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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-06-27 Parks Minutes Minutes of the Maplewood Parks Commission Council Chambers June 27, 2007 Members Present Carolyn Peterson Bruce Roman Kim Schmidt Donald Christianson Peter Fischer Gaoly Yang Staff Present: Duane Konewko, Environmental Manager Harriet Rydel, Recording Secretary Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. 1. - Requests Don made a motion to All - Ayes 2. Don moved to Bruce seconded, AII- ayes 3. Visitor Presentations Ron Cockreil passed out information on the Friends of the Nature Center. He spoke of the purpose of the 501 (3)(c). If you would like more information on this group of volunteers, please contact the Nature Center. He also handed out a flyer for the Monarch Garden Party which will be held August 18, 2007 from 1 0:30-noon. The group will also hold its Annual Picnic on September 22 which is free to members of the Friends. He invited the Commissioners to become members. Peter Frank, representing NESA Soccer, brought NESA's concern on the soccer fields' conditions to the Commission. It now has become a safety issue for players. NESA would like to partner with the City of Maplewood to develop a plan to restore the soccer fields at Hazelwood. Mr. Frank proposal to the Commissioners. NESA would like to take 3, 4, 5, and 6. There needs to be a master plan for the also needs to be a Maintenance program in place. Tom would like to see the Commissioners walk the fields to see the condition they are in. Fischer asked if all NESA games were Hazelwood, the answer was yes. Dewey asked what strategies NESA was using the fields. Peter responded fields would only be used for said he had walked the fields, it in the City's best interest to partner with NESA will meet in mid-July to discuss NESA. Doug maintenance It was that NESA representative(s) come to the next Commission meeting to talk about the possible partnership. 4. Updates on the Nature Center and Open Space Activities. Taste of Maplewood -See handout for highlights. Community planting included 12 residents and four staff who planted over 1000 plants. The staff planted 1,500 plants on Tuesday, June 26. July 4th celebration will be at Hazelwood Park. Kim stated that her husband could check into the cost of printing the 20,000 Open Space brochures. She thought he might be able to do it at cost. Dewey has already received two other bids for the Question: Are volunteer coaches' hours and Dewey said he would find out for the next meeting. It activity be included in the 2006 Annual 5. Maplewood Community meeting. not able to attend 6. Staff is looking draft at the The Commission would to discuss restoration projects with the City Council. Peter suggested that maintenance be a part of the Capital Improvement Plan. that need additional work, they will 7. Development of Comprehensive Plan Priorities identified in the 1999 Comprehensive Plan: 1, Neighborhood Parks 2. Trails Systems 3. Youth and Community Athletic Complexes 4. Neighborhood and Nature Preserve 5. Community Parks 6. Special Use Parks 7. Community Center Projects Identified in the 1999 Neighborhood Parks Sherwood Park - Go Lions Park - Use as Natural not lend this for play problems do the only park in the area as passive and active. at Wakefield Park. at was removed. Fields. project is almost completed. Afton a Trail Systems Beaver Lake Corridor - connect with other trail systems. Williams Pipeline Trail Carver Avenue through the railway system. McKnight Trail work with Ramsey County Larpenteur Trail System Youth and Community Complexes Hazelwood - lighting has been installed Edgerton - Almost all phases of project are complete Afton Heights - Almost complete Harvest - two phases - the first completed, the second dropped off list because land was sold off Goodrich - We need to refocus on this Special Use Parks Maplewood Nature Center Expansion - Fell off list that could be purchased was sold to other parties. Nature Preserves Had no ran kings Trail System Beaver to trail with Ramsey County on this trail Trail- County - Offers challenges because of the narrow streets Community Center Expansion - Will have to drop off because land is no longer available. Dewey suggested that the Commission create a Vision Statement stating what they would like to accomplish in the next five years. The Commission should first rank priorities and then projects within those priorities. Dewey also asked that the Commission remember to include maintenance costs in their plan. Peter noted that 70% of the identified accomplished in the last eight years. The at Bruentrup Farm. the 1999 CIP were identify needs Peter suggested that the to discuss thoughts on what can natural. Carolyn Ginny land. He would like make areas more in for their ideas and be discussion by the Commission, get neighborhood support. 8. Capitol Improvement Discussion - ParkslOpen Spaces Dewey distributed the 2006 - 2010 Capitol Improvement Plan and the 2008 - 2012 Capitol Improvement Plan. Dewey noted that there were no funds from the general levy in the 2008 0 2012 Capitol Improvement Plan for park development. It is estimated that there will be 2.6 million dollars available from PAC fees. The Commission would like an explanation for the cancellations of Joy Park and Lions Park funds, and the increase in the amount for Gladstone project. He also questioned why the Commission was not notified that these projects were going to be eliminated from the Plan. Gaolyn was concerned that the Commission was not notified of the changes. She would like to ask the City Council what is this Commission's Role? how the City Council determined the amount of the PAC Peter made a motion/recommendation follows: Add establish special so that the Gladstone project the amount for to 2 2. Add the Lions Park 3. in. 4. for Park for security and lighting. 5. improvements amounts. Corridor 1. for the Area . And increase Add restoration of Open Space. motion. The Commission voted to approve the at a 6 - 0 vote. 9. August 14th - Tentative Join meeting date with the Environmental and Natural Resource Commission - to discuss Conservation Easements. Dewey will keep the Commission informed if this meeting will take place and the time of the meeting. 10. Other Business Carolyn had no items to report. Gaolyn had no items to report. Kim stated that the north end trail of Phalen since the trail is so close to the street. Don had no items to report. Bruce stated he visited the Hazelwood soCcer fields and have safety issues they are in bad shape. Peter suggested that recycle he would in Legacy Park. Dewey stated 11. next 8th The Commission will meet at City Hall to take a of City's parks and to look at the soccer fields at will coordinate the tour. The tour will conclude at 8:00 p.m. and Commission meeting will start at 8:00. The first topic will be a discussion with NESA representatives. Then the Commission will address Trails. Dewey will have trail maps. He also suggested that we involve other stakeholders possibly Ramsey County and/or Met Council.