HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-09-19 Final Parks Commission Minutes
City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission Minutes
September 19, 2022
Members Present: Commissioners Ames, Kastler, Rivera-Reyes, Bloyer, and Barrett
Staff Present: Assistant Public Works Director Swanepoel and City Planner Hetzel
The meeting was called to order by Ames at 6:30 PM.
Approval of Agenda
Kastler requested the addition of Schiltgen Preliminary Plat/PUD to the agenda. (Approved by
consensus to be added to agenda.)
Barrett motioned to approve the agenda as presented, Kastler provided a second;
unanimously approved 5-0.
Welcomed student Vito Bloyer to the Parks Commission.
Approval of Minutes
Rivera-Reyes motioned to approve the July 19th, 2022 Parks Commission Minutes as
presented, Bloyer provided a second; Ames abstained. Motion passed 4-0.
Public Comments
Carol Sellner at 784 Ivywood Cir provided her perspective on the street parking situation around
Ivywood Park.
Kleis Park Site Visit
City Planner Hetzel presented public comments to the commission. Assistant Director
Swanepoel commented about the trail condition and answered water accessibility questions.
Commission discussion on park and trail accessibility, park condition, port-a-potty requests,
ADA compliance, CIP, and park amenity utilization.
Pebble Park Site Visit
City Planner Hetzel provided public comments. Commission discussed security, a gate, dual
tennis/pickle ball courts, modern playground amenities, water accessibility, sand volleyball
courts, disk golf, and parking.
Ivywood Park Parking
City Planner Hetzel presented information regarding the parking situation at the park. There were
public comments at the October City Council meeting. Commission discussed options and cost.
Rivera-Reyes motioned to recommend not altering the current parking situation at this
time, Barrett second; discussion regarding placing a courtesy sign. Unanimously approved 5-
0.
Schiltgen Farmstead – Preliminary Plat/PUD (approved by consensus)
Commission revisited the agenda item from the July Parks meeting. The committee’s original
motion was to accept land in lieu of cash. After the City Council meeting it was made clear that
none of the open space land will be available for public use. The commission received more
clarification from City Planner Hetzel. Kastler would like to rescind the previous vote. Ames is
not supportive of private trail networks, the goal is to connect neighborhoods and get
somewhere. Commission discussion continued on the best course of action.
Ames motioned to recommend we rescind our approval of the Preliminary Plat for
Schiltgen Farmstead pending sufficient information and detail to clarify what the outlot is
to be designated for park land dedication and what the trail connectivity would be to
existing Lake Elmo trails, Rivera-Reyes provided a second; discussion. Kastler friendly
amends motion to include that the parks commission still recommends accepting land for
parkland dedication but withdrawals the original recommendation, Ames seconded the
amendment; discussion. Ames, Rivera-Reyes, Barrett, and Kastler aye; Bloyer abstains.
Motion passed 4-0.
Communications
a) Swing was removed at Kleis Park. Drainage issues corrected by Public Works staff at
Pilot and DeMontreville Parks. Seeding will start this fall at Firefly and Lions Park.
b) CIP is next month. Kastler would like to see the full Parks budget, not just the CIP.
c) Park Reservation concerns about outside groups reserving courts and residents not being
able to access volleyball courts. We should make sure we have clarity on how the process
is done by city staff, specifically for volleyball.
d) Twin Cities Outdoors mentioned Sunfish as one of the gems for hiking.
e) Stonegate trails have been moved to 2023. They are working with the residents to
construct that.
Ames adjourned the meeting at 8:05 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Rebecca McGuire, Deputy Clerk