HomeMy Public PortalAbout07.18.2018_Park Commission Meeting MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
July 18, 2018
Medina City Hall
Page 1 of 3
The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on July 18, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.
at Medina City Hall. Park Commission Chair Steve Lee presided.
1) Call to Order
Commissioners Present: Steve Lee, Ann Thies, Mary Morrison, Elizabeth Weir,
Lori Meehan, Jeff Rumsey, and youth member Lauren
Lubenow
Commissioners Absent: John Jacob and youth member Ella Kingsley
Also Present: Council member John Anderson, Public Works Director
Steve Scherer, and Assistant City Administrator Jodi
Gallup
2) Additions to the Agenda: None
3) Approval of the Minutes from:
June 20, 2018 Regular Meeting
A motion was made by Weir and seconded by Lee to approve the minutes from June 20,
2018 as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
4) Public Comments (on items not on the agenda): None.
5) City Council Update
Anderson updated the Park Commission on recent City Council actions. He stated that
the City Council had a budget work session the night before to discuss the 2019 budget
and funding the municipal park fund. He stated the City Council has requested more
detail from the Park Commission before allocating money into the municipal park fund.
6) 2019-2023 Capital Improvement Plan & City Park Funds Discussion
Gallup stated that staff has worked with Lee to draft a five-year capital improvement plan
for our parks and trails based on discussions from the Park Commission following the
park tour and based on the growth plan in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. She noted that
Finance Director Erin Barnhart has put together an analysis showing the modest planned
improvements/park replacements over the next five years showing a negative fund
balance of $208,434.12. This number shows the need for setting aside money each year
in the municipal park fund to address the aging park equipment replacement needs.
Gallup stated that the City Council has requested a more detailed analysis of the City’s
long-term park and trail replacement needs.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
July 18, 2018
Medina City Hall
Page 2 of 3
Lee reported that he has been working with staff to put together a detailed spreadsheet for
each city park. The spreadsheets include each park and trail asset, year acquired,
estimated replacement cost, estimated life span, and estimated replacement year. He
stated that he would continue to work with staff to finalize this document to create a more
thorough analysis going out 40 years illustrating the need to continue to fund the
Municipal Park Fund as parks and trails continue to age.
Thies reminded the Park Commissioners to not be too short sighted by not acquiring a
trail easement or future park that we cannot afford, because these connections can
provide a long-term benefit. Once the land develops, the opportunity is gone. She stated
that the city has missed opportunities in the past.
Weir suggested that the Municipal Park Fund analysis should include an introduction
describing the work that has been done by our past park commission leadership. She
stated that the Park Commission has known more funds would be needed to continue to
build new park and trail equipment and replace aging equipment, but general funds were
not dedicated to future parks and trails at that time due to the great recession. She
volunteered to work with Gallup to write an introduction to the Municipal Park Fund
analysis.
Anderson stated that as the city builds more and more parks and trails, we will have a
greater need to maintain these parks and trails into the future. He compared parks and
trails to roads stating, “People expect roads to be in good shape and we only hear about
the roads when something needs to be repaired”.
The Park Commissioners reviewed the proposed 2019-2023 Capital Improvement Plan
line by line. Discussion occurred on removing the reoccurring/rolling line items such as
general landscaping, small equipment, and land acquisition as it is confusing. Gallup
explained the purpose of these line items is to make sure some money is budgeted in
these areas each year to have funding available as unanticipated projects arise. She stated
that the city doesn’t spend the full amount each year and the leftover money is just rolled
to the next year. She suggested adding the language “reoccurring/rolling” in the
description to better explain the allocated funds.
The Park Commissioners discussed budgeting some funds for a possible cricket pitch in
Hamel Legion Park, looking into adding a second tennis court at Hunter Lions Park, and
adding new curbing at Medina Morningside Park.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
July 18, 2018
Medina City Hall
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A motion was made by Morrison and seconded by Weir to recommend to the City Council
the adoption of the 2019-2023 Capital Improvement Plan with discussed park and trail
changes. Motion passed unanimously.
7) Staff Report
Gallup reported that she spoke with a representative from the local cricket group and they
have requested that Medina create a cricket pitch in one of our parks. Lee and Gallup
agreed to meet with the cricket representative to discuss options.
8) Adjourn
A motion was made by Weir, seconded by Morrison and passed unanimously, to adjourn
the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jodi Gallup