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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-26-11 Commission minutes FINALFINAL Lake Elmo Park Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting February 16, 2011 Chairwoman Hartley called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Members Present: Judith Blackford, Rolf Larson, Pam Hartley, David Steele, Mike Zinne STAFF PRESENT: Project Assistant Kriegler 1. Agenda Agenda was approved as amended (M/S, Blackford/Zeno 5-0) The following items were added: 6A) Demontrevillle Trail update 8A) I-94 Corridor Landscape Improvements 8B) Update on Sunfish Lake Park trail grooming. 2. Minutes December and January meeting minutes were approved without comment. 3. Welcome to new Commission member Steve Delapp Introductions were made and Steve was welcomed to the Park Commission. He was also recognized and thanked for his past support of parks and the preservation of open space. 4. Update on Stillwater Area School District proposal for ECFC in Lake Elmo Project assistant Kriegler provided a brief update on discussions in regard to a potential agreement with the Stillwater Area School District for locating the district’s ECFC in Lake Elmo. Potential sites were identified as being in areas north of City Hall. It was reported that that the City Council would be considering a joint powers agreement with the school district at tomorrow evening’s meeting. 5. Update and review of MPCA grading and landscape plans for landfill- “Sunfish Lake Park West” and discussion related to potential future uses Carol Kriegler reported that the City’s engineers have verified the infiltration rates and soil types in the area and that the results of their analysis support the MPCA’s grading plan and design. It was also reported that TKDA is working on the development of a landscape plan that will soon be available for Park Commission review. Some discussion took place regarding some potential recreational uses for the area, including a dog park and disc golf course. The question was raised as to whether such facilities were needed / desired by Lake Elmo residents. It was suggested that a survey might be beneficial for determining the level of interest for special recreation uses. 6. Update on planning and funding of Village / Stillwater High School base trail Rolf Larson presented the work he had done some years ago in trail planning for the “Fields of St. Croix / Tana Ridge” section of the Village / High School base trail. He presented two trail segment alternatives and recommended that discussions take place with the Tana Ridge HOA in an attempt to acquire a section(s) of HOA private trail. Kriegler reported that TKDA and city staff were working to identify potential trail alignments in that area as well as working to develop a draft private trail acquisition policy for the City. It was suggested that staff develop a draft policy, identifying the critical issues to be resolved that will then be made available to the Parks Commission for review and comment. Rolf Larson and Mike Zeno volunteered to walk the Fields / Tana Ridge area with Asst. Engineer Stempski since their familiarity with the area might be useful. 7. Amending of the Park CIP to include lighting improvements and possible volleyball court at Lions Park Carol Kriegler provided an overview of standards for outdoor volleyball construction and an overview of the general condition of the existing court. Mike Zeno offered additional comment as he has used the court on numerous occasions. He expressed his support for improving the court and encouraged the consideration of building two courts as long as crews and equipment would be utilized to build the one. He spoke to the recent uptick in popularity of the game and his belief that improved courts would be well used. Staff was asked to develop a budget for both the improvement of the single court as well as a double-court. Several members of the Commission expressed support for bringing the facility up to accepted standards. The Commission asked for more information regarding possible light improvements at Lions Park, specifically what the current performance issues are, annual maintenance costs of the existing lights, and the potential energy savings that would gained from replacement. 8B. Update on Grooming at Sunfish Lake Park ski trails Mike Zeno raised concerns about the lack of regular grooming of the trails and that some trail segments went without grooming. Kriegler responded that she would check with Mike Bouthilet about the grooming schedule. She also responded that there are likely sections of trail that are too narrow for the County’s new groomer, which would explain the lack of grooming in some sections. 8C. Hudson Boulevard Landscape Project / Opportunity. Commissioner DeLapp provided a brief overview of the opportunity for landscaping along Hudson Boulevard and expressed that the City Council has indicated support for such a project. Adjourned 9:10 pm Respectfully submitted, Carol Kriegler, Project Assistant