TOWN of
PARK BOARD
MEETING
Members present: Jill Berke, Charlie Macdonell, Eric Star, Jim
Freund, Brian Schwab, and Mark Daun (late)
Members absent: Greg Small (excused)
Others present: Mel Hermansen, Town Constable; Vincent Thao,
Scout; Sam Thao, Bryce Dierke; Scout, Steve Dierke
The meeting was called to
order 7:05 p.m. by Chair Jill Berke. Motion (Macdonell, Freund) to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried. Member Starr volunteered to act in the
capacity of secretary in the absence of Greg Small.
Motion
(Freund, Macdonell) to approve the minutes of the April 28th Park
Board minutes. Motion carried.
Motion
(Macdonell, Freund) to approve the May 11, 2009 minutes of the Annual Park Site
Tour with amendment to H. Playground equipment inspection report, Page 3 to
read, the inspection report highlighted 41 issues “(high to low in priority)” with the
equipment that potentially needs to be addressed. Discussion. Motion carried.
Constable Report
Constable Mel Hermansen
reported that the month of May has been more active. Both Cove Boat Ramp,
and Pemble’s Access “maxed out” a couple of times over the Memorial Day
weekend. The sign at Pemble’s Access,
“No Alcohol Permitted” was removed, and presumed stolen. He reported that there are beer cans, and
evidence of campfires near the beach, in violation of
the ordinance. Suggestion by Hermansen to request additional
patrol by the St. Croix Co. Sheriff’s Dept. after Pemble’s regular closing
hours. Motion (Berke, Freund) to
recommend to the Town Board that the county deputy patrol Pemble’s Access
between 11:00pm and 1:00am on Friday and Saturday, and occasionally during the
week until the problem resolves. Discussion
included the cost for possible increased patrol. Motion carried.
Report by Chair Berke that
neighbor to the south of Pemble’s Access, Jean Diefenbach contacted Town Supr.
Jan Cuccia and suggested that the town place a sign to warn of the sandbar along
the extended beach area. Discussion that
the sand bar is outside of the town’s jurisdiction,
and no action was taken. Chair Berke to
notify Mrs. Diefenbach of Park Board’s decision.
Hermansen reported that
there is an increased use of the play ground area and pavilion at
Trail Marking Eagle Scout project update
Vincent Thao,
Scout gave a second report to the Board, and referenced four options with
material and cost estimates, including a post hole digger rental for installing
the posts along the trHe thanked the Park Board for
the Eagle project opportunity.
Presentation included review of 3M brand prototype reflector material in
various colors to place on posts to “color code” each trail. Member Berke suggested that trail names be
lettered on the posts located at each trail junction. Member Schwab suggested that a color-coded
arrow be placed on the post beneath the reflector indicating which way each
path goes. Board concurs.
Option 4, as presented and
recommended by Vincent was modified and accepted as follows: 1) reduce number of treated posts to 25 or
fewer ($6.77 ea.) 2) 4x4 aluminum
plates, reflective coated and colored plates ($.59 ea) to be attached to posts 3) aluminum
markers, reflective coated and color coded, for “marking rings” along trail
(cost to be determined at later date) 4) decide on color for each trail 5) hole digger (3 days, $90/day); check with All Seasons
Rental, Hudson for possible rate discount or donation.
Vincent plants to begin project
with his scout troop on July 9, 2009 with completion soon after. He will give updated proposal at the June
Park Board meeting. Suggested that
member Small, who is the lead Member for project, contact Vincent to review
progress. Member Macdonell noted that we
have $500 for Eagle project and $700 for signage/trail markings.
Eagle Project - (#1 ) Kiosk Proposal
Bryce
Dierke, Scout (Troop #140) presented two project proposals as follows:
Proposal
to construct small enclosed information kiosk near South Ball Field at trail
junction, with similar design features of large trail shelter in NW corner of
park.
After he presented four construction options to consider, the Park Board
approved the use of natural cedar wood rather than manufactured material at an
estimate cost of $347.79 plus cost of roof shingles if there aren’t any singles
available at the town shop from former park building
projects.
Member Daun expressed
concern with the structural integrity of shelter as proposed. After extensive discussion, direction was
given to use vertical trim boards from top of “bulletin posting area” to
ground, to improve structural strength.
Member Starr, who is the lead Park Board member for project, suggested
to Bryce that his design must be structurally sound. Starr will notify other Park Board members of
kiosk placement as project progresses.
Eagle Project - (#2) Re-staining Park Pavilion
Bruce presented plan to re
stain the park pavilion. Bryce will contact Eric with sample stain colors, and
member Starr was directed to choose appropriate color. Motion (Macdonell, Schwab)
to approve proposed estimate of $175 ($27/gallon) for stain and other materials
from maintenance line item.
Motion carried.
Both projects will begin in
June or July, with anticipated completion date by end of the summer. Bryce will meet with the Park Board at June
meeting to present recommended changes to project plans.
