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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-11 PACKET MINUTES Minutes City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting March 11, 2013 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting was held on March 11, 2013. I. CALL TO ORDER Bike Park Open Forum at 6:00 p.m. Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Members Present: Mark Nelson, Paul Poncin, Ron Kath, Erich Nollan, Chad Rediske, Mike Zurbey, Sabrina Webb, Hannah Webb, Members Absent: Others Present : Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Director Derrick Lehrke, Councilmember Molly Pietruszewski, Recreation Coordinator III. Approval of Agenda Approved as delivered IV. Approval of Minutes Approved February 11, 2013 Minutes V. Open Forum – Bike Park Open Forum 6pm Dockter stated at the February Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources meeting the bike Park Task Force presented its concept design and work plan. Upon review there was unanimous support from the Commission to proceed with the bike park and to organize a Task Force to prepare the following additional information: City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission 1 | Page 1) Identify red flags or concerns the City Council may have at this stage of the process. a) Council was made aware of the concept design and work plan. No major points of concern or red flags were raised that would halt the process at this time. 2) Bike Park budget proposal. a) Staff composed a budget of City funds based on discussions with the Bike Park Task Force. With the exceptions of the prairie restoration detail, all funds would be garnered from existing budgeted funds without a negative impact to other projects or operations of the Parks Maintenance Division. West Draw Park was scheduled in the Public Landscapes Initiative as a tree planting project to beautify this public th space considering its connection to the very busy and visible 70 Street corridor. It is recommended these funds be used as a combination of tree planting and prairie restoration. A prairie restoration and tree planting in this area would make significant improvement to the property by beautifying the landscape and enhancing the environmental conditions. This project would replace in priority the Hamlet Pard project scheduled for 2013 in the PLI program. The Hamlet Park project would not be removed from the program, but reassigned to another year. 3) Emergency access. a) Staff submitted the bike park design to the Deputy Chief PJ McMahon of the Public Safety Department in February 2013. McMahon suggested that sufficient access exists via the paved trailway and would allow emergency vehicles and personnel close enough to the bike park to handle any emergencies that should arise. 4) Additional liability review. a) Summary of phone conversation with City’s loss control agent The League of MN Cities. 5) Provide a public forum for resident to learn about and give feedback on the project. a) All residents within 500 feet of the proposed bike park have been invited to attend both the Bike Park Open Forum and the Parks Commission Meeting on March 11, 2013 to hear about the project and voice their concerns. A press release was submitted on March 11, 2013 to publicize the project and the opportunity for the general public to be a part of the discussion. VI. Presentations None City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission 2 | Page VII. Action Items A. New Commissioner Appointments/Introductions Dockter introduced the new Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commissions. Terms expiring in 2015. Mike Zurbey Chad Rediske Terms expiring in 2014 Hannah Webb Sabrina Webb Dockter expressed his appreciation for the new commissioner’s willingness to serve our community and stated he is looking forward to working with the new members. B. Bike Park Dockter stated prior to the meeting an Open Forum was held to discuss the new Bike Park concept. Members of the community were invited to attend and a press release was posted on the City website, Facebook, Pioneer Press, Star Tribune, and Bulletin. Glasford presented the proposed budget to the Commission for review. Glasford estimated the cost of the proposed Bike Park to be $47,000. This price does not include labor. Labor is proposed to be donated. The cost the City would assume is $21,300 with $12,000 of this price being designated to prairie restoration. This leaves $8,000 to be used for the Bike Park. The major costs will be fencing, picnic tables, signage, landscape, and drinking fountains. Many items will be donated or will be paid for by sponsors: dirt, storage box, hand tools, hose, spray attachment, repair stand, rental equipment, fuel, and corrugated piping. Dockter added some of the items are based on recommendations from staff. These items would be aesthetic features that are not necessary to complete the Bike Park but would be a nice feature to enhance the experience. Dockter used the picnic tables and signage as examples. Wagley, resident from Northfield, spoke to the Commission about his experience with mountain biking. He explained he started biking with his sons. He added the Bike Parks are great for bikers of all levels and give bikers of all ages an opportunity to improve. He used the example of the pump track and compared it to learning to swing on a swing set. The object of a pump track is to be able to go around the hills without peddling your bike. Wagley stated he learned the skill at the Eagan Bike Park in ½ an hour and was able to transfer that skill into all of his biking which has made it more enjoyable for him. Wagley stated Bike Parks are necessary for skill development. He added he felt many people will use the park and Glasford is a quality person. Gary Kelburg, of Cottage Grove, stated his first concerns when he heard about the Bike Park were price and maintenance. He feels after listening to the presentation the cost to the