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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 06-24-02Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting June 24, 2002 Approved Members Present: Mike Eliason, Phil Sterner, Jason Scribner, Mark Jacobs and Eric Johnson. Members Absent: none Staff Present: Dan Schultz, Director of Parks and Recreation Others Present: Cathy Busho, Mayor Presentation of Oath of Office to Eric Johnson by Mayor Busho. Call to Order: Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7: 00 p.m. Additions to the agenda: Director’s Report Biscayne Point Fourth Addition Update - Trail Issue at Evermore Approval of the May 20, 2002 minutes: Motion by Eliason to approve the minutes of May 20, 2002. Second by Scribner. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Clarification of New Business item 7a. regarding acreage price – should be $50,000 per acre. MOTION by Eliason SECOND by Sterner. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Audience Input: none Discussion: none Old Business Skate Park Task Force Update - Staff gave an update of what is happening regarding the skate park. It has been approximately a year since interest in the project was first addressed. During the past few weeks a survey has been done and meetings have been held to gather input and answer questions, review designs and discuss the cost. Staff showed a video on skate parks that showcased the different design options available using modules that can be easily moved and reconfigured. At the Monday, June 17, 2002 Skate Park Task Force Meeting, Staff asked the Task Force to bring a recommendation to the Commission. The kids who are interested in the skate park have also been encouraged to attend the Parks and Recreation Commission meetings to show their support. After review of the survey results and much discussion, the Task Force recommendation to the Commission is for $25,000 for a Tier I Skate Park at Central Park. There would be no fencing, staffing/supervision, and we would just post the hours for use. Staff stated that a paved surface is needed before moving forward with the purchase of equipment for the skate park. Contacting local businesses for donations to pave the Central Park rink was discussed. Most kids thought they would use the park two days a week; the second most frequent answer was seven days a week. Central Park and Erickson Park were the two top choices for the skate park. “Anywhere” was the third highest response. Central Park seemed to be the best fit, the ice rink could be paved, the area is lighted, and it’s close to the Police Department. Staff provided diagrams of several possible designs and the cost for each. The equipment cost estimate for a basic Tier I skate park was $12,000; prices increased with the addition of more space and equipment. We could start with a Tier I park and as use increased, the equipment could be upgraded. Use of Schwarz Pond as a skate park site was discussed. Noise, lighting, and the distance from the road so that kids would be harder to monitor, were all issues at this site. Eliason expressed concern about doing the project “half way” to begin with. The potential for conflicts between older and younger kids using the park and police calls to deal with these conflicts, and the potential 911/medical calls due to injuries, would tie up Police Department staff. Eliason stated that the skate park should be supervised. Sterner commented that ownership was an issue. It is a non-conformist activity – would kids use a skate park? Scribner expressed concern about a Tier I skate park at Schwarz Pond Park. Staff agreed that this location could cause concerns with future residents in the development near the park. Staff stated that the extension of Connemara Trail will change the look of the site. Eliason stated that with the tunnel, Schwarz Pond Park would be a good location, although there is no access at this time. Eliason and Johnson stated that kids don’t tend to come to meetings, so don’t worry too much that they didn’t attend this Commission meeting. Johnson asked about possible peak hour staffing of the skate park. Staff stated that this has been discussed. Staff provided a map of the new development going in near Schwarz Pond Park and the future look of this area without the large number of trees that are currently a buffer between the two areas. Jacobs questioned what the hours of use would be. Staff stated that regular park hours of 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. would apply to the skate park. Jacobs asked about competition with other communities. Staff stated that there is little use at the competitive level, but Third Lair Skate Park is very interested in helping communities with competitions and would bring in pros for competitions. Most kids aren’t interested in being competitive, though. Jacobs asked if we build a Tier I skate park, will people be going to Tier II parks in other cities, and would our facility be competitive with other cities. Staff stated that more may go to the Tier I park especially younger kids. Older kids may go the Tier II parks. Scribner stated that older kids will probably use the park more in the evening. Johnson asked who our target audience is for the skate park and how does it fulfill the needs of the community. Staff replied that it is the teen and pre-teen youth. Jacobs asked for direction or motion on this item. Sterner again stated that kids need to feel ownership to get something started. Staff stated that if we do anything in the hockey rink, we will have to pave it first and that RAHA donated some money for paving the first rink. The Commission asked for information on other skate parks in the area such as usage, age of participants, etc. There were questions regarding fencing, supervision, access to skate park, injuries, lighting, getting matching funds, and the number of Tier I and Tier II parks in the area. Jacobs asked for additional information including a breakdown of fencing and asphalt costs, the breakdown of the basic costs