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03-13-1997 "-" ..""" PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MARCH 13, 19977:00 PM EDGEWA TER CITY HALL MINUTES ROLL CALL/CALL TO ORDER The Chairman, Tom Tipton called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. Members present were Larry Ruggles, Shirley Pittman, Erwin Brown, Hal Jones and Tom Tipton. Also present was Jack Corder, Director of Parks and Recreation. Several residents who reside on Lake Avenue and Mary Street surrounding Mango Lake were also present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Ruggles moved to approve the minutes of the January 9th meeting and Mr. Brown seconded. Motion CARRIED 5-0. OLD BUSINESS Future Plans/Manao Lake Mr. Tipton began by welcoming the residents from the Mango Lake area. He stated the Board was looking at options and future plans for the Mango Lake property. He stated that nothing has been finalized as of yet, there have been no recommendations to Council and everything is simply in a planning stage at this point and nothing would be happening overnight. He said there are things which have to be considered before any plans can go farther and he asked Mr. Corder to expand on these. Mr. Corder began by explaining that Council had directed him to put a plan together for the development of the Mango Lake property into a park and this is what he had brought before the Park Board; to come up with ideas. He stated he had no funds presently for development and when plans do get finalized he will then have to apply for grants, which he mayor may not get. He stated the lake is a storage area for reuse water in the future if needed, and he also needs to take into consideration the liability insurance for such a project. He noted it was good to see so many residents there and to get their ideas and concerns would be helpful to all. He stated we were looking to build a passive park, not something outrageous. Things to be considered would be hours the park would be open to the public, whether or not there would be someone there full time, due to liability and exactly what kind of facilities would be included in the park. At this time Mr. Tipton opened the floor to any comments the residents had concerning this project, adding that this would be only one of many meetings the Board would have concerning this park. Rav Jarrett, stated his main concern was whether or not the east side of the lake would be used in the park. Mr. Corder stated probably not, due to the narrowness of this area, however it may include trees or plantings or possibly a fitness trail. Bob Kortman questioned whether there would be access to the lake from that side and Mr. Corder replied he had no definite answer for that right now, however, if there were public access and the park were closed, the access to residents would be closed also. He said Council would be the ones to determine that at a later date. Elizabeth Jacobsen stated she just wanted to be sure that the Board members realized how deep that lake is and how dangerous it could be. Mr. Corder stated when we first acquired this property his department put a boat in the lake and ~ ....", measured the depth. He said it had filled in some and he thought it would be even deeper than it measured at 26 feet, with one spot being 36 feet. Mr. Tipton added this was an issue already brought up by the Board and it would end up being a decision by Council, due to the liability. Mr. Corder stated there would be no swimming allowed in the lake and he would like to see paddle boats put in there, which would mean someone would have to be on the grounds controlling the people. He again stated it would be a passive park, for picnics, reunions, etc. not to include ballfields, racquetball, tennis or the such. Mr. Tipton took this opportunity to explain some of the ideas the Board had previously discussed . These ideas included a pavilion, grills for cookouts, possibility of paddle boats, parking area, floating docks which are moveable for possible fishing tournaments or other activities. He mentioned the Prop Walkers and the remote control boats have been using it the past few years on Labor Day and said he didn't know if that would continue or not. He noted we were not looking for "noise things", like concerts, but rather a family oriented, passive park. Alice Holdeman stated she would like to know if the radio controlled boats would be back next year and who that would be up to to decide. She said she found them very intrusive, starting early in the morning and continuing till late in the afternoon. She noted they were not Edgewater residents and asked what great benefit we reaped from putting this on. Mr. Corder replied we did not reap any benefits, but were rather trying to offer alternative activities to stir up interest. Russ Allen stated if the residents played music as loud as those boats were, they would be busted. He also added he had called the police department to complain, but no one responded. He also expressed concern on the park being open at night when some people have to go to bed early. Gail Moretti agreed with Mr. Allen and stated she also contacted the police and had the same results. Mr. Corder stated he was not aware of this. Mr. Corder said the park would most likely be closed at dusk, that would be his recommendation and the earliest to open would probably be 7:00 A.M. At this time Mr. Corder asked for a show of hands on how many present were against the Prop Walkers boat race event. Of the 18 people present, 11 were against it. Bobbi Dumsha stated she was awakened early by the noise, but she didn't mind the event and many people seemed to enjoy it. She added it shouldn't start so early and the City should reap some sort of profit. She stated her concerns on the event were really environmental, as there is a bald eagle who appears at the lake daily between three and five. Mrs. Holdeman stated it is often two or more weeks before the wading birds return to the lake after the races. Someone asked about the cutting of the cat tails along the bank, whether it would cause more bank erosion. Mr. Corder stated the cat tails would have to be cut and they are an intrusive plant and if bank erosion keeps occurring, then fill would have to be added. Marie Cheek expressed an interest in purchasing lake access and felt other homeowners there would be interested also and in keeping it a private lake. Rav Jarrett questioned the feasibility of keeping the park blocked off on the east side of the lake and Mr. Jones replied that had been discussed and due to the undermining on that side, it is very probable but, if the public were denied access there, then the residents would have to be also. \ J Mary Ellershaw inquired whether the residents could do their own mowing as the City does not mow it enough unless she calls and calls to have it done. Mr. Corder stated due to the liability he wasn't sure but it may be possible if waivers could be signed and he'd check into it. ...., ...., Gail Moretti asked if it was a possibility that the east end would be blocked off and a possibility of homeowners mowing it, why couldn't they be able to purchase it? Mr. Corder said he would have to speak to the attorney about that. Russ Allen asked if Mr. Corder would be building the park with federal funding and Mr. Corder proceeded to explain the grant procedure and how difficult they can be to acquire. He added there is presently no money backing it and it could take years to really begin anything. Mrs. Jacobsen stated the land out there is very unstable and gave an example of someone who wanted a pool there and it gave way. Mr. Corder stated he had no plans to put any really big structures out there. Arnie Dumsha asked it the City did not want to sell the property, might they be able to lease it , mow it and maintain it themselves, while releasing the City from any liability. Mr. Corder stated he would have to get them an answer on that. Bobbi Dumsha stated she felt putting paddle boats on the lake may be going a little overboard and the boats will end up in her back yard. Mr. Tipton stated this would always be a concern. Mrs. Dumsha stated she loved the lake and watching the eagle who is there daily. Mr. Corder asked if anyone knew where this eagle was coming from or where it was nesting. No one was sure where the nest was, but it has been seen everywhere in the immediate area. Mr. Corder stated he needs to locate the nest because there are regulations about how close you can develop near an eagle's nest. Mr. Corder stated the very presence of this eagle could very well put a halt to the remote control boat races held there yearly and he would definitely be checking into where this eagle was coming from. More discussion took place about possible leasing or purchasing, possible mowing, etc. It was asked if the residents might contact Council and let them know how the residents feel about some of these issues. Mr. Corder said before having the residents contact Council that he and the Board would keep the residents informed on any new developments and he would try to get these questions answered that were brought up tonight. The Mango Lake residents left the meeting and thanked the Board for listening. MISCELLANEOUS Mr. Ruggles asked how plans were coming along to have a family picnic day at Rotary Park. Mr. Corder stated he had contacted some local clubs and they would prefer to set something up in the fall; it was agreed to work on this later in the year. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Mr. Ruggles moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Jones. Minutes submitted by Barb Kowall Parks & Recreation Board March 13, 1997