HomeMy WebLinkAbout102014 Park Commission Minutes
MINUTES
City of Lake Elmo Park Commission
Monday, October 20, 2014
Members Present: Hartley, Weis, Zeno, Silvernale, Frick, Ames, Nelson, Hietpas (6:49)
Members Absent: Steele
Others Present: Taxpayer Relations & Communications Coordinator MacLeod, PWS Bouthilet, Planning
Commissioner Rolf Larson, Park Maintainer Colemer
The meeting was called to order by Chair Weis at 6:31 PM.
Approval of Agenda
Weis added LERT update under staff reports.
Zuleger added Carriage Station Park Land to new business.
Hartley added Pebble Park and Sanctuary Park update to staff reports.
M/S/P: Weis/Ames: Approved as amended 7-0
Approval of September 15, 2014 Minutes
M/S/P: Hartley/Zeno: Approved 6-0, Ames Abstain
New Business
a. Sunfish Lake Park Planting
Hartley spoke to Wendy Griffin from Washington Conservation District, who will provide a plant list once
available.
Bouthilet stated that plants would need to be ordered for spring as continuation from the 2014 planting.
Frick expressed concern that the plantings would need to first be approved by the MPCA, as she read through
her research that prior approval is needed. Zuleger stated that he is meeting with MPCA Commissioner Stein
and will clarify. He asked the commission to form a subcommittee to further research this topic.
Hartley asked if they would like her to get a list of the possible trees to present at the next meeting. Bouthilet
said that he would also get a mixed batch of seedlings as well.
b. Sunfish Lake Park – Conversion of Loss Parkland
Zuleger mentioned that there doesn’t seem to be a sunset date from the documents that he’s seen. Staff
engineer Stempski has been involved with this issue in the past, and staff will meet with him to learn more
details.
Weis asked for some clarification regarding where the replacement land would need to be located. Zuleger
responded that he believes it would be in proximity, but is not completely sure.
Zuleger also added that there might be a stipulation that cash could be provided instead of land. Frick recalled
that the DNR is saying that according to the regulations in which federal grant money was received, it was a
requirement that Landfill Park be kept as open land. It is her understanding that because the MPCA took the
land away they are responsible for replacing it.
Zuleger said that we will have more information to present at the next meeting.
Ames said that when the issue first came up there was a lot of enthusiasm around what this could turn into and
then just kind of stopped. He asked who can make this come to a conclusion at this time. Weis asked if there
was any way to guide the conversation to help the LERT trail, in terms of ROW, land, funding, etc.
Bouthilet clarified that the original agreement was that the MPCA would return the land to our ownership at
some point, but that hasn’t happened yet.
Zuleger said that he would be personally taking this project. His goal is to have the issue closed by spring of
2015.
c. 2015 Plan of Work
MacLeod provided a 2015 Plan of Work based off conversations from the October 6 park retreat. She asked
that the commission review the plan, and ideally approve, with amendments as needed.
Hartley commented that she feels the presented task list is fairly extensive; she added that she is concerned
about their ability to complete everything based on a few poor grades from last year’s scorecard. Zuleger
replied that the plan of work is not intended to be completed in full each year.
Hietpas added that she looks at this as a work in progress. And items that don’t get finished will be rolled over
until the following year.
Motion made to approve the 2015 Plan of Work as presented.
M/S/P: Weis/Hietpas: Approved 7-0.
d. 2015 Budget
Zuleger stated that the budget was laid out preliminary in the POW. The costs projected for maintenance
equipment were soft costs, and could be reduced.
Zuleger added that the LERT study would be closer to $30,000 than $50,000, and that getting the study done
would likely push the project along. Study expenses exceeding $30,000 would be cost shared with county.
Hartley asked if the $30,000 was for the skidsteer. Bouthilet responded that there are other items/equipment
needs that are higher priority at this time.
Motion made to approve finance report as stated in the Plan of Work with exception of the LERT feasibility
study being reduced to $30,000.
M/S/P: Weis/Hartley: Approved 7-0.
e. Carriage Station Park
Zuleger said that in response to a question raised about campaign signs located on city property, the city
learned that there was never a deed transfer to return the Carriage Station park land back to the city. Therefore
the HOA is currently in ownership of the Carriage Station park land and the City wellhouse located on the
property.
