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HomeMy Public PortalAbout08.20.2008 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes August 20, 2008 Medina City Hall Page 1 of 4 The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on August 20, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Medina City Hall. Park Commission Chair Ann Thies presided. 1) Call to Order Commissioners present: Ann Thies, Ben Benson, Brian Kingsley, Galen Bruer, Peter Lecy, Madeleine Linck, and Beth Nielsen Commissioners absent: None Also present: Chad Adams, Jodi Gallup, Steve Scherer, Kim Ann, and Carolyn Smith 2) Additions to the Agenda: 6. Potential Nature Walks A motion was made by Madeleine Linck and seconded by Ben Benson to add a discussion on potential nature walks after the open house discussion. Motion passed unanimously. 3) Approval of the Minutes from July 16, 2008: A motion was made by Brian Kingsley and seconded by Beth Nielsen to approve the minutes with no changes. Motion passed unanimously. 4) Public Comments (on items not on the agenda): Greg Smith, 4645 Pine Street. Greg Smith stated that he lives across from Lakeshore Park and is present this evening to question the City on why they have let this park go down hill. He explained that years ago the Wilkins family owned this property and wanted to give it to the neighbors because they supported the Wilkins' family bait shop. The Wilkins were not legally able to give the land to the neighbors so they gave it to the City of Medina instead to be used as a picnic area, beach, and boat landing. Smith felt the City had violated their agreement with the Wilkins because the park has not been kept up as a beach. There have also been problems with Buckthorn in the past that he felt was not addressed adequately. Chair Thies thanked Smith for his comments and requested that staff look into the issue and report back to the Park Commission at a future meeting. 5) Discussion of 6:00 p.m. Open House City Administrator Chad Adams explained to the Park Commission that no formal decision was needed at tonight's meeting regarding the concession stand. The original intent was to bring a report to the September 2nd Council meeting because the Council will be setting their preliminary tax levy that evening. It is no longer necessary because the City already has $300,000 budgeted in the 2009 CIP for the concession stand. Administrative Intern Kim Ann read off the six comments that were left at the open house by the public. 1. I hope the concession stand and ball fields continue to be an asset to our community and the kids that use it; not to fund "city" projects. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes August 20, 2008 Medina City Hall Page 2 of 4 2. I think monies earned should be applied to the association, who are running them, and put back and carried forward to future youth programs for our community. 3. The youth programs need to be better promoted by the City, as well as supported by the City. This should include a financial commitment. The storage/concession building adds to the professional feel of a dedicated community. 4. Money generated from ball sports should be funneled back into our program and field maintenance/improvements. 5. I would like to see the concession building built with park dedication funds. Hamel Athletic Club has raised $95,000; these funds could be used to build scoreboards. The Hamel Athletic Club and parents will step up and maintain and run the concession building. 6. We need a snow machine at the top of the sliding hill. It is a very used part of the park and should be helped out! Ann Thies questioned the Hamel Athletic Club on what type of kitchen the concession building would have; if it would be a full kitchen meeting all health code standards or if it would be a service station and the club would use a grill out back to cook the meat. Tom Dykhoff stated that he envisions the concession building would have a service station similar to the one at the Hamel Community Building with an upright refrigerator and freezer. Ben Benson questioned if they would have an ice maker. Tom Dykhoff stated that it would be nice to have one. Madeleine Linck questioned who would be paying the energy bills. Adams stated it would be built into the cost and should be covered by concession revenue. Ann Thies questioned if additional storage buildings would be needed with the construction of the concession stand. John Kastner stated that some additional storage would be needed for supplies, but a number of things would be able to be stored in the new concession stand building. They plan on putting the uniforms on the second floor. Greg DeVoss, Coach of 13-14 year old league, stated that they ran one weekend tournament and invited four out of town teams. The other teams' main complaint was that there were no concessions. DeVoss also stated that he had heard that Hamel Baseball used to always have really good concessions. Carolyn Smith questioned what type of food Hamel Baseball would serve. John Kastner listed items such as hotdogs, hamburgers, cheese pretzels, popcorn, nachos, etc. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes August 20, 2008 Medina City Hall Page 3 of 4 Ann Thies stated that the City is committed to building a concession stand if we can come up with a solid plan. John Kastner stated that the Hamel Athletic Club is committed to running the concession stand Monday through Thursday. He cannot commit to running the stand for other groups that may rent the fields on weekends because he sells their program as a week day program only. Steve Scherer questioned if the Hamel Athletic Club could not run concessions for an outside group, if they would be okay with other groups putting down a damage deposit and using the concession building. John Kastner stated that he would be okay with it. It was suggested to have a small refrigerator that could be locked for the Hamel Athletic Club to use when other groups were renting out the facility. Tom Dykhoff mentioned that there would probably be a number of organizations in town that would be interested in running the concession stand on weekends as a fund raiser. A few of those organizations may be the Hamel Lions, Hamel Fire Department, VFW, or American Legion. A concern was brought up about the bathrooms being locked when an event was not happening. It was decided to keep the bathrooms locked unless the concession stand was open; it would then be the responsibility of the person running concessions to unlock and relock the bathrooms at the end of the night. The responsibility for cleaning the bathrooms was also discussed. The next step is to have Kim Ann compile all the comments from the special meeting open house and comments made at the Park Commission meeting and bring back a report to the sub -committee prior to the next Park Commission meeting. At the September Park Commission meeting a recommendation will be made to the Council. 6) Spring Nature Walks Madeleine Linck volunteered to conduct bird watching nature walks in the spring (May or June) to show residents some of the city's nature areas such as Medina Lake Preserve. There was a general consensus from the Park Commission to sponsor these "Saturday Morning Bird Walks". Staff will promote the events in the February or March Medina Message. 7) Staff Report a) General Updates: Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes August 20, 2008 Medina City Ha11 Page 4 of 4 • Scherer updated the Park Commission on progress made at Holy Name Park. He stated that the City may request additional funds from Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to finish the signage at the park. • Future agenda items were discussed including creating a grand plan for future tree plantings. Galen Bruer suggested planting trees on the west side of the Hamel ball complex to soften the park. Other future agenda items included utility screening and the dog trainer request. b) Dog Waste Signs & Other Signs: Scherer stated that dog waste signs and no motorized vehicle signs were ordered for all the parks. 9) Adjourn A motion was made by Beth Nielsen, seconded by Madeleine Linck and passed unanimously, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jodi Gallup.