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HomeMy Public PortalAbout07.19.2023 Park Commission Meeting PacketPOSTED AT CITY HALL: July 14, 2023 PARK COMMISSION AGENDA WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 2023 7:00 P.M. CITY HALL (2052 County Road 24) 1.Call to Order 2.Changes to Agenda 3.Approval of Draft Park Commission Minutes a. Minutes of the June 21, 2023 Regular Park Commission Meeting 4.Update from City Council Proceedings 5.Representative at next City Council Meeting 6.Staff Report a.Hunter Lions Park – discuss pickleball court feedback b.Fitness Court – grant presentation 7.Adjourn CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes June 21, 2023 Page 1 of 3 The Park Commission of Medina, Minnesota met in regular session on June 21, 2023 at 7:00 1 p.m. 2 3 Vice Chairperson Terry Sharp presided. 4 5 1. CALL TO ORDER 6 7 Vice Chairperson Terry Sharp called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 8 9 Present: Park Commissioners Terry Sharp, Troy Hutchinson, Will Gunter and Tom Mayer. 10 Youth Park Commissioners June Ney and Grace Illingworth. 11 12 Absent: Park Commissioners Mary Morrison, Nila Norman and Steve Webster. 13 14 Also Present: Public Works Director Steve Scherer and Public Works Administrative Assistant 15 Lisa DeMars and City Council Member Dino DesLauriers. 16 17 2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA 18 19 A motion was made by Mayer, seconded by Gunter to move-up pickleball court discussion so 20 residents who are present are not expected to sit through entire meeting. 21 22 Scherer brought the Park Commission up to speed noting that the new courts at Hunter Lions 23 Park opened the day after the annual Park Commission tour and have been busy ever since. He 24 said the city has received numerous positive comments and a few negative comments, most 25 regarding pickleball noise, with emails directed to the Mayor and Councilmembers. Scherer 26 reminded the Park Commission that the plan was to collect data before considering adjustments 27 to hours or allowing league play or the ability to reserve the courts because we didn’t know if 28 they were going to be a popular amenity. 29 30 Kate Agarwala, 3241 Butternut Drive, voiced concerns about pickleball noise. Agarwala said 31 she does not begrudge pickleball and agrees players deserve to have a place to play, but 32 homeowners deserve to use their decks, porches, and backyards, and to be in their own homes 33 without hearing constant pinging. 34 35 Hutchinson asked Agarwala how long she has lived at her address and if she received the notices 36 about the courts, and if she expressed concerns about pickleball at that time. 37 38 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes June 21, 2023 Page 2 of 3 Agarwala stated she did receive notices however had no idea how disruptive the courts would be 1 to her family. Agarwala noted noise from baseball games was not destructive like the pickleball 2 noise. 3 4 Sharp thanked Agarwala for the comments and said the goal of the Commission is to provide 5 park and recreation activities for the City, and noise comes with use of these assets. He noted 6 Hunter Lions Park was not being utilized, so the goal was to provide desirable options. Sharp 7 explained pickleball has been one of the top requested amenities. Sharp stated he understood the 8 complaints and although a decision can’t be made at this meeting, the Commission will take 9 these concerns under advisement. 10 11 Ellen Bach, 220 Bergamot Drive, voiced her support for the pickleball courts. She noted how 12 many new neighbors she has met on the courts. Bach asked for additional courts to be built for 13 less wait time and stated she is an avid player, playing at a very high level for years, and would 14 like to help promote the courts with options like hosting clinics, allowing league play, and 15 designating play time slots depending on skill level. Bach offered to help run a pickleball 16 program. 17 18 Hutchinson thanked Bach for the comments and noted that Medina doesn’t have staff resources 19 available to devote to parks and recreational programs, like neighboring larger cities do. 20 Hutchinson invited Bach to draft a proposal and submit it through Staff for the Commissions 21 review. 22 23 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 24 25 A. Approval of the April 19, 2023 Regular Park Commission Meeting Minutes. 26 27 A motion was made by Hutchinson and seconded by Gunter to approve the April 19, 2023 Park 28 Commission meeting minutes as presented. 29 30 B. Approval of the May 17, 2023 Regular Park Commission Meeting Minutes. 31 32 A motion was made by Hutchinson and seconded by Gunter to Norman to approve the May 17, 33 2023 Park Commission meeting minutes as presented. 34 35 4. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE 36 37 DesLauriers provided an update on recent City Council actions. 