City of
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
June 28, 2010
Present: Commissioners Eggers, Gardiner, Lewis, Noraas, Rosenthal; City Council Liaison
Absent: Director Robertson
Gardiner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the
Study Session – May 17, 2010
MOTION Rosenthal moved to approve the minutes as written. Lewis seconded the motion.
The vote was: 4 yes – 0 no [Eggers abstained]
Regular Meeting – May 24, 2010
MOTION Eggers moved to approve the minutes as written. Lewis seconded the motion.
The vote was: 5 yes – 0 no
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Allen Baker,
Dick Streng,
John Williams,
Dials said the commission typically waived the 1.5-hour limit only on the 4th of July and for some City Band concerts. She said Mr. Williams hoped the commission would place the item on the evening’s agenda.
Commissioners said they did not receive prior notice about the request and did not normally waive park rules, as waivers led to additional waiver requests. They spoke of the need for sensitivity to neighbors around
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
CITY / PARKS MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING
Gies said Administrative Services and Finance Director Lee Tuneberg attended the June 21 study session to explain that the commission was required to approve MOUs for fiscal years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011. He said MOUs outlined services provided by Parks to the City and by the City to Parks, with each document detailing what each entity received, who performed the services, and compensation for each service. He said the major change from the previous year was the transfer of the Parks fleet mechanics to the City shop and the need for Parks to provide compensation to the City for fleet maintenance beginning in FY 2010-2011.
Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioners asked several clarifying questions about the MOU documents. Gies said costs for major capital improvement projects for City buildings were covered by the City and Parks paid a set fee to the City each year for use of The Grove,
Motion Noraas moved to accept the Parks / City MOU for FY 2009-2010. Rosenthal seconded the motion.
Vote: All yes
Motion Rosenthal moved to approve the FY 2010-2011 MOU for Parks / City services. Lewis seconded the motion.
Vote: All yes
LOWER CLAY STREET PARK PROPERTY
Gies said the commission discussed, at the June 21 study session, the possibility of purchasing 3.75 acres of park land located at lower
Commissioners discussed the potential property purchase and asked several questions:
§ The history of the original agreement with the YMCA
§ YMCA’s expectations or concerns about reorienting the soccer fields
§ Road and pedestrian easements and other City requirements for the acreage
§ Parking needs for the park versus parking needs for the City
Staff was directed to provide the commission with answers to their questions at the July 19 study session.
NEW BUSINESS
POTENTIAL LAND CONVERSION AT CORNER OF
Gies referenced Robertson’s staff memo and invited the property owner to speak to the commission.
Mardi Mastain,
Discussion Among Commissioners
Commissioners said the land conversion would require a great deal of staff time and paperwork while not providing benefit to the park. Gies said that without clear benefit, the land conversion could be terminated at the state level. Robertson’s suggestion about Mastain possibly purchasing an equivalent lot elsewhere in the city was considered. Rosenthal suggested the possibility of allowing Mastain to beautify the property without purchasing it. Gies said staff could install irrigation lines in the September timeframe toward that end.
Mastain agreed to talk with Parks staff about the possibility of obtaining a conservation easement.
SUBCOMMITTEE and STAFF REPORTS
Dials reported that the 4th of July run was scheduled for Sunday, July 4, with signups ongoing up to the morning event. She said the 6-mile race was set to begin at 7:45 a.m. and the 2-mile race at 7:52 a.m.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSIONERS
Eggers reported seeing overnight sleepers in
Gardiner spoke favorably about continuing the tennis lights discussions and said he was encouraged to hear community members offering to fundraise toward that goal. Eggers said the lights were included on capital improvement project lists and she questioned whether the school district would be interested in contributing.
UPCOMING MEETING DATES
ADJOURNMENT– By consensus, with no further business, Gardiner adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Susan Dyssegard,