HomeMy Public PortalAbout11-15-2006 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
November 15, 2006
Medina City Hall
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Call to order 7:07 p.m.
A. Commissioners present: Galen Bruer, Ann Thies, Madeleine Linck, Bob
Pastor, Randy Hughes, Gerry Dykhoff, Tom Gregor
B. Absent: None
C. Also Present: Chad Adams, Carolyn Smith & Jodi Wunsch
D. Additions to agenda: None
Approval of last meeting's minutes:
The October 18th meeting minutes were approved with no changes.
Public Comments (on items not on the agenda): None.
A. Beannact Farm Preliminary Plat to Subdivide
Chad Adams gave an overview of Landform's Presentation on the existing
conditions and the Preliminary Plat for Beannact Farm. The Park
Commission's responsibility was to review the information and make a
recommendation to the City Council on the park dedication and 15-foot trail
easement.
Chad Adams explained the process for Park Dedication fees since the new
legislation passed. It was discussed that the capital improvement plan needs to
show a trail or park along this property. An example was also given showing
that the donation of trail easement could be subtracted from the Park
Dedication fee if it was greater than the value of the trail easement. It was also
brought up that there is nothing in the Park Commission's trail study along
Willow Drive and it was also missed in the 2000-2020 Comprehensive Plan.
There was then discussion on weather the Park Commission wanted the trail
easement or take the cash. Galen Bruer stated that the city should take the trail
on the south side because if the city is not going to take a trail when they can,
why should they have trail plans. The general consensus was that any extra
trail the City can get they should take it and decide when it comes up where
the trail should go.
Madeleine asked about the "gentlemen's" agreement with the trail around
School Lake. The Park Commission was concerned if new developments go
in, the property owners will not be in favor of having horseback riders ride
along their property. Chad Adams stated that people have asked if we should
designate a horse trail system here in the City of Medina, but nothing has been
done.
It was also mentioned that if the trail is on a county road, does the county
require 50 feet of Right Of Way? Chad Adams stated that the county would
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November 15, 2006
Medina City Hall
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like 50 feet of Right of Way, but the City did not give them that for the
Leawood Farms development.
A motion was made by Galen Bruer and seconded by Madeleine Linck to
recommend that the City require a 15 foot trail easement. Motion passed
unanimously.
B. Parkview Knoll Preliminary Plat for Rezoning and CUP Amendment
Chad Adams gave an overview of Landform's Presentation on the existing
conditions and the preliminary plat for Parkview Knoll. He also stated that the
Park Commission does not have a trail plan for Homestead trail, but the city
could still request it or we can get cash in lieu of land.
Ann Thies recommended taking the south end of those lots to ultimately
connect a passive low impact turf trail from the site to the Seeland's property
to Deerhill Road (Seelands are planning to develop their land).
Gary Kirt's Lawyer, S. Todd Rapp, spoke about the property's wetland
constraints, especially with a trail added to the mix. He also mentioned it
having a negative value to the property. Carolyn Smith spoke on the fact that
she thinks it will have a positive affect on the value of the property.
A motion was made by Ann Thies and seconded by Galen Bruer to request
City Council to request a 15 foot easement along the south side of lot two.
Motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Galen Bruer and seconded by Ann Thies to use Park
Dedication Funds to potentially compensate the applicant to secure the
easement for the turf trail. Motion passed unanimously.
C. Future Trail Easement Acquisition
a. County Road 116 Trail — It was first mentioned that there was a request
made by a list of petitioners for a trail study done on County Road 116.
The City still has some concern about a missing piece of easement to
complete the trail. There was also some discussion if the county played
any role in this project. Chad Adams mentioned that the county is
concerned with traffic and would also be kicking in funds for these trails.
There was discussion on the future density of this area with another new
development submittal for Town Homes by the Bancor Group
Incorporated.
Galen Bruer thought it was a good idea to use the assessed value of the
land to determine trail acquisition offers. There was a general consensus to
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
November 15, 2006
Medina City Hall
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offer the same price for each piece of easement and the city would just eat
the cost for the drainage problem.
There was also a general consensus to get the trail done on County Road
116 because there are a lot of people in that area and it has become a much
higher priority than a few years ago.
b. County Road 101 Trail — A number of residents at Gramercy Club at Elm
Creek and in Medina Highlands have approached the City with a concern
for their safety when crossing County Road 101. Their main concerns are
that the sidewalk is not handicap accessible and there is no pedestrian
walk way to get to the near by development (the new Target).
The Park Commission acknowledged their concern, but was convinced
that the County would not allow the City to put a trail across that
intersection. The idea of a trolley was brought up to go from Gramercy,
Cherry Hill, Foxberry, & Uptown Hamel. Carolyn Smith mentioned she
would ask the City of Wayzata about their trolley system.
The Park Commission also asked the City to respond to the letter they
received from Gramercy's property manager explaining why a trail can
not be built across County Road 101.
D. Hamel Legion Park
a. Playground Equipment — Chad Adams gave an update on playground
equipment at Hamel Legion Park. He stated that there is $75,000
dedicated to this project in the City's CIP (Capital Improvement Plan), but
50% of that amount needs to be donated. Tom Gregor represented the
Hamel Lions when mentioned that the Hamel Lions have committed the
$37,500 for 2007. They are interested in committing the second half in
2008/2009 as long as their funds do not dry up.
Gerry Dykhoff drew a picture to show where he would like to see the
playground equipment. Chad Adams will report back at next meeting on
playground equipment after talking to City Attorney.
b. Basketball Court — Before Joe Paumen left the City he made a drawing
where he thought the basketball court should be placed. The Park
Commission felt that putting the basketball court next to the tennis court
was a good central location in the park. There is a lot of space for the court
and it needs a lot of space. A few people mentioned the issue of the tennis
court and basketball court noises interfering with each other.
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November 15, 2006
Medina City Ha11
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There was a general consensus made to have a formal RFP for the project
because of the amount of money. Chad Adams will report back after
engineering takes a quick look at drainage.
The Park Commission agreed it would be easier to decide on a location for
the basketball court after making a site visit in the spring.
E. Park Commission Ordinance Review & Orientation Manual
The Park Commission does not have a manual, but they do have by-laws that
were written before the Park Commission became an official policy
recommending body. Park Commission members were concerned that they do
not have copies of these by-laws and have no reference point. It was
recommended to pull out these by-laws and figure out what needs to be
updated. It was decided that city staff, Jodi Wunsch, would draft an
Orientation Manual for the new members in January.
F. Staff Report
a. There will be two openings for the Park Commission. The City has posted
the positions in the Fa11 2006 Medina Message and on the website. The
application pool to recommend two Park Commissioners will be Vice
Chair, Galen Bruer; City Council Representative, Carolyn Smith; and City
Administrator, Chad Adams.
b. The City is in the process of putting together a Comp Plan Committee that
will consist of six people. It was mentioned that it would be a good idea to
have public people on the committee to give feedback. The committee will
meet every two weeks from January through April. The meetings will
probably be very long.
c. It was agreed upon that there will be no Park Commission meeting in
December, but the Park Commission will need to plan for additional
meetings in January and February to get up to speed on the
Comprehensive Plan process.
A motion was made by Ann Thies, seconded by Madeleine Linck, and passed
unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
The Meeting was adjourned at 9:27 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jodi Wunsch