38 39 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes June 21, 2023 Page 3 of 3 5. REPRESENTATIVE AT NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING 1 Sharp noted upcoming council meetings to be held on July 5 and 18, and August 2 and 15; and 2 that Gunter is on the roster for July; and Mayer is on the roster for August. Sharp also noted that 3 Scherer will continue to provide meeting updates if any Commissioner is unable to attend or 4 trade dates. 5 6 6. PRESERVE OF MEDINA – PUD General Plan and Prelim Plat East of Holy Name 7 Drive, North of CR 24 8 9 Scherer stated that the Commission previously reviewed a concept plan for this rural five lot 10 subdivision. He noted the PUD allows for more flexibility of the zoning standards and although 11 no park facilities or broader trail corridor are identified in the vicinity, staff recommends 12 securing trail easements for a future Medina Road to Holy Name connection and cash in-lieu. 13 14 Tim Boser, applicant, stated that they are working with Stantec on the wetland restoration project 15 as that firm has experience in that area and said they are not positive where the wetland buffer 16 will ultimately fall which is why they asked the Planning Commission for flexibility on lot size. 17 He stated the process can take up to five years and once completed the land would be dedicated 18 to the City or Watershed District. 19 20 The Park Commission also heard from Greg Hoglund, co-applicant, who opposed the trail 21 easement because it would be undesirable for potential property owners as well as encroach on 22 the existing homeowner properties on Holy Name Road. 23 24 Gunter said he agreed that Holy Name Road is narrow which is why those residents desire access 25 to the trail system. 26 27 Hutchinson suggested a boardwalk option or extension of a path down the east and south border. 28 29 Hoglund objected, reminding the Commission that the City doesn’t have a trail corridor 30 identified for this area. 31 32 A motion was made by Hutchinson and seconded by Gunter to recommend requiring the trail 33 easements described in the staff report and cash-in-lieu of additional park dedication. 34 35 7. LAKESHORE PARK RENOVATION DISCUSSION 36 37 DeMars presented the concept plan and draft modified documents. 38 39 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes June 21, 2023 Page 4 of 3 Hutchinson asked when the kayak rack will be installed and noted residents in the Lakeshore 1 neighborhood have been waiting for this amenity for quite some time. He also noted his 2 neighbors are excited for the seating areas. 3 4 DeMars and Scherer explained that Public Works has been short staffed and inundated with 5 street projects this year. 6 7 Hutchinson pointed out that it appears the City’s limited resources will continue to be consumed 8 by reactive issues like pickleball complaints. 9 10 DeMars agreed that Public Works handles the parks department, but the first priority is streets 11 and utilities. 12 13 Mayer asked if the lottery would restart each calendar year. 14 15 DeMars confirmed that the proposal has the lottery restarting each year with an application 16 period from January to March. 17 18 Sharp asked how the amenity would be announced, the Commission agreed it makes sense to 19 post an announcement on the rack in lieu of social media or our website, allowing the City to 20 gauge neighborhood popularity. 21 22 Gunter commented the Park Commission has the option to continuously analyze usage and 23 update the process as needed. 24 25 Hutchinson directed Staff to allow storage rack usage through November because it is still a 26 popular month to be out on the lake. 27 28 The Park Commission discussed charging a fee and ultimately agreed costs are covered by tax 29 dollars and could be amended later if the Commission recommends it necessary. 30 31 Additionally, the Commission discussed installation of a second rack, which was originally 32 planned. 33 34 DeMars stated only one rack was ordered because the City wanted to evaluate the choice after a 35 full season, including winters, to ensure this model is a lasting choice. 36 37 A motion was made by Hutchinson and seconded by Sharp to recommend approval of the 38 Lakeshore Park concept plan and draft documents. 39 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes June 21, 2023 Page 5 of 3 1 8. STAFF REPORT 2 3 DeMars presented the staff report. There were no questions. 4 5 A motion was made by Hutchinson and seconded by Sharp directing City Staff to document the 6 reason for deviation of the normal process for reviewing grant opportunities and recommending 7 to Council support regarding pursuance of inclusion in the Green River Grant Opportunity, as 8 attached in the park meeting packet. 9 10 2024-2028 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP) PARK FUND DISCUSSION 11 12 Scherer walked the Park Commission through the capital plan as presented in the meeting 13 packet. 14 15 The Park Commission recommended the addition of pickleball courts at Maple Park, which is 16 further away from properties and already experiences high noise due to County Road 19. The 17 Commission also recommended building the pavilion at Lakeshore park as part of an eagle scout 18 project for potential cost savings. The Commission recommended a redesign of Walnut Park 19 into a raingarden or nature area because residents in the neighborhood do not utilize the space. 