Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout8-16 -10 Commission minutes finalFINAL Lake Elmo Park Commission Minutes of the Regular Meeting August 16, 2010 Chairman Ames called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Members Present: Mike Zeno, Marty Dobbs, John Ames, David Steele, Judith Blackford, Rolf Larson STAFF PRESENT: Project Assistant Kriegler 1. Agenda Agenda was approved as amended (M/S, Steele / Larson, 6-0) Three items were added to the agenda Item 6. Demontreville Trail Update, Item 7. CIP Ideas and Timeline plan development, Item 8. Park Commission booth at Fall Festival 2. Minutes A. June 21, 2010 Approved (M/S Steel/Zeno) 4-0 with Ames and Dobbs abstaining. B. July 19, 2010 Approved as amended (M/S Blackford/Dobbs) 6-0. Changes: Meeting called to order by Ames, not Larson. Agenda – “Marty” replaced with “Dobbs”. Typo in “two”. Sunfish Lake Park update – “She” replaced with “Kriegler”. MPCA project - - exclude “including” General reports and comments Several members expressed concern and disappointment regarding the last minute change in meeting location (to the Annex due to rescheduled Planning Commission meeting). Concern was expressed that the move could cause confusion for members of the community wishing to attend the Park Commission meeting, and that the move suggested that the Park Commission’s business was less important than the Planning Commissions business. 3. Review and discussion on potential recreational use of area to be turned back to the City following MPCA landfill remediation project (Sunfish Lake Park West) The MPCA landfill remediation project is well ahead of schedule and is expected to be complete late this fall. A concluding phase of the project will include grading of the site. It is anticipated that about 10 acres on the north end of the site will be turned back to the City with the potential opportunity for recreational use of the area. While there will be some limitations regarding potential uses and improvements, the site may well be appropriate for a variety of recreational uses. Past discussions have included a dog park, disc golf course, sliding hill and skating rink as possible uses for the site. Kriegler reported that a meeting was scheduled with Senior Project Engineer for the landfill project in the coming days. Members were invited to attend. The Commission had a discussion that included potential recreational opportunities / uses of the site and identified general concerns, issues and desires related to the final grading plan. Following are comments that were expressed and questions to be asked: - Safety and security of primary importance - Need good visibility from the west and north - Need to inquire about the MPCA’s fencing plans - Want to preserve the existing west entrance to the park - How much and where will water be stored - What is the planned seed mix for the site? - Can the MPCA’s entrance be moved to the south? - Is the area to the south to be turned back as well? - Desire a sledding hill, ice rink, play area - Is there any potential obstructions / infrastructure that will be left in place? - Holding pond – will there be water quality issues? - Concern for ADA accessibility, suspect that a trail switchback will be necessary. Rolf Larson shared several photos of a dog park that he visited while vacationing out west. Photos included various associated site amenities and signage that were identified as instrumental for a successful dog park. 4. Update on Sunfish Lake Park prairie restoration project and parking area The installation of the prairie and S.F.L. Park was done in the first week in June. It was reported that conditions have continued to be virtually perfect since that time and that the prairie is doing very well. A September 25 community planting event was confirmed and the desire was expressed to contact various service organizations, outreach groups, Tri-Lakes HOA, and scout troops for assistance. A sign at the park was also suggested. It was suggested that the next newsletter include a prominent article including the planting event, EMBRACE OPEN SPACE AWARD, and need for commission members. Kriegler reported that preliminary soil borings would be taken very soon in an attempt to determine soil conditions at the site which would shed light on the merits / effectiveness of a rain garden. City Engineer Stempski will soon be in a position to make a recommendation regarding the potential benefits of rain gardens and potential solutions to the drainage problem. Several members expressed that fixing the parking lot and addressing the ongoing standing water in the parking lot must be addressed this fall. This is a very high priority. Rain gardens were discussed with some questioning the potential for associated water quality improvements. Some expressed that the opportunity for education and aesthetics should also be considered. The Commission requested that the City’s Engineer, Ryan Stempski, be consulted about the merits of a rain garden in the area. 5. Progress update on Trail Guide Plan implementation Members expressed an interest in the development of a timeline for progress on trail development. It was asked that the City Engineer be asked to do some visioning and provide some guidance for moving forward with trail development. Staff was encouraged to continue to explore potential grant opportunities and funding sources. 6. Demontreville Trail Update Members expressed that they want to be kept informed of the road layout (line striping) plans and be provided the opportunity to review and comment. 7. CIP Ideas and Timeline plan development Request was made that this item be included on next meeting’s agenda 8. Park Commission Booth at Fall Festival Members agreed to develop a schedule for staffing a Park Commission booth at the Fall Festival. It was requested that copies of the Park Plan, Trail Guide Plan, planting event flyers, park commission applications, and interpretive panel be made available for the event. Adjourned 9:00 pm Respectfully submitted, Carol Kriegler, Project Assistant