HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission Minutes May 2018MINUTES
City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission
May 21, 2018
Members Present: Commissioners Ames, Frick, Mayek, Nelson, Olinger, Weeks and Zeno
Members Absent: Commissioners Nuenfeldt and Steele
Staff Present: City Administrator Handt, Public Works Director Weldon, City Planner Prchal
The meeting was called to order by Chair Nelson at 6:30 PM.
Approval of Agenda
Ames made a motion to approve the agenda with the exclusion of the minutes since they were
not included in the packet, seconded by Frick and Mayek. Motion passed.
Approval of Minutes
Minutes were absent from the packet.
Savona Park – Zip Line
Weldon reported that since the Commission recommendation and Council approval of Savona Park
Construction several obstacles have risen with the size and topography of the park parcel
along with orientation and installation of park amenities, including the proposed basketball
court.
Staff feels it will be difficult to install a basketball court without significant grading and tree removal. Even
then, the way the property drains, the water would run across the playing surface, making
it slippery and would degrade the surface faster.
After review of the initial survey of the Savona residents and more recent contact, staff feels the addition
of a zip line in place of the basketball court will meet the needs of area residents. The zip
line would be similar to the one in Pebble Park.
Ames made a motion to approve the staff recommendation for the zip line in Savonna Park, seconded by
Zeno. Motion passed.
Parks Capitol Improvement Plan (CIP)
Handt gave a presentation. She reported that Pebble Park was increased by about $40,000 for
the resurfacing of the basketball and tennis courts. For Reid Park, staff is
recommending moving the trail expenditures to 2020, after the completion of
the Mountain Bike trails. Tablyn Park is currently budgeted at $45,000 but it
could move up to $145,000 if the Parks Commission is interested in making the
rink at the bottom of the hill into a hockey rink.
A new park development expenditure of $150,000. The two areas that have park land
dedicated and could be developed would be Inwood and Wildflower/Village
Preserve.
Handt explained that the reason there was expenditure for the library parking lot, was that one
third of the expense came from the Parks budget since the decision was made
not to expand that parking at Lions Park, but to utilize the library parking lot.
The public speaking portion was opened up.
Mark Rubert spoke about Inwood. He spoke about park design and usage, making it multi-
generational and work with the community to include their interests. He
requested that there be something small added such as a picnic table in the
short term if the budget does not allow for more.
Weeks asked if there was access to an existing park like Stonegate would work instead of
building out another park that would also require maintenance. Weeks also
asked about the number of residents that leave for the winter.
Ames commented that the Stonegate neighborhood did not have any interest in other
residents having access to their neighborhood by connecting to a trail system.
Rubert responded that he believes it is around 40 percent of the existing 200 homes that are
gone in the winter.
Ruth Haller, 11404 Blazingstar, discussed how the developer sold the idea of a park to the
residents. She talked about the number of kids in the neighborhood that would
utilize the park. She talked about having her grandchildren to have somewhere
to play. The parks within walking distance will be torn out, both at Lions Park
and Lake Elmo Elementary school. She understands that there will be a park in
North Star on the other side of Lake Elmo Avenue, but also knows that crossing
would be difficult with children.
Drew Cavellero, 11336 Blazingstar, also mentioned that he purchased his home due to the
builder saying that there would be a park. He is looking to find out the process
to know when the neighborhood reaches a build out stage and how residents
will know when the park will be coming. He is wondering what he can do to help
accelerate the process. From talking to neighbors, he said most people were
interested in green space and play equipment. Residents did not want the noise
of a pickleball court.
Frick said that residents in Inwood have been asking her for a park for the last year. She said
that a number of residents have mentioned that they have grandchildren and a
park would allow a place to play.
Weeks made a motion to set aside $25,000 toward a dog park for a site to be determined in the
future, seconded by Ames. Motion passed.
June Meeting Agenda
2019-2023 CIP
Tablyn Park
45th Parallel
Communications
Handt stated that the signs for the business sponsors are starting to be put up at Lions Park and
the new field is in. The deadline is Friday for this year, otherwise they will
advertise again in the fall for the 2019 season.
Weldon reported that they are trying to wrap up Savonna Park and bring the zip line portion to
Council.
Weldon also reported that in Lions Park the trash receptacles are ordered and volunteers are
working on the dugouts.
Frick mentioned that the Nature Center is scheduled to open on June 2nd.
Meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tanya Nuss