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HomeMy Public PortalAbout08.15.2007 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes August 15, 2007 Medina City Hall Page 1 of 3 The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on August 15, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Medina City Hall. Park Commission Chair Ann Thies presided. I. Call to Order Commissioners present: Commissioners absent: Also present: Ben Benson, Bob Pastor, Ann Thies, Brian Kingsley & Gerry Dykhoff Madeleine Linck & Galen Bruer Jodi Wunsch, Carolyn Smith & Steve Scherer II. Additions to the Agenda: None III. Approval of the Minutes from July 18, 2007: A motion was made by Ben Benson and seconded by Gerry Dykhoff to approve the minutes. Motion passed unanimously. IV. Public Comments (on items not on the agenda): None V. Park Inventory Review Jodi Wunsch briefly explained what the City of Medina's summer intern Dallas Hansen had been working on. He created a comprehensive list of all the City's fixed assets including park items. The list includes location, year installed, price, vendor, tag number, description, condition, life, and status. These lists will continue to be updated to help the City better plan for future needs in the Capital Improvement Plan. VI. Comprehensive Plan Update a) Open Space Plan — Steve Martin Property — Ann Thies updated the Park Commission on the discussion that has taken place regarding the Steve Martin Property which is near Hidden Lake Sanctuary and Idihopi. The Trust for Public Land indicated to the City that this piece of property has a highly sensitive area that should be purchased through a conservation easement and preserved. The property is currently being used as a commercial horse facility permitted to house approximately 90 horses. The interested buyer would agree to only having 60 horses on the property. There was a general consensus that the City could not purchase a conservation easement at this time without having the Open Space Plan adopted with direction from the Council and an implementation plan. b) Trail Plan Progress — The Park Commission received a copy of the final draft proposed trail plan that was submitted to the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Panel for review. c) General Updates — Ann Thies updated everyone on the advisory panel meetings stating that the next meeting will be held on August 29th. The land use planning is complete and now the panel will be concentrating on staging issues. They will also be receiving an update on the water and sewer status. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes August 15, 2007 Medina City Hall Page 2 of 3 VII. Metro Greenways Grant Opportunity Ann Thies explained that the Metro Greenways grant is used to purchase conservation easements either through the City or the Minnesota Land Trust. There is a high demand for this funding and projects that receive funds have to have plans established. The grant application is due in February of each year so now would be a good time to start thinking about interested property owners. Thies suggested the Braegelmann piece and Carolyn Smith suggested Hidden Lake Sanctuary. Thies stated that the property owners around Hidden Lake Sanctuary are not currently interested. Steve Scherer questioned if the City could use the funding to purchase land for a future public works facility. Thies clarified that the money could not be spent to purchase property, but only to purchase a conservation easement on a piece of property. The program is more favorable toward property that is planned for development in order to protect specific areas of the property. VIII. Staff Report a) Website Ideas — Brian Kingsley suggested that the City put a link on the left hand side of the website dedicated to parks and recreation. The parks and recreation page should include a list of parks with their addresses and amenities. It should also link to Three Rivers Park District website with information about Baker Park. The recreation section should include information about the Hamel Athletic Association. Everyone agreed on these website updates. b) Holy Name Park — Lakeshore Restoration — Steve Scherer updated the Park Commission on the CIP project scheduled for 2008 which would close the park for about a month. This project would include getting rid of the turn around and putting a paved lot on the top of the park with a walking path down to the lake, fishing dock, and rain garden. Ann Thies suggested looking into funds from Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to complete the lakeshore restoration. There was also a general consensus to put up small signs explaining the project. c) Proposed Name Change of Holy Name Lake — Information was given to the Park Commission that was presented to the Council on July 17th addressing the desire of the Hansmann family to change the name of Holy Name Lake back to its original name Hansmann Lake. Each Park Commissioner individually addressed the importance of recognizing the lake's historical name. There was discussion on recognition through a plaque in Holy Name Church's cemetery. There was a general consensus that a plaque would be a nice way to recognize the family. There was general neutrality regarding the issue, concern about starting any precedent, but after a lengthy discussion they agreed to support the renaming of the lake back to the pioneer name of the lake. A motion was made by Ben Benson, seconded by Bob Pastor for discussion purposes, to recommend to the Council to support the pioneer name of the lake, Hansmann Lake. Motion Passed 4-1, Pastor voted against it. d) Hamel Legion Park Updates — Council approved the contract with Designing Nature to complete the entrance plaza, memorial plaza, and fire pit. RFP's were also authorized and sent out for the construction of phase I of the playground Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes August 15, 2007 Medina City Hall Page 3 of 3 equipment with the option to complete phase II. A five person review committee was established for reviewing the playground equipment RFP's consisting of Park Commissioners Brian Kingsley and Gerry Dykhoff, Council member Carolyn Smith, and staff members Jodi Wunsch and Steve Scherer. The playground equipment and basketball court will be under construction during Celebration Day and hopefully be completed by the end of October. e) Update on Rotary Involvement — Ann Thies gave a brief update on her attendance at a newly established Medina Rotary Club. Thies gave the rotary club ideas of how they could be involved in the community through volunteering at community events, raising money for parks equipment, and an education component with Medina Lake Preserve. f) Celebration Day Volunteer/Park Commission Involvement — Ben Benson and Gerry Dykhoff both volunteered to help out the day of the event, but were not able to be on the planning committee. If enough materials were created by the time of the event they were also willing to help man a booth to hand out park brochures, maps, and other educational materials. g) Hamel Athletic Association — Park Commissioner Liaison — Bob Pastor volunteered to be the Park Commission Liaison between the City and the Hamel Athletic Association. h) Park Commission Representation at Council Meetings — The 2007 rooster for Park Commission representation at the Council meetings was redistributed as a reminder. IX. Adjournment A motion was made by Ben Benson, seconded by Bob Pastor and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jodi Wunsch