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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-12-19 PACKET 04.A.ii.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING ITEM # • • DATE 12/19/12 Y4 PREPARED BY Parks and Recreation Zac Dockter ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST Consider accepting and placing on file the Minutes of the September 10, 2012 Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission meeting. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Accept and place on file the Minutes of the September 10, 2012 Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission meeting. ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION DATE REVIEWED ❑ PLANNING ❑ ❑ PUBLIC SAFETY ❑ ❑ PUBLIC WORKS ❑ ❑ PARKS AND RECREATION ❑ ❑ HUMAN SERVICES /RIGHTS ❑ ❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY ❑ ❑ ❑ SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ❑ MEMO /LETTER: ❑ RESOLUTION: ❑ ORDINANCE: ❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION: ❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION: APPROVED DENIED ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ® OTHER: Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission Minutes G�11 :` •C •11 ►I - k t e � , City Administrator Date COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: ❑ APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER C: \Documents and Settings \nbelscamper \Local Settings \Temporary Internet Files\ Content .Outlook \7M17XZQ6 \Council Action Form September Parks Minutes.doc City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting September 10, 2012 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting was held on September 10, 2012. I. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 7:15 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Mark Nelson, Bill Schumal, Paul Poncin, Rod Hill, Ron Kath, Cristina Marcino Members Absent: Doug Butler, Erich Knollan Others Present: Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Director John Burbank, Senior Planner Dave Thiede, Council Member III. Approval of Agenda Approved as delivered IV. Approval of Minutes Nelson expressed his concern regarding the August 8 minutes. Nelson clarified he does not want the proposed tobacco policy to be enforceable by police. Dockter explained a policy is not an ordinance therefore it will not be enforceable by any legal action. August 2012 minutes are approved. V. Open Forum None VI. Presentations None VII. Action Items None VIII. Presentation Of Information A. Handicap Accessible Playground Concept Dockter asked the Parks Commission if the Handicap Accessible Playground idea is something the commission would like engage the community in. Benefits of the Handicap Playground would include rubber matting and low play components. This would ensure recreational opportunities for all of our residents including those with special needs. Dockter stated he has been researching available grant opportunities. Dockter has found nothing that would pay for the entire structure so City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission 1 I P a g e the community and City would have to support this idea. Dockter presented the following options to form a community grass - effort: 1. Formulation of a team. 2. Introductions and development of goals and timeline of project. 3. Tour similar facilities. 4. Perform location matrix to find most suitable spot for concept. 5. Develop design concepts for playground. 6. Present concept to Parks Commission and City Council for approval. 7. Develop press release and marketing information. 8. Research and seek grant opportunities. 9. Develop, implement and manage fundraising campaign. 10. Construction. Poncin asked if there are handicap accessible playgrounds already in the metro area. Dockter responded there are several including Red Wing and Apple Valley. Dockter added not all of the handicap accessible playgrounds in the area are fully accessible which would require rubber matting. Marcino stated Gillett Children's hospital may offer project support. Marcina added members of the community have been reaching out to her and asking questions. Poncin requested this topic be revisited at the next meeting and asked Dockter to bring the following items of information: 1. Approximately how many users would benefit from the Handicap structure being built? 2. How many Handicap structures exist within 5 miles of Cottage Grove and within 10 miles? 3. Conceptual designs. Dockter added he is hopeful this will be a playground that will be used by all children not just handicap children. Poncin stated he is looking for unique qualities that will make this structure offer a different experience than users can achieve at one of the other Metro sites. Kath stated he would like to know how this structure will be maintained, cleaned, and what are the odds of vandalism (skateboards and rollerblades). Burbank suggested working with Wilderness Inquiry if a task force if formed. They are experienced with handicap people and catering to them. Nelson asked Dockter to email locations of other communities that have these facilities for the commission to visit the sites. B. Parks and Recreation Referendum On August 15, 2012 the City Council adopted a resolution asking residents to vote on the issuance bonds for the construction of an outdoor family aquatic center, the expansion /renovation of Hamlet Park and the reconstruction of the municipal pool site to operate as a play center. The ballot is split into two questions. 