HomeMy WebLinkAbout9-20-10 Commission minutes finalFINAL
Lake Elmo Park Commission
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
September 20, 2010
Chairman Ames called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Ames, Blackford, Steele, Larson, Dobbs
STAFF PRESENT: Project Assistant Kriegler
Agenda
Agenda was approved. (M/S, Dobbs / Steele, 5-0)
.
Minutes
August 16, 2010 minutes approved as amended. (M/S Dobbs / Steele, 5-0)
Motion to approve July Minutes made by “Blackford”, not “Black”. Last paragraph in
Sunfish Lake Park prairie restoration project / parking area update - - “Rain Gardens”
inserted at start of paragraph to read “Rain Gardens were discussed with . . . . . .”
Proposed Eagle Scout Project Presentations
Eagle Scout candidate Kyle Yarusso gave an overview of his proposed project which
includes the construction of two information kiosks at Demontreville Wildlife Area and a
segment of trail rehabilitation also within the park. The trail rehabilitation involves the
widening and wood chipping of an existing worn footpath. Kyle outlined his familiarity
with the park and expressed his opinion that his proposed project would add
considerable improvement to the park. The proposed information kiosks are similar to
kiosks recently installed in an Oakdale Park. The kiosks are to be constructed of cedar
and will include a roof. There was considerable discussion about the desire / need to
have all kiosks and related amenities consistent in use of materials, construction details
and appearance. There was some discussion about the inclusion of a roof in these
kiosks knowing that the proposed Sunfish Lake Park kiosk design does not include a
roof. Kyle suggested that a roof would be desirable in this particular location given the
lack of natural shade. Members expressed the desire to upgrade the roofing materials
to cedar shakes and therefore recommended funding for the project at $1,400.00.
Eagle Scout candidate Chris Amundson gave an overview of his proposed project as
well which is also an information kiosk, but located at Sunfish Lake Park. Chris gave an
overview of the construction detail and general location of the proposed kiosk. The kiosk
is to be constructed of cedar and will serve as a central location for the posting of
interpretive, directional and regulatory signage. The materials will be covered by a DNR
“Grant-in-aid” capital improvement grant. Members of the Commission expressed the
interest in having the kiosk located on the north side of the drive with the final location
determined by the parking lot grading plan and location of the rain gardens. The desire
was expressed for the kiosks to be painted / stained with a “natural” finish for aesthetics
and preservation / care of the cedar. Ames requested that the cement for the footings
be mixed outside of the hole.
Members expressed that a future agenda item address the development of design
standards for kiosks and related park amenities.
Motion: Recommend approval of the proposed (Yarusso Eagle Scout) project and
recommend funding up to $1,400.00 (M/S Rolf / Steele)
Motion: Recommend approval of the proposed (Amundson Eagle Scout) project with
materials and finish to be consistent with the Demontreville kiosks. (M/S Larson / Steele)
Discussion on Park Safety and efforts to Promote Appropriate Park
In light of recent criminal activity in the area, Chairman Ames requested that the
Commission have a general discussion regarding park safety and efforts to promote
park use and curb vandalism and illegal activity. Members expressed the interest in
evaluating problem parks for opportunities to increase visibility and increase safety and
security. The interest was expressed to incorporate design elements that encourage
appropriate park use and discourage inappropriate use, such as increasing the visibility
of parking areas by neighbors and passers-by as well as possibly increasing signage
and employing surveillance cameras. Kriegler was asked to investigate what resources
might be available for conducting a “public safety” evaluation of parks.
Carol Kreigler reported on developments related to scheduled improvements to the
parking area and Area 2 of Sunfish Lake Park. Specifically, details were provided on the
plans to grade the parking area and install rain gardens in an effort to solve the ongoing
drainage problem in the parking area. There is a history of standing water in the
northeast corner of the parking area at snowmelt and following heavy rains. Kriegler
explained that City Engineer Stempski proposes the installation of rain gardens along
the south side of the parking area (in an effort to capture run-off from the sloped turf area
and gravel drive) as well as pretreatment area north of the parking lot that would capture
run-off from the parking area. The parking area would be graded in such a way that run-
off would be directed to the pre-treatment area to the north. Members expressed that
the grading plan consider the need to accommodate horse trailers and buses and their
need to turn-around. Members expressed that effectively addressing the standing water
in the parking area is a high priority that must be addressed before the start of the cross-
country ski season when the park is in high use. Some concern was expressed though,
about the lack of projected costs associated with the rain gardens. Kriegler responded
that Stempski would be estimating detailed budgets / costs for the rain gardens.
Motion: Recommends City Council approval of grading of the parking area and supports
installation of the rain gardens pending review of costs by the City Council.Chairman
Review and Discussion on Potential Recreational uses of Area to be Turned Back
to the City following MPCA Landfill Remediation
Kriegler provided a very brief overview of the discussion that took place with 3
commission members (Larson, Zeno, Dobbs), Engineer Stempski, City Administrator
Messelt, Kriegler and Peter Tiffany of the MPCA. Requests / desires as expressed by
the Commission at their August meeting were expressed to Tiffany. Kriegler reported
that Engineer Stempski has since followed up the meeting with a letter to Tiffany
(MPCA) requesting that the hole be minimized by fill. It was also reported that the
grading of the area would not be taking place this fall and that considerably more time
would be available for development of the grading plan.
Adjourned 8:50
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Kriegler,
Project Assistant