The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About11-01-2023 Park Board Minutes Park Board November 1, 2023 pg. 1 DRAFT MINUTES CITY OF LINO LAKES PARK BOARD MINUTES 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Huelman called the Lino Lakes Park Board meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on November 1, 2023. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented. 4. OPEN MIKE There was no one present for open mike. 5. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 4, 2023 MINUTES Mr. Kusterman moved to approve the October 4, 2023 meeting minutes. Motion seconded by Mr. Gooder. Mr. Termont abstained Motion carried 4 – 0. 6. REVIEW NATURES REFUGE NORTH CONCEPT PLAN Mr. Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director gave a summary an applicant has submitted a land use application for a concept plan for a Planned Unit Development for Natures Refuge North. This project would be an expansion of the Natures Refuge project DATE: November 1, 2023 TIME STARTED: 6:30 p.m. TIME ENDED: 7:59 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Patrick Huelman, Clark Gooder, William Kusterman, Kellie Schmidt, David Termont MEMBERS ABSENT: Kathy Ballering, Julie Cutts STAFF PRESENT: Rick DeGardner, Angela Thorson Park Board November 1, 2023 pg. 2 DRAFT MINUTES that is currently under construction on Main Street (CSAH 14), just west of Lino Lakes Elementary School (725 Main Street). The proposed plan includes 108 single-family residential lots on the approximately 59.3 acres site. The Planned Unit Development request is to allow for a variety of housing unit types and lot sizes. Approximately 30 acres of open space will be provided under the proposed design. The 2040 Lino Lakes Comprehensive Plan (adopted Nov, 2020) identifies a future neighborhood Park Area M in this general area. (Refer to Figure 10-1 Parks, Greenways, and Trail System). This park area is described as follows: “This site serves the northwestern section of Lino Lakes in conjunction with Arena Acres Park and school sites. A master plan should be prepared to avoid over duplication of amenities available at Arena Acres and school sites.” Neighborhood Parks are typically five acres or more, eight to ten acres preferred, with three acres the desired minimum size. Service area is ¼ to ½ mile uninterrupted by major roads and other physical barriers. Trails establishing a linear greenway should be incorporated into plans that include connectivity to the north, east, south, and west of the project site. Estimated Park Dedication - Assuming 100% cash dedication, park dedication amounts to $356,400 (Based on 108 units). Any park land dedication or trail construction would need to be credited. Natures Refuge collected $115,760 after crediting the developer $77,000 for trail constructions costs. There are two options for the Park Board to consider: 1. Recommend 100% cash dedication. Designate remaining balance of cash dedication from Natures Refuge and cash dedication from Natures Refuge North (after trails credit) for improvements to Arena Acres Park and Lino Lakes Elementary School. 2. Recommend dedicating land for a neighborhood park. Designate remaining cash dedication from Natures Refuge and remaining cash dedication from Natures Refuge North (after park land and trails credit) for limited park development. Estimate credit of $38,500 per acre and $75,000 for trails – similar for Natures Refuge. Any future development in the area could be designated for additional park development. Assuming a 3-acre park and similar length of trails as Natures Refuge, there would be approximately $510,372 remaining. A 5-acre park would provide around $433,372 for development. Mr. Termont inquired how we could start a discussion with the school district. Mr. DeGardner explained the process. Mr. Kusterman discussed the condition of Arena Acres Park, if $500,000 is sufficient for Park Board November 1, 2023 pg. 3 DRAFT MINUTES a park, and the kinds of trails that could be built. Mr. Kusterman inquired as to whether kids other than students could use Lino Lakes Elementary Park during school hours. Mr. Huelman stated that we have limited funds already and don’t think we should add another park. Would like to improve the parks we now have with the money. Mr. Gooder discussed how the neighborhood is excluded and there is no trail system to the other areas of the community. Mr. Termont discussed the Natures Refuge North Concept Plan and the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Mrs. Schmidt asked if there was any green space in the development. Mrs. Schmidt agrees with Mr. Huelman that we have limited funds and don’t think another park should be developed. Recommends option 1: making improvements to the amenities in the area. Mr. Gooder stated he would recommend option 1, making improvements to the amenities in the area. Mr. Termont asked if we were considering closing parks in the future. Mr. Termont is also in favor of option 1, making improvements to the amenities in the area. Do we have a strategy for approaching the school districts? Mr. DeGardner stated that he had no strategy but to make the first phone call. Mr. Gooder moved to approve option 1 and recommend 100% cash dedication. Updating the existing park, working with Lino Lakes Elementary School, and fund a little of upkeep. Motion seconded by Mrs. Schmidt. Mr. Huelman stated let’s make certain we can service the Natures Refuge North residents. Motion carried 5 – 0. 