10-21-2008 CCM - Laserfiche WebLink

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LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 2008 2 REGULAR AGENDA: Consider approval of a conservation easement to the Minnesota Land Trust for Sunfish Lake Park and authorize the Park Commission to develop a park concept plan for Area 2 of Sunfish Lake Park. Project Assistant Carol Kriegler reported that the park commission was requesting the City Council approve 1) a conservation easement (256 acres) to the Minnesota Land Trust for Sunfish Lake Park including that expenditure of $10,000 to the Land Trust for this transaction. The intent of the conservation easement over Sunfish Lake Park is to ensure its permanency as a natural area to be enjoyed by citizens into perpetuity by preserving and protecting it through an easement to the Land Trust. David Steele, Parks Commission Chair, explained the commission has been working on this since 2006 and considers its work on this conservation easement to be some of the most important work the commission has done. He said the commission hasn’t worked out all of the specifics of their plan for the park but expects to have them ready for council approval by fall of 2009. Sarah Strommen, central region conservation director with the Minnesota Land Trust, said Lake Elmo is adhering with the feel of the rural character of its community by approving the conservation easement. The Land Trust easement would provide opportunities for low impact recreation and nature observation in contrast to some of the more active recreation that other parks provide. Park commission member Rolf Larson, 11720 Little Bluestem Ct. and Jim Blackford, 9765 45th St. N., spoke in support of adopting the conservation easement. The city attorney and Minnesota Land Trust attorney are authorized to edit the easement document for grammar, miscellaneous corrections and incidental language changes. MOTION: Council Member Johnson moved to approve Resolution No. 08-048, approving a conservation easement with the Minnesota Land Trust for Sunfish Lake Park with latitude for incidental city attorney and Minnesota Land Trust edits and the expenditure of $10,000 from the park fund to the Minnesota Land Trust at the time of execution. Council Member Smith seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. REPORTS: Mayor Johnston participated in the Green Growth meeting and suggested as a workshop topic incorporating green growth in plans for the old village The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.