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Home My WebLink About1-19-11 Commission minutesFINALFINAL Lake Elmo Park Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting January 19, 2011 Chairman Ames called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Members Present: Marty Dobbs, John Ames, Judith Blackford, Rolf Larson, Pam Hartley STAFF PRESENT: Project Assistant Kriegler 1. Agenda Agenda was approved as amended (M/S, Larson/Dobbs 5-0) Item number 2 was removed as December minutes were not available and “Election of Officers” was added. Election of Officers Pam Hartley and Rolf Larson were nominated to serve as chair person with both indicating that they would be willing to serve as “vice chair” in the event they were not elected chair. It was commented that both individuals were very competent and accomplished. With an anonymous vote, Pam was elected Chair, Rolf as Vice-chair and Marty as Secretary. Pam served as chair for the remainder of the meeting. Review and discussion of MPCA grading and landscape plans for Lanfill – “Sunfish Lake Park West” and potential future recreational uses. Two sets of MPCA proposed landfill grading plans were presented and reviewed. The grading plans presented were those revised by the MPCA in response to Park Commission and staff comments expressed at a September 2010 meeting with representatives of the MPCA. Comments generated were as follows: PARKING / ENTRY AREA Park Commissioners recognized the importance of avoiding conflict with Fire Department access. They do, however, want to utilize any existing parking areas so long as doing so does not impair the Fire Department. A conversation with the Chief to hear his concerns and limitations is encouraged. The area northwest of the pit and directly east of the Fire Station were both considered for potential parking areas, with the northwest area being preferred. In any case, it will be important that a direct and defined path from the parking area to the “natural area” of the park be provided. In addition, a direct and defined path from the pit to the “natural area” is also desired. LANDSCAPING The latest version of the grading plan does not include landscaping. While some members of the Commission previously expressed that they would prefer that the road frontage in the area of the turn-back area, not be screened with plantings, they do support extensive screening in all other areas. Landscaping in the remaining areas should be restored. They would prefer that landscaping done in frontage of the turn-back area be relatively low so that there is good visibility into the pit and so that the area appears inviting for recreational use. In addition, it is suggested the landscape screening along Jamaca “turn the corner” and continue along the north side of landfill, providing effective screening for those viewing the site from the north and northwest, including park users. The extensive planning of natives is desired in the adjacent areas to the west and north of the pit area. The landscaping should be done in such a way that does not impair visibility into the site. It also might be desirable to remove fencing along the north side of the site or move it to the south, as currently the entry to the natural area of the park is very “tunnel-like” and unnatural. GRADING Members expressed that they were pleased with the “softening” of the grade on the west-side of the turn-back area, but requested that a comparable “softening” be carried through on the northwest diagonal slope. LANDFILL GRADE Review and discussion of the proposed grading plans centered on the area to be turned back to the City. The Commission did recognize the two different landfill profiles and was interested in the basis for each. For the most part, the Commissioners expressed that the lower the profile, the better. 5. Trail Guide Plan review and update Carol Kriegler provided a rebrief of the Demontreville Trail engineering report made to the Parks Commission in August of ’09 including a copy of the PowerPoint presentation made at that time. In addition she reported that the current plan includes a 24’-wide roadway with two 11’-wide lanes an 1’ width of gravel shoulder- resulting in 2’ on one-side of the road. Some very preliminary budgets were also reported for the Village to High School base trail. The budget is based on the unit pricing in the City’s Trail Guide Plan. Budget for the 10,000 lineal feet of trail is $425,000 (based on unit pricing of $225,000 per miles and might not adequately reflect land acquisition costs). It was also reported that staff and engineering are working on determining the best way to lay out the course. The Commission expressed the interest in completing this entire base trail in one phase as it is not desirable to construct the base trail in segments as they will not serve any useful purpose in segments. The Commission also reiterated their desire / willingness to depart from the Village / S.A.H.S. base trail configuration as outlined in the Trail Guide Plan in an effort to align the trail more closely to Hwy 5 where the trail would be more visible, more direct and more likely to be utilized. 6. Sign program planning for recently completed Demontreville and Sunfish Lake Park The Parks Commission discussed the need / opportunity to provide some regulatory signage at Sunfish Lake Park and Demontreville Wildlife Area given the availability of recently constructed information kiosks in these locations. Sign layout revisions based on comments received from the December meeting were presented and approved for production. Motion: Support of moving forward with regulatory signage for S.F.L.P. and Demontreville Wildlife Area (M/S, Dobbs/Ames, 5-0) Adjourned 9:10 pm Respectfully submitted, Carol Kriegler, Project Assistant