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HomeMy WebLinkAboutParks Commission Minutes January 18 2017MINUTES City of Lake Elmo Parks Commission January 18, 2017 Members Present: Chair Weis, Commissioners Frick, Nelson, Olinger, Pearce Members Absent: Commissioners Ames, Nuenfeldt, Steele, Zeno Staff Present: Administrator Handt, City Clerk Johnson, Public Works Director Weldon, City Planner Becker The meeting was called to order by Chair Weis at 6:30 PM. Approval of Agenda There was discussion to pull the Nature Center from the agenda, but decided to keep it on as a narrative. Motion by Weis, seconded by Nelson to approve the agenda. Motion passed. Swearing in of New Commissioners City Clerk Johnson administrated the Oath of Office to new Commissioners Jean Olinger and Tucker Pearce. Election of Officers Commissioner Weis was appointed Chair, Commissioner Frick was appointed Vice-Chair, and Commissioner Nelson was appointed Secretary. Approval of Minutes Motion by Frick, seconded by Nelson to approve the minutes with the minor change from Blackform to Blackford. Motion passed. Lions Park Handt suggested that the meeting should be opened up for public comment regarding the priorities for Lions Park. Handt stated that emails regarding having a retro and vintage theme had been received. Barry Weeks explained that Lions Park is the oldest park in Lake Elmo and well used year round with skating and baseball and use of the playground equipment. He would like to see it maintain that historic character and have that feel maintained in any improvements. He further stated that the park lies on the 45th parallel, which is fairly unique. He would like to see home plate located exactly at the 45th parallel since it is already close and there could be a plaque at park with information. Weeks would like to see improvements like regarding of the field, dugouts, a fence, and a historic theme. Dave Moore said he went out and examined the baseball field. He stated that on average the field will need approximately 1 foot of fill across the whole field, ranging from 6 inches and 1 ½ feet in different areas. Moore said that in the future if there are any Engineering projects with excess material that is dugout could be delivered to a specific park and reduce the cost of both haul the soil away and purchasing new soil, but it would require coordination and having a designated location for unloading the material. Moore also stated that Lions Park is the Emergency 100 year flood over flow area that has a swale built into the park that would have to be maintained. Nadine Overmueller asked that the Parks Commission keep Lions Park and consider it for a conservancy. She discussed her concern about losing the park since it is valuable real estate given its location in the village. Todd Bruchu spoke as a resident and as a representative of Lake Elmo Baseball. The biggest need is parking and more space. There is a need for more ball fields. And the ones that exist need more space for warming up before games and restrooms. He is happy to meet with the consultant to discuss ideas. Dave Faint suggested that the south side of the park is somewhat vacant and since parking is a concern at Lions Park that turning the volley ball court 90 degrees would allow some parking on the site. He also offered the idea of using the volleyball court for skating instead of damaging the newly constructed baseball field. Brady Hilcocks, Miller Architects, asked for a priorities list. He wants to know what Lake Elmo would like to see and what is the importance level of each item. Grading, dugouts, press box, batting cages, etc. He asked how the Commission felt about moving playground equipment and basketball court either within the site or off the site. His plan is to return to the Commission in March with a more finalized plan. Commissioner Weis suggested a subcommittee that includes residents and Commission members. And then give the feedback to the architect. After some discussion this idea was dropped. The following is the priority list established during the meeting: 1. Align home plate with the 45th parallel 2. Grade the site, specifically the ball field 3. Lights 4. Parking but consider the library parking 5. Practice areas (batting cage, warm up area, etc.) 6. Restrooms 7. Maintain and Enhance the vintage theme (example given Mieseville Mudhens field) Weldon asked the commission to consider if they want the park to remain a four season park or for it to become a one season or just a baseball park. He suggested that they consider installing items similar to what they maintain at other parks. Nature Center Updated Agreement Handt updated the Commission on the Nature Center Agreement. She explained that since the discussion has been brought to the Commission in December, continued discussion needs to happen in a public format. She stated that the biggest difference is in the language regarding surveillance. One of the concerns with the cameras is if they can be repositioned to capture nature in the