HomeMy WebLinkAbout#01 - 01-09-24 Workshop MinutesCITY OF LAKE ELMO
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MINUTES
JANUARY 9, 2024
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Cadenhead called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.
PRESENT: Mayor Cadenhead, Councilmembers Katrina Beckstrom, Matt Hirn, and Jeff Holtz
Parks Commissioners Present: Peter Kastler, Pat Barrett, Vittorio Bloyer, Hank Hoelscher, and
Mike Elam.
Staff present: Interim City Administrator Schroeder, Public Works Director Powers, Assistant
Public Works Director Swanepoel, City Planner Jensen and Deputy City Clerk McGuire.
Parks Commission Joint Session Work Plan Review
Assistant Public Works Director Swanepoel presented the 2024 Parks Commission Work Plan
noting the changes from the Parks Commission.
Discussion regarding the Parks Master Plan, parking, when the dog park will open, playground
replacement management, one big central play center vs many smaller playgrounds, playground
and ground inspections, buckthorn granting, donations, a development standards policy, sign
standards, trash pick-up by staff, tree coverage and planting – Tree Trust and/or volunteering,
tree disease and funding, suggestion of having a city parks director, operational audit and the
sustainability of the parks budget. Consensus addressed the importance of developing the Parks
Master Plan for future sustainability and standard.
Better social media presence for all of the city parks were also discussed with a consensus to
open an Instagram account for the city.
City Planner Jensen updated the council on the pinwheel parcel search. Next step in the process
is a closed session to discuss properties and potential purchase negotiation. It would be presented
to the Parks Commission after that for amenity discussion. The council discussed possible
collaboration with schools and/or organizations.
Council discussed the importance of getting the Parks Master Plan Community Survey QR Code
out to the public. Consensus to talk to Ann and potentially utilize Bolton & Menk’s marketing
group to generate a postcard with the QR Code and mail to Lake Elmo households.
Discussion continued regarding what is happening with the playground when LE Elementary
moves the school, investing in outdoor fitness sets, exploring ways to straighten planning around
parks, DeMontreville Wildlife Park, signs and what council is looking for that the Parks
Commission should be aware of, such as a Memorial park and possible funding options.
Items for Future Agenda
Next workshop will be joint with the Planning Commission.
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
LAKE ELMO CITY COUNCIL
ATTEST:
______________________________
Charles Cadenhead, Mayor
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Rebecca McGuire, Deputy City Clerk