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HomeMy Public PortalAbout10.15.2008 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes October 15, 2008 Medina City Hall Page 1 of 3 The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on October 15, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Medina City Hall. Park Commission Chair Ann Thies presided. 1) Call to Order Commissioners present: Commissioners absent: Also present: Ben Benson, Peter Lecy, Madeleine Linck, Beth Nielsen, Ann Thies, and Brian Kingsley Galen Bruer Jodi Gallup, Steve Scherer, and Kim Ann 2) Additions to the Agenda: None 3) Approval of the Minutes • September 17, 2008 Regular Meeting Pg. 1, par. 1: Saturday Morning Bird Walks A motion was made by Beth Nielsen and seconded by Peter Lecy to approve the minutes, correcting the noted change. Motion passed unanimously. 4) Public Comments (on items not on the agenda): None 5) Request for Schutzhund Dog Training Club at Hamel Legion Park Gallup reported that staff had met with Mr. Castellano to discuss the details of his request to use Hamel Legion Park for his Schutzhund Dog Training Club. Mr. Castellano requested to use the open field area and sledding hill. He would prefer to train his dogs four times a week and was willing to be flexible on training days and times. Gallup explained that the City would require the club to pick up all dog waste and remove it from the park in their own container. The Park Commission commented that the dog waste would be almost impossible to keep clean in the winter months when the open field was covered with snow. Gallup also explained that the club would be required to carry their own liability insurance through the national club, Schutzhund U.S.A. There was a general consensus from the Park Commission that the requested amount of use was too high for Hamel Legion Park. The Park Commission was concerned that families would be intimidated in coming back to the park if they continually used the park at the same time as the dog training club. The Park Commission was also concerned that there may be some conflicts with people walking their dogs along the walking trail during the Schutzhund dog training. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes October 15, 2008 Medina City Hall Page 2 of 3 The Park Commission was also concerned with the conflicts that may be caused during the Hamel Baseball seasons. A motion was made by Beth Nielsen, seconded by Brian Kingsley to recommend denial of the request to use Hamel Legion Park for Schutzhund dog training unless the current parameters change. Motion passed 6-0. Galen Bruer was absent. 6) Park & Recreation Subcommittee Report Kim Ann updated the Park Commission on the Park & Recreation Subcommittee's analysis on the managerial options of the proposed field house/concession stand. The Subcommittee has met with the Lions to discuss the details of operations of the 2009 concessions. The plan is to have the Hamel Lions use their trailer to serve food and provide workers for the 2009 baseball season. The Hamel Lions have committed to running the program, but have requested that the Hamel Athletic Association (HAA) provide funds and volunteers to staff the concessions during HAA events. Peter Lecy did report that the HAA will implement a volunteer fee in the registration fees for 2009 ball season. This fee has the intentions of supporting a concession worker wages; however the HAA representatives have not communicated to the Subcommittee or City staff their level of commitment or support concerning future management of the concessions. The Park Commission discussed the need for a standardized name to refer to the proposed building which encapsulates the total intended usage for the building. The term "concession stand" pigeon holed the audience into the single usage of the building which sways the decision makers as to whether or not to build the building based on a concessionary need. There was a general consensus to call the proposed building a field house, since it is not just a concession stand. It was noted that the "field house" will be used to refer to the building for discussion purposes only and a more formal name would be assigned to the building in the future. Discussion occurred whether the proposed field house would be built in the fall of 2009 or if it would get dragged out over a longer period of time. Benson stated that once the building is built, it will get used. A motion was made by Ben Benson, seconded by Beth Nielsen to recommend that the City move forward with the construction of the proposed field house in the fall of 2009. Motion passed 6-0. Galen Bruer was absent. Kim Ann led the discussion on the review of the draft Field Reservation Policy. A lengthy discussion took place on group prioritization, user designation, and user fees. There was a general consensus to lower the 60% Medina resident requirement on local youth and adult organizations to 25% residents. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes October 15, 2008 Medina City Hall Page 3 of 3 Discussion also occurred regarding special circumstances that will still require a contract versus using the field reservation policy. It was noted that once a contract is in place, the group with the contract has first priority. The Park Commission questioned if it was necessary to have a $500 deposit for every type of field reservation. Kim Ann explained that it is standard to put down $500 for a deposit. Steve Scherer stressed the need to have a larger amount placed down for deposit because it is calls for more responsibility from the reservation party to uphold the rules of the field when there is more money invested. The Park Commission will review a final draft of the field reservation policy at the November Park Commission meeting. A final recommendation will be brought to the City Council on December 2, 2008 for a motion addressing the 2009 concessionary needs, the proposed concession building and the Field Reservation Policy. 7) Staff Report a) Park Commission Appointments: Gallup stated that there are three seats open for appointment/re-appointment beginning January 2009 (Ann Thies, Galen Bruer, & Peter Lecy). According to Section 525 of the Medina City Code, Galen Bruer will not be able to be reappointed at this time. He has served over his nine consecutive years on the Park Commission. b) General Updates: Scherer gave a quick update on staff s request for Council approval on two more Clean Water Legacy Grant applications. The proposed projects are at Walnut Park and Lakeshore. 9) Adjourn A motion was made by Madeleine Linck, seconded by Ben Benson and passed unanimously, to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jodi Gallup.