HomeMy Public PortalAbout11-16-2005 Park Commission MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
November 16, 2005
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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
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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.
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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
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November 16, 2005
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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