HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 14PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
AUGUST 14, 2000
The Parks Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for August 14, 2000 w;
there was not a quorum. Committee members present included Ron Ceminsl
Tom Schutz. Committee members absent included Sandi Fleck, Pat HeanE
Chad Storley. Staff members present included Bud Osmundson, Sue Walsl
Esser and Nancy McGill.
Nancy McGill
Recording Secretary
PAC814. DOC
~s not held because
(y, Thea Fluhrer and
y, Kathy Smith, and
l, Al Friedges, Chris
PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
MONDAY~ AUGUST 14~ 2000
Prior Lake Maintenance Center
6:30 P.M.
I. Call to order
II. Minutes from meeting of July 10, 2000
III. Staff Reports
A. Lakefront Days
B. Lakefront Park Band Shelter
C. Playground Equipment
D. Busse Park Update
E. Bituminous Trails
F. Wensmann 1st Addition - Parks
G. Wilds 5th Addition - Parks
H. Summer Program Update
I. Fall Program Ideas
IV. Old Business
V. New Business
VI. Next Meeting Date - Monday, September 11, 2000 at 6:30 p.m.
VII. Adjourn Meeting
AGND800
PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
JULY l0 2000
The Parks Advisory Committee meeting was called to order by Ron Ceminsky at 6:35 p.m. on
Monday, July 10, 2000. Members present were Ron Ceminsky, Sandi Fleck, Thea Fluhrer, Pat
Heaney, Kathy Smith, Tom Schutz, and Chad Storley. Councilmember Jim Ericson was present.
Staff members present were Bud Osmundson, Public Works Director, Sue Walsh, Assistant City
Manager, Al Friedges, Parks Supervisor, Chris Esser, Recreation Supervisor and Nancy McGill,
Parks and Recreation Secretary. Mike Simon, Adult Softball Director was also present.
Staff members, Sue Walsh, Assistant City Manager, and Bud Osmundson, Public Works Director,
were introduced to the Committee.
The May 8, 2000 minutes were reviewed. Al Friedges indicated that a couple of items needed to
be amended. Under Staff Reports, Al Friedges, Busse Property Progress, it was stated that a
special meeting would be called to meet with the neighbors to discuss the plans and specs, and
that to his knowledge, this was not mentioned. Under Staff Reports Spring Projects, it was stated
that the Plans and Specs for Trails were approved by the City Council. At this time, they had not
yet been approved and would be going to City Council on August 7th.
CHAD STORLEY MADE A MOTION TO AMEND THE ABOVE MENTIONED CHANGES AS
DISCUSSED BY AL FRIEDGES. THEA FLUHRER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The minutes from the June 10, 2000 meeting was reviewed.
TOM SCHUTZ MADE A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 10, 2000
MEETING. KATHY SMITH SECONDED MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Staff Reports:
Lakefront Park Grand Opening- Scheduled for Thursday, August 3 at 6:00 p.m. Sue Walsh stated
that Administrative Staff would like to postpone the Grand Opening until the Band Shell is
complete. Thea Fluhrer asked if this could be discussed under Item D., Lakefront Park. Bandshell.
Lakefront Days Activities - Tuesday, August 1st - Miss Prior Lake Pageant as PLHS. Nothing
scheduled for Wednesday, August 2nd. Thursday, August 3rd, 'Lakefront Park
Dedication/Windjammers Concert and Ice Cream Social. Friday, August 4th, Golf Tournament,
Photo Contest Display at Library, Car Cruise, and Chamber "Porky's BBQ", and entertainment
tent. Saturday, August 5th, Bass Tournament, Fun Run at Lakefront Park, Soccer Tournament,
Softball Tournament, Photo Contest Display at Library, Parade at 12:30 p.m., vendors, kids
rides/petting zoo, entertainment tent and kids entertainment. Sunday, August 6th, is the Water-ski
Show.
Tom Schutz asked about the parking situation. Signage will be used - park and walk.
A supplement outlining all the Lakefront Days Activities will be in the "Prior Lake American".
