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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-21 Parks and Trails Minutes Corcoran Parks and Trails Meeting Minutes March 21, 2024 - 7:00 pm The Corcoran Parks and Trails Commission met on March 21, 2024, at City Hall in Corcoran, MN. Present were Commissioners Anderson, Christenson, Erzberger, Friedrich, Nybo, Schmidt, and Strehler. Present at City Hall were Mayor McKee, City Administrator Tobin, and Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck. Present virtually was Councilmember Nichols. 1. Call to Order / Roll Call Chairperson Christenson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Chairperson Christenson invited all in attendance to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Agenda Approval Motion: Made by Anderson, seconded by Erzberger, to approve the agenda as presented. Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Erzberger, Schmidt, and Strehler. (Motion carried 5:0) 4. Minutes a. Minutes – February 15, 2024, Meeting Motion: Made by Anderson, seconded by Strehler, to approve the minutes as presented. Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Erzberger, Schmidt, and Strehler. (Motion carried 5:0) 5. Open Forum Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck stated nobody was interested in speaking at that time. 6. Presentations a. HKGi Introduction and City Park Concepts City Administrator Tobin provided background information on the work done with HKGi, including updating the plans with more consideration to elevations, utilities, and activation of amenities/spaces. Gabrielle Grinde, HKGi Landscape Architect, shared three concept plans with the Commission and described each plan. Grinde noted that in all the concept plans, the existing pavilion remains intact, parking is shown as paved, and the regional trailhead for the Diamond Lake Regional Trail are shown. Commissioners inquired about the wetland areas and grading, to which Grinde responded that a wetland delineation had not been completed recently. City Administrator Tobin informed the Commission that concepts show amenities on higher ground to hopefully mitigate grading costs. Katherine Drivas, 6747 Olde Sturbridge Drive, noted that she liked Concept B’s proximity of the parking lot to amenities, but liked that Concept A showed the playground closer to the t-ball fields. Commissioners discussed an interest in moving the playground closer to the t-ball fields and further from the road. Commissioners noted that there was not tennis included in Concept C, to which Grinde informed them it could be added if it was desire from the Commission. Chair Christenson expressed his preference for the plans without the road going through the park, as shown in Concept C. Luke Bogdanowicz, 6951 Jubert Lane, expressed an interest in tennis courts and noted dual-lined tennis and pickleball courts would be playable. Grinde informed the Commission that in her experience HKGi has found that pickleball players prefer dedicated pickleball and tennis courts, to which City Administrator Tobin reaffirmed that based on previous experience. Commissioner Erzberger expressed his appreciation for Concepts B and C as they allow for evolution and expansion of park amenities. Grinde and City Administrator Tobin highlighted the option of paving the hockey rink to allow for dual use through lining the rink with basketball or pickleball. Commissioners inquired about costs associated with the plans, Grinde informed the Commission that previous costs estimate had much of the costs associated with utilities. Commissioners discussed combining the western amenity layout of Concept A with the splashpad, playground, and building, alongside the eastern layout of Concept B with the green space shown. City Administrator Tobin highlighted the potential to move the open green space from Concept C to Lions Field and moving the hockey rinks and warming house to the southeast corner of the park, summarizing the Commission’s previous discussion. Grinde informed the Commissioners of the next steps, to include compiling one concept for review that encompassed the previous discussion points, take input during a future survey period, and value engineer the design concepts. Commissioner Anderson inquired about any interest regarding the land on the corner of County Road 10 and County Road 50, to which Grinde informed the Commission it was briefly discussed and dismissed. City Administrator Tobin noted that there is a developer that is working on a proposal for the area. Commissioner Anderson inquired about the lot touching the park along County Road 10 and if it was available if the City would consider buying it, to which City Administrator Tobin noted that would be a good idea. Commissioner Strehler stated that she liked the ballfields in each of the concepts but did not want to see any of the previously named ballfields get renamed. Grinde noted that HKGi would continue to evaluate trends, park and facility distribution, and access as part of park system growth and expansion. In addition, HKGi would maintain partnerships, plan for ongoing maintenance, seek input from the community and Commission, and assist in developing a vision plan and park standards. Grinde highlighted next steps to also include receiving feedback on the preferred concept direction and developing construction documents for 2025 implementation. 