Parks Commission

Parks Commission. March 20, 2014 Present: Cara Robechek (Chair), Commissioners Lyn Munno, Kip Roberts, Bryan Pfeiffer, Emily Boedecker. Geoff Byer, Parks Director, Alec Ellsworth Parks Caretaker. Meeting began at 7:30pm. Cara welcome Bryan Pfeiffer, voted in as Parks Commissioner on Town Meeting Day. February minutes were amended, Lyn proposed motion to approve, Kip seconded, all voted in favor. Election of Chair: Lyn nominated Emily to serve as chair for one year. Bryan seconded, all voted in favor. Mountain Bike proposal from MAMBA. Bryan commented that this seems like a big change in park policy, and therefore we need a good process for decision making. Commissioners agree and discussion focused on the process needed to review the MAMBA proposal, and how to balance evaluation of impacts with timely response to MAMBA. Commissioners agreed that public input, usage data, trails inventory and park mission are all important considerations. Geoff clarified language in the original land grant that said park to be managed as natural area. This influenced siting of ball field on lands added after initial grant and construction of the pool on other town lands. Kip noted that there are two competing views of the park, as a natural area and as a recreation park with some recreational uses, such as skiing permitted while others, such as biking, are excluded. It was noted that all tax payers in Montpelier contribute to the upkeep of the park. Cara noted that a proposal to create new trails and proposals to change usage on existing trails are two very different considerations for the commission. Geoff reported on discussions with a landowner on the eastern side and adjacent to the park who are open to a conversation about land purchase. This could enable other trail options. Emily proposed motion to continue to pursue this possibility independent of process to review MAMBA proposal. Bryan seconded, all voted in favor. Geoff reported on funding opportunities for park visioning process. Planning component of recreational trail funds has been eliminated; the next known opportunity is to submit a municipal planning grant application in September. Geoff clarified intention was to enable full trail inventory and usage. Dan Voisin, representing MAMBA, asked that the Commission consider this current request independently, and that any decision on the current request should not exclude biking from consideration in the visioning process. Marilyn Mode, member of public present, asked for clarification on expert view of trails in Hubbard Park. Dan Voisin clarified that Hardy Avery, trails consultant, said that a number of trails need improvement for biking and walking, and some should be abandoned all together. Marilyn also expressed desire for professional planner to be involved in the process. Testing usage on certain trails, for organized groups or while the ground was frozen was discussed but no decisions taken. This will be revisited in the April meeting. Commissioners returned to question of visioning process when and how this could occur, and how to fund. Emily proposed a motion to express support for a visioning process and to pursue funding opportunities for up to a three month period. Lyn seconded, all voted in favor. Commissioners agreed to the following actions:  Kip will speak with Bill Merrylees and Mayor Hollar to investigate options for use of human or financial sources from the City, and will speak with VAMBA to investigate funding possibilities for trail inventory or other elements of visioning process.  Emily, will consult with VCF, and will speak with consultant who worked with Stowe to better understand scope and cost of a visioning process.  Bryan, will investigate possibilities with New England Grassroots Environmental Fund.  Geoff, will investigate use of Vista resources.  Dan Voisin to provide an electronic copy of the proposal to include as addendum to minutes. Dog Policy and Communication: Cara reviewed outstanding action items.  Geoff is on point to talk with rec dept about contained off leash dog area. Removing poop scoops from park is in progress, code of conduct signs still need to have the graphic changed. .  Lyn will check with Friends of the Dogs of HP about minor changes to brochure.  Geoff confirmed there is now a procedure in place for incident reports. Lyn clarified the question of confidential/anonymous reports that was reviewed with the Montpelier lawyer. Reports could not be held confidential, they are part of the public record, but that an individual reporting an incident could choose to be anonymous when filing out the form. North Branch Nature Center: Bryan proposed motion that the commission endorse North Branch Nature Center’s BirdFest – , Lyn seconded, all voted in favor. This year Bryan will conduct bird walk on park property, next year commission could actively encourage use city and park land in the festival next year. Carr Lot: Bryan reported on recent public meeting where two proposals were considered, with Redstone selected. Many elements of the plan need to be finalized including commercial uses associated with transportation center. There is some consideration of green space in the plan. Bryan suggested the commission should have a more active role in the development of plans. Lyn asked Geoff to be fully engaged in the process. Bryan agreed to continue lead role keeping commission informed, Kip expressed interest in being involved as time permits. Park Updates Ash trees. Alec reported he has been assisting volunteer John Akielaszek to put ribbons on ash trees, and confirmed his intention to be trained as a volunteer to identify EAB (Emerald Ash Borer). Bryan volunteered to investigate opportunity to monitor through observation of a parasitic wasp species nest site. Dog waste committee. Lyn reported the committee met last week and is winding down its activities. A decision was made to increase pick-up at overflowing site on Hubbard Park Drive, and group is monitoring usage at other sites. Geoff asked if would be cheaper to add a second container rather than second pick-up. Pick-up cost is $3.75, a new bin costs $400. Cara posted thank you to donors on website, nearly $3,000 was raised. Signs on the way stations are planned to recognize those who gave more than $150. Lyn will send out message to set-up meeting with Todd Law, Arnie McMullen and Geoff to pass on responsibility for logistics. Dog license notifications from the city included request for donations, and the City will pursue increasing cost of dog license next year to cover ongoing costs. Summer project priorities. Volunteers for Peace will come again this year, and will be housed at the River Rock School. The group will continue to work at Blanchard Park as well as working on trails, invasive and other ongoing projects. Geoff is in contact with colleges to see if there is interest in designing rustic play park, for both Blanchard and Hubbard Park. Bill Fraser asked that we run plans by Planning and Zoning committee, following standard city procedure even though technically not needed given Parks jurisdiction. Commissioners agreed. Geoff would like to make toilet at Old Shelter more accessible. Site visit will be included in spring annual parks commission walk. Park Gates. Closing of the gates has been delayed due to uncertainty as to whether classification of road as trail or class 4 would permit closure of gates during mud season and at night. Geoff will continue to pursue question with Bill Fraser and Town Attorney, and will immediately start permit process. This requires 150 signatures and 30 days notice. Geoff will email petition to all commissioners to immediately begin collecting signatures. Marilyn Mode also volunteered to help collecting signatures. Alec asked if we can we close the gate but not lock it to discourage mud season traffic. Commissioners agreed this was a good approach to discourage mud season traffic. Caretaker House. Alec has tally of total hours spent by house mates for renovation of house. Lyn explored eligibility for Onion River Exchange and got verbal OK. Alec will provide information and Lyn will pursue getting recognition for work completed into Onion River Exchange. The house lease is not yet signed. Geoff promised to pursue this with all haste. Next meeting. The next meeting is set for Thursday April 17, 7pm. The commission agreed to move start time to 7pm, and to move to the third Tuesday starting in May. Commissoners discussed how to handle minutes so that all commissioners could be actively involved in discussion. Alec volunteered to be in the rota for minute taking. Cara volunteered to take minutes in April and urged commission to consider appointing one commissioner as secretary. Meeting adjourned at 9:27pm