for Tier I and Tier II skate parks, fixed and variable costs incurred by other communities and what they charge for use, facility usage levels in other communities, and an update regarding the possibility of a private company developing a skate park at the Knowlan's site. Jason Scribner to ask for more information before acting on the skate park. Staff will put together a report with input from other Parks and Recreation Directors who have developed skate parks for the next Commission meeting. Large Public Gathering on City Parkland Ordinance – Staff recommended that the City Council amend this ordinance to change the number of possible participants that triggers the ordinance to take effect from 500 to 1,200 people. This would eliminate the Council being inundated with applications for events anticipating fewer that 1,200 participants. Staff will continue to monitor smaller events and notify the Police Department of events as has been done in the past. Sterner stated that while 500 participants may be too low, 1,200 may be too high. He suggested 1,000 participants as a more reasonable number. Staff stated that would be fine. Staff explained the process of applying for the permit and the need for review of permits on an individual basis to address issues such as security needs, parking, clean up, portable toilets, etc., depending on the size of the group. MOTION by Sterner to recommend that the City Council amend the Large Public Gathering on City Parkland Ordinance to change the participant trigger number from 500 to 1,000. SECOND – None. MOTION by Eliason to recommend that the City Council amend the Large Public Gathering on City Parkland Ordinance to change the participant trigger number from 500 to 1,200. SECOND by Scribner Ayes: 4 Nays: 1 (Sterner) New Business Subdivision Ordinance – Review – Park Dedication Fees were discussed at last month’s meeting and there was a recommendation to increase the commercial and industrial park dedication amounts from 5% to 10% based on what other communities are doing. This item would require an amendment to the Subdivision Ordinance and would need Council approval. Staff requested that the Commission review the Subdivision Ordinance to see if they feel any other changes relating to parks might be necessary. How this relates to churches and the impact of churches on parks and ball fields was discussed. Staff stated that there have been court cases in the past that can be used to base our decisions on. Staff will get information from churches in other cities. It was agreed to discuss the ordinance and take the motion to the City Council after the next Commission meeting. Pine Bend Trail Overlook – Proposals for Service – In 1999, the City received a grant from the Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEP) Committee to build an interpretive trail for bikers and walkers near the Mississippi River and within the Mississippi National River Recreation Area (MNRRA). The grant monies are being held by a third party until the City requests reimbursement for funds spent towards the project. The funds received are to be used toward the design and construction of the trail. Staff has received two proposals for the project, one from the Friends of the Mississippi and the other from HTPO, a consulting firm that specializes in engineering, surveying, landscaping and architecture. Both firms were given general information about the project and asked for a price for designing the trail and all of its amenities. The Friends of the Mississippi quotes a price of 17, 460, and HTPO provided a quote of $16,000. The quote by Friends of the Mississippi provides for all costs and includes contingencies. The quote by HTPO does not include funding for customary reimbursable expenses. Staff recommended using Friends of the Mississippi based on their reputation, their vast knowledge of the river and their familiarity with landowners and businesses along the river, as well as their good working relationship with Flint Hills Resources. MOTION by Johnson to recommend approving the contracting with the Friends of the Mississippi to design the Pine Bend Trail Overlook for an amount not to exceed $17,460. SECOND by Eliason. Jacobs asked if there was any further discussion. Busho stated that there was a discrepancy in dollar amount between Friends of the Mississippi Proposed Project Budget - $17,460 and the Executive Summary For Action - $17,640. Jacobs clarified the motion - the correct amount is $17,460. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Director’s Report – Biscayne Point Fourth Addition – The City will be receiving an additional acre of parkland and collect cash on parcels from land just acquired for this addition. This item will brought back to the Commission in July. Trail Issue at Evermore – Concerns have been expressed by homeowners regarding the trail that was originally proposed. Staff had met in 2001 with school personnel and with the developer to work out this trail. A piece of the trail was dropped from the plan. The developer thought it was swapped. Staff read from the minutes of the September 25, 2001 meeting regarding this issue. One or two homeowners are very upset by the loss of trees and privacy. There has apparently been miscommunication between the developer, the sales office and the homeowner. The Commission felt the trail was important when it was originally discussed. The developer has been given the opportunity to change this trail Staff will meet with the developer to discuss the change to the PUD agreement. This change must go before the City Council. Sterner stated that the intent of the trail was to get kids to the school.. Bloomfield – Fencing - Scribner asked about the fencing issue at Bloomfield that was discussed at last month’s meeting. Staff stated that risk management personnel had looked at the site and felt it would be in the City’s best interest to fence the area. 8. Adjournment: MOTION by Sterner to adjourn the meeting. SECOND by Scribner. The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0