09-29-86 Parks Comm Minutesr R
September 29, 1986 PARKS COMMITTEE 4:00 P.M.
• Chairman Manning and Councilmen Nystul and Palmer in attendance. Mayor
Kennedy, Parks Director Drent, Dean Marquardt and Bob Borden also present.
GREENACRES SLOUGH - Mark III, Inc. requested that this meeting be held.
Dean Marquardt presented a proposal to lower the water in the slough in an
attempt to solve some of the groundwater problems in the Greenacres area.
He stated that he had Mark Spratt do a study of the causes of the high ground-
water and the conclusion was that the water in the slough to the west had
been raised and contributed greatly to the problem. He gave the history of
what had been done to help the situation, dams on the slough and locations.
Mr. Marquardt presented two proposals: 1) a culvert or some other means for
water to get through the dam at Dry Bridge slough and 2) would have liked
to pump water over the dam. Parks Director Drent stated that there are two
culverts to allow water past the Dry Bridge dam and the water on both sides
of the dam was even all summer. He agreed to have the culverts checked to
see of either were plugged, and to have them cleaned if they were. Mr.
Marquardt disagreed with the water level statement saying that there was a
1' difference in August. He would prefer the level at 29.09. Parks Director
Drent explained that the dpm h4.d been put there iu_the first place At; -the
request of residents and the culvert was a compromise. The stablizing factor
is 29.14 and was picked because of the elevations of the bottom. That is
the lowest point at which the water will flow freely. One other proposal
raised by Mr. Marquardt was the possibility of putting a dam in such a way
as to lower the groundwater in the Greenacres area. DPW Hammer and Building
isOfficial Jackson pointed out that permission would have to be obtained from
the Corps of Engineers and a building permit would be required. Mr. Marquardt
stated that the Corps had told him that they would put him in jail if he built
a dam, but that pumping was no problem. Parks Director Drent pointed out
that any changes in Dry Bridge Park would involve about 14 agencies because
it was built with conservation funds. He told Mr. Marquardt to see Dennis
Carver because he had alot of information concerning this.
GRIFFIN FIELD - Mayor Kennedy stated that he had been approached by Laker
Board members concerning permission to get donated labor to work on the field.
The Committee wanted a drawn plan and steps, which the board thought they
had already given. All they were asking for was authority to obtain and accept
donations - at no expense to the City. C. Nystul asked for a master plan
on paper that was precise and everyone was in agreement on. DPW Hammer said
Parks Director Drent had worked on the plans from the beginning and has those
plans. He also asked what the difference was between maintaining the old
Griffin Field and doing this new field. He stated that if approval had been
granted when first asked for alot of the field could have been completed already.
C. Manning remembered only that if an association wasn't formed and some positive
action taken by the middle of September Parks Director Drent was to go ahead
and seed the property and make it presentable. He felt that permission had
been given to organize and solicit funds. Parks Director Drent felt it should
be kept in mind that the worst case would be the whole thing falling flat
and something else being done with the parcel. Lum Owens and Dennis Carver
are willing to wait for payment until such a time as Griffin Park sells and
others might be willing to do the same. DPW Hammer stated again that the
first question is whether that area is to be used for baseball, and if so
then a commitment is needed from the Council so that the organization can
get it ready to play on next year. C. Palmer saw no problem with that.
PARKS COMMITTEE
• September 29, 1986
Page 2
The Committee agreed to recommend to the Council acceptance of the plans
for the development of the new Griffin Field. Quality control would be
obtained by the Laker board keeping Parks Director Drent informed of each
development, and if he does not approve the item can be brought before the
Parks Committee. Some contributors have agreed to do work and wait for
up to several years if necessary for the sale of the old Griffin Field for
reimbursement, or if that should not happen to in the end simply donate
the work. This idea will be presented to the City Attorney to see if there
is any problem, but if not the Committee approves it.
GATE CLOSURE AT LAWRENCE PARK - Police Chief Stefanic stated that it has
been a negative position for them because of the problem of getting to the
Park at a consistent time to clear the people out so that the gate can be closed.
Parks Director Drent said there has been no vandelism but that is not proof.
It was suggested that the gate be closed and locked during the winter. The
road would still be plowed for Water Department use. The Committee agreed
to try it and if it becomes a problem they will address it then. Complaints
are to be directed to the Mayor. a
TREE ORDINANCE - Parks Director Drent has obtained a full notebook of information
on trees but has not had an opportunity to compare it with our proposed tree
ordinance. DPW Hammer pointed out that the Architectural Review Board reviews
and requires landscaping in the Central Business District with no expertise,
• and that organization needs to work together with the Parks Committee to set
some policy. He also felt that seasonal employees should be set aside to do
and maintain landscaping on Parking Commission lots. Parks Director Drent
will make available to the Committee copies of the proposed ordinance and
will begin thinking about people to serve on the Shade Tree Commission.
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