HomeMy Public PortalAbout09.19.2007 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
September 19, 2007
Medina City Hall
Page 1 of 4
The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on September 19, 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 and Galen Bruer
None
Jodi Wunsch and Steve Scherer
II. Additions to the Agenda: None
III. Approval of the Minutes from August 15, 2007:
• Commissioners Present: remove Galen Bruer
• Section 6A: The Trust for Public Land indicated to the City that this piece of property is
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 with
permitted to house approximately 90 horses...There was a general consensus that the City
could not purchase the-pr-epefty a conservation easement at this time...
• Section 6C: Ann Thies gave updated...
• Section 7: Trust for Public Land Minnesota Land Trust
• Section 8C: 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 Passcd Unanimously Motion Passed 4-1,
Pastor voted against it.
A motion was made by Ben Benson and seconded by Bob Pastor to approve the minutes
as corrected above. Motion passed unanimously.
IV. Public Comments (on items not on the agenda): None
V. County Road 19 Trail
The Park Commission was waiting to see if Robin Reid would be in attendance for this
item, so it was tabled until the end of the meeting.
VI. Medina Rotary Club
Connie Gotthelf with the newly formed Medina Rotary Club introduced herself to the
Park Commission and requested volunteer projects for the Medina Rotary Club. She also
mentioned that once the Rotary Club has 20 committed members it can be chartered.
Once chartered, they could be eligible for Rotary International Cap Grants that would
match up to $750 to $2,000 toward community service projects.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
September 19, 2007
Medina City Hall
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Bruer asked her what type of service projects a Rotary Club would participate in versus a
group like the Lions. Gotthelf stated that the Rotary Club would do more "hands on"
projects such as painting a house, adopt a highway, or volunteering at "Camp Days"
where children learn about the environment, trees, and animals.
Benson suggested creating some type of volunteer program to check up on the Medina
Parks to make sure they are clean. This could involve picking up trash, planting trees or
plants, and spot checking equipment.
VII. Comprehensive Plan Update
Linck updated everyone on the advisory panel meetings stating that the next meeting will
be a joint meeting on September 25th with the Planning Commission. The panel will be
reviewing draft plans on land use, open space, water & waste water, parks & trails, and
transportation. There are also two comprehensive plan open houses scheduled at the
community building on Thursday, October 25th and Saturday, October 27th. The public
hearing for the comprehensive plan is scheduled for November 27th. Thies encouraged
the Park Commissioners to attend the joint meeting and an open house to get more
familiar with the process.
VIII. Metro Greenways Grant Opportunity
Thies questioned the best way to approach land owners to find or spark interest in putting
part of their land into a conservation easement. Linck said offered to help show the land
owners what natural features are on their property that are worth preserving. Kingsley
suggested writing a letter to land owners to invite them to an information meeting or start
writing articles in the Medina Message on the various programs available to purchase
conservation easements. Bruer reminded the Park Commission that these projects are on
going long term projects.
IX. Three Rivers Park District — Proposed Ordinance Revisions
There was a general consensus that there were no substantial changes to the Three Rivers
Park District proposed ordinance revisions. The Park Commission also requested that
staff remind Sara Wyatt to look into allowing a zone for dog walking between
Independence Beach and the Baker Park East trail system.
X. Staff Report
a) Medina Parks Brochure — Jodi Wunsch drafted a brochure of all the Medina
Parks and requested the Park Commission's feedback. The Park Commission
gave helpful suggestions on wording and additional features in the parks.
b) Celebration Day — Brian Kingsley and Madeleine Linck volunteered to work the
city booth at Medina Celebration Day. Ben Benson volunteered to help with set
up and tear down for the event. Gerry Dykhoff updated the Park Commission on
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
September 19, 2007
Medina City Hall
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the Veterans Memorial Dedication that will take place during Medina Celebration
Day.
