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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFull Packet 8.19.2019 TI IF CITY OF LAKE ELMO Our Mission is to Provide Quality Public Services in a Fiscally Responsible Manner While Preserving the City's Open Space Character NOTICE OF MEETING City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission 3800 Laverne Avenue North August 19, 2019 6:30 PM AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Approve Agenda 3. Approve Minutes a) July 15, 2019 4. Buck Thorn Removal Grant for Sunfish Lake Park 5. Wildflower-Village Preserve Park Name 6. September 16, 2019 Meeting Agenda 7. Communications 8. Adjourn 'Note:Every effort will be made to accommodate person or persons that need special considerations to attend this meeting due to a health condition or disability.Please contact the Lake Elmo City Clerk ifyou are in need ofspecial accommodations. MINUTES City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission July 15, 2019 Members Present: Commissioners- Nightingale, Olinger, Schumacher, and Weeks Absent: Ames, Mayek, and Zeno Staff Present: City Planner- Prchal, Public Works Director- Powers The meeting was called to order by Weeks at 6:30 PM. Announcements Weeks added a public comment section to the agenda. Approval of Agenda Commission motioned to pass the agenda. Motion passed unanimously. Approval of Minutes a) June 17, 2019 Schumacher motioned to approve the June minutes, seconded by Olinger. Motion passed unanimously. Public Comments Susan Dunn, 11018 Upper 33rd Street North. She raised concerns about the proposed use change at Sunfish Lake Park. She would like an EAW/EIS review of the proposed extreme mountain bike trail at Sunfish Lake Park. She researched other parks in the area and the only cities that allow mountain biking in their parks are Oak Park Heights and Woodbury. She would like an environmental review done to fully understand how this mountain bike trail would impact the environment at Sunfish Lake Park. She raised concerns that this proposed trail is in violation of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan which states that Sunfish Lake Park prohibits mountain biking on trails. She questioned if the intent is to change the use of Sunfish Lake Park from a nature preserve to a single purpose mountain bike trail park. Her final comments were that the Commission needs to be cautious when looking into a change like this. Olinger asked for clarification on what is meant when talking about "high impact." Mrs. Dunn explained that it refers to the speed, intensity, and number of people performing the action. Nature Center Patio Request Prchal presented on a request for the Nature Center which is asking to put in a 500 Sq. ft. patio. The nature center has lease agreements with the City for the patio that states they can go ahead with the project with approval from the City. It also goes into detail about what it would cost to remove the patio, the plan has budget forecasts for what removal would cost. $3-$4 per Sq. ft. for a total of$20,000 for removal of the patio. Patio will be south of the Nature Center. The City had recommended for the Nature Center to clean up the site, erosion control, and add in a rain garden. Which the nature center has done recently. City staff recommendation stays the same, recommending for approval. At the last meeting the Commission wanted someone from the Nature Center to clarify some items such as: ADA Accessibility, will the Nature Center install pervious material and what is the master plan for the nature center. Tony Manzara, Director of the Nature Center. He gave a presentation to clear up some of the questions regarding this proposal. The overall vison and mission for the nature center is in the lease agreement. They removed buckthorn on July 13t"to clear up the land and have installed a rain garden. Construction status presented showed that they were allowed 3 years to complete the building process and received Certificate of Occupancy in 1.5 years. He touched on the ADA requirements stating that in the building codes elevators are not required in buildings under 3 stories tall or 3000 Sq. ft. per floor. The Nature Center is 2900 Sq. ft. per floor. They build a stairway with low pitch making it easier to climb and the restrooms are ADA compliant. They are considering an ADA accessible path from the front door up the hill on the outside of the building. He explained the "major" alterations that the Nature Center has been considering. The patio is one and the company that poured the concrete for the center has donated the concrete for the proposed patio. They cannot ask the donator to make the patio with a pervious surface because that is not why it was donated. They also do not want to create something that will require constant maintenance. Nature Center has considered a seating area on a hillside like an amphitheater style and an expansion of the Nature Center and would bring to the Commission if they decide to pursue that plan, but not planned in the near future. Weeks asked if Mr. Manzara's position is if he doesn't have to go through the City for these changes. Mr. Manzara clarified that his positon is that this is debatable if it is a "major" alteration or not, and the he would bring changes to the City. According to the lease agreement, Mr. Manzara interprets it as if the Nature Center wants to alter anything on the site they will go to the City and ask if it is okay. Manzara had wanted the $20,000 in escrow back for the Patio, but it was not approved. So he gave the Lake Elmo Bank stock and would be willing to give the City this stock if the patio would be torn down. Weeks also asked about a proposed amphitheater and if that is the Nature Center's plan. Mr. Manzara said that they have considered a seating area on a hill for lectures, but it would not host any big events. Weeks asked if picnic shelters, playgrounds and overlook shelters were in the plans. Mr. Manzara said those are not. Mr. Manzara stated that the purpose of the demolition escrow was so that it would not be a burden on taxpayers. Weeks wanted to make sure that the Nature Center would be able to continue being self-sufficient in funding itself in the future. Olinger had a question about the lease agreement and asked Prchal if Mr. Manzara did have to come to the City for permission to build this patio. Prchal said people can interpret the lease agreement differently, but it was mutually decided that this request did need to come before the Parks Commission. Schumacher asked who decided that. Prchal said that it was the City Councils decision to have this request come to the Commission. Schumacher was curious because he said he has worked with Nature Centers before and they always have upgrades and he wants to know if the Nature Center is required to come to the Commission for every improvement. Prchal said this is different than adding a birdhouse because a concrete slab is permanent and that is why it had to come to the Commission. Olinger