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Parks
and Recreation Commission
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Meeting
Minutes
August 6, 2013
PRESENT:
Azer, Diedrick, Gelbach, D. Holt, M. Holt, Stoner, Wall
ABSENT:
Boehm & Doneen & Simbeck notified staff ahead of time about
being unable to attend
STAFF:
Anfang, Brokke, Evenson
OTHERS:
Mr. Art Mueller, Michael Schroeder
1. INTRODUCTIONS
2. ROLL
CALL/PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment
3. APPROVAL
OF MINUTES -JUNE 4, 2013 MEETING
Commission Recommendation:
Minutes for the June 4, 2013
meeting were approved unanimously. Wall abstained from vote due to not being in
attendance at the June meeting.
4. ART
MUELLER PARK DEDICATION REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION
Mr. Mueller was in attendance at
tonight?s meeting and made himself available to answer commission questions.
The 2006 Parks & Recreation
Commission recommended accepting cash in lieu of land for the Art Mueller
subdivision project. The motion passed unanimously. Due to the length of time
that has elapsed since the original recommendation this Park Dedication returns
to the Commission for further review and recommendation.
Commissioner Stoner initiated the
discussion by inquiring into why we would not recommend land rather than the
cash payment based on the property location and the interest in adding park
land to Southwest Roseville. Brokke explained that the parcel would be very small
and that Mr. Mueller indicated that if land were the option, he could not
pursue the development.
Commission recommendation:
Commissioner Azer recommended the acceptance of cash in lieu of property for
the Art Mueller subdivision. Motion seconded by Commissioner Diedrick. Motion
passed unanimously.
5. PARK AND
RECREATION RENEWAL PROGRAM
Jeff Evenson and Michael Schroeder
from LHB discussed Renewal Program preliminary plans for Acorn Park, Co. Rd B-2
Sidewalk, Central Park Foundation and FORParks Shelters, Central park
Lexington, Langton Lake Park, Mapleview Park, and Pocahontas Park.
For each location Jeff reviewed
the scope of work covered in the current Renewal Program and informed the
Commissioner that these plans are meant to be park master plans resulting in
elements being represented in the plan that fall outside of the current work
plan. These elements are for future consideration when funding becomes
available.
·
Acorn Park
o
Commissioner Wall inquired into more information on the work
planned for the Disc Golf area. Evenson explained that there was the need for
further discussions with the Disc Golf community, but the thought is for
possible redesign to address conflicts between pathways and golf areas as well
as addressing maintenance needs due to heavy use over the years.
·
B-2 Sidewalk - staff held a 2nd community meeting to
share preliminary layout of the sidewalk improvements. Comments have begun to
shift toward more positive reactions as designs have worked to address the
needs and concerns of those living close by.
o
Engineering is working on fine tuning the plan
o
Staff looks to bring the plan to Council in the fall.
·
Central Park Shelters: Foundation and FORParks - Michael
Schroeder spoke on the potential signature features from the existing shelters
that could potentially be salvaged to use on future shelter rebuilds the
arched trusses. This design concept could perpetuate the iconic status of the
current shelters and demonstrate resourcefulness and sustainability through the
reuse of materials. Shelter locations will remain very similar to the current
locations. Michael talked through possible ideas for enhanced lighting with
commissioners inquiring into sky lights and other natural light options.
·
Central Park Lexington - the existing park Master Plan was used
to direct current preliminary designs. Jeff and Michael took into consideration
park use ? special events, concerts, shelter rentals, league play as well as casual
recreation experiences while planning renewal projects at CP Lexington. Parking
has been addressed with some additional parking but more importantly better
flow through the parking lot and a parking entrance the better aligns with the
Memorial. Also an extension of the Lexington Avenue flower beds continues
through the parking lot toward the park entrance. The preliminary plan also
shows potential sites for event lawns and a promenade that will accommodate
vendors along the lake walk. Like many of the other parks, this plan contains
additional elements that are not covered in the current renewal program
funding.
o
Mary Holt inquired into a listing of projects that may be funded
by community groups or local businesses.
·
Langton Lake Park - Park improvements focus mainly on playground
replacements near the ball fields and at County Rd C-2.
·
Mapleview Park - The improvements at this park are focused on the
playground. The main add-on at this park for future consideration is a pathway
that provides better access to the playground.
·
Pocahontas Park - Park improvements at this park focus on turf
improvement and relocation of pathways to address safety concerns. There is
also the thought that this park may become the location for retro play
equipment giving this location a special identity in the Park System.
Dave Holt inquired into the theme
approach to park updates identified in the master plan and how the ideas help
establish connections between the constellations and throughout the park system
plus the potential for parks to become destination locations because of their
themes. Michael and Jeff addressed how this continues to be considered and
incorporated into the renewal program especially through the playground
replacement program.
