Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout07.20.2016_Park Commission Meeting MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes July 20, 2016 Medina City Hall Page 1 of 7 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 Page 2 of 7 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 Page 3 of 7 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 Page 4 of 7 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 Page 5 of 7 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. Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes July 20, 2016 Medina City Hall Page 6 of 7 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 Page 7 of 7 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.