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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-21-11 Commission minutes FINALFINAL Lake Elmo Park Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting March 21, 2011 Chairwoman Hartley called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Members Present: Marty Dobbs, John Ames, Judith Blackford, Rolf Larson, Pam Hartley, Steve DeLapp STAFF PRESENT: Project Assistant Kriegler 1. Agenda Agenda was approved as amended (M/S, Ames/Dobbs 6-0) Item number 6 regarding Lions Park lighting improvements was moved up to item 3. Demontreville Trail roadway reconstruction project update was added as item number 8. 2. February 16, 2011 Minutes Minutes were approved as amended 6-0 (M/S, Blackford/DeLapp, with Ames abstaining). Mike Zeno’s name to be corrected in “Commissioners Present”. Add to the record, information Item 8.C regarding 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. Amending of CIP to include lighting improvements and volleyball court improvements at Lions Park Lake Elmo Baseball Association liaison Todd Bruchu addressed the Commission in an effort to shed light on the performance issues related to the light fixtures at Lions Park. In considering amending the CIP to include light fixture improvements, the Parks Commission had previously requested more information related to the condition of the existing lights and related performance issues. Todd’s appearance was in response to staff contacting Todd for his comment and perspective. Todd reported that last summer there was a very dramatic increase in the frequency of the lights shorting out during the course of a ball game. He reported that the lights would regularly go in most games resulting in an interruption of play. After a cooling off period, someone would have to climb the light post to reset the circuit breaker. In addition to the inconvenience of the game interruption, Todd expressed his concern for the risk of electric shock and/or fire due to the poor condition of the lights and associated wiring. Motion: Support for amending the CIP to include $30,000 for Lions Park lighting improvements (M/S, Delapp/Dobbs, 6-0) 4. Devlopment of 2011 Park Commission Work Work plan was crafted as in the attached. 5. Parks and Recreation Survey The Parks Commission reviewed and considered several surveys that had been used by other cities as a means of gaining citizen input regarding the desire / need for various park improvements. The surveys were comprehensive in that they assessed needs and interests in regard to park systems in their entirety. The Commission expressed an interest in developing a needs assessment / interest survey that would be park specific (Sunfish Lake Park West). Rolf Larson volunteered to draft such a survey for future consideration and discussion. 6. Update and review MPCA grading and landscape plans for landfill – “Sunfish Lake Park West” Seed Mixes for the Lower Area and Slopes The commission unanimously supported Option 1, use of a native grass and wildflower mix. Motion: Support for option 1: Use of a native grass and wildflower (forb) mix. (6-0 M/S, DeLapp/Ames) Options A-C for the Area Along the Roadway and Entry The commission expressed a preference for the mix of plants from option “A”. They suggested that Redosier Dogwood be added to the mix. They also expressed the desire for fairly densely planted White and Bur Oaks along Jamaca but that “windows” should remain available to serve visual openings into the depressed area. Additionally, they’d like to see shrubs added to the clusters of Bur Oaks planted along the north side of the landfill, and feel that this area should be planted with considerable density to create as an effective screen as possible. As a more general comment, the commission urged that long entry into the park (corridor just outside of the northern fence line of the project) also be landscaped. Concern was expressed regarding the enclosed and dreary space created by the fence line and northern boundary of the park entry area. They expressed that the MPCA should be pushed to address this and dedicate a significant budget for landscaping this corridor. It was suggested that the fence line be moved south, altogether removed, and / or landscaped to create an effective screen and more pleasing entry to the park. Adjourned 9:30 pm Respectfully submitted, Carol Kriegler, Project Assistant