motioned to recommend approval of the patio at Sally Manzara Nature Center as presented. Seconded by Nightingale. Olinger discussed that she thinks the cost to remove the patio is a little high, and she does not want to increase the escrow, but she thinks it would fit great with the Nature Center. Motioned passed 3-1. (Weeks- nay) Review of the Subdivision Code-Park Dedication and Trail Connection Prchal recapped that this issue was visited last month. He explained that the City had recently approved two new zoning districts, being the Mixed Use Commercial and the Mixed Use Business Park. These two classifications are not covered in the park dedication section so staff are looking to insert these two sections into the code. Park dedication fees must be established by ordinance or a fee schedule that meets the requirement of state statute. Prchal references the League of Minnesota Cities for deciding how to set these fees. He showed a table with the existing parks dedication requirement that have categories for fees at 10%, 7%, 4% and fees that are set by a Council Resolution which are $4,500/acre. The proposed changes would be to combine categories and average percentages for the rural districts creating a 10% and 5%fee. Staff is recommending increasing the $4,500/acre to $5,000/acre for commercial land based on research of other cities. Weeks asked if$5,000 was a little low compared to what other cities have and wanted to know if Lake Elmo could propose a $10,000/acre fee. Prchal said he would want to talk with other cities first to see how exactly they get their fees before a big increase like that. Prchal moved on to the second part of the recommendation which is the issue of trail connection. Staff is recommending new language to the park dedication section of the code. New language would include: "To receive the 25% credit for a trail, there must be a public trail connection to the larger Lake Elmo or Washington County trail network. If the proposed trails are not able to connect to existing trails, they must be installed in a way that would allow them to connect to future trails as additional infrastructure is established." Staff is recommending the combination of OP Development, RR and AG, as well as including the RS section to create a rural charge. Schumacher said that the last sentence of the language is very vague. Prchal said that it is that way so that if someone builds in an open area, the City can have a stub setup so they can connect the trail. Weeks questioned that if the 25% credit could be changed to just say "receive the credit." And he would like it to say that the trail needs to be a "through" connection. Olinger suggested changing the last sentence to say that "If the proposed trails are not able to connect to existing trails, they must be installed in a way that would provide a connection to future trails as additional infrastructure is established." Schumacher had a question if the developers just pay cash, can that cash be distributed into a bulk fund and used for other things or if it dedicated back to the specific fund. Prchal clarified that all fund collected are put back into the park dedication fund specific for park development activities. Prchal read the updated amendments to the trail connection language: "To receive credit for a trail, there must be a through public trail connection to the larger Lake Elmo or Washington County trail network. If the proposed trails are not able to connect to existing trails, they must be installed in a way that would provide a connection to future trails as additional infrastructure is established." Olinger motioned to recommend approval of the Subdivision Code with amendments to the proposed language. Seconded by Schumacher. Motion passed unanimously. August 19, 2019 Meeting Agenda a) Name suggestions for the park in the Wildflower Development. Communications Prchal said they are still continuing work in Lion's Park with the pickle ball courts. Olinger asked if they are still putting up the fence. Powers clarified that they are putting up boards next week around the pickle ball court and those will also serve as the boards for the hockey rink. Weeks said that a week ago there were 20 people playing pickle ball and he is happy with the public reaction. Weeks brought up the public comments from last month's meeting about the soccer net in Easton Village. The day after that meeting Marty and Jamie from Public Works found an old soccer net that the City had and they put it up in Easton Village. Powers said Public Works is going to repaint the light poles at Lion's Park this week. Weeks is surprised how much the volleyball courts are used. Olinger was at Sunfish Park last weekend and it had not been fully mowed yet and that was supposed to happen. Powers said his crews just finished up everything they were going to mow in the last few days. Prchal mentioned that the capstone for the 451" parallel at Lion's Park is coming along. Hopefully it will get installed this year. Prchal said that Savona Park naming process will be coming up similar to the park in Wildflower. Weeks asked Powers how well the park signs hold up. Powers was not quite sure, the signs are composite type material, but they seem to hold up pretty well. Now that there is a process for naming these parks, Prchal wanted to Commission to start advertising to the public they are looking for name suggestions. Prchal said the By-Laws got passed at the last Council meeting. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Alex Saxe, Deputy Clerk THE CITY OF LAKE ELMO STAFF REPORT DATE: 8/19/2019 REGULAR ITEM#: 4 TO: Park Commission FROM: Marty Powers, Public Works Director AGENDA ITEM: Buck Thorn Removal Grant— Sunfish Lake Park REVIEWED BY: Ben Prchal, City Planner Director Kristina Handt, City Administrator BACKGROUND: As was mentioned at the May Parks Commission meeting, George Johnson had been working with Stantec to write a grant to treat invasive species at Sunfish Lake Park. Since that time Stantec has withdrawn its offer to write the grant since we couldn't guarantee they would get the work if the grant was approved. The city follows appropriate bidding requirements. Therefore, George Johnson has submitted a proposal for the grant application. A copy is included in your packet. ISSUE BEFORE THE PARK COMMISSION: Should the Parks Commission recommend approval of the grant submittal to the City Council? PROPOSAL: As part of the plan to continue improving city properties, parks and the forests within, removing invasive species to improve the habitat for native animals, birds and insects that are dependent on these areas is of great benefit. Surveys of Sunfish Lake Park have shown that the invasive buck thorn is overtaking the native oaks, cherries, forbs, grasses and ferns at an alarming rate. The Grant would be utilized to remove the buckthorn and improve the 35 acres of oak forest,restoring it to it former state of a high quality habitat. The total project cost to remove the buckthorn is$160,500. The Total grant