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HomeMy Public PortalAbout06-21-2006 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2006 Medina City Hall Page 1 of 5 Call to order 7:12 p.m. A. Commissioners present: Galen Bruer, Gerry Dykhoff, Ann Thies, Madeleine Linck, Robin Reid, Tom Gregor B. Absent: Randy Hughes C. Also present: Chad Adams, Carolyn Smith, Joe Paumen, and Ted Olson, Kent Kiewaat, Friends of Elm Creek D. Additions to agenda: There were none. Approval of last meeting's minutes: Minutes of the April 19 meeting were approved. Minutes of the June 7 Park Tour were approved after noting that the Hunter Lions Park section has an incomplete sentence; it should read "Commissioners requested that the branches above the sidewalk be trimmed." Public Comments: None. Prior to this meeting, the Open House about the County Road 19 trail was well attended and residents had a variety of comments about the various alternatives. NEW BUSINESS: A. Elm Creek Corridor 1. Ted Olson and Kent Kiewaat from the Friends of Elm Creek organization (www.elmcreekfriends.org) gave a presentation about their organization. This effort was started in Maple Grove by some citizens who were concerned about the rapid pace of development in the city. They saw a need to protect the natural areas around Elm Creek before they were overwhelmed by construction. The Friends realized that maximum benefit would be obtained if they could involve people from the other two communities that Elm Creek runs through: Plymouth and Medina. Their vision is a 15-mile protected, recreational area running along the Creek from Elm Creek Park Reserve to Baker Park Reserve. Some areas along the Creek are already protected. Plymouth has some land near the high school. Maple Grove has identified some open space areas. In Medina, Elm Creek runs through Rainwater Park, the future park near Hamel. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2006 Medina City Hall Page 2 of 5 Ann Thies inquired about the reaction that the Friends group has been getting to their proposal. They indicated that the public reaction has been supportive, no one has expressed any opposition to the idea, and the city staffs from all three communities are supportive. City councils have been less interested, primarily because of the number of issues they are dealing with right now, including updating all of the comprehensive plans. The Friends are also seeking support from Three Rivers Parks but there's been no official response as yet. The Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources may be another source of support for the concept. Also, there is the Elm Creek Watershed Management Committee. Ideally, the Elm Creek Corridor would consist of an 150-foot buffer zone along the length of the creek. It could be narrower in areas where there is limited space, and wider in more open areas. There could be a trail running the length, with some urban sections and some rural sections. Park Commissioners endorsed the concept and would like to see the Elm Creek Corridor included in all three cities' updated comprehensive plans. a) A motion was made, seconded, and passed unanimously to ask the Open Spaces Task Force to consider the Elm Creek Corridor concept, and for the Park Commission representatives on the Task Force to provide periodic progress reports. B. Willow Creek Preserve Development 1. Chad Adams reported that the Planning Commission has approved the plans for a new development on Willow, north of Cty Road 24. Commissioners were provided with copies of a memo on the topic prepared by Sarah Schield. The land does include some maple/bass forest and wetlands. The private road will be limited to 20 feet instead of the normal 24 feet, to maximize tree preservation. The owner is planning to limit the number of trees removed, and to replace those that do have to be eliminated to accommodate construction. 2. This project will require a Park Dedication Fee or a trail easement, or a combination of both. The Park Commission had reviewed this proposal previously, on 9/21/05, and had concluded that the logical location for a future trail would be on the west side of Willow, but that additional right-of-way might be needed on the east side to relocate the road, reduce the curve, and make more room on the west for a trail. At that time, the Commission recommended that the City asked the developer to provide 45 ft from the center line as right- Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2006 Medina City Hall Page 3 of 5 of -way so that the road could be relocated if needed at some future date. Chad Adams noted that there is some ambiguity about the maximum Park Dedication Fee for projects like this one, where the subdivision consists of lots with existing houses as well as lots for new construction. In this case, two lots are being divided into four lots, with two of the lots having existing houses, which will remain. After some discussion, most of the Park Commissioners thought that because this development, in effect, required combining two lots into one large lot and then subdividing that lot into four lots, that credit should be given for one existing house, with the maximum Park Dedication fee of $8,000 per residence being charged for the other three lots. a) A motion