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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. PAC710. DOC 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 PAC710. DOC