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FINAL
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.
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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