Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-19 Parks Minutes PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19, 2007 Present Commissioner Craig Brannon Commissioner Donald Christianson Commissioner Peter Fischer, Chairperson Commissioner Carolyn Peterson Commissioner Bruce Roman Commissioner Julie Binko Absent Commissioner Kim Schmidt Commissioner GaolyYang Commissioner Michele Gran Chairperson Fisher called the meeting to Approval of the Agenda Commissioner Binko requested two Ordinance - Role of Park and It was discussed that the the end of the meeting be suggested putting this agenda item to the MOTION Commissioner items be and new business - l. City at the end of 6, which is usually at Brannon Konewko will move that agenda with the changes, Approval of Minutes August 15,2007 - August 23, August 23, Corrections - Recommendation was made by Commissioner Binko on the 23rd. Take the $175,000 from Lions Park and put it into Trails and that Lions Park was going to be $25;000. MOTION Commissioner Brannon made a motion to approve the minutes with corrections. Commissioner Binko seconded the motion, one absentation, allothers -ayes Visitor Presentations No visitor presentations this evening. Staff presentations Mr. Konewko stated that he will try to incorporate reports on the Nature Center at each meeting. He will instruct staff to prepare a report for each meeting. The Nature Center is in need of help with their Buckthorn Removal Project at two parks - Joy Park on October 6, 2007 and Flicek Park on October 13, 2007. Please spread the word. Staff will send out an update e-mail. Summary New Energy Bike Display - develop education programs around the Bike. Friends of Maplewood raised money for the Energy Bike Display. Educational programs will be developed for the Energy Bike. Family Programs - Many programs see handout. Adult Seminars - three seminars were held. MPCA and Dept of Health - Exploratory soil borings for borings on October 8. On the south edge ofthe Nature chemicals. Exploratory testing. Dewey will report on They will do the of any tests. Commissioner Binko asked if the nature center was going to offer herbicide for buckthorn removal? Mr. Konewko stated that they will biodegradable product but also stated it does not work as well as a stronger but if the biodegradable product is used as directed, it toOdall be effective. it is better to use higher strength and use Natural Preserves - Open Space- Conservation Easement discussion at Gladstone Savannah will be done November. This will we Eagle Scout - work for the City Formal 2008 ribbon Century out in October newsletter- be known by the end of scouts do a tremendous amount of the sessions this Fall. we will not do any more damage than what has but he How many deer? Dewey not sure of the number to the Commission. Joy Park It was suggested a formal invitation to Silver Lake Association. At the same time implementing of the items from the Comprehensive Plan. Visitor Johnson, 2587 Lydia - Joy Park is adjacent to his property on three sides and has a vested interest in what happens to the park. The master plan that was developed needs to be restored. If you look at Maplewood's Park system. Joy Park is largest. Crime is a big problem at the park -I'm tired of it. lfthe City cannot do something about it someone is going to get hurt and the park should be shut down. Former Chief Winger placed a Community Service Officer in the park 40 hours a week. Would like to see things improve. Look at spending the City's money wisely. Mr. Ahl, Public Works Director is now faced a lot of Parks issues. - Do we need a Parks Director? We don't have the same protection as other Maplewood citizens. Three Parking lots- east side used as a haven. Some discussion to remove that lot. Race track through park. Race track for Bullet bikes. Putting a trail system in across the road. Look at the whole broad spectrum. Three things I ask fyou are restoration, proper management and public safety. Commissioner Christianson was surprised that money was taken away. Your issues are police issues not park issues. Maplewood needs a partnership with Ramsey County. Commissioner Christianson stated that Joy Park could easily be the most beautiful park yet is has been neglected. Commissioner Fischer heard that at the last City Council Meeting - $200,000 to work in Joy Park next year. Dewey we have a master plan, we just need to start working on it. We need an established trail Commissioner Binko questioned why you wouldn't want a trail in area. The run parallel to the road. Commissioner Fischer suggested that it would be have a neighborhood meeting. It was proposed that a meeting be set up at an and encourage residents from North St. Paul to attend. A lot of your issues. Mr. Konewko encouraged that the Silver Lake work Sheriff and Maplewood Police Department. Fischer together a time line. Mr. Konewko will bring next Commission has done their work, then invite at our October meeting and discuss Joy Park. on a different evening than the meeting. We notice out to the Commission. County putting the earlier it take place up a time later and get a Community Center - Pauline Staples Passed out School brochure a year. Private Heidi does our Membership campaigns variety starting next week. Commissioner Fischer memberships. Banquet ROOlny\pcoming events include Wine and Jazz Fest and then the Holiday Shows and Festival of Trees. Maplewood votedOiieofthe top fitness centers. Staff is currently working on a new semor program. Commissioner Peterson would like a new walk machine for the fitness center. Pauline will check into this. Recreation is in full bloom with soccer and volleyball. Basketball will be starting shortly. Bruentrup Farm outdoor movie at 7:30 p.m. Children activities start at 6: 15. Movie will be Charlotte's Web. Refreshments will be sold. and Rec Book 622. This information goes out 