7. Unfinished Business a. Park Standards Discussion Katherine Drivas, 6747 Olde Sturbridge Drive, expressed preference for naming convention guidelines to avoid developer name association and assumed exclusivity of the parks. Drivas suggested the name “Owl Hollow” for the southeast open space park. Drivas noted a desire for the Commission to consider motorized and non-motorized vehicle trails, acquiring neighborhood input when developing parks, limiting fires in parks, and consideration of access points and trailheads. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck provided an overview of the materials in the packet, highlighting considerations for park system standards including collaboration, connectivity, landscaping and natural features, open gathering areas, site amenities, and theme-based parks. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck highlighted the standards for specific park classifications, including neighborhood parks, open space parks, community playfields, and linear parks and trails. Chairperson Christenson inquired about if the City had a naming convention for parks, to which Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that she was preparing for the discussion by looking at policies from other cities. Commissioner Anderson noted that as part of Wildflower Park, the northeast area of the parkland serves as a wide trail corridor instead. Commissioner Anderson expressed that the homes along the northern area of the park would have allowed for better park use if they were not included in the plan, and the park is graded at an angle which does not allow for some additional amenities or uses. Commissioner Erzberger noted that the City may consider dog waste stations at crossings. Commissioner Erzberger noted a desire to see enclosures around portable restrooms and trash receptacles at parks. Commissioner Erzberger inquired about the crosswalk conventions, to which Recreation Supervisor highlighted the City’s crosswalk policy that would be utilized moving forward. Recreation Supervisor informed the Commission of the 8’ wide trail, 20’ wide easement for trails and recommended it be included in the document. Commissioner Schmidt noted his appreciation for the standards to be guardrails, with “should be” wording in the document, to which Commissioner Erzberger noted a need for more specific wording in areas of the document for developers to follow. Recreation Supervisor summarized the Commission’s discussion including signage and wayfinding, trail standards, dog waste station consideration, portable restroom and trash enclosures, and modification of any language representing what “should be” versus necessary. Commissioners discussed any need for drinking fountains in neighborhood parks, to which City Administrator Tobin noted that it requires additional maintenance with blowing out the lines and possible vandalism. Commissioners discussed adding an additional section regarding unique consideration to include items such ninja warrior courses and horseback riding. b. Wildflower Park Bike Rack Options Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck provided an overview of the materials in the packet, including background of the topic, the budget for the bike rack, and quotes for bike racks. Commissioners discussed a preference towards the RJ Thomas saddleback bike rack, galvanized, surface mounted, 7 bike model. Motion: Made by Anderson, seconded by Strehler, to request price match on 5’4” contemporary bike rack from Burke, but if outside of budget to proceed with RJ Thomas Saddleback model, SRP/G-7. Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Erzberger, Schmidt, and Strehler. (Motion carried 5:0) 8. New Business a. Funding Sources/Uses, and Park Dedication Projections Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission of upcoming park projects, current park dedication funds, and projected park dedication funds. Commissioners inquired if the funds in the projected park dedication funds were already approved, to which Recreation Supervisor noted that the projects listed on the park dedication tracker are coordinated by color to reflect where they are in the process. Chairperson Christenson inquired about timelines for the projects, to which City Administrator Tobin informed the Commission that the projected funds should be assumed to fund future projects. City Administrator Tobin informed the Commission of legislation going through the senate and the house that could impact park dedication funds. City Administrator Tobin highlighted that current bonding is not preferred, and future bonding would be better should it be necessary. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that the federal funds the City requested $3.5 million dollars from was approved for $500,000. Commissioners inquired about timelines for using the federal funds, to which City Administrator Tobin informed the Commission that he had generally seen 8-10 years to utilize the funds. Chairperson Christenson inquired about bonding once per year and if this could impact the start of construction, to which City Administrator Tobin noted how the project is cash flowed could minimize or mitigate the need to bond until later. Commissioner Erzberger inquired about the Hennepin County Youth Sports Grant, to which Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that the grant is a reimbursement and would have to be spent by the end of 2025. City Administrator Tobin noted the Hope Development on the park dedication tracker, highlighting this project would take time and park dedication funds would be seen over the course of the project. Chairperson Christenson requested some of the information provided be updated regularly, to which Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that she could have the park dedication fund and sources/funding document updated regularly. b. Park Dedication for “Chastek Family Farm” Preliminary Plat Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck provided an overview of the 117 single-family lot proposal at the intersection of County Road 10 and Maple Hill Road. