Loading...
08-21-84 Parks Comm MinutesIL 4:00 P.M. August 21, 1984 PARKS COMMITTEE The committee met on this date in the Conference Room. Present were Chairman Springer, Committee Members Nystul and Manning, Mayor McDowell, Councilman Schindler, DPW Hammer, Parks Superintendent Drent, Ed Gallagher, Larry Schulz, Jim Wright from the Timber Tree Service, Lee Smith, and Roger Hopkins of the Inter Lake. TREE MAINTENANCE C. Springer opened the discussion on the maintenance of the trees in the City of Kalispell by pointing out that back in March the committee was certain that by October there would be an Ordinance in place concerning trees. October is getting close and we are not any closer than we were in March. The concensus of the committee is that the City must stay in the tree maintenance business. The question then is, "How do we get the Ordinance, how best do we put the Ordinance into effect, and what method do we use to get there?" The options open are 1) no action. 2) take care of the worst problems as they crop up, 3) develop a maintenance or care program that just does nothing more than prune trees or go a step further and determine what trees should be replaced, or 4) go into a full scale program of inventory, appraisal, care and maintenance. The major issue before the Council is whether the City will do it or is it something that should be contracted out. First of all there must be a basic policy and Ordinance. Supt. Drent pointed out that before 1960 there was an Ordinance to levy a tax for . boulevard maintenance. From 1961 to the present no Ordinance has been in effect. C. Nystul pointed out different ways of funding the tree maintenance, one of which could be placing the issue on the ballot for the vote of the people as a referendum for the maintenance of the trees on the public right-of-way. C. Nystul pointed out that whether or not we have the money this year for adequate equipment and manpower, it is important that the Council adopt a policy and then an Ordinance which governs the use of the public right-of-way for the planting of trees and other shrubs and vegetation. After this is accomplished the Council can proceed with doing the work or contracting it out to maintain the trees. It is important to set some guidelines as to what should be planted and how they are to be cared for. C. Springer asked if it was advisable to put such a thing into an Ordinance. C. Nystul felt that there was no other way to handle the problem. C. Manning asked Supt. Drent if he would feel comfortable with such an Ordinance. Supt. Drent was in favor of such an Ordinance. C. Manning stated that if we had some sort of maintenance and replanting schedule we would not be facing the problems we are now facing. C. Manning asked Supt. Drent what was the best direction to go. Supt. Drent stated that if the Council would give him the authority and with the • limited equipment that he has, he could keep three men busy all year long. 2. C. Springer asked Jim Wright for a little input on the subject. • Jim Wright stated that the main reason he was at the meeting was to just listen, but he was willing to share some of his experiences in other cities. You must start with a master list which would identify the removals. They would go through the category of possibly eight specimens of trees and then develop the trees that are wanted only on the boulevard in the City. That would start the removal program. Second the spacing which is really important. No trees closer than 25 or 50 feet between trees. That allows a 20 foot brim on each side. Height clearance should also be taken into consideration so that trucks, campers etc, will be able to clear it without a problem. A 1216" clearance would take care of that. Mr. Wright felt that the maples and other trees that are used in this City could be incorporated into a master plan. The big problem is spacing as far as he could see. Native trees such as spruce and firs are good but only for park areas, not boulevards. Mr. Wright presented to the Committee a booklet that he had made up which would possibly be helpful in organizing a program. Mr. Wright sees the main problem as "How is it going to be funded". C. Springer asked Mr. Wright what it would cost should he call and ask him to remove a tree. Mr. Wright stated that the average maple would run around $175.00 a tree. C. Springer asked what it would cost to prune the same tree. Mr. Wright stated that to prune it hourly manwize and everything else it would be • more expensive. C. Springer asked how much it would cost to spray this same tree. Mr. Wright said in the neighborhood of $15.00 a tree. C. Springer asked if Mr. Wright or someone else in the commercial industry has the equipment necessary to do this work that the City does not. Mr. Wright stated that they have access to such equipment. Mr. Wright felt that the City is looking at a four year program to clean the City up right now, that is with a four man crew and proper equipment. C. Springer asked if he was saying that it could be done in four years if the City does it. Mr. Wright stated that he was saying it could be done in four years if it was done commercially. He does not know how motivated the City employees are. Supt. Drent said that his crew has been taking trees out cheaper than $175.00 a tree, and he feels his crew is efficient. Mayor McDowell presented the idea of community development along with the City, and the City being in control of the project, maybe a permit system, and by working together we could get the job done. C. Springer suggested that maybe he could work with Supt. Drent to draft a policy 40 statement that would be presented to the Committee and forwarded to the Council 3. •and if that policy statement would be acceptable then at the same time develop and propose an Ordinance. Then the question would be, do we upgrade the Parks Department to handle it or contract the work out. C. Nystul felt that the Mayor had made a good point that the community should become involved and that he also felt that drafting a policy and Ordinance is where the project should begin. The Committee has to address the current situation of the existing trees and once a policy is adopted then decide how to approach it. Jim Wright said that a master plan should be adopted and the general public notified by the newspaper, etc. the public will undoubtedly cooperate and be willing to get involved. C. Springer asked Mr. Wright if he would help by offering his expertise in the planning. Mr. Wright stated that he would be more than happy to help. C. Springer suggested that they aim for September 4th as the date when they will have some sort of policy statement. C. Nystul will be out of town but will support anything that the Committee comes up with. C. Manning also supports the action. • BALL PARKS Supt. Drent drew up a map for ballfields in the South Meadows area consisting of 35 acres. His map allows for an American Legion Field, two Babe Ruth fields and four Girl Softball fields. With superimposed soccer fields on some of the fields. His design allows for a grandstand, restrooms and dressing rooms. The parking would accommodate about five to six hundred cars. Along the edge where it could eventually be residential, Supt. Drent allowed for a green belt. C. Nystul said that this is what the Committee asked for, giving the possiblilites of usage on this acreage as well as some indication of total acreage that would be necessary for a complex of this nature. C. Nystul stated that with the publicity on the ballfields other property might come forward now that it is known how much acreage is necessary. DPW Hammer stated that about 35 acres minimum would be necessary for such a complex. Ed Gallagher stated that with such a complex Kalispell could host anything and it would be good for many years. Supt. Drent said that he is still thinking in terms of an amphitheater in the future and it could be included in this complex. C. Manning asked if DPW Hammer had gotten an appraisal on Griffin Park. • DPW Hammer stated that Phil Rygg gave him the appraisal figure of about $300,000., 4. • an official figure will be available tomorrow, about $3.00 a square foot. Supt. Drent figured the cost of the new complex, without roads, sewer lines or things of that sort, $120,000.00, which would cover only the basics. Cost if it were contracted out and complete would run about 1.3 million dollars. Mayor McDowell felt once the project was started you would get a lot of groups and individuals who would participate and donate time and money. C. Springer requested that DPW Hammer prepare a report so that it might be presented to the Council on this complex. C. Manning felt that this should be made public through the newspapers and such so that the public is aware of what acreage is necessary and other property may come forth. DPW Hammer asked if he should continue talking to Mr. Begg about the South Meadow property, and he was told to keep talking, it is over priced but not to count it out yet. The next meeting will be August -28th at 4:00. P.M: to discuss the formation of a committee of citizens. Meeting was adjourned at 5:05 P.M. fmw • •