HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission Minutes February 22 2017MINUTES
City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission
February 22, 2017
Members Present: Chair Weis, Commissioners Frick, Nelson, Olinger, Pearce, Steele
Members Absent: Commissioners Ames, Nuenfeldt, Zeno
Staff Present: Administrator Handt, Public Works Director Weldon, Planning Director
Wensman
The meeting was called to order by Chair Weis at 6:33 PM.
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Weis, seconded by Nelson to approve the agenda with the addition of a Public
Comment portion and an Advisory Panel and Selecting Members. Motion
passed.
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Frick, seconded by Nelson to approve the minutes. Motion passed.
Public Comment
Hank Gray, secretary of Stillwater Area Scholastic Cycling Advocates, a nonprofit organization
that supports the Mountain biking team. Requested to use Reid Park for Mountain biking. He
stated that they had used it last year, but wanted to ask for continued use of the park. He
stated that 70 kids were on the Mountain biking team last year and used three parks in the
area. He added that they are currently building a trail at Valley View Park in Oak Park Heights
for mountain biking.
Discussion of use of trails for biking and mountain biking at and near Reid Park and the impact
of Mountain biking in general at the park. Chair Weis requested that staff report back to the
Commission regarding if Mountain biking is allowed at Reid Park.
Savona Park
Weldon reported that since the November meeting when the Savona Park options were
originally presented, staff and Commissioner Pearce were able to discuss park
options further and gain feedback from the residents of Savona. The proposed
plan for the park is under $150,000 and the timeline is to be completed by fall of
2017.
Weldon said that the zip line option has been moved to phase 2, saving roughly $25,000. Staff
is also recommending an asphalt basketball court to keep costs within budget.
The sport court tiles come in over budget, but could be an option to add the
sport court after the asphalt wears or part of phase 2.
Weldon also stated that there was no site grading done by the developer. Now the City will
have to incur the cost of grading during the construction of the park and
installation of the equipment. Weldon added that he met with an excavation
company to discuss cost of grading, seeding, and tree removal.
The plan is to keep trees on the lower area of the park, allowing drainage into the treed area
and to maintain a buffer to the homes to the east side of the park. The tree
removal would occur in the Northwest portion of the park. This also allows the
Northwestern part of the park to be more open and usable year round.
Discussion occurred around how the survey of neighbors was done, if the proposal would meet
the neighborhood’s needs, how many homes will be occupied when the park is
completed, noise, parking, picnic tables, and impact on homes near the park.
Additional discussion about the grading concerns, asking the developer for
assistance in paying for the grading, wood or metal structures for playground
equipment, including or eliminating the basketball court, wood or rubber mulch
for under the playground equipment.
Commissioner Steele made a motion to eliminate the basketball court from the park, the
motion did not receive a second and was removed. Chair Weis made a motion
to eliminate the half-court basketball court and have rubber mulch for the
playground area, to not exceed $150,000. The motion was seconded by Steele.
Motion failed, with a tie vote. Pearce, Frick, and Nelson voting in opposition.
Commission Pearce made a motion to include the basketball court, the larger
playground, and rubber mulch, not to exceed $160,000. Frick seconded the
motion. The motion failed. Commissioner Nelson made a motion to approve
the plan as presented by staff (Webber 3a), motion was seconded by Frick.
Motion failed, with a tie vote. Steele, Olinger, and Weis voting in opposition.
The commission decided to wait for a final vote on the park design until they had
more information on pricing for grading and the cost of mulch, and the estimate
of the cost of maintaining the park for 20 years.
Sally Manzara Nature Center Updated Agreement
Handt updated the Commission on the Nature Center Agreement. She explained that since the
January meeting the language in the agreement has changed from the escrow
amount being increased from $200,000 to the cost equal to the bid on the
project and language about the cameras has been removed. Concerns have also
arisen about the language of the mission statement and concerns about the City
taking over a building it never intended to construct. Mr. Manzara plans to
address some of these concerns.
Constance Kirk discussed community interest in the Nature Center. Lake Elmo Elementary,
Boutwell’s Landing, local daycares in Washington County, Girl Scouts all are
interested in using the center and interested in partnering with programming at
the center. Stillwater High school wants the Nature Center to work with the
Career Development Counselor.
Darlene a preschool teacher that focuses on Environmental Education.
Ian Dorney a University of MN student. He discussed types of internships that would be
available at the Nature Center. Ways for citizens to be involved would be data
collection and management. Educational options through informational
programming and leadership opportunities for volunteers.
Manzara explained that trail walks would be part of the education and would likely be around
10 people at a time. A large portion of the education would be inside the
building, including photos and discussion for those not able to walk the trails,
such as senior citizens.
