HomeMy Public PortalAbout09.18.2019_Park Commission Meeting MinutesMedina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
September 18, 2019
Medina City Hall
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The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on September 18, 2019 at
7:00 p.m. at Medina City Hall. Park Commission Vice Chair Ann Thies presided.
1) Call to Order
Commissioners Present: Ann Thies, John Jacob, Terry Sharp, Mary Morrison
Commissioners Absent: Steve Lee, Elizabeth Weir, Jeff Rumsey
Also Present: Public Works Director Steve Scherer, Assistant City
Administrator Jodi Gallup, City Council member John
Anderson
2) Additions to the Agenda: None
3) Approval of the Minutes from:
August 21, 2019 Regular Meeting
A motion was made by Jacob and seconded by Sharp to approve the minutes from August
21, 2019 as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
4) Public Comments (on items not on the agenda): None.
5) City Council Update
Anderson provided an update to the Park Commission on recent City Council actions.
6) Hamel Athletic Club Request – Quad 4 Field Improvements
Mike Kneller with the Hamel Athletic Club presented a request for field improvements to
convert the Quad # 4 Field in Hamel Legion Park to a regulation Little League Field. He
explained that these improvements would involve converting the field to a grassed infield
with irrigation.
Kneller stated that the Hamel Athletic Club has ambitions to host a District 1 tournament.
Currently, Hamel Legion Park has two grassed infields and with the addition of one more
field, they will have a total of three fields to host a tournament. He stated that this
improvement to the field complex will make the Hamel Athletic Club program more
desirable for kids that are 9-12 years old.
The Park Commission questioned the purpose of installing a grassed infield vs. leaving
the infield with ag lime. Kneller stated that the grass slows the ball down, which is more
desirable for Little League.
Medina Park Commission Meeting Minutes
September 18, 2019
Medina City Hall
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The Park Commission questioned if grassing the infield will limit the ability of other
teams to utilize this field. It was noted that the fields are mainly used for Little League
with the fields being used as a backup location for one softball tournament each spring. If
this project moves forward, the park will have three Little League fields, two softball
fields, and one regulation baseball field.
The Park Commission questioned the additional maintenance requirements for a grassed
infield. Scherer stated that the infield would need to be mowed and irrigated. He also
stated that the fields need to be graded around the 1st and 3rd base line every few years to
fix the edges, which is required on all the fields.
Kneller stated that the Hamel Athletic Club would be responsible for purchasing a cover
for the clay mound and repairing the clay mound as needed.
Kneller stated that the Hamel Athletic Club has received a quote from the same
installation contractor, Sam’s Lawn Landscaping, that has installed the other grassed
infields in the park. He recommended using this contractor for efficiency and system
continuity. He stated that the Hamel Athletic Club is willing to fund the improvements to
this field at 100% of the cost, which is $13,750.
A motion was made by Jacob, seconded by Sharp to recommend approval of the Quad #
4 field conversion and irrigation installation agreement with Sam’s Lawn Landscaping
and to accept the donation from the Hamel Athletic Club for this project. Motion passed
unanimously.
7) Staff Report
General Items – Gallup reminded the Park Commissioners that Medina
Celebration Day will be held on Saturday, September 21st. Sharp and Thies
confirmed they will be at the event to promote Medina’s parks and trails and
educate residents on the Municipal Park Fund.
8) Adjourn
A motion was made by Sharp, seconded by Morrison and passed unanimously, to adjourn
the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m. Minutes prepared by Jodi Gallup