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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-11-18 Parks Minutes CITY OF MAPLEWOOD PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING Wednesday, November 18, 2009 7:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS - MAPLE WOOD CITY HALL 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Fischer indicated two commissioners were absent; there was quorum. 2. ROLL CALL Commissioners Commissioner Craig Brannon, present Commissioner Don Christianson, absent Chair Peter Fischer, present Commissioner Dan Maas, present Commissioner Mary Mackey, absent Commissioner Carolyn Peterson, present Commissioner Bruce Roman, present Commissioner Therese Sonnek, present Commissioner Kim Schmidt, present Staff Community Development and Parks Director DuWayne Konewko, present Staff Liaison, Parks Manager, Doug Taubman 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Schmidt made a motion to approve the agenda. Commissioner Sonnek Seconded the Motion. Ayes: All 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. October 21, 2009 The commission requested more detail added to the approval ofthe minutes section and to the public hearing section. Commissioner Brannon motioned to table the minutes for October 21,2009. Commissioner Sonnek seconded. Ayes: All 1 5. Commission Handbook Presentation - Alan Kantrud, City Attorney City Attorney Kantrud went over the copy ofthe commission handbook provided in the packet. Mr. Kantrud made himself available to answer questions from the commission. The commission discussed the Handbook and asked questions. 6. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS 1. Ted Berth, 380 Grafton Ave N, Oakdale, addressed the commission on behalf ofthe Maplewood-Oakdale Lions Club. Mr. Berth expressed excitement over the future project ofthe Maplewood Lions Park. Community Development & Parks Director Du Wayne Konewko gave the commission an update on the status ofthis project. 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Dog Park Sub-Committee Final Recommendations Commissioner Roman, chairman ofthe sub-committee, went over the report. Chair Fischer opened the discussion to those in the audience. 1. Rich Bennett, 2962 Beebe Parkway, addressed the commission. Mr. Bennett expressed concern ofthe size ofthe proposed dog parks stating he felt the proposed sizes would be very small. He spoke in favor oflocating a dog park at Joy Park. 2. Jan Carr, 1000 Portland Ave., St. Paul addressed the commission. Mr. Carr praised the task force for their work on this report. He spoke to why he thought dog parks are important and spoke against adding fees to the dog licenses. He also stated that the commission should remember that with dog parks size does matter. The commission resumed the discussion. The commission directed staff to look into how a dog park would fit into Harvest Park, Gloster Park and Sherwood Park, come up with cost estimates, ideas for financing and funding, and look into the idea of mini dog parks. 8. NEW BUSINESS a. Park Assessment Report Staff Liaison Doug Taubman went over the report. The Commission discussed the report. 9. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS Commissioner Sonnek enjoyed having the opportunity to work with the sub-committee on dog parks and praised Commissioner Roman on his work as the chair. She also stated she enj oyed working the buckthorn pull over the last weekend. 2 Commissioner Schmidt stated she was glad to receive the new commission handbook and thanked Commissioner Roman for being chair on the sub-committee. Commissioner Peterson stated there was a lot of good information presented at this meeting. Commissioner Maas stated the dog park presentation was great and sees the need for dog park. He also commented that the new Lake Links Trail signs look good. Commissioner Brannon asked how the community garden prep went. Mr. Konewko stated that the prep work has occurred and staff is working on development on rules and regulations. The community garden will be open by next spring. Mr. Taubman added the soil conditions look very good when the ground was tilled. Commissioner Roman asked if staff could give an update on the community garden in an upcoming meeting. He also asked staff about the trees that were taken out of Sherwood park and ifthey were going to be replaced soon. Mr. Konewko stated there are about 6- 10 trees that still need to be installed at Sherwood Park. Commissioner Roman also inquired about the possibility of creating a trail map for Maplewood in the future. Chair Fischer inquired about the driveways locked off at Goodrich Park and if staff knew ofthe reason they are chained off already. Mr. Taubman said he was unsure ofthe reason but would look into it and bring it back at the next meeting. Chairperson Fischer also noted that the new commission handbook states that chair and vice-chair ofthe commissions be determined in December. Mr. Konewko stated he would recommend waiting until the reappointment process is completed, so the commission should address this sometime in January. 10. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Legacy and Mississippi Tot Lot Updates: Mr. Konewko stated this item will be brought back before the commission in December. b. Gethsemane Park Lease: This lease expires at the end of April 2010. He is planning on bring this back in January or February. There is nothing to report with the proposed proj ect. 11. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS 12. ADJOURN Commissioner Brannon moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Maas seconded the motion. Chair Fischer adjourned the meeting at 10:18 p.m. 3