11-06-2017 Council Work Session Minutes

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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 6, 2017 APPROVED 90 Karen Blaska of Anoka County Parks and Recreation to provide a presentation on the 91 master plan amendment being proposed for the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve. 92 93 Mayor Reinert first mentioned a recent discussion with Anoka County staff about 94 mountain biking trails. There is a sort of covert system of trails in the park now and 95 there's work underway to make them an official park amenity, and plan some 96 improvements with the involvement of a bike group. 97 98 Ms. Blaska reviewed the master plan amendments, including within the park. There is a 99 master plan in place for Wargo Nature Center and that is appended to the proposed 100 amendment. She reviewed a list of improvements planned for the Wargo area. She 101 reviewed the anticipated cost of improvements ($10.7 million) (The amendment is 102 included in the council packet for the meeting). They are asking for input on the plan 103 from the council and ultimately a resolution of support. 104 105 The council concurred to consider a resolution of general support at the next regular 106 council meeting. 107 108 3. County Lakes Park Remaster Planning Proposal - Public Services Director 109 DeGardner introduced Candace Amberg of WSB & Associates. 110 i 11 Director DeGardner offered comments on Country Lakes Park, noting that staff has 112 considered it an underutilized park but one with a lot of potential. One issue has been 113 the amount of overgrown vegetation on the 22 acres. Staff has found a service provider 114 that may be able to help with that, including removal of ash trees in lieu of the Emerald 115 Ash Borer problem. 116 117 Ms. Amberg noted a map of the park area included in the packet. An important element 118 of any plan would be communication with area residents on what to expect and the 119 benefits of the work planned. The work will open up the view of the water. The 120 thought was that this is a good time to do a master plan for the park which would also 121 include public input. 122 123 Director DeGardner explained that staff is asking now for authorization to proceed with 124 the overgrowth removal plan. With that authorization, they will start talking with the 125 neighborhood in the spring and looking ahead to more plans for the park. 126 127 Council Member Kusterman received additional information on what the $2,500 128 mobilization fee will cover, how wetland will be considered and the intended benefit of 129 removing overgrowth. 130 131 4. ACE Program Update - Mayor Reinert remarked that the city has a successful ACE 132 program that is popular with the residents but there are some changes occurring at the 133 state level that could impact that program. Public Safety Director Swenson updated the 134 council with current information: in talking with other cities, he finds there is interest in e