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Home My WebLink About07-17-2006 PacketFILE COPY LAK E ELMO City of Lake 3800 Laverne Avenue North Lake Elmo, Minnesota 55042 (651) 777-5510 Fax: (651) 777-9615 Www. LakeElmo.Org NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING The City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission will hold a special meeting on Monday, July 17, 2006, at 5:00 p.m. , ENDA Introduction — Kelli Matzek, Assistant City Planner 5:00 - Minnesota Land Trust — Sarah Strommen, Conservation Director 6:00 — Park Plan Update — Interviews with Consultants NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING The City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission will hold its regular meeting on Monday, July 17, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. A -G ENDA 1. Introduction — Kelli Matzek, Assistant City Planner 2. Agenda 3. Minutes of May 15, 2006 4. Tapestry — Request for Horseback Trail into Sunfish Park 5. Land Trust 6. City Council Update 7. Adjourn The public is invited to attend. • 1. City of Lake Elmo PARKS COMMISSION MEETING Minutes of May 15, 2006 Chairman Schumacher called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Parks Commission at 7:02 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Larson, Steele, Blackford, Watters, and Heroff (7:08 p.m.). STAFF PRESENT: Administrator Rafferty, Planner Dillerud, Maintenance Worker Gustafson, and Recording Secretary Anez. ALSO PRESENT: Councilmember Smith, Former Councilmember Susan Dunn, and Carriage Station Resident Jennifer McCormick. 1. Agenda Add 4.5 Housekeeping Questions for staff. 2. Minutes of April 17, 2006 M/S/P, Steele/Blackford to accept the Minutes of April 17, 2006 as presented. Vote: 4:0:1, Abstain: Watters-Absent. 3. Reserving Neighborhood Parks The City Planner explained that the City Council requested the Parks Commission review policy for reserving parks for organized activities. He said Tana Ridge was reserved even though no policy exists for those reservations, and the neighborhood raised objections. Organized activities bring external activity to the neighborhood, and some neighborhood parks have tremendous demand for ball and soccer fields. The Planner said that parking is a major issue and the functional classification of parks helps to direct use. Superintendent Bouthilet provided a staff memo with his recommendations for those parks that should be reserved, could be reserved, and should never be reserved for organized activities. M/S/P, Heroff/Schumacher to recommend that all parks listed in Tier I (DeMontreville, Lions, Pebble, Reid, Tablyn, and VFW) and Tier II (Kleis, Ridge, and Stonegate) of the superintendent's memo dated May 10, 2006, be reservable for organized activities. Vote: 6:0. 4. Carriage Station Play Set Maintenance Worker Gustafson presented plans for play equipment for Carriage Station Park. Administrator Rafferty said the Parks Commission budgeted $45,000 for improvements in Carriage Station and the City Council increased that budget allocation to $65,000. He explained the bid process with three vendors supplying a designed $35,000 structure. Miracle Company was the preferred design recommended. Two additional pieces of equipment were suggested to be added bringing the new total to $45,000. Resident Jennifer McCormick researched neighborhood residents' desires last fall with play set amenities at the top of the list. Carriage Station resident were asked and they participated in the design process with three vendors whose designs were displayed for the Parks Commission. Mrs. McCormick recommended Option 3A by Miracle because of the natural colors and the number of slides and climbing components. M/S/P, Steele/Heroff to recommend the purchase of the play set design labeled Option 3A presented by Miracle at a cost of $45,000.00 because the colors and components are the most appealing of all the designs presented. Vote: 6:0. Lake Elmo Parks Commission Meeting Minutes of May 15, 2006 4.5. Housekeeping Questions for Staff Maintenance Worker Gustafson was asked about the feasibility of replacing basketball nets in Tablyn, DeMontreville, Lyons, and Pebble Parks, and spending about $50 each on flowers and plants for planting around entrance signs in some of the parks. 5. Lake Elmo Park Reserve Master Plan Chairman Bob Schumacher went over the history and the frustrations of the committee appointed to participate in the LEPR Master Plan as it was being developed. Susan Dunn, Judith Blackford, and Mayor Johnston attended the hearing at Washington County for the LEPR Master Plan. County Commissioners asked no questions of the Lake Elmo residents who spoke in protest. Commissioner Blackford said she overheard Jim Luger say that Washington County very much wants Sunfish Lake Park. Susan Dunn said that implementation and funding will be the county's next steps. Mrs. Dunn recommended the Parks Commission continue to maintain vigilance. 6. Parks Survey Completion Commissioner Larson reported that surveys have been completed on all 17 parks. He said they followed the questionnaire. He presented the results of the parks walk-throughs, along with updated web descriptions of parks. He said the maps still need to be updated. 