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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-19-2012 Parks Commission Packet CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PARKS COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA Monday, November 19, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Autumn Hills Park I. Call to Order II. Approval of Agenda (1) III. Approval of Parks Commission Minutes October 17, 2012 IV. Department / Commission Liaison Reports A. Arborist B. Public Works Director C. Other / Commission Liaison Report 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 None VII. New Business None VIII. Old Business (2) A.Discuss Summary of October 17, 2012 Public Meeting B.Discuss Survey Data IX. Informational A.Next Meeting: Monday, December 17, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. X. Adjourn THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK )RGP CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PARKS COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at Boutwells Landing I. Call to Order: Chair Hauble called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m. Present: Vice Chair Eder and Commissioner Melin; City Administrator Johnson, Public Works Director Kegley, Arborist Widin, andCommission Liaison McComber. Absent: Commissioners Krieger and Viers. II. Adjourn to Public Meeting Worksession Autumn Hills Park Improvement Discussion: City Administrator Johnson reviewed the results received to date from the park survey on the Chair Hauble opened the meeting to public comment. Comments were made about areas of invasive weeds, cracks in the trail system, the condition of staircase in Autumn Hills Park, park ponds, bench locations, ice on trails, and summer park programs. Resident Marlon Rygh presented his request for tree planting at Autumn Hills Park. Residents requested that the City consider various species to provide color. III. Reconvene Regular Meeting IV. Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Melin, seconded by Vice Chair Eder, moved to approve the Agenda. Carried 3-0. V. Approval of Parks Commission Minutes September 17, 2012:Vice Chair Eder, seconded by Chair Hauble, moved to approve the Minutes. Carried 3-0. VI. Department/Commission Liaison Reports: A.Arborist:Arborist Widin reported that a tree removal and pruning list was out for bid at that time. She stated she was also working on a list for ash tree removal. Widin encouraged residents to water plants, shrubs, and trees, particularly those planted within the last five years. B. Public Works Director:Public Works Director Kegley reported that the City of Oak Park Heights was not chosen as a recipient of a national graffiti prevention grant. Kegley reported that park shelters were closed for the season and portable toilets were placed at the parks. He stated that the Brekke Park improvements such as the concrete tee pads, water line relocation, and ADA ramps were in progress. Kegley reported that the Public Works Department would be advertising for winter park attendants. He stated a recommendation for candidates should be available at the next Parks Commission meeting. C. Other / Commission Liaison Reports: Commission Liaison McComber reported that she provided City Administrator Johnson with information on a grant opportunity that involved the parks. Chair Hauble, seconded by Vice Chair Eder, moved to approve the Department/Commission Liaison Reports. Carried 3-0. 3DUNV&RPPLVVLRQ0LQXWHV 2FWREHU 3DJHRI VII. Visitors/Public Comment:None VIII. Public Hearings: None IX. New Business: None X. Old Business: A.Discuss Survey Data and Public Meeting:Chair Hauble reported that the Parks Commission held a public meeting that evening and reviewed the survey results at that time. Hauble stated they would run the survey for at least another month and would have results at that time. XI. Informational: A. Next Meeting: Monday, November 19, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall B. Council Representative: Thursday, October 23, 2012Commissioner Krieger X. Adjournment: Vice Chair Eder, seconded by Commissioner Melin, moved to adjourn at 6:54 p.m. Carried 5-0. Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Pinski Deputy Clerk )RGP City of Oak Park Heights 14168 Oak Park Blvd N. Box 2007 Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Phone (651) 439-4439 Fax 439-0574 COMMUNITY MEETING DISCUSSION SUMMARY This summary outlines actionable and provides a brief status report on suggested items to improve Autumn Hills Park as discussed at the October 17, 2012 community meeting held at Boutwells Landing. Burdock bushes and Dead Elm Tree Removal Request Residents reported that a section of Autumn Hills Park is infested with Burdock bushes and within the area there are dead Elm trees that need to be removed. Action Taken P.W. staff mowed the burdock bushes and will continue to maintain the area until burdocks no longer return. The