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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-12 MINUTES Minutes City of Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting May 12, 2014 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting was held on May 12, 2014. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Mike Zurbey, Ron Kath, Chad Rediske, Gary Kjellberg, Mark Nelson, Charlie Lentz, Samantha Anderson, Mason Schouveller Members Absent: Neal Heurung Others Present: Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Director John Burbank, Senior Planner Approval of Agenda Approved Approval of Minutes Approved Open Forum None Presentations New Commissioners Samantha Anderson and Mason Schouveller were introduced to the Parks Commission. 2014 World Amateur Disc Golf Tournament – Mike Snelson Snelson, a representative of the Professional Disk Golf Association, gave a presentation to the Commission regarding information on the 2014 World Amateur Disk Golf Tournament that will be held in the Twin Cities. The event has been issued a permit to use the Oakwood Disk Golf Course for the event. Snelson added he expects lots of publicity for this event and the community. Nelson stated this event sounds like a challenge for staff but at the same time a great opportunity. Kath asked about parking. Snelson stated there will be parking at Oakwood park and he is negotiating parking at Ruby Tuesdays. Kath asked if there was an option to use the open field for parking. Dockter responded that it is option and will be considered MN DNR – Cottage Grove Fishing Report Levitt with the MN DNR presented the fishing in the neighborhood program to the Commission. Levitt explained the program stocks the Cottage Grove ponds and lakes with pan fish allowing residents to catch fish in an urban setting. Levitt added the program works with schools and cities to get kids involved in the sport of fishing. Levitt explained what to expect at the events which includes live fish for the residents to view. Levitt explained that water quality is monitored by the MN Pollution Control Agency, fish consumption advisories are issued by the Minnesota Department of Health and the management of the fish in the lakes is done by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. All of these departments work together to provide a safe fishing experience for the community. The two areas Levitt manages in Cottage Grove are the Ravine Lake and the Hidden Valley pond. Kjellberg asked if the water quality is okay at the Ravine Lake. Levitt responded the overall water quality and the ecosystem of this lake is okay. The extra algae caused by storm water runoff is not bad. Levitt stated most of the fish in MN are safe to eat. Some areas have warnings issued and limit the amount of fish consumption per week. Some common warnings would be for mercury, PFOS and PAH’s. The Ravine Lake was tested and Levitt stated the meal advisory is one meal per week because of high PFOS readings. Hidden Valley does not have data due to frequent winter kill. Hidden Valley is proposed to have 600 fish added this spring. Some of the species of fish in Hidden Valley Pond are Bullhead, yellow perch, hydride sunfish, and carp. The fish typical at the Ravine Lake are Pumpkinseed, Sunfish, crappie, perch, bass, bullhead and walleye. Lentz asked if the pond on the other side of the road next to Hidden Valley Pond could sustain fish. Levitt responded it is a possibility to stock both sides if they area is designed to sustain fish. Dockter added the goal is to have the area silt over and hold water that will allow the area to be constructed to hold fish. Nelson requested Levitt consider stocking the Highland pond. Levitt said it is on his radar and would look into it when there is future expansion allowed. Fishing in the Neighborhood will be June 17, 2014. Dockter thanked Levitt for his hard work. Dockter added without programs like these the community would be limited to fishing only out of the river. World’s Longest Baseball Game PHD Baseball Club gave a presentation to the Commission regarding the special event permit they have applied for with the City. The event is scheduled for August 1-3, 2014 and will be an attempt to have the world’s longest baseball game played on the JV field at Park High School. As part of the permit staff will notify residents and hold a neighborhood meeting to give residents the ability to voice their concerns. Residents have been invited to the May Parks Commission meeting allowing both PHD and the Commission to respond to their questions. Gibson explained his group played last year at the Metrodome for 42 hours. The world record is just over 62 hours. There are 56 young men willing to play baseball to raise money to give back to the ALS association. The goal is to raise $150,000 in this effort. The boys are getting sponsors and selling raffle tickets. It will start August 1 and they will play through August 4, 2014. Nelson asked what kind of noise residents should expect for this event. Gibson stated there should not be lots of noise. There will be music during the day but not at night. They do not anticipate a large crowd just lots of supportive parents. The reason they chose the JV field was to localize the event and to be respectful of the neighborhood. Dockter added access to the Ice Arena will be granted for showers, napping and bathrooms. Nelson asked the City to increase PD awareness for the event. A motion was made to authorize the event. It was seconded and passed. 