HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 3/14/2007 - Parks and Recreation Committee PARKS AND RECREATION C4MMITTEE MEETIl�TG
�, Wednesday,March 14,2007
Aldermen's Conference Room, 7:00 p.m.
In Attendance: Committee Members: Chairman Alderman Peterson, Alderman Santi.
Absent: Alderman Schaefer. Also in Attendance: Assistant City Administrator Hobson, Director
of Parks and Recreation Merkel, Superintendent of Forestry and Park Planning Schmidt,
Superintendent of Recreation Witt, Athletic Program Coordinator Lunkenheimer, Superintendent
of Parks Maintenance Kittl and Deputy Clerk Kunzer.
Also in Attendance: Steve Halberg Bonestroo, Devery& Associates
Chairman Alderman Peterson ca.11ed the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Discussion Reg�rding Parks& Recreation Master Plan
Final Draft
Director of Parks and Recreation Merkel requested the final copy of the master plan when
presented to Council for approval includes pagination for ease of reference.
Superintendsrrt of Forestry and Park Planning Schmidt noted the plan invenzory indicated the
City cunently has two interpretive centers. An interpretive center is a building or facility which
houses exhibits, pictures, posters and information relative to the native parklands, plants and
animals. He stated there are no interpretive centers in the City to his knowledge. He requested
,� this be corrected in the final draft.
Mr. Halberg stated the purpose of this evening's meeting is to obtain final comments prior to
presentation before the City Council. He noted priorities should be established such as ensuring
all park facilities are ADA compliant, determining if land acquisition is desirable, and if so, in
which quadrant first, second, third, etc., targeting a site for a large active park site similar to
Lippold Field in Crystal Lake, etc.
Assistant City Administrator Hobson pointed out the inventory shows eight boat launches. He
noted there a.re only three launches in the City. It was the consensus to correct the inventory to
indicate three launches. Likewise, there are only 18 golf holes in the City FAP and not the 45
indicated in the inventory, which included the holes contained in the Boone Creek Golf Club,
part of Bull Valley's planning area. Following some discussion, it was agreed to show only the
18 holes (Chapel Hill Golf Club) within the City's planning area. Additionally, it was the
consensus to delete all references to the Boone Creek Golf Club in the master plan text.
Mr. Halberg stated the plan at this poiirt is to deliver 50 colored copies of the master plan to the
City on Apri1 16�' for distribution with the agenda packets for the April 23`d City Council
meeting.
Alderman Santi requested Mr. Halberg walk the Committee through the type of presentation he
is proposing fbr Council consideration of the master plan. Mr. Halberg stated he would do an
executive summary PowerPoint presentation; however he has not yet prepared it. He noted he
�' would likely take the Council through the plan in broad strokes. The goal would be to
demonstrate tlie priorities established within the plan teart. He suggested Group 1 tasks might be
Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting
March 14, 20C 7
Page 2
� those which could be accomplished in the short term, perhaps within the next one to three years.
Group 2 tasks might be mid-range tasks and Group 3 could be long-range tasks.
Chairman Peterson inquired if any of the designa.ted tasks/acquisitions/improvements would be
targe�ted for the 2007-2008 fiscal year budget. Director Merkel responded in the negative.
Some discussion occuned regarding removing the soccer fields from Althoff Park, and
relocating thern elsewhere, perhaps in Shamrock Park. The quality of the soccer fields at Althoff
Park is poor. It was suggested Althoff Park might be a good location for a dog pazk.
Superintendent Schmidt noted a high priority following the recent needs assessment was
installing wasluooms at existing parks. He suggested washrooms be constructed at Freund Field
and Shamrock Farms Park. He stated the key needs according to the residents are washrooms and
available parking at all park sites.
Director Merkel stated the master plan needs to be looking to the future, and not solely at what is
needed today.
Some discussion followed regarding usable net area remaining for active and passive park land.
He stated the City has adequate natural passive land, but falls short on active parklands. It was
noted the City falls short of its established 15 acre/1000 persons target for active park land.
�.. Questian was raised if there would be enough room to replace the 93 existing parking spaces at
Shamrock Park to accommodate parking for the three soccer fields if they were relocated there
from Althoff Park.
Brief discussion followed regarding land acquisition capability and process, includin� potential
condemnation which could take years. It was noted land acquisition might just happen when
someone decides they want to donate or sell their land to the City. The master plan is important
because it establishes targeted areas where additional park land acquisition would be desirable.
Discussion occurred regarding whether the presentation to the Council should be a pre-final or a
final master plan. Assistant City Administrator Hobson su�gested City Council be given an
opportunity to review the plan carefully prior to having the presentation of the final master plan
document. He noted Council might have objections to parts of the plan or may wish to provide
specific input to the plan prior to going to press with 50 final colored copies.
Director Merkel stated all who have been participatory in the discussions, public meetings and
open houses regazding the creation of the new master plan will be sent invitations to come to the
Council meeting when it will be presented.
A lengthy discussion followed regarding the best way to proceed with presentation of the plan to
the City Council.
� Alderman Santi stated he is not sure how the City Council will receive the proposed athletic
fields and ball fields on the Petersen Athletic Fields— South. He stated he is also not sure if the
soil conditions would be conducive to these fields. Director Merkel noted this park has gone
Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting
March 14, 2007
Page 3
� through significant discussion relative to its potential development. Alderman Santi noted the
fields could not be lit.
Alderrnan Santi requested clarification regarding active versus passive park use. He opined a
passive walking path could be located in Wheeler Fen Park. This would be a good use of passive
park area. He noted walking paths were a high priority stated in the needs assessment survey.
Assistant City Administrator Hobson suggested the committee review each of the park maps
which resulted in the following comments:
Knox Park
Expand walking paths to the Municipal Center
Lakeland Park
Renovate the parking area
Miller Riverfront Park
Construct motorized boat launch
North Oak Park
Expand the park to the north
Install lighted ball fields
\..
Petersen Historic Farm
Add equestrian trails
Create archery range
Access to special events area should be from Northgate Shopping Center as opposed to through
the park from McCullom Lake Road
Petersen Picnic Area
Convert tennis court to inline hockey
West Beach Park
Future non-motorized boat launch
Jaycees Park
Research additional parking
Whispering Oaks Park
Change configuration of trail on pond on map to accurately reflect path location
Center Street Park
Add inline hockey in property acquisition open space
� Cold Snrin�s Park
On map add bike trail along Dartmoor Drive
Clarify access tu disc golf along Ponca
Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting
March 14, 2007
Page 4
�— East Beach Park
Mainly passive uses
Add swing set
Assistant City Administrator Hobson will discuss with administration how best to proc�d in
bring the master plan before Council for discussion and consideration, whether it be pre-final
plan or final plan.
Mr. Halberg stated he would begin work on the PowerPoint presentation and will forward to
Staff for review.
New Business
Director 1Vlerkel reported he has received many requests for a dog park in the last couple of
weeks. It appears to be a high priority for residents at this time.
Adiournment
Motion by Santi, seconded by Peterson, to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m.
Aye: Santi, Peterson.
Nay: None.
Absent: Schaefer.
Motion carried.
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Respectfully submitt
. � _ .tJE �h'1�r-
Robert J. Peterso Cha.irman
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