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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-18-07 Parks Packet CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PARKS COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA Monday, June 18, 2007 FILE COPY 5.•00 p.m. - Worksession with Xcel Energy to discuss Moelter Site Devleopment. Meet at Phil's Tara Hideaway, 15021 60` Street North. 5.30 p.m. - Worksession to Discuss Park Capital Improvements @ City Hall 6.•30 p.m. - Regular Parks Commission Meeting @ City Hall I. Call To Order H. Approval of Agenda III. Approve Parks Commission Minutes — May 21, 2007 (1) IV. Department /Commission Liaison Reports 1. Arborist 2. Public Works Director (2) 3. Other /Commission Liaison Reports V. Visitors /Public Comment This is an opportunity for the public to address the Commission with questions or concerns not on the agenda. Please limit comments to three minutes. VI. Public Hearings VII. New Business I. Swager Park Improvements/Potential Actions on Worksession Items VIII. Old Business 1. Autumn Hills Park Shelter Update 2. Oakgreen Avenue Trail Extension — South of 56 Street IX. Informational 1. Upcoming Meeting: Monday, July 16, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. @ City Hall Council Representative: July — Commissioner Wagner August — Commissioner Zeuli 2. Party in the Park — Brekke Park, August 7, 2007 — 5:00 to 9:00 P.M. (3) X. Adjourn Yqv3 311 This Page Is Left Intentionally Blank pave- CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PARKS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, May 21, 2007 I. Call to Order: Chair Dougherty called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Present: Commissioners Estes and Wagner, Public Works Director Ozzello, Arborist Widin, and Commission Liaison McComber. Absent: Commissioners Nelson and Zeuli. II. Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Estes, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the Agenda. Carried 3 — 0. III. Approve Parks Commission Minutes — April 16. 2007: Commissioner Estes, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to approve the meeting minutes. Carried 3 — 0. IV. Department /Commission Liaison Reports 1. Arborist: Arborist Widin stated she is receiving more calls and will make site visits upon request to answer questions about pests and diseases. This is a service provided by the City. She reported that boulevard tree planting is usually done in August. If there are any residents that would like a tree, call City Hall by June 15. She will make a visit to make sure if trees will fit and provide a choice of trees. She reported that she will be starting a tree inventory of the parks for pruning, looking for trees at risk, and will go to the natural areas as well. Commissioner Wagner moved, seconded by Commissioner Estes, to accept the report. Carried 3 -0. 2. Public Works Director: Public Works Director Ozzello reported on the park walkthrough and will have a complete list for the next meeting. He reported the hiring of two park attendants that started over the weekend, and stated that they had received training. He will be getting a list together of tasks and jobs as time allows. He reported the completion of the Linear Trail, the Swager Park parking lot, and other trails. He reported the enclosure of the work performed by Public Works at Brekke Park. Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commissioner Estes, moved to accept the report. Carried 3 -0. 3. Other / Commission Liaison Reports: Commission Liaison McComber reported that at the last meeting she presented ideas for the 150 Anniversary of the City. The celebration has been, cancelled, and instead the Party in the Park /National Night Out event will be held on August 7, 2007. She asked that if any Commissioners are interested in helping, please contact Jennifer at City Hall. V. Visitors /Public Comment: None. VI. Public Hearings: None. VII. New Business: 1. Swager Park and Trail Improvements: Administrator Johnson reported that the trails and the Swager Park parking lot are completed. He advised the Commission that Parks Commission Minutes May 21, 2007 Page 2 of 4 there is still money left in their budget to be used this year. He stated that now that the parks walkthrough has been completed, they could prioritize their goals for this year. Discussion ensued to set a worksession prior to the next Commission meeting on June 18, 2007. Commissioner Estes moved, seconded by Commissioner Wagner to set a worksession. Carried 3 -0. Administrator Johnson further reported that he is awaiting documentation from Andersen for the trail. Commissioner Estes questioned if there is a punch list, noting that there is a gap where the new pavement meets the curb. The City Engineer will check prior to final payment. 2. Report on Brekke Park Improvements — Ball Field Renovation.: Public Works Director Ozzello pointed out the handout enclosed in the packet, and stated he wanted the Commission to know there was a lot of work done this year: they renovated the ball fields and brought in a lot of rock. He suggested the Commission visit the ball fields to see that the fields are something to be proud of. 3. Acquisition of Property Adjoining Brekke Park: Administrator Johnson reported that the City Council entered negotiation for acquisition of the property on Osgood as indicated by the map included in the packet. He stated the City had an opportunity to acquire the property, which is for sale by owner, and that the there is an agreement. Discussion ensued about use of the area, the addition to Brekke Park, and a use for the existing structure. Administrator Johnson stated that those issues are all for future discussion. He stated the City hopes to close on the purchase by the end of June. There is a need for a Phase I analysis and the well needs to be capped, but that those issues have been secured for future park expansion. Commissioner Wagner questioned the land use. He questioned whether it could be used for a new city hall, for example. Administrator Johnson reported that the funds for the purchase came from the Park Dedication Fund. If the area is to be used for anything other than a park, the Park Dedication Fund would need to be reimbursed. There was discussion regarding a trail connection from the acquired land across to Valley View Park. This will be discussed at a future meeting. VIII. Old Business: 1. Moelter Fly Ash Park Update — Discussion with Darrell Knutson: Darrell Knutson was present to report on the update of the Moelter site. He stated he is now retired from Xcel