HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember Commission minutes finalFINAL
Lake Elmo Park Commission
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
September 21, 2009
Chairman Ames called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Ames, Booher, Blackford, Zeno, Dunn, Steele, Larson
STAFF PRESENT: Project Assistant Kriegler
Agenda
Agenda was approved. (M/S, Blackford/Dobbs, 7-0)
.
Minutes
August 17, 2009 minutes approved as amended. (M/S Steele / Zeno, 5-0, Larson,
Booher abstaining)
Minutes corrected to reflect that Steele abstained in approval of the May minutes.
August 24, 2009 minutes approved. (M/S Larson / Blackford, 4-0 with Dunn, Booher,
Zeno abstaining)
“Embrace” award for the city’s conservation efforts at Sunfish Lake Park and
possible recognition
Kriegler reported that “Embrace” is interested in presenting an award to the City in
recognition of its efforts in placing Sunfish Lake Park in conservation easement with the
Minnesota Land Trust. “Embrace Open Space” is a collaborative among Twin Cities
organizations concerned about protecting open space in our region. Their primary goal
is to serve as a catalyst for greater citizen and elected leadership to conserve and
steward natural areas and parks, lakes and rivers in the 11 county Twin Cities
Metropolitan area. In addition, the organization would like to participate in some sort of
event when the award is presented, preferably in the park. Embrace has expressed a
willingness to publicize and promote the recognition event.
Individuals expressed their appreciation for the recognition and interest in conducting an
event of some sort. They also expressed a preference for conducting the event in the
spring, rather than rushing to do something this fall. With all of the planned improvement
activities scheduled for the park in the spring, they would like the recognition event to be
conducted in conjunction with one of the planned improvements. Kriegler responded that
she would forward those desires back to Embrace.
Discussion on Sunfish Lake Park Area 2 concept plan development
The Commission reviewed the current draft of the 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
concept plan.
l 1
l 2
Steele commented that he thought the plan should include an introduction of some sort.
He agreed to craft one on behalf of the Commission. Concerning the draft narrative
related to prairie / oak savanna, considerable discussion took place as to whether the
concept plan should include specifications related to the prairie. Kriegler reported that
this was not necessary. The DNR grant for the prairie restoration requires that the
restored plant community resemble what would have existed during pre-settlement times
and that there are resources available to assist in the determination of the appropriate
plant types / seed mixes. The City will be required to provide a prairie restoration and
management plan to the Land Trust and DNR for their approval. Members expressed
that the prairie restoration RFP be based on well researched and rational specifications.
They also expressed the interest in having as much of the restoration work completed by
city staff, volunteers, and outside non-profit organizations.
There was some discussion about the parking area and the future size and configuration
that it might take on in the future. There was some discussion about the need for the
parking lot to take on a size and shape that would accommodate school buses and
trailers. It was decided to simplify the last sentence of the paragraph without specifying
any particular user group needs. Rather, the commission expressed that all of the
concept planning should be based on the following:
• Consideration for meeting the needs of all park users.
• Consideration of the impacts on neighbors.
• Consideration for ensuring public safety.
Sunfish Lake Park West
Once the landfill clean-up project is complete, the footprint of the landfill will be reduced
by about 6 acres. The Commission reviewed a “footprint” map showing the location of
the landfill as it exists now, as well as the anticipated boundaries of the landfill once the
clean-up project is complete. Blackford expressed concern over the accuracy of the
boundary indicated on the map and asked that the matter be reviewed. Final grading
plans showing contours of the area were also reviewed. Kreigler reported that there will
not be any infrastructure located in the “turn-back area” and that there will be very few, if
any limitations on future uses for the area. She also reported that the MPCA staff is very
willing to meet with the commission to have a discussion related to the opportunities and
limitations for the site. Members requested that the MPCA attend the October meeting.
Chairman Ames requested that items on the agenda that were not covered, be placed
on the front end of next month’s agenda.
Adjourned 9:05
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Kriegler,
Project Assistant