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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 27, 2012 min City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission June 27, 2012 Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Eileen Evans; Tom Greenhalgh; Stan Hoium; Kevin McDonald; David Payne; Marsha Stroik Staff Present: Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Gary Peterson, Mayor; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Deanna Saefke, Secretary APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA Evans asked about whether or not dogs are allowed at Silver Lake Beach in the swimming beach area. Hansen stated that it is a City Ordinance that dogs are not allowed in the swimming beach area. He indicated if the Commission wanted to add signage to state that it could be done, but it would only be enforced at a low level of priority. Evans asked if it is acceptable for Commission Members to approach people at the parks. Hansen replied that as a public citizen they can inform people of the rules or policies within the parks. Motion by Hoium, second by Payne, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. LETTERS AND REQUESTS None at this time. OLD BUSINESS A. Sullivan Lake smoking and bike use policy. Windschitl reminded the Commission about the history with a resident concern with Medtronic employees smoking near the Sullivan Lake trail. Medtronic has issued a campaign for employees with concern to park users. Windschitl has been in contact with the resident and with multiple employees at Medtronic to work out what he believes will be a solution to fit all parties involved. Hoium asked what the exact issue is with the smoking. Windschitl replied that the resident’s concern is while walking on the path the smokers are on or next to the path and walkers need to go through the smoke. Stroik indicated there is not a no smoking ordinance in any area of the park other than the ones indicated where youth activities may occur. Windschitl agreed and indicated to both parties involved that he does not want to put additional signs in the park area. Hoium stated that there is no policy that indicates you cannot smoke near the park trails. Windschitl agreed that if any additional policy or changes to the current tobacco free policy were to occur it would be voted on by the Commission. Hansen indicated that the other concern from this resident was regarding use of bikes on the trials. Current guidelines from MNDot on a combined usage trail recommend a trail to be ten feet wide. Hansen stated that none of the trails within City parks are ten feet wide. The trail at Sullivan Lake on the north loop is separated in two five foot wide trails and then combines to an eight foot wide trail around the rest of the park. The resident has had incidents where bikes are coming close to pedestrians and potential for incidents. There is no ordinance that regulates bicycles in or on the trials; there is guidance from MNDot, but no enforceable ordinance. The other issue is that when regulations are put in place with no ability to enforce the City incurs liability issues. Hansen stated that the parks and trails are a use at your own risk area. In 2003 or 2004 an analysis was taken of all the signage at Sullivan Lake Park, it was at that time decided by the Park & Recreation Commission to remove many of the signs due to sign proliferation. Park & Recreation Commission June 27, 2012 Page 2 Peterson asked if there was a line down the middle of the trail. Hansen replied no. He indicated that there are possibly conflicting signs around the park and suggested for them to be updated. Stroik replied that any no smoking or no biking signage doesn’t belong in the park unless the City is going to make that a policy. Hansen replied that if the Commission did want to move forward with any regulations it would go through to the City Council as an ordinance. For any type of signage to be enforceable the only group responsible for that type of authority would be the police. Education and etiquette can be shared, but park users are there at their own risk. McDonald replied that this type of situation with bike users and walkers happen at all kinds of parks throughout the state. Payne asked if there is ten feet of space around Sullivan Lake for a trail. Hansen replied that the ten feet wide trail is a guidance, however if the trail was on a state aide road it would be requirement. He indicated that Sullivan Lake Park will be due for some trail maintenance and work in the future as there are roots coming up through the trail. Motion by Payne, second by Greenhalgh, that the Park & Recreation Commission does not recommend any new signage at Sullivan Lake Park and removal of old signage with outdated information. Motion amended by Hoium, second by Payne, that there is no violation of the Tobacco Free Policy in this particular instance for Sullivan Lake Park. Motion carried. Upon vote: All ayes. NEW BUSINESS A. Adopt a Park: Policy Development Hansen reported that a general policy was created. He asked the Commission to review the generic policy and report back at