amount requested is$145,500 and the total match amount pledged is $15,000. The project would be a joint effort between the City of Lake Elmo and The Friends of Lake Elmo's Sunfish Lake. Over the past year the Friends organization has already committed over 1000 hours of time to remove buckthorn form the park. The grant proposes that the city contribute$10,000 and the remaining match be met with volunteer hours from the Friends. In addition, the grant program manage would be Becky Tempas,Executive Director of the Nature Center. In exchange the Sally Manzara Nature Center would receive the administration funds of approximately$7,500. The three year project would include the removal of the buckthorn through forestry mowing and by hand, using select methods to discourage re-emerging buckthorn,removing large deadfall trees and supplemental seeding of the areas with desirable plants that will be better able to compete. FISCAL IMPACT: City funding for Sunfish Lake Park Buckthorn Removal match grant is $10,000. The 2019 parks budget includes $10,000 for Sunfish Lake Park Management efforts. It could be used for this grant or to continue efforts on the prairie work that started last year. OPTIONS: 1) Recommend approval to council. 2) Recommend denial to council 3) Table recommending submitting grant application to council RECOMMENDATION: "Motion to recommend to the City Council to submit the Grant Application for the Sunfish Lake Park Buckthorn Removal Project" ATTACHMENTS: • Draft Grant Submittal Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Application Printed 2019-08-09 Project Contact Project name Sunfish Lake Park Restoration Organization name City of Lake Elmo Organization type Government Mailing address 1 3880 Laverne Ave., Suite 100, N. Mailing address 2 City Lake Elmo State MN Zip code 55042 Project manager Becky Tenpas Title Executive Phone 651-408-2838 Email becky.tenpas@sminc-lake-elmo.org Project Overview Sites / Locations County name: Washington Project site name: Sunfish Lake Park Restoration Total project sites: 1 Total project sites: 1 Total project acres: 35 Land Ownership Primary land ownership: Local Government Additional land ownerships: Habitat Primary habitat type: Forest Additional habitat types: Activities Primary activity: Restoration Additional activities: ECP activities: Project Finding Summary Grant type Metro Grant request level over$25,000 Total grant amount requested $145,500 Total match amount pledged $15,000 Additional funding amount Total project cost $160,500 Project Summary Have you ever received a CPL grant before? No Project Location Summary Primary county Washington Project site name Sunfish Lake Park Restoration Primary land ownership Local Government Habitat and Activity Summary Primary habitat type Forest Primary activity Restoration Total project sites 1 Total project acres 35 Summary Sunfish Lake Park is a highly visible and heavily used park that holds great diversity and is looked at as the a€"jewela€TM of the parks of Lake Elmo. This Park is home to three ecosystem, a large tract of Upland Oak Forest, a 17-acre restored prairie, and a portion of Sunfish Lake with associated wetlands. The forest is home to a diverse mix of plant species that live among the Oaks. Over time this land has become highly degraded by invasive species, providing less of a sanctuary for the native animals and birds that inhabit this area. Surveys of this area have shown that invasive species of flora are overtaking high quality native vegetation at an alarming rate and encroaching even further into the sensitive areas. This area also provides refuge to numerous types of wildlife, including migratory birds. This project will restore 35 acres of oak forest. Restoring it to the former functional state will provide much-needed habitat to species dependent on mature oak forest. There was a Forestry Management Plan for Sunfish Lake Park that was completed in 2015. That plan is attached. This grant intends to begin following the recommendations of that plan. This project is a joint effort of the City of Lake Elmo and the Friends of Lake Elmo's Sunfish Lake, which is an organization supporting the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center which opened in June 2018. Over the past year the Friends organization has already committed over 1000 hours of time to remove buckthorn from the park. Problem statement The issue in this area is dense buckthorn growth that is competing with native oaks, cherries, forbs, grasses, and ferns. Currently, a community of desirable oaks does exist, however, the age structure shows that buckthorn is out competing regrowth. Without management, the area will be dominated by buckthorn in the future. Restoring this area to its native oak forest habitat will ensure continued pressure from new invasive species does not inhibit the function of this unique land of biodiversity. Project objectives The result of this restoration will be increased diversity of understory plant types and a more desirable of age structure (wider range) of desirable trees. Buckthorn will be removed from the area, allowing increasing native plant regeneration. Supplemental seeding will take place to ensure a bank of desirable plants that will be better able to compete. The result of this project will be a restored ecosystem that supports native biodiversity. Buckthorn and other invasive plants will be reduced as a threat. Native bird populations will enjoy and thrive in the increased habitable area. Other oak wood dependent species will also benefit. Butterflies and other pollinators that currently see this area as uninhabitable will have food and shelter established through this restoration. 35 acres of oak woods will be maintained as a unique ecosystem for visitors to learn about. Finally, the risk of spreading the known invasive species of Sunfish Lake Park, such as buckthorn, garlic mustard, spotted knapweed, and Oriental bittersweet, into adjacent restored areas will be greatly reduced. The projected budget is similar to that of other projects that have been completed in surrounding Metro Counties, which are commonly based on state contract prices. This budget is the most reasonable price to meet the objectives of the restoration. Methods The restoration will include removal of invasive species, primarily buckthorn, further removal of undesirable tree species, prescribed burning at select areas, and seeding of aggressive native herbaceous mix selected to out compete re-emerging buckthorn seedlings. The restoration of these areas will promote the growth of native herbaceous vegetation and oak woodland regeneration for the benefits of plant species diversity and improved habitat, while stabilizing erodible areas. Removal of woody invasive vegetation, including buckthorn, honeysuckle, and other trees impeding the oak woodlands will be done through forestry mowing where feasible or by hand. Large deadfall trees from a 2013 blowdown will be removed. The material will be stacked and burned on site, with the potential to