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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-04-04 PACKET 04.A.i.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING ITEM # DATE 4/4/12 m PREPARED BY Parks and Recreation Zac Dockter ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST Accept and place on file the Minutes of the January 8, 2012 Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission meeting. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Accept and place on file the Minutes of the January 8, 2012 Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission meeting. ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION ❑ PLANNING ❑ PUBLIC SAFETY ❑ PUBLIC WORKS ❑ PARKS AND RECREATION ❑ HUMAN SERVICES /RIGHTS ❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS DATE REVIEWED APPROVED DENIED ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ MEMO /LETTER: ❑ RESOLUTION: ❑ ORDINANCE: ❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION: ❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION: ® OTHER: Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Minutes COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: ❑ APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER HACOUNCIL FORMS \COUNCIL 2012 \Council 4 -4 -12 \Council Action Form January Parks Minutes.doc City of Cottage Grove Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Commission January 9, 2012 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 January, 2012. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Keith Kleinsasser, Mark Nelson, Paul Poncin, William Schumal Members Absent: Douglas Butler, Ron Kath, Ryan Simmers Others Present: Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Manager John Burbank, Senior Planner David Thiede, City Council Liaison APROVAL OF THE AGENDA A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OPEN FORUM None PRESENTATIONS ACTION ITEMS A. Commission Bylaw Review Dockter presented the Commission bylaws for review. Dockter stated it is required by the Commission to review the bylaws at a minimum of two consecutive meetings prior to taking formal action. The bylaws have been in place for the last 10 years with minimal change. One consideration for Commission discussion is to change the meeting schedule. Currently the commission typically cancels two to four meetings per year due to the lack of an agenda. Staff is recommending the Commission consider reducing the meeting schedule to eight meetings per year. The suggested meeting schedule would include the months of February, March, May, June, August, September, November and December. The Commission always has the right to call a special meeting in needed. Meetings would continue to be held the second Monday of the month at 7pm at City Hall. B. Park Dedication Fee Dockter stated our Park Dedication Fee's have not been revised since 2007. Dockter presented to the Commission information regarding the park dedication fee which included: how the park dedication fee is explained in city code, equations the City uses to arrive at the assessment amount and a comparison chart with surrounding communities. When the fees were last reviewed in 2007 land value for residential development was estimated at $105,000 /acre resulting in a $4,200 per unit dedication fee. Subsequently the pace and value of residential development land value decreased throughout the metro. Estimating $80,000 per acre for 2012, a park dedication of $3,200 would be the result. A comparison with other communities shows Cottage Grove to be in the top 6 of 15 communities surveyed. A reduction in the fee to $3,200 would move Cottage Grove to the middle of the 15 communities surveyed. The reduction would remain consistent with the goal of assessing 10% of fair market value. Dockter recommended council amend city ordinance 10- 4 -3 -C -1 to require cash amounts in lieu of park land in the amount of $3,200 per unit. Burbank requested the chart be corrected to reflect the commercial side at 4% of fair market value not 10% which is stated before it goes to council. Nelson asked how often the fees would be considered for change. Burbank responded the City tries to look at the fees annual. If significant changes are noted then the City attempts to make the necessary modifications. Dockter added that since the late 1990's to 2007 the City was gradually increasing the fees yearly. They went up 30% in those 10 years. Schumal asked at what point the staff would decide to go with cash in lieu of land. Burbank explained it would depend on the comprehensive plan. In looking at this plan there are area's identified as park and private /public open space. When a particular piece of land starts to be developed the staff looks at the land use of the area and what is identified for park land. This is then proposed to the Commissions and Council. The staff will meet with the developers and identify what will be park land dedication. There are also instances where there may be tree preservation involved. Through that process staff will determine a possible reduction in park dedication fees for additional land dedication. Burbank stated there are a variety of different scenarios. This is the starting point before you get into the development negotiations. Poncin motioned to proceed with the current proposal to require cash amounts in lieu of park land in the amount of $3,200 per unit. Kleinsasser seconded the motion. Motion approved. G *Y21 A. River Oaks Scenic Overlook Natural Resources Management Plan Dockter reported Cottage Grove continually identifies access to the Mississippi River as a top priority for the community. Cottage Grove has had this property in public ownership since 1989. Parks staff has been clearing a trail to get to the scenic overlook. This will allow staff to bring Friends of the Mississippi river to gain access to the area and determine if there are possible partnership opportunities. This would allow for possible grants to get this area restored. Dockter indicated there is a diverse base of native prairie grasses, bur oaks, and even two rare species of plant. The Natural Resource Inventory identifies this site as one of the most significant natural resource areas Cottage Grove has. Dockter added the Friends of the Mississippi River have entered a proposal to enter into partnership with the City to develop a Natural Resources Management Plan for the River Oaks Scenic Overlook. The grant would be funded by the Friends of the Mississippi River ($1,385) and the City of Cottage Grove ($1,900). It is key to have this report when we enter into the grant process so we can identify what is at the site. Council did authorize staff to enter into the grant agreement with Friends of the Mississippi River. Budgeted funds were located in the Park Trust Fund. Commission is advised there will be more information