HomeMy Public PortalAbout07.20.2016_Park Commission Meeting MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
July 20, 2016
Medina City Hall
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The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on July 20, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
at Medina City Hall. Park Commission Chair Steve Lee presided.
1) Call to Order
Commissioners Present: Steve Lee, John Jacob, Dino DesLauriers, Michelle
Beddor, Lori Meehan, and Lisa Cole
Commissioners Absent: Nate Pearson
Also Present: City Planner Dusty Finke, Assistant City Administrator
Jodi Gallup, Public Works Director Steve Scherer and City
Council member Lorie Cousineau.
2) Additions to the Agenda
None
3) Approval of the Minutes from:
April 20, 2016 Regular Meeting
Page 3, 1st paragraph, “... projects projection...”
Page 3, 6th paragraph, “...desire support for system,...”
Page 3, 7th paragraph, “lack of trail development?”
A motion was made by DesLauriers and seconded by Beddor to approve the minutes from
April 20, 2016 with the noted change. Motion passed unanimously.
May 18, 2016 Regular Meeting
A motion was made by Jacob and seconded by Meehan to approve the minutes from May
18, 2016 as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
4) Public Comments (on items not on the agenda): None.
5) City Council Update
Lorie Cousineau gave the Park Commission an update on recent City Council actions.
6) Maple Park Baseball Field Request
Kristine Stehly, resident in the Independence Beach Neighborhood, stated that the Maple
Park baseball field had become overgrown and when her husband approached the city
back in May, they had learned that the city decided not to maintain the field as a baseball
diamond and seed it over.
Stehly noted that a copy of a petition had been sent to the Park Commissioners earlier
that day containing 22 signatures and comments from residents in the neighborhood that
would like to see the baseball field rehabilitated and regularly maintained.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
July 20, 2016
Medina City Hall
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Stehly stated that a baseball field is a great amenity for the community and neighborhood.
She pointed out that the baseball field, if maintained, would be used by the surrounding
community—not just her neighborhood. She knows this because on Halloween each year,
their neighborhood sees an influx of kids from around the community since it is a more
dense urban area. She stated that her neighborhood is turning over and the number of
families with young children is growing. She stated that they have 14 houses with
children under 18 on her street alone. They also have baseball and softball coaches on her
street.
Stehly stated that she is here today to ask for four things:
1. Rehabilitate the baseball field
2. Regularly maintain it as a baseball field
3. Add fencing along third baseline to avoid balls going into the stream
4. Install bases
Scherer stated that he does not have a problem with the city keeping it as a baseball field
and will be happy to deliver ag lime out there, but the reason Stehly is before us tonight is
because at the May Park Tour, he received direction from the Park Commission to seed it
over. He asked Stehly to seek out resident support and bring a formal request to the Park
Commission.
Lee thanked Stehly for taking the time to bring this request before the Park Commission
and commended her for her efforts to get neighborhood support of the project.
There was a general consensus of the Park Commission to get the baseball field in Maple
Park back in shape.
Scherer said the city will deliver the ag lime, but he will need the help of the residents to
maintain the field.
Stehly believed some of her neighbors would be able to spread the ag lime material.
The Park Commission discussed her request for bases, but it was determined that the city
would not be able to provide the bases. It was noted that each user would need the bases
set up at different lengths depending on their age range. It was also noted that baseball
fields that have stationary bases are usually provided by the athletic clubs using those
fields. It was suggested that she purchase portable bases for her own use.
Stehly asked the Park Commission for a commitment to keep this area as a baseball field.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
July 20, 2016
Medina City Hall
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Lee stated that they will commit to keeping it as a baseball field into the foreseeable
future. He stated if things change down the road, it would first come before the Park
Commission for discussion at a public meeting.
Lee stated that they will discuss the fence during the Capital Improvement Plan
discussion towards the end of the agenda.
7) AutoMotorPlex – PUD Concept Plan Review – East of Arrowhead Drive, North of
Hamel Road – Park Dedication Review
City Planner Finke stated that the applicant has requested review of a PUD Concept Plan
for construction of an “AutoMotorPlex”, a series of finished garages designed for
motorsports enthusiasts. He noted that the applicant has a similar facility in Chanhassen.
The concept shows nine buildings of approximately 215,000 total square feet east of
Arrowhead Drive and north of Hamel Road.
Finke stated that the city is currently constructing a trail along the east side of Arrowhead
Drive on the north side of Highway 55. He referenced the trail plan showing a proposed
trail along this stretch of Arrowhead Drive and along Hamel Road.
Meehan questioned the topography of the land. Finke responded that it was relatively flat
on the north side of Hamel Road and the east side of Arrowhead drive for this parcel, but
other parcels might be flatter on the other side of the road on different stretches of the
proposed trail.
The width of the trail was discussed as it relates to safety for users. It was noted that most
of our city trails are 8 feet wide.
It was questioned if there was enough right-of-way and land dedication to further
separate the trail from the road for safety.
Finke stated that Arrowhead Drive had been realigned next to Loram so there would be
plenty of right-of-way next to their property, but it would be tighter as the trail moved
south.
Jacob questioned the validity of the trails on the trail map and if the Park Commissioners
should first determine which trails on the map should be completed prior to making
recommendations on land dedication.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
July 20, 2016
Medina City Hall
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There was a general consensus that Jacob had a good point, but it was also noted that the
two proposed trails on this map are major trails that need to be constructed to make vital
trail connections on the plan.
Jacob suggested we differentiate major trail and smaller neighborhood trail connections
on the trail plan.
Scherer stated that Arrowhead Drive is a County Road and is very busy with truck traffic
and will only continue to become busier as development occurs. He suggested that the
Park Commission take the full trail easement outside of the right-of-way to create a safe
zone between the trail and road.
