HomeMy Public PortalAbout10-18-2006 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
October 18, 2006 Medina City Hall
Page 1 of 2
1) Call to order at 7:02 PM by Acting Chair Tom Gregor
A. Commissioners present; Gerry Dykhoff, Ann Thies, Madeleine Linck, Robert Pastor
B. Absent: Galen Bruer and Randy Hughes
C. Also present: Chad Adams, Rick Groth, Pat Velch
2. Additions/changes to agenda:
• Since Rick Groth was attending from the Hamel Athletic Association to discuss field
improvements, the Commission decided to switch agenda items #6 and #7.
• Gerry Dykhoff brought a 4-page handout regarding playground equipment at the Hamel
Legion Park. This letter will be added as item #10.
3. Approval of the Minutes from September 20, 2006, Park Commission meeting
Moved by Gerry Dykhoff, seconded by Ann Thies, to approve the minutes with the corrections
listed below:
• Page 1: (Public hearing, County Road 19 Regional Bike Trail Item A(c): 30% should read
20%
• Page 5: (Boe Carlson comment) "factors" should be changed to "impacts"
• Page 7: (Ann Thies comment): "Independence Beach" should be changed to read "the
Regional Trail"
• Page 8 (top of page): Within the paragraph "A motion..." should read Robin Reid and
Madeleine Linck were in favor. Galen Bruer, Gerry Dykhoff, Ann Thies, Tom Gregor, and
Randy Hughes all opposed.
• Page 8: Ann Thies comment: "because" should be substituted for "and".
4) Public Comments: There were none.
5) Introduction of new Park Commission member, Robert Pastor
Bob Pastor introduced himself as filling out the term of Robin Reid who was recently appointed
to the Planning Commission. Bob and his wife have lived in Medina's Cherry Hill Neighborhood
for the past 14 years.
6) Request from Hamel Athletic Association
Rick Groth, Hamel Athletic Association, requested support from the City of Medina to pay for
ag lime for the batting cage. To date, there has not been a formal process for addressing the field
needs.
Anne Thies made a motion, seconded by Gerry Dykhoff, to recommend to the City Council that
the City of Medina pick up the cost of $750 to cover the cost of ag lime for the batting cage in
Hamel Legion Park. Motion passed unanimously. Chad Adams said he will note in the 2007 CIP
budget that 1 or 2 loads per year be included. Rick thanked the Park Commission on behalf of
the Hamel Athletic Association.
1
7) Future Trail Easement Acquisition
Chad Adams introduced two issues about future trail easement acquisition. The first issue is
defining a systematic policy for how property owners should be compensated for easements.
One way would be to assign a dollar value such as — $5-7 per square foot. Chad discussed
the complexity of the trails situation on roads such as CR 116 which is both a State -aid and a
County road. We can remind residents that a donation of an easement is tax-deductible and
also that an accessible trail raises their property values.
The second issue is a philosophical one relating to the Park Commission's willingness to
condemn properties if there are "holdouts", perhaps only one property owner who is
unwilling to sell an easement and, therefore, prevent the construction of the whole trail. The
bottom line is that the City can not develop trails without easements. This subject is a
controversial topic, but will certainly come up in the future.
8. Request for approval on a Basketball Hoop donation
Pam Farmer, Medina resident, would like to donate a basketball hoop and bench in
Morningside City Park in memory of her late husband. The cost of the bench and plaque is
already determined and staff would install the hoop.
Ann Thies moved, Gerry Dykoff seconded, that the Park Commission recommend to City
staff to prepare an estimate and then get back to the Park Commission with a plan and cost.
Motion passed unanimously.
9. Process for distributing Park Commission packets
The Commission agreed that larger packets should be delivered to Commissioners' homes by
the Medina police on the Friday preceding the Park Commission meeting. If the packet is
small, it is sufficient for the City staff to mail it out on the Friday preceding the meeting.
10. Letter from Uptown Hamel, Inc. regarding Hamel Legion Park playground equipment and
the construction of a basketball court.
Gerry Dykoff handed out a memo signed by seven people, representing Uptown Hamel, Inc.
requesting that the Park Commission recommend to the City Council to consider a proposal
for initiating playground equipment in the next year. Brief discussion followed about
placement of the basketball court, and funding arrangements. It was decided to put this item
on the agenda for the November Park Commission meeting. Tom Gregor will ask Hamel
Lions Club to send a representative to the next Commission meeting and Chad will supply
aerial photos. Gerry urged that Commissioners visit the Hamel Legion Park site prior to the
next meeting.
11. Staff Report
A. Community Survey Report
Chad Adams reviewed several highlights of the recently distributed results of the Community
Survey which had an excellent 33% response rate. Overall, there was a strong interest in
favor of the availability of Parks and open space.
B. Update on Public Hearing for the County Road 19 Trail
2
Chad reported that the Medina City Council heard the Park Commission's strong message to
Three Rivers Park District that the horse trail must stay and that the Trail on the East side
was the preferred alignment. The City approved the resolution.
C. The City Council expressed its concern that the Park Commission have an ordinance that
would define in formal terms the number and length of terms, residency requirements for
Park Commission members. However, it was pointed out that minutes from January 2005
had already covered these requirements.
D. Other.
Chad reminded Commission members that there will be a Joint meeting of the Planning
and Park Commissions, and City Council at 6 PM October 24, 2006 at the Hamel
Community Building. The Comprehensive Plan open house will follow at 7 PM.
Also, Chad will send out e-mail reminders to Park Commission members who
volunteered to help facilitate Comprehensive Plan neighborhood meetings at the
Community Building.
Chad noted that beginning January 1, 2007, Jassexercise will be offered 4 mornings
during the week at the Hamel Community Building. The City will get a commission from
this program and it will be a good use of building space for weekday mornings.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:37 PM.
Minutes submitted by Madeleine Linck, Acting Secretary, Park Commission.
3