Loading...
03-24-09 WS March 24, 2009 Page 1 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION Tuesday, March 24, 2009 Mayor Maxwell called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm. Present were Mayor Maxwell and Council members Halverson, Brausen, Rowan, Y ouakim and City Manager Rick Getschow; Public Works Director Steve Stadler, City Engineer John Bradford, Park Board Members: Molly Cummings, Brian Furan, Doug Datta and Aaron Kuznia. Meetine with the Park Board: 1. Interlachen Park Improvements: Public Works Director Steve Stadler stated the current CIP includes a total of $90,000 for park improvenlents over two years, including $50,000 for play equipment and $40,000 for park warming house/shelter improvements. The Park Board, City staff and Brauer & Associates planners have Inet with the neighborhood twice to discuss the park and potential improvements. These were good discussions which led to follow-up emails and letters from neighborhood groups that are advocating for various improvement schemes - some placing a priority on play equipment and another on warming house upgrades. Public Works Director Steve Stadler stated that the Park Board have reviewed and discussed the neighborhood feedback including the results for the 2007 neighborhood park survey, and have agreed upon a proposed improvement plan. The Park Board will be inviting the neighborhood residents to the April 20th Park Board meeting to present the plan and receive feedback and answer any questions they may have. Public Works Director Steve Stadler stated that the plans for Interlachen Park Improvements include: Play Equipment Warming House Improvements New Picnic Shelter New Paths in the Park (between parking area, warming house and play equipment). New drinking fountain Concrete work around the play equipment and picnic shelter Lighting improvements. Public Works Director Steve Stadler stated that there are three options: 1. Purchase the equipment and have it installed by a contractor, including removal of the existing equipment 2. City demos the existing equipment removal, purchase equipment, City lays out and install concrete equipment bases and neighborhood volunteers assemble the pieces, supervised by the City and play equipment supplier. 3. Retain the existing play equipment and just upgrade the safety surfacing from pea rock to engineered wood fiber. The City would remove the pea rock and install the liner and new surfacing. March 24,2009 Page 2 Mayor Maxwell made a suggestion to check out composite vs. timber or any other options that might be available. Public Works Director Stadler stated that he would look into that. Mayor Maxwell inquired about the lighting at the park. Steve Stadler stated that the panel is old and has 200 amp service however, the breakers are so old that they do not supply them anymore. The neighborhood has indicated that they would like the park to have better lighting. Steve stated that they will look at fixing the lighting this year. Mayor Maxwell inquired if a bathroom would be installed at the park. Public Works Director Stadler stated that the cost is too high to put a bathroom in. The bathroom would cost approximately $180,000. The neighborhood accepted that the cost was too much. Mayor Maxwell also inquired if the basketball court was going to be moved and Public Works Director Stadler stated it would not move. Mayor Maxwell inquired about the drainage in the play area. Public Works Director Stadler stated that he is looking at putting drain tile in under the new play area. Public Works Director Stadler also stated that they will do aggressive over seeding in areas that do not have ice on it in the winter, making it more appealing ands usable. Public Works Director Stadler stated that the shelter might move a little due to the placement of snow in the winter time. Council Member Y ouakim asked if the neighborhood is willing to help in redoing the park. Park Board member Molly Cummings stated that the neighborhood is on board in terms of doing fundraisers (for possible extra amenities) or being involved in the update of the park. She also stated that the neighborhood does not want any signage of where the park is. Public Works Director Stadler stated that the lighting improvements and electrical work would cost approximately $5,000 - $10,000. He stated the warming house improvement would be in June 2009, the lighting improvements September 2009, install water line for drinking fountain September 2009, remove existing play equipment October 2009, install play area drainage/edging and other concrete October 2009, install new play equipment May 2010, pave paths May 2010, Install drinking fountain and other miscellaneous items May 2010 and install picnic shelter Summer/Fall 2010. Park Board member Molly Cummings stated that the neighborhood is very excited about the updates. 