7. CONTINUE PARK BOARD DISCUSSION Mr. DeGardner gave a summary the Park Board began discussions on several topics during the October Park Board meeting. Topics included developing a vision on updating parks and trails, comparing parks budgets with neighboring cities, approaching city council to consider utilizing surplus funds for parks development, surveying the community, reintroducing social events, defining resident’s expectations, submitting Park Board budget to the City Council, discuss the Park Board's needs with the City Council during a work session, and create a three-step solution for the future allocated budget. Mrs. Schmidt stated a resident reached out regarding Wenzel Farms and some of the concerns they had regarding the park breaking down. Mr. Gooder asked what concerns Park Board November 1, 2023 pg. 4 DRAFT MINUTES the resident had. Mrs. Schmidt responded that the equipment is old and there are safety concerns. Mr. Huelman discussed setting priorities in the future. Mr. DeGardner discussed the age of the playground equipment. Mrs. Schmidt discussed the differences in safety features between new equipment and old equipment. Mr. Gooder would like to ask City Council why the Park Board is allocated $90,000 a year. How does the Park Board get in front of the City Council, and when? Mr. Termont discussed Lamotte Park, which has no park equipment. Questioned if the park could be sold and the money given to the park board. Mr. Huelman would like to see a nice shelter at Lino Park. Mrs. Schmidt discussed taking a list of the parks, exploring which parks will service multiple developments, and using the allocated funds on those parks. Mr. Termont asked why we were sitting here talking together and not talking to the residents of Lino Lakes. Mr. Kusterman stated that he is against surveys. Would like to establish a five-year plan that includes the funds needed, a list of parks that would be replaced within the five-year plan, and then present the plan to the City Council. Mr. DeGardner asked if the Park Board would like to add the creation of the five-year plan to the December 6 agenda. Mr. Kusterman asked if the five-year plan would be for the 2025 budget. Mr. DeGardner answered yes, if relying on the general operating budget. Mr. Huelman likes the idea of creating a five-year plan. We discussed two different models. The first model uses the assets document Mr. DeGardner created a few years ago. The second model uses the Circle Pines model (add funds for future updates). Mr. Kusterman would like to go back to the model before COVID, bring back the Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. DeGardner stated the community would need to discuss with City Council if the recreation department was to be reinstated. Mr. Kusterman asked what other communities are doing post-COVID. Mr. Termont discussed the Rookery Activity Center. Park Board November 1, 2023 pg. 5 DRAFT MINUTES Mrs. Schmidt asked if the warming houses would be open this year. Mr. DeGardner answered yes. Mr. Kusterman discussed the Circle Pines budget. Would like additional information about the budget-making processes used by other cities. Mr. Termont discussed the Circle Pines survey. Mrs. Schmidt asked if city staff are receiving feedback regarding the parks. Mr. Gooder asked how we stay in the loop about what county projects are happening. Mr. DeGardner stated that city staff talks with various county agencies and can get an updated CIP plan. Mrs. Schmidt would like to have some type of event in a park in the future. Would like to have a discussion with Community Ed about what they offer, what the Rookery Activity Center plans to offer, and what the City Council vision is for the Rookery. Mr. Huelman would like to see a QR code located in the parks to ask residents for their opinions regarding the park system. 8. NEXT SCHEDULED PARK BOARD MEETING Wednesday, December 6, 2023 9. ADJOURNMENT Mr. Kusterman moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion seconded by Mr. Termont Meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Angela Thorson, Public Services Administrative Assistant