have some removed from the site. A prescribed burn of select areas will be completed the spring following all the woody invasive removal. Native seed will be cast in areas with limited native herbaceous cover and bare soil following the burn. Select areas of herbaceous invasive species, such as garlic mustard, will also be sprayed and cleared for planting of native seed. Work will be completed by a contractor as required, except for additional Buckthorn removal and other work feasible for volunteers, and prescribed burning will be conducted by a certified contractor following a DNR approved burn plan. Seeding with cover crop using a stabilizer, such as hydro mulch, to prevent erosion as seed takes will be used as feasible. Experience / Abilities The City of Lake Elmo is a growing city with a strong commitment to building and managing parks and trails for its residents. They have completed many successful projects and worked cooperatively with county and state organizations. Becky Tenpas, the project manager, is an employee of the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center (SMINC) and is an experienced administrator who has vast experience organizing local community volunteers and managing community projects. The SMINC has a growing list of over 800 volunteers and interested citizens to draw on for assistance. Project Timeline Time Frame (month, season and/or year) Goal Winter 2019/2020 & 20/21 Undesirable wood removal 30 acres Winter 2019/2020 & 20/21 Burn piles Winter 2019/2020 & 20/21 Large tree removal 10 acres Spring 2020 & 2021 Prescribed burn Fall 2020 & 2021 Foliar spray of vegatation Fall 2020 & 2021 Casting native seed 35 acres Fall 2020 & 2021 Oak planting 35 acres Estimated project completion date 2022-12-31 (must be complete by 2023-06-30) Budget Information Name Sue Iverson Title Director Of Finance Email SIverson@lakeelmo.org Phone 651-747-3909 Street address 1 3880 Laverne Ave., Suite 100, N. Street address 2 City Lake Elmo State MN Zip Code 55042 Budget Details Personnel Name Title /work to be completed Amount Grant/Match In-kind/Cash Becky Tenpas Administration $2,500 Grant Becky Tenpas Coordination/volunteers $5,000 Grant Contracts Contractor Name Contracted Work Amount Grant/Match In-kind/Cash TBD Herbicide spray 10 acres $5,000 Grant TBD Prescribed burn 10 acres $4,000 Grant TBD Seed and application 10 acres $15,000 Grant TBD Oak Seedling/planting 10 acres $2,500 Grant TBD Woody removal 25 acres $37,500 Grant TBD Herbicide spray 25 acres $12,500 Grant TBD Prescribed burn 25 acres $10,000 Grant TBD Seed and application 25 acres $37,500 Grant TBD Oak Seedling/planting 25 acres $5,000 Grant TBD Burn Woody piles $4,000 Grant TBD Large tree removal 10 acres $5,000 Grant TBD Seed hand casting 5 acres $10,000 Match Cash TBD Woody removal 5 acres $5,000 Match In-kind Additional Funding Additional Funds are dollars used towards the project that are not grant funds or counted as match. Additional funding amount Budget Overview Item Type Grant Match Total Personnel $7,500 $7,500 Contracts $138,000 $15,000 $153,000 Fee Acquisition with PILT Fee Acquisition without PILT Easement Acquisition Travel (in-state) Professional Services DNR Land Acquisition Cost Equipment/Tools/Supplies Additional Budget Items Total: $145,500 $15,000 $160,500 Project Finding Summary Grant type Metro Grant request level over$25,000 Total grant amount requested $145,500 Total match amount pledged $15,000 Additional funding amount Total project cost $160,500 Project Information Answer each of the following questions in 1000 characters or less. 1 . Describe the degree of collaboration and local support for this project. The City of Lake Elmo is partnering with the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center (SMINC). Staff from SMINC will administer the grant and recruit volunteers. SMINC opened in Sunfish Lake Park in June, 2018. The volunteers of SMINC became the Adopt a Park sponsor for Sunfish Lake Park with the City of Lake Elmo. The SMINC now has a mailing list of 800 people. In July 2017 a committed group of citizens began removing Buckthorn from the park. Every second Saturday of the month the group cuts Buckthorn. In the past year they have volunteered over 1000 hours. The group, lead by local retiree George Johnson, knows that removing Buckthorn is a long term project. They have removed about 5 acres of Buckthorn creating a display area to bring awareness to the problem and gather local support, and they and are committed to removing another 5 acres and dedicating 250 hours (minimum) to supporting this proposal. This group will continue to monitor the areas where work is completed 2. Describe any urgency associated with this project. If this work is not completed in the next few years the environmental risks and cost of restoration will only increase. The oldest buckthorn removed thus far had been established about 35 years ago, providing a major supply of seed carried by birds to the rest of the City. A significant part of the Park's forest is dominated by buckthorn. The further encroachment of invasive species will continue to degrade the remaining woodlands. The existing work on the initial 5 acres will go for naught. The remaining understory of the woodland is at high risk given the established buckthorn seed bank and will only become more infested with an increasing seed bank and larger mat of buckthorn vegetation. 3. Discuss if there is full funding secured for this project, the sources of that funding and if CPL Grant funds will supplement or supplant existing funding. There is full funding secured as a budgeted cash match of $10,000 from the City of Lake Elmo and a committed volunteer match of 300 hours times $20 per hour or $6,000 from the SMINC. The CPL funds requested would not substitute traditional funding. Lake Elmo Sunfish Park has been identified by Lake Elmo Parks and Recreation Committee for quite some time as a prime location for restoration, however, ever-growing budget constraints have limited the funds for additional habitat quality enhancement projects that go beyond what is possible with traditional funding. If awarded, the funding for this project stands to implement the conservation ideals of all agencies and stakeholders involved. 4. Describe public access at project site for hunting and fishing, identifying all open seasons. There is no public hunting allowed in the Park, fishing is available in Sunfish Lake adjacent to the Park but there is no public boat ramp. The site is open for recreational use. 5. Discuss use of native vegetation (if applicable). The grasses and forbs seed being used for the prairie and understory propagation will be from local ecotypes from the St. Paul Baldwin Plains and Moraines or the Anoka Sandplain subsections, if possible. It is imperative that the species being used for the site are conducive to the natural ecosystems to meet the goal of native reestablishment. 