HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-20-08 finalLake Elmo Park Commission
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
February 20, 2008
Chairman Steele called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. COMMISSIONERS
PRESENT: Adanene, Blackford, Booher, Bruchu, Dunn, Larson, Steele, and Zeno.
STAFF PRESENT: Planner Matzek, Public Works Superintendent M. Bouthilet and
Project Assistant Kriegler.
Welcome new Commissioner – Mike Zeno
Chairman Steele welcomed new commissioner Mike Zeno and asked him to introduce
himself.
Agenda
M/S/P, Dunn/Booher, move to approve the agenda as presented. Vote: 8:0
Minutes
Planner Matzek said that meeting minutes were not available for the meeting.
2008 Draft Work Plan
Chairman Steele identified that a work plan should be created again this year and
discussed at a joint meeting with the City Council.
Planner Matzek suggested adding “Buckthorn Removal” to the work plan as
Commissioner Larson had previously suggested.
Chairman Steele added “Review of CIP initiatives and developing timetable for
implementation” to the work plan with a number two priority.
Project Assistant Kriegler suggested developing a plan and implementing the plan.
Chairman Steele suggested a level two priority and suggested the Park Plan have a
number one priority level.
Commissioner Larson suggested adding Spring and Fall Park Visits as a number one
priority.
M/S/P, Dunn/Larson, move to approve the amended work plan. Vote: 8:0.
Timeline and Process for Sunfish Lake Park Land Trust Easement
Planner Matzek reviewed the timetable and draft letter to the MN Land Trust.
Chairman Steele asked staff to email him the drafted letter so he may make changes
before it is mailed. He asked that an ad hoc committee be formed to work on the Sunfish
Lake Park land trust easement when needed.
Lake Elmo Park Commission Minutes; 2-20-08
Commissioners Larson, Blackford, Dunn, and Booher volunteered to be on the
committee. Commissioner Dunn accepted the role of chair of the committee.
Follow up to identified challenges/issues related to trail implementation
Project Assistant Kriegler said that Klondike Avenue North is not scheduled for road
improvements in the near future. She said Washington County has indicated that their
policies for establishing an entrance would require a connection to a bituminous, hard
surfaced, multi-use trail, which is not planned at this time.
Commissioner Zeno asked if there were any provisions for parking at the end of Klondike
Avenue and if the property owners along the road are aware of this potential connection.
Commissioner Dunn said this connection was brought up as part of the master plan. The
county has previously allowed people through this area for the Special Olympics.
Planner Matzek said a connection between 51st Street and Kleis Park along 53rd Street
provides challenges in that the connection would be over private property. She said that
the city could not utilize the private utility easement on the property without legal
changes. She said the trails on 51st Street are currently private and the city would need to
work with the homeowners association to have those turned over to the city as well.
Project Assistant Kriegler identified that the trail connecting the Hamlet on Sunfish Lake
development to Sunfish Lake Park is partially built over an outlot owned by the
homeowners association. She said it appears that an easement was not obtained by the
city to allow the public use of the entire trail length and may become a legal issue as the
association has posted signs identifying the trail as private.
Project Assistant Kriegler said the city engineer has provided a conservative estimate of
$130,000 to improve the existing trails in the Stonegate development.
Public Works Superintendent M. Bouthilet said the engineer’s estimate was high.
Chairman Steele asked that the Stonegate Trails and the connection from the Hamlet on
Sunfish Lake development, Tapestry at Charlotte’s Grove, and Sunfish Lake Park
connections should be brought back in March. He also said he would like to bring
forward a proposal to amend the approved Trail Guide Plan to include a trail along the
north edge of Lake DeMontreville.
Public Works Superintendent M. Bouthilet identified that County Road 13 is being
discussed to be turned over to the city, but the road would need to be reconstructed first.
He also suggested the consideration of paving the trails in Pebble and Reid Park.
Planner Matzek said the trail connection from the Tapestry development to the existing
trails in Sunfish Lake Park are an easy connection that can be made this summer.
Park Signage Update
Lake Elmo Park Commission Minutes; 2-20-08
Lake Elmo Park Commission Minutes; 2-20-08
Project Assistant Kriegler said the goal for a comprehensive signage system is to promote
park and trail use and to enhance city identity and character. She provided examples of
signage for review and comment.
Informational Items
Planner Matzek provided updates on the informational items.
Commissioner Dunn said the signs for Sunfish Lake Park have been installed on State
Highway 5.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kelli Matzek
City Planner