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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-07 PACKET 04.A.iii.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING ITEM # DATE 4/7/10 < `® PREPARED BY Community Development Howard Blin ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST Receive and place on file the approved minutes for the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission's meeting on November 9, 2009. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Receive and place on file the approved minutes for the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission's meeting on November 9, 2009. BUDGET IMPLICATION $N /A $N /A N/A BUDGETED AMOUNT ACTUAL AMOUNT FUNDING SOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION DATE ❑ PLANNING ❑ PUBLIC SAFETY ❑ PUBLIC WORKS ® PARKS AND RECREATION 1/11/10 ❑ HUMAN SERVICES /RIGHTS ❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY REVIEWED APPROVED DENIED ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ® ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ❑ MEMO /LETTER: ❑ RESOLUTION: ❑ ORDINANCE: ❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION: ❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION: ® OTHER: Approved minutes of Parks Commission meeting on 11/9/09 ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS City Administrator at COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: &dAPPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER City of Cottage Grove Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Commission November, 2009 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission was duly held on the 9th day of November, 2009. xm4ati7d 7?7 N Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Ken Brittain, Keith Kleinsasser, Paul Poncin, William Schumal, Maureen Ventura Members Absent: Derrick Lehrke, Ryan Simmers, Krystal McCalvy Others Present: John Burbank, Senior Planner Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Manager APROVAL OF THE AGENDA A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried. APROVAL OF THE MINUTES • change to the September minutes was made changing Derrick Lehrke from absent to present. • motion was made and seconded to approve the October 12, 2009 minutes. Motion carried. OPEN FORUM None OLD BUSINESS A. Hamlet Park Phase II Parking — Update Burbank gave an update on the Hamlet Park Phase II project. In November the Commission was asked to make a recommendation on the revised layout options for future parking at Hamlet Park. Burbank presented the latest design noting that would be the design used to determine the V sub -base material being spread at the park. He stated that the plans show the ballfields shifted to the south. Poncin asked if there would be a roadway between the ballfields with park- ing in the center of the complex. Burbank responded that a waterway runs north and south from the pond, which makes it necessary to put the roadway in the center. He pointed out the loca- tions of all roadways, parking, and natural features. Brittain asked if the City will move the bat- ting cages. Burbank stated most likely. Dockter added they have not talked about it but he does not foresee it becoming a large issue. B. Regional Trail Legacy Grant Application Burbank presented a draft application for the Regional Trail Legacy Grant being processed through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The minimum grant request is $20,000 and has a 75/25 match ratio. The City is seeking $231,000 for a $308,000 project. The Parks Commission Meeting Minutes November 9, 2009 Page 2 of 3 proposed trail would run in the west central corridor from Jamaica Avenue to the Kingston Park/ Indian Boulevard school campus. The City Council has authorized submittal of this application. The application is due November 13, 2009. Prior to submitting the application, staff would like the Commission to review the application. He explained that this project would be similar to the Pine Tree Valley trailhead project and would include benches and parking. Schumal suggested including a picture of Pine Tree Valley Park with the submission. Ventura asked if this applica- tion included language referencing the existing trails that will be utilized and connected through this grant. Burbank responded that the application noted the connection to a regional park and the future regional trail that runs along the Mississippi Trail. One of the qualifiers for this grant is to have regional significance. Poncin asked if there is currently a picnic table on the trailway. Dockter answered the table is on private property. Poncin asked if there is potential room for a parking area on the south side of 80th Street. Burbank responded that he would ask the City Engineer. Brittain stated he would encourage parking at Kingston Park. Burbank stated there is enough room on Jasmine to incorporate some parking. Kleinsasser asked how soon the project would begin. Burbank stated the completion is set for 2012. NEW BUSINESS A. Clearwire — EMCF Antenna Request — Woodridge Park Burbank reported that Clearwire Wireless Broadband has inquired about the possibility of leas- ing an antenna site at Woodridge Park. The proposed