6. Discuss your budget and why it is cost effective. The cost per acre for this site was projected from the costs to complete the restoration work on other projects. This budget is similar to other projects that have been completed in surrounding Metro Counties which are commonly based on state contract prices. This budget provides the most economical way to meet the objectives of the restoration project. 7. Provide information on how your organization encourages a local conservation culture. This includes your organization's history of promoting conservation in the local area, visibility of work to the public and any activities and outreach your organization has completed in the local area. The Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center provides educational programs to civic, conservation, and scout and other community groups. We provide extensive information on conservation and habitat restoration on our website, at the nature center and with handout materials. In 2018 we held a Buckthorn Festival to remove buckthorn from Sunfish Lake Park, educate the community on this invasive species and have some fun. Our staff works with multiple agencies and nongovernmental organizations to conduct habitat restoration activities and outreach programs associated with restoration work for wildlife habitat improvement. We have constructed a Rain Garden with technical assistance and a grant from the Valley Branch Watershed District to reduce run-off from our building site, and as a teaching tool. We have also implemented a Monarch Waystation through Monarch Watch to offset the Monarch habitat deterioration and to help educate our visitors on environmental and pollinator topics. Site Information Land Manager Name Marty Powers Organization City of Lake Elmo Title Director of Public Services Review and approval form Im-approval.pdf Phone 651-747-3941 Email mpowers@lakeelmo.org Site Information Site name Sunfish Lake Park Restoration Habitat Forest Activity Restoration Land ownership Local Government Pis section T: 29 R: 21 D: W S: 15 Project acres 35 Open to public hunting? No Open to public fishing? Yes - some Will you receive any revenues during the grant period from activities on this land? No t i _ - r 1 J Natural Heritage Database Review Answer the following questions Natural Heritage elements were found within one mile of my project site(s) Yes List all elements found within one mile of site(s) and discuss how you will mitigate or avoid impacts to these elements. NHIS Review for CPL Application "Sunfish Lake Park" 29 July 2019 Vertebrate Animal Scientific name Common Name State Status Federal Status # of features Notes Buteo lineatus red shouldered hawk SPC Haliaeetus leucocephalus bald eagle delisted Etheostoma microperca least darter SPC Notropis anogenus pugnose shiner THR Emydoidea blandingii Blanding's turtle THR Invertebrate Animal Bombus affinis rusty- patched bumblebee END Terrestrial Community Native plant community type - FDs37 Oak - (Red Maple) Woodland Type STATE STATUS - KEY END - endangered THR - threatened SPC - special concern We will be sure to work with our contractor and volunteers to make sure we are not interfering with any of these natural heritage elements. Attachments Additional Documentation Attach additional documentation as applicable using the appropriate categories below. If you exceed the size limit while uploading, contact CPL staff to discuss your options. Letters of Support Partner Commitment Letters File Description SMINC_letter_to_support_for_CPL_Grant.docx Commitment Letter for nature center Photos File Description Buckthorn_Removal_Fest.pdf Poster from Buckthorn Festival 2014-Sunfish-Lake-park-map.pdf Sunfish Lake Trail Map Restoration Plans File Description Sunfish_Lake_Park_Forest_Management_Plan_Final.pdf Forest Management Plan Engineering/Survey/Design Plans Supplemental Documents Final Application Submission This completes your CPL Grant Application. Please take the time to revisit the previous sections and make sure you have entered everything completely and correctly. Once you hit the submit button below, you will not be able to return to this application to make changes. I certify that I have read the Conservation Partners Legacy Grants Program Request for Proposal, Program Manual and other program documents, and have discussed this project with the appropriate public land manager, or private landowner and easement holder. I certify that I have read the Conservation Partners Legacy Grants Program Request for Proposal, Program Manual and other program documents, and have discussed this project with the appropriate public land manager, or private landowner and easement holder. certify that all of the information contained in the application is correct as of the time of the submission. If anything should change, I will contact CPL Grant Staff immediately to make corrections. certify that if funded I will give consideration to and make timely written contact to Minnesota Conservation Corps or its successor for consideration of possible use of their services to contract for restoration and enhancement services. I will provide CPL staff a copy of that written contact within 10 days after the execution of my grant, should I be awarded. I certify that I am aware at least one Land Manager Review and Approval form is required for every application and at least one Public Waters Contact form is required for all public waters work. I am aware I must submit all completed forms by uploading them into this application. I have attached the required type and number of forms as necessary for this project. am aware that by typing my name in the box below, I am applying my signature to this online document. Signature Title Organization / Agency Date THE CITY OF LAKE ELMO ` STAFF REPORT DATE: August 191, 2019 ITEM#: 5 TO: City Council FROM: Ben Prchal, City Planner AGENDA ITEM: Naming of Park in Wildflower and Village Preserve REVIEWED BY: Ken Roberts,Planning Director Parks Commission BACKGROUND: The Parks Commission had made it a priority to develop the park that is shared between Wildflower and Village Preserve. Being that this park is new and unnamed it was appropriate for Staff to reach out to the community for name suggestions to bring to the Parks Commission. There were many name suggestions that came forward and Staff has done their best to organize the suggested names to assist with the selection process. ISSUE BEFORE CITY COUNCIL: Which name(s)would the Park Commission like to recommend to the City Council for the new park? ANALYSIS: The City received many suggestions for the park and Staff has done their best to group them into four different categories Miscellaneous,Animals, People, and Vegetation. Staff has provided an explanation for some of the suggestions if it was believed to provide extra value for the Commission. Miscellaneous Animals People Vegetation Creamery Park Butterfly Meadow Family Park Field Park North Park Butterfly Park Kids Time Park Flower Slope Park Play Slope Park Crooking Pond Park Rosalie Wahl Lavender Park Rainbow Park Dragonfly Meadow Park Settlers Park Prairie Pond Park Sparky