06-14-06 PRCITY OF OTSEGO
PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 14, 2006 7:00 PM
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at
7:00 PM.
Roll Call: Commissioners: Chair Aaron Stritesky,
Kathy Roberts, Rose Cassady, Russ Langer, Peter
Torresani, and Mike Drumm.
Absent: None.
Councilmembers: Jessica Stockamp and Mark Thorsted.
Staff: City Administrator Michael Robertson.
City Administrator Robertson noted that Virginia
Goughnour had resigned because she was moving out
of Otsego. CM Drumm wondered who should take her
place as Secretary. Other Commissioners suggested
that the job could be given to whichever
Commissioner misses the next meeting.
Agenda Approval: Commissioner Brumm, seconded by
Commissioner Torresani, moved to approve the
revised agenda. Carried 6-0.
Approval of minutes from May 10, 2006 meeting:
Commissioner Cassady, seconded by Commissioner
Langer, moved to approve the minutes as presented.
Carried 6-0.
Peavey House Move to Prairie Park:
Commissioners Ron Black and Chris Wilson of the
Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) discussed
the HPC's suggestion to move the Peavey House to
the SE corner of Prairie Park. The HPC noted that
the Peavey house was the oldest structure in Otsego
and probably Wright County as well.
They would like to store their historic materials
in the house. They said the house would have to be
climate controlled so the materials would not
deteriorate. They feel the materials are currently
deteriorating in the Old Towne Hall (OTH) because
it is not air conditioned.
They would also like to rehab the house so that it
would look like it did in the 1890's. They would
open the house during the Otsego Festival because
of the large crowds in order to show the historical
materials to anyone who is interested. The felt
money earned from the sale of the current Peavey
House lot would pay for all of this.
There was considerable discussion of the proposal
by the Park & Recreation Commission. many
commissioners favored moving the Peavey House
adjacent to the Old Towne Hall to create a heritage
or historic park. They thought the only reason to
put it in Prairie Park was to make it accessible on
festival day. Some were concerned that Prairie
Park was not an appropriate place for the Peavey
House. Some expressed concerns about vandalism if
it was in the park.
Commissioners Robert, Stritesky and Drumm favored
moving the Peavey House to the OTH site.
Commissioner Langer favored moving it to Prairie
Park, Commissioner Cassady passed, and Commissioner
Torresani favored moving it to a designated
historical site.
Commissioner Langer, seconded by Commissioner
Brumm, moved to recommend moving the Peavey House
to either Prairie Park or the Old Towne Hall site.
Carried 5-1, Commissioner Torresani voted no
because he thought the motion was too vague.
Parks Update:
Skate Park - Administrator Robertson reviewed plans
to move the Skate Park. There was considerable
discussion of this issue, particularly with regard
to the Otsego Festival.
Commissioner Brumm, seconded by Commissioner
Cassady, recommended moving the Skate Park.
Carried 6-0.
Commissioner Stritesky, seconded by Commissioner
Torresani, recommended to complete the move of the
skate park before the Otsego Festival. motion
failed 4-1, Commissioner Stritesky voting yes and
Commissioner Torresani abstaining.
Commissioner Langer, seconded by Commissioner
Roberts, recommended to move the skate park after
the festival, with the skate park to be dismantled
during the Otsego Festival. Motion carried 4-1,
Commissioner Stritesky voting no and Commissioner
Torresani abstaining.
Commissioner Cassady asked that rules of behavior
be posted for the skate park and said that if she
were sure the move would be completed by the
festival she wouldn't object.
Ball Field Aq-Lime - Administrator Robertson said
Public Works Director Brad Belair had said there
were four kinds of ag-lime and that he preferred
this kind because it set up better. Commissioner
Torresani insisted that the ag-lime was wrong.
Fall Recreation Dates - Commissioners set Saturday,
October 21 for Pumpkin Patch Days and Saturday
December 9 for Santa Day.
Kadler Boat Landing Park - Commissioner Torresani
asked where the design was for this park.
Administrator Robertson said that the Council had
approved the priority list as submitted by the Park
& Recreation Commission and that the top priority
was finding a site for a large ball park. He noted
that City Planner had been very busy with
development issues lately and had not had time to
work on this issue. Several Commissioners insisted
that a design was needed and Robertson said he
would seek permission from the City Council.
2006 Park Construction - Commissioner Torresani
asked for an update next meeting on the progress of
the 2006 Park construction.
City Update:
Councilmembers Stockamp and Thorsted updated
Commissioners and recent Council decisions.
New Business:
Commissioners noted that there was some graffiti on
the picnic tables at School Knoll Park and asked
that it be cleaned up.
Commissioners asked that the City advertise for a
new Park & Recreation Commissioner to replace the
departed Virginia.
Adjourrunent: With no further business Commissioner
Cassady, seconded by Commissioner Langer, moved to
adjourn at 9:13 p.m. Carried 6-0.
Am i Male Vleo b e rat s '?n��
City Administrator