HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board Minutes 01.05.2012 City of Laurel
Park Board Minutes
Thursday, January 5, 2012
The Park Board meeting was brought to order at 5:33 pm. In attendance were: Acting Chair, Mark
Mace, and members, Gretchen Paulson, Hazel Storck, and Amy Pollock. Kurt Markegard, Public Works
director, and Heidi Jensen, City Planner, were also at the meeting. There was no public in attendance for
public comment.
The Board first discussed Riverside Park and its current issues. The Exxon clean -up was completed and
they will officially be out of the park on Jan. 15 The park will be open to the public in a few days. Kurt
said he would be installing orange security fence close to the river and banks for safety. Williston Basin
may need Riverside Park closed again in order to bore. We would be looking at asking the $1,200 /day
rate —the same as Exxon paid.
Several buildings flooded at Riverside Park and are approved to receive FEMA funds: The Rod & Gun
Club, the caretaker's house, and the cabin. The cabin that was at the edge of the park, close to the river
was saved just before going down the river. This has brought new challenges. Because it is a historical
building, FEMA is withholding funds until the city gives them a plan on how they are going to restore the
cabin. Kurt has done a lot of research finding out the historical significance of the cabin. By looking at
old issues of the Laurel Outlook, he found out that it probably does have historical significance.
Paperwork will be submitted to the Historical Society along with a plan of how the cabin will be
brought back to as close to its original condition as possible. The state will release funds when all of this
has taken place. The Park Board unanimously recommended moving the cabin to flood fringe and
preserve the integrity of the building.
Heidi updated us on the Elena Subdivision and the plans for the park there. Sam Robertus submitted a
written quote for the sprinklers, seeding, and dirt work for over $50,000. Because of the amount, we
will need to put it out for bid officially. Costs to be considered in the mill levy include: water, summer
help, and weed control. 2M did the design for free. Our attorney will need to re -rate due to the water
increase.
Kurt updated us on the status of the levy. He had submitted a plan to the Army Corp of Engineers to put
the levy half way back out. The plan was rejected by the Army Corp of Engineers. Kurt feels like if we
don't get this taken care of, the City of Laurel could run out of water. He is continuing to work on it and
may need each of us and all people we know to send letters of support during a public comment period
so they will understand the urgency we feel.
Kurt mentioned that the State had contacted him concerning improvements we would like to see done
possibly paid for with fines Exxon will be required to pay for the spill. Many ideas were discussed that
we would like to have considered including: the splash park, clean -up of dump site, bathrooms, dog
area, BBQ pits, and amphitheater. Kurt will take these ideas to the state and see if we can get some
funds from the fine to help develop Riverside Park /City of Laurel parks.
The Department of Environmental Health establishes rules for the public pools every year. A rule that
passed that our pool does not comply with is the need for two ADA lifts or hand rails on both sides of
stairs. A quick look suggests that a lift would cost in the area of $7,060 each. The Park Board
unanimously voted to designate the funds donated by Billie Riddle be used to pay for the ADA lifts and
wheelchair if required.
Finally, Kurt updated us on a possible donation of land along the canal on 12 St. from Joyce Richmond.
The City would agree to pay for an appraisal and it would be called "Lois & Harold Bernhardt Park" if
accepted. The land could be used as a possible walking trail. We would apply for a grant from Safe
Routes to School to pay for fencing and asphalt. Currently, there is no safe route for that area of town
to walk to the local schools. The Park Board voted unanimously to accept the land.
The Park Board Meeting adjourned at 7:20pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Pollock