HomeMy Public PortalAbout08.21.2013 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
August 21, 2013
Medina City Hall
Page
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The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on August 21, 2013 at 7:04
p.m. in the Medina City Hall. Park Commission Vice Chair Ann Thies presided.
1) Call to Order
Commissioners Present:
Commissioners Absent:
Also Present:
Ellis Olkon, Dino DesLauriers, Madeleine Linck, Ann
Thies, Janet White, and Steve Lee
Paul Jaeb
City Council Member Melissa Martinson and City
Administrative Assistant Linda Lane
2) Additions to the Agenda: None.
3) Approval of Minutes:
• July 17, 2013 Regular Meeting
A motion was made by Linck and seconded by Lee, to approve the minutes as presented
from July 17, 2013. 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) Park Signage Layouts
Park Commission decided to wait until Jodi Gallup gets back from maternity leave to
continue with this item.
7) The Park at Fields of Medina
Dino Deslauriers and Janet White agreed to do the tour of the playground equipment
plant in Delano with City staff and also visit a couple of parks that have their equipment
displayed. There was discussion concerning the area where the park is planned and why
there are mounds of dirt. The Park Commissioners asked to have Steve Scherer check on
why the Developer hasn't moved ahead with the seeding and preparing for the placement
of the playground equipment, since it was the Commissions understanding that it would
be ready for equipment placement by the end of summer, with an open house scheduled
for the fall.
8) Future Dog Park Discussion
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
August 21, 2013
Medina City Hall
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Linda Lane went through the slide show that was put together with the pictures of other
cities dog parks, as well as aerial photos of the three locations that are a possibility in
Medina for a Dog Park.
Once the viewing of the slide show was complete, Steve Lee led a dog park discussion
using an outline he prepared that had been passed out at the beginning of the meeting.
There was discussion concerning the three possible park locations shown on the slides,
along with a list of the criteria for where the dog park should be located, as well as what
amenities should be available at the facility.
The Commission also discussed proposed rules, park hours, maintenance needed and
costs, cost to build the park, as well as other considerations that were discovered at parks
located in other cities.
Thies asked for feedback from each of the Commission members to see how each felt
about adding this to the Park Master Plan. Olkon said he felt a vote should be taken on if
all were in agreement with a dog park and where it should be located. He thanked Lee
for all the research and work that he put into the information presented, as well as work
Thies had done.
Linck said she sees the need for a dog park in our City. She sees people enjoying it and
feels it is very worthwhile.
White said she is not against dog parks in general, but wasn't sure concerning the
timeline. With the population changing she sees that there may be more need for a dog
park. She is concerned with the ongoing cost and time that may be spent by the Public
Works department staff. She said the report was well prepared and spoke to some of the
questions and issues that she had. She understands that there are many good dog owners,
but there will always be some that aren't. White was also concerned with whether it
would actually be used or if it would sit empty like some of our other parks.
Dino isn't sure about the need for a dog park and he said Scherer also had concerns about
the maintenance that would be needed since Public Works is short-staffed already.
Thies added that she spoke to several other City dog park workers and was told that it
was very low cost and low maintenance. She said they mentioned that they don't even
have a budget line item for it, and that people self -police themselves.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
August 21, 2013
Medina City Hall
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It was also mentioned that at a small dog park like we are discussing there would be the
pressure of others seeing that they aren't faithful with picking up after their dog.
Thies read an email from Park Commission Chair Paul Jaeb stating that he is opposed to
a dog park and why - staff not large enough to handle more park maintenance, LMCC
insurance, etc.
Another email was read from former Commission Member Ben Benson who is in favor
of a dog park and believes it would be popular and well used.
Thies mentioned the population growth that will be happening over the next two to three
years and the need for a dog park.
Motion made by Olkon, seconded by Lee, to incorporate a dog park into the Park Master
Plan. All aye.
The Park Commission felt they would like guidance from the City Council and more
direction on the things that had been discussed. Martinson suggested having a
Commissioner attend the City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 3rd to do a short
presentation. Olkon agreed to attend and present to the Council and report back at the
next Park Commission meeting.
9) Adjourn
A motion was made by Olkon, seconded by Lee and passed unanimously, to adjourn the
meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Linda Lane.