HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-04-15 Parks and Trails Minutes CITY OF CORCORAN
Corcoran Parks and Trails Meeting Minutes
April 15, 2021 - 7:00 pm
The Corcoran Parks and Trails Commission met on April 15, 2021, in Corcoran, MN.
Pursuant to Minnesota Statute Section 13D.021 and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parks and
Trails Commission meeting was held remotely through electronic means using the audio and video
conferencing platform Zoom.
Present via telephonic or other electronic means were Commissioners – Anderson, Christenson, Dugan,
Hoffmann, Meister, Nybo, and Strehler.
Also present electronically were Mayor McKee and City Administrator Martens.
Recreation Coordinator Christensen Buck was present at City Hall.
1. Call to Order / Roll Call
Chairperson Meister called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Chairperson Meister invited all in attendance to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Agenda Approval
City Administrator Martens requested that item 7a. be moved to after 7c.
Motion: Made by Dugan, seconded by Nybo, to approve the agenda with the adjustment of moving
7a after 7c.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Anderson, Christenson, Dugan, Hoffmann, Meister, Nybo, and
Strehler.
(Motion carried 7:0)
4. Minutes
a. Minutes – February 18, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Motion: Made by Nybo, seconded by Christenson, to approve the minutes as presented.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Anderson, Christenson, Dugan, Hoffmann, Meister, Nybo, and
Strehler.
(Motion carried 7:0)
5. Open Forum
Recreation Coordinator Christensen Buck informed the Commission that there were individuals on
the call.
Lynn Alberts, 7490 Fir Lane, discussed their interest in having the proposed trail in Cook Lake
Highlands on the edge of the buffer.
Steve Mueller, 7474 Fir Lane, informed the Commissioners of their desire to see the trees kept and
use the lift station access road as an extension to the trail.
6. Presentations – None
7. Unfinished Business
b. Rezoning, Preliminary Plat and Preliminary PUD for Cook Lake Highlands
Recreation Coordinator Christensen Buck informed the Commissioners that there were people on
the call, but nobody was interested in speaking at that time.
Recreation Coordinator Christensen Buck provided an update to the Commissioners on the changes
that were made to the proposed project since it was brought to the Commission during the February
18, 2021 Parks and Trails Commission meeting. Chair Meister requested additional information from
Steve Mueller and Lynn Alberts regarding their preferred route for the proposed trail to utilize the lift
station access road and the fire lane as part of the trail in place of removing trees. Beth Hustad with
Trek Development, Inc. provided feedback on the trail adjustment requests from Bass Lake Crossing
CITY OF CORCORAN
residents and stated that the grade of the land would be something needing to be considered.
Commissioner Anderson addressed that there would not be public access, no parking availability,
and park land would not have been planned for, but by having the developer dedicate the land as
park, it would ensure that it would not be developed. Commissioners Christenson, Dugan, and Nybo
expressed interest in accepting cash-in-lieu of land and leaving the trail proposed by the developer.
Commissioner Anderson expressed his interest in accepting the presented land as a park to
preserve the wooded land. David Knaeble, the civil engineer on the project, updated the
Commission on approximate land sizes as it related to the presented parks area.
Motion: Made by Anderson, seconded by Nybo, to recommend the trail as presented without a cul-
de-sac trail connection and accept cash-in-lieu of land.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Anderson, Christenson, Dugan, Hoffmann, Meister, Nybo, and
Strehler.
(Motion carried 7:0)
c. Franzen Estates Preliminary Plat and Variance Application
Recreation Coordinator Christensen Buck provided an overview of the proposed project to the
Commission and informed the Commission on staff’s recommendation of accepting cash-in-lieu of
land. Commissioner Anderson provided background information on the Roehlke property located
just north of the Franzen property which originally was discussed as a city park location.
Motion: Made by Nybo, seconded by Hoffmann, to recommend acceptance of cash-in-lieu of land.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Anderson, Christenson, Dugan, Hoffmann, Meister, Nybo, and
Strehler.
(Motion carried 7:0)
a. Memorial Bench Discussion
Recreation Coordinator Christensen Buck informed the Commission of an inquiry that was received
regarding an additional memorial bench in the Memorial Garden. Recreation Coordinator
Christensen Buck provided history on the program including that on City Hall property there are 6
benches. Recreation Coordinator Christensen Buck requested that Commissioners discuss if/where
they would like to see additional benches to the Memorial Garden, bench styles, and if they would
want benches along trails and/or parks in the future. Commissioners agreed to a standardized set of
design options for benches, no additional benches at City Hall, and allowing benches along City
trails and parks. Commissioners discussed looking at the memorial bench program at a later Parks
and Trails Commission meeting to determine specific bench, plaque, and potential location options.
8. New Business – None
Recreation Coordinator Christensen Buck informed the Commission that there were individuals on
the call, but none interested in speaking.
9. Reports/Information
a. Active Planning Applications – Informational only
Commissioners had no discussion regarding active planning applications.
b. Recreation Coordinator Update
Recreation Coordinator Christensen Buck informed the Commission of items that she is working on
such as baseball and soccer preparations, putting together the Parks and Trails packets, applying
for the Hennepin County Youth Sports equipment grant, and creating resolutions for City Council
approval.
CITY OF CORCORAN
c. Pandemic Response Update
Recreation Coordinator Christensen Buck updated the Commission on items in the Preparedness
Plan for spring baseball such as disinfection, social distancing, and face covering protocols.
10. Subcommittee & Miscellaneous Reports
a. City Council Report
Mayor McKee provided the Commissioners with an overview of items discussed during City Council
meetings such as Planning, Parks and Trails, and Charter Commission appointments, the final plat
and PUD for the Tavera development, and the Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association
preliminary plat, variance, and administrative permit.
b. Garden Club Report
Tom Anderson informed the Commission of the tree giveaway taking place on Saturday, April 24
from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm under the pavilion.
c. Park Dedication Fund
Recreation Coordinator Christensen Buck informed the commission of an adjustment that was made
to the park dedication fund.
11. Other Business/Announcements - None
12. Commissioner Liaison Calendar
4/22/2021 5/13/2021 5/27/2021 6/10/2021 6/24/2021 7/8/2021 7/22/2021
Strehler Dugan Hoffmann Nybo Christenson Anderson Meister
13. Adjournment
Motion: Made by Nybo, seconded by Anderson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 pm.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Anderson, Christenson, Dugan, Hoffmann, Meister, Nybo, and
Strehler.
(Motion carried 7:0)
Submitted by Jessica Christensen Buck, Recreation Coordinator