HomeMy Public PortalAbout04.17.2019_Park Commission Meeting MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
April 17, 2019
Medina City Hall
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The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on April 17, 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, Terry Sharp
Commissioners Absent: John Jacob, Mary Morrison, Elizabeth Weir
Also Present: City 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:
March 20, 2019 Regular Meeting
A motion was made by Thies and seconded by Rumsey to approve the minutes from
March 20, 2019 with two corrections: Page 1, under “Also present”, add John
Anderson; Page 3, under “staff report”, change “suggesting” to “suggested”. Motion
passed unanimously.
4) Public Comments (on items not on the agenda): None
5) City Council Update
Council Member Anderson updated the Park Commission on recent actions of the City
Council.
6) Patricia Raskob Trust – Preliminary Plat – 500 Hamel Road
Gallup provided a summary from the staff report noting the applicant, Patricia Raskob
Trust, has requested a subdivision of approximately 8.63 acres of property into two lots at
500 Hamel Road. The west lot would be 6.72 acres and the east lot would be 1.78 acres.
Gallup stated that the City’s subdivision ordinance requires the following to be dedicated
for parks, trails, and public open space purposes, at the City’s option:
Up to 10% of the buildable land, which would be 0.43 acres
Cash-in-lieu of land at 8% of the pre-developed market value, which would be
$56,000 based on minimum density
Combination of land and cash.
The Park Commission reviewed the City’s Park and Trail Map and determined there is a
proposed trail along this property on Hamel Road, but no need for a future park on this
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
April 17, 2019
Medina City Hall
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site. It was noted that staff believes the trail can be accommodated within the right-of-
way.
Lee questioned if a development on the east lot would have a negative impact on
Rainwater Park? He advised that the Park Commission would like to make sure any
development on the lot would not have a negative impact on the park.
Gallup stated that the applicant has asked to defer payment of the park dedication fees
until a building permit is pulled for the project. She stated that staff recommends
accommodating the fee deferral through an agreement. She also noted by deferring the
fee, it provides the city with an opportunity to collect a larger fee if the density is higher
than the minimum.
A motion was made by Thies and seconded by Rumsey to recommend to the City Council
to take cash-in-lieu of land, presuming the lot split is feasible and the trail extension can
be accomplished within the right-of-way, and allowing the applicant to defer the park
dedication fee through an agreement. Motion passed unanimously.
7) Hamel Athletic Club
Hamel Athletic Club (HAC) President Mike Mohs and Treasurer Mike Kneller
introduced themselves to the Park Commission and provided a brief history of the
baseball program. Kneller noted that 2019 registration numbers were up to 421 kids. The
program boundaries are for kids within the Wayzata School District and the City of
Medina.
Kneller and Mohs provided the Park Commission with a three-year highlight stating:
HAC and the City of Medina have had an outstanding partnership
HAC regained good standing with IRS, local sports store, and umpires
Registration numbers continue growing
Park Improvements that have been made include:
o Musco LED lighting on lighted field, which was a joint project with the
City, Twins, and HAC
o New dugouts and team benches on the lighted field, which was a joint
project with City and HAC
o HAC installed four bullpens with improved chain link borders
o HAC paid to install a new outfield fence on the Little League field to meet
200’ standard
HAC outsourced a sponsorship coordinator
HAC recruited four new board members in last twelve months
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April 17, 2019
Medina City Hall
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Honey and Mackie’s began operating the concession stand in 2018
Kneller noted that the previous batting cage netting was dismantled last year, following
noise complaints and an insurance claim. He stated that HAC is in front of the Park
Commission this evening to discuss the importance of having a batting cage for their
program and either the possibility of relocating the batting cage to the outside of the third
baseline or leaving the existing batting cage with added safety improvements.
Kneller received quotes to relocate the batting cage to the third baseline, which would
cost $37,990 with a full slab cage or cost $22,385 for a partial slab cage. These quotes do
not include adding the required chain link fencing, which would be another $15,640 to
fence all four sides.
Kneller stated that improving the safety at the existing batting cage location would save a
substantial amount of the cost, because we already have the concrete slab, turf, and poles
in place. The cost to upgrade the safety would be less than the quoted $15,640, because
only three sides would need new fencing. There would also be cost to purchase new
double netting and install signage.
The Park Commission discussed the issues at the existing site, which were mainly that
people were batting the wrong direction (toward homes), the noise of the bat hitting the
ball on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and balls escaping through the netting.
Gallup noted that the City’s insurance stated the batting cage needed to be fenced to
avoid balls escaping the netting, but the City did not complete the project last season to
give us time to consider all our options.
The Park Commission felt leaving the existing location of the batting cage was more
economical than building a new batting cage on the other side of the field, as long as the
safety and noise issues were addressed such as signage for hitting direction, an added
shade screen, signage with hours stating, “no hitting before 10 a.m.”, new double netting,
and adding a fence with a locked gate.
A motion was made by Thies and seconded by Lee to recommend to the City Council to
leave the batting cage in its current location, add double netting, approve the fence
quote, incorporate a locked gate to be issued to approved users, send notice to the
residents, provide a shade screen, add directional signage and hours of operation, and
have HAC regularly inspect it. Motion passed unanimously.
8) Trail Plan Update
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
April 17, 2019
Medina City Hall
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The Park Commission provided final comments on the updated Trail Plan. Thies stated
she had a few more grammatical changes that she would give to Gallup. The Park
Commission recommended adding segments A & B to trail 21.
A motion was made by Lee and seconded by Rumsey to recommend adoption of the Trail
Plan to the Medina City Council. Motion passed unanimously.
9) Municipal Park Funding – Resident Engagement Events
The Park Commission reviewed the final resident engagement materials and volunteered
to attend the following events:
Medina Clean-up Day – April 27th from 8 a.m. to noon
o Volunteer: Steve Lee
Lakeshore Park – Annual Ice Cream Social on May 4th from 2-5 p.m.
o Volunteers: Mary Morrison, Elizabeth Weir, Steve Lee, Ann Thies, Terry
Sharp
Bike Safety Rodeo – Medina Police Department on May 18th from 11-2 p.m.
o Volunteers: Elizabeth Weir, Terry Sharp, Jeff Rumsey, Ann Thies
Hamel Baseball Jamboree – Hamel Legion Park – June 21 and June 22
o Volunteers: Mary Morrison, Jeff Rumsey, Elizabeth Weir
Night to Unite – Medina Morningside & Fields of Medina – August 6 from 6-8
p.m.
o Volunteers: Medina Morningside: Ann Thies, Mary Morrison
o Volunteers: Fields of Medina: Jeff Rumsey, Terry Sharp
Fields of Medina Olympics – September 14
o Volunteers:
Medina Celebration Day – Hamel Legion Park – September 21 from 4-8 p.m.
o Volunteers: Terry Sharp
10) Staff Report
General Items – Staff reminded the Park Commission of the upcoming Park Tour
dates on May 8th and May 15th. Gallup stated she would follow-up with an email
reminder.
11) Adjourn
A motion was made by Thies, seconded by Rumsey and passed unanimously, to adjourn
the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jodi Gallup