not necessary; the single lane ramp is wide enough the way it is now. The primary issue is how to fix the lower end of the ramp so that people can lower their boats into the water without damaging their trailer. 2. The Commissioners asked Mr. Doty to continue researching this topic to try to determine the best way of constructing the ramp, based on the design of other ramps in this area. 3. Several residents attending the meeting reiterated their desire to see the beach area adjacent to the boat ramp restored to its former condition. However, it was noted that the lake level was lower when the beach area was constructed, whereas now the shoreline is fairly narrow. When the boat ramp is improved, the adjacent beach will at least be more accessible. 4. Residents requested that the City clean up the beach area (as was done in the past), to clear out the buckthorn and trash, trim branches hanging over the water, and generally restore the shore area. Commissioners requested that staff ask Jim Dillman to propose a plan to improve the condition of the park along the shoreline. Residents have volunteered to do some of this work, but the Commissioner agreed that any tree trimming, shrub removal, etc, must be done under the direction of City staff. Residents should not be performing unauthorized work in the parks. The DNR has strict rules about shoreline vegetation, and any work to be done must be researched and planned before any action is taken. Mr. Doty also pointed out that there are some small lots along the lakeshore that were purchased for lake access, and owners probably should be contacted before any work is planned. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes June 16, 2004 Page 3 of 5 5. Robin Reid volunteered to attend an upcoming meeting of the Lake Independence Citizens Association, to give them an update on the Commission's plans for the Lakeshore Avenue park, particularly the boat ramp. C. Chad Adams asked the Commission to prepare a list of suggested capital improvements to be included in the City's 2005 budget. 1. Mr Adams also pointed out that this year's budget included some additional funding for park maintenance and trails, and the Commission should suggest how this money may best be used. 2. Current trail priorities have been determined by ongoing road construction projects, including completing the Sioux Drive trail and the Hunter Drive trail. D. Mr Adams reported that construction is beginning on the Hamel Legion Park Community Bldg. 1. There are some outstanding issues, including the possibility of putting a basketball court adjacent to the parking lot, the location of benches along the perimeter path, and a review of the City's cost of installing the concrete pads for donated park benches. E. Mr. Doty reviewed the list of suggested improvements based on the Commission's observations of park conditions during last month's Park Tour. 1. Maple Park — In response to the requests of nearby residents, the satellite toilet enclosure should be moved to the other side of the parking lot, in front of the existing bushes which will screen the enclosure from the residents' view. 2. Hunter Park — The rusty slide and playground structure need to be replaced as soon as money is available. The park currently lacks a source of potable water; the possibility of drilling a well at some future date was discussed. F. Open Spaces 1. Given that the Park Commission must focus its efforts on parks and trails, no action is proposed on Open Spaces activities. However, the Commission would like to encourage citizens to form an Open Spaces Committee separate from the Park Commission, similar to the way the City of Independence group started. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes June 16, 2004 Page 4 of 5 G. Donor Wall for Hamel Legion Park 1. Gerry Dychoff asked the other Commissioners if he should go ahead with plans to have a Donor Wall constructed at the Park. Commissioners agreed that the wall should be built, but asked that the materials used be similar to and/or compatible with the materials being used on the new Community Building. V. Adjourned — 9:30 p.m. VI. Next meeting — July 21.