residents would be minimal. Kelburg added that he works at the outdoor skating rinks in the winter and one of the biggest complaints he hears is the children do not have enough to do in the Cottage Grove community. Kelburg feels this is a great way to get kids outside and away from the video games and computers. Kelburg is strongly in favor and hopes City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission 3 | Page the Commission will give support to this item. Chris Broughton stated he is very excited about the idea of having a bike park. He added he cannot wait to bring his son and share his love of biking with him at the Bike Park. Broughton plans on volunteering to help this plan take shape. Tara Steele, resident of Woodbury, stated she would like to give the Commission a woman’s perspective on Mountain Biking. She feels this park is a great way to introduce women to biking, ease their fears, and open up new opportunities for woman to stay healthy. Steele stated she works part-time at Penn Cycle and she is frequently asked where people can go to ride. This onle reiterates the demand for more Bike Parks. Kath stated he is very supportive of the Bike Park concept. He added the liability concerns he expressed at past Commission meetings have been eased by staff. Kath used the example of snowmobiling and the passion that drives volunteers to work together for their activity and stated he could see the same passion in the volunteers trying to create this Bike Park. Kath added this is a great opportunity for the youth of our community. Nelson added this is a great recreational opportunity for our community and will bring business to our City. Nelson directed a question to Dockter asking who would be managing this Park and would there be an agreement with the City and volunteers. Dockter responded there would be an agreement and the Bike Park would fall under volunteers for our liability policy. Nelson stated he strongly supports the Bike Park. Zurbey stated the Bike Park presentation was wonderful and Dockter covered the liability well. Zurbey will give support to the Bike Park. Rediske asked if there is room for expansion and/or running events at the location. Broughton stated the Bike Park is proposed to be big enough to handle racing events. If the City would like to host a recreational event in the future it would be a possibility. The Facility will be of competition grade. Dockter added there is room for expansion. Rediske supports the idea and states this is a great idea. Motion made to bring the Bike Park idea and all information to the City Council. Motion approved. C. Upper East Ravine Neighborhood Park Review Dockter stated two developers have submitted final plat for reviews in the Upper East th Ravine area located west of Keats Avenue and north of 70 Street. As part of the plat review, park concept designs have been submitted and staff is seeking Commission comment and recommendations. Dockter added that within the development there will be two separate developers; Newland Communities and DR Horton. These two neighborhoods are connected by interior roads and an open space/trailway corridor (owned by South Washington County Watershed District). Dockter requested discussion on the following items: 1) Newland Communities Plat Review a) Dockter presented a map of the Newland Communities Park. The Newland Communities plat review includes the proposal of a neighborhood park. This park would measure 1.74 acres in size but is adjacent to the South Washington County Watershed District property which will ultimately connect the park to many acres of open space and a paved trailway system. Dockter stated the concept of the design will include a monument with landscaping, playground, picnic shelter, multi-use play City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission 4 | Page field, basketball/pickup court, pickle ball court, green space, and trail connections. Dockter added the trail connects into the corridor and the City is proposing to connect the trail around a dry pond area. The maintenance for this area would be covered by City Staff with funds from South Washington County Watershed. The City’s park dedication requirements are $3,200 per unit or 10% of the buildable land. The City’s Planning Department has identified the buildable land to be 35.30 acres in this submittal, thus the park land requirement would be 3.53 acres. After deducting 0.47 acres of required land for buffering. Newland Communities land dedication is considered 1.27 acres or 36% of the requirement. The remaining 64% would be received as cash into the City’s Park Trust Fund for development of this park and perhaps other future park development (should there be a remaining balance). It is assumed the developer would grade and build the proposed park. 2) DR Horton Plat Review a) Dockter stated this park is in the concept stage. Staff is looking to do something unique in this area. The interior designs of the park have not been finalized but the theme of the park is expected to be “natural play” utilizing natural landscapes and earthy materials as play features. As staff works with DR Horton to revise those concepts, they will be presented to the Commission for review. Park dedication and fee requirements have not yet been determined. Based on the concept design there will likely be a combination of land and cash similar to Newland Community. Zurbey asked who decided if dedication fees will be cash or land. Dockter responded that it is negotiable. Dockter used the DR Horton site as an example stating it has ponds listed on the plat. If the ponds provide value to the City it can be used toward meeting the Park Dedication fees. Small areas that are tucked in behind homes would be considered of no value and would not be considered. Burbank added that the East Ravine Master Plan process has a lot of single loaded roadways. These major roadways will have property on the watershed and developers will preserve that view for the