HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-21-2024 Final Parks Commission Minutes
City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission Minutes
February 21, 2024
Members Present: Commissioners Kastler, Hoelscher, Esch, Elam, and Bloyer
Absent: Commissioner Barrett
Staff Present: Assistant Public Works Director Swanepoel, City Planner Sophia Jensen and Interim
Administrator Clark Schroeder
The meeting was called to order by Kastler at 6:30 PM.
Approval of Agenda
Elam motioned to approve the agenda as presented, Esch provided a second; no discussion.
Unanimously approved 5-0.
Approval of Minutes
Hoelscher motioned to approve the January 17th, 2024 Parks Commission Minutes with correction
to the year, Esch provided a second; no discussion. Motion passed unanimously 5-0.
Public Comments
None
SHIP Grant
Assistant Public Works Director Swanepoel presented. Commission had grant related questions.
Esch moved to recommend to City Council to accept the Statewide Health Improvement
Partnership Grant in the amount of $6,000, Bloyer provided a second; discussion. Unanimously
approved 5-0.
Lake Elmo Baseball Donation
Assistant Public Works Director Swanepoel presented. Commission had questions related to reservation
policy, construction, and donation.
Esch moved to recommend to the City Council to accept the donation of $35,000 from the Lake
Elmo Baseball Association for the improvements of Reid Park baseball field with the intent that it
happen for the 2024 baseball season with reservations of Reid Park following existing policy, Elam
provided a second; discussion. Esch friendly amended the motion to read: moved to recommend to
the City Council to accept the donation of $35,000 from the Lake Elmo Baseball Association for the
improvements of Reid Park baseball field, excluding bases, with the intent that improvements be
made for the 2024 season but with reservations of Reid Park following existing city policy, Elam
seconded; no discussion. Amendment passed 5-0. Discussion. Motion unanimously approved 5-0.
Limerick Village Concept Plan
City Planner Sophia Jensen presented.
Mario J. Cocchiarella, owner of Maplewood Development Company, provided comments and answered
questions related to the concept plan.
Elam moved to reject the acceptance of the 2.42 acres of land for a neighborhood park, with park
dedication credit for trails, if acceptable, and a fee in lieu of dedication for the remainder based on
the findings listed in the staff report and get closer to the 10% land per city requirement, Esch
provided a second; discussion. Motion passed 3-2, Kastler and Bloyer nay.
Legends of Lake Elmo Concept Plan
City Planner Sophia Jensen presented.
Nathan Landucci of Landucci Homes Inc. commented on the concept plan.
Kastler moved to recommend the acceptance of fee in lieu of land for the Legends of Lake Elmo
project with public connections to Hidden Knoll Park, 50th Street, and Tamarack Farms with up to
25% park dedication credit for trails, if applicable, based on the findings listed in the staff report,
Hoelscher provided a second; discussion. Motion approved 5-0.
Invasive Species
Tony Manzara located at 5050 Kirkwood commented on the buckthorn management in Sunfish Lake Park
and is in favor of having a policy for invasive species.
Assistant Public Works Director Swanepoel presented background information and Commissioner Esch
provided an update. Commission discussion.
Communications
a) Commission Handbook.
b) Tour of Tablyn Park.
c) Future agenda items.
d) Planning updates.
e) Pup Park update.
f) Ivywood pickleball nets are currently up. That could change if the weather turns.
g) Ice rink closed due to weather.
Kastler adjourned the meeting at 8:19 PM
Respectfully Submitted
Rebecca McGuire, Deputy Clerk