HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly Minutes FinalFINAL
Lake Elmo Park Commission
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
July 20, 2009
Chairman Ames called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Larson, Ames, Blackford, Zeno, Adanene, Dobbs
STAFF PRESENT: Project Assistant Kriegler, Public Works Superintendent Bouthilet
Agenda
Agenda was approved as amended. (M/S, Blackford/Larson, 6-0)
Item 6. Discussion of Sunfish Lake Park Area 2 concept plan moved to first order of
business.
Minutes
May 18, 2009 minutes approved as amended (M/S Larson / Zeno, 6-0)
Presentation about prairie restoration (2nd paragraph) Add - Blackford expressed an
interest in having existing fauna at the site catalogued. This interest is out of concern for
the potential effects of pesticide use during the course of prairie restoration activities.
Discussion of Sunfish Lake Park Area 2 concept plan
The recently approved Sunfish Lake Park Conservation Easement to the Minnesota
Land Trust states that Area 2 of the park, a 20 acre portion, may have limited
development for education, outdoor recreation and nature observation purposes in
accordance with a city approved park concept plan. In an effort to make progress in the
development of the concept plan, Judith Blackford, Rolf Larson and Marty Dobbs
participated in a work session to visit the park and develop a draft outline. The
Commission reviewed the outline and made the following comments:
Blackford expressed the importance of all kids and people having access to the park, its
features and facilities. She expressed the desire for ADA compliance.
Parking area – the desire was expressed to keep the area as natural as possible.
Discussion took place regarding the number and layout of parking spots. Bouthilet
underscored the importance of having enough space to accommodate buses. There
was also interest expressed in configuring the lot in such a way to define / limit parking
spots for horse trailers. There was some discussion about the parking lot surface
material, with some expressing the desire for the lot to remain unpaved, while some
expressed that eventual paving was desirable.
Interpretive center- considerable discussion took place regarding a future interpretive
center. Generally, there was the interest in keeping the center very simple and relatively
small. Several expressed the interest in creating / focusing on learning / interpretive
opportunities out of doors and accessible 24-7. It was noted that interpretive centers
located in the area seem to be under utilized. “People want to be outside in the natural
areas”. There was interest expressed in a modest indoor space to serve as shelter from
the cold in the winter months.
1l
Picnic / Short Turf – Open Play Area - - the concept of dedicating some open play space
for informal casual play. It was felt that a site visit would be useful in designating a
specific area and size for this use.
ADA Compliant hard surface trail - - The logic of an “out and back” ADA compliant trail
segment was questioned. It was suggested that a ADA compliant loop should be
offered. It was expressed that a site visit would be useful in determining a more
appropriate trail configuration.
A site visit to the park was scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 10. Members felt
that an on-site visit was necessary to proceed with further development of the concept
plan.
Review of Park Commission ’09 work plan, priorities, and planned improvements.
Bouthilet and Kriegler reported on the progress / status of the following ’09 planned park
improvements:
Pebble Park tennis court resurface- contractors to be contacted for quotes yet this fall.
Reid Park play equipment and parking lot extension- old play equipment has been
removed, swing set has been ordered for placement in new location. Staff has received
request from resident for additional toddler based equipment in the park. It was
requested that staff bring a recommendation to the next commission meeting for a
toddler-based piece of equipment. Bouthilet reported that he is obtaining proposals for
work related to the extension of the parking lot.
Motion: (M/S Dobbs, Larson) The Park Commission supports a recommendation to the
City Council to extend the Reid Park parking lot at an approximate cost of $6,000.
Tablyn Park parking lot- project has been expanded to a complete reconstruction as
opposed to an overlay due to its deteriorated condition. The project is on hold however,
due to issues related to property surveys and easements. The city engineer is working
to resolve these issues.
Councilmember Delapp encouraged the commission to get involved in planning for the
landscaping / restoration of the area surrounding the Washington County Landfill.
Kriegler reported that the actual area of waste storage at the landfill will decrease,
potentially resulting in a significant net gain in land that could be used for recreational
purposes. The commission expressed that they were very eager to gain an
understanding of the “rules” or limitations related to the restoration / improvement /
development of the site. It was requested that representatives of MPCA attend the
August (or near future) park commission meeting.
Motion: (M/S Ames, Zeno) The Park Commission supports the concept of participating
in the planning process with the MPCA.
Update on Carriage Station and Demontreville Park picnic shelter projects.
Carriage Station and Demontreville picnic shelter projects: Quotations will be available
for consideration at the August meeting. There has been some delay in the project due
to the need for the local Lowes contact to secure the remaining grant amount from
2l
3l
corporate Lowes. There is also the possibility that additional funds from Lowes might be
available for the Carriage Station shelter. Each shelter will be quoted separately and
together with construction being concurrent.
Meeting was adjourned: 9:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Kriegler,
Project Assistant