HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-18 commission minutes finalFINAL
Lake Elmo Park Commission
Minutes of Regular Meeting
October 18, 2010
Chairman Ames called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Ames, Steele, Zeno, Blackford, Larson
STAFF PRESENT: Project Assistant Kriegler
Agenda
Agenda was approved (M/S, Steele/Zeno, 5‐0)
Minutes
Sept. 20, 2010 minutes were approved as amended. (M/S Blackford/Steele, 5‐0)
Eagle Scout motion changed to “funding up to $1,400 and “Rolf” changed to Larson, (M/S
Larson/Steele). Park safety discussion “grading” changed to “graded”. Remove unnecessary sentence
in motion supporting parking area grading and rain gardens.
Discussion on park safety and efforts to promote appropriate park use
Item tabled in light of Officer Loehrs absence.
Update on Sunfish Lake Park parking area improvements and prairie restoration project
Carol Kriegler reported that the Commission’s supported parking area improvements at Sunfish Lake
Park were approved by the City Council at their Oct. 5 meeting. Carol Kriegler provided an overview of
the grading plan and placement of rain gardens. Three rain gardens are to be located along the south
side of the parking area for the purpose of reducing run‐off from the sloped turf area, while a fourth rain
garden will be installed in the northeast corner of the parking area for the purpose of capturing run‐off
from the parking area. Grading of the parking area will result in the vast majority of run‐off being
directed into the northeast rain garden.
Members of the commission who had visited the park recently noted that there is considerable “wind‐
fall” on the trails that needs to be cleared before ski season. Members also requested that a “walk‐
thru” of the prairie with MNL Ecologist be scheduled for next spring.
Review and discussion on park CIP
Members reviewed the current CIP and 2010 work plan. They requested a park fund balance for the
next meeting. Members once again expressed their interest in improving pedestrian and bicyclist
safety along Demontreville Trail. The roadway is scheduled for reconstruction in 2011 at a road width of
24’ with lane configuration / line painting yet to be determined. The Commission expressed that their
highest priorities are improving Demontreville Trail and developing the Village / Stillwater H.S. base trail,
presumably mostly along Hwy. 5.
The Parks Commission also expressed the following as high priorities: Demontreville picnic shelter, sign
program, Lions Park volleyball court, Sunfish Lake Park West and general public safety improvements.
Motion: The Parks Commission designates Demontreville Trail from Green Acres to 50th St. and Olson
Lake as a high priority trail segment and that we ask professional staff to do a feasibility and engineering
cost estimate for this trail as well as the previously designated high priority trail of Highway 5 from the
Village to the High School. (M/S, Steele/Zeno, 5‐0)
Progress update on Trail Guide implementation steps
The Commission expressed their strong interest in moving forward with some trail development and
doing so with the goal of addressing the most urgent safety issues and serving the greatest number of
users. Members expressed an interest in having Ryan attend the next meeting to provide an update on
Demontreville Trail reconstruction plans as well as an MPCA landfill update.
Update and discussion of the Park Commission
Members expressed their frustration and disappointment with being forced to relocate to the Annex
conference room for two of three of their meetings due to the Planning Commission. Kriegler
apologized for the relocation on behalf of Planning Director Klatt and explained that the need for
relocation was due to the combination of the Columbus Day legal holiday, the need for video recording
of Planning Commission meetings as dictated by state statute, and the need for the Planning
Commission to take action on an item prior to the next evenings City Council meeting. Park Commission
members expressed that they felt that it sent a poor message ‐ ‐ that of the Parks Commission’s
business being of less importance to the City.
Motion: The Parks Commission strongly urges that the Planning Commission schedule alternate
meeting dates during holiday weeks in advance to avoid disrupting the work of the Park Commission.
(M/S, Ames / Steele, 5‐0)
Adjourned 8:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Kriegler
Project Assistant