the next meeting with any comments or changes. The purpose of the Adopt a Park policy will be to help keep the parks clean and to have help in reporting any damages at the parks. Hansen passed out a copy of the general Adopt a Park policy and an introductory letter for those who give a one year commitment to the Adopt a Park program. Evans stated that it is important to go out to the parks on a regular basis and more than 3 times per season. Hansen replied that it would be discussed on how frequent the park should be cleaned. He indicated that it would be phrased to have a park clean up in the beginning of the spring season to pick up the winter garbage prior to seasonal cutting and that the frequency of the cleanup might be phrased as a minimum of three times per year. Hansen will discuss the policy at the next scheduled meeting. McDonald asked if any groups have shown interest in the program. Hansen replied that eight to ten groups have expressed interest and six or seven parks have been requested. Windschitl indicated there have been questions if the City would be provided garbage bags and other supplies for these volunteer groups. Hansen replied that pickers, 5 gallon pails, bags and gloves if people want would be provided. Windschitl reported that there would be an article about the Adopt a Park program in the Heights Happenings City Newsletter. REPORTS A. Recreation Director Windschitl reported that on July 25 at 5:30 p.m. the Police Department will be having a neighborhood picnic and park rededication at Ramsdell Park. He asked if the Commission would be able to meet at 5:00 p.m. prior to the event for the regularly scheduled Park & Recreation Commission meeting. Park & Recreation Commission June 27, 2012 Page 3 B. Public Works Director/City Engineer None at this time. C. Commission Members Stroik asked if the park sign at Ostrander Park could be replaced. Hansen replied yes. Evans reported that the latch on the portable restroom at Silver Lake Beach is broken. Hansen replied that it will be reported to On-Site Sanitation. Evans adjourned the meeting at 5:58 p.m. to hold the LaBelle Park public meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the public safety building training room. PUBLIC MEETING A. LaBelle Park Public Meeting Hansen thanked the thirty residents for attending the meeting and introduced City Staff and the Park & Recreation Commission Members. He explained the process of park improvements and the master planning process. The aerial photograph showed the current conditions with an inventory and analysis of the park area. LaBelle Park also includes the Circle Terrace playground. Hansen also displayed two park concepts. This park is a passive park; the goal is to preserve the natural state of the park setting with no expansion. Hansen directed comments to be emailed to him, or made at the public library where the concepts will be displayed until July 15. Hansen discussed the two park concepts and proposed changes to LaBelle Park. Public Comments Will the path be re-graded? Will the boardwalk be removed or gates put in to block off the current area? Will trees be removed or brush removed to see the lake better? Where a portable nd restroom would be placed? The playground in concept 1 has the playground too close to 42 Avenue. In favor of removing the boardwalk area due to poor behavior in that area. The east side of the park along the Circle Terrace hill is filled with junk and can it be cleaned up? Remove the floating pier for maintenance and liability reasons. The plans look great and are happy that the City is making improvements at the park. Would like to see brush removed to have views of the lake. The geese are a problem along the trails. Cattails are taking over the water surface. Is there an issue with water quality or why would the well need to be sealed? There are weeds and burrs along the sides of the walking trail on the east side. Would like to see the removal of plant material in the lake. Would like to see an open green space for kids to play soccer, football or other type of lawn games. Will these improvements affect property taxes? Will any lighting be added? There are a lot of bad activities that occur, especially in the basketball court. Would the memorial be relocated? Would like to see removal of the rotted out boardwalk area before any improvements are made? Additional trees are not needed. Add grills and picnic tables. What is the plan for the sculpture? Hansen responded to the comments and concerns. He encouraged additional comments via email or leaving comments at the library until July 15. Hansen informed the group that the comments and input will be reviewed by the park planner, City Staff, and the Park & Recreation Commission. The City Council will then be presented with a final plan to vote on. He stated that the earliest construction would begin is in 2013 depending on funding. Source funding is from redevelopment within the City and typically not property taxes. Hansen adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m. ______________________________ Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II