HomeMy Public PortalAbout09.18.2013 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Notes
September 18, 2013
Medina City Hall
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The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota did not have a quorum on September 18, 2013. At
7:04 p.m. in the Medina City Hall, Park Commission Chair Paul Jaeb presided in an unofficial
discussion.
1) Call to Order
Commissioners Present:
Commissioners Absent:
Also Present:
Paul Jaeb, Ellis Olkon, and Janet White
Dino DesLauriers, Madeleine Linck, Steve Lee and Ann
Thies
City Council Member Melissa Martinson, Public Works
Director Steve Scherer and City Administrative Assistant
Linda Lane
2) Additions to the Agenda: None.
3) Approval of Minutes:
• August 21, 2013 Regular Meeting
White asked to have the first line on the 7th paragraph on page two changed to read as
follows: "Janet White said she is not against dog parks in general, but wasn't sure
concerning the timeline."
There was general consensus regarding the change, but no action could be taken without
a quorum.
4) Public Comments (on items not on the agenda): None.
5) City Council Update
Martinson updated the Park Commissioners present on recent City Council actions. There
was discussion concerning exactly what was said at the City Council meeting concerning
the direction that was given for adding a dog park to the Park Master Plan. It was
clarified by Scherer that the directive from the Council was to work with staff to come up
with the language used in the Park Master Plan.
6) The Park at Fields of Medina
Candace Amberg, Senior Landscape Architect for WSB Engineering, was at the meeting
and presented two concept plans for the Park at Fields of Medina. She went over each
concept pointing out the differences, as well as the reasons for each of the amenities.
Jaeb spoke concerning his feel on the two concepts, stating that he liked Concept I for the
distance that is brought about for space in between the different activities. He said it
handles several needs: wide open spaces, great adequate parking, centralized pavilion,
and a sport court.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Notes
September 18, 2013
Medina City Ha11
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White stated that she likes most of Concept I, versus Concept II; however, she felt that
the large triangle area that showed plantings could be better utilized — maybe incorporate
more tables and benches. She also liked the center pavilion and the trail spokes coming
into it.
Scherer asked Amberg if the spokes shown on the concepts were sidewalks or trails and
she said the majority are asphalt trails, but there would be concrete sidewalks next to the
areas with curbing.
There was a discussion concerning the future water tower area and possibly placing more
parking under the tower, placing more benches on the curved portion, and ideas for
making maintenance easier.
Scherer spoke about how we should shrink the little kid's playground area by changing
the direction of the spoke separating them. Scherer also spoke concerning the surfacing —
wood chips with rubber surfacing for landing points (under swings and end of slides, etc.)
and used to separate playgrounds. Rubber fiber, versus wood chips throughout was
discussed and the cost differences were questioned. Amberg said she would look into the
cost differences and bring it back to another meeting.
White said it would be nice to get some more technical information also concerning
fibers versus wood chips.
The final consensus of the three Park Commission members that were present was that
Concept I is preferred over Concept II. Jaeb will contact the other four Park Commission
members that were absent to see which concept they preferred and what possible changes
they would want to be brought back at the next meeting.
7) Medina Park Master Plan
Jaeb stated that he felt the Park Commission should work together to solve differences
when they don't all agree on an issue and there is not a consensus of all members instead
of taking it to the Council to have them decide the final outcome.
Jaeb said there is not a City he knows of in Minnesota that is our size that has a dog park
on their park master plan and he feels that this is something the Park Commission needs
to strongly consider. He said now the decision has been made by Council to put it into
the park master plan and it will now have to be determined where it should be placed on
the plan. He said there are a lot of considerations yet to be made such as where to locate
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September 18, 2013
Medina City Hall
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the dog park, costs that would be involved, future maintenance costs, liabilities that dogs
can create, etc.
Olkon pointed out that at the August Park Commission meeting he was directed by the
Park Commission to speak to the City Council about including a dog park in the master
plan. He also noted that the City Council approved putting a dog park in the plan by a 4-1
vote.
White reiterated her concerns that the City does not have enough resources for things that
may arise that the commission may not be aware of. She said that she does not see a dog
park as a need for the City.
Scherer said that since Jaeb has been the one working with Gallup on the Park and Trail
Master Plan, he should have input concerning what language is used in the Plan, such as
established criteria as to when it would be put in the CIP.
8) D.R. Horton — Stage I Plan Review
The Park Commissioners present did not feel there was a need for a park at this particular
development and Thies had sent an email stating the same. Jaeb said his thoughts would
be the same as Thies to take the money and not worry about a park, but put it into making
a trail.
There was a consensus of the Park Commissioners present, although there was not a
quorum to make a motion on it.
9) Staff Report
Scherer reported that the trail had been paved in the Holasek woods and another
connection will go into Hamel Legion Park in the next few weeks. There was a question
concerning the Hamel Athletic Club improvements and Scherer said he would get a list
from them and would pass it along to the Park Commission. He reported that the screen
was taken down as they had promised. Jaeb said he would like to be part of the meeting
when staff sits down with them and goes over the list. White said maybe there needs to
be a ball field master plan similar to the park master plan.
10) Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
Meeting notes prepared by Linda Lane.