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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-14 PACKET 04.B.City of Cottage Grove Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Commission September 12, 2011 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission was duly held on the 12th day of September, 2011. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Douglas Butler, Ron Kath, Keith Kleinsasser, Mark Nelson, Paul Poncin, William Schumal, Ryan Simmers Members Absent: None Others Present: John Burbank, Senior Planner Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Manager David Thiede, City Council Liaison APROVAL OF THE AGENDA A motion was made by Kleinsasser and seconded by Schumal to approve the agenda. Motion carried. APROVAL OF THE MINUTES A motion was made by Kleinsasser and seconded by Schumal to approve the Parks Commission minutes from August 8, 2011. Motion passed unanimously. OPEN FORUM None PRESENTATIONS None ACTION ITEMS A. Commission Appointment Dockter reported that Commissioner Ventura was appointed to the Planning Commission. Coun- cilmember Thiede, the Parks Commission liaison, and Poncin, the Parks Commission Chair, interviewed a several applicants and recommended Ron Kath be appointed to finish Ventura's term. He noted that the two youth seats are now vacant due to absences from meetings. There are no applications on file to fill those seats. He asked the Commission if they know anybody who would be interested to have them fill out an application. Parks Commission Meeting Minutes September 12, 2011 Page 2 of 5 Kath introduced himself stating he is looking forward to serving on the Parks Commission. He noted that he is currently a member of the South Washington County School Board and also served on the Community Center Task Force. B. Neighborhood Gardens Dockter summarized the staff memorandum and asked the Commission for direction on a rec- ommendation. He provided a report from 2001 when the City last had a neighborhood garden, which was located on land by the Cottage Grove Outdoor Pool. When the lease on the land ex- pired, the City decided that due to drastically declining usage and the amount of work put into the garden to not find another plot of land. He explained that the individual garden plots were 30 feet by 60 feet in size and 110 plots were rented in 2001; 27 of those plots were to non - Cottage Grove residents. The City provided labor in the spring and fall; trash pick -up once a week; and equip- ment including a tractor, disk plow, and brush mower. The total labor costs were just under $3,000 and the equipment cost $700. The City does not have the equipment anymore, so if it was decided to have another neighborhood garden, additional equipment would need to be pur- chased. Burbank noted that waste and dumping had become a problem. Dockter explained that there have been requests from individual residents for neighborhood gardens, and the City Council asked staff to look into it. Kath asked for information on how many local farmers are renting out their land for this purpose. Burbank stated that staff would research that. Schumal asked if there would be a way to have a farmers market at that site. Burbank responded that farmers markets are allowed as a conditional use. There is a farmers market at the church in old Cottage Grove. Kath asked how water is provided. Dockter responded some sites do not provide water and those using the garden plots need to bring it in. At the site the City had in the past, there was an old well but there were concerns that it was contaminated. C. Trail Link Map Burbank stated that the map in the packet was updated an updated version of the map provided last month. There were a couple proposed links on that map that have already been completed. The new map also provides time frames for trail links. He summarized the timetable for the vari- ous trail links, noting that the City tries to schedule construction of trails and links in conjunction with pavement management projects. Schumal had questions regarding the trail that leads to Camel's Hump. Burbank responded that in the Timber Ridge /Gateway open space area, there are three different trail links. One runs through a corridor off Hardwood Avenue that goes into Meadowgrass Cove. There is a trail access that comes out of Everwood, which has a future link into the Frattalone area. There are trail easements that run through the open space area up to the Camels Hump future parking area and to the scenic overlook. Schumal noted those are future plans and asked how to accommo- date those who want to use the trail now. He suggested a temporary path with parking at the bottom. Burbank stated that if somebody is interested in identifying where they can walk and park in that area, they can go to City Hall for maps and directions. He noted there is public parking on the roadway by White Pines. Schumal asked if there was a way to put in a temporary path for Parks Commission Meeting Minutes September 12, 2011 Page 3 of 5 those who want to access that area now. Burbank stated that funding is identified for trails in that area, so trail construction could commence sooner. D. 2012 Pavement Management Park Improvements Dockter summarized the staff report regarding the proposed park improvements for the Kingston Park area, which will be part of the 2012 Pavement Management Program. He listed the projects that were proposed by staff and reviewed by the Council during the pavement management plan- ning process, including four different trail segments; rehabilitation of the access driveway and parking lot at Kingston Park and the addition of curb and gutters; replacement of the tennis and basketball courts due to pavement cracking; the addition of another picnic shelter; and an in- crease in the amount of parking spaces south of the park by eliminating one of the soccer fields and removing the playground by the 75th Street access drive. Staff was asked to prioritize these projects because there is only $630,000 for the entire project. Staff suggested rehabilitation of the parking lot, paving the trail from Kingston Park to the West Central Ravine, and trail segments one through three. Poncin asked if the play structure would be eliminated. Dockter stated that there are two play structures at Kingston Park, a small one on the west side and a large one by the picnic shelter. The smaller structure, which gets minimal use, would be removed and the larger structure would be kept. Grey Cloud Elementary also has a very large play structure. Poncin asked what would happen to the play equipment if the structure was removed. He also noted that the smaller structure is used a lot during soccer games. He suggested relocating that structure where the picnic structure is proposed in the area where the 215 spaces would be added. Dockter stated that could be looked at. He noted that the area is tight because there is parking on the one side and the 215 -stall parking lot also includes the removal of a full -sized soc- cer field. Butler expressed concern about removing a soccer field because usually all the