section will likely require a tilling and grass planting in the spring of 2013. The Elm Trail Cracks Trail cracks occur along the entire trail system; however overgrown brush tree roots have th likely contributed to sooner cracking and more severe cracking on the trail system between 58 Street N and Norwich PKY. The P.W. does have in its operational budget money set aside to make repairs to the trail system. This trail section should receive first priority. Action Taken I made a field (site) inspection and took photos of the trail section. The complaint or suggestion to repair the trail is legitimate. Repair work can be completed in 2013. Repairs will likely consist of crack sealing and complete removal and patching of severely damaged areas. Dredge the Pond South of the Bridge Residents were concerned that the water level of the pond south of the bridge is far to low to support natural habitats. As discussed at the meeting the cause of a low water level is likely due to low amounts of precipitation throughout 2012. The City does not intend to dredge the pond south of the bridge in the near future. Action Taken None. As discussed, at the meeting, the pond is a natural pond and receives flow from precipitation runoff. The water level is low because of low amounts of precipitation. TREE CITY U.S.A. Concern of Icy Walks During Winter Residents suggested the trails can get slippery during the winter month which is a true statement. The P.W. department makes a solid, honest effort to keep all trail sections clear of snow and ice throughout the winter within days of a snow event. When icy trail sections are discovered, action is taken to resolve the potential hazard usually by hand spreading salt on the trail. Unfortunately the City cannot monitor every foot of the eight (8) mile trail system on a constant basis. The residents at Boutwells suggested that the City place salt bins on the trail system so a trail/park patron could salt the walk if needed. Action Taken Two salt bins were purchased and installed on the north and south sides of the trails section th between 58street N and Norwich Parkway. P.W. will restock the salt inside the tubs if necessary. Discussion/ Question of Mowed Grass Some residents questioned a recent mowing whereby the hill that connects Autumn Hills to the Boutwells property. The field/hill was mowed to promote growth of staggered wild flowers and will not be mowed on a regular basis. Action Taken None to date. The plan was to spread grass seed in patchy growth areas, otherwise the hill will be left to grow naturally as intended. Pond Weeds There was a comment regarding pond weeds and an inquiry as to pond maintenance to remove the weeds. The City P.W. department does not currently control weeds in natural ponds. Action Taken None to date Add Trees to Shade Benches Residents would like to see more shade trees over benches throughout the park. Action Taken None to date; however this request will be considered whenmarking new planting locations at Bench Placement Several residents agreed that at least two benches are place poorly, in that they face south when the view of the park is north. Action Taken None to date. Public works will move the benches or turn them around to face a park view in the spring of 2013. 2 TREE CITY U.S.A. Autumn Hills Stair Case System is on the south west side of the park. Several residents commented that improvement is needed in stairs maintenance. Public works tended to this suggestion immediately. Most of the maintenance required was in overgrown pine tree branches and willow tree branches at the base of the stairs and well onto the City trail system. The stairs themselves are constructed of interconnected composite timbers and the stair steps are filled with compacted 3/4 minus lime rock. The stairs are solidly built and in excellent condition. Some of the comments to better maintain the stairs may have stemmed from small weed growth out of the lime rock coupled with the brush overgrowth at the bottom of the stairs. Action Taken Public Works cleared the brush and branches at the base of the stairs and weed whipped the This stair case is typically not shoveled steps. No further action was necessary in fall 2012. in the winter. The City will begin to shovel the stair case leading to the plowed trail system immediately. At a public works staff meeting it was brought to my attention that the original plan when the stairs were constructed, was to fill in the step frames with concrete the project to be completed and it never occurred. This is something P.W. should consider accomplishing during 2013. Additional Tree Planting Residents suggested that the City plant various bushes such as dogwood to add color to the park especially around the ponds. Staff or the commission could consult with Kathy Widin to discuss options and possibilities. Action Taken None to date. 3 TREE CITY U.S.A. THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK