07-17-2006 Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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4.5. Housekeeping Questions for Staff Maintenance Worker Gustafson was asked about the feasibility of replacing basketball nets in Tablyn, DeMontreville, Lyons, and Pebble Parks, and spending about $50 each on flowers and plants for planting around entrance signs in some of the parks. 5. Lake Elmo Park Reserve Master Plan Chairman Bob Schumacher went over the history and the frustrations of the committee appointed to participate in the LEPR Master Plan as it was being developed. Susan Dunn, Judith Blackford, and Mayor Johnston attended the hearing at Washington County for the LEPR Master Plan. County Commissioners asked no questions of the Lake Elmo residents who spoke in protest. Commissioner Blackford said she overheard Jim Luger say that Washington County very much wants Sunfish Lake Park. Susan Dunn said that implementation and funding will be the county's next steps. Mrs. Dunn recommended the Parks Commission continue to maintain vigilance. 6. Parks Survey Completion Commissioner Larson reported that surveys have been completed on all 17 parks. He said they followed the questionnaire. He presented the results of the parks walk-throughs, along with updated web descriptions of parks. He said the maps still need to be updated. 7. Land Trust: Sunfish Lake Park Commissioner Blackford distributed a handout she said reiterated what we learned in a talk given by Ann Thies of the Minnesota Land Trust last year. She recommended placing Sunfish Lake Park into a conservation easement with the land trust. She said she was concerned because minutes drafted by the Administrator at a Council Committee Meeting where concerns about Sunfish Lake Park were made by residents are inaccurate and because she is concerned about the county's keen interest in Sunfish. Administrator Rafferty said the county cannot take Sunfish Lake Park from us and suggested waiting for the Park Plan Update. Chairman Schumacher suggested moving forward to protect Sunfish now. M/S/P, Blackford/Steele to recommend placing Sunfish Lake Park into the Minnesota Land Trust at this time because the City Council gave the Parks Commission the directive to look at the land trust as a protective tool at their April 12, 2005 Council Committee Meeting, and in light of development plans within the Lake Elmo Park Reserve Master Plan, because of discussions and concepts of a tunnel underpass going through from Lake Elmo Park Reserve toward Sunfish Lake Park, and Jim Luger's comment on May 9, 2006 that the county wants Sunfish Lake Park. Vote: 5:1, Nay: Watters-Conflicted because this action looks very reactionary. We have time to go through the process we are paying consultants $25,000 to perform. Commissioner Blackford then distributed a letter dated May 15, 2006, regarding protection of Sunfish Lake Park for submission to the City Council, and asked the Parks Commission to endorse all or part of that letter. M/S/P, Blackford/Steele to endorse submission of Commissioner Blackford's letter to the City Council but amending it to include only paragraphs one, two, and four - eliminating the third paragraph. The letter now reads as follows: Lake Elmo Parks Commission Meeting Minutes of May 15, 2006