property and to maintain that open space. Poncin stated he can anticipate an open space on the map becoming an issue with residents wanting to use the open space for a swing set or other fixed structure and asked Dockter how would this be handled. Dockter stated there is a proposal for a path connection in the area Poncin is referring to and the direction from staff is not to approve anything in a green space that does not benefit the area. Dockter added the City tries to have a neighborhood park every ½ mile and this area has 2 parks. One of the parks was proposed to be a rest area but has been expanded. Burbank added at the area in question the grading elevation would allow for water to be in this holding area during storm events and having playstructures would not be practical. Zurbey asked how a Commission approves something that has so many unknown factors. Dockter stated the Commission is only approving the concept as it is currently stated. They are not approving an actual concept design. The commission is only approving where the location of the park will be. The reason Dockter presented this item to the Commission now is to be able to make needed City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission 5 | Page adjustments early and not slow the process. Motion as presented to accept. Motion carries. Burbank commented Matt Mohr has been really good at giving public access to this property and he wanted to commend him on his work on this project. D. 2013-2014 Work Plan Dockter presented the work plan outlining projects the Commission has worked on over the past year. The report provides the opportunity for discussion or recommendations for amending the work plan. Staff will use this information to guide them. Dockter added this work plan is impressive and shows all the things that have been accomplished throughout the year. Poncin suggested the fall of 2013-2014 expanded splash pads or outdoor swim facilities be presented to Commission for discussion. Nelson requested some information regarding the old pool building. Dockter added the City Council has a Capital Improvements Workshop planned. At this workshop Council will be looking at the needs within the City and what funding is available. The old pool building and Hamlet Park will both be discussed at this workshop. E. Officer Appointments Lehrke stated the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission call for the appointment of the officer positions of Chair and Vice-Chair. Lehrke thanked Poncin for his years of service on the Commission and as Chair of the Commission. Lehrke stated he is responsible for appointing a new Chair to the Commission so if anyone is interested to please email him. The vice-chair position will be chosen by election. Poncin opened forum for nominees for the vice-chair position. Nelson nominated Kath as the vice-chair. The nomination was seconded and passed. Kath is the new vice-chair. VIII. Presentation Of Information A. Prescribed Burning Plan Review Dockter stated each year the City utilizes the maintenance tool of prescribed burning to manage its prairie sites. During the spring of 2013, staff is proposing to burn prairie at Oakwood Park and Pine Summit Pond. A copy of the letter that will be mailed to adjacent residents is attached. That letter puts residents on notice of the work and explains some of the benefits of prescribed burning and the precautions taken. Dockter added the burning process inhibits invasive weed and woody specie growth by burning those plants and seed bank. However, prairie plants thrive from the burn by being able to sustain fire because of its strong root system and its ability to recapture nutrients/energy from burned thatch material. The company conducting the burn will be MN Native Landscapes. They will be required to obtain the necessary permits from the County and MN DNR and will provide liability insurance with the City of Cottage Grove named as an insured. They will abide by all burning restrictions set by any government agency. City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission 6 | Page B. Arbor Day Event Pietruszewski updated the Commission on the upcoming Arbor Day event on April 27, 2013 from 9-11am at Pinetree Valley Park. In previous years venders were invited to the event to educate the community. This year things are changing and the focus will be on community involvement and encouraging residents to plant the trees and clear buckthorn and underbrush. There will be lots of fun activities for all ages as well as a great service opportunity for residents. There will be two 2 commemorative trees planted and each child will go home with one pine seedling. Pietruszewski encouraged the Commission and residents to come out and honor Arbor Day. IX. Action Updates None X. Park Planning Management Education Material A copy of the following articles were submitted to the Commission for review; 1. The Value of Natural Play by: Gordon MacIntyre 2. Park and Recreation Trends in California by: State of California Resources Agency was presented to the Commission for informational research. XI. Commission Comments A copy of the February 20, 2013 City Council Agenda was presented to the Commission. Lehrke briefed the Commission on the Pavement Management project, replacement of Hinton Avenue, Hwy 19 construction project, and agenda items. Lehrke stated a copy of Commission contacts will be sent out to everyone and explained because the Commission and Council are public body’s discussions on topics cannot take place in emails. Lehrke encouraged the Commission to keep communication open. XII. Council Comments . XIII. Staff Comments Parks Memo Ice Arena Update Memo Recreation Update Memo Poncin requested adding the Planning Commission minutes to every Parks Commission packet. Pietruszewski reminded the Commission they are still invited to join the inclusive playground taskforce. XIV. ADJOURNMENT 8:00pm City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission 7 | Page