c) Holy Name Park — Lakeshore Restoration — Steve Scherer updated the Park
Commission on the grant that the Medina Public Works Department will be
submitting to the MN DNR Shoreland Habitat Program. The program awards
grants for projects that provide shoreline restoration. Deadline for the grant
application is Monday, September 17th. The City will be asking for the full grant
award amount of $75,000. As part of the grant, the City will be required to make
a cash match of $1,000. The City will be providing an in -kind cash match of
$26,800 for the project. An in -kind donation may include the donation of labor,
time and materials to install, establish and maintain the project. In December, a
statewide committee will review and select projects to be funded. Scherer also
mentioned that they would be applying for the Cynthia Krieg Watershed
Stewardship Fund through Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. Linck inquired
about which trees were going to be removed from Holy Name Park. She stated
that it is important to leave an open space for the turtles to lay their eggs so they
do not attempt to cross County Road 24.
d) Proposed Name Change of Holy Name Lake — An update was given to the Park
Commission that the Council was not in favor of supporting the name change of
Holy Name Lake. The Park Commissioners then discussed the existing plaque at
Holy Name Park that already recognizes Matthias Hansmann as one of the
original settlers in the area.
e) Hamel Legion Park Improvements — Scherer updated the Park Commission on
the Council's approval on September 4th with E.F.A. for the purchase and
installation of new playground equipment at Hamel Legion Park. Both phase I
and II will be completed this fall. Phase II of the project will still be budgeted out
of 2008 CIP funds which E.F.A. has agreed to receive second check after January
1, 2008. The design incorporates a combination of the innovative EVOS structure
and a standard play structure for the older kids; with a play area for toddlers and
infants that are separated from the larger structures by a shaded area for sitting.
Construction on the basketball court and playground equipment is scheduled to
begin the week following Celebration Day. The installation of the entrance plaza,
memorial plaza, and fire pit are complete. The only outstanding item is a fountain
at the entrance plaza. The City received a donation, but is still searching for the
perfect design. The Park Commissioners looked at Gerry Dykhoff's design ideas
and gave their opinions. One idea was to create a pond less fountain out of stones
with a large stone standing upright for the spout. Another idea was to purchase a
free standing fountain. There was a general consensus that the fountain should be
picture worthy and have a low basin with a tall feature (possibly a sculpture).
f) Tomann Conservation Easement— The Tomann property, which has a
permanent conservation easement, is located at the intersection of Tomahawk
Drive and Pioneer Trail. The Park Commission earlier this summer designated the
possible acceptance of the Tomann parcel in their 2008 CIP. Thies stated that
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
September 19, 2007
Medina City Hall
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Dave Thill with the Hennepin County Conservation District would be working on
a Management Plan.
V. County Road 19 Trail
Benson explained Robin Reid requested at the September 4th Council meeting to re -open
the discussion of the County Road 19 west side trail from Independence Beach to Baker
Park. Reid had explained to the Council that there was a letter from MnDot that stated:
"projects that are awarded federal funds must meet the minimum State Aid standards. If
standards cannot be met, a Federal design exception and/or variance will be required."
Staff stated that Hennepin County received a variance for the portion of the trail that runs
through Loretto, but Hennepin County believed a variance would not be granted for the
portion of the trail from Independence Beach to Baker Park.
Linck stated that Jon Barten with Three Rivers Park District was concerned about curb
and gutter in that location with its high velocity. He thinks that curb and gutter are the
absolute worst thing next to an impaired lake like Lake Independence.
There was a general consensus to attempt writing a letter to MnDot requesting the
variance, because we will not know the answer for sure unless we formally make the
request.
A motion was made by Bob Pastor, seconded by Brian Kingsley to draft a letter to MnDot
requesting the variance to allow for a 4-foot continuous path. Motion passed
unanimously.
XI. Adjournment
A motion was made by Gerry Dykhoff, seconded by Brian Kingsley and passed unanimously to
adjourn the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jodi Wunsch