regarding the scenic overlook in the future. B. SWWD Prairie Management Plan Burbank shared with the commission the Natural Resource Management plan from the South Washington Watershed District. This was for information purposes only. SWWD will be removing a small grove of pine trees from a prairie restoration project planned for the regional storm water management area CDP -86. The area is secluded but Staff would like Commission to be familiarized. It is anticipated that similar vegetation removal recommendations will be given and followed up on by the Parks Department. Burbank recommended the Commission review the Natural Resource Management Plan. This is an interesting tool in relation to how we manage our community and parks. C. 2011 -2012 Ice Skating Rink Operations Dockter presented an overview regarding the current outdoor ice skating and warming house operations. This year Park and Recreation will be operating six outdoor ice skating rinks with staffed warming house attendants. These facilities are enjoyed by members of the community and also are utilized by the Cottage Grove Hockey Association for additional practice facilities. This season has been the ideal year for building ice rink because of the unseasonably warm weather. Staff has done a great job flooding the rinks and making sure the rinks were ready as soon as the temperatures allowed. Dockter observed at least 20 kids on each rink enjoying the outdoor skating. D. Commissioner Term Status Dockter summarized the status of each of the Commissioners. Dockter stated 3 Commissioner Terms will be expiring in 2012. Dockter reported 2 youth terms are available and requested Commission to notify him if there are any candidates that would be interested. E. Pine Tree Pond Park Trailway Project Dockter applied for a Local Trailway Grant with the MN DNR in 2011 for the Pine Tree Pond Park Trailway Project and was not selected. Dockter added he will be reapplying for the grant in 2012. Dockter reported the Pine Tree Valley trail system is scheduled for construction in 2012. This trail system will connect 80 Street, loop around the pond, provide a link to the archery range, link the neighborhoods, and provide access to the playground. The Parks Commission has identified the Pine Tree Pond Park area as a key opportunity to expand the communities recreational trail system. The trail will also serve as a maintenance road for servicing utilities and storm water maintenance. Dockter explained next year the City will be removing some of the brush and trees from the area, excavating the area, putting down a gravel base and then if grant funds are available in 2012 paving the area. If grant funding is not available in 2012 the City will pave it the following year. Dockter explained the reason to bring it to the Commissions attention is because common practice when new trails are installed is to notify the within 100 feet of the trail by mail. Those residents will be offered a Parks Commission meeting to publicly voice their concerns to the commission for consideration. This would take place in February or March. F. Thompson Grove Community Hall Project Dockter reported with the close of the community pool in 2011 staff has been working on preparing reuse options for the pool site and building. In November the Economic Development Authority authorized funding for a design charrette to analyze reuse options of it s ite d bu ilding . On Dece�m�be, 6, 2011 a session with 20 participants 'the commun Siic a il uuiiuuig. p p was held representing the Parks Commission, Parks Commission, Community Task Force, Historic Preservation Commission, City Council and Staff. Dick Krumm from RVK Architects led the discussion. This session lasted three hours. There was not a detailed discussion regarding money or design. Over 20 concepts were brainstormed and presented to the group. Common themes of all concepts include the restoration of the interior and exterior of the facility, expanding parking, and demolition of the pool area. Upon analysis and review of the laundry list of concepts, the list was narrowed to the following three: • Indoor playground /youth parry center • Banquet/Meeting Facility • Teen Center Dockter presented the Community Hall Project council report to the Commission for review. Council has since authorized staff to proceed with the next phase of conceptual design for each of the three options. RVK will present the designs at the all Commission meeting at River Oaks on Saturday, January 14, 2012. At the All Commission meeting there will be an opportunity to discuss the options. Kleinsasser asked what kind of square footage is available in the pool building. Dockter replied it is 5,500 sq ft. Kleinsasser asked how much work would be involved to renovate the building. Burbank responded the building has a newer roof and a block masonry finish. Burbank added there are windows that would need replacement, some gutting of past construction, and meeting ADH standards depending on what use the building would have. These are all things RVK Architects are working on in their proposal. Thiede reported he requested a proposal to leave the building for more general use purposes. This would create 3 activity rooms without excess frills. Thiede is hoping to see this option presented at the All Commission Meeting. Burbank added the pool will need immediate attention in the spring to address hazardous conditions. G. All Commission Meeting Dockter reminded the Parks Commission of the All Commission Meeting January 14, 2012 at River Oaks. Official invites would be delivered in the upcoming week. ACTION UPDATES None PARK PLANNING /MANAGEMENT EDUCATION MATERIAL COMMISSION COMMENTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Thiede updated the Commission the Council approved an internment use permit to allow the 3M club the RC Flyers to continue tO Operate at 6219 r\eat Ave. Highland Park Splash Pad was awarded to LS Black Contractors at the November 16, 2011 Council meeting. Burbank informed the Commission of the link on the Cottage Grove City website that allows citizens to view the progress of the New City Hall building. The camera system takes a picture every ten minutes and then downloads it to the website. Burbank added one of the features of this website allows citizens to view different stages and timelines as construction continues. The general contractor for the City Hail project contacted Burbank and discussed coordinating a chimney swift construction project with the Eagle Scouts. This project would install a camera on the new City Hall Building and use it to watch birds. Burbank advised the Commission they may hear more about this in the future. STAFF COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m. WORKSHOP A workshop open to the public was held after the meeting regarding the formation of a 2012 commission work plan.