Discussion revolved around the number of cameras. Steele asked why is there concern from
the Friends about asking for permission to place a camera. Manzara answered
that he has been to the Parks Commission five times and he cannot imagine
having to go through that length of review for each one day event. Steele
proposed that a Protocol would be established by the Parks Commission and
administered by staff.
Motion by Steele to recommend approval of the Nature Center document with the insertion of
the MN Land Trust language and the new language from the Friends and a
modification to include language regarding any cameras placed in the park for
programming purposes by the Friends would be consistent with the Camera
Protocol Procedure developed/established by the Parks Commission and
seconded by Pearce. Motion passed.
Royal Golf Preliminary Plat
Wensman reported that Royal Golf has made Preliminary Plat application. He mentioned the
previous recommendation was for a trail connecting 20th St to 10th St and that a
park would be desired and that one maintained by the HOA would be sufficient.
The developers are proposing no public park, but are proposing a private green space park
within the development maintained by the HOA. They are also proposing trails
through the entire development, the trail does become a sidewalk in front of
homes and along the streets.
Wensman stated that the City is going to hire an assessor to determine the value of the land to
determine the park land dedication. The amount that will be deducted will the
cost of the improvements for trails provided.
Wensman posed the questions: Are the trail out lots sufficient? Is the Commission still ok with
a HOA park? Are the proposed trails a sufficient connection from 20th to 10th?
What is best connectivity from trails, are sidewalks sufficient? What size
sidewalk would be better, a 6 ft. or 8 ft. sidewalk?
Commissioner Steele expressed his concern with the developer proposing sidewalks since it is
illegal to bike on them. He posed the question of instead of trails and sidewalks,
what about widening the road and allowing for a bike lane. Weis stated that 8 ft.
wide sidewalks in front yards is not a good idea and would prefer to see a bike
line on the road for that distance. Commissioners also want to see a trail
connection out to Lake Elmo Avenue. Wensman stated that the developer will
need to address the concerns. Commissioner Ames submitted an email to state
he would like to provide access out to Manning and Oak-Land Junior High.
Wensman stated that we can only ask the developer to address the trails within the property
that they own and we can make additional connections as other properties
develop. He stated that the county plan will be difficult to implement, but this is
an attempt to accomplish the goal within a development that is looking to
develop.
Developer talked about the steep slopes and wetlands that prevent the trails from being
constructed further along 20th. The trail does provide the desired connection
from 20th to 10th that was previously requested. The plan provides a trail that
works with the topography. He stated that 1/3 of the units in the development
are age targeted, providing single level living, starting around $500,000. The
remaining properties would be families. Additionally the developer mentioned
that the existing ballfields on site would remain available for use until they start
developing that portion of the site. Once those will be removed the owner has
made a commitment to make a donation to the City to construct new ballfields
to replace the ones that will become houses. The developer also mentioned that
there are picnic tables, playground equipment, garbage cans, and shelters
available and has offered them to the City if they are interested.
Park Development Policy Plan
Staff presented the Park Policy Plan draft. Staff would like the Commission to provide feedback
on the document and understands this will take several meetings to finalize.
Discussion about having more time for the Commission to review the document regarding the
math surrounding the funds to establish the parks and some of the more specific
details. The Commission suggested that a Guide Book naming may be better
than a Policy. Concerns about developers being able to use the Plan against the
City.
Wensman stated this document is to establish a Policy not an Ordinance, it would provide
consistency without requiring it, the funds would still need to be available in
order to establish a park, additionally the Policy may dictate a location that does
not make sense, so there would be reasons to stray from the established policy.
No action needed on this item.
Advisory Panel
Handt stated that the City will be approving an agreement with SHC for the 2040
Comprehensive Plan update. Part of that is the use of an Advisory Panel.
The Advisory Panel would be 5-9 individuals made up of Planning, Parks, EDA, and
Environmental, and Public Safety Committees and a few at-large residents and
are looking for students to participate in this. They would start in April and finish
in early November.
Staff is looking for a representative from the Parks Commission for the Panel. The
representative would that would also serve as liaison to go between the
Advisory Panel and the Parks Commission to provide updates and attend a few
community events such as Nature Day at Sunfish Lake Park.
Commissioner Frick volunteered.
March Meeting
Lions Park
Savona Park
Protocol Procedures for Cameras at Sunfish Lake Park
Park Development Guidelines
Staff Reports and Commission Update
1. Handt shared that there was a short report in the packet on a citizen request to put a
Free Library at Pebble Park. Staff is going to establish donation forms similar to other
and ask that the City not be required to do any maintenance or replacement.
2. Handt shared that she had meetings with the County regarding their plan for Parks.
That they will be completing their trail plan in Cottage Grove then will be wanting to
meet with the Parks Commission in May to discuss the County Trail Master Plan. The
County has hired a new staff member that will be attending the meeting.
3. Weldon did not have any updates.
Meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tanya Nuss