Natural Resource Approach Discussion
- Evenson talked about the spread sheets included in the Commission packet.
This information was compiled by Paul the Stantec lead for the natural resource
management team. These spread sheets provide not only a listing of the natural
resource needs in Roseville but also suggestions for alternative funding
sources to maximize the renewal program funding. This information provides a
different look at how we implement the Natural Resource component of the master
plan. Staff also mentioned reiterated Doneen?s interest in prioritizing the
City natural resource projects.
Brokke mentioned that three plans
remain; Rosebrook , Southwest Roseville and Tamarack Park, these areas will
require further community input and will be brought to the Commission and Council
at a later date.
Brokke also updated the Commission
on;
·
Michael Schroeder and LHB being authorized by the Council to
begin final plans and designs for renewal program projects.
·
Staff from ASU was in town earlier this week to meet with key
staff from the Natural Resources consulting team, the playground design and
vendor team and the final design team.
·
We are still targeting projects starting this fall.
6. FOLLOW UP
DISCUSSION TO JOINT MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL
·
Dave Holt pointed out that the Volunteer Coordinator discussions
at the joint meeting and the City Council's response kept referring back to
budget considerations tied to this initiative. It has been demonstrated by many
organizations and the background information provided by Commissioners show that
Volunteer Coordinators pay for themselves.
o
Brokke responded that he felt the City Council was supportive of
the notion of a Parks and Recreation Volunteer Coordinator, current levy limits
could make it difficult in the 2014 budget.
o
Commissioners voiced their understanding of the levy limits but
questioned how the City Council and community expect to maintain consistent
levels of service while holding staffing levels at reduced quantities.
§
Brokke responded that he is hopeful that the City Council will
provide some staffing help to the department, not necessarily all 3 positions
the department requested in their proposed 2014 budget. The requested staff
additions included reinstating the Park Supervisor position and the custodial
position that were eliminated with budget reductions six years ago in addition
to the Volunteer Coordinator. Brokke recognized that getting some help
somewhere within the department structure would be so helpful.
§
Brokke also spoke to all the other needs throughout the City that
need to be considered and worked with when developing the budget with
consideration toward current levy limits.
·
Commissioners inquired into the level of support by the City Council
to address the Emerald Ash Borer problem.
·
Commissioners around the table also voiced their hope that the City
Council understands the significance of continued appropriate funding of park
maintenance so that needs do not take off again and get out-of-hand.
o
The joint City Council/Commission meeting provided the
opportunity to communicate Parks and Recreation needs for funding staffing
needs, natural resource and maintenance concerns.
§
Commissioner Gelbach inquired into creating a plan to keep Parks
and Recreation needs in front of the City Council. Commissioner Gelbach also
spoke to considering a strategic plan to work with the City Council to move
projects along.
·
A variety of commissioners commented on feeling frustrated and as
if they are just spinning their wheels on many of these larger
projects/initiatives.
o
The commission moved onto discussions on how they might be more
persistent with their messages and how they might better demonstrate the
benefits being returned to the community and develop a way to convert
commission goals into objectives to help move initiative forward, add a
decision point. It was also brought up that perhaps the commission needs to ask
better questions of the City Council to help formulate specific objectives.
·
Commissioner Wall inquired into the timing of the joint City Council/Parks
and Recreation Commission meeting. The meeting being held in June makes it
difficult for the City Council to think through or make a decision on
initiative requiring budget considerations. Wall also brought up the fact that
in many communities there is a City Council member who acts as a liaison to the
various commissions.
o
Other commissioners recommended possibly inviting a City Council
member in for more targeted conversations and a point person on the City Council
that is to a degree accountable.
7. OTHER
·
Brokke updated Commissioners on current department-wide
activities;
o
There appears to be quite a bit of interest in the Community
Build option for playground redevelopment. This community build option allows
for potential savings that can be used for additional equipment.
o
Work has begun on the communication tower in Reservoir Woods.
o
The Villa Park project is moving forward and seems to be on
schedule for completion this fall.
o
The City is pursuing a parcel of property near Langton Lake Park
(west side). Discussions are taking place with the City Council. This parcel
would help create preservation and a buffer along the lake.
o
Work is taking place at the Arboretum on the Rotary Rain Garden.
Rotary volunteers will be planting the area in the coming weeks.
o
The September Commission meeting will be moved to Saturday,
September 7 from 9am to Noon to accommodate the annual parks tour. Let staff
know if there are specific sites you would like to visit.
o
June 21 storm clean up continues in the parks. 100s of trees were
down in parks throughout the City. Roseville set the top priority following the
storm as opening streets and addressing resident debris. Park cleanup is
expected to continue through August.
Meeting adjourned at 10:25pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Jill Anfang, Assistant Director