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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-21-10 Commission minutes FINALFINAL Lake Elmo Park Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting June 21, 2010 Vice-chairman Larson called the meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Members Present: David Steele, Judith Blackford, Rolf Larson, Mike Zeno, John Booher STAFF PRESENT: Project Assistant Kriegler Agenda Agenda was approved as amended – add item 8. Scheduling park walk-thru’s (M/S, Blackford / Zeno, 5-0) . Minutes April 19, 2010 minutes approved as amended - - Concerning Review and discussion on Sunfish Lake Park Area Two Improvement Project Design Development, that it be noted that at the 2-16-10 council meeting, City Administrator Messelt suggested consideration of Sunfish Lake Park West as a potential site for an ice skating rink. (M/S,Steele / Zeno, 5-0) 3. Update on Sunfish Lake Park prairie restoration project and parking area improvements Steele inquired as to how the City Council responded to the Park Commission’s stated position supporting further exploration of possible locations for placement of an ice skating rink. Kriegler responded that she would follow-up with Administrator Messelt and report back. Kriegler reported that installation of the prairie at Sunfish Lake Park was completed in the first week of June. Conditions since that time have been nearly perfect and the cover crop has emerged. She reported that the area would likely be mowed twice during the remainder of the growing season. Other identified desired improvements for the near future were outlined as follows: boulder placement around the parking area, restoration project-related interpretive signage, planting of a native garden, etc.. These improvements were prioritized as follows: 1. Installation of boulders around the parking area perimeter 2. Installation of interpretive signage including individual plant identification signs 3. Planting of 3,000 native seedlings 4. The placement of boulders for interpretation and artistic expression. The following Motion on the matter was made and approved unanimously: Motion: The Parks Commission recommends that the City Council authorize expenditures related to the top three identified priorities: installation of boulders around the parking area perimeter, installation of interpretive signage including individual plant identification signs, planting of 3,000 native seedlings. (5-0, M/S, Steele / Blackford) 1 1 1 2 4. Prairie Restoration Celebration / “EMBRACE” Champion Award Event recognizing the City’s conservation efforts and Sunfish Lake Parkview and discussion on Sunfish Lake Park Area Two Improvement Project Design Development Kriegler provided an update on the postponed “prairie restoration celebration” that was to have taken place on June 8 in recognition of the City’s efforts in placing Sunfish lake Park in conservation easement with the Minnesota Land Trust, and for its restoration and conservation efforts in general. Since the event was “rained out”, the event needs to be rescheduled for late summer of fall. Given this, there is now the opportunity to coordinate the recognition event with a large scale community native seedling planting event. The Commission expressed the interest in conducting a ceremonial event of some kind in conjunction with the Fall Festival. It was suggested that the Fall Festival be utilized to promote a community planting event that would take place the Saturday following the Fall Festival. Update on MPCA landfill remediation project and opportunities for recreational use of area to be turned back to the City. Kriegler reported that the landfill remediation project continues to be ahead of schedule with completion expected by late this fall. It was suggested that future meetings address the potential recreational use of the area so that grading can be done with consideration of those potential uses. The desire for a visit to Sunfish Lake Park West was expressed for the purpose of gaining familiarity with the site and being better prepared for those discussions. It was suggested that an August site visit to SFLP West and Lake Jane Park be scheduled at the next commission meeting. Adjourned 8:35 pm (M/S, Steele/Blackford) Respectfully submitted, Carol Kriegler, Project Assistant