7. Land Trust: Sunfish Lake Park Commissioner Blackford distributed a handout she said reiterated what we learned in a talk given by Ann Thies of the Minnesota Land Trust last year. She recommended placing Sunfish Lake Park into a conservation easement with the land trust. She said she was concerned because minutes drafted by the Administrator at a Council Committee Meeting where concerns about Sunfish Lake Park were made by residents are inaccurate and because she is concerned about the county's keen interest in Sunfish. Administrator Rafferty said the county cannot take Sunfish Lake Park from us and suggested waiting for the Park Plan Update. Chairman Schumacher suggested moving forward to protect Sunfish now. M/S/P, Blackford/Steele to recommend placing Sunfish Lake Park into the Minnesota Land Trust at this time because the City Council gave the Parks Commission the directive to look at the land trust as a protective tool at their April 12, 2005 Council Committee Meeting, and in light of development plans within the Lake Elmo Park Reserve Master Plan, because of discussions and concepts of a tunnel underpass going through from Lake Elmo Park Reserve toward Sunfish Lake Park, and Jim Luger's comment on May 9, 2006 that the county wants Sunfish Lake Park. Vote: 5:1, Nay: Watters-Conflicted because this action looks very reactionary. We have time to go through the process we are paying consultants $25,000 to perform. Commissioner Blackford then distributed a letter dated May 15, 2006, regarding protection of Sunfish Lake Park for submission to the City Council, and asked the Parks Commission to endorse all or part of that letter. M/S/P, Blackford/Steele to endorse submission of Commissioner Blackford's letter to the City Council but amending it to include only paragraphs one, two, and four - eliminating the third paragraph. The letter now reads as follows: Lake Elmo Parks Commission Meeting Minutes of May 15, 2006 May 15, 2006 Subject: Recommendation from the Lake Elmo Parks Commission to put Sunfish Lake Park into the Minnesota Land Trust Dear Lake Elmo Council Member, Sunfish Lake Park is the crown jewel of the Lake Elmo Park System, a symbol of the rural character Lake Elmo follows as a community concept. This is the City's birthplace, where the first family settled, where the assembly met that created the township we now know as the City of Lake Elmo. This park's rolling, glacial landscape is the same today as it was for the first settlers; a pristine oak forest with gentle ridges, separating ponds that showcase both landscape and a lush wildlife habitat. In the spirit of the City of Lake Elmo, having more environmentally - sensitive developments than any other community in Minnesota, it is only appropriate that Sunfish Lake Park be utilized to emphasize and preserve its impressive, natural features. Sunfish Lake Park is a strong draw for this community. The Minnesota Land Trust is the only avenue for retaining ownership that affords permanent protection of the land. An easement like the Land Trust works best where you can restrict uses and/or access routes that would be most destructive. Language like this is needed for Sunfish Lake Park. The Minnesota Land Trust is well-known, valuable, and trusted in our City, and our City Planner is well versed in the agency, with more and more developers being encouraged to forever preserve open space from their cluster community concepts in the Minnesota Land Trust. Called to be advocates and stewards for the betterment of our community, we can be proud that our crown jewel, Sunfish Lake Park, will be enjoyed as a forever gift. We strongly support and recommend to the Lake Elmo City Council that Sunfish Lake Park be placed into the Minnesota Land Trust. Respectfully submitted, The Lake Elmo Parks Commission Vote: 5:1, Nay: Wafters -For reasons previously stated. 8. City Council Update Administrator Rafferty said the new Public Works Facility and Water Tower are shaping up nicely. The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kimberly Anez Recording Secretary Lake Elmo Parks Commission Meeting Minutes of May 15, 2006 City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission Meeting Minutes of April 17, 2006 Chairman Schumacher called to order the meeting of the Lake Elmo Parks Commission at 7:05 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Larson, Steele, Blackford, T. Bouthilet, Wagner, Heroff, Bruchu, and Ames. STAFF PRESENT: Superintendent Bouthilet, Planner Dillerud, and Administrator Rafferty. 1. Agenda 2. Minutes of March 20, 2006 M/S/P, Ames/Larson to accept the Minutes of March 20, 2006 as presented. Vote: 9:0. 3. Park Plan RFP The City Planner presented the RFP for the Park Plan. Commissioners provided minor edits to the RFP that the City Planner agreed to incorporate prior to submission for City Council Approval. M/S/P, Bruchu/Steele to recommend moving forward with the Park Plan RFP. Vote: 9:0. 4. Cost Estimates and 2006 Trail Construction Program The Planner handed out a memo from the City Engineer where he prepared cost estimates for construction of two trail priorities: 55th Street to Sanctuary and in Carriage Station from Marquess Trail south to 50`h Street. M/S/P, Ames/Steele to recommend moving forward with the process in order to construct trails at 55`h Street and 50`h Street in accordance with the Trail Plan Guide. Vote: 9:0. 4. Electrical Service at VFW Park Superintendent Bouthilet provided cost estimates to install electrical service in VFW Park for $3,000 and to install water at a cost of $2,000. He said there is $10,000 in the Parks CIP. M/S/P, HeroffBlackford to recommend installation of electrical service at a cost of $3,000 and water at a cost of $2,000 in VFW Park. Vote: 9:0. 