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Parks
and Recreation Commission
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Meeting
Minutes
March 5, 2013
PRESENT: Boehm,
Diedrick, Doneen, D. Holt, M. Holt, Ristow, Simbeck
ABSENT:
Azer and Wall notified staff ahead of time about being unable to attend
STAFF:
Anfang, Brokke
OTHERS: Mr.
Dave Fischer
1. INTRODUCTIONS/ROLL
CALL/PUBLIC COMMENT
None
2. APPROVAL OF
MINUTES – FEBRUARY 5, 2013 MEETING
Commission Recommendation: Minutes
for the February 5, 2013 meeting were approved unanimously.
Original meeting agenda was
altered to accommodate the late arrival of Verizon Wireless Representative.
3. FINALIZE 2013
MEETING CALENDAR
Commissioners agreed that a July
meeting most likely will be needed to stay current with Renewal Program
projects. The specific meeting date will be arranged after new Commissioners
are named.
4. COMMISSION
GOALS
Commissioners recognized the work
Diedrick and Simbeck have put into coordinating and finalizing Commission Goals
for 2013 and beyond.
·
Diedrick suggested pushing out the report back on volunteer
coordinators to the May meeting in an effort to collect as much information as
possible
·
Simbeck updated the commission on progress on Goal #6 and
exploration of a Park Board. Wall and Simbeck recently met with Brokke to
become more familiarized with the concept. A meeting has been set up with the
Maple Grove Board Chair for mid-March. Simbeck anticipates having more
information at the April meeting
·
D. Holt asked retiring commissioner Ristow to be a part of those
exploring the local option sales tax. Ristow agreed to continue his efforts to
recommend this process
Commission Recommendation:
Motion by Doneen, second by M.
Holt to accept the 2013 goals as presented and recognize Diedrick and Simbeck
for their work.
Motion passed unanimously.
5. RESERVOIR
WOODS PARK VERIZON WIRELESS PROPOSAL
Mr. Dave Fischer from Verizon Wireless
was present to discuss with Commissioners their latest proposal to add them as
a provider to the Reservoir Woods Park communications tower:
·
Verizon had set a timeline for an April 1 completion. Involved
parties had hoped to finalize agreements in March. Delays have been caused by the
need to obtain authorization from the St. Paul Water Board for legal access to
the tower from the asphalt trail on the North side of the old reservoir. Mr.
Fischer explained to the commission that he was looking to expedite
recommendations to City Council to accommodate the April 9th St.
Paul Water Board meeting. Specifically, he requested that the Commission
support using the footpath that is South of the old reservoir as an alternate
access route if the North access route was not approved.
o
D. Holt voiced his concern over the south access option if things
fall through with the Water Board. Providing access from the south is “kind of
a big deal”, it impacts the canopy; it will change a foot path into an access
road
·
Verizon talked about how the original structure designs have been
upgraded to provide a more aesthetically pleasing structure
o
Commissioners inquired into how Verizon will deal with graffiti
and the need for details on the standard for removing the graffiti (within a
set period of time)
o
Commissioners are interested in knowing how the building will be
made to look more natural to better fit with the natural décor
o
Commissioners spoke of concerns about putting the building on the
current path and how Verizon plans to maintain a pleasing environment for
walking
·
Fischer indicated that they will be going to the Planning
Commission in the next week to request a variance for a larger building than the
standard 200 sq. ft. that is allowed. This building will be 11’6 x 30’ to
accommodate an indoor generator and equipment
o
Commissioner Doneen asked for a clarification of the decibel
information provided and a general description of how loud the generator will
be. Mr. Fischer responded that it would be similar to a home air-conditioner
sound.
·
Fischer explained that Techs tend to be onsite 1-2 times each
month, generators are tested weekly. He noted that times can be set for the testing
and included in the agreement. He also suggested that landscaping requirements/considerations
will also be added to the agreement
·
Commissioners voiced a concern for the large butternut tree that
will be removed from the site to accommodate construction and would like to see
consideration for a “like tree” replacement elsewhere in the park
·
Commissioner Simbeck suggested a need to specifically identifying
path materials if an alternative access route were to be considered to the site.
