Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission Minutes January 17 2018MINUTES City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission January 17, 2018 Members Present: Chair Frick, Commissioners Ames, Mayek, Olinger, Steele, Weeks Members Absent: Commissioners Nelson, Nuenfeldt, Zeno Staff Present: Public Works Lead Jamie Colemer, City Planner Prchal The meeting was called to order by Chair Frick at 6:30 PM. Approval of Agenda Staff requested that the Adopt-a-Park item be moved to the February meeting. Frick suggested that selecting a Chair and Vice Chair for the Parks Commission be moved to the February meeting when more commission members were present. Motion by Frick to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by Steele. Motion passed. Approval of Minutes Motion by Frick to approve the November minutes with the discussed changes, seconded by Olinger to approve the minutes as amended. Motion passed. Motion by Steele to approve the December minutes, seconded by Frick. Motion passed. Public Presentation Nadine Obermueller from the community spoke. Obermueller suggested the idea of using a drone to take a video of the ballfields at the City parks. That maybe it could be done by a High School student or Boy Scout and the City could post it to our Website with a YouTube video link. Then if it was successful, expand to include skating rinks, ski and bike paths, etc. Reid Park Mountain Biking Proposal from SASCA Prchal presented that Mountain Biking has been added to the Reid Park CIP to develop mountain bike trails. SASCA has created other trails in the area, including Oak Park Heights. They are suggesting a little over 2 miles of trail. They have submitted a plan. There is a timeline that includes a contract in place by May, begin construction in May or June, depending on weather. They will be doing the construction with volunteer labor. Ames asked if this plan is separate from Sunfish Lake Park. Frick asked for clarification regarding the work Trail Source would be doing on Reid Park. SASCA explained that they would be doing the construction at Reid Park, but working with Trail Source, using his trail ideas for Reid Park and then also providing input into the trail construction of Sunfish Lake Park. Weeks asked if the two trails would attract different users or would they be duplicating the same product in two parks. Both Mayek and the SASCA representative explained that Reid Park would be a more simple, flatter, beginner bike run. SASCA explained that there would be limited ability to make it a more difficult route. So, if they would like to see two separate end products, Sunfish Lake Park could have the ability to have the more difficult trails. Steele mentioned that there still has not been any information provided that listed other opportunities for biking in surrounding communities. He feels the Parks Commission is still undecided as to which park mountain biking should be included in and feels that allowing bike trails to carve up two parks would be unnecessary. Steele also suggested that the trails do not include the future park expansion area that does have aggressive hills and could provide a more advanced route. SASCA responded that the trail in Oak Park Heights is used by the deer since they do not like to walking through buckthorn. SASCA also mentioned the their interest in Reid Park is due to the proximity to the High School and that it would allow students the ability to ride directly to the park from the school instead of having to drive to a location. Weeks asked about maintaining the trails moving forward. SASCA explained they have existed for 6 years and they have 90 families this year. Frick mentioned that biking was included in the Reid Park CIP. Frick would like the opportunity to get public comment. Ames mentioned that biking would not carve the park more than hiking or skiing trails would in a park. Fick made a motion to work with SASCA to get the final details worked out, seconded by Weeks. Motion passed. 2018 Parks Budget Prchal stated that the Finance Committee put a restriction on spending. Park Dedication funds cannot be used for purchasing vehicles. Prchal explained that Park Dedication Funds come in at the time of Final Plat approval. Ames asked if the 2017 numbers mean that the City is done spending in the parks listed, such as Savona or if there will be more expenditures in 2018? Colemer explained that all of the items for Savonna have been purchased, however due to weather they have not all been installed. This will not require additional spending to that park. Frick asked about the Royal Golf $1 million dedication to the Parks. Prchal did not have information on the dedication and will check with Becker before reporting on it. There was discussion regarding Sunfish Lake Park maintenance expenses and starting date. No motion required for this item. Begin Work on Demontreville Park and Tablyn Park Prchal reported that he looked into the Fields For Kids grant through the MN Twins for Demontreville Park. They have a deadline of March 9. The application will be submitted with the Mahtomedi Baseball program. Discussion about the removal of the basketball court in Tablyn Park included that the Parks Commission has already recommended the removal due to lack of parking and safety and the reluctance of City Council to spend money on the removal of an existing amenity. Ames made a motion to enhance the safety and increase capacity of the parking lot in Tablyn Park by removing the existing basketball court and relocating the play structure to the lower portion of the park, seconded by Steele. Motion passed. February Meeting Adopt-a-Park Select a Chair and Vice Chair Update on forest management of Sunfish Lake Park Grant opportunities for mountain biking trails Staff Reports and Commission Update Prchal gave an update on Central Greenway. Prchal reported that City staff met with Washington County staff on Dec 20th to discuss stakeholders and potential committee members. Prchal stated he would be on the Technical Advisory Panel and Mayek would be serving on the Community Advisory Panel. There will be a meeting for the Central Greenway in February. Prchal also gave an update on Trail Source. They have begun to design trails for Reid and Sunfish Lake Park after Council gave their approval. Frick asked if there was still a meeting scheduled with the Parks Commission regarding the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Prchal explained that it would be a billable opportunity and that is not something that the City would like to pay for. Frick expressed that the 2030 plan included a meeting with the Commission. Frick requested the opportunity to review the draft of the Comp. Plan. Meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Tanya Nuss