Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-20-06 Minutes - finalLake Elmo Park Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting November 20, 2006 Chairman Schumacher called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Parks Commission at 7:00 PM. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Schumacher, Steele, Watters, Larson, Blackford, Ames, Bruchu, T. Bouthilet, and Booher. STAFF PRESENT: Public Works Superintendent Mike Bouthilet and Assistant Planner Matzek. CONSULTANTS PRESENT: Rich Gray and Berry Farrington from TKDA. Agenda Chairman Schumacher added 4.5 to the agenda “Update on Naming City Park After Martin Rafferty” and 4.6 “Resignation of John Heroff” and 4.7 “Adoption of the 2007 Meeting Schedule.” Commissioner Rolf Larson added 4.8 to the agenda “Land Acquisition on Lake Elmo.” M/S/P Ames/Blackford to approve the Agenda as amended. 9:0 John Booher was introduced as a new Park Commission member. Mr. Booher stated he is interested in the community, plans to be a long term citizen and wants to be involved. Minutes Chairman Schumacher would like the minutes regarding his resignation clarified. M/S/P Watters/Steele to approve the Minutes October 16, 2006 with changes. 7:0 abstain T. Bouthilet and Booher TKDA Park Plan Update ~ Rich Gray and Berry Farrington Mr. Gray and Ms. Farrington began by placing the goals established at the last meeting up on the wall. They then led discussion on the level of service (LOS) for different park types. The consultants showed a map of the city with the existing parks and general areas of opportunity for additional park locations. Commissioner Blackford expressed a need to plan for a surplus of parks. Mr. Gray agreed that he was speaking of minimum requirements and that the opportunity to do more was possible. Commissioner Ames stated the service areas did not take into account barriers such as major roadways and this is important when discussing walkability. Ms. Farrington identified the classification of the parks and the connection to LOS. They are proposing a LOS of 11 acres per 1,000 people. This was deduced by identifying the existing Lake Elmo standard of 16 acres per 1,000 people and removed a few large outliers. Commissioner Blackford asked where the list of items in the facilities menu was from. Ms. Farrington said the original list had come out of a planning book and was then altered to reflect the list of items formulated at the September Park Commission meeting. Commissioner Bruchu asked if the population south of Tenth Street would be better served by a large community park or numerous smaller neighborhood parks. Mr. Booher stated that more attention should be given to a community park south of Tenth Street so those who live there will utilize City parks and maintain their sense of community. Commissioner Steele requested separating neighborhood and community parks into active, passive, and mixed. The Park Commission took a break from 8:03 to 8:08. Chair Schumacher stated he would like to see the list of benchmarking cities reversed from the way it was written in the staff report. Commissioner Watters said she was concerned about the ability to locate twelve parks south of Tenth Street due to high land prices. Chair Schumacher stated he would like to reconsider starting a land trust protection for Sunfish Lake Park and Demontreville Wildlife Park area. He also stated the City is very proud of the VFW Park and the Arts Center. Mr. Gray explained the idea of the sports complex. He stated it would be a concentration of many fields. Commissioner Steele stated it would be helpful if they had some way to think objectively about the needs for sports. Mr. Gray stated they will try to find information and bring it back. Commissioner Blackford suggested a survey of the entire City be performed. Commissioner Schumacher stated that the Lake Elmo Park Reserve occupies 15 percent of land area in the City and the City takes pride in that amenity. It is important the regional park be included in the park plan. Mr. Gray and Ms. Farrington placed three maps on easels and asked the Commission to mark important locations and to write comments. Commissioner T. Bouthilet and Booher left. Update on Naming City Park After Martin Rafferty Ms. Matzek let the Commission know the recommendation from the October Park Commission meeting to name Carriage Station Park after Martin Rafferty after first being cleared by his family was passed along to the Council. The City Council decided to postpone action on the recommendation. The City Council would like to ensure they do not rush into a decision and take time to give careful consideration of the suggested renaming. Resignation of John Heroff Chair Schumacher stated that John Heroff has submitted his resignation from the Park Commission. He also said Mr. Heroff is a longstanding and solid citizen. He expressed his gratitude at Mr. Heroff’s efforts. Adoption of the 2007 Meeting Schedule M/S/P, Steele/Larson to approve the 2007 Park Commission meeting schedule. Vote: 7- 0. Land Acquisition on Lake Elmo Commissioner Larson said he believes Lake Elmo is an important water body within the City and it may be advantageous to acquire a piece of property with public access to the water. The land could be used for a public beach, fishing pier, or other recreational use. He stated there is currently a piece of property controlled by the City with public access to Lake Elmo that is used as a drainfield site. The drainfield will no longer be in use after the sewer comes in, so that could be a future location. Public Works Superintendent M. Bouthilet agreed that the City does own the drainfield site, but it would be difficult to use as it is a mud slough. He stated there is approximately 100 feet of shoreland, but a fishing pier would not be possible. Commissioner Larson expressed his interest in the City continuing to explore the purchase of land on Lake Elmo City Council Update Ms. Matzek stated there were no park related items on the last City Council agenda. Adjourn M/S/P Ames/Watters to adjourn meeting at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kelli Matzek Assistant Planner