fields are being used during soccer tournaments. Dockter stated that is the reason this parking area did not make the priority list. It was noted that parking is an issue during large tournaments and busier league nights. It was asked if it was possible to add parking on the other side of 75th Street where the trail comes into the park. Dockter stated that there is a utility easement on that city -owned property, but that could be considered. PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION A. Splash Pad Project Update Dockter reported that the Highlands Park recreational building is under construction and should be significantly complete by mid - November. More research was done on splash pads to assure that they are the right aquatic recreational opportunity for our community. At the last Council workshop, there was some level of consensus to move forward with the splash pad and to close the outdoor municipal pool. The City Council will review the plans and specifications for the splash pad at their September 21 meeting. He presented a few preliminary views of the splash pad, noting that the plans may change after calculations on water flow are done. He stated that we are trying to create a complete park experience with a splash pad, a playground, picnic areas, walking trails, shade structures, turf areas, and benches. He explained that the splash pad is not meant to replace the pool as it is a completely different form of aquatic recreation. The mainten- ance costs for a splash pad are much less than for a pool, and the initial cost is a small percen- tage of the costs for a pool. If the Council approves the plans and specs September 21, the splash pad could be open by July 1, 2012. Parks Commission Meeting Minutes September 12, 2011 Page 4 of 5 Schumal asked what would be between the white areas on the plan. Dockter responded landscaping elements, benches, and a shade structure. Burbank stated that there would be trails connecting the different amenities in the park. There was a question about the actual material used for the pads. Dockter responded sealed concrete. It was asked if there was enough room in the area for a pool. Dockter stated that while it is a large site, most of the flat areas have ball fields or other facilities on them. Poncin stated that this area should be visible from 70th Street. He also stated that there needs to be enough shaded benches around the splash pads. Dockter stated that the shaded areas are being done strategically to ensure that there is enough but not too much shade. There was a question about ensuring that the water cannot be turned on after hours. Dockter stated that the water will be controlled by computer and cannot be turned on out of season and before or after specific times each day. There was a question about safety signage. Dockter responded that signage would be similar to what is at other playgrounds, and typically the vendor has a standard set of safety rules. Burbank stated that signage is a part of the pack- age. It was asked if the vendor provides any education to the community on how to use the dif- ferent amenities. Burbank stated that we could do a video production or an article could be placed in the Cottage Grove Reports. There was a question about lighting at night. Dockter responded that there would be enough lighting to ensure the area is visible from 70th Street to check for suspicious activity. Kleinsasser asked if the splash pad would close at 9:00 in June. Dockter re- sponded that in June and July it would probably be open until 9:00 p.m. and the rest of the season it would closed based on when the sun sets. He noted that splash pads could stay open longer in the season than a pool, which typically closes by Labor Day. Schumal asked if there are changing rooms in the building. Dockter responded there are not specifically designed changing rooms but there will be bathrooms and ample room for changing but there are no privacy walls. Simmers asked how many splash pads has this vendor. Dockter responded this vendor has done one in the metro area, some in St. Cloud, and others in outstate Minnesota. How many vendors did we hear from? Dockter stated we interviewed three but he has also talked to a couple vendors since then. B. 2012 -13 Budget Review Dockter summarized the 2012 -13 Parks and Recreation budget report included with the packet. He stated that the Council will formally approve this budget in September but it does not become final until they go through the levy process in December. C. 2012 Division Goals Dockter summarized the staff memorandum regarding the Parks and Recreation Department's mission and goals. ACTION UPDATES None PARK PLANNING /MANAGEMENT EDUCATION MATERIAL None COMMISSION COMMENTS None Parks Commission Meeting Minutes September 12, 2011 Page 5 of 5 COUNCIL COMMENTS Thiede reported that the Council approved the variance for off - street parking at Target; the ve- hicle repair ordinance amendment; the renovations of the Highlands Park Building with total con- struction costs of $132,000; the replacement steel picnic shelter at Woodridge Park was for under $43,000; the resolution supporting the findings, conclusions, and design of the Red Rock corridor; the name "Sunnyhill Park;" the recreational facility use policy; and the ash tree removal contract with S & S Tree Service and the replacement tree contract with Hoffman & McNamara Landscape Nursery. Burbank explained that Target parking variance, which went before the Planning Com- mission, is to put in rain gardens and landscaping in their parking lot to improve downstream water quality. Target is working with the Watershed District and the County Water Conservation District. It was asked if the City Forester will supervise the tree replacement program. Dockter stated that the construction services contract specifies standards but he and the forester will fol- low up to ensure that the project is done to the City's specifications. There is also a one -year war- ranty on all the installed trees. It was asked if the City recovered any costs from the vandalism at Woodridge Park. Dockter stated that the City did file an insurance claim and there is a $50,000 deductible; the City should be able to recover $78,000 from that claim. It was asked if the culprits were caught. Dockter responded the people responsible for the fire were found but he believes it was considered an accident so restitution will probably not be sought. STAFF COMMENTS Burbank stated that in the packet was information on the upcoming Fall 5K and Stroller Roll; for more information, contact the Recreation Department go to the City's website. Dockter stated that there are two reports for the Commission's review. One is from Dave Olund, Assistant Manager of the Ice Arena. He reported that a new Ice Arena Manager, Jordan Hirman, has been hired. He was the assistant manager at the Eagan Civic Arena and started here last Tuesday. ADJOURNMENT Kleinsasser made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Simmers seconded. Motion passed unanim- ously. The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.