HomeMy WebLinkAbout#20 2017 Parks Commission Workplan Staff Report
DATE:
ITEM #: 20
MOTION
AGENDA ITEM: Parks Commission 2017 Work Plan
SUBMITTED BY: Emily Becker, City Planner
REVIEWED BY: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
Rob Weldon, Public Works Director
Stephen Wensman, Planning Director
Parks Commission
BACKGROUND:
Per 32.087 of the Lake Elmo City Code, the Parks Commission is to develop an annual work
plan, including a list a projects, points of interaction on projects, programs, and goals for the
year. Staff drafted the 2017 Parks Commission Plan of Work, and it was reviewed by the Parks
Commission at its December 2016 meeting.
The Plan reaffirms the overall goals of the Parks Commission and outlines projects to be worked
on throughout the year yet has the flexibility to respond to priorities as they emerge. The projects
are broken down in to the following categories:
• Reaffirmation of overall goals – What are the overall goals the Parks Commission would
like to accomplish?
• Planning & Audit – What does the Parks Commission wish to plan for in the coming year?
• Development & Equipping – What projects does the Parks Commission wish to carry out
this year?
o This would be limited to projects approved through CIP.
o This gives opportunity to break down specific tasks associated with developing and
equipping.
• Maintenance & Refurbishing – What maintenance and refurbishing (costs not to be
associated with Parks funding) does the Parks Commission wish to be seen carried out?
• Nature & Conservation – What specific activities can the Parks Commission carry out
this year to promote open space character and commitment to the environment via nature
observation amenities and targeted conservation programs?
• Park Awareness – What can the Parks Commission do to promote utilization of City
Parks?
• Finance – How, specifically, does the Parks Commission plan to spend and budget Parks
and Recreation funds?
o This will of course go hand-in-hand with planning and audit but this specifically
should focus on next tasks to be carried out in terms of budget.
City Council Workshop January 31, 2017 Agenda Item #__
2
Status. The “Status” column helps the Commission and Staff gauge its progress at achieving
some of its goals for the year.
Timeline. The Commission has suggested adding a timeline that will indicate which meetings
during which the proposed projects will be discussed.
ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL:
Review and provide comment regarding Parks Commissions 2017 Plan of Work as needed.
OPTIONS:
1. Approve the Parks Commission 2017 Strategic Plan of Work as presented.
2. Amend the Parks Commission 2017 Strategic Plan of Work and approve.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Not yet specified. Some projects may require an amendment to the Capital Improvement Program.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff and the Parks Commission recommended the following motion:
“Move to accept the 2017 Parks Commission Plan of Work.”
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2017 Parks Commission Strategic Plan of Work
2017 Parks Commission Strategic Plan of Work
The City of Lake Elmo Park Commission has affirmed their overall goals to be:
1) Ensure that our parks and trail system are constructed / maintained.
2) Provide recreational amenities that will attract more taxpayer use of public lands.
3) Create a safe environment in all our parks.
4) Serve as a review body to make sure the “open space” character development is preserved in new
developments.
With the broader priorities defined, the 2017 Park Commission Strategic Plan of Work has been broken
down into six segments: Planning & Audit; Park Development & Equipping; Maintenance & Refurbishing;
Nature & Conservation; Park Awareness; and Finance.
Status and Timeline (projected months in which project will be brought to Parks Commission meeting)
are also indicated in order to better manage goals and objectives.
Planning and Audit
Assess future park needs.
Project Specific Tasks Status Timeline
Work with the County
on updating the
Central Greenway Trail
Master Plan.
• Recommend alternative routes for
regional trail, as CSAH 17 in downtown
Lake Elmo may no longer be best
route, and County now has jurisdiction
over Co. Hwy. 5.
Recognition from
the County that it
will work with City
on this Plan.
Based on
County’s
schedule
Update City Trail Plan • Work with staff on outlining missing
trail connections in order to create a
plan that can effectively communicate
to developers planned trails within the
City.
• Part of Comp Plan 2040 update.
In Progress Dependent
on consultant
timeline
Work on the Parks and
Open Space
component of the
2040 Comprehensive
Plan update.
• Work with staff and consultant to gain
public input on Parks and Open Space
component of Comprehensive Plan.
• Consider recommendations from Staff
and consultant based on community
input sessions.
• Make recommendation to Council on
specific changes needed to
Comprehensive Plan.
Not started Dependent
on consultant
timeline
Sunfish Lake Park Plan
approved by Council.
• Staff to obtain MN Land Trust
approval.
• Council to approve in early 2017
In Progress March
Development Review • Continue to make recommendations
on development applications with a
focus on proper equipping of parks
and available park funding.
Ongoing Ongoing
50th St Trail • Assess feasibility of expansion of 50th
St Trail
April
Ridge Park • Evaluate need for gravel parking lot August
Development & Equipping
Begin work on approved projects (those in the Capital Improvement Plan or have received a form of
funding approval).
Project Specific Tasks Status Timeline
Lions Park Renovation • Make recommendations on specific
designs.
Ideas presented
and
recommended at
January Meeting –
Architect to begin
drafting plans
based on
recommendation
March
Savona Park • Receive recommendation from Savona
residents on design.
• Include grading/tree removal in park
budget.
• Review proposals to ensure $150,000
recommended budget is maintained.
Obtained
recommendations
from Savona
residents
February
Pebble Park
Improvements
• Obtain quotes for approved
improvements in 2017 (restrooms,
lighting, and security features).
• Make recommendation on quotes.
Staff to obtain
quotes from
vendors
May
Hammes Park • Review planned equipment/amenities
planned for Hammes Park before
installation
Amenities
themselves
approved per
Development
Agreement.
Review design
before installation
Dependent
on
developer’s
submittals
50th Street Trail • Obtain quotes September
Maintenance & Refurbishing
Maintain and upgrading park facilities in a manner that increases park use for a relevant experience.
New soccer and tennis
nets, replace swing
seats, add benches
and garbage cans.
• Funding approval (estimated $1100)?
• Public works to carry out maintenance.
Recommended by
Public Works
July
Move play equipment
at Ridge Park to higher
• Funding approval?
• Public works to carry out maintenance.
Recommended by
Public Works
July
area that does not
have standing water.
Replace plastic edging
at existing parks with
concrete.
• Funding approval?
• Public works to carry out maintenance.
Recommended by
Public Works
July
Look at options to
replace wood chips &
remove thistle
• Staff to create plan for thistle removal.
• Gain input on alternative options for
woodchips.
• Staff to carry out thistle removal and
wood chip replacement.
July
Develop a 5-Year
Maintenance Plan of
parks
• Create plan based on necessity July
Make
recommendations on
maintenance
priorities.
Ongoing Ongoing
Nature & Conservation
Mission Statement: To promote the open space character and commitment to the environment via
nature observation amenities and targeted conservation programs.
Project Specific Tasks Status Timeline
Sunfish Lake Forest
Management Plan
• Obtain approval from MN Land Trust.
• Break down plan in to measurable
goals
• Implement plan.
Obtained approval
from MN Land
Trust
June
Sally Manzara Nature
Center
• Review and make recommendation on
Nature Center lease agreement and
plans.
• Explore opportunities to work with
Friends of Lake Elmo on new programs
and/or events in Sunfish Lake Park.
In Progress February
Park Awareness
Mission Statement: To promote the utilization of City Parks.
Project Specific Tasks Status Timeline
Create a park
awareness plan.
• Special events, publications, website
update, e-blasts
• Public input sessions for
Comprehensive Plan update
As needed As needed
Finance
Mission Statement: To effectively spend parkland dedication funds to meet the objectives of each
year’s Strategic Plan of Work while maintaining a minimum fund balance of $100,000.
Project Specific Tasks Status Timeline
Update Capital
Improvement Plan if
needed to accomplish
goals outlined herein.
• Reassess funding priorities as needed. As needed May
Formal Policy on How
Parkland Dedication
Should Be Used
• Draft and make recommendation on a
formal policy on:
• How parkland dedication funds should
be allocated for new developments.
• Sizing of parks within developments.
• $500 per home for a neighborhood
park has been used in the past.
March
Tablyn Park CIP
Amendment
• Add rest of Tablyn Park improvements
to CIP
Not included on
2017-2021 draft to
Council
May
Demontreville Park
Improvements
• Add Demontreville Park Improvements
to CIP
Removed from
2017-2021 draft
by Council
May
Sunfish Lake Park
Improvements
• Add Sunfish Lake Park Improvements
to CIP
Removed from
2017-2021 draft
by Council
May