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HomeMy Public PortalAbout11-16-2005 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes November 16, 2005 Page 1 of 4 Call to order 7:00 A. Commissioners present: Randy Hughes, Gerry Dykhoff , Robin Reid, Galen Bruer, Brad Kvanbek, Tom Gregor B. Absent: None C. Also present: Jim Dillman, Rose Lorsung, Doug Dickerson D. Additions to agenda: 1. Trail continuity (Doug Dickerson) 2. Rental rules for Hamel Community Bldg (Galen Bruer) Approval of last meeting's minutes: Minutes of the October 19 minutes were approved with two minor revisions 1. On page 1, Brad Kvanbek noted that Cowboy Concrete donated labor, not materials. 2. On page 2, Randy Hughes noted that adding a new entrance through the American Legion property would also provide additional overflow parking. NEW BUSINESS: A. Off -road Trail on Bradley Property and Leawood Farms 1. Doug Dickerson expressed his concern about the potential loss of links in the network of City and private trails for snowmobiling, horseback riding, walking and other activities. He reported that the Bradleys have always been gracious about letting trails cross their property, but this trail, which is fairly heavily used, is not included on the City's Trail Study recommendations. If even one of the private owners along these informal trails decides to limit access, the chain of trails will be broken and it will be difficult to mend. 2. Galen Bruer explained that when the Trail Study was done, the Park Commission deliberately omitted any reference to the informal network of private trails, because it was believed that the landowners did not want any implication that the City had any authority over private trails. And he added that as a property owner with some acreage, he's been willing to let people Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes November 16, 2005 Page 2 of 4 cross his land, but he would object to any effort to legalize this arrangement. He noted that Medina is a very pro -property rights city. 3. Rose Lorsung reported that the new Leawood Farms development, which is currently one of the properties with an informal horse trail, will not be in the future. One of the property buyers is not going to permit access. Robin Reid questioned how this could happen, when the developer had agreed to the Park Commission's request that an easement be granted and the informal trail be preserved. (See October 20, 2004 meeting minutes.) 4. Doug Dickerson asked why the Trail Study did not include a link to the Baker Park trails, and why there weren't any off -road trails. Galen Bruer explained that the cost of buying right-of-way and paving off -road trails appeared to be prohibitive, especially considering the budget limitations. The current City Council appears to be more willing to approve spending for trails. 5. Rose Lorsung said that the City's Open Spaces Plan currently in the early stages of development would incorporate citizen's input to identify open space and greenway areas that should be protected. Once these protections are in place, the City will have more tools to use when negotiating with developers. 6. Tom Gregor pointed out that the Northwestern Trail Association, the group that oversees the snowmobile trails, is also having trails broken when new owners won't allow access. And the cost of purchasing private property for trails is prohibitive. 7. Commissioners thanked Doug Dickerson for coming to the meeting and expressing his concerns. OLD BUSINESS A. Arrowhead Trail at Bridgewater Development 1. The bridge over the wetlands to Lake Medina Park is completed. 2. The trail along Arrowhead is under construction on the trail easement, east side of the road. B. Hamel Legion Park and Community Building 1. Jim Dillman reported that a snow fence has been put up on one side of the sliding hill at Hamel Legion Park. Trail construction at the Park will not be completed until next spring. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes November 16, 2005 Page 3 of 4 2. The South Crow River News ran an article about Gerry Dykhoff's contribution to the development of the park, featuring the Donor Wall. 3. Gerry Dykhoff, who is also a member of the American Legion, reported on his discussions with the Legion about negotiating a 30 foot wide access road to the Park through the Legion parking lot. He showed a sketch of a possible concept. This would provide another entrance to the Community Building parking lot, and would include some badly -needed overflow parking. Rose Lorsung pointed out that the Transportation Study for Uptown Hamel puts a new access road in a different location. Also, the Legion would have to cede ownership to a portion of their property to the City, and such a transfer would be complicated. Gerry pointed out that the Legion donated the land for the baseball field, and they would object to any portion of the playing field being taken for the new road along the north boundary of the Park. Jim Dillman suggested that since the implementation of the planned new access road for Uptown Hamel is a long way in the future, the City could look into negotiating a temporary easement through the Legion parking lot, to be used until the time comes for the new road to be put in. NEW BUSINESS continued B. Rental Fees for the Community Building 1. Galen Bruer said that his daughter's 4H Club would like to use the Community Building for meetings, for free. This made him realize that the current rules and rates for rentals are not very specific as to what groups get free usage, while others must pay. For example, we don't have a policy for religious groups who may want to use the building every Sunday for a long period of time. He submitted a memo summarizing his research into the rules for other community's buildings. The memo includes the definition of exempt (non-profit) organizations used by the IRS. 2. Corcoran allows groups such as the 4H, Girl Scouts, Senior Groups and the Pioneer Society to use their building for free. They charge a rental fee for wedding receptions, private parties and corporate events. Maple Grove charges lower rates for residents, and for this purpose, people who work full- time at Maple Grove business are considered residents. 3. Discussion: Currently, the Lions are not making enough revenue to cover the cost of cleaning. Even groups who get free rental should have to pay a Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes November 16, 2005 Page 4of4 deposit to cover cleaning costs, if they don't clean up after the event. Non- residents should be charged higher rental fees. Medina -based businesses should be entitled to resident rate for company events. a) A motion was passed directing Galen Bruer to work with City Staff to develop a more detailed policy for Community Building fees, and to report back to the Park Commission. C. Open Spaces Planning 1. Jim Dillman opened the discussion by stressing the importance of open spaces planning, even though this process will require more time and more meetings than our regular activities. 2. Rose Lorsung informed the Commission that the City Council would like the Park Commission to take the lead on open spaces planning. The City is required by the Met Council to update the Comprehensive Plan, and open spaces planning is a key element of the Plan. Medina is one area of western Hennepin County that is still rural, and it is important to try to preserve that atmosphere. We need to take a long view, i.e., "What do we want Medina to look like 100 years from now?". 3. Presentation on Open Spaces Planning 4. We have a head start because the first two planning steps are already completed. We have a Natural Resources Inventory and a Greenway Corridor has been proposed. 5. We will need to get a lot of public involvement to understand what citizens want to preserve, and to educate the public about open space planning concepts. We have to decide what features and what areas need to be protected, develop an Action Plan on how this can be done, using a variety of available tools, and then implement the Action Plan. 6. Rose Lorsung distributed maps showing the areas that could be included in the Greenway Corridor. Adjourn — 9:05 Next meeting — December 21, at the Community Building