McPark Face Dragonfly Park Stickney Park Treetop Park Spielplatz Firefly Meadow Park Cypher's Park Valley Brook Frog Pond Park Village Flower Park Honey Bee Park Wild Preserve Painted Turtle Park Wild Preserve Park People: Rosalie Wahl: Attached is some information that Staff found to support the existence of Miss Wahl in Lake Elmo. In summary she lived in Lake Elmo,was active with the library(s),and was a big advocate for woman's rights. She was a resident of Lake Elmo and the first female Minnesota Supreme Court Justice. She was also instrumental in starting the Washington County Library system. Stickney Park: Bass Lake,the original name of Lake Elmo,was noted for its fresh water and good fishing. Both the lake and village were renamed to Lake Elmo in 1879 by railroad promoter and St. Paul businessman,Alpheus B. Stickney, as being more pleasing. Cypher's Park: First to settle in the area in 1848 were Virginians Bernard B. `Bun"Cyphers and his wife Maria,who built a hotel,tavern, and stage stop,known as the Lake House, on Sunfish Lake. Staff would like the Commission to know approval or notification from the next of kin was not provided along with the suggestion for the park. A write up on the individuals has been provided for the Commission to review. Staff would defer to the Parks Commission on determining which individual is more suited to name the park after. Miscellaneous Creamery Park: Lake Elmo had multiple creameries in the early 1900's. Spielplatz: This German word translated into English is play area,playground, etc. This suggestion would be a reference back to Lake Elmo's German settlers. Sparky McPark Face: Waynesboro sought suggestions from their residents and Parky McPark Face was a popular vote for the community. A quote from the Virginian newspaper read"...Teasville Park,"recognizes the name the area was known by before it became Waynesboro in 1791. "Parky McParkface"was also suggested, a nod to"Boaty McBoatface,"the wildly popular name that went viral earlier this year after it was entered in a contest to name a new British polar research vessel. `Boaty McBoatface"actually won the public vote,but the British government vetoed the winning vote, and quietly selected a more traditional moniker the"RRS Sir David Attenborough..." Staff would not seriously suggest this name but thought it was worth including for the humor of it. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staffs opinion is that no one name stood out more than the others. However,there did seem to be more of a trend in the "Animal"category. Simply going off of a perceived trend there was a larger interest in dragonflies,butterflies, fireflies, etc. Because of this Staff would say one of these names might be more appropriate. The next step is to bring the recommendation to City Council. If one name cannot be chosen,up to three name suggestions would be appropriate to bring to City Council. ATTACHMENTS: o Park Naming Policy o Write up on Rosalie Wahl o Write up on Stickneys and Cyphers THE CITY OF LAKE ELMO City of Lake Elmo Policy and Procedure for Naming City Parks, Trails, Recreational Areas, and Facilities Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to establish a standard procedure for the naming and renaming of parks, trails, recreational areas and facilities owned and/or operated by the City of Lake Elmo. This policy will guide name recognition and establish a uniform process. The Parks Commission shall be responsible for providing a recommended name to the City Council. The City Council will have the final say for the approved name. Obiectives• • To name City parks, trails, recreational areas and facilities with the intent of enhancing the community by provoking a sense of place. • Ensure that parks and recreational areas are easily identified and located with names that are consistent with the values and characteristics of the City of Lake Elmo. • Assure the quality of the title/name, so that it will serve the purpose of the City in a permanent manner. • Encourage public participation and input in order to fully represent the best interest of the community. Criteria for Submitting a Name: When a proposed name is presented for review, City Staff will first vet the name against the criteria listed below. If a name does not fall into one of the categories listed below or is deemed to be derogatory or offensive in nature, the consideration will be thrown out. It should also be known that the City will not consider names that are directly named after a specific neighborhood or subdivision. The Park name shall not: • Park Names shall not be duplicated. • The City will not name parks directly after a development. • For example, the park within Wildflower shall not be called Wildflower Park. However, rose park, fox glove park, etc. would be acceptable. Categories for potential park Names: • An outstanding feature of the area. (example: hill,river,vegetation) • Geographical location of the park such as a street name. • Naming after an individual (living or non-living) or organization. The City may require additional information to further enforce that the individual has significantly contributed to the improvement of the Lake Elmo Parks system. • A person(living or non-living) or group who significantly contributed to the acquisition or development of park/facilities, who provided an exceptional service in the interest of the park system, or for the community as a whole. When naming after a person or persons, written documentation of approval by next of kin is required(if available/possible) as part of the proposal. • A standard for significant contribution shall consist of providing at least 50% of the cost to develop or acquire the land. • The City understands there are other categories that a name could be pulled from and would not exclude its consideration. THE CITY OF LAKE ELMO Procedure: The City has created a process that will provide consistency for naming or re-naming City Parks. In general a submission will come in, go through staff review and approval, undergo a Parks Commission review, and end with final approval or denial from the City Council. The City would like to encourage residents to stay interested and voice their opinions during the meetings when the name is being considered. Step 1) At the time that the City is ready to name or rename a park, notification will be put in the Fresh, City Facebook, and or use other measures as appropriate. The City will seek name suggestions from the City Council or Commissions, City residents, Community leaders or organizations interested in proposing a name for a park, trail, recreational area or facility. The applicant should either request a Naming Policy form from the City Clerk or download the form from the City Website on the Parks page. After the form has been filled out it will need to be submitted to the City Planner to review against the criteria. Once the timeframe for receiving names has closed, Staff will begin the review process. Step 2) Staff will notify the applicant if the proposed