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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-21 PRC MinutesCITY OF MAPLEWOOD PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 21, 2010 7:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS — MAPLEWOOD CITY ALL 1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Roman indicated there was a quorum and called the meeting to order. 2. ROLL CALL Commissioners. Commissioner Craig Brannon, present Commissioner Don Christianson, present Commissioner Peter Fischer, present Commissioner Dan Maas, present Commissioner Mary Mackey, present Commissioner Carolyn Peterson, present Chair Bruce Roman, present Commissioner Therese Sonnek, present Commissioner Kim Schmidt, present Staff Recreation Manager, Jim Taylor, present Recreation Manager, Audra Robbins, present Community Development and Parks Director, DuWayne Konewko, present 3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Commissioner Brannon made a motion to approve the agenda. Commissioner Mackey seconded the motion. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. March 17, 2010 There were no changes made to the minutes. 0 Commissioner Maas made a motion to approve the minutes. Commissioner Christianson seconded the motion. Ayes: All Abstain: Schmidt 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Dog Park Survey Results Ms. Robbins, Recreation Supervisor, began with an overview of the survey results. The commission then discussed these results. Richard Carle, 1627 Sandhurst Avenue, addressed the commission. Mr. Carle came forward with several questions that expressed his concerns against the proposed dog park in Sherwood Park. I M Z�Bzslul Jeannette Carle, 1627 Sandhurst Avenue, addressed the commission. Mrs. Carle also opposed the dog park, and expressed her concerns regarding programming in Sherwood Park. Mr. Taylor, Recreation Supervisor, briefly addressed her concerns. Candace Marcus, 1636 Cope Avenue, addressed the commission. Ms. Marcus spoke against the proposed dog park, and further voiced her concerns. Staff recommended setting up a neighborhood meeting at the next Parks & Recreation meeting in order to give the neighbors of Sherwood Park the opportunity to voice their opinions. The commission agreed with Staff and decided a letter should be sent out tothe same recipients of the survey, informing them of the meeting. b. Gethsemane Park Lease Agreement Discussion Mr. Konewko, Community Development & Parks Director, informed the commission of updates regarding the Gethsemane Park Lease Agreement. Mr. Konewko informed the commission that the church has agreed to reduce the rent to $1,800 a month, down from $2,200 a month. He also informed the commission that the appraised amount for the land was $735,000, which had decreased from $790,000. The commission determined that the ultimate decision that should be made during their discussion is whether or not they intend to purchase the park. 4 Commissioner Fischer advocated for the purchase of Gethsemane Park. He discussed that the ramifications of removing Gethsemane Park as a Maplewood Park, would result in 227 homes and an apartment complex without a public park within a half mile of their homes. He explained that there isn't a promising alternative park in the area that could substitute if Gethsemane Park is removed from the picture. The commission discussed whether or not the lease should be continued. Commission Peterson mentioned that the commission should keep in mind that full usage of the park is not part of the agreement. The commission discussed the uses and time restrictions that are part of the current purchasing agreement. .1. The commission discussed concerns that there was no predicted closed end to the current lease. Staff requested a recommendation that can be forwarded to City Council Commissioner Christianson motioned -to terminate the Gethsemane Park Lease. Corru n-issioner Peterson seconded the motion. Commissioner Mackey amended that the lease should be terminated at the end of the softball season, due to our current obligation with that program. Staff informed the commission that if the lease is terminated, a different field would be located for the remaining softball season. The commission continued discussion regarding the shared usage of the park with the school, and the restricted use during school hours. Commissioner Sonnek communicated concerns regarding this particular issue. Commissioner Maas mentioned that the amount of time allotted to the school is minimal in comparison to the gain of Gethsemane Park. Staff indicated that this concern could possibly be negotiated in the purchase agreement. Commissioner Peterson suggested calling a vote to end discussion and to vote on the previous motion. ppp I I i III F1111 II•III i ii The motion did not pass. Discussion commenced, and the commission then voted on the motion to terminate the Gethsemane Park Lease. Ayes: Christianson, Brannon, Schmidt, Mackey, Peterson, Sonnek 0 Nays: Fischer, Maas, Roman •Imm Commissioner Fischer asks that a minority report accompany this recommendation to the council. The minority proposed that they pursue the continuation of the Gethsemane Park Lease Agreement, with the intention that they will pursue finalized details for purchasing the land. This would ideally occur within 6 months. Commissioner Peterson requested that the reasons for the opposed lease agreement be included in the minutes. 1. The commission was apprehensive about the cost per acre of land. 2. The commission was concerned that the usage of the park was limited, and would be shared with the school. 3. The commission was concerned that,by entering the lease for another year, and investing additional dollars that their negotiation ability would be lost. Resulting in additional dollars being spent. 4. The commission was concerned that there is yet no expiration date on the lease. 5. The commission was concerned that the decision to allocate the specified amount of money towards the acquisition of Gethsemane Park wasn't very financially sustainable. 6. The commission was not satisfied with the terms of the current lease agreement. 7. The commission was not satisfied with the current lease payment. 7. New Business Mr. Konewko, Community Development & Parks Director, reviewed the CIP with the commission. fhe commission briefly discussed the CIP. 8. Staff Presentations a. Lions Park Update Ms. Robbins, Recreation Supervisor, informed the commission of the Lions Park Open House that will take place on May 4th b. Wakefield Picnic Shelter Update Ms. Robbins updated the commission on the status of acquiring a picnic shelter, and informed commission that it will be presented to City Council at their next meeting. c. Phalen Keller Regional Park Task Force Ms. Robbins informed the commission that a Phalen Keller Regional Park Task Force open house will occur on May 6th. Ms. Robbins encouraged the commission to attend. I Goodrich Backstop Mr. Taylor, Recreation Supervisor, updated the commission on the installation of the new backstop in Goodrich Park, as well as solving the drainage issue located on field 2. e. Recreation Summer Programs Update Mr. Taylor and Ms. Robbins both updat(,�-i 11 we= W16111111 . IIIIIIIIIN, 9. Conunissioner Comments $TOTO-.r4 Commissioner Maas inquired on the status of installing lights in the tunnel on the Lake Links Trail under Kennard. Ms. Robbins informed him that she is in the process of developing a cost proposal. Commissioner Maas than inquired about how many people signed up for the Community Garden. M Robbins informed him that registration had been filled. I Commissioner Christianson inquired about the Community Garden and the number of gardener's that are Maplewood residents. Staff believed that only a few non-residents had registered. Commissioner Brannon inquired if striping the crosswalk at Sunset Ridge was scheduled to be completed. Mr. Konewko responded by informing commissioner Brannon that this will be completed shortly. Commissioner Schmidt reminded the commission that when guests are speaking at the microphone, th banter •should •not •be permitted and •that permission from the Chair should be obtained before respondin I to them. Commissioner Schmide t xpresses that it was inappropriate to banter back and forth, and that the speaker should be given the appropriate opportunity to express his or her opinion. Commissioner Mackey had no commenil Commissioner Peterson asked Ms. Robbins if the National Trail Walk was still scheduled to take place. Ms. Robbins responded by letting the commission know that it was still happening, with some slight modations. Ms. Robbins updated the commission of the changes. Commissioner Roman thanked everyone for participating in the park cleanup the previous weekend, and to those who intend to clean up for Earth Day. Commissioner Roman inquired about the parking issue at Legacy Park. Mr. Konewko updated the commission on the situation, and informed them that as completion date approaches, parking will become less of an issue. 0 Commissioner Brannon moved to adjourn the meeting. Commissioner Fischer seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 9:42 pm 0