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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-10-15 Parks Minutes CITYOF MAPLEWOOD PARK COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2008 6:30 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS - MAPLEWOOD CITY HALL 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST I) CALL TO ORDER II) ROLL CALL . Six commissioners present to make a quorum. III) APPROVAL OF AGENDA- . A commissioner requested an addition to the agenda regarding Mississippi Street under Commissioner Comments. . A was made to add a dog park update. . motioned to approve, seconded , all ayes. IV) APPROVAL OF MINUTES . August 20 DuWayne Konewko asked the commissioners to bring forth any changes they deem necessary. No changes, minutes stay as they stand. V) DISCUSSION WITH CITY MANAGER REGARDING PARK DIRECTOR POSITION . DuWayne Konewko introduced Chuck Ahl, acting City Manager, who is here to discuss issues relating to a Park Director position. . Chuck Ahl advised the commission on some of the recommendations he will be making. The recommendation is to create a city position called Park and Communitv Development Director; filled by DuWayne Konewko. He also indicated another new position being created called Park and Recreation Manaqer; filled by Doug Taubman. He stated that the position of Deputv Director of Public Works be eliminated to keep costs down. He discussed how things will work within the city regarding these two new positions. This proposal will be presented to the City Council on October 27. . Commissioner Fischer made a motion to go ahead and support staffs recommendation on this first step of forward with restoring eventual Park Director/Department. Seconded by seven ayes and one nay by Commissioner Sinko. VI) VISITOR PRESENTATIONS . Mr. Waters asked if a path has ever been considered on the north side of 36 northbound on Hazelwood and he wondered if there will be a path near the fence? VII) UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CAPSTONE PROJECT . DuWayne Konewko updated the commission on the Capstone Project. The students have been broken down to nine different groups. He mentioned what the different groups were working on and he explained what the purpose is of the Capstone Projects. Some students will give an update at the November meeting and they will provide recommendations at the December or January meeting. VIII) LAKE LINKS TRAIL FEASIBILITY REPORT . DuWayne Konewko gave some background before turning it over to Jon Horn and Luke Payne from Kimley-Horn & Associates, who presented results from the feasibility study. Tonight the focus is on the area between McKnight and Sellaire. Three options to consider for input and feedback are: a) Along Lydia Ave - alignment starts at farm property running along east side of McKnight Road to Lydia, connecting segment of trail proposed as part of the Joy Park improvement. b) An off roadway option running between Dahl and Lydia. c) A segment that starts at McKnight directed along north side of County Road D between D and 694 along and down Sellaire connecting with a segment being built as part of the Joy Park improvement. . They are looking for feedback and input from the commission on the various options and improvements. They are looking to present the feasibility report to the City Council in January/February. Questions and Comments: Commissioner Sinko is concerned about creating a recreational bike route down McKnight. Commissioner Peterson inquired about each of the three options crossing McKnight. Commissioner Srannon stated a concern regarding a crosswalk going over McKnight when the crossing is not at a corner. He feels the trails are too narrow. Commissioner Sonnek asked if there would be winter snow removal on Lydia. She asked if on-road trails are considered. Commissioner Peterson mentioned a concern on how close County Rd D is to Interstate 694. She is wondering if there could be two feet of another option other than grass on Lydia. Commissioner Binko likes the idea of a 1 O-foot trail. DuWayne Konewko stated one of the challenges to design a trail is to retrofit into an urban area. Jon will look at these options and come up with a recommendation incorporating a price. Commissioner Roman is wondering how many driveways the trail on Lydia will cross. He inquired about crossing White Bear Ave. Commissioner Schmidt would like to explore the flashing lights further for pedestrian crossing. She likes option B the best but feels the price is too high. She is leaning toward option A. Commissioner Sonnek is leaning toward option A due to cost and convenience of crossings. Commissioner Christianson is wondering if these costs take into account the expense of County Road D roadway improvements. Commissioner Fischer asked if the trail goes along McKnight, is there any possibility in the future when McKnight is rebuilt, redone or rerouted if we go to Option A? Commissioner Binko asked what the easement costs would be for the D alignment. Commissioner Brannon thinks there are gaps between Walter and Hwy 61 along that trail that are not complete. There were several questions from the commissioners regarding funding for the Lake Links Trail. Staff will pursue the safety piece and bring that update back to a future meeting. Commissioner Sonnek made a motion to go with alignment A as long as it crosses at Gall Street and not South of it with 10 feet wide trails. Seconded by Commissioner Brannon, 7 ayes, one nay. DuWayne Konewko asked if the commission is ready to hear public comment at the November 19 meeting. If so staff will prepare a letter to send out to surrounding neighbors. In the letter to the public, it will be stated that alignment A is the preferred choice. IX) LION'S PARK UPDATE . Staff presented an update from September 17 Parks Commission meeting and discussed preliminary stormwater analysis findings for Lions Park. There are stormwater drainage issues to deal with in the lowland area. There are two design themes being considered; the typical mowed lawn park and