HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-01-31 Parks and Trails Minutes
CITY OF CORCORAN
Corcoran Parks and Trails Meeting Minutes
January 31, 2023 - 7:00 pm
The Corcoran Parks and Trails Commission met on January 31, 2023, in Corcoran, MN, following the
meeting being rescheduled from the original January 19, 2023, date.
Present were Chairperson Anderson, Vice-Chairperson Meister, and Commissioners Friedrich, Nybo,
Strehler, and Wyffels.
Absent was Commissioner Christenson.
Also present was 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. Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson Elections
Chairperson Anderson informed the Commission that an election needed to occur to determine the
chairperson and vice-chairperson for 2023. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck updated the
Commission on term expirations for Commissioner Christenson and Vice-Chairperson Meister. Vice-
Chairperson Meister notified the Commission that she did not plan to continue serving on the
Commission following her term. Chairperson Anderson expressed to the Commission that he would
prefer this be his final year as the Chairperson for the Commission.
Motion: Made by Nybo, seconded by Friedrich, to elect Commissioner Anderson as Chairperson.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Friedrich, Meister, Nybo, Strehler, and Wyffels.
(Motion carried 6:0)
Motion: Made by Nybo, seconded by Strehler, to elect Commissioner Christenson as Vice-
Chairperson.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Friedrich, Meister, Nybo, Strehler, and Wyffels.
(Motion carried 6:0)
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that if Commissioner
Christenson did not accept the Vice-Chairperson election, the Commission would be asked to vote
on the item again at the February 16, 2023, Parks and Trails Commission meeting.
4. Agenda Approval
Motion: Made by Meister, seconded by Friedrich, to approve the agenda as presented.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Friedrich, Meister, Nybo, Strehler, and Wyffels.
(Motion carried 6:0)
5. Minutes
a. Minutes – October 20, 2022, Meeting
Motion: Made by Nybo, seconded by Wyffels, to approve the minutes as presented.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Friedrich, Meister, Nybo, Strehler, and Wyffels.
(Motion carried 6:0)
6. Open Forum
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that there were no individuals
interested in speaking.
7. Presentations – None
CITY OF CORCORAN
8. Unfinished Business
a. City Park Remaster Update
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck described the history of project, including the
recommendation of approval of the 30% concept plan designs by the Parks and Trails Commission,
and then subsequently received City Council approval. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck
informed the Commission that staff was working hard to ensure that the RFQ is accurate and
detailed to receive the best submissions from consultants. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck
informed Commissioners that she anticipated the RFQ would be in the City Attorney’s hands by the
February 16, 2023, Parks and Trails Commission meeting, out to consultants by March 1, 2023, and
bonding for the project in 2024. Chairperson Anderson requested clarification on the purpose of the
RFQ, to which Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that the RFQ
would be to decide which consultant handles the 70% design of the project. Chairperson Anderson
inquired on park usage availability, to which Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the
Commission that the park would likely be usable through the entire 2023 spring, summer, and fall
seasons.
9. New Business
a. 2022 Year in Review and 2023 Priorities
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck provided an overview of the tasks that Parks and Trails
Commissioners accomplished in 2022 including recommendations on development plans, 30%
design approval for the City Park concept plans, and approval of the Diamond Lake Regional Trail
master plan. Recreation Supervisor informed the Commission that following a meeting with
Chairperson Anderson and Vice-Chairperson Meister to determine 2023 priorities including
additional work on the Diamond Lake Regional Trail, the boardwalk and open space park in
Bellwether, City Park remaster RFQ, park dedication fund allocations, educational signs at
Wildflower Park, and development/park standards updates. Commissioner Friedrich inquired about if
there is a map that shows all the City’s proposed trails with the Diamond Lake Regional Trail
superposed on the map, to which Recreation Supervisor informed Commissioners that she would
attempt to find one for the Commission. Chairperson Anderson provided an overview of the process
for park dedication with regards to trails, at which point park dedication would be taken for trails that
are accepted. Chairperson Anderson requested that the proposed 2023 park tour take place once
the snow melts, potentially with Public Works Director Mattson, to visit the open space park in the
Bellwether development. Chairperson Anderson provided an overview of the open space park and
boardwalk that is proposed for the Bellwether development, with Recreation Supervisor Christensen
Buck informing the Commission that some design preferences were discussed at a previous
meeting. Chairperson Anderson noted that the schedule for the year can be adjusted as things arise.
10. Reports/Information
a. Active Planning Applications – Informational Only
Vice-Chairperson Meister informed the Commission that during the January 12 City Council meeting
that she attended, there were discussions of putting in a traffic light, but it was determined that the
only way to do that would be to have a gas station in the location as well. Chairperson Anderson
inquired about how many new housing permits have been coming in, to which Commissioner
Friedrich mentioned that only 3 lots were remaining in Ravinia, over 500 homes platted in Tavera,
and noted the completion of the Bass Lake Crossing development. Vice-Chairperson Meister
inquired about apartments were proposed at County Road 30 and County Road 101. Katherine
Drivas, 6747 Olde Sturbridge Road, informed the Commissioners that Applewood Pointe had
informed waitlist individuals that the project was pulled.
CITY OF CORCORAN
b. Recreation Supervisor Update
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission of items that she had been
working on including the City Park remaster RFP, 2022 Holiday Toy and Food Drive, spring baseball
registrations, and coordinating with the Public Works Department to open the ice rinks.
11. Subcommittee & Miscellaneous Reports
a. City Council Report
No discussion occurred.
b. Garden Club Report
Tom Anderson and Sharon Meister informed the Commission that the Garden Club was looking to
hold a meeting in February. Tom Anderson updated the Commissioners on the 2023 annual tree
giveaway planning process and informed them that there would be some adjustments to the process
in an effort to include individuals that may not have reserved trees in the past.
c. Park Dedication Fund
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commissioners that there was approximately
$47,000 additional in the park dedication fund since the October 20, 2022 Parks and Trails
Commission meeting.
12. Other Business/Announcements – None
13. Commissioner Liaison Calendar
01/26/2023 02/09/2023 02/23/2023 03/09/2023 03/23/2023 04/13/2023 04/27/2023
Strehler Friedrich Nybo Wyffels Christenson Anderson Meister
14. Adjournment
Motion: Made by Nybo, seconded by Meister, to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 pm.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Friedrich, Meister, Nybo, Strehler, and Wyffels.
(Motion carried 6:0)
Submitted by Jessica Christensen Buck, Recreation Supervisor