HomeMy Public PortalAbout07.18.2012 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
July 18, 2012
Medina City Hall
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The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on July 18, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
in the Medina City Hall. Park Commission Chair Paul Jaeb presided.
1) Call to Order
Commissioners Present:
Commissioners Absent:
Also Present:
Paul Jaeb, Madeleine Linck, Ben Benson, Ann Thies, Jean
Beaupre, and Ellis Olkon
Bill Waytas
Planner Dusty Finke, Public Works Superintendent Steve
Scherer, Assistant to City Administrator Jodi Gallup and
City Council member Melissa Martinson
2) Additions to the Agenda: None.
3) Approval of Minutes:
• June 20, 2012 — no changes.
A motion was made by Linck and seconded by Beaupre to approve the minutes from June
20, 2012 with no changes. Motion passed unanimously.
4) Public Comments (on items not on the agenda): None.
5) City Council Update
Martinson updated the Park Commission on recent City Council actions.
6) Concept Plan Review — RPC Medina, LLC — North of Hwy 55 and East of
Arrowhead Drive
Finke provided the Park Commission with some background on the applicant's request
for the city to review a concept plan for a potential residential subdivision on
approximately 23 acres (approximately 21.45 net acres) immediately west of Fields of
Medina. Finke explained that the purpose of a concept plan review was to provide the
applicant informal comments and no formal action would be taken tonight.
Finke explained that the applicant has proposed 2.2 acres of property to be dedicated on
the eastern portion of the property which would be appended to the 6 acres which were
dedicated from the Fields of Medina.
The Park Commission discussed how much land would be necessary for this park. The
park area study conducted in 2010 recommended a 10 acre park. It was noted that 10
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July 18, 2012
Medina City Hall
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acres would be too small for a community -wide park, so the park would be serving more
of a local neighborhood park function. The Park Commission reviewed sketches provided
by staff on what types of park improvements would fit on a 6 acre park and an 8-10 acre
park.
Finke identified the area at the NW corner of the parcel and said it was heavily wooded.
He noted that the applicant's family also owns land to the south and has requested
transferring some of the future park dedication money from that parcel to save the
wooded area. Finke noted that the tree preservation ordinance does not prohibit the
removal of trees, it just requires replacement.
Joe Cavanaugh, 275 Lakeview, asked the Park Commission if they would consider
moving the dedicated park land to the west side of the property to save the woods.
Linck stated that she believed people would enjoy living next to a wooded lot from a real
estate perspective, but she believed the dedicated park land should be on the east side of
the property to create an 8 acre contiguous park with the land dedicated from the Fields
of Medina.
All the Park Commissioners concurred that the 2.2 acres of property should be dedicated
on the eastern portion of the property to connect with the 6 acres which were dedicated
from the Fields of Medina.
Discussion continued regarding the applicant's family's land to the south that when it
develops it would require about 1.6 acres of land dedication or approximately $128,000
in lieu of land.
The Park Commission noted the city's need to build up the cash balance in the park
dedication fund to be able to develop future parks.
Thies stated that she is not opposed to taking land when it is fascinating and critical such
as Hidden Lake, but this land does not seem critical.
There was a general consensus from the Park Commission not to give up future park
dedication for the property to the south to save the wooded area.
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Medina City Hall
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7) Master Plan Discussion
Jaeb stated that he has started drafting the outline for the master plan and will work with
Gallup to put together a draft for review at the August meeting. He asked the
Commission after reviewing the inventory of all the parks, what everyone saw as the
most pressing issues to be addressed in the parks. It was noted that the two most pressing
issues are 1) access to Medina Lake Preserve and 2) signage/promotion/clean-up of back
area in Hunter Lions Park.
8) Hamel Legion Park Ball Field Improvements
Gallup stated that Chair Jaeb and staff had met with the Hamel Athletic Club (HAC)
President Jason McAthie and Treasurer Dino DesLauriers to discuss HAC's future ball
field needs/requests. These items will be plugged into a five year plan as part of the
Master Plan. HAC had a few more immediate requests for action at tonight's meeting.
It was noted that HAC has committed to paying 100% of the costs for the following
requests, but needs the city's approval.
Request #1: Add scoreboard to the lighted little league field (next to baseball field)
Request # 2: Install dugouts at the lighted little league field
Request # 3: Install batting cage between little league field and baseball field
A motion was made by Olkon and seconded by Benson to recommend to the City Council
approval of HAC's requests noted above with the condition that 100% of the
improvements be paid by HAC. Motion passed unanimously.
9) Staff Report
a. Park Dedication Fund Balance. The Park Commission had requested more up-to-
date data on the balance of the park dedication fund. Gallup noted that the
attached reports show activities in 2011 and 2012 year-to-date. These reports will
be included in the park packets quarterly for the Park Commission's review.
b. General Items:
• Staff showed pictures of the tennis court and basketball court that was
recently resurfaced at Hunter Lions Park. Everyone was pleased with the
results.
• Linck noted that a trail in Rainwater Park was no longer being mowed.
She stated that she thought the trail should at least be mowed to the seating
area.
• Linck noted that the Holy Name Park Shoreline Restoration Project sign
was starting to look bad.
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• Everyone thanked Jean Beaupre for her service on the Medina Park
Commission.
10) Adjourn
A motion was made by Olkon, seconded by Thies and passed unanimously, to adjourn the
meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jodi Gallup.