location of the 100 -foot monopole tower is on the west side of the tennis /basketball courts in lieu of an existing 30 -foot tall light pole. A small at -grade equipment enclosure is also included in the request. The City would receive an annual rental fee for the installation of the tower and equipment. If the location and lease is ap- proved, it is recommended that any lease proceeds be directed to the park trust fund with Woodridge Park receiving a priority on use of the funds. Burbank presented a diagram of the proposal. He stated that staff has looked into the impact this would have on neighbors, noting that the antenna would be 17 feet above Jewel Avenue. He stated that there does not appear to be much anticipated impact to residents in the area. Brittain asked what color the pole would be. Burbank responded that the City requests that poles be painted the light gray color of the sky. Brittain suggested a different color may blend in better against the foliage. Burbank stated the City considers the surrounding environment when they choose a color. Peterson asked what kind of noise the pole would emit. Burbank responded he does not have any information on this structure but stated he has not received any complaints on other locations where antennas are installed. He added that the City is requesting the equipment be housed in an area less intrusive than a block building. Dockter stated one option would be to house the equipment next to the antenna with lattice around it and another option would be to modify the bleachers so the equipment could be hidden under them. This would allow the bleachers to serve multiple pur- poses and if another company requests service, the city would have the option to expand the bleachers. Poncin asked what the current light pole illuminates. Dockter answered up the tennis courts. Poncin suggested using the antenna as another lighting option for security purposes. Burbank that stated this antenna would require a conditional use permit with a public hearing. Neighbors within 500 feet of the site will be notified about that hearing. Staff is recommending the funds raised would be added to the park trust fund. Schumal asked if additional towers will be needed as building is increased. Burbank stated future technology is hard to evaluate. Schumal supported the idea of housing the equipment under the bleachers. Burbank will include the noise and lighting impact study in the report. Parks Commission Meeting Minutes November 9, 2009 Page 3 of 3 B. Geocaching —Public Properties Burbank explained to the Commission that geocaching is an outdoor activity in which the par- ticipants use Global Positioning System receivers to hide and seek containers called " geocaches" in different locations around the globe. The activity is gaining popularity around the world, as it is an outdoor activity that requires minimal costs and energy to participate, and ap- peals to individuals and families. Several years ago the Parks Commission discussed estab- lishing regulations related to the use within City -owned property. Based on the relative newness of the activity and limited sites in the community, the Commission opted to not take any action on geocaching. He stated that several City staff members and their families geocache in Cottage Grove noting that there are a large number of "caches" on City property at this time. It is requested that the Commission hold a discussion on the topic and determine if any additional action or regulation should be recommended to the City Council. Burbank stated there have been no complaints or damage reported to the parks department. Poncin stated the County is allowing it to proceed in their parks. Dockter added the State also allows and rents out GPS units to participants. Brittain asked if there are rules and regulations in the state parks. Dockter answered the State hands hand out guidelines that note you do not need to shovel or damage the park in any way to find the cache. Brittain pointed out he felt the rules should not be restric- tive but should be helpful to participants and establish some guidelines. Schumal suggested making a restriction to keep geocachers from entering private property. Brittain made a recom- mendation to make a policy similar to neighboring communities. Poncin added the City should have the right to remove the cache if it is close to private property. PRESENTATIONS The Ice Arena is having a Decorate and Skate event. Anyone bringing an ornament will receive $2 off a public skate session. There will be a Christmas tree lighting on December 2 at City Hall. The Recreation Department is available for no school days; 40 kids recently went to Grand Slam. Call the Recreation Department for upcoming events. REPORTS None COMMISSION COMMENTS Schumal asked if there has been any consideration to add a throwable life support to the fishing pier at Hidden Valley Park COUNCIL COMMENTS None STAFF COMMENTS Burbank stated a job recently opened at Public Works and there were over 500 applicants. Dockter stated that the Commission needs to revisit the leash law in Cottage Grove. Burbank added the City is still looking for a location for a dog park. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.