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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-11 PACKET 04.A.City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting February 11, 2013 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting was held on February 11, 2013. I. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Bill Schumal, Mark Nelson, Paul Poncin, Ron Kath, Members Absent: Cristina Marcino, Doug Butler, Erich Nollan Others Present: Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Director Dave Thiede, Councilmember III. Approval of Agenda Approved as delivered IV. Approval of Minutes Approved December 10, 2012 Minutes V. Open Forum None VI. Presentations A. Ice Arena Update Hirman presented the activities occurring at the Cottage Grove Ice Arena during 2012. The goal of the Ice Arena is to provide a clean and safe arena for the hockey and figure skaters of our community and surrounding communities. Listed are a some of the completed projects for 2012: • The Cottage Grove Ice Arena is home to the Park boys and girls and East Ridge boy's hockey teams and hosted 30 high school hockey games with an attendance of approximately 10,000 people. • The Ice Arena registered 600 skaters for lessons. • Hosted the Chamber Business Showcase • Jose Cole Circus ($9000 in revenue) and 500 visitors • The Ice Arena employs 3 full -time and 38 part -time staff • The Ice Arena operates a private concession stand (profit of $30,857.00). • Vending machines (profit of $23,970). • The Ice Arena hosted 7 large hockey tournaments (profit of $25,000). City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission 1 I P a g e • The 2012 Ice show enrolled 69 participants. This show is offered for the skate school participants and gives skaters an opportunity to showcase their skills learned during lessons to family, friends and the community. • The pro -shop vending machine stocks product for skating needs: tape, pucks, etc. (profit $1700). • The Ice Arena offers advertising for local businesses (profit $11,500). The advertising program also allows the hockey association the opportunity to sell advertising to generate money for their teams. • Dry Floor events held at the Ice Arena included 2 Chamber Business Expo's with an attendance of 700. Poncin asked if the arena sold 5300 hours of ice time in 2012 what was the most amount of ice time that could be sold. Hirman responded he felt staff utilizes as many of the hours possible. Hirman added the Ice Arena is selling close to 100% of the prime hours available. Kath asked if there is any big expenditure the Ice Arena is planning for in 2013. Hirman responded the Ice Arena is preparing to replace the hot water system. Kath asked Hirman to explain the possible partnership with the school district to provide lighting at the Arena. Hirman explained the lighting in the parking lots is poor. The City and Park High School have met with Viking Electric and Park Grove Electric to find a solution everyone agrees on. We are moving forward with a LED package that will be installed in the parking lot in mid March. i n, M WT22 1'i7 Glasford introduced the Bike Park task force to the Commission which included: Mike Schnegelberger - Resident and Dirt Boss for Carver Lake and Woodbury Trever Crawford - Professional Engineer Tara Steele - Advocate for Women and Cycling Chris Braaten - Resident and Avid Cyclist Reid Smidt - President of MN Off -road Cyclist Glasford presented a video to the Commission. The video demonstrated a 40 acre bike park in Boulder Colorado and focused on the fact that bike parks are built for all level of cyclist and are typically constructed to blend in with the surrounding areas. Crawford presented a visual of the proposed Cottage Grove Bike Park. Crawford explained the Cottage Grove Bike Park would be a much smaller version of the Boulder Bike Park but would include many of the same features. Crawford added the Hamlet Park location features a 20' elevation drop and is very desirable for bikers. This location has ideal parking, easy access, and 'the least amount of impact on the surrounding neighborhood. Steele presented a video that she composed that outlined how Bike Parks build communities. This video outlined the volunteerism, stewardship, respect and pride that are involved in creating a bike park. Smidt explained MORC is a local nonprofit that is focused on safe guarding off road bicycling in MN through the promotion of responsible riding, establishment and maintenance of MN trails and preservation of MN natural resources. This organization is 100% volunteer. MORC is a chapter of the MN mountain bike organization and has 800 members. Currently there are 85 miles of trails in the metro area. MORC's board of direction is excited to move forward with the concept of a Bike Park in Cottage Grove. MORC is focusing on putting mountain biking and off road cycling within communities. Smidt stated MORC can provide tools, labor, training, safety and resources for City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission 2 1 P a g e writing grants and seeking funding. Smidt agreed Hamlet Park would be a great location and added there is strong member support in the Cottage Grove area. Nelson stated after watching the video he is curious about the liability the City would assume. Glasford stated that not all of the features presented in the video will be constructed at the Cottage Grove location and the bike park will mainly be constructed out of dirt. Smidt added that MORK has insurance and Dockter is researching the liabilities. Dockter stated the City manager of Cottage Grove has contacted the City manager of Boulder Colorado and discovered the bike park in Boulder is under recreational immunity. They report there have been some injuries but nothing serious. Dockter added the City is paying close attention to this matter and is researching its liability. Glasford added bike parks are not any riskier than a skate park. Poncin stated our weather is not the same as Colorado. How do we educate the community to respect the bike park after it rains or snows? Glasford responded there have not been any major issues at the Eagan location and the bike park is constructed with dirt so it would be repairable if damage occurred. Schnegelberger added the Belmont Park has wonderful signage that educates the riders. Schnegelberger used the comparison of not being able to keep all ice skaters off the hockey rinks when it is to warm but most people respect the rules. Kath asked if the design of the Bike Park allows for expansion. Schmitt answered there is room to expand. However, he believes the plan should be done in one phase and the Park design is all encompassing and shouldn't need any expansions. Kath asked if there is room for emergency personal to get to the bike park. Schmitt responded the land is smooth and they would have access from the road on the east side of the park. Kath requested Cottage Grove Public Safety review the plans. Kath asked if there were easement issues with the power pole. Dockter stated Xcel has given approval. Nelson asked if the neighborhood has been notified. Dockter explained this meeting is an informal meeting presenting the information to the Parks Commission. In March the Commission will give final approval for the Bike Park. Next, it