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Home My WebLink About2023-11-16 Parks and Trails Minutes CITY OF CORCORAN Corcoran Parks and Trails Meeting Minutes November 16, 2023 - 7:00 pm The Corcoran Parks and Trails Commission met on November 16, 2023, in Corcoran, MN. Present were Chairperson Anderson, Vice-Chairperson Christenson, and Commissioners Friedrich, Nybo, Schmidt, and Strehler. Absent was Commissioner Erzberger. Virtually present was Councilmember Nichols. Present at City Hall 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. Agenda Approval Motion: Made by Friedrich, seconded by Nybo, to approve the agenda as presented. Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Friedrich, Nybo, Schmidt, Strehler. (Motion carried 6:0) 4. Minutes a. Minutes – October 19, 2023, Meeting Commissioner Schmidt pointed out a correction to the numbers on the minutes. Motion: Made by Friedrich, seconded by Nybo, to approve the minutes with the correction to the numbering. Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Friedrich, Nybo, Schmidt, Strehler. (Motion carried 6:0) 5. Open Forum Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that there were no individuals interested in speaking. 6. Presentations a. New Commissioner – Jonathan Schmidt Commissioner Schmidt introduced himself to the Commission, highlighting he grew up in Plymouth, and has lived in Corcoran with his family for the past 2 years. Schmidt noted his love for nature, the outdoors, trails, and how that drew him to the Commission. Commissioners introduced themselves, how long they had been on the Commission, and their time in Corcoran. 7. Unfinished Business a. Hennepin County Bikeway Trail Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck provided information on the Hennepin County 2024 Regional Solicitation for federal funding towards the proposed County Road 116 Bikeway Project. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission of considerations proposed by staff including the cooperative agreement with Three Rivers Park District, proposed linear park, possibility of changing the scope of the funding, cost/maintenance participation, and trail extension opportunities. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck highlighted areas in the project development that the City would be able to check-in with the County, prior to financial commitments. Commissioner Friedrich inquired about the possibility of extending the trail further south to Hackamore Road, as to not exclude the southern portion of Corcoran and encompass the recreational users of County Road 116. Commissioner Schmidt inquired about the layout of the trail, to which Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission it was her CITY OF CORCORAN understanding there would be space between the trail and County Road 116. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck highlighted the area of the trail that would meander through the linear park areas proposed by the City. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that during the conversation with Hennepin County, areas that would go through the proposed linear park would be owned and maintained by the City of Corcoran. Commissioners discussed cost and maintenance participation, and discussed concerns regarding what the costs are applied to. Commissioners noted that there are frequent road bikers along County Road 116, and voiced concerns regarding bikers in the roadways. Commissioner Christenson inquired about snowmobiling on the trail, to which Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that the County discussed potential for incorporating previously designed trails into the project. Commissioner Friedrich inquired about extending the trail to Medina’s trail system at Hackamore Road and County Road 116. Commissioners discussed this being the opportunity to build a trail, move development back from the roadway of County Road 116, and connections to other trails. Commissioners discussed if the project funding, proposed by Hennepin County’s cost estimate at $655,000, would come from Park Dedication Funds. Commissioners discussed concerns of staff time and equipment needs to maintain the trail, specifically during the winter months and wanted further discussion with Hennepin County. Commissioners discussed concerns with eminent domain, to which Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck updated the Commission that staff discussed the City’s previous actions regarding eminent domain. Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission of the project check-in points that would allow for input on items such as eminent domain. Commissioner Christenson clarified that the motion of support would not be a commitment to building the trail, to which Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that the letter and resolution could be drafted to include the areas of concern. Commissioner Nybo asked about a timeframe regarding cost updates and answers to the areas of concern, to which Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that the utilization of the funds is for 2028- 2029, which would likely result in further information prior to allow for planning of the trail corridor. Motion: Made by Friedrich, seconded by Schmidt, to recommend Council support Hennepin County’s 2024 Regional Solicitation, with consideration to extending the project south to Hackamore Road, updated maintenance and cost estimates, built to Corcoran trail standards, and be inclusive of checkpoints in the process. Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Friedrich, Schmidt Nay: Nybo, Strehler (Motion carried 4:2) 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 update on items she had been working on including completion of the Emerging Recreation Leaders Institute, prepping for the opening of ice rinks, Holiday Toy and Food Drive, and the cooperative agreement with Three Rivers Parks District. Commissioner Nybo inquired about the condition of the warming house, to which Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission that the warming house recently got repainted and had the roof repaired. Chairperson Anderson asked Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck to provide some takeaways from her trainings, to which Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck informed the Commission of items regarding naming policies, universal program design, and accessibility of playgrounds. CITY OF CORCORAN 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, the selection of HKGi for master park planning, snow and ice removal policy, a logo discussion, and the Wildflower Park bike rack. Councilmember Nichols walked through updates to the best received logo, noting updates to the shape, contours of the hills, and addition of a duck in the water. b. Garden Club Report Michelle Friedrich informed the Commission that the mulch was put into the Memorial Garden. c. Park Dedication Fund No discussion occurred. 11. Other Business/Announcements – None 12. Commissioner Liaison Calendar a. Upcoming City Council Meetings 10/26/2023 11/09/2023 11/20/2023* 12/18/2023* 01/11/2024 12/18/2023* 01/11/2024 Strehler TBD Anderson Erzberger Anderson TBD Friedrich Nybo Christenson Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck provided the previous month’s meetings and upcoming meetings, asking the Commission to review the dates with their schedules. Commissioners confirmed that the proposed dates would work for them. Commissioners discussed the potential for canceling the December Parks and Trails meeting if there are no agenda items, otherwise moving the meeting to Tuesday, December 19, 2023, if there are necessary agenda items. Chairperson Anderson informed Commissioners that there are occurrences where feedback is necessary for development at certain times, with this potentially being one of those instances. Motion: Made by Friedrich, seconded by Christenson, to move the December Parks and Trails Commission meeting to Tuesday, December 19, 2023, otherwise cancel the meeting should no necessary items be on the agenda. Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Friedrich, Nybo, Schmidt, Strehler (Motion carried 6:0) 13. Adjournment Motion: Made by Nybo, seconded by Strehler to adjourn the meeting at 8:49 pm. Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Friedrich, Nybo, Schmidt, Strehler (Motion carried 6:0) Submitted by Jessica Christensen Buck, Recreation Supervisor