HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Commission Minutes April. 18 2016MINUTES
City of Lake Elmo Park Commission
April 18, 2016
Members Present: Chair Weis, Commissioners Frick, Hartley, Ames, Silvernale
Members Absent: Steele, Zeno Nelson, Neuenfeldt
Others Present: Rolf Larson (Planning Commission)
The meeting was called to order by Chair Weis at 6:30 PM.
Approval of Agenda
Approval of Minutes was removed.
Agenda approved as Amended
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Hartley, seconded by Commissioner Ames, moved to approve the agenda as amended Motion passed 5-1
Sunfish Park Nature Day
Event planned will take place on May 21st from 10 am till 12pm. It is geared toward families and school age children. Carpenter Nature Center will be there with frogs, snakes, owl,
and a red tail hawk. There will be well defined interpretive trails with stations that will have information on birds, trails and flowers in the park. There will be 10 stations and
the live animals will be in the parking lot.
There will also be wildflowers, monarchs and bluebirds.
Discussion was held on plans to promote the event as well as equipment and volunteers needed for the nature day.
Approximately $500.00 was approved for the event.
Lions Park RFQ
What size ball diamond is needed for each age group was discussed.
Decision made to move forward with ball diamond plans, City Council has approved the RFQ.
Commissioner Ames would like to preserve the park and have Old Village Development happen around the park.
Commissioner Ames asked to hear from Lake Elmo Baseball to verify what kind of space is needed for the Baseball Diamond.
Todd Rushe, Lake Elmo Resident and Lake Elmo Baseball Representative, answered
discussion questions on dimensions needed for the fields depending on the age group of baseball team.
Nadine Obermueller, Lake Elmo Resident, spoke of how important the baseball fields in Lions Park are to the people in the Old Village. They have many stories and memories of playing
in the park. The Lion’s field is positioned directionally the same as major league baseball field. Obermueller stated that it is a beautiful and vintage baseball park of choice that
belongs to the people of the Old Village as well as future residents.
She compared the footprint of Lions Park as comparable to Stillwater High School Varsity Team field, illustrating the point that the Lions Park Field will be able to continue to serve
its purpose.
Barry Weeks, Lake Elmo Resident, said he reviewed old Council Meeting Minutes and Agendas from twelve years ago and found that The Art Center House was purchased with the idea of tearing
it down to make more room for park expansion. He reported that nothing has ever been done with this plan. Parking problems could be relieved by tearing down the Art Center for more
parking.
He brought up the interesting fact that Home plate is on the 45th Parallel, a unique characteristic not found anywhere else that makes this field really special.
Ideas were discussed around a table on making field and park improvements, as well as ideas about creating additional parking, using a map of Lion’s Park and cut out markers representing
park amenities.
Tablyn Park Upgrades
Ten potential projects were discussed including: lower parking lot, skating rink, warming house, bathrooms, soccer field, stairway, switchback trail for ADA, lighting, playground equipment,
and gate.
Reid Park Upgrades
Goals for future discussion were set which include:
Prepare for planning, use to-scale map method to look at land dedications, review notes from last public comments, discuss access to Reid Park from Old Village and a connection from
Easton Village, and the possibility for bike and walking trails.
May Meeting Agenda
Updated financial budget, updates on Regional Bike Trail, update on financial budget for along Highway 5, and update on Sunfish Park Nature Center.
Staff Reports & Commission Updates
City Clerk Johnson provided update on Public Works completed jobs in the parks.
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Patti Stucke
Administrative Assistant