will be presented to Council. At that time the neighborhood would be notified and given an opportunity to ask questions at an open forum meeting. Kath stated he is very excited about the Bike Park. Burbank asked how they would handle erosion control. Crawford stated they would follow any MN erosion control recommendations outlined for a project like this. The designers would use vegetation buffers and silt fencing as well as weekly maintenance. Smidt stated all trail systems have a weekly trail schedule and dirt crew that will identify areas that need attention any issues are taken care of. Also, the members utilize Facebook, emails and websites to contact the MORK board when issues arise. The members want the trails in good shape and to be safe when they use them. Glasford added one of the purposes of the Bike Park is to get the entire community together and add something new and diverse to our community. Poncin proposed an amendment to notify City Council this project will be coming to the Council Meeting for their review and request for possible funding. The proposal passes. VII. Action Items A. 2013/14 Work Plan Review Dockter stated in February of 2012 the Commission placed on file the work plan addressed on the memo. Dockter added this report provides the opportunity for discussion or recommendations for amending the work plan. If there are no recommendations the plan will remain as is. Dockter added it is good to note that staff continues to work forward on all the items listed. Nelson asked what the status of the old pool building is. Dockter responded the master plan is still in progress. The council has a list of projects they would like to complete with the limited funding they have. This item is still on this list. Hopefully over the next quarter we will have a clearer vision. Right now plans have been made to move CGAA out of the old pool site and into the CG Motors building the City owns. As far as where the actual funding is City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission 3 1 P a g e going to come from the Council is still making decisions on that. Nelson asked if any of the additional splash pad projects have been put on hold. Dockter commented the Splash Pad in Hamlet Park is still on the schedule. Kath asked if the work plan review numbered by priority. Dockter stated they are not prioritized. B. Highlands Park Hockey Rink Reconstruction Dockter stated the 2013 budget allows for the replacement of the Highlands Park hockey rink boards. This project allows for staff to consider any modifications. With the construction of the Splash Pad at Highlands Park one of the skating rinks was removed. Staff has received many phone calls wanting this rink back. One of the benefits of the removed rink was the reduced size. The rink was smaller and is a missed feature in the community. The parks system currently has seven outdoor hockey rings at various parks throughout the community. Staff is proposing reducing the size of the Highlands rink to 75' x 150'. Staff believes the reduced size will benefit both recreational and hockey enthusiasts. The majority of the time on NHL size hockey rinks you will find skaters playing on smaller portions or half ice games. Nets are frequently moved inward to improve the playing experience. MN hockey and USA hockey have been preaching the benefits of small ice play and recommend it for practice and skill development. This additional rink would require no additional maintenance because it would be an extension to the existing ice sheet. Poncin asked if there would be additional lighting. Dockter stated there are two lights proposed but he would check on the lighting before the project begins. Poncin stated that a lot of residents have been using the pond. Kath made a motion to reduce the size of the proposed Highlands Park free rink to 75' x 150' with the amendment that the lighting be increased. Motion seconded. C. Mississippi river Trail /US Bicycle Route Burbank stated that for several years the City has been working with MNDOT on the establishment of the Mississippi River trail and bicycle route. This includes a portion of Cottage Grove that encompasses a trail from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico. MNDOT would like to have all the Mississippi River trails included in the Minnesota Bicycle Route or MBR. MNDOT have asked the Commission to make a recommendation to the City Council to adopt a resolution showing support for this project. Poncin asked if there would be signage provided. Burbank stated there is currently signage and directional arrows along the trails. MNDOT would be supporting the signage. A recommendation was made to present the resolution to Council. Seconded. Motion carries VIII. Presentation Of Information A. Inclusive Playground Concept Dockter stated the Council recommended to adopt the work plan staff provided. The first step is to form a committee. A press release was submitted and the feedback has been encouraging. Pietruszewski is taking the lead on the task force. Burbank stated the Historical Society will be creating and selling a cookbook and they are suggesting donating any proceeds from the cookbook to the inclusive playground project. City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission 4 1 P a g e B. 2013 Boulevard Tree Trimming Dockter updated the Commission that staff is currently trimming boulevard trees in the community. Maps are updated on the City website. Every tree in the City is on a 5 -7 year cycle. This year staff is trimming Thompson Grove and Highland Hills neighborhoods. Kath asked if staff have reported any cases of emerald ash borer or disease and if so do we remove the tree. Dockter stated staff generally does not see disease in the winter. We are continually evaluating trees and have just finished our 2 nd session of ash tree removals. This summer staff will be injecting trees to manage the pest. Dockter stated EAB has a high and fast kill rate and by injecting and removing trees it gives the City a chance to manage the loss. Kath asked if there was a service for residents to pay extra to have other trees on their lots to be treated. Dockter replied there is not an option for residents at this time. Dockter stated there can be an article submitted educating resident's on what to do if they see the borer and where to find more information. Dockter added the website has lots of helpful information for residents. C. Park Facility Use Report Dockter updated the Commission on the number of facility rentals in Cottage Grove. IX. Action Updates A. Tobacco Free Policy Dockter stated the policy went to City Council on January 2, 2013. They debated whether it is a policy or amendment and ultimately voted no. X. Park Planning Management Education Material XI. Commission Comments XII. Council Comments Lerhke stated the Council voted no for the Tobacco Policy because Pietruszewski stated when she asked residents to stop smoking at the park they complied. Lerhke added the council would re -look at the policy if the wording was changed. Lerhke introduced himself as the new liaison. Lerhke asked to include the last two agendas with each council packet when it is sent out. X111. Staff Comments XIV. ADJOURNMENT 8:22pm City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission 5 1 P a g e