1. Shall the City of Cottage Grove be authorized to issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $6,500,000 to finance the acquisition and betterment of a family aquatic center? City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission 2 1 P a g e 2. Shall the City of Cottage Grove be authorized to issue its general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $7,000,000 to finance the acquisition and betterment of an indoor /outdoor play center and the expansion and betterment of Hamlet Park? Dockter stated one question is on the front of the ballot and the other question will be on the back of the ballot. Dockter explained this is a culmination of many years of research in regards to what the community may need. Dockter encouraged the community to vote. If you do not vote it automatically becomes a "no" vote. Dockter presented a copy of the promotional flyer. This flyer will be marketed through the utility mailing, newspaper, online, and a mailing to residents. It outlines the vote, what the projects are, what the questions will look like, and includes a question /answer section. Dockter asked the commissioners to get the word out. Poncin asked how long the bonds are for. Dockter stated 20 years. Schumal asked if there will be a straight forward question that states if you check yes your taxes will go up. Kath stated that is more likely to show up when the school board places a referendum. Schumal stated he wanted it to be clear if the referendum is approved taxes will go up. IX. Action Updates A. Highlands Park Splash Pad Update Dockter stated his goal has been to keep the Commission updated on the Splash Pad. In August the Splash Pad had a 25% reduction in usage from July. This was expected considering August had nearly two weeks of below normal temperatures. Dockter called swimming pools in the area and found those facilities shut down early because of declining numbers in August. Dockter added the Splash Pad grand opening was July 3, 2012 and as of Labor Day the Splash Pad had an estimated total usage of 17,500 users. The Cottage Grove outdoor pool averaged 5000 users for the 2011 season. Water consumption at the Splash Pad is an estimated 4 million gallons. The pool used an estimated 1.5 million gallons. The flow through system that feeds the water from the Splash Pad to the pond is showing positive results. Lily lake and Como Park splash pads both had issues with their re- circulating systems. Residents did not have to worry about coming to our Splash Pad because water does not re- circulate. The Highland building rentals have gone up from 10 rentals in 2011 to 30 this year. Regular maintenance has been minimal. Areas of improvement include: 1. Correcting grading issues and improving water runoff issues. 2. Adding rule /informational signage. 3. Adding seating areas 4. Work with the EDA to add signage promoting local businesses. Poncin asked what day the splash pad is going to be closed. Dockter stated the City base their decision to close on the weather. B. Pine Tree Pond Trail Update Dockter stated the City applied for a grant to pave the existing Pine Tree Pond Trail and to fund the construction of a new trail. The City did not receive the grant. Currently the City has begun grubbing the area and is moving manholes. One of the City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission 3 1 P a g e benefits of this plan is to provide easier utility access. Dockter stated part of the trail will not be constructed and another part of the trail will remain gravel for one to two years with the intent to be paved as money becomes available. C. Sunnyhill Park Update Dockter stated there were plans to complete Sunny Hill Park this season. With the 70 street re- alignment project beginning sooner than expected this project has been delayed. The earlier start to the re- alignment will allow for the City to put together the entire project instead of piecing it together. Ultimately it is a good thing. Currently the picnic shelter and part of the trail has been installed. The City has chosen not to install the playground equipment until construction is complete. This will ensure the safety of local children and limit their interaction with construction equipment. Thiede asked if the City has secured the land to the east of the park. Burbank added the stormwater completion will be completed in another phase. The land is anticipated to be acquired through park dedication. X. Park Planning Management Education Material XI. Commission Comments None XII. Council Comments Thiede added on the 5 th of September the Wal- Mart's re- zoning, preliminary final plats, site plan review and two conditional use permits passed. XIII. Staff Comments Burbank clarified as part of Wal- Mart's subdivision approval Council did approve the acquisition of out -lots A and B. That is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan for Open Space and Trail Corridor and a buffering area for the residents and a future trail way. The City will be stipulating the Park Dedication Fees and any tree mitigation dollars that would be put toward the tree mitigation fund as well as escrows for future trailway and transportation signals, ect. Wal -Mart is looking to begin construction in 2013 with an opening the first quarter of 2014. Burbank added a reminder to mark your calendars for the All Commission meeting, the Veterans Day Memorial on Nov 11, and the City Hall dedication. Thiede added the LA Fitness real- estate closing date will be October 31, 2012. XIV. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn by Schumal, seconded by Butler, motion carried at 8:00pm. City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission 4 1 P a g e