HomeMy Public PortalAbout01.16.2019_Park Commission Meeting MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
January 16, 2019
Medina City Hall
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The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on January 16, 2019 at 7:00
p.m. at Medina City Hall. Park Commission Chair Steve Lee presided.
1) Call to Order
Commissioners Present: Steve Lee, Jeff Rumsey, Ann Thies, Elizabeth Weir, John
Jacob, Mary Morrison, Terry Sharp, and youth members
Ella Kingsley and Lauren Lubenow
Commissioners Absent: None
Also Present: Public Works Director Steve Scherer and Assistant City
Administrator Jodi Gallup
2) Introduction of New Park Commissioner
A brief introduction of members took place.
3) Appointment of Officers: Chair, Vice Chair & Secretary
A motion was made by Weir and seconded by Jacob to nominate and appoint Steve Lee
as Chair. Motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Weir and seconded by Jacob to nominate and appoint Ann Thies
as Vice Chair. Motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Weir and seconded by Lee to nominate and appoint Jeff Rumsey
as Secretary. Motion passed unanimously.
It was noted that the New Park Commission Orientation Manual should be updated by
deleting the language, “No member may serve as chairperson or vice chairperson for
more than three consecutive (one-year) terms”.
4) Additions to the Agenda: None.
5) Approval of the Minutes from:
December 19, 2018 Regular Meeting
A motion was made by Weir and seconded by Lee to approve the minutes from December
19, 2018 as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
6) Public Comments (on items not on the agenda): None.
7) City Council Update
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
January 16, 2019
Medina City Hall
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Scherer updated the Park Commission on recent City Council actions. He stated that one
of the City Council’s 2019 goals is to look into reconstructing the tennis court in Hunter
Lions Park to determine if two courts would fit and the best location for the court(s)
within the park. Weir noted that the tennis courts should face north/south to avoid direct
eye contact with the sun. Gallup stated that the City Council directed staff to enter into a
contract with Agre Tennis to provide a tennis recreation program at Hamel Legion Park
for a $6 per hour per court rental rate.
8) Hamel Road – Shoulder Trail
Scherer provided background information on Hennepin County’s repaving plan and
schedule for Hamel Road. He stated that staff is looking for direction from the Park
Commission to request that Hennepin County pave the shoulder a little wider on Hamel
Road in connection with the repaving in 2019 from Pinto Drive to just west of Pioneer
Trail.
Jacob requested that we ask for a meaningful amount of paved shoulder on each side of
the road to create enough space for actual shoulder trails.
Morrison stated that creating narrow paved shoulders can be more dangerous for bicyclist
in those narrow shoulders, because cars will drive “zip” by bicyclist without moving out
of their lane. Vehicles should be moving away from bicyclist by at least five feet, but the
narrow-paved shoulder gives a false impression that bicycles are safely off the road and
far enough away from vehicles. She stated it is safer for bicyclists to ride in the middle of
the road than on a narrow shoulder, because vehicles see them and will move out of the
way to pass them.
The Park Commission was in consensus that the City of Medina should request from
Hennepin County that they pave as much of the shoulder as possible on each side of the
road along Hamel Road east of Pioneer Trail to Tower Drive.
9) Presentation from Youth Park Commissioners
Lee stated that Ella Kingsley and Lauren Lubenow are both completing their second one-
year terms as youth members of the Medina Park Commission. He asked them to say a
few things about what they learned and how we could improve our Youth Park
Commissioner Program.
Lubenow stated that she has loved experiencing the workings of local government in this
format. She appreciated when Park Commission Chair Lee would take the time to ask her
and other commissioners if they knew where on the map was being discussed and what
each person’s opinion was on the discussion.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
January 16, 2019
Medina City Hall
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Kingsley stated that her experience on the Park Commission was very educational. She
learned the ins and outs of what goes into developing and improving a park and all the
different approval processes.
Kingsley and Lubenow both stated that their favorite activity with the Park Commission
has been the annual Park Tour.
10) 2019 Park Commission Goals
The Park Commission discussed their list of annual goals for the year. The following
goals/actions were created in addition to the goals that were already on the list:
Split annual Park Tour into two meetings in May to allow enough time to visit all
the parks and some of the city trails. The proposed meeting dates will be May 8th
and May 15th at 5 p.m.
Research cricket fields and work with cricket group that is requesting a
field/cricket pitch in Hamel Legion Park. Sharp volunteered to research.
Determine if Walnut Park should remain a park or become a storm pond area. An
educational sign stating its purpose might help residents better understand the
area’s use as a storm pond. Flowers could also improve the look of the “park”.
Look into new batting cage location in Hamel Legion Park and what to do with
existing concrete slab.
11) Staff Report
2019 Representation at City Council Meetings – Lee noted that the 2019 roster for
Park Commission representation at City Council meetings was included in the
packet. He stated that commissioners should take note of their dates and switch
with other commissioners if they have any conflicts.
Trail Plan Update – The subcommittee reported that they will be holding one
more meeting on February 6th to review the draft trail plan before bringing the
plan before the full Park Commission on February 20th.
General Items – None.
12) Adjourn
A motion was made by Weir, seconded by Jacob and passed unanimously, to adjourn the
meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Jodi Gallup