Town of Troy

PARK BOARD MEETING

Tuesday September 23, 2008

7:00 pm, Troy Town Hall

 

Members Present:

Jill Berke, Charlie Macdonell, Jim Freund, Greg Small,

 

Members Absent:

Brian Schwab (excused), Mark Daun (excused)

 

Others Present:

Mel Hermansen, Town Constable, Eric Starr

 

 

Call to Order 

Chair Berke called the meeting of the Town of Troy Park Board to order at 7:00 PM. 

 

Adoption of Agenda

Member Small moved to adopt the agenda; member Freund seconded the motion.  Motion was unanimously carried.

 

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the August 26, 2008 Park Board Meeting were reviewed.  Member Freund  moved to approve the minutes as amended on page 2 (…member Macdonell moved to approve the constable report, second by Schwab…); member Macdonell seconded the motion.  Motion unanimously carried.

 

Review of Park Revenue/Expenditures through August 2008; Approval of Invoices/Impact Fees

  • The park revenue and expenditures through August 31, 2008 were reviewed.  It was noted that impact fees for park improvements total $120.325.00 and County Park Funds total $92,683.47.
  • Income through 8/31/08 was $8,134.16, expenditures were $15,335.68 through 8/31/08, and capital expenses were $7,305.00 through 8/31/08.

 

  • Member Freund moved that the revenue and expenditures be approved as tabulated by the Town Clerk.  Seconded by Macdonell.  Motion unanimously carried.

 

Constable/Park Ranger Report 

§         The park system was relatively quiet this summer.  There were still a few people launching boats and leaving immediately without paying the launch fees, but overall compliance with launch fees and parking were generally pretty good this summer.

§         Constables and Ranger would like to have the hours signs at Pembles changed to reflect the ½ hour after sunset closure in the summer.  The Town ordinance has been amended to reflect this in draft form.  The final form of the revised Town ordinances awaits Town Board review and approval later during 2008.

 

2009 Patrol Change Request

Town Constables and Park Ranger would like to have the park patrol schedule modified to accommodate greater Town visibility during the Memorial Day and Independence Day holiday periods.  These are the two busiest time periods at the Cove and at Pembles.  Constables/Ranger proposed to have 2 officials on patrol at any time during the schedule during these periods to handle increased demands of the busy periods.  The increased hours for these holiday periods would be offset by reductions in patrol hours during the winter months when park use is minimal, especially when the temperatures dip.

 

Member Macdonell moved to approve the 2009 Patrol Schedule Changes as proposed by Constable Hermansen, member Freund seconded the motion.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Park Board Vacancy

The Park Board continues to seek nominations to the Park Board for the seat vacated by the departure of Jan Cuccia.  Eric Starr has completed the questionnaire.  The Town Newsletter will be issued during early October and there is some text in the newsletter regarding the open Park Board position.  This issue will be revisited during the October meeting..

 

Park & Recreation Reports

 

Cove Boat Ramp

  1. Usage Report:  Ramp use has declined since Labor Day weekend.  The boating season is winding down.

 

  1. Status of estimates for restoring rip rap and concrete sections:  Cedar Corporation is reviewing options for rip rap changes on the north side of the ramp.  At the same time, they are looking for a contractor that has the experience and equipment to repair the ramp sections, move some of the large rip rap boulders that were shifted by ice last spring, and repair the rip rap and erosion controls on the north side of the ramp.

 

  1. Other:  The boat dock will be moved by Windmill Marina sometime after approximately October 15, 2008. 

 

Glover Park

  1. Update report on Ball Field Project – Macdonell:  Work has yet to start on the new ball field.  Some work on the existing field has been started, with additional work planned for September 24-25.  The Town Road Crew is assisting as needed and available.  The construction on the new ball field is planned to begin within the next couple weeks.

 

  1. Status of agreement for long term use with the ball teams – Macdonell:  The town attorney is working through the language.

 

  1. Review of map with addition of trail names and symbols – Small:  Various map symbols and alternative symbols were presented and discussion was had regarding these.  Map symbols that should be included on the final map should include information kiosk, picnic table, restrooms, hiking trails, ski trails, and a symbol for the water well.  Member Small will find examples for the information kiosk, water well, and ski trails and provide them for board review.

 

  1. Status of roof replacement and repair project:  Chair Berke reported that member Schwab has been working with the contractor, Larry Hanson, on this and it is anticipated that the project will be completed soon and they anticipate it will be within budget.
  2. Update buckthorn and prickly ash removal project – Freund:  Member Freund is looking into volunteer opportunities with several of the Boy Scout Troops in Hudson, North Hudson, and River Falls for them to assist with buckthorn/prickly ash removal. 

 

Pemble’s Access

  1. Report of usage:  Usage has been slow since Labor Day weekend.

 

  1. End of Season Closing:  Pemble’s is closed during the week, open weekends only right now.  Pembles will close for the season on September 28.  Darrell’s Septic will remove the toilets after that date.

 

2009 Budget Preparation – Continued Discussions

Member Macdonell presented the budget spreadsheets that highlighted expenditures over the past several years, as well as expenditures through August 2008 and anticipated additional expenditures through the end of 2008, along with a budget plan for 2009.  The operating budget for 2009 includes:   approximately $52,000 for operating expenses, approximately $35,000 for designated capital improvements, and approximately $50,000 for undesignated capital improvements.  Member Freund moved to approve the proposed budget, member Small seconded the motion.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

Committee Reports

None at this time.

 

Correspondence

The Town received a letter from the Greenway Family of Mitchell, South Dakota along with a $50.00 donation for the use of Glover Park each of the past two years for a family reunion. 

 

Announcements

None.

 

Adjournment

Member Macdonell moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Freund.  Motion unanimously carried.  The September 23, 2008 meeting of the Town of Troy Park Board was adjourned at 10:30 PM.

 

 

Next Meeting:  October 28, 2008, 7:00 PM at Troy Town Hall