Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout09.18.2013 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Notes September 18, 2013 Medina City Hall Page 1 of 3 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 Page 2 of 3 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 Medina Park Commission Meeting Notes September 18, 2013 Medina City Hall Page 3of3 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.