The Park Commission discussed all the possible options for the Arrowhead Drive trail
such as having it run through the property along the east property line, but it was
determined that the applicant probably would not like the trail running through the
backside of their lot.
Meehan questioned if the discussed dedicated trail easements would take up all of the
10% of the allowed Park Dedication.
Finke confirmed it probably would take up most of the dedication. The Park
Commissioners were okay with it.
There was a general consensus to take the full trail easement outside of the right-of-way
along the east side of Arrowhead Drive and to take a trail easement along the north side
of Hamel Road.
8) 2040 Comprehensive Plan Review for Parks & Trails
Finke stated that the Park Commission began the review of this plan at their April
meeting and would like to review the text of the plan this evening. He noted that the goal
of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee is to have a solid draft of the plan put
together this fall for formal review in October. He noted that the parks, trails, and open
space chapter is just one piece of a larger plan.
Lee commended Finke on his efforts to clean up the language of this chapter prior to
bringing it forward at this meeting.
Lee noted that under the vision and goals section for this chapter, there should be a
broader statement that these items would be accomplished where appropriate and as can
be fiscally sustained, instead of including that statement only on the first bullet point.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
July 20, 2016
Medina City Hall
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Gallup made a note that she had a more current Medina Park System Inventory and
would insert the updated table in a future draft of this plan.
Discussion occurred on the need to have an existing park inventory and descriptions of
each park included in the plan because the information gets outdated so quickly and this
is a long term plan.
Finke pointed out that the Comprehensive Plan tells a narrative of the planning process. It
is important to know the amenities the City had at the beginning of the plan to help guide
the future needs of the community.
Discussion occurred regarding the amount of trails shown on the trail map and if only
major trails should be shown on the map.
Meehan stated that it was important to show trails that run straight through the middle of
someone’s property because it will put them and future potential property owners on
notice of the city’s intentions to build a trail through their property.
Lee suggested the Park Commission schedule additional meetings to review the park and
trail plan more closely because he would like to submit the Park Commission’s best effort
plan.
Gallup stated she would send out an email to coordinate possible meeting dates.
Finke described the suggested changes he had made to the park and trail map based on
the steering committee’s proposed changes to the land use map. He noted that we may
need to plan for less park facilities with the reduced growth projects.
Discussion occurred on the proposed regional trail corridors shown on the plan. There
was a general consensus that the regional transportation corridor (shown in gray) should
go down Brockton Lane, not Hunter Drive. The regional trail corridor (shown in purple)
should go down Hunter to Medina Road to County Road 24.
Cole requested that an off road trail be shown on the map to connect Meander Road to
the new trail on Arrowhead Drive. It was noted that the trail currently is a wide shoulder,
but the traffic is busy and a number of families use that stretch of trail.
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July 20, 2016
Medina City Hall
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Lee questioned the proposed park on the plan on the east side of County Road 116 in the
Reserve of Medina development. He noted that the city missed their opportunity to take
park land when the land was subdivided.
It was noted that the plan still showed a proposed park to serve the residents east of
County Road 116 and north of Highway 55.
The Park Commission directed staff to look into adding passive playground features to
the city owned woods in either the Reserve of Medina development or the Villas
development to serve as a park for these residents.
The Park Commission requested that staff prepare a basis trail map for trail planning
purposes that shows only existing trails, dots for proposed homes, and existing
businesses.
Staff was also directed to prepare an updated future cost vs. park dedication revenue
analysis and collect the surrounding communities’ trail maps.
9) 2017-2021 Capital Improvement Plan
The Park Commission reviewed the updated draft 2017-2021 Capital Improvement Plan
and made the following recommendations:
Hamel Legion Park
Dugout covers – staff to look into cost of fence option.
Snow machine – staff to get cost estimates.
Trail lights – remove from plan.
Hunter Lions Park – it was noted that this park has become increasingly busy with the
new Enclave development across the street. It was questioned if the city should add
playground features in the future.
Remove fence rail covers.
Lakeshore Park – this park is also busy, but the play structure is small and meant for
small children. It was questioned if additional features could be added to the park.
Remove steps to boat launch.
Look into adding a bench into hillside, if allowed by DNR.
Rainwater Nature Area
Add $30,000 in 2017 for a bench and trail on the west side of the proposed bridge.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
July 20, 2016
Medina City Hall
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Maple Park – discussion occurred if a fence should be added to the third baseline to avoid
balls going into the stream. There was a general consensus that the field should be
updated this year, and its use will be evaluated next summer to determine if the expense
of a fence is warranted.
Walnut Park – discussion occurred regarding basketballs going into the bushes and it was
determined that the hoop should be turned the other direction.
Medina Morningside – the plan calls for the curb to be fixed. Staff will evaluate the
actual need and costs.
Tomann Preserve
Remove $20,000 for future park development.
Park at Fields of Medina
Budget $15,000 in 2017 to add a volleyball court.
City woods by Villas at Medina Golf & Country Club and city woods in the Reserve of
Medina - staff to research adding linear playground features that would run along a wood
chip trail.
10) Staff Report
Dugout Covers – Scherer stated that the hardcover roofs over the dugouts will be
much more expensive than originally anticipated. He is currently looking into a
fence option.
Arrowhead Drive Trail Update – Scherer reported that the new trail is near
completion.
Electricity at the Park at Fields of Medina – Scherer reported that Wright-
Hennepin had installed the transformer to provide electricity to the park. He is
now waiting on his electrician to provide electrical service up to the pavilion and
install the light pole.
General Items – no additional general items to report.
11) Adjourn
A motion was made by DesLauriers, seconded by Jacob and passed unanimously, to
adjourn the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:31 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jodi Gallup.