20 21 DeMars explained the park asset inventory is managed in an excel spreadsheet and is currently a 22 compilation of notes left behind from the previous park coordinator. DeMars admitted the 23 inventory requires many updates. 24 25 Gunter said as part of park assignments, Commissioners should review their parks inventory, and 26 note any changes or corrections. 27 28 The Park Commission agreed to try to work on the asset inventory during the off season and as 29 time permits. 30 31 Gunter noted resident input from the 2023 cleanup day event should be considered during future 32 budget cycle planning as we start planning the land on Chippewa. 33 34 A motion was made by Sharp, seconded by Hutchinson, to approve the recommended Park 35 Capital Improvement Plan as discussed. 36 37 9. ADJOURN 38 39 CITY OF MEDINA PARK COMMISSION DRAFT Meeting Minutes June 21, 2023 Page 6 of 3 A motion was made by Mayer, seconded by Sharp, to adjourn the meeting. 1 2 The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Minutes prepared by Lisa De Mars. 3 1 MEMORANDUM To: Medina Park Commission From: Lisa DeMars, Public Works Assistant Date: July 12, 2023 Meeting: July 19, 2023 Subject: Park Commission Meeting Report 2. Changes to Agenda If any Park Commissioner wishes to add an item to the agenda after the agenda has already been posted, the agenda item must be proposed at this point in the meeting. The Park Commission must agree to add the item by motion. No attachments for this item. 4. Update from City Council Proceedings This is a reoccurring agenda item to have the City Council Liaison to the Park Commission give an update at each meeting on what is happening at the Council level. City Council member Joseph Cavanaugh has been appointed as the Liaison to the Park Commission for 2023. No attachments for this item. 5. Representative at next City Council Meeting Upcoming council meetings will be held on August 2 and 15 and September 5 and 19. Tom Mayer is on the roster for August, Mary Morrison is on the roster for September. Steve Scherer will continue to provide meeting updates if you are unable to attend or trade dates with another Park Commissioner. No attachments for this item. Staff Report Upcoming Events. Night to Unite: Night to Unite takes place on Tuesday, August 1st, I’ll send an email update if we learn of any activities planned within the park system. Medina Celebration Day: Mark your calendars for the afternoon of September 16th to partake in Celebration Day. Are any Park Commissioners interested in staffing a tabletop booth, and what should that booth aim to accomplish? Park Maintenance Update. Hunter Lions Park: damage occurred (again) when a resident near the park drove their vehicle onto the walking path, around the pickleball/tennis court, and across the outfield. The Police are working with the responsible party to repair the damage. Hamel Legion: Privacy fencing installation on the property line near the scoreboard is delayed on account of the manufacturer shipping the wrong product. Fields of Medina: the garbage and toilet enclosure burnt due to fireworks and are being replaced; the responsible party turned themselves in to the police and will pay for the repairs. General Items. This is a reoccurring agenda item for Park Commissioners or Staff to give a verbal update on any other general park items. Staff representation at the July 19 Park Commission meeting will be Public Works Director Steve Scherer and Public Works Administrative Assistant Lisa DeMars. 1 TO: Medina Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Steve Scherer, Public Works Director DATE: July 13, 2023 MEETING: July 18, 2023 SUBJECT: Pickleball Court Sound Options Summary As directed in the July 5, 2023, city council meeting, staff researched options to minimize pickleball sound effects and screening for the courts at the Hunter Lions Park, along with recommended changes to court hours. Options that might mitigate pickleball sound and block the court from sight include requiring the use of muted balls and paddles, a sound curtain, and planting trees on the approximate 24 feet of right-of-way located on the east side of Hunter Drive. To address parking questions, attached is the lot layout with a total of 62 spaces. Staff Recommendation It is the recommendation of Staff to temporarily limit pickleball court use hours to 8:00a.m. to 8:00p.m. and allow the Park Commission time to review noise reduction options and provide a recommendation to Council. MEMORANDUM Hennepin County Property Map Date: 7/12/2023 Comments: 1 inch = 50 feet No resu lts This data (i) is furnished 'AS IS' with no representation as to completeness or accuracy; (ii) is furnished with no warranty of any kind; and (iii) is not suitable for legal, engineering or surveying purposes. Hennepin County shall not be liable for any damage, injury or loss resulting from this data. COPYRIGHT © HENNEPIN COUNTY 2023