16200 Eac[le Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245
PAC710. DOC '
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Playground Equipment Selection Process - Bud Osmundson and Al Friedges will be meeting with
Jeff Schoenbauer of Brauer & Associates to finalize the plans and specs. Six parks will be getting
new playground equipment,,,R'a'~pberry Ridge,,~;4sfl Point Park, Busse Property, ,K-n~b Hill,~rulh"set
Park, and e?~f~d Point Park. Bud indicated that they were considering using one of our own parks
as an example of the type of equipment, quality and amenities that vendors could use in the
bidding process. They would like to keep the dollar amount out of the bidding process. The plans
and specs will be available for PAC members to review at the August 14th meeting, and then they
will go to City Council on August 21st for approval. Upon approval, bidding process would start,
and bids could be opened at the September 11th PAC meeting.
Discussion followed.
Thea asked if we would have to take the lowest bidder.
Bud stated that he didn't feel we would need to accept the lowest bidder but rather we will look at
the entire picture.
Tom Schutz sated that he had a couple of concerns with the method staff plans to use in the
selection process. He felt that we would not get as many vendors submitting bids and also he
foresees problems with working with exact equipment in making the playground selection and
doesn't want to get down to counting nuts and bolts.
Thea felt that previous vendors the City has worked with know what kind of budget we work with
which should be an advantage.
Sandi Fleck asked if all parks would be the same style or unique in their own design and felt we
would probably get a better price if they were the same.
Thea felt that there should be unique personality in each.
Al Friedges said that realistically the parks would not be the same as each sight has its own
amenities.
Pat Heaney wanted it clarified that, as he understood it, the selection process has already been
directed. This process being that vendors submit bids, give presentation, discussion and open
bids.
Bud Osmundson asked if committee wanted a neighborhood involvement in the selection.
Committee felt it would be good to have representation from each of the playground sites and
discussed how the word could get out regarding this.
Kathy Smith asked if all the sites would be geared to the same age level.
Al said that they would be.
Tom Schutz asked who the contact person is for additional benches in the parks. Al said that he
was.
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Lakefront Band Shelter- The plans and specs have been approved by the City Council. Frank is
currently working on the bid documents.
At this time, the Grand Opening' at Lakefront Park was discussed.
Thea felt that it would be a bigger splash if held during the Lakefront Days festivities.
Administration felt that the park would be more beautiful this Fall or next Spring, whenever the
band shell has been completed.
The PAC felt that we would lose the excitement from the community if we waited and felt that it
doesn't have to be completely finished in order to hold the grand opening ceremony. They felt that
the band shell ceremony could be in addition to the grand opening.
TOM SCHUTZ AND THEA FLUHRER MADE A MOTION STATING THAT THEY STRONGLY
RECOMMENDED THAT THE LAKEFRONT GRAND OPENING BE HELD ON AUGUST 3, 2000
AS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED. SANDI FLECK SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
Busse Property Construction Progress Report - Al Friedges indicated that due to the recent rains,
the project has been pushed back approximately 2-3 weeks. The irrigation has been installed on
the four soccer fields but not hooked up yet. Currently pouring the maintenance strips On the ball
fields. The concession area has been roughly staked.
Pat Heaney asked if there has been any noticeable improvement with the run-off.
Al indicated that there have been some problems, but they have been addressed and that the silt
fencing and germination on the soccer fields will definitely help the situation.
Minnesota Valley will be completing the electrical installation up to the concession area within a
couple of weeks.
The plans and specs for the concession building have been approved and will be going out for bid.
Pat Heaney asked where the park naming policy stood.
Jim Ericson said that a meeting needs to be held between the PAC representatives, Tom Schutz
and Ron Ceminsky, himself and the Mayor. The amendments to the Park Renaming Policy has
not been finalized yet.
Kathy Smith felt that the PAC should have input in the name recommendations for the parks.
The Busse property is to be completed in the Fall, 2001 but will depend upon the weather; the turf
requires three growing seasons.
New Trail Construction - The plans and specs will go to Council for approval on August 7th.
Glynwater, Crest and Knob Hill are slated for trail construction. Time frame for completion is
September, 2000.
PAC710. DOC
Tom Schutz said that the DNR median area on Crest Avenue needs to be wider. Al and Bud said
they would look into it.