name has or has not met the requirements. After a proposed name has been approved by Staff, the applicant will be informed when the name is going to be discussed by the Parks Commission. After the Commission discussion, the recommendation(s) will move onto the City Council for final approval or denial. Step 3) Once the City Council votes to approve a name, the name of the park shall be confirmed by passing a resolution. Renaming: The intent of naming is for permanent recognition, the renaming of parks and facilities is discouraged. Though, the City understands that renaming a park, trail, or facility may be necessary to create more cohesiveness throughout the City. It is recommended that efforts to change a name become subject to crucial examination so as not to diminish the original justification for the name or discount the value of the prior contributors. Renaming a park will follow the same procedure stated above. The Stillwater Gazette In rural Lake Elmo in 1960, books were one of the few forms on entertainment for children, and as a mother of four small children, to Rosalie Wahl they were invaluable. She would constantly drive to the Stillwater Library to check out books for herself and for her children, but for many of her neighbors the distance was prohibitive. The libraries in Minneapolis and St. Paul had been organizing bookmobiles to bring books to their smaller rural neighbors since the 1920s, but Stillwater had long thought that their duty was to those living in city limits and rural residents were the duty of the county. Wahl and her neighbor, future Stillwater School Board member Jean Lundquist, beat the pavement and won a bookmobile would stop once a month at the end of the Wahl's driveway in rural Lake Elmo. Not ready to stop there, Wahl worked with other rural mothers in Washington County, gathering material and information, working with librarians and community members to petition the government for a county-wide library system, with Stillwater as its hub. After discovering that the county was running on a surplus and the project would not increase taxes, the group put together a proposal and brought it to the all-male Washington County Board. There were no open meeting laws in Minnesota until 1973. Wahl and the other mothers were escorted from the meeting, and the board began to discuss the proposal. After all their hard work and meetings with board members, Wahl waited in the hallway as the final decision was made. All they were told was that their proposal was rejected. Wahl was later told that a local foundation feared that an expanded library would be a rival for county-controlled grant money. It wasn't until later that the Washington County Library system was born, thanks in part to the groundwork laid down by the group led by Wahl. In a recently released biography by Lori Sturdevant, "Her Honor: Rosalie Wahl and the Minnesota Women's Movement,"Wahl describes that moment as the catalyst for her decision to go to law school, a path that would take her to be named the first female Minnesota Supreme Court justice. The book begins during her childhood in Dustbowl Kansas during the Great Depression. Her mother died when she was a child, and Wahl was ultimately raised by her grandmother and an unmarried aunt. "Rosalie was raised by two women that shaped who she was," Sturdevant said. "Her grandmother was a very capable women who never missed an election after earning the right in 1920,but was confined to the gender roles of that time. Her Aunt Sara was unmarried, went to college for nursing at the University of Kansas and later to get her masters at the University of Chicago. Now we think of nursing as a more female occupation,but back then a woman would not have done that." Sturdevant credits this upbringing with Wahl's decision to go to law school at the age of 38. Wahl graduated at the top of her class at William Mitchell Law School, with a daughter born during her second year. Sturdevant spends large sections of the book discussing Wahl's interactions with other legislative and judicial women of the time period, and at times leaves Wahl's storyline completely but, according the Sturdevant, this is what Wahl would have wanted. "She rode the wave of the women's movement that started in 1965," Sturdevant said. "When she became a judge, she accelerated that wave. She would often say that she was not who she was without the women's movement around her." Donning her Supreme Court judicial robes on Oct. 3, 1977, Wahl led the charge for gender equality in the workplace for Minnesota women, and also heard many cases for the promotion of racial equality in the state. Sturdevant's book is peppered with Wahl's poems from the time period, giving a unique insight to her feelings during difficult decisions. Wahl, a founding member of the St. Croix Society of Quakers, was deeply connected to her community, living in Lake Elmo until 2008 when she could no longer live on her own. "That was her community," Sturdevant said. "As I interviewed family and friends for the book, they always asked to include her Quaker faith, and her sense of community." Sturdevant will speak about the book and about Wahl, as well as signing books at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at the Lake Elmo Library. The biography of the longtime Lake Elmo resident was published in March by the Minnesota Historical Society Press. Rosalie Wahl Obituary 4 • Wahl, Rosalie Erwin age 88,died peacefully surrounded by family on July 22,2013.She was born Sara Rosalie Erwin on August 27, 1924 to Gertrude Patterson Erwin and Claude Erwin in Gordon,Kansas.After the death of her mother when Rosalie was 3,she and her younger brother Billy went to live with her grandparents in the small rural community of Birch Creek in Southeastern Kansas.They were raised there together through the years of the Depression until her grandfather and younger brother were killed by a train in 1932. Rosalie and her grandmother lived on alone in"the Old Stone House"until moving to Caney,Kansas for Rosalie to attend high school. She was heavily influenced by the two strong women in her life:her Grandma Effie and her Aunt Sara,a professor of nursing at the University of Kansas[KU].She became engaged after high school,but her fiance was killed in a training exercise in World War II.She went on to get her BA degree in journalism at KU in 1946.While at the university,Rosalie was editor of the school newspaper,and,as president of KU's YWCA branch,started the first interracial student housing on campus. She met and married Roswell Wahl after he returned from the European front in World War II,and moved to Minnesota where they raised four children.A life-long lover of poetry,books and reading,she was instrumental in the development of the county library system while raising her children.In 1962 she began law school at William Mitchell School of Law. Halfway through law school,she gave birth to her fifth child,and graduated in 1967. She then worked for the State Public Defender's Office arguing appeals