6. Foul Line Net Superintendent Bouthilet provided a cost estimate of $6,500 to install a foul line net into VFW Park. M/S/P, Wagner/Steele to recommend exploration of other alternatives to a foul line net at VFW Park. Vote: 9:0. 7. Park Walk-through Schedule Commissioner Larson reported that twelve parks have been walked and there are six remaining. The next walk-through will be on Saturday, April 22, 2006. 8. Park Templates for Park Plan Commissioner Larson presented templates of parks with pictures and descriptions for use as web pages. He was commended for an excellent job. 9. City Council Update There were no council actions related to Parks. Lake Elmo Parks Commission Meeting Minutes of March 20, 2006 The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 'mberly Anez Recording Secre Lake Elmo Parks Commission Meeting Minutes of March 20, 2006 MEMO (July 14, 2006 for the Meeting of July 17, 2006) To: Lake Elmo Park Commission From: Kelli Matzek Subject: Addition of wood chip horse trail in Tapestry subdivision The City has received a request from the St. Croix Farms, LLC to discuss the addition of a wood chip horse trail through Tapestry at Charlotte's Grove connecting to the Sunfish Lake Park trails. The proposed trail will begin in the northwest area of the subdivision and is proposed to run north/south down the western side of Tapestry Road. The trail would cross two private driveways and Julep Avenue within a trail easement. It will then dead end at Sunfish Lake Park. Staff was not given the details of the width of the trail nor the proposed distance from the roadway. If the commission would recommend approval of the horse trail, staff would suggest the following: • Review of the proposed trail to see if a wood chip trail is appropriate (will it wash away in a storm?); • Confirmation of the existing trail easement, specifically in areas outside the road right-of- way; • Ensure the trail is located within the road right-of-way, especially when crossing private driveways; • Signage o may be required to identify the entrance into Sunfish Lake Park from the Tapestry subdivision; o may also be requested for the existing paved trails within the subdivision (no horses allowed); o may be required for the horse trail crossing on Julep Avenue; o to identify what trails are public and which are private (if any). The applicant approximated a 120 foot disconnect between the end of the proposed wood chip trail at the park border and the existing horse trail within Sunfish Lake Park. Further consideration: • Recommendation on whether or not to extend the existing wood chip trail within the Sunfish Lake Park to the proposed horse trail in Tapestry at Charlotte's Grove. t. Croix Farms, LLC, July 10, 2006 Michael Bouthilet City of Lake Elmo 3800 Laverne Avenue Lake Elmo, MN 55042 Dear Mr. Bouthilet: 0 RECEIVE0 JUL l St. Croix Farms, LLC respectfully requests to be -placed on the agenda for the Parks Commission meeting scheduled on July 17. We would like to discuss the connection of a wood chip horse trail from Tapestry at Charlotte's Grove to the Sunfish Lake Park trails. Enclosed is a copy of the proposed Tapestry wood chip horse trail plan that we wish to discuss. Please confirm our placement on the July 17 agenda by contacting my assistant, Helen Crumb, at 651-351-1450 ext. 100. If you have questions ahead of the meeting, feel free to call me directly at 612-328-0010. Sincerely, ST. CROIX FARMS; LLC Mark Youngdahl Chief Manager he enclosure cc: Martin Rafferty, City Administrator Charles Dillerud, City Planner 109 E. Myrtle Street Stillwater, Minnesota 55082 (651) 351-1450 .......____ / �J Proposed Horse Trail Trail Gap \ j left** Sunfish Lake _ Park _. Trail Location * For entire trail system, see following map. N Map Created: July 13, 2006 f IIIlk tII �W N � . =0 E. FCd tPRd'I'�•► •ir r mom. 4„1.v.;ry OUTLOT C� •''s ``/ Q � � OUTLOT V 7 ow 1p as 6 I (/ 2 L 0 OUTLOT T /-OUTLOT u u 10 OTT tapestry OT 7T. at charlotte's grove 0l EL 2 �. 7 9 3 OUrLOT 2 _ 4 3 • ,7 l .5 OUTLOT 4 - G 6 S 1 4 — 2 3 � 4 OUTLOT P OUTLOT Q 1 2 ^ OUTLOT R OLITLOT H M--- EEf NAME 4' 0 f W .°�. 4 �i OUTLOT 5 i 3 7 OUTLOT N• .2 i / L 1 9 2 ~ r OUTLOT 'UTLOT m .K OUTLOT s 3 NAME Jti ►TLOT 4 • 1 M 17 % 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 - a. f_' Kimberly Anez Subject: Land Trust The City Council voted on June 6, 2006 offering direction to the Parks Commission for putting some or all of Sunfish Lake Park into some sort of easement with the Land Trust. Here is the excerpt of those approved Council Minutes. (2) Parks Commission/Land Trust: Sunfish Lake Park: Parks Commissions Chairman Schumacher recommended to the City Council to consider placing Sunfish Lake Park into a Minnesota Land Trust. Sunfish Lake Park would be protected in the Trust, and it would mean cooperation/interaction with them about the future of the Park. Council Members expressed their support and raised concerns for protecting Sunfish Lake Park in a land trust easement. Some concerns identified involved restricting recreational type programs in the future as it pertains to the Land Trust Easement. M/S/P Johnson/Conlin - to authorize the Parks Commission to create a full recommendation to City Council regarding placing Sunfish Lake Park into the Minnesota Land Trust for further consideration. (Motion passed 5-0) 1