Parks Commission

Revised Park’s Commission Meeting Agenda September 20th, 2016 Montpelier Police Station Park Commissions: Bill Johnson, Carolyn Grodinsky, Dan Dickerson, Sarah Swenson Park staff: Geoff Beyer, Alec Ellsworth, Emily Markstein Approval of September Park’s agenda: Review, revise and approve this agenda (including items suggested by citizen visitors) Add: Caretaker house rental and Park’s letter regarding Sabin’s Zoning - Dan proposed, Sarah seconded Citizen input: Richard Sheir: 1) proposed putting a gateway at Statehouse entrance. Ask public for design. Sarah: encouraged Richard to show main entrances with signs and maps, rather than the Statehouse entrance Geoff – some of the land is State property 2) put a rope on the steep slope by the Statehouse so it’s safer 3) Would like to see the tower open up once a month on Friday in Summer for astronomers to set up telescopes to see the night sky a. Bill tabled for a later Park’s meeting Approve August meeting minutes Carolyn - suggested adding decision to place dog leashes and sign, Forgot your leash, for dog walkers in North Branch Sarah motioned, Dan seconded Montpelier Zoning Update (including Sabin’s Pasture) Sabin’s Pasture: greenprint map, as part of conservation commission map not included in the zoning Carolyn requested Parks send similar letter to Planning Commission that she had written September. Will resend it to committee members for approval to resend from Parks. “Multi-Use Trail” working group and “Montpelier Recreation Trail Map” updates Dan: Went to 2nd meeting of the group. City negotiating with people at National Life to buy some land to make a mountain bike trail. National Life didn’t approve due to liability issues. Mayor John Hollar said it’s still being talked about as perhaps a purchase, easement…. Looking at maps, where are trails, recreational assets? Who are the best people/person to reach out to landowners? • Start sending Dan all meeting minutes from GreenPrint group so both groups aren’t working on the same parcels. Budget report and discussion Surplus of $3,000 added to the Parks budget, because they hadn’t done the pond during the year. Gas tank fell off a truck unexpectedly and needs to be fixed. • Citizen at meeting suggested budgeting a certain amount each year for vehicles Parks Director and Parks Caretaker reports: - - Trails Master Plan - Tower area vegetative management plan: started to implement this year, thinning out vegetation around the tower, wants to make a white birch grove. Plan was to maintain the vegetation around the towers to have a view. Second phase of the Plan is to cut and clear the pines around the Statehouse. Plan is to plant lower growing trees such as white birch. • Bill and Sarah suggest do the cutting over several years • Geoff suggests look at drawings, climb the tower for Commissioners to have a better feel for the cutting Plan • Cutting to start close to the tower. Bill requested Parks proceed cautiously • Trails master plan: whether to hire someone to look at the trail network and make recommendations for trails or suggest otherwise. Someone could also recommend which trails to close down. Fab suggested Green Mountain Club, Montpelier Section might have some recommendations Community Service Department • Parks would come into the proposed functional program in FY2019 • Current boards and commissions would continue to exist What position does the Commission want to formally take on the proposed new program? Would not cut positions necessarily but would increase functions • Working group to meet again on October 3 • Will be on City Council agenda October 12th • Community Wide Listening Group on October 11th – 630 -830 Suggestion to have City Manager or Assistant City Manager explain changes at our next Parks meeting on October 18th Dan is writing a letter to Manager to have him come speak with us. We need better definitions of the program areas. Enchanted Forest update UVM researcher is proposing to do Bee research in Hubbard Park Executive Session Next meeting agenda • Caretaker rent Carolyn moves to adjourn meeting, Sarah seconded Meeting adjourned 945