was made and seconded to give credit for one house and charge the maximum fee for the other three lots, and that the developer be required to provide 45 feet of right-of-way. Motion was passed with Galen Bruer dissenting. Commissioners also requested that the City Council reconsider the $8,000 maximum fee, given the substantial increases in residential property values in the City. OLD BUSINESS: A. Long -Term Capital Improvement Plan & Budget 1. Chad Adams reviewed the status of the long-term capital improvement plan and budget: 2. Additional parking in the northeast portion of Hamel Legion Park, budgeted for 2006, has been delayed because the additional parking isn't needed yet. The budgeted amount will be moved into 2007. The funds in the 2007 budget for a parking lot at the ball field will move from 2007 to 2008. 3. The 2007 budget includes the Hamel Road trail. The Uptown Hamel section of the trail will be sidewalk, due to the limited space available. TIF funds will cover this portion of the trail. Then the regular trail will resume at Rainwater Park and continue west along Hamel Road. The $125,000 budgeted should be sufficient. 4. This year's budget included $250,000 for land acquisition, which has not been spent. There is a 5-acre parcel of wetland property on Pioneer Trail that may be available for purchase as open space. The property was recently put up for auction, but there were no bids. The wetland is adjacent to property that may be turned over to the Minnesota Land Trust. If the neighboring property is conserved, the City should consider purchasing the adjacent wetland. It was suggested that we look into buying an option on the property. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2006 Medina City Hall Page 4 of 5 5. The Clydesdale trail will be constructed by Ryan as part of the Target project. 6. On Cty Road 116, a gravel base is in place on the Foxberry section for a trail. A trail from Hackamore to Hwy 55 was proposed in the Trail Study, but construction will be delayed until the plans for reconstructing the 116/55 intersection are known. This trail was budgeted for 2009. 7. There is a piece of property west of the Keller development near Morningside that will be coming off Ag Preserve soon. The owners have expresses their desire to develop the property. If it develops, the Park Commission can request trail easements at that time. If the development doesn't go through, this would be a good property to evaluate for possible purchase for open space. 8. Medina Road is heavily used by bikers. When Hennepin County improved the road, they put in wide shoulders that are suitable for biking. In the future, it would be good to provide some separation between the roadway and the trail. The Park Commissioners will consider this project for 2008. 9. Park Commissioners and city staff agreed on the need for uniform, consistent signage at all of the City parks. Robin Reid volunteered to work with the City's new intern to develop some concepts for signage. 10. Hamel Legion Park will get additional park benches as donations. The Hamel Community Building needs an enclosure for the garbage dumpster. This needs to be done right away. 11. The roof on the shelter at Morningside Park was budgeted for this year, but during the Park Tour it was apparent that the roof on the shelter at Hunter Lions Park is more urgent. 12. There is a pad in place for handicapped seating at Lakeshore Park in Independence Beach. Joe Paumen said he has located a source for a picnic table that would accommodate a wheelchair, and it would fit on the pad. a) Three motions were made and passed unanimously to recommend to the City Council: 1.) That they approve the addition of a screen or structure to conceal the dumpster at the Community Building. 2.) That they okay re -doing the shelter roof at Hunter Lions Park. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes June 21, 2006 Medina City Hall Page 5 of 5 3.) That they approve the purchase of a wheelchair -accessible picnic table for Lakeshore Park. 13.Commissioners expressed an interest in hiring a consultant to design a passive -park bird sanctuary at Rainwater Park near Uptown Hamel. B. Basketball Court at Hamel Legion Park 1. Based on Commissioners' comments at the Park Tour earlier this month, Joe Paumen prepared a drawing showing possible locations for a basketball court. There are no official size standards for basketball courts. Tom Gregor observed that the court will mostly be used for casual "pick-up" games and that a half -court may be sufficient. It was decided to wait for the results of the Community Survey to determine what type of athletic facilities citizens would like to have. C. Hunter Drive Trail Update 1. The City is still working on obtaining right-of-way for the Hunter Drive trail. Based on the right-of-way survey results, there are four property owners that would have to provide easements for the trail. City staff will contact the property owners and determine the best solution. It may be better to delay trail construction until the Holasek property is developed, so that the trail doesn't have to be changed or re -built at that time. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. NEXT MEETING: July 19th Minutes prepared by Robin Reid, Secretary, Park Commission