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck highlighted that the 2040 Comprehensive Plan showed a proposed off-road trail along the northern property line, shown on the preliminary plat, in addition to sidewalks throughout the development. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck noted that the park dedication for the property was estimated at $530,657.80 as cash-in-lieu of land, following 23.8% of the park dedication as trail easement. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck requested the Commissioners consider a motion regarding a leg of the trail connecting to private trail, and if they wanted to include that as park dedication or as a private trail. Chairperson Christenson inquired about the trail along lot 44 that leads to the private trail, to which Beth Hustad, President/CEO of Trek Real Estate & Development, informed the Commission that there was a request to continue the roadway to access the neighboring property, which would go through lot 45 of the plat and could connect to the trail from the street. Beth Hustad also noted that the trail going through the greenway in the center of the proposal would connect to the main roadway and would likely be used by others that may not live in the development. Commissioner Anderson requested to look at the 2040 Parks and Trails map from the Comprehensive Plan, to note the parks and green space surrounding the proposed project, at which point Beth Hustad noted the green space in Cook Lake Highlands near the park. Motion: Made by Anderson, seconded by Strehler, to approve acceptance of a combination of off- road trail easement along the northern property line, the extra branch to connect to private trail, and cash-in-lieu of land to satisfy the remaining park dedication requirements. Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Erzberger, Schmidt, and Strehler. (Motion carried 5:0) 9. Reports/Information a. Active Planning Applications – Informational Only No discussion occurred. b. Recreation Supervisor Update Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck provided an update on items she had been working on including youth baseball, Night to Unite preparations, site analysis and concept plan park planning, 2024 tree giveaway, and putting together Parks and Trails Commission packet materials. Commissioner Anderson noted the work Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck has done to computerize the tree giveaway, to which Commissioner Strehler noted Commissioner Anderson’s previous years of high-level coordination. 10. Subcommittee & Miscellaneous Reports a. City Council Report Councilmember Nichols highlighted the items discussed at City Council meetings since the last Parks and Trails Commission meeting including Canine Zeke’s recognition, Hope Community Preliminary Plat approval, and outline of opposition resolution towards the bills introduced at the house and senate. Mayor McKee noted that SF1370 and HF4010 were the bills that would have a largely negative impact on the City. Mayor McKee highlighted Granicus, which would be utilized by the City to handle agendas, videos, and other City business. Commissioner Anderson inquired about the computer safety for the City, to which City Administrator Tobin responded that the City’s Information Technology is handled by CIT with high thresholds for security. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission of an upcoming joint work session on April 25, 2024, at 5:30 pm between the City Council and Parks and Trails Commission. Commissioner Strehler inquired about the City’s Wi-Fi project, to which Mayor McKee informed the Commission that postcards from Comcast should be coming out with additional information but have been actively installing throughout the warmer winter. b. Garden Club Report Tom Anderson informed the Commission that there have not been any events due to winter. c. Park Dedication Fund No discussion occurred. 11. Other Business/Announcements Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck confirmed Commission interest in going into the open space park in the southeast area of Corcoran as the trails were cut, but not paved yet. Commissioners concluded by schedule a work session at the area on April 18, 2024, at 5:30 pm, with specific information to follow from Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck on specific access location. 12. Commissioner Liaison Calendar Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck noted that there was a typo on the agenda, and the information should reflect Commissioners Strehler and Anderson as the liaisons for the June 13, 2024, and June 27, 2024, City Council meetings, respectively. 13. Adjournment Motion: Made by Anderson, seconded by Strehler, to adjourn the meeting at 9:49 pm. Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Erzberger, Schmidt, and Strehler. (Motion carried 5:0) Submitted by Jessica Christensen Buck, Recreation Supervisor 03/28/2024 04/11/2024 04/25/2024 05/09/2024 05/23/2024 06/13/2024 06/27/2024 Erzberger Schmidt Friedrich Christenson Nybo Strehler Anderson