2014 Spring and Summer Recreation Programs/Events Pietruszewski presented to the Commission the 2014 programs being offered through the Cottage Grove Recreation Department. Catch of the Day Special Event Splash Pad special events Party in the Park Skateboard Camp Movies in the Park Bike Park Grand Opening Supervised Playground Strawberry Fest chalk walk Strawberry Fest 5K Strawberry Fest Kids 1K Strawberry Fest Mans and Co-ed Softball Tournament Softball league Lacrosse League Bocce Ball Baggo Action Items 2015/15 Work Plan A draft of the 2014/2015 Work Plan that was generated as a result of the February workshop was presented to the Commission. Items featured included: Study and emphasize creating access to the Mississippi River River Oaks Scenic Overlook Gateway North Open space development Grey Cloud island areas Creation of a map identifying current and future opportunities. Study the need for indoor athletic turf facilities and identify opportunities Study the need for refrigeration system replacement at the Ice Arena, Identify options, costs, energy efficiency opportunities grant opportunities and safety/service improvements. Study and develop a master plan for recreational trail opportunities and programming Continue working towards making Cottage Grove a bicycle friendly community. Focus on marketing of the trail system (mapping, trail clubs, adopt-a-trail, etc.) Seek continued expansion of the trail system to assure connectivity throughout community for both motorized and non-motorized use. Incorporate fitness and educational interpretive signage along trails (mileage, calories burned, walking benefits, etc.) Aggressively pursue Hamlet Park development Study project status/needs, then work cooperatively with city council to find a means to complete the project. Long term unique attractions to the community to make Cottage Grove a destination point and offer multi-generational recreational opportunities. – Examples include zoo, interactive farm, GNOS, indoor turf facility, inclusive playground and CG Ravine Regional Park enhancements. It was further recommended that the Commission place a “Work Plan review” as an agenda item at least twice per year. This agenda item will provide an update on achievement as well as an opportunity for Commission and Staff to discuss future opportunities. Motion to place the work plan on file. Seconded and motion is passed. River Oaks Scenic Overlook Restoration Project Dockter stated in November of 2012 the Parks Commission and City Council placed on file the River Oaks Park Natural Resources Management Plan. The plan presents site analysis and recommended management practices for the 2.1 acre natural area located just south of the River Oaks Golf Course. Since acceptance of the plan, the City has been seeking grant opportunities to implement the recommendations of the plan. Dockter added the overlook provides fantastic views of the Mississippi River while also being part of a site that was identified as containing “high biological diversity” by the MN Department of Natural Resources. The area has presence of remnant dry bedrock bluff prairie. Dockter added the area is threatened by invasive species and has an increased threat of being lost with each passing year. For these reasons the Friends of the Mississippi River is offering the City a grant opportunity through funding from the State of Minnesota’s Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Grant program to begin protecting and restoring the site to its native vegetation. FRM is offering $8,200 in funding toward the completion of the first two years of the management plan. The City would be responsible to provide the monetary contributions of $4,500 along with the $850 of in-kind contributions (labor, equipment). As part of the grant process, FMR and the City would be reaching out to the neighbors of the property to partake in the efforts. Engaging the property owners would provide value by preserving these native features beyond the park boundaries. Motion to authorize staff to accept grant. Motion passed. Park Tour Map Dockter explained the Parks Commission annually takes a tour of the facilities during one of its regularly scheduled meetings. Staff recommended June 9th, 2014. The itinerary is as follows: Depart – City Hall at 6:30pm Cedarhurst Meadows Park Shepard’s Pond Sunnyhill Park Bike Park Gateway North Open Space Granada Park River Oaks Scenic Overlook Zurbey requested a stop at the Ice Arena and the disc golf course. Kath requested staff flag the event to remind the Commissioner to dress appropriately. 