Ron Ceminsky asked if there was any piece of equipment that would edge along the trails. Al said
that there really wasn't.
Summer Recreation Programs - Performances in the Park will be held Thursday evenings through
August. The community beach party will be held on July 22nd at Sand Point Beach, a free event
with no parking charge and will pass out popscicles. The tot lot and playground programs are
going well. Special Events include the Penny Carnival to be held on Friday, July 14th at the Ponds
Park. Aquatic Daycamp will be held on Friday, July 28. Safety Camp, sponsored by the Fire
Department will be held on Friday, July 21 and has been full for quite some time. Chris reviewed
the SORR Fun Run programs held throughout the summer in various communities. The Prior
Lake Water ski Club have been displaying their talents at Watzl's Point Beach. Dance
workshops/classes in tap, jazz, and ballet have been offered at the dance studio.
Pat Heaney asked where the profits get distributed from dance workshops. Chris indicated that
they go to the general fund; however, he does quarterly reports'of all revenues and expenditures
generated through all programs.
Radio Disney will perform at the second session of the Wilderness Daycamp held at Cleary Lake
Park. They are doing this free of charge as a promotion.
Pat Heaney asked if we pay groups to perform at the Thursday night performances at Lakefront
Park. Chris indicated that two of the groups are receiving $50.00; otherwise all others are
performing free. The City plans to include funding for this program in the budget for next year.
Ron Ceminsky suggested that Chris bring quarterly reports of the program revenues/expenditures
to the PAC meeting.
Sandi Fleck noted that the playground supervisors are excellent this year.
Park Dedication - Sue Walsh stated that the park dedication fees have been in existence for a
number of years and the City Attorney feels it is time to conduct a fee study to justify the park
dedication charges. Currently the fee is $850.00 per each residential unit. Frank Boyles is in the
process of looking for a vendor to complete the park dedication fee (support fee) study within the
next 60 days. The normal process will be followed before it goes to City Council.
Tom Schutz asked if the cost of this study could be shared with other communities.
Jim Ericson suggested that the Builders Association could help with this.
Bud Osmundson indicated that each City would be different.
Kathy Smith was concerned as to why we are paying an outside source to do this study. Where
would the fee come from. Bud wasn't sure and Kathy asked for a report back on this.
Old Business:
PACT 10. DOC
Ron Ceminsky informed Sue and Bud that PAC would like to retain the option of 10% dedication
useable land with the Wensmann Development. The committee clearly wants to make sure that
we can retain the land and development can follow later.
Discussion followed.
Jim Ericson stated that it was his personal opinion to take the land rather than cash settlement but
could not speak for the opinions of the rest of the Council.
Bud asked if there was any written policy regarding dedicated land. Ron indicated that there is
some criteria.
Sue asked if the PAC reviewed development plans, and Ron said that they do.
New Business:
Mike Simon, adult softball director and representative for 600-800 adults who have voiced their
concern with the referendum money ($200,000 +) how it was planned to be used and why we are
over budget. Staff indicated that this money is to be used to finish projects; some of which was not
scheduled on original referendum such as Busse property concession building and lighting. The
City Council elected not to purchase Spring Lake property which the PAC had recommended to
purchase and develop later.
In reference to the Spring Lake property, Jim Ericson said that this was already owned by Scott
County and that the ~ty~of Prior,L_a. ke_~wo,,uld not have been able to ~se it, t~e w~y we w.a~te~to. _
Mike also raised the question regarding the 7% tax cut. He felt that this would mean a savings of
· h t he ~'"'"
approximately $50/household and said that we lost a great guy for th~s. He also stated t a
appreciated Al Friedges and his staff as well as the PAC regarding what they have done to '--- "
improve the field conditions, and the support he has had from them.
Tom Schutz wanted to clarify if there has been any discussions pertaining to changes that might
be made regarding the parks programming or the dance program. Sue indicated that there would
be no changes made.
Kathy Smith wanted to know who was going to oversee the parks budget. Sue indicated that she
and Chris would oversee the recreation budget and that Al and Bud would take care of the parks
budget. The CIP has already been submitted to include the 5 year plan.