2. Memorial Bench and Tree Donation Proeram: The Park Board is developing a new program that would allow residents to purchase and donate a park bench or tree for placement in the park of their choosing. The bench donation is $1,000. This would include the same or very similar 6 ft. bench used with the memorial bench program in Downtown Park, a memorial plaque and a concrete pad for the bench. March 24, 2009 Page 3 Tree donation amounts: Tree with deed - $300 (This donation would include a 2 inch caliper tree and a parchment Memorial Deed bound in a padded portfolio. A tree with a monument marker - $600. This would include the ree and a 10" x 20" x 4" thick light granite marker with up to four lines of lettering, 16 letters per line. Tree and bench locations and tree type: Donors will specify a location preference and the Street/Park Superintendent will then assist in determining the location. We will develop a tree list for donors to choose from. · Tree guarantee: five years. Program implementation, timing and marketing. Anticipated start date is June 15,2009, order three benches in April, Design deed document and develop order forms. Marketing: Presentation to City Council - April 21 Hopkins Highlights announcement - June 2009 Website information in May Community bulletin board item on local access TV Hopkins Sun Sailor article There was discussion on planting flowers and trees. Park Board member Molly Cummings suggested Rotary Oasis. Mayor Maxwell suggested planting flowers along boulevards. Mayor Maxwell asked Rick to check out other cities to see what they are doing. 3. Communication: Park Board member Molly Cummings stated that the Park Board would like to be more connected with the residents. She stated that there could be a lot more education about the Park Board and what they do. Council member Y ouakim suggested getting youth involved. Council member Brausen suggested making a brochure and handing that out. Mayor Maxwell stated that something could go onto the agenda for their meetings. City Manager Getschow thought of a "Friends of the Park" foundation and "Hopkins in Motion". Council Member Rowan suggested having Park Board meetings in the park. Council member Y ouakim suggested having a booth at the Hopkins Raspberry Festival. Other suggestions were, putting information in the Highlights, on our website, newsletters, with information how each park is unique. These are all good ideas for the Park Board to be more visible to the community. 2009 Street Improvement Proiects: City Engineer John Bradford stated that he received only one call about the parking lot. Mayor Maxwell stated that he had received about 11 phone calls from residents who do not like the parking lot plan. Public Works Director Steve Stadler stated that the parking lot could always go in at a later date - after this project is complete. March 24,2009 Page 4 City Engineer Bradford discussed reducing the cost of drain under the curb from $36,000 to $18,000 by placing rock between the road and the native soil. Council member Brausen stated that he is concerned about causing breaks or leakage with the heavy equipment that would be going on the road. Bradford indicated that it should not be a problem. There was discussion about putting the sewer in the road and having to look for a piece of pipe that can connect the main pipe to the home owner's pipe. Council member Brausen inquired about the possibility of having to go into the property owners pipe more than at the connection and stated that he was concerned if the owner could afford to pay for that. City Engineer Bradford stated that the City is willing to pay for 50% of the pipe from the middle of the street to the property line (which is owned by the property owner). If more work needed to be done because of bad piping to the house they could then call a plumber out to fix the piping at that time and assess the property for the repair. Council member Brausen asked what the ordinance states in terms of leaks. Public Works Director will look into that and get back with the council about the wording of the ordinance. There was a great deal of discussion on this topic and the consensus is to get estimated costs for repair and have a list of contractor's for residents to call with estimates on how much the job would cost. Mayor Maxwell stated that if anyone has a concern they could notify City Engineer John Bradford. Other: Council member Brausen inquired about when the CER T classes are at the Fire Station. City Manager Getschow stated that 75 people have showed an interest in this. There is a class on April 6th to the end of May and another one may be happening sometime later in 2009. Council member Brausen stated that owners of businesses need to be responsible about cleaning up cigarette butts and other items in front of their businesses. City Manager Getschow stated that another mailing (with an attachment showing a cigarette disposal stand that could be purchased) may be needed for th~ business owners. Council member Y ouakim stated that she received a complaint about semi's and garbage trucks going too fast down Mainstreet. City Manager Getschow stated that the Fire Department sent 6 firefighters to Moorhead to assist with the flooding. March 24, 2009 Page 5 With no further business, a motion was made by Brausen, seconded by Rowan to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 pm. Debbie Sperling, Secretary ATTEST~ ~~ EugeneJ.11a el~or