Ames added that throughout the time members of the neighborhood have come to lobby for amenities in the
park believing that it was city owned. Zuleger wanted to make it known and ask the commission not to make
any more improvements until the ownership issue is figured out. He added that they are waiting until November
so it isn’t construed as political.
Staff will proceed with HOA to get a quit claim done.
Hietpas mentioned the trees that were growing over each other along Highway 5. It is believed to be in the
prescriptive right of way.
Motion made to prune and remove per Hietpas suggestion in the Carriage Station ROW.
M/S/P: Weis/Hartley: Approved 7-0.
Old Business
a. Sunfish Forestry Plan
MacLeod stated that the item would be going to City Council at tomorrow’s meeting - Steven Kunde’s initial
proposal will be presented for approval at the cost of $6,300.
Frick asked for clarification regarding email conversations and open meeting law issues.
b. Pebble Park Volleyball Court (MacLeod)
MacLeod provided an update that the volleyball courts went back to council but were not approved based on
location. Council would like to see it more centrally located, suggested Reid Park
Zeno feels that they already addressed council concerns and stated that a volleyball court wouldn’t currently fit
in Reid Park. Bouthilet responded that they could fit it but would need to pave a driveway and parking space to
the court. Zeno also referenced Lions and reiterated that a second court couldn’t be added because of the
drainfield, however it could possibly be dismantled once sewer was in.
Hietpas said that she is confused because she thought the purpose of the park planning exercise was to create
destination parks and increase utilization in all parks instead of keeping everything centrally located. Zeno
questioned why they couldn’t put a volleyball court both in Lions and also in Pebble.
Reeves spoke to the council’s decision and reasoning. Reeves suggested that for future perhaps switch the
perspective from “The idea of the park commission” to “How can we develop programming for mid-range aged
children.” The challenge is bringing in other folks and educating the council on the value of this type of
program. He agreed that splitting the courts (one in Pebble, one in Lions), could remove the location issue.
Bouthilet added that he felt the cost presented was very high, and the number could be tuned up.
Ames shared two reactions. First, He feels that it is unusual that the council would reject something that the
commission would recommend several times. Second, he feels the Council argues over locations, but other
locations are not currently available.
Hietpas shared that before adding amenities in the Village area she would like to see an overall plan to ensure
the area looks inviting. Zuleger suggested that a group of commissioners meet with members of council to
elaborate on details.
Hartley suggested that Councilmembers Nelson and Pearson attend the next commission meeting.
Ames suggested that they take the winter to let the issue settle and create a stronger argument for the
both/and scenario. Zeno offered to put together some statistics.
Staff Report
a. Volksmarch (MacLeod)
MacLeod provided a recap on the Volksmarch event which took place on Saturday, October 11. More than 200
people were in attendance, and they were raised over $1,000 to donate to FamilyMeans.
Frick commended the public works staff for their work on the trails.
b. November Meeting Prep (Weis)
Weis suggested starting a discussion on the comprehensive plan at the next commission meeting. Zuleger
added that he felt the council was eager to see the task force plan for Sunfish Lake Park.
Reeves suggested that someone from the park commission do a formal presentation to the council. Weis
stated that he would do it.
Weis suggested having a holiday party during December’s meeting while continuing discussion about the
comprehensive plan
C. LERT Update
Zuleger said that they met with Wayne Sandberg and administrative staff at Washington County, and they will
have some money to spend on the master plan, and are ready to move it forward. The next step would be to
pick a consultant to work on the master trail plan.
Zuleger added that once we have the consultant’s ideas we will present to Washington County.
Weis asked about time frame for the whole thing. Zuleger responded that the master plan would be about a 3
to 6 month project.
Hietpas stated that one of the concerns about the proposed (regional trail) Highway 5 plan with the MPOSC is
that it doesn’t necessarily qualify as a regional trail because it doesn’t connect park to park. She thought that
connecting to the Gateway might be something to consider – especially when considering options for funding.
Weis responded that Hartley has looked into funding/grant programs. Zuleger thought that if they could get into
Washington County’s plan, County funding might be available as well.
D. Sanctuary and Pebble Update
MacLeod displayed photos of the newly installed Sanctuary play structure, and the climbing equipment in
Pebble Park. Weis asked about the shelter in Pebble. MacLeod replied that a shelter plan still needs to be
decided on. She added that the Zipkrooz in Pebble Park should be completed next week.
Meeting adjourned at 8:21 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Alyssa MacLeod, Recording Secretary