6:30pm start time. Granada Park Master Plan Dockter presented the completed master plan from the 2011 needs review by the Parks Commission prior to implementation. In 2011 the Park Maintenance division recommended the replacement of the Granada Park tennis courts. With the lack of use at this location, staff and the Commission took time to study the park and create a master plan. Dockter presented a memo of the 2011 Commission report highlighting the results of the neighborhood survey. Staff believes the survey results are valid today considering little change to the demographics have occurred over the last three years. Dockter stated upon review of the survey the Commission generated the following modification to Granada Park. Remove tennis courts due to lack of use and price for replacement Add picnicking opportunities Add green space for informal play Add small basketball court Modify and slightly expand playground (consider combining Belden/Granada in next replacement cycle) Dockter added staff is also suggesting the removal of several ash trees located in the park. Eleven new trees of varying species would be replanted throughout the site. Dockter stated this is one of the oldest areas of the community. Dockter added the budget submitted is more than allocated. The commission is advised to review the plan and the money will be discussed later. Kjellberg reminded the Commission he works for the City Public Works Department and as part of his job frequents all of the CG parks. Kjellberg can count on one hand how many people he has seen using the courts over the years. He is requesting something else be put in its place that will get more use. A question was asked if this is the oldest park in Cottage Grove. Burbank responded Langdon village is the earliest park that has been referenced. Cemeteries are also considered open space or parks. Dockter presented an aerial photo showing where the updates would be added. Kath clarified the Commission is being asked to approve the plan as presented in the picture and it is not to replace the tennis courts. Kjellberg asked if there would be lighting. Dockter answered no lighting is being proposed. A motion to accept the plan as submitted was made and seconded. Motion passed. Presentation of Information Prescribed Burn Map Review Dockter explained each year the City utilizes the maintenance tool of prescribed burning to manage its prairie sites. Staff is proposing to burn prairie at Hamlet Park., Cottage Grove Trailway Corridor and Gateway North Open Space for 2014. Hamlet Park was not burned do to the weather and will be added to next year’s agenda. A letter was mailed to residents in the affected areas as a precaution. Dockter added prescribed burns are a very effective tool in managing prairie sites. The burning process inhibits invasive weed and woody specie growth by nurturing 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 from burned thatch material. Prescribed burns save the City time, labor and money by reducing the need for mowing, spraying, and cutting of invasive trees, grasses and weeds. Kjellberg asked how many times does the City return to the same site to burn. Dockter responded approximately every three years. Action Updates Gateway North Open Space Dockter stated with two recent housing development projects taking place in 2014, the City is planning for construction of the western portion of the Gateway North Open Space Master Plan which was developed in 2006. The western portion has two key components. The first is it includes natural and wood chipped trails that connect the mesic-oak and mesic-pine/oak woodlands to the main trail system along Hardwood Avenue. The second component includes a small parking lot at the end of Bur Oak Cove. The parking lot will serve as a trailhead to the paved trail system that accesses the council rings atop the dry prairie buffs currently referred to as “Camels Hump”. Dockter included a master plan for both of areas for the Commission. Interpretive and way finding signage will be prevalent throughout the park and trail system. Dockter added the goal of these items is to keep visitors on the trail. Burbank stated the hawks that soar on the thermo level will be at the visitor’s eye level making this a remarkable location for an overlook. The plan has been approved and this is just an update for the Commission. Nelson added how wonderful this feature will be for our community. Kjellberg asked what the timeline for completion is. Dockter responded it should be finished by the end of the summer. Dockter added there will be 3 foot bollard lighting along the trail that will run from the parking lot to the top of the lookout. Arbor Day – Sunnyhill Park Cancelled – due to weather Donation Acknowledgements CG Athletic association – Soccer Goals - $2,100 Staff Reports and Educational Material Commission Comments None Council Comments Lehrke welcomed the new Commissioners and stated the Council approved Samantha and Mason’s appointments to the Commission which means the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission is now a full Commission. Attached are the past 4 Council Agendas. Lehrke invited the Commission to ask any questions they may have. Dockter expressed his appreciation to the Commission for their participation in so many community events. Dockter added that it makes the staff proud to see our Commission so engaged and it is much appreciated. Adjournment - 8:30 Workshop – 2014/2015 Commission Work Plan