HomeMy WebLinkAbout[02] - Minutes August 27 St Joseph Park Board Minutes
August 27, 2018
6:00 p.m.
Saint Joseph Government Center
Members Present: John Anderson(Chairman),Marguerite Fogarty(Secretary),Andrew Deuhs,
Jodi Keehr, Terry Thene(Staff Liaison),Rick Schultz(City Council), Sharon Rennie
1. Call to Order: 6:07 p.m.
2.Approval of Minutes:Approved
3.Approval of Agenda: Approved
4. Treasurers Report:
Lori Bartlett shared the reconciled financial reports through July 31, 2018.Undesignated balance
is $44,352.62.The Park Board Fund Balance$120,986.39. $32,000 is designated for the
Millstream play equipment, $2,559.75 is designated for the Dog Park and$42,074.00 is
designated for East park development.
The Treasurer's report was approved.
5.Liaison Reports:
A.Rick Schultz:
Two new welcome signs for the city are going to be installed.
The Food Shelf and Historical Society have moved into the Community Center. They will have
their own entrance.
The lease is up with Little Saints in two years.
The annexation process is still in progress. The legal process is ongoing.
B.Terry Thene:
There was some minor vandalism at Klinefelter Park. The concrete benches were moved. Some
other vandalism occurred to the toilets.
Rain gutters were installed on the Millstream building. The playground equipment has been
installed. The volleyball court is up and running.
6. Old Business
A.Update on Playground:
The equipment has been installed and it is being used.
B.Moving Forward on East Park Bob Kost,SHE
Bob Kost presented a vision statement for East Park:
"East Park will be a welcoming and wild place that is actively managed and mindfully stewarded
to restore and protect its unique natural resources and recreational amenities for the enrichment
and enjoyment of all park visitors."
Improvement will happen in stages,while keeping the wetland areas intact.
In the habitat restoration,the vision is to include trails,"interpretation and wayfinding"(learning
about the area),gathering areas,passive recreation(bird watching, fishing).
An"Active Area"would happen in a later phase.
It was proposed to moving the boat launch,formalizing the area. A parking lot would be included
with Boardwalks. There could be a secondary parking area with access to trails.The trails would
have topography added for interest and not left flat.A turn-around with additional parking could
be added at the end of the road,with more connection to trails.
An early phase could include restoring the wetland, including native plants and removing
invasive plants. Additional boardwalk would be included here.
The plan included new neighborhood connections as development occurs.A picnic shelter could
be included.
It was mentioned that certain soft surface trails can withstand flooding conditions.Mowed trails
are a possibility.
Direct hardwood seeding could happen in agricultural area.
Bob included a preliminary cost estimate. Acreage amounts were requested.
Terry suggested that the ag work be stopped and reforestation with prairie establishment begin
now.Initially,trails could be mowed. We could construct a new safe canoe access out of gravel.
Andrew made a motion that the proposed plan by SEH be adopted as a concept plan for East
Park,replacing the original 2008 System Plan. The motion was approved.
John suggested that a public"unveiling"be held at our next Board Meeting.
Terry is going to look into other estimates for the initial project,which would include;
reforestation,prairie establishment and boat launch.
C.Pickleball Plans:
John is going to begin laying indoor courts. Screening is relatively inexpensive for surrounding
current tennis courts. This will be discussed again in the spring.
D. Skatepark:
The current plan is to use the existing equipment at the hockey rink.
E.Recreation in Community Center Fall 2018:
Pickleball class will be held in October.
F.Other Old Business:
None.
7.New Business:
A.Tree Planting in East Park:
Rick is going to send us a list of tree choices to order from the DNR.
B.Other New Business:
None.
8.Adjournment: 7:35