before the Minnesota Supreme Court,and developed William Mitchell's criminal law clinic program,the first of its kind in the nation,before being appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court by Governor Rudy Perpich in 1977.She was instrumental in establishing the importance of,and standards for, clinical programs in law schools throughout the country through the American Bar Association. While on the Supreme Court,she led the Court's Commission on Mental Health,the Gender Bias Task Force,and the Racial Bias Task Force. She retired from the Supreme Court in 1994• Rosalie was highly respected within the legal community,and was a role model and inspiration in many ways for all women,particularly for those entering the legal profession.She encouraged women to spread their wings and pursue their dreams and fields of interest. She was passionate about providing access to,and equal justice for,all people.Despite the considerable adversity she experienced in her life,Rosalie was always positive,optimistic and hopeful of a better world, always with a song in her heart. She was a very loving person,non judgmental and compassionate,giving much of herself. She was also very feisty,with a determined,steely resolve. Rosalie was a deeply spiritual person and was active in the Friends(Quaker)community throughout her adult life. She has left a piece of herself in the hearts of each of us.We will miss her dearly. She is survived by her children,Chris,Sara(Michael Davis),Tim(Carol),Mark,and Jenny Blaine(Patrick);grandchildren,Sean Wahl,Michael II and Alex Davis,Abigail,Turner and Henry Wahl;great-grandchildren,Alina and Rosalie Ramirez,Jevonne Woodson,Elizabeth and Isaac Wahl;by sister,Mary Drake of Grand Junction,Colorado; cousin Delores Fields of Bartlesville,Oklahoma; and by many cousins,nieces and nephews,grand-nieces and grand- nephews.A private memorial service has been scheduled.A public memorial service will be held on September 21, 2013 at moo a.m. at Central Lutheran Church,333 South 12th Street, Minneapolis,MN 55404(downtown Minneapolis).Parking is available on the south side of the church.In lieu of flowers,memorials may be made to the Southern Law Poverty Center,the William Mitchell College of Law Rosalie Wahl Law Clinic Fund,or to a charity of your choice. Published on July 28,201,3 Washington County Historical Society J♦ 't I . Ji fry� _ ^ y._ •. Lake Elmo Main Street in 1906. Indexes Lake Elmo was part of Oakdale Township until 1951 when the township separated into Oakdale and East Oakdale. In 1925 the small commercial district incorporated as a village and in 1972 the village and East Oakdale Township joined to become the City of Lake Elmo. First to settle in the area in 1848 were Virginians Bernard B. "Bun" Cyphers and his wife Maria, who built a hotel, tavern, and stage stop, known as the Lake House, south of Sunfish Lake on the first road to be surveyed through the township. By 1850 the Stillwater Road, corresponding more to less to Highway 5, had been constructed. It was used for many years by the Willoughby & Powers stage coaches taking passengers between St. Paul and Stillwater. In 1876 a post office was established at Bass Lake Station, now known as Lake Elmo village. The Lake House became the town meeting site in the 1860s, and was also used as the District 12 school. Bass Lake, the original name of the lake, was noted for its fresh water and good fishing. Both lake and village were renamed Lake Elmo in 1879 by railroad promoter and St. Paul businessman, Alpheus B. Stickney, as being more euphonious. Lake Elmo became a popular summer resort. There were many livery stables in St. Paul and Stillwater and a large part of their business was taking people out to Lake Elmo. In 1872 the St. Paul, Stillwater & Taylor's Falls Railroad (later the Omaha Road) passed through Lake Elmo, making it easy for tourists from St. Paul to reach the lake. A. B. Stickney was presumably acting for the railroad when he purchased the land between the railroad tracks and the lake. There he built an "elegant and spacious" 58-room lake hotel. Probably Stickney's influence caused the county fair grounds to be built on land he owned at Lake Elmo in 1875. In 1876 at the fair, baseball was the game and there were matches every day. Unfortunately in 1877, a tornado hit the fairgrounds and the fair was moved to Stillwater. Lake Elmo enjoyed a decade of solid success with its well-publicized resort hotel, but attempts to build a cottage community around the lake generally did not succeed. The most ambitious was the Elmo Residence Park, platted in 1884 around the eastern side of the lake. Several cottages, a bandstand, and clubhouse were completed. By the early 1890s streetcar companies were extending their lines to lakes close to the cities. Unfortunately for Lake Elmo, the streetcar line to Stillwater was run through Mahtomedi, which became the new pleasure grounds. Lake Elmo, which had to depend upon railroads and stage coaches, lost popularity as a resort. In the early days, the Lake Elmo commercial center, which grew up around the railroad station, boasted a store, saloon, a "flat" grain house where farmers could unload wagons directly onto the trains, a blacksmith, and a wagon repair shop. In 1888 the Iowa Land Company bought Stickney's property and the adjoining Lohmann farm, platted the area and laid it out into lots. By the 1920s the Stillwater Road had been paved and the village was established as a substantial shipping point and dairy center that boasted a creamery, grain elevator, two grocery stores, hardware and implement stores, a private hospital, a bank, a garage, and even a roller skating rink. The downtown area was platted as Lake Elmo Village in 1925, the year a second creamery, the Twin City Milk Company plant, was built. Many of the early farmers were Germans, and there were several Irish families, but there were few of the Yankees so prevalent on the St. Croix River. Several farmers specialized in Jersey and Holstein cattle and Yorkshire swine. Among these was William Moscrip, who developed a modern dairy facility now known as North Star Farms east of Sunfish Lake, which he sold in 1948 to Leo Shiltgen. Lake Elmo gradually lost its importance as an agricultural center, but began to see residential growth as suburban development moved eastward from St. Paul. One of the most ambitious projects of the 1960s was Cimarron, a planned community of manufactured homes next to a golf course south of the village. The construction of Lake Elmo Airport (actually in Baytown) in 1952 kept the city on the map. Today much of the city is taken up by Lake Elmo Regional Park Reserve, on the western shore of Lake Elmo. In general, Lake Elmo has elected to remain rural, limiting the typical suburban development overtaking much of the rest of the county. Its population growth, from 5,900 to 7,900 in 2005, has been contained. However, Lake Elmo is planning for strong growth over the next two decades, including development of the Historic Old Village area.