HomeMy WebLinkAbout11 - Parks Commission Work Plan City Council
DATE: 1/8/2018
Regular Agenda
AGENDA ITEM: 2019 Parks Commission Work Plan
SUBMITTED BY: Ben Prchal, City Planner
REVIEWED BY: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
Rob Weldon, Public Works Director
Ken Roberts, Planning Director
Parks Commission (12.17.2018)
BACKGROUND:
Per section32.092 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 2019 Parks Commission Work Plan based off expected park needs.
The Plan reaffirms the overall goals of the Parks Commission and outlines projects that will be worked
on throughout the year, yet has the flexibility to respond to priorities and other needs as they emerge.
The projects are broken down in to the following categories:
• Planning and Policy – This section addresses the larger long term park projects and funding
opportunities.
• Development & Equipping –Projects that will be carried out in the following 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 – Projects in this category are carried out by public works staff
and does not rely on the parks fund for funding.
• 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 – Establishes the goals and ways in which staff and the commission can receive
feedback from the community.
• Finance – Outlines how Parks Commission would like 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.
ISSUE BEFORE CITY COUNCIL:
2
Would the City Council like to add or remove items from the 2019 Parks work plan or shall it proceed
as it has been drafted?
DETAILS AND ANALYSIS:
There are many proposed changes from the 2018 to the 2019 parks work plan. Because of this, staff has
not provided a redlined version and instead will call out some of the changes.
Planning and Policy – Many of the edits are intended to match the current status in the planning process.
However, there were a few sections removed as they were related to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
Since the plan is already out for adjacent jurisdictional review and will soon be sent to the Met Council,
these sections have lost their relevance.
Development & Equipping – This section has changed substantially and tends to follow the plans within
the Parks Capital Improvement Plan. There is no carry over from 2018. While reviewing the work plan
the commission also voted to install a 4” water service and seal the existing well within Pebble Park and
grade the existing drive area. This expense is expected to cost $40,000. Since Lake Jane Rd. is going
to be under construction in the coming year, it made the most sense to install water at this time (2019).
Maintenance & Refurbishing – The only section removed from the 2018 work plan is related to Ridge
Park. Staff believes it would be beneficial to leave the equipment where it sits and improve landscaping
to help reduce the moisture when present. This being the short term fix, the long term solution would
be to add this park to the CIP and revamp the playground through that process instead of just moving
equipment.
Park Awareness Plan – Staff is in the process of establishing a method to gather survey data from
residents and believes this to be a good way of acquiring relevant information.
OPTIONS:
1. Approve the Parks Commission 2019 Work Plan as presented.
2. Amend the Parks Commission 2019 Work Plan as presented.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Outlined in the Work Plan and Capital Improvement Program and the Development & Equipping section
of the work plan.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the following motion:
“Motion to approve the 2019 Parks Commission Work Plan.”
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 2019 Parks Commission Work Plan
2019 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 users of public lands as well as property tax
payers to the City.
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 2019 Park Commission Strategic Plan of Work has been broken
down into six segments: Planning & Policy; 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 Policy
Assess future park needs.
Project Specific Tasks Status Timeline
Work with the County
on implementing the
Central Greenway Trail
Master Plan.
• Assist Washington County when
necessary.
• Schedule workshops for trail
implementation.
• Work with Washington County on
funding opportunities.
• A preliminary
trail route has
been
determined
2019 – Work on
preparation for Met
Council review.
Development Review • Continue to make recommendations on
development applications with a focus
on proper equipping of parks and
available park funding.
• Have available 5 year CIP upon request
Ongoing Ongoing
By-laws for Parks
Commission
• Develop and review suggested by-laws
for the commission to follow
Ongoing 2019
Park use plan • Revisit and update the plan as needed Ongoing As needed
Park Naming Policy • Develop a methodology for proper
naming of new parks.
Will begin when
time allows in 2019
2019
Look for Grant
Opportunities
• Look for grant opportunities that aide
in development of parks within the
City.
Ongoing Ongoing
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
Sunfish Lake Park • Develop a Mountain Bike trail system
throughout Sunfish Lake Park
($120,000)
• Submit grant for buckthorn removal
Trail Planning
Planning
2019 – completion
of plan and begin
construction
Grant due Sept
Lions Park • Install 45th Parallel Marker ($1,000)
• Complete pickleball court and install
hockey rink boards
Approved by
Council in 2018.
2019 – Complete
the project
New Park Development
(Wildflower/Village
Preserve)
• Determine the best equipment for
the space. ($105,000)
• Gain Neighborhood input
Planning, Design,
and Implement plan
in 2019
2019 – Have new
park complete
Pebble Park • Pave the parking area, develop two
volleyball courts, lighting, and security
features. ($10,000 Volleyball, $15,000
Lighting/Security, $40,000 Court
Resurfacing)
• Install 4” water service and seal existing
well (Expected $20,000 Wtr service and
$20,000 for regrading of drive)
Implement plan in
2019
Make
Recommendations
on suggested
improvements.
Maintenance & Refurbishing
Maintain and upgrading park facilities in a manner that increases park use for a relevant experience.
New soccer and tennis
nets, add benches and
garbage cans.
• Public works to carry out maintenance. Recommended by
Public Works
2019
Pickleball • Refurbish current tennis courts to
accommodate pickleball.
Ongoing and as
requested.
2019
Park needs assessment • To be completed by public works staff. Ongoing On going
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
• Break down plan in to measurable goals
Phase 1 north and Phase 2 south.
• Implement plan and work with other
volunteer groups for completion.
In Progress On going
Sally Manzara Nature
Center
• Provide support as detailed in the
agreement.
In Progress On going
Park Awareness
Mission Statement: To promote the utilization of City Parks
Project Specific Tasks Status Timeline
Resident Survey
• Survey residents on park amenities via
new survey tool.
Recommended by
Staff
2019
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/June 2019
Provide Budget
Updates as necessary
• Provide financials on park dedication
fund upon request.
As requested Ongoing