Ron Ceminsky stated that Prior Lake is a growing community and what has transpired is
disheartening.
Bud Osmundson assured committee that services will not be lessened if staff needs to work
overtime to get it done.
Ron asked about status of the Lakefront Park entrance signage.
not be complete before Lakefront Days.
Sue said that it would probably
Pat Heaney suggested that trash cans be put off to the side of the Lakefront Park entrance. He
also said that he has heard tremendous amount of compliments from people about the park.
PAC710.DOC
July 13, 2000
Members of the Parks Advisory Committee
c/o Ron Ceminsky, Chair
5239 Brooks Circle S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372
Re: Lakefront Park Dedication and Grand Opening
Dear Advisory Committee Members:
The staff recommended at your July 10, 2000 meeting that the Grand O
of Lakefront Park be deferred until this Fall rather than conducting the fes
as part of Lakefront Days. The Parks Advisory Committee voted to con~
August 3rd.
I share your anxiousness to unveil this diamond to our community. Howe
finest park, I believe it is even more important that the Grand Opening
closer to completion. My reasoning is at 'follows:
(1) The turf is not yet ready to sustain continuing traffic. Once
takes place, the public will believe it is ready for use. It w
negate all of the progress and expense to date simply becau:
the Grand Opening to take place.
(2) The band shelter has not yet been installed. One of the hal
the outdoor performing arts theater. Not only will it be inb
operation of the park, it will literally be the central stage ol
Proceeding without the band shelter would undermine the ew
(3) An entry monument is not yet in place. Attention to detail
(4)
ening and dedication
tivities on August 3rd
Juct the festivities on
ver, because it is our
be deferred until it is
the Grand Opening
ould be a shame to
;e we are anxious for
Imarks of the park is
~gral to the on-going
the Grand Opening.
.~nt.
sometimes send the
most important message to the public. The entry monument i:~ one such detail.
A "free standing" Grand Opening and dedication will bette~ highlight the facility
rather than incorporating it into some other event.
Considering all the above, I have directed the staff and advised the Chamber of Commerce
that the Grand Opening will be delayed either until this Fall, or if necessary, next Spring in
order for the park to be truly prepared to be on, display.
16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E.. Prior Lake. Minnesota 55o72-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4233 / Fa:,: (612i 447-4245
Parks
Rest assured that i remain committed to our.park system. I will personal
the items outlined above as soon as possible. If you have questions, feel fl
447-9801.
Advisory Committee
July 13, 2000
Page 2 of 2
y work to complete
'ee to contact me at
Sincerely, .. ¢
Frank B,oy~e,.. anagel
cc: Bud Osmundson
Sue Walsh
Chris Esser
Rachel VanDenBoom
Mayor and City Council.
I:\FRANK~LETTERS\00\PAC.DOC
Pat asked councilmember, Jim Ericson to explain why the reorganization process was not put up
for discussion and never addressed at the beginning of the city council meeting; he felt that this
was an illegal budget change.
Jim said that council directed City Manager, Frank Boyles to achieve 4-5 objectives and that Frank
has the authority to achieve goals and objectives that the council has set out. He said he could
not answer the questions regarding the timing as he was not at that meeting but said that it solely
rests on Frank to make decision.
It was asked what process needs to be followed to address these questions. The process
includes attending Open Forum at City Council meeting and if majority of council is interested, can
direct City Manager to include item of discussion on a future agenda.
Pat summarized by saying that the PAC members are upset, bewildered, suspicious and hurt over
the actions taken. Committee is concerned about the long term affects, how services can be
maintained with additional responsibilities required of staff.
Ron asked who would be evaluating discussions and recommendations made by PAC. Sue
indicated that she, Bud, Al and Chris would be responsible for this and will keep the City Manager
well informed on all related matters.
MOTION BY TOM SCHUTZ TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:50 P.M. KATHY SMITH
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The August P.A.C. meeting will be held on Monday, August 14, 2000.
Bud Osmundson
Public Works Director
Sue Walsh
Assistant City Manager
Nancy McGill
Recording Secretary
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