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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-12 MINUTESCity of Cottage Grove Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Commission March 12, 2012 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 March, 2012. WORKSHOP — 6pm — Parks and Recreation Referendum (open to the public) CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m by Chair Poncin. ROLL CALL Members Present: Mark Nelson, Paul Poncin, Douglas Butler, Ron Kath, Cristina Marcino Members Absent: Keith Kleinsasser, William Schumal Others Present: Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Manager John Burbank, Senior Planner David Thiede, City Council Liaison Erich Nollan, Future Youth Seat Commissioner APROVAL OF THE AGENDA A motion was made and seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Motion by Nelson, seconded by Kath to approve January 9, 2012 minutes. Council member Thiede noted that the header states November 14, 2012 and that should be removed. Motion carried unanimously. B. Motion by Kath, seconded by Nelson to approve February 13, 2012 minutes. Motion carried unanimously. OPEN FORUM None PRESENTATIONS None ACTION ITEMS A. Commissioner Appointment Parks Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2012 Page 2 of 3 The commission received a report stating that the City Council under the recommendation of Dave Thiede and Paul Poncin have appointed Cristina Marcino to the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission effective March 1, 2012 with a term ending February 28, 2014. B. Commission Bylaw Review The Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission are required to periodically approve its bylaws at the annual organizational meeting in March. The Commission must review the laws a minimum of two consecutive meetings. The bylaws have been in practice for over 10 years with minimal change. Staff is recommending the Commission consider reducing the meeting schedule to 8 meetings per year. The regular meeting schedule would include February, March, May, June, August, September, November, and December. Meetings would continue to be held on the second Monday of each month at 7pm at City Hall. It should be further noted the commission retains the right to call a "special meeting" should a point of concern arise between any of the regularly scheduled meetings. A motion accepting the 2012 Bylaws as amended was made by Nelson, seconded by Kath and carried unanimously. C. Officer Appointments Dockter stated that the Annual Meeting in March is a time for appointing officers. Dockter stated that the City Council under the recommendation of the Council Liaison ( Thiede) appoints the Chair while the Commission appoints the Vice - Chair. Paul Poncin has been appointed the Chair Position by City Council on March 7. Kath nominated Nelson for Vice - Chair. Nelson nominated Kath for Vice - Chair. No more nominations were presented from the floor. The motion for Nelson as Vice -Chair was seconded by Butler and was passed unanimously. D. Pine Tree Pond Trail Dockter explained that the City Engineer Jennifer Levitt prepared a response to the Commission regarding concerns from the resident located adjacent to the northeast corner of the park where the trail intersects. After reviewing the options, it was suggested that the intersection of the park trail take place to the west of the park instead of the east to minimize additional safety concerns of the resident. A map was provided for reference. Nelson and Kath asked that a crosswalk from Pine Tree Pond Park trail to Pine Tree Valley Park trail be considered as people will naturally try to navigate between the two cites. Dockter stated that he will discuss the issue with the Public Works and Engineering staff to see what the options are for safe crossing in the area. He also stated that staff is sometimes hesitant to install crossing areas at busy points in the road like this as they can create a false sense of security to those pedestrians crossing. E. Sunnyhill Park Playground Dockter reviewed five playground designs prepared by three vendors for the new Sunnyhill Park. Commissioners discussed the different components. A motion was made by Marcino and seconded by Butler to purchase the St. Croix Recreation proposal. Nelson amended the Parks Commission Meeting Minutes March 12, 2012 Page 3 of 3 motion to include that staff look into the possibility of adding a Maypole or similar device. Motion as approved unanimously. F. 2012/2013 Work Plan Dockter reviewed the work plan developed by the commission during the past two meetings. A motion to place on file the 2012/2013 Parks Commission Work Plan was approved unanimously. PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION A. MN DNR Forestry Bonding Grant Dockter presented information on a grant staff is applying for the MN DNR. The grant would be to remove ash trees in public park areas in District III where there is an unhealthy balance of ash trees. Diversification of the trees is the primary goal. The grant amount is $25,000 and does not require a match. A motion to approve the grant application was made by Nelson, seconded by Kath and was carried unanimously. DIVISION REPORTS Reports were submitted for the parks maintenance and recreation divisions. Recreation Coordinator Molly Pietruszewski verbally presented the recreation report to the commission. PARK PLANNING /MANAGEMENT EDUCATION MATERIAL Burbank stated that staff is working towards development of some East Ravine Park and Trailway master plans and that some of that work will be shared with the Commission soon. COMMISSION COMMENTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Theide reviewed past council action items related to Parks and Recreation. He specifically highlighted the conversation regarding the Tobacco Free Policy which the City Council has sent back to the Parks Commission for review. STAFF COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Nelson and seconded by Kath to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:30pm.