moment. Handt suggested that after the initial annual Commission decision on the camera location that staff could possibly help decide on repositioning cameras as needed given the board meets monthly. The item was continued until February. Inwood 5th Addition Becker shared with the Commission that the Inwood 5th Addition Final Plat was not moving forward currently due to their exclusion of a required trail connection on their drawings. Once that trail connection is shown connecting Island Trail to Inwood Avenue, the Final Plat could move forward. No action required on this item. Hidden Meadows 2nd Addition Becker presented the Hidden Meadows 2nd Addition Final Plat submittal for review and comment. The original approval was granted in 2006 and since a significant amount of time has passed, the Plat is subject to current City standards and review. The Commission discussed the difference of sidewalks versus trails in this neighborhood and the placement of trails shown on the Plat drawing. The Commission decided they had no preference for trails or sidewalks, either would be sufficient. Chair Weis motioned to exclude the Horseshoe trail shown on the plat around the pond. Motion seconded by Commissioner Pearce. Motion passed. 3880 Laverne Avenue Lot Split Becker presented that 3880 Laverne Avenue has submitted an application for a commercial lot split. Park land is not dedicated in commercial developments; they pay a fee in lieu of land. The existing building will remain on one of the lots and two additional smaller lots will be created along 39th Street N. No action required on this item. Village Park Preserve Becker presented that Village Park has received Preliminary Plat approval and the Final Plat application has not been received. An addition of 15.77 acres is being added to Reid Park. They were only required to provide 10 percent or 6.8 acres, so it is possible this extra amount could be applied to future developments. The commission discussed the land being dedicated as being steep and heavily wooded and that the pipeline runs beneath it. Additional discussion was about a trail connection to Reid Park being included in the development and about raising the priority of redeveloping Reid Park due to the amount of properties that would have direct access to the park. The Commission asked for the inclusion of minutes to be included for items that had previous review from the Parks Commission. No action required on this item. 2017 Work Plan Becker asked if the Commission would review the changes and amendments made to the 2017. Chair Weis asked if there could be an update to the status of the items as they are being reviewed and if instead of a priority listing a monthly listing could be added to stay on top of the projects and know what is coming the following month. Handt agreed that would be a good approach. She suggested that once Council establishes their priorities during goal setting, staff could draft a Work Plan with the months added that follows the direction from council. No action required on this item. VAA Request Becker shared that the St. Croix Valley Athletic Association that reserves Reid Park and Pebble Park for baseball and softball fields April through July Monday through Friday in the evenings. The association is celebrating their 50th year and would like to purchase park equipment or sponsor something in the City. The Commission discussed and decided that benches for Pebble Park would be their recommendation and that if they are going to install a batting cage, there is also room for that at Pebble Park. February Meeting Manzara Nature Center Policy Development Plan Savona Park Staff Reports and Commission Update 1. Handt shared that Council adopted the 2017-2021 CIP at their December meeting, and the approval did not include proposals for Demontreville Park and Sunfish Lake Park. 2. Handt shared that Council approved the Royal Golf Comp Plan Amendment at the last Council meeting and the Royal Golf Preliminary Plat will be brought to the Parks Commission meeting when the application is received. 3. Handt informed that a seven figure donation will be given to the City to replace the 4 ball fields that will be removed from the golf site. She asked the Commission to consider where new ball fields could be created since there is a community need. 4. Weldon shared that an Eagle Scout has proposed a Wood Duck project to construct 1-2 Wood duck structures around each of the lakes at Sunfish Lake Park. Once more information is available, it will be brought to a meeting for review. 5. Weldon stated that Savona Park is in the final stages of combining the different plans that have been proposed. An updated site plan and pricing will be brought to the February meeting, and there is also a need to address site grading issues. This will be an item for recommendation for City Council. 6. Tablyn Park options update, still working with Xcel for a price on getting a light to the top of the sledding hill. Meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Tanya Nuss