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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember, 1990 ...,. .. HERITAGE 1891 COMMUNITY 1991 WJsrJK 2Q9/ *PLEASE REVIEW FOR MEETING OF 12/5/90* PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1990 COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY HALL - 7:00-9:00 P.M. 1. Call to order. 2. Minutes from meeting of 11/28/90 3. Staff Reports A. Director of Parks and Recreation 4. New Business A. DISCUSSION OF PARKS SURVEY RECOMMENDATIONS B. Approve recommendations for presentation to Council 5. Old Business A. Reminder of by-laws discussion at next meeting 6. Set next meeting date. A. Regularly scheduled meeting is Wednesday, January 2, 1991. 7. Adjourn the meeting. 4629 Dakota St. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372 I Ph. (612) 447-4230 I Fax (612) 447-4245 HERITAGE 1891 COMMUNITY 1991 ,~-~~~ruAJ /,;),/51 q C ??1.~a-'fLO WJ5f!)K 2Q97 PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 28, 1990 The November 28, 1990 Parks Advisory Committee meeting was called to order at 7:18 P.M. by Art Schoot. Those present were Art Schoot, Doug Berens, Ron Ceminsky, Dan Wehrs, Kathy Smith, Mike Babcock, Pat Heaney, Bill Hansen and Bill Mangan, Parks Director. Those absent were Kate Greden, Kathe Abrams and Tony Anderson. New members, Ron Ceminsky and Dan Wehrs were introduced. The main purpose to be discussed at this meetin9 is what will be included in the letter of recommendation WhlCh will go to the Council. Art suggested that we submit a list including five (5) thin~s the Committee feels of most importance with number 1 being of hlghest value according to the results from the survey. According to the survey results, trails were the top priority. Four areas would be covered under trails: 1) Safety along roads, 2) Athletic use (Fitness), 3) Cross Country trails, and 4) Trails linking the parks. Bill Mangan indicated that Charlie Tucker is the City'S consulting planner and that he, along with our in-house engineerin~ staff, could put together a plan that would be feasible wlthout using an outside firm other than on a consulting basis. The outside consulting engineering firm that the City uses is TKDA. Further discussion followed regarding the width of the trails. Trails should be a minimum of 8 feet wide (6 feet is not adequate). Some members felt 8 feet is really not wide enou9h; however, this is the width other communities are using. Bl11 Mangan indicated that utility easements have to be considered and also that some areas such as Candy Cove would require retaining walls, etc. when deciding width. Mike Babcock felt 8 feet would be okay and we should keep it the same as other communities. Kathy Smith suggested making the trails wider within the parks only. The recommendation that goes to City Council should include: 1) How wide paths should be and what they will be used for and 2) Using in-house staff and outside consultants. Where trails will lead should be prioritized addressing the safety issue. Parks Advisory members were in agreement that trails should start from downtown area and work outward with County Road 44 by the Sr. High School and Franklin Trail being of highest importance to link schools, downtown and shopping. 4629 Dakota St. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 Highway 13 is #2 priority and County Rd 21 & County Rd 42 #3. We could possibly work with the County Highway Department for the County Rd 42 phase. Art Schoot made a motion that Bill Mangan would draft a statement supporting a Trail System that could be ~resented to the City Council and that the Parks Advisory Comm1ttee will review at the December 5th meeting. Motion was passed with no opposition. other areas of importance that the survey indicated and that should be addressed to the City Council as recommendations are as follows: 1. Community Center (Multi-purpose facilit~). Discussion followed regarding what would be included 1n the Community Center. Everyone seemed to be in agreement that we shouldn't be real specific and it should also be presented as something that we understand is not currently feasible but something that could be looked into somewhere in the future. This would possibly include a Teen Center and indoor ice rink. 2. Athletic Facilities. This would include regulation soccer fields, softball fields and tennis courts. We currently have no tennis courts. Kathy Smith also indicated that if we had regulation soccer fields, tournaments could be held thatwould bring in revenue to the City. 3. Park Enhancements. No discussion at this time. General discussion regarding the above included some of the following: Ron Ceminsky felt that our community needs to have better facilities for youth and that our community should see the need for this. Mike Babcock felt that the Community Center will not be taken seriously. Dan Wehrs stated that we should start out smaller introducing the need for a trail system first and than working out from there. Art Schoot felt we should make recommendations based on the survey and Ron Ceminsky added to this indicating it to be the "people's wish list" based upon the survey results. Pat Heaney felt that we should communicate with the Prior Lake American to clearly outline what the Committee proposes so that the public gets an accurate ~icture and then work from there with little blurbs regarding fund1ng, private donations, etc. Art Schoot agreed that it really is the Committee's responsibility to inform the public of the various needs and using reserved funds rather than taxpayers money. Bill Mangan indicated that we would need a feasibility study with a 3 year plan in mind. Funding of the Trail System was the next item for discussion. Committee felt this should be addressed first and then funding for the Community Center according to the survey results and recommendations from the Parks Advisory Committee. There is a Trail Development fund proposed in the Parks Comprehensive Plan that would dedicate a fee toward trail aC9Uisition and development in addition to a Park dedication fee wh1ch would be used for park development. The Committee was in general agreement that reserve funds should be used and if additional funds necessary, to get them through a referendum. The survey indicated that 500 people supported some tax increase. It was suggested that perhaps a cooperative effort between school and city would be possible to support a referendum somewhere in the future. It was also noted in earlier discussion that the Lions & Optimists could be a possible source of private funding. The Committee felt a conceptual plan should be formed first based on the survey results and address the funding later after a master plan is formulated. The next meeting is set for Wednesday, December 5, 1990 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 P.M. Bill Mangan Director of Parks & Recreation Nancy McGill Recording Secretary