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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 04-26 PRC Minutes PARKS � RECREATION COMMISSION Speciai Meeting Minutes April 26, 2010 APPROVED Members Present Barb Farrell,Maureen Bartz,Jason Eisold,Mike Eliason,Kevin Strayton Members Absen� None Staff Present: Dan Schultz,Director of Parks and Recreation and Sonja Honl,Recording Secretary Student Volunteer. None Others Ptesent: Bill Droste,Mayor;Tom Schuster,Parks Supervisor; Jason Lindahl,City Planner;and Lil Leatham,Hoisington Koegler Group,Inc. 1. C�1I.L TO ORDER Eliason called the meeting to order at 8:05 p.m. 2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: Schultz informed the Commission that he had two additional handouts for the Director's Report: A field user fee survey and a proposed Rosemount Area Arts Council (ItAAC) agreement. Mayor Droste administered the oath of office to Barb Farrell,new Parks&Recreation Commission member. 3. APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 29,2010 MEETING MINUTES: MOTION by Eisold to approve the minutes of the March 29,2010 meeting. SECOND by Strayton. Ayes: 5 Nays:0 Motion passed. 4. AUDIENCE INPUT: None 5. DISCUSSION (Response to Audience Input): None G. OLD BUSINESS: a. Pedesttian/Bicycle Master Plan—Schuster provided a brief recap of the results of the meetings and discussions so far. Lil Leatham,of Hoisington Koegler Group,Inc(HKGi),was introduced and proceeded to review the draft needs assessment and the draft framework map that were created based on input gathered from the public meetings. Obstacles as far as existing trails and sidewalks were discussed(trails that end with no connection,intersections with difficult crossings,etc.) as well as shifting people's mindset by"way finding,"using signage,maps and events to enhance the overall experience. Leatham then asked for comments from the Commission. T'he Commission suggested having more striped crosswalks and also mentioned that cars tppically do not stop for pedestrians waiting at crosswalks. Installing pedestrian-activated signs at some crosswalks was suggested. The intersections at Hwy 3/Connemara Trl and Hwy 3/Co Rd 42 are two of the biggest challenges as far as safe crossing. Schultz asked if Leatham could provide examples of how crosswalks would be striped. He felt that it was important that we ate consistent in marking all crosswalks,as well as remarking them after street overlays. Schultz asked that a list of"general best practices"be created to be used as a guideline,and that an explanation be included as to why crossings are marked in different ways. There was discussion about sidewalk/trail maintenance practices,including plowing in the winter,sweeping loose gravel,etc. Talking to representatives from surrounding cities and Dakota County to find out their plans for trails and where we may possibly be able to connect with their trails was also discussed (Lebanon Hills Park,Parkview Golf Course,Camp Sacajawea,and the Apple Valley Zoo). Leatham pointed out a"focus area"in Rosemount where there are barriers to schools,parks,the Community Center and downtown,especially from the north. She mentioned that people are having trouble getting places due to gaps in trail/sidewalk connections. Our short term goal is to fill these gaps. We also need to clarify whether bikers should be on sidewalks ox streets. The Commission mentioned that the crossing signal at Shannon Pkwy/Co Rd 42 is not long enough to allow people to get across the intersection. Eisold also asked that we keep county-wide access in mind,and try to incorporate connections to Farmiiigton,Northfield,etc.,and also that commuters are looking for the most direct route availa,ble. Leatham will incorporate the suggestions discussed at the meeting into the framework map. Per Schultz,an update on this item will be brought back to the May 24 Commission meeting,and a second open house will be held on June Z. Strayton had to leave the meeting. - 1 - PARKS � RECREATION COMMISSION Special Meeting Minutes April 26, 2010 7. NEW BUSINESS: a. Director's Report-The park improvement fund balance as of March 31,2010 was$1,478,417.82. Interest was$91.08. No parks dedication fees or grants were received. There were egpenditures of $961.04 for Charlie's Park and FMR Reimbursable Grant. Partnership Opportunities—Staff recendy met with representatives from District 917 and the CAP agency regarding the following partnering opportunities: District 917-We had hoped to partner with District 917 for field use,but their fields are currendy in rough shape. We may be able to work out an agreement where the City would provide maintenance in eachange for field use. We will continue to work on this partnership. Biscayne Park—Biscayne Park,next to the CAP agenry,has been underutilized and staff approached the CAP agenry several years ago regarding a parking lot use partnership/agreement so that we could use Birch Park for more acitivities. Nothing was ever finalized. Recently,the CAP agenry has discussed adding a community garden around their building. We may be able to work out an agreement to allow for this in eachange for use of their parking lot. Eliason expressed concern about giving up park space,and that balls going into the garden area could be an issue. Schultz will bring an update on both of these items back to the next Commission meeting. Additional Items- Field Fee Survey—Schultz reviewed the Field Fee Survey results and there was discussion on the various fees collected in other cities. Fees included resident and non-resident per participant fees,per hour use fees,tournament fees and various other charges. The fees varied widely from city to city. Basically,cities are charging these fees to try to offset some of the costs associated with field use. Schultz will be meeting with Rosemount Area Athletic Association representatives this Friday to discuss this further. RAAC Agreement—Schultz had just received an agreement from the Rosemount Area Arts Council (RA.AC). This item will be discussed at a future meeting when everyone has had more time to review the agreement. 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Bartz to adjourn the meeting. SECOND by Eisold. Apes: 4 Nays:0 Motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 933 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Sonja Honl, Recording Secretary -2 -