Plans identify a crushed rock pathway while Simbeck felt a paved pathway will
be needed to accommodate vehicles
·
Simbeck also inquired into the relocation of underground lines
and utilities for construction and whether these will be replaced underground.
Fischer assured commissioners that anything relocated by construction would be
done in the same manner as it was found.
·
Commissioners suggested that if the South access route is
considered that it come back to the Commission for further discussion and
input.
Council Member McGehee joined the
table for discussion with Commission and Mr. Fischer:
·
McGehee recognized the thoroughness and the high level of
preparation by the Commission
·
McGehee questioned the fencing around the Verizon building and
asked about options other than a chain link fence
·
McGehee asked the Commission to consider future park buildings
that are different than other buildings in the City as well as the importance
of considering buildings that are unique to the park site.
·
McGehee also suggested revisiting the current zoning code for park
buildings and see what can be done to address the specific and restrictive
requirements. McGehee suggested more flexibility to make buildings unique to
their setting was important.
Commissioners commented that they
see Verizon as being responsible for the current push to have recommendations
and agreements with the City of Roseville fast-tracked. Commissioners voiced
their support of not recommending approval of the alternate south route because
more time was needed to discuss and that this may give the St. Paul Water Board
the option to decline Verizon’s upcoming request for access.
Commission Recommendation:
Motion by D. Holt to recommend general
approval to the City Council of the proposed structure and landscape plan as described
with an agreement to address and include identified issues such as planting of
vines on the fence/building, future landscape maintenance responsibilities,
graffiti management details, fencing specifics and the replacement of the mature
Butternut tree that is scheduled to come down with the project with a final
review of the plans and agreement by Parks and Recreation staff. The commission
also deferred a recommendation on the request for a South access route until
the St. Paul Water Board has taken action on Verizon’s request to use the
current north access trail; second by Ristow.
Motion passed unanimously.
6. PARKS AND
RECREATION RENEWAL PROGRAM
Brokke updated the commission on
recent Renewal Program activity;
·
Natural Resources Consultant has been identified, The
Clarification kick-off meeting was held recently and we are working toward a
contract for services
·
Seven Playground vendors will have been interviewed on March 1
& 8, looking to identifying a final vendor in the next 3-weeks
·
Staff is getting better acquainted with the Best Value process.
Vendors have revealed that they are challenged by the process but appreciate
the opportunity
·
The shelters and buildings RFPs will be finalized in the coming
weeks
·
The second HANC meeting was held recently
o
The first community meeting identifies issues and ideas in a
workshop setting
o
Second community meeting brings together info from the 1st
meeting along with master plan involvement for preliminary plans
·
Staff has begun meeting with community user groups
·
Recreation and maintenance staff will be meeting in the coming
weeks to review park building sizes and brainstorm suitable community uses that
could make each of these buildings special
Commissioner Doneen provided a Natural Resources and
Trails Subcommittee update
·
Subcommittee is coming to the realization that additional trail
options, connector trails, will more than likely be out of the current funding
allocations
·
Constellation related options will most likely to be the
affordable option for trail work beyond the B2 project
·
Subcommittee is looking for direction on project suggestions
beyond the B2 project. Areas currently under consideration include;
o
Selecting a single constellation to complete as a model to guide
future work
o
Look at enhancing an in-park trail system (perhaps Villa Park or
Reservoir Woods)
o
Consider additional sidewalk equipment to service expanded trail
system and future trail developments
7. STAFF REPORT
·
Ethics training is scheduled for April 10
·
City Attorney will be meeting with the Parks and Recreation
Commission on May 7. City Attorney to review data practices, open meeting law,
electronic communications.
·
OVAL closed for the season this past weekend.
·
Volunteer Appreciation dinner is March 7th at the
Skating Center.
·
Annual Arts@theOVAL event is March 23 & 24 at the Skating
Center.
·
Recognition of the end of Harold Ristow’s term as a parks &
recreation commissioner. Thank you Harold from the Parks and Recreation staff
and community for your eight years of service.
8. OTHER
·
None
Meeting adjourned at 8:30pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Jill Anfang, Assistant Director