HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-18 Parks and Trails Minutes
CITY OF CORCORAN
Corcoran Parks and Trails Meeting Minutes
August 18, 2022 - 7:00 pm
The Corcoran Parks and Trails Commission met on August 18, 2022, in Corcoran, MN.
Present were Chairperson Anderson, Vice-Chairperson Meister, and Commissioners Christenson,
Friedrich, Nybo, Strehler, and Wyffels.
Also present were Mayor McKee, Councilmember Nichols, City Administrator Beise, and Recreation
Supervisor Christensen Buck.
1. Call to Order / Roll Call
Chairperson Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Chairperson Anderson invited all in attendance to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Agenda Approval
Motion: Made by Meister, seconded by Christenson, to approve the agenda as presented.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Friedrich, Meister, Nybo, Strehler, and Wyffels.
(Motion carried 7:0)
4. Minutes
a. Minutes – June 16, 2022 Work Session
Commissioner Friedrich requested that the additional discussions regarding the proposed sports
dome be reflected in the minutes.
Motion: Made by Friedrich, seconded by Nybo, to approve the minutes with the proposed
amendment.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Friedrich, Meister, Nybo, Strehler, and Wyffels.
(Motion carried 7:0)
b. Minutes – June 16, 2022 Meeting
Commissioner Christenson noted a typo in the minutes under 8a.
Motion: Made by Christenson, seconded by Friedrich, to approve the minutes with the proposed
amendment.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Friedrich, Meister, Nybo, Strehler, and Wyffels.
(Motion carried 7:0)
5. Open Forum
6. Presentations – None
7. Unfinished Business
a. Tavera 4th Addition
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck provided an update to the Commission on the differences
that were recommended to City Council by the Commission versus staff recommendations.
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that staff recommendation was
to adjust and keep the access trail off Tamarack Lane between homes as well as the crossing along
Tamarack Lane, crossing the driveway 12 access to the park parking lot. Commissioner Friedrich
inquired about the parking lot for the park including additional requested parking, to which
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commissioners the additional parking was left
as is noting that it was 6 spots and a handicap spot.
b. City Park Remaster
Chairperson Anderson requested feedback from Mayor McKee and Councilmember Nichols.
Councilmember Nichols requested that Commissioners ensure the redrafts meet expectations,
prioritize items they feel are important, and Commissioners consider ways to save and consider
CITY OF CORCORAN
additional partnerships that could be included. Mayor McKee requested the Commission consider
prioritizing and highlighting the things they would like to see reflected on the updated plans.
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck provided an overview of the project, highlighting the
stormwater management ponds, pickleball, full playground, splashpad, bathroom/changing
room/picnic shelter, 363 parking stalls, open skate rink, and hockey rink. Recreation Supervisor
Christensen Buck referenced the City of Rogers’ bathroom/changing room/picnic shelter and
splashpad layout, while noting the staff’s recommendation is to have a similar option that would be
double the size of the building to allow rentals and indoor programming. Commissioners discussed a
preference of having the splashpad area and building be connected to keep younger children more
contained by eliminating the trail between the two amenities, while including a separate entrance for
those not utilizing the splashpad. Commissioner Wyffels noted an option through Landscape
Structures that allows for assistance in finding additional funding options. Commissioner Christenson
inquired about other funding options including bonding, to which Mayor McKee and City
Administrator Beise noted that staff is working on the bond schedule that is expected to go to the
City Council during an October City Council meeting. Commissioner Friedrich requested park
dedication be projected out through the end of the year, to which City Administrator Beise informed
the Commission that staff was working to update park dedication formula. Commissioners
expressed their desire to see more trails shown on the plan that meander throughout the entirety of
the park, not only on the eastern portion. Councilmember Nichols suggested working with Three
Rivers Park District on the funding and location of the trails along the west side as part of the
Diamond Lake Regional Trail. Commissioners reviewed their notes from the June 16, 2022, work
session to ensure all their comments were included in the updated plans. Commissioners discussed
eliminating the 31-spot parking lot near the warming house or leaving the parking lots unpaved as a
cost savings and requested staff get an estimate from Stantec. Recreation Supervisor Christensen
Buck highlighted some funding options including two Hennepin County Youth Sports Grants, other
grants, and additional organizations that could be reached out to. Chairperson Anderson asked what
the impact would be on the City’s current programs due to the updates to the park, to which
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that during the updates, the
programs would likely have to be scaled back. Commissioner Christenson inquired about the
additional turn lane line item on the budget, to which Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck
informed the Commission that Public Works Director Mattson had mentioned it would likely be
required by Hennepin County due to improvements to the park. Chairperson Anderson highlighted
that the removal of trees should be scheduled after the new trees for the area are already in.
