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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-07-08 MINUTESCity of Cottage Grove Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Commission July 8, 2002 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Commission was duly held at City Hall, 7516 — 80th Street South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on the 8th day of July, 2002. Commission Chair Steve Morse called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Morse, AI Boche, Allan Dubois, Kathleen Kullman, Tammy Schwartz, Eddy Wuorenma MEMBERS ABSENT: Paul Barthol OTHERS PRESENT: Associate Planner John Burbank Ice Arena/Recreation Manager Zachary Dockter APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as submitted. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of the June 10, 2002 meeting approved as mailed. NEW BUSINESS A. Oakwood Park Vandalism Dockter indicated that vandalism has been up this year in general at City parks and school playgrounds /buildings. Oakwood Park has been hit significantly more than the other parks. Satellites have been burnt down, and shelters, buildings and playground equipment have been completely painted. Its becoming a major maintenance issue in all the parks. He also mentioned that it relates to the Hamlet Park expansion and the sale of part of the Oakwood Park land in that the potential sale of that land will hopefully open up the park to be more visible to passers by. This could possibly cut down on some of these problems. Burbank also mentioned that the Commission may need to start reviewing at what point we stop replacing this equipment such as satellites, playground equipment, shelters and do we stop providing for the public when it becomes too much of a burden financially. Burbank reiterated the fact that there needs to be some redevelopment in that park whether that involves the sale of land or not due to these reoccurring problems in Oakwood Park. Schwartz asked if there was a standing reward for reporting of vandalism. Staff did not know. Schwartz directed staff to research if there is a reward such as the one at Hamlet. If Parks Commission Minutes July 8, 2002 there isn't, this is something the Commission should look into to deter vandalism in our parks. B. Wilderness Inquiry Park Review Burbank reviewed that the Wilderness Inquiry is a group who comes out to local and state parks and analyzes the parks in regards to ADA requirements. They will generate a report telling us what we can do to make our park more accessible for the handicapped so that all people can enjoy the parks. This group is scheduled to come out for three days to the City of Cottage Grove. They won't be able to visit all the parks in those three days, but they will start with the community parks and move on to the neighborhood parks with any time available. Once that report is generated we will submit it to the Commission. C. Recreation Equipment Update Dockter reviewed the fact that there are two playground structures scheduled for replacement in the 2002 CIP. Those structures are Woodridge and Highlands Park. Opposing bids were proposed from Miracle and the other from EFA. Dockter reviewed the two bids and showed the Commission the pictures of the proposed structures. Staff recommended the purchase of the Miracle playground structures at both parks. Al Boche made a motion to proceed with staff's plan to purchase playground structures at Highlands and Woodridge Parks. Seconded by Allan Dubois. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS A. CIP Review Burbank reviewed the CIP once again, highlighting the major points in the CIP in regards to parks. Morse commented that it's good to see the CIP from time to time throughout the year. It gives the Commission a chance to stay ahead of the game so that they can respond to comments from the citizens about things that need to be replaced or fixed. Commission can now make such recommendations prior to Council review. Steve Morse encouraged the Commission to review the CIP frequently and to make sure any recommendations get put in November or December to make sure there's enough time before the Council makes its final decisions. Schwartz asked if the Commission could recommend taking monies from other areas such as Public Works and putting it into park capital improvements. For example taking money from the painting of a water tower to install additional play structures or park building replacement. Morse responded that we can certainly make that recommendation and the final decision will be made by Council. B. Field Naming Dockter reviewed the attached memo and stated that this was the initial draft so he's looking for a lot of guidance and suggestions. He stated that he came up with information from research on other cities and some of their policies for field renaming. Boche asked Parks Commission Minutes July 8, 2002 3 how this memo affects the issue of renaming the Woodridge field that came up in February. Dockter said that recommendation had already been sent to Council. Council will be reviewing it this month. Boche said he would also forward the memo onto CGAA members and try to get some feedback from them. Burbank stated that the staff Marketing Committee is also working on a donation program that is kind of in relation to this issue as well. It will be a donation program in which the citizens of the City or local entities can donate to specific causes of the City. These two items could be incorporated together. C. Hamlet Park Picnic Shelter Update The picnic shelter was an issue from the May meeting and Dockter reviewed that it will be installed in August. Boche asked if the shelter will be movable if the Hamlet Park expansion goes through. Dockter replied that it would be moveable, but a new concrete slab would have to be poured. It was once again mentioned that this would hopefully be the standard for future park shelters. Schwartz asked if the color was going to be standard for future park shelters. She had some concerns in regards to a lighter roof. It was stated by staff that the style of the structure itself is more what we're looking to make uniform throughout our parks, not so much the color. This issue could be reviewed in upcoming instances. REPORTS Morse asked staff and the Commission to review the reports and make any comments they would like to. A. Golf Division Dubois noted that the golf course said they had some heavy rain bunker problems and asked if the City maintains them or if it's contracted out. Burbank replied that the City does its own maintenance on the golf course. B. Ice Arena Division C. Parks Division D. Recreation Programming Division E. Planning Commission Burbank reviewed the Planning Commission minutes and noted that the Kohl's project is back on the table and that this project is once again related to the potential Oakwood Park and Hamlet Park renovations. He pointed out that the Timber Ridge Additions will be coming up soon so that will provide more parkland dedication funds for the Park Trust Fund. Parks Commission Minutes July 8, 2002 F. Council Aaendas Burbank reviewed the City Council agendas and noted that the Ice Arena would be receiving a new sound system as approved by Council. G. CGAA Boche reviewed that some of the CGAA sports are starting to wrap up like traveling soccer and traveling baseball. They do have teams in softball who are going to national and state tournaments. They look forward to getting the Cottage Grove name out at the national level. H. Historic Preservation 0 Schwartz commented that she regretted to inform the Commission that she missed the last Historic Preservation meeting due to surgery. COMMISSION COMMENTS Boche asked if City staff has any information from Washington County on vandalism and if they are experiencing the same types of problems we are. Staff did not have a reply, but Burbank mentioned that he would talk to a county parks worker and see if there's any information he can get for the next meeting. Boche also mentioned that he was quoted in the newspaper this week that the CGAA would be helping with the building of the ballpark at Rose of Sharon. He said it sounds like this may not happen. Burbank replied that it will not happen. The City has decided not to pursue the issue any further. So, Boche replied that the money was still budgeted for CGAA and they will be looking to build a ballpark if there's land available. Tammy Schwartz reviewed that she wanted to recommend the painting of the water tower in the 2003 CIP get pushed back in lieu of playground equipment replacement. Morse stated that he's been through the Ice Arena and wanted to comment that it is looking really good with the new matting and clean -up work that was done. Other people have also commented to him on the improvements. STAFF COMMENTS Burbank commented that he is still working on a joint meeting with the Commission and the City Council. He further commented that the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Parks Commission Minutes July 8, 2002 typically takes one month off in the summer because of members vacations. He indicated we could discuss that further at the next meeting. ADJOURNMENT 5 Motion to adjourn by Eddy Wuorenma. Seconded by Al Boche. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.