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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 10-25 PRC Minutes PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Minutes October 25, 2010 APPROVED Members Presen� Maureen Bartz,Jason Eisold,Barb Farrell Members Absen� Mike Eliason,Kevin Strayton Staff PresenL Dan Schultz,Director of Parks and Recreation and Sonja Honl,Recording Secretary Student Volunteer. Stephen Sawyer Others PresenL John Mertens,Dakota County Planner 1. CALL TO ORDER: Eisold called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. 2. ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None. Per Schultz,meeting will start with New Business 7 a. to accommodate John Mertens,Dakota County Planner who was present to speak on the Greenway Guidebook 3. APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 27,2010 MEETING MINUTES: MOTION by Bartz to approve the minutes of the September 27,2010 meeting. SECOND by Farrell. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Motion passed. 4. AUDIENCE INPUT: None 5. DISCUSSION(Response to Audience Input): None 7. NEW BUSINESS: a. Dakota County Greenway Collaborative—Schultz gave a brief background on the Dakota County Greenway Collaborative and introduced John Mertens,Dakota,County Planner. Mertens handed out a"Dakota,County Greenway Collaborative: Guidelines Summary". T'he summary included a map of the county and a map of the City of Rosemount showing current and future greenways,connections, parks,etc. Mertens showed a video simulation of what the greenways might look like and reviewed the four public purposes that are key to the vision of the Greenway Guidebook: habitat,recrea,tion, water quality and transportation. He explained that the Guidebook is a shared vision for future greenways that was the result of a joint colla.boration between representa.tives from Dakota County and the cities of Apple Valley,Burnsville,Eagan,Farmington,Hastings,Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville,Mendota Heights,Rosemount,South St.Paul and West St.Paul. It is a guideline for the future as development occurs and funds become available for the greenways/trail connections in urban,suburban and rural areas of the county. Per Schultz,this item will be presented to the City Council in November. He will bring it back to the Commission in the future to discuss development of the project in our area. 6. OLD BUSINESS: a. Schwarz Pond Park—Wedand Mitigation—Schultz reviewed the old concept/grading plan and then reviewed the revised plan. He explained that the high school representatives had concerns with creating too much water and its nearness to the soccer fields (balls going into the water and kids going after them). Also,the DNR liked the original plan,but had concerns about the amount of concrete in the plan. T'he revised plan reduces the amount of water,has a better grading plan,allows for the addition of landscaping and a rainwater garden,and blends better with the active park area. The revised plan would also reduce the amount of fill hauled out and the amount of damage to the existing landscape and trail outside of the work area. Schultz reviewed a map of the area and pointed out a proposed trail that would bring people closer to the water,and where the pier would be built. He mentioned that Jill Stephenson,the mother of Ben Kopp,a soldier who was injured in Iraq and later died of his injuries,would like to include some type of inemorial in this area. Schultz pointed out where a proposed new trail from the Schwarz Pond Park parking lot could be built to replace the current footpath that has been closed due to erosion. He egplained that an updated grading plan will be going to the City Council with specifics for the project including grading,fishing pier,planting,trails,etc. The Comtnission asked about the trees that would be removed. Per Schultz,invasive species and buckthorn vcrill be removed,but many desirable mature trees will be lost.If we are able to keep trees we will and new landscaping will be part of the project for restoration of the site. The Commission asked if the new pond would be classified as a storm water pond and if the new pond would disturb the existing pond. Per Schultz the smaller,new pond will come under the same jurisdiction as Schwarz Pond and will operate in the same capacity. The esisting pond should - 1 - PARKS � RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Minutes October 25, 2010 not be affected by the project. Schultz also reviewed a drawing that showed where a storm water garden will filter runoff from the east and south sides closest to the trail. Eisold asked if it would be possible to add snow fencing to deter use of the footpath so we can repair the landscape in this area. Per Schultz we can do something to deter use,including plantings in the footpath that would deter traffic. MOTION by Farrell to recommend that the revised plan be presented to the City Council. SECOND by Bartz. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Motion passed. b. CIP Budget—Schultz reviewed a list of suggested future projects to be included in the CIP Budget T'he list of projects for 2011 included the UMore ball field project,improved signage at Carroll's Woods, looking into McMenomp Woods as a natural area,and trails and greenways. The addition of four tennis courts was included for 2012,as well as turf improvements at Biscayne Park. Schultz mentioned that we need to further study the need for additional tennis courts and possible locations for them. Schultz also reviewed possible projects for 2013 and beyond,including a joint athletic field project with St.Joseph's School,replacing the playground equipment at Erickson Park,adding a sun shelter at Bloomfield Park and covered benches at Charlie's Park tennis courts,replacing the shelter at Erickson Park,and egpanding the skate park. Possible items for sometime in the future (currently no funding rycle for these items)included a Hwy. 3 underpass,a Shannon Parkway underpass,and development of the F7int Hills Resources properiy. Future parks N-7 for 2013 and N-1 for 2014 are two of the negt neighborhood parks that could be built if development occurs in these areas. MOTION by Bartz to approve that the recommendations included in the Executive Summary be added to the CIP budget. SECOND by Farrell. Ayes: 3 Nays:0 Motion passed. 7. NEW BUSINESS: b. Arena Advertising—Information Monitots—The Rosemount Area Hockey Association (R.AHA) would like to install two advertising monitors in the ice arena and sell ads in order to raise revenue to help keep their costs down. Scheduling/locker room infortnation for groups using the arena could also be displayed on the monitors. They propose charging$700 per ad for up to 20 ads. RAHA would pay for the purchase and installation of the monitors,and internet service for them. They would then donate all of the equipment to the City. T'hey would like a grace period of two years to recover their installation costs,a,nd after that they would pay the City$500 per year. The Commission expressed concern about owning the equipment,and paying for its maintenance. Per Schultz,we would want the equipment to be owned by RAHA. The Commission asked if our staff would also be responsible for storing a lap top computer to be used to enter the information,and annual fees for the scheduling software. They were concerned about staff time to enter information,and that if there were problems,it would reflect on our staff and our facility. Schultz also mentioned that we already sell advertising wall panels in the arena to help offset some of our maintenance costs,and it is possible RAHA's advertising could affect our advertising revenue. A major concern is that we might lose advertising revenue and have to increase our ice fees to cover the loss. Based on the questions and concerns of the Commission,Schultz suggested that this item be temporaLtily tabled. He will discuss it with the City Attorney and City Administrator and bring more information back to the Commission. Schultz and the Commission thought it was important to have an"opt out"clause in the agreement with RAHA,that the City have approval of content(to make sure ads are family oriented),and that the Community Center should have a standing slot for advertising our programs and activities. Schultz also will find out more information (such as who owns the equipment) from other rinks that have this type of advertising. c. Director's Report—The park improvement fund balance as of September 30,2010 was $1,448,940.83. Park dedication fees of$168.51 were received in September for a lot split on five acres near Bonaire Path and the Akron Avenue area. There were no grants received in September. Interest for September was$168.51. There were no donations. Expenditures were$4,061 for park signs for Brockway Park and the disc golf course. Schultz informed the Commission that Kevin Strayton has verbally resigned from the Commission due to work demands. 8. ADJOURNMENT - MOTION by Bartz to adjoum the meeting. SECOND by Fa.rxell. Ayes: 3 Nays: 0 Motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Sonja Honl,Recording Secretary - 2 -