more of a natural park theme. They want to put together three solid concepts to present to the commission in the November commission meeting. Commissioner Sinko would like to see an open area for kids to run. Commissioner Peterson likes combining as much as possible with the natural park theme. X) JOY PARK IMPROVEMENTS/PHASE 1- UPDATE . DuWayne Konewko gave the commissioners an updated progress on the Lake Links Trail. . Commissioner Fischer inquired about the fishing pier grant. . Staff answered that they are still waiting the acceptance of a grant. XI) OCTOBER 6TH JOY PARK OPEN HOUSE UPDATE/CENTURY AVENUE SEGMENT . Commissioner Fischer gave the commission a recap on this event. He mentioned the various issues and feedback brought up at the open house. . Staff mentioned that staff from the city of Maplewood, Oakdale, North St. Paul, representatives from MN DOT, state and elected officials would meet to go over the comments from the open house. XII) LEGACY PARK - DISCUSS PARK PLANNING PROCESS/UPDATE . Staff reported on an update to a previous proposal for a playground area in the Legacy Park tot lot area. Staff recommends that Parks Commission make a motion moving this area forward into the parks planning process. . DuWayne Konewko asked the commission to discuss the naming of the park. . Commissioner Peterson mentioned that neighbors be asked to suggest names. She is concerned about the attractiveness and size of the location. . Commissioner Sonnek mentioned that power lines are present and the playground area would be minimized under them. . Commissioner Schmidt mentioned some ideas to make the area look more inviting. . Commissioner Peterson mentioned her recollection of when the commission voted that we did not want the park there because the developer donated it to the city. She thought the tot lot would be in as a part of the bigger park. . Commissioner Sinko made a motion to table this item until we can see the minutes from the meetings Commissioner Peterson is referring to and the agreement to see what was said between the developer and the City of Maplewood, seconded to Commissioner Peterson. Split vote, motion dies as lack of majority. . Commissioner Srannon stated that if the City Council has agreed to putting in a park then it doesn't not matter what we said before because we have an agreement. . Commissioner Peterson said if we have a choice in where the park is, then she would like to see a discussion in the matter. . Commissioner Fischer feels to introduce an active area into the park changes the component in that park and he suggests that the motion be voted down so the city can continue with the park planning process. . A motion was made by Commissioner Sonnek, seconded by Commissioner Schmidt to keep the parks planning process moving forward including the naming of the park. Staff is directed to bring out the agreements. The commissioners need to see the wording in the developer agreement. . The motion is to move forward with the park planning process with looking at some kind of park planning process with public input for a meeting in January. Staff will provide the commission with a timeline that will include public hearing dates, which will probably start in January and will schedule a timeline of completion, 6 ayes, 2 nays. XIII) DOG PARK - NO UPDATE . Commissioner Sonnek recommended a new dog park she visited on Larpenteur - west of Cleveland. She mentioned that it was very well used, was an all grass field with a high fence and is free. XIV) COMMISSIONER COMMENTS . Commissioner Peterson mentioned a program held at the ski lodge. Professor Kim Chapman spoke and took a hiking tour of Fish Creek and Snake Creek. . Commissioner Fischer responded that these meetings are a great education piece focusing on what we can do with our yards in making them more environmentally sensitive. . Commissioner Sinko mentioned that her household is accepting a Leap award. Her house will be open for educational purposes. She toured the Mississippi Street area and did not see proposed pad with three parking spaces. . Staff will prepare a memo for discussion regarding this issue. . Commissioner Christianson announced Commissioner Yang has resigned from the Parks Commission and as a result, there is an open seat on the commission. He said we should instruct the staff to announce that there is an opening. . Commissioner Fischer mentioned that Commissioner Christianson's, Commissioner Sonnek's positions are coming up so they will need to reapply. . Commissioner Fischer mentioned goal planning for 2009 would be on the December agenda. He asked the commissioners to start thinking of ideas and items for us to be working on. XV) DIVERSITY UPDATE A question came up regarding community gardens; staff is looking at a couple of locations and will try to secure a one year lease on one. Staff is looking at a possibility of using a section of the Prairie Farm Preserve. XVI) BUCKTHORN REMOVAL REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE . DuWayne Konewko mentioned a cooperative effort between the city of Maplewood, North St. Paul, Ramsey Washington County Watershed district and Oakdale getting together to remove buckthorn from Joy Park. He invited any commissioners who would like to participate. XVII) OTHER . DuWayne Konewko welcomed Doug Taubman who declared his excitement over working with the Parks Commission. . DuWayne Konewko went on to discuss a letter included in packet from a resident who has an objection with regard to the request from Gethsemane Church that the City of Maplewood purchase a parcel of land in conjunction with that project. the proposed property is roughly about 4 acres to be used for a park but mainly to be used by students from Gethsemane school for a playground. She does not want her tax money supporting a private school. She feels that if we do purchase this piece of land it should be for everyone. . The Park commission will have another opportunity to comment on this agreement with Gethsemane. XVIII) ADJOURN - (9:30 P.M.) . Next meeting - November 19, 2008