Call Meeting to Order

Chairman Woody Woodburn called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Members Present

Woody Woodburn, Jennifer Young, Bryan Sykora, Lucy Hicks, Charty Oliver, Hans Larson, John Dupont, Jean Midthun, Council Liaison John Wheaton, Administrator Dana Young

Members Absent

John Flynn

December 1, 2004 Minutes

The Committee approved the December 1, 2004 minutes on a motion by Lucy Hicks, seconded by Charty Oliver. Motion declared carried.

Proposed Change in the Plowing of the LRT Trail

David Paulson, 20580 Carson Road, stated that he is an avid skate skier and was present this evening to make two requests to the Park Committee. First, he stated that he would like to see the LRT Trail plowed such that one-half of the trail was left unplowed. Presently, the unplowed portion of the trail is significantly narrower than the plowed portion and this makes it difficult for cross-country skiers to use the trail.

He stated that his second request would be to have the plowed portion of the trail plowed such that approximately 3” of snow was still left on the ground. He stated that the 3” of snow would make the trail more accessible for skate skiers and would still be a good surface for walkers and joggers once the snow packed down. Woody Woodburn asked if walkers would complain about having to walk over 3” of snow? David Paulson stated that he felt the trail would pack down nicely and would like to try it to see if any complaints were received. Lucy Hicks stated that she felt that joggers would also complain if the plowed portion of the trail were not completely cleared. She stated that she jogs on the trail and it would require her to use boots instead of running shoes.

John Dupont stated that he would also prefer to have a portion of the trail completely clear of snow. Jennifer Young asked if there would be a problem with the trail icing up if a 3” layer of snow were left unplowed? David Paulson stated he didn’t think this would be a problem. David Paulson thanked the Committee for considering his two requests and left the meeting.

The Committee stated that they were not in favor of leaving a 3” layer of snow on the unplowed portion of the trail due to concerns that it would hamper joggers and walkers, who are the majority of the users of the trail. The Committee recommended that the City try to maintain an even division on the trail to where one half of the trail is plowed and the other half is unplowed.

2005 Chairperson & Vice-Chairperson

The Committee recommended the appointment of Woody Woodburn as Park Committee Chairman for 2005 on a motion by John Dupont, seconded by Lucy Hicks. Motion declared carried.

The Committee recommended the appointment of Jennifer Young as Park Committee Vice-Chairwoman for 2005 on a motion by Woody Woodburn, seconded by Hans Larson. Motion declared carried.

Reappoint Jennifer Young & Charty Oliver to Three Year Terms of Office

The Committee recommended the reappointment of Jennifer Young to a three year term of office effective until January, 2008 on a motion by Charty Oliver, seconded by Lucy Hicks. Motion declared carried.

The Committee recommended the reappointment of Charty Oliver to a three year term of office effective until January, 2008 on a motion by Lucy Hicks, seconded by Bryan Sykora. Motion declared carried.

Snowmobile Access across Public Property

Dana Young stated that he had received several requests to allow snowmobiles to cross public property at several of the city beaches to gain access to the lake. Dana Young pointed out that although Section 705.03 prohibited snowmobiles on any publicly owned lands including park property, several residents were interested in having the Park Committee recommend changing this section of the ordinance to allow snowmobiles to cross public beaches.

Discussion was held on the potential impact of allowing snowmobiles access to the lake over public beaches and the adverse impact to the surrounding residential properties of allowing non-residents permission to access the lake if the ordinance were changed. The Commission decided that they were satisfied with the existing ordinance prohibiting snowmobiles from operating on public property and recommended that any request to change the ordinance should be sent directly to the City Council.

Other

Discussion was held on several alternatives to repair the west tennis courts at Thorpe Park. The Committee recommended that an engineer and a representative from the City Council attend next month’s meeting to further discuss these alternatives.

Woody Woodburn and Lucy Hicks thanked everyone for their contributions during the January 2^nd Skating Party. Further discussion was held on holding a second skating party and on a variety of other possible city events.

Woody Woodburn recommended that next month’s meeting include a discussion on the tennis courts at Thorpe Park, Amesbury Park and further discussion on establishing a city celebration or event.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn by Bryan Sykora, seconded by Lucy Hicks. Motion declared carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Park Committee will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2005.