1986-06-24 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I Council Meeting Minutes June 24, 1986 Council Business, continued Benke also pointed out that the contract for city hall does include expansion of the existing parking lot into the park area so we need to resolve that parking issue relatively quickly so that the work order can be modified. Schmidt, recognizing we are going to have to deal with a decision on Third Avenue, believes the city should have some hard data on just how often that street is used because a lot of folks maintain the street should not be vacated because it is a matter of convenience. Schmidt believes the city ought to evaluate just how necessary it is that that street be there (how often it is used, and just how much of a convenience it is versus how much of a necessity it is). Benke asked staff to get a traffic count to determine routine use versus park-related use versus parking-lot-related use. Tony Bona, 703 Second Avenue N.W., had nothing further to add to the petition but would like to see the park development begin soon. Bona stated Veterans Park is the only park in New Brighton that has not been updated for years and the taxpayers would like to see improvements made, and thought it would be advisable to begin construction this year. In response to Williams's inquiry, Bona responded the neighbors would like to have the playground updated first and believes the playground is in the same basic area in both park plans. Brandt noted one of staff's suggestions was to include the ball diamond in the first phase of the development and asked if the fencing would change in any way or if there is a plan to use plantings to camoflauge it. Anderson stated the intent is to not put permanent fencing on the ball diamond in order to get multi- ple uses out of the area. In response to Brandt's question, Anderson advised that the fencing the city uses is about five feet high versus seven-foot- high permanent fencing, which is not a significant difference. Anderson further stated the playground would be an additional fifty or sixty feet behind the plantings and bermings with a sidewalk between and that that distance would remove any hazard of softballs being hit into the playground area. In response to Brandt's inquiry, Anderson stated alternative temporary fencing to snow fencing, works better but is not aesthetically desirable, although one firm is developing an appropriate fence which will be marketed in a few years. Page Six