4 times and Heidi Carey came up with a are way up. The hours will be extended most successful program? Pauline said NESA Discussions In packet, information regarding the grant and two different ways we can use the grant. Included some of the products that were recommended both artificial turf and natural turf. Mr. Konewko will e-mail the commission's discussion points to Mr. Walker. Where would the Commission like to go with this turf? Each goal area would be 10 to 15 thousand dollars. Try using both options to see which we like best. Mr. Konewko will meet with Mr. Walker and then talk to NESA. The purpose ofthe grant was a demonstration grant. Mr. Konewko thought it might be beneficial to use both and compare. Natural turf solution is expensive because oflabor but staff would be able to help do the prep work and the grating. The Commission needs to decide what they would like to do and how many fields they would like to do. Commissioner Christianson had concerns with the edging on the artificial turf. Commissioner Fischer would like to see both options. Safety issues are a top concern. There are many kinds of artificial turf. He will request an extension on the grant from Ramsey other soccer associations could come in and report their experience. a number of fields in the area that have used artificial turf that we may look will give another update at the next meeting. Commissioner Binko a with the various products. Gladstone Update Waiting for sampling to see what will need will need to do. Process will take at least several the Commission. we report back to Conservation Easements Discussion of conservation easements Meeting. The Planning Commission met The Environmental 24, 2007 City Council Conservation Easements. also discussed this. Executive No new discussions. Mr. made to was Improvement Plan. A recommendation was taking it under advisement. The Commission to go to the Council in August did not. What Mr. Konewko went to the Council for consideration. Highlight the Gladstone shift 1.9 million, understanding that part of it would be put off until 2012. Fischer would like to highlight that exception is Gladstone, Lions Park, trails. Fisher would like to see revenues and expenses. He would also want to know the beginning dollars. Mr. Konewko will e-mail the Commission the Gladstone element. Then he will show the rest separately. Concern - is if dollars are going to put us in deficit spending. It was suggested to wait until Mr. Konewko can update grid. Lions concern - an area that needs to be addressed. There are possible granting opportunities. Commissioner Peterson suggested putting in rain gardens? Mr. Konewko believes rain gardens will be part ofthe solution. Separate Gladstone, new format (exel format) outline what we have. Commissioner Fisher stated Lions Park issue needs to be addressed. The Commission will need to meet with the community. This topic will be on the agenda again next month. Update Comprehensive Plan - Parks and Open Space. Information is in your packet. The City Council has hired a consultant to lead the comprehensive plan process. Meetings could be coordinated with Parks Commission meetings. Each Commission will pick their representatives. City Council - recommendation that Commission members meet with the consultant. Staff have met with Rose of Schoell Madson. Task Force meetings will be about hours each. Each Commission will be able to pick their own representatives. made a recommendation that persons with history be a part of such as Commissioner Peterson" Commissioner Christianson, Commissioner Commission Fischer. No action needs to be taken. New Business City Ordinance The full city ordinance on Parks Commission's respOnsibilities was Commissioner Binko's concern is updated. Wanted report in a more redoing what we have here. The Comprehensive Plan .Information are, what neighborhood are in. the Parks in each is the development neighborhood County has in the area area needs. of parks. When was the park inventory last either through the Comprehensive Plan or we need to combine it with the kind of parks, where the parks like a State of State of get familiar with parks. What park map which includes at each park. Also look at what the for determining what the park in the and Mailand fit into our description of a of Maplewood took the space. When we look will come into play. park. at area was Park Look at our be helpful to There were to work with the Council. Commissioner Binko thought it would and let people know what their responsibilities were. a Parks Director and the planning process. Staff is committed Ron Cockriel, 943 Century A venue- Gethesame Park and Lions Park - There is a drainage issue at Lions Park. Keep space open to fly kites, pick up game it is very important to have the park, multi-use park. Suggested there would be a community meting before any recommendations go forward to the Council. Trails where the funding from, recreation and transportation piece of Comprehensive Plan. He would like to see options for the park and possible engineering solutions to this problem. Commission presentation Commissioner Peterson - none Commissioner Binko - none Commissioner Roman- Lions Park, what was the citizen input for that time? Problem has always been the water. Combination working with neighbors and engineers. Do the citizens want a playground in the area? Mr. Konewko will go through the process with the neighborhood. Commissioner Christianson - Wondered why he didn't here meeting. He asked about grants availability. Grants are out plan. We used to have a grant writer. Commissioner grants and what is available. One part of contract is for included grant seeking. August 23 need to develop a do research on Create a plan that Commissioner Brannon - Commented on Lions Commissioner Fischer - Gethesame - What thing formal but will check. has seen any Stand Adjourned at 9:20 p.m.