HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-15-10 Commission minutes FINALFINAL
Lake Elmo Park Commission
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
November 15, 2010
Chairman Ames called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Members Present: Mike Zeno, Marty Dobbs, John Ames, David Steele, Judith
Blackford, Rolf Larson, Pam Hartley
STAFF PRESENT: Project Assistant Kriegler, Administrator Messelt
1. Agenda
Agenda was approved (M/S, Steele / Zeno, 7-0)
2. Minutes
October 18, 2010 Approved as amended (M/S Steel/Zeno) 5-0 with Dobbs and Hartley
abstaining. Under “Minutes”, remove unnecessary “on”. Under “Update and discussion
of the Park Commission”, remove “tentative” in the motion and add that the motion was
made by Ames, seconded by Steele and passed 5-0.
3. Welcome to Park Commission member Pam Hartley
Chairman Ames welcomed Pam and asked each commission member to share why they
were interested in serving on the commission and what issues / areas they were most
passionate about. Pam shared on the same subject explaining that she was relatively
new to Lake Elmo, but had served her former community as a member of the
Environmental Committee. Pam expressed that she is interested in the preservation and
restoration of existing parks and the protection of trees, shrubs and plants in the area.
She’s a landscape designer, Master Gardener and Tree care Advisor.
4. Review and discussion on the Park CIP
Administrator Bruce Messelt provided an introduction to the Park CIP explaining that the
prepared draft was largely a reflection of the plan that has been in place this past year - -
with projects shifted up a year. Prior to CIP related discussion, Bruce extended both an
apology and expression of gratitude related to the Park Commission having to endure
disruptions to their meeting location twice in the past few months. Bruce explained the
circumstances related to conflict and pledged staff’s every effort to avoid this from
happening again. In addition, Bruce provided an overview of some of the recent audio
visual and facility improvements at City Hall as well as his appreciation for the work of
the Commission. He particularly expressed his support of moving forward with trail
development, the commission’s participation in the Old Village master planning process,
and the desire to see the Demontreville Road reconstruction project providing an
improvement in pedestrian / bicyclist safety. He also touched on the possibility of the
Washington County Sheriff Dept. conducting patrol of S.F.L.P. on horseback and an
MPCA request for the placement of shallow aquifer monitoring wells throughout the city ,
a few of which could be located in city parks. The wells are to be unobtrusive with the
opportunity for staff and commission having input for placement of the wells with the
parks.
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Rolf Larson requested that the Park Commission receive an up-to-date briefing of the
Village plan sometime in the near future.
Commissioners made adjustments to the draft plan as indicated in the attached.
Significant changes / comment included the addition of $3,000 for Demontreville Park for
the replacement of play area curbing; shifting of a possible “dog park” from Lake Jane
Hills Park to Sunfish Lake Park West; changing the description for ball field
improvements at Pebble Park from “convert” ball field; increase funding levels for trail
development to reflect a commitment to move into an implementation / construction
phase. There were a number of questions related to the need for light improvements at
Lions Park. With a lack of answers and detailed information related to the scope and
need of this project, the Commission expressed a discomfort with moving forward with
the inclusion of such a significant item. Additionally, the Park Commission expressed
the interest in conducting park visits and a more thorough needs assessment / goal
setting for improvements at Sanctuary and Tana Ridge Parks.
Adjourned 9:30 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Kriegler,
Project Assistant