Budget Report
Motion (Mark, Jim) to accept park expenses through
May in amount of $7,338.92, and capital expenses of $4,036.95. Motion
carried. Motion
(Schwab, Daun) to approve Impact fees through 4/30/098 in amount of $81,213.72,
and County Park Funds in amount of $94,065.16. Motion carried.
Cove
Boat Ramp
Member Macdonell reported
the cost to repair the hinge and gangway on dock was $464 (we had approved up
to $2,000). Discussion to place sign
next to ramp to warn about large rocks in interim period until rocks are
removed; plan in progress with Cedar Corp. engineering firm. Memorial Day
weekend was very busy.
Maple tree planting along North Ball Field, member Schwab reported that a 48-gallon water
tank is available at Fleet Farm which could fit in back of town truck. Motion (Mark, Freund) to
give Gary Parent, maintenance crew the authorization to buy the tank and spend
up to $200 as a capital item under ball field budget. Motion carried.
Ballfield Project - Per member Macdonell, $2,700 out of $5,000 budget
has been spent thus far, including benches, infield dirt, removal of outfield fencing,
installation of benches, and materials for removable fence. Removable shed to be purchased from Menards
for $650-700, which leaves project $3,300 below budget. Used bleachers will be
donated next year from
Trail map - Member Daun reported that Riverland Laser,
Trail Extension Project - New proposal reviewed from Tim Wegner from Trail
Source with plan to construct trail extension in June. Motion (Daun, Schwab) to
name new trail segment, “Summit Loop.” Modified/longer trail will cost
$2,185 instead of earlier proposal at $1,155.
Original budget approved at May 11, 2008 meeting was $3,250.
Playground equipment Continue to
address issues/repairs as noted by recent inspection, to include new clevises
and swing seats are installed, repaired saw cut in slide by filling opening,
strengthened bolt on log roller and leveled, replaced cement footing for
digger, reinforced bolt with washer on spiral slide section until part is
replaced, and working to resolve trip hazards near accessible platform and to
add more surface material. Options
include rubber tiles with concrete base, rubber padding on cement base, or
engineered wood fiber. Member Schwab
favors the rubber tiles, which would be most economical. Additional sand is needed to meet “critical
fall height” standards in general playground area. Playground Committee (Schwab, Berke, Starr)
to meet on June 3 to develop specifications for Request for Proposal for new
playground equipment, review accessibility and surface material issues, and meet
with Gerber Leisure representative to discuss spiral slide part replacement.
Chair Berke requested
estimate from Kopp Signs for sign that notices appropriate age level and that
adult supervison is recommended in playground area,
as suggested by standards. Member Schwab
will ask Tom Gryco, rep for Gerber Leisure Co. about
“manufactured” sign and cost.
Public notice and request
for estimates for budgeted playground equipment. Member Daun wants to assure that proposal request
process gets comparable bids from perspective bidders. Chair Berke explained that specification
details will be available at Town Clerk’s office, to include 1) space
requirements 2) categories of playground play events 3) anticipated cost (budgeted
$20,000) 4) age group
5) warranty. Request for
Quotations needs to be publicly noticed in town’s official newspaper with
deadline for sealed project quotes, to be opened and reviewed by the
committee. Plan is to mail specification
details to 5 or 6 playground equipment manufacturers. Playground equipment
committee will develop a Request for Proposal, with specification details for
the full park board to review at the June meeting. When bids come in during July, committee will
review bids and present recommendation to Park Board at the July 28 Park Board
meeting, with installation planned in late summer or early fall.
Plan is to retain current
playground equipment, and to complete repairs as recommended by recent
inspection. Also, full install could
cost $3,000, supervised install with volunteers would
be cheaper. Discussion
about Town crew’s role in installation.
Chair Berke anticipates award of possibly $200
(request was $299) for grant from St. Croix Valley Master Gardeners Assoc. for
Glover Park planting along entrance fence line.
She will learn of award at organization’s meeting on Thursday, and
report at next meeting.
Well pump
After maintenance crew lubricated pump, Chair Berke
noted that it remains very difficult to operate; she will ask Gary Parent to
contact Hoyer Well Co., as directed at May Annual Site Visit, to have further
inspection and repair.
Lost sign prohibiting alcohol was stolen. Jim suggested mounting on
fence to make it tougher to remove. Will revisit matter next
month.
Park Board to review park budget at June meeting.
Member Macdonell asked that recognition be given to Hudson Boosters volunteer
Randy Lau, for his exceptional efforts to the new ball field project; to be
placed on next agenda. Motion (Schwab, Macdonell) to adjourn. Motion carried and
meeting adjourned at 10:00pm.
Next Meeting: June 30, 2009, 7:00 PM at Town
Hall.
Submitted by: Eric Starr (Acting
Secretary) and Jill Berke, Chair