and is now a consultant with McCain and Associates. He gave background, stating that discussions regarding this site go back to the late 90s, and that the issue has been on, and has sometimes fallen off, the map. Xcel has discussed what would be the best park use. There will be a pavilion near Phil's Tara Hideaway, a parking lot and access using the plans for the Stillwater Crossing and ��y� ° f 16 Parks Commission Minutes May 21, 2007 Page 3 of 4 frontage road extension. There would be a band shell in the lower southwest corner of the property that could possibly be used as a practice area for music classes from the schools. He stated they looked at putting in a scenic overlook that science classes could use to view Perro Creek and wildlife. Mr. Knutson stated that he learned in the past twelve months that the city does not have funds to cooperate. Since Xcel will be taking this on alone, it will probably be done in three phases. Mr. Knutson said the pavilion and parking lot could be done next year, the band shell the following year, and the lookout the year after that. He stated that it needs to go through three passes, and it has gone through the first. He expressed a need for a worksession with the Commission. The project needs to have the blessing of the Commission. Xcel can schedule work as soon as funding is available. Commissioners discussed setting the worksession for 5:00 prior to the next regular meeting. They will meet at Phil's Tara Hideaway and look over the site for Xcel to understand placement of amenities, and then they will return to the regular meeting at City Hall. Commissioner Estes, seconded by Commissioner Wagner, moved to set a worksession. Carried 3 -0. 2. Autumn Hills Park Shelter Update: Administrator Johnson reported to the Commission what work has been completed. Commissioners had just completed the walkthrough of the park prior to the commencement of the meeting. Administrator Johnson stated he still hopes that the project will complete and ready to open by June 15, 2007. 3. Oakgreen Ave. Trail Extension — South of 56 Street: Commission Liaison McComber reported that the Council had previously looked at the extension of the Linear trail further south, but did not include it at this time. She stated there were a few questions from residents during City Cleanup whether the trail would be extended and asked the Commissioners for their thoughts on future trail connections and how residents further to the south, such as Oakgreen Place, could safely access the trail. Chuck Hedlund, 13991 56 Street North, thanked the Mayor, who had provided him with a map showing his property lines. He said this had been discussed over several years. He does not want the trail next to his home for personal reasons. He thinks the trail is a great idea and he likes to use it, but does not want an 8 -foot trail next to his home. Administrator Johnson explained the City right -of -way and that a trail can be accommodated in the right -of -way. Discussion ensued regarding safe connections to the south, excessive speed on Oakgreen Avenue, and future trail connections. Commissioners will visit the area Parks Commission Minutes May 21, 2007 Page 4 of 4 prior to their next regular meeting and discuss at that time. They will possibly make a recommendation to the Council. The Commission will discuss the trails as part of the update of the City's Comprehensive Plan. IX. Informational: 1. Upcoming Meetine Monday, June 18, 2007 Worksession at 5:00 p.m. at Phil's Tara Hideaway east parking lot Worksession at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall Regular Parks Commission Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall 2. Council Representative: May — Commissioner Estes June — Commissioner Nelson 3. Tree City USA Press Release: Arborist Widin reported to the Commission that the City had again won the Tree City U.S.A. award and the press release is enclosed in their packet. Commission Liaison McComber stated that the League of Minnesota Cities publishes a quarterly magazine and that an article highlighting the award to the City would be appropriate. The Commissioners concurred. X. Adjournment: Commissioner Wagner, seconded by Commission Estes, moved to adjourn at 7:15 p.m. Carried 3 -0. Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Thoen Administrative Secretary /Deputy Clerk Buberl Brush Waste Disposal 2006 2007 Yards Mar, 2006 54.00 Mar, 2007 0.00 0 Apr, 2006 15.00 Apr, 2007 348.00 58 May, 2006 12.00 May, 2007 375.00 62.5 Jun, 2006 208.50 to Jun 14,2007 249.00 41.5 Jul, 2006 30.00 0 Aug, 2006 234.50 0 Sep, 2006 63.00 0 Oct, 2006 60.00 0 Nov, 2006 78.00 0 Total 2006 755.00 YTD Total 2007 972.00 162 Cubic Yards 106 Cubic Yards 162 Rest in Dirt and Compost 50% more so far than all Of 2006 our dump truck holds 2 to 3 cubic yards piled v Q e . R.a This Page Is Left Intentionally Blank pale 8 © la R Memo* ENCLo&jM 3 To: Parks Commissioners, Arborist, and Public Works Director From: Jennifer Thoen, Administrative Secretary Date: June 14, 2007 Re: Parry in the Park Plans are underway for this year's Party in the Park. The event will be held on National Night Out, Tuesday, August 7, 2007 from 5:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m. at Brekke Park. As in the previous years, the City will be serving food, beverages, and snow cones. There will be an inflatable obstacle course, games, prizes, and music to encourage all ages to attend. We are also planning to have face painting and balloon art for the children. The event will include a raffle with prizes such as bicycles, helmets, gift certificates, and other family- friendly items. I would like for members of the Parks Commission and Planning Commission to be present at this year's Party in the Park. The idea is to have a location for the Commissions and the City Department they work closest with (i.e. Parks with Public Works). This may be a table or something as simple as a couple of chairs and a shade umbrella. The objective is to keep it simple and establish a presence for residents to stop by and ask questions. Ideally, the booth/table will be staffed by the Commission and City staff at intervals so that everyone gets to be involved with the community connection and also be free to spend some time away enjoying the party's other activities. If anyone would like to volunteer for a specific period of time at the booth/table, or has any other ideas for the party in general, please contact me at jthoen @cityofoakparkheights.com or call me at (65 1) 439 -4439. I look forward to hearing from you! 1 This Page Is Left Intentionally Blank