11-15-16 Parks and Rec Minutes ITEM 3.1
OTSEGO PARKS AND RECREATION
OTSEGO PRAIRIE CENTER
November15, 2016
7:00 PM
Call to Order.
Chair Angie Dehn called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Roll Call: Chair Angie Dehn; Commissioners: Jim Breitbach, Corey Tanner, Angela Hilde,
Derrick Stark, Doug Cassady and Cara Husak.
City Council: Mayor Jessica Stockamp and City Council Member Doug Schroeder.
Staff: Ross Demant, Parks and Recreation Director, Dan Licht, City Planner and Connie
Schwecke, Recreation Administrative Assistant.
1. Open Forum.
2. Consider Agenda Approval.
Commissioner Cassady motioned to approve the agenda. Seconded by
Commissioner Hilde. All in favor. Motion carried.
3. Consider Meeting Minutes.
3.1 October 18, 2016 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Commissioner Stark motioned to approve the minutes as written.
Seconded by Tanner. All in favor. Motion carried.
4. Unfinished Business.
4.1 Norin Landing Concept Design Plan.
Parks and Recreation Director Demant introduced Tim Wolf from SRF Consulting.
Mr. Wolf presented the updated concept design plan.
A resident had concerns about where the large cottonwood trees were in the plan. Mr.
Wolf stated they would be located in the island next to the parking lot.
A resident question what material the parking lot and boat landing would be. Mr. Wolf
stated the parking lot and road would be asphalt and the boat ramp would be concrete.
Kevin Sirems, 9995 James Ave NE, Otsego, questioned how the City would be allowed
to develop on the parcel of the land when it was regulated by the Department of
Natural Resources and to be left as green space. City Planner Licht stated the City has
owned this parcel of land since 2004 with the intent that it would be developed as a
community park with a boat landing.
A resident questioned why the city needed to build another park. City Planner Licht
stated that the Parks Commission, the Planning Commission and the City Council looked
ITEM 3.1
at this parcel as an opportunity to expand access to the river. Mr Licht also stated that a
boat launch has been at this site for over thirty years and the Department of Natural
Resources has designated this part of the river to be a world class bass fishing area.
Greg Wersal, 9952 105 St NE Otsego, handed copies of the 2005 Plat of Norin Landing
to the commissioners. Mr. Wersal stated his concerns about the terms of the plat that
would negatively affect the drainage and utility easements if this park was to be
developed. Mr. Wersal said he is strongly opposed to building of this park. City Planner
Licht stated the dedication of the drainage and utility easements on the plat are for the
purpose of managing the drainage and utilities and the City can place any structure
within the utility and drainage easements.
Commissioner Cassady clarified that this parcel of land is City owned has currently a
boat launch on the property. Mr. Cassady questioned that with regards to building this
park, the City would have to follow its own guidelines on utility and drainage
easements. City Planner Licht stated yes.
Sally Bair, 9920 105 St NE Otsego, stated her concerns of increased traffic, canoe
rentals and security problems that would arise from developing this park and also
stated that she is totally opposed to any building on this parcel of land. Parks and
Recreation Director stated that there would be no canoe rentals and Wright County
Sheriff would be possibly adding more patrolling as they do in other parks within the
City. Chair Dehn added that development of this park with better lighting would help
the officers keep the park more secure.
Cheryl Wersal, 9952 105 St NE, Otsego, asked the commissioners to look at a more
natural park. City Planner Licht Dan stated that from 2004 this parcel was always
deemed to be a City park and added that this commission has already scaled back the
original 2007 SRF plans for this park to be a more natural park with green space.
A resident was concerned about people vandalizing the shelter but does think the green
space is a good idea.
A resident asked if the park amenities could be eliminated to create a green space for a
natural park. Commissioner Cassady stated that the Mississippi River is a great natural
resource but the City has very little access and this parcel of land was deemed to be
developed as a community park with river access for all residents to enjoy.
Kevin Sirmons, 9995 James Ave NE, Otsego, stated he is in favor of the concept plan
and of developing a natural park with a large green space. Mr. Sirmons also stated his
only concern was high speed traffic and would ask to see some traffic control in the
area.
ITEM 3.1
City Council member Schroeder asked the residents if Wright County Sheriff had been
contacted about their traffic concerns. Mr. Wersal said yes, the sheriff had been called
and do a patrol on a regular basis. Mr. Wersal stated concerns about traffic and asked
the City to consider a larger buffer of trees close to parking lot to stop ATV’s from going
on his property. Parks and Recreation Director Demant stated that the trees in the
concept plan were large eight to ten foot trees that would immediately after planting
act as a buffer.
Sherry Elleraas, 10084 Kahler Ave NE, Otsego, who has lived at this residence over
thirty years, stated concerns of the high volume of traffic and crime that would occur if
the City develops a park. Ms. Elleraas is also concerned about Kadler Ave and requested
that the road be striped.
Jared Worth, 9868 105 St. NE, Otsego, stated concerns about the lights and asked if
this park be built in phases. City Planner Licht stated this concept plan has been in the
planning stage for seven years and was always intended to be a community park with a
boat landing for families to have access to the river. City Council member Schroeder
commented that it would be too costly for the City and too difficult to build this park in
phases.
Commissioner Breitbach asked Mr. and Mrs. Wersal if they wanted the City to keep, in
the park concept plan, a berm with trees to buffer the parking lot from their residence.
Mr. Wersal stated there was not a good answer and he was opposed to the park being
built. Parks and Recreation Director Demant added that deciduous trees could be
planted that would not obstruct their view of the river.
Commissioner Husak questioned if the gazebo could be moved closer to the parking lot
for easier access from the parking lot. SRF Consultant Mr. Wolf stated it was chosen
because of grading, elevation and tree preservation but would look into other possible
locations.
A resident stated his concerns about crime and vandalism in the park. Commissioner
Cassady stated that once the park is cleared and developed, the park will be safer with
clear lines of vision for the sheriff to patrol. Parks and Recreation Director Demant
agreed and stated by maintaining the parks and staff being more present, this seems to
help deter people from vandalizing.
After discussion, the commissioners requested staff to bring a revised Norin Park
concept plan with the modifications of moving the gazebo east and removal of the fire
pits to the next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on December 20, 2016.
5. New Business.
6. Parks and Recreation Director Update.
ITEM 3.1
Parks and Recreation Director Demant reviewed the CIP and the Prairie Park Dog Park
lighting plans.
7. City Council Reports.
City Council member Doug Schroeder gave an update to the commissioners.
8. Adjourn.
Commissioner Hilde motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner
Tanner. All in favor. Motion carried. Adjourned at 8:31P.M.
Written by Connie Schwecke. Parks and Recreation Administrative Assistant