Commissioner Friedrich inquired about delaying the 31 and 62-spot parking lots until a later date but
including access trails to the amenities. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck encouraged
leaving the 62-spot parking lot to service the northeastern amenities. Bob Sullivan, 7460 Jack Pine
Lane, expressed that pedestrian safety along County Highway 10 should be considered during the
planning process. Chairperson Anderson inquired about various line items such as streetlights that
reflect a quantity of 0, to which Recreation Supervisor informed the Commission that those items are
included in the 30% indirect costs. Commissioners discussed that they would like specific cost
estimates as the projects moves forward that reflect tangible items such as streetlights and
landscaping. Councilmember Nichols noted that some amenities that were less expensive and the
Commission may want to include those in phase 1. Commissioners discussed adding a volleyball
court and trails in the western area of the park as part of phase 1. Recreation Supervisor
summarized the Commission’s adjustments including removing the trail between the building and
splashpad, one splashpad/changing room/pavilion building with specific entrance based on usage,
CITY OF CORCORAN
additional trails shown on the west side of the park, switching road facing amenities on the northeast
side of the park, obtaining a quote for the 31-spot parking lot, and adding the tennis, volleyball, and
basketball courts as part of phase 1. Councilmember Nichols suggested reaching out to Three
Rivers Park District to collaborate on the trail crossings along the county roads.
8. New Business – None
9. Reports/Information
a. Active Planning Applications – Informational Only
No discussion occurred.
b. Recreation Supervisor Update
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck provided an overview of the items she had been working
on since the last Parks and Trails Commission meeting including the Country Daze Bean Bag
Tournament, Night to Unite preparations, compiling City Park remaster plan information, social
media posts for the City, and handling park reservations.
c. Program Coordinator Update
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck provided an overview of the items Program Coordinator
Torvik had been working on since the last Parks and Trails Commission meeting including wrapping
up the baseball season, overseeing the soccer season, and assisting with Night to Unite
preparations.
10. Subcommittee & Miscellaneous Reports
a. City Council Report
Councilmember Nichols updated the Commission of items during the City Council meeting since
June 18, 2022, including police officer recruitment and retention, a presentation on the Diamond
Lake Regional Trail, 2023 budget, water supply architecture, broadband expansion options, city
code updates, Tavera 4th addition, and THC regulation. Chairperson Anderson highlighted that Ken
Guenthner, Watershed Commissioner, presented to the City Council as well.
b. Garden Club Report
Chairperson Anderson informed the Commission that the Garden Club met and toured gardens in
the City.
c. Park Dedication Fund
Commissioner Christenson asked staff if the park dedication funds could be invested to accumulate
additional funds. City Administrator Beise informed the Commission that she would work with the
finance team to determine additional options.
11. Other Business/Announcements
12. Commissioner Liaison Calendar
08/25/2022 9/8/2022 9/22/2022 10/13/2022 10/27/2022 11/10/2022 11/21/2022
Christenson Anderson Meister Strehler Freidrich Nybo Wyffels
Commissioner Wyffels noted that the second City Council meeting in November was listed as
Thanksgiving, to which Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission it would
take place on Monday, November 21, 2022.
13. Adjournment
Motion: Made by Nybo, seconded by Strehler, to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 pm.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Friedrich, Meister, Nybo, Strehler, and Wyffels.
CITY OF CORCORAN
(Motion carried 7:0)
Submitted by Jessica Christensen Buck, Recreation Supervisor