HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Minutes 04.20.22 *
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Meeting of April ZO, 2O22
Hugo City Hall, 7:OOpm
Present: Roger Clarke, Emily McGinnky Cathy K400re`4oand, Mat Kauschendorfer, Nicole Schmid'
Meredith St. Pierre, RaneUTennyson.
Staff Present: Rachel Juba, Community Development Director
Scott Anderson, Public Works Director
Shay|aDenaway' Parks Planner
Debi Close, Parks Secretary
Clarke called the meeting to order at7:00pm.
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Rauschenclorfer made a motion, Tennyson seconded to approve the minutes of the February 16, 2022
Parks Commission meeting.
All aye.
Motion approved.
Shay|aDenawaK Parks Planner presented the Shores of0nekaLake. K4/| Homes ofMinneapo|is/St.
Paul, LLC has submitted a Preliminary Plat and Planned Unit Development for residential development.
The buildable land is 98.65 acres with 318 units of mixed housing types on 131.66 acres located
between State Highway 61 and 0nekaLake. The developer is proposing to provide over 30 acres of
open space adjacent to Oneka Lake and construct trail that would be located on the l89 acres of
upland parallel to the shoreline. Sidewalks throughout the development will connect to neighborhood
to the south of Oneka Lake Park and to Hardwood Creek Regional Trail. A roundabout and stormwater
re-use system will beconstructed. The developer is proposing to dedicate a combination of land and fee
to satisfy park dedication. The land is dedicated as a public park or open space to utilize the shoreline of
Oneka Lake including wetlands and an upland berm. The developer is asking for a credit for the cost uf
the park amenities and construction of the trail estimated at $148,500. The standard park dedication
policy has no credit for construction of park or trail amenities. The development proposed isinthe
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Neighborhood Park Service Area 10 which is served by Oneka Lake Park and next to the future park
currently occupied by the Bernin family on Oneka Lake. In 2001 the Parks Commission drafted the
Master plan for Oneka Lake/ Bernin property that included trails, preservation of wetlands, overlooks,
and other passive recreational features and construction of a neighborhood park (Oneka Lake Park).
Staff noted that an additional neighborhood park would likely be constructed with future residential
development to the north to meet the neighborhood service needs.
John Rask from M/I Homes was present and looking for feedback on the proposed development and
park dedication. Rask highlighted the connection of the dedicated trail area, adjacent to Oneka Lake,
and possible connections to the south.
Rauschendorfer asked if permits had been received to construct the trail on the berm and if it could be
constructed.
John Rask, M/I Homes informed that it has received support from the TEP [Rice Creek Watershed
District Technical Advisory Panel] but doesn't have permits yet.
Moore—Arcand asked what type of trail it would be (paved or aggregate).
Rask stated it that it was deemed upland so either would be allowed.
Clarke asked what the width of the berm was and how wide the trail could be.
Rask answered that they would need to grade the top of the berm to construct a trail as it is an "ice
ridge".
Clarke was supportive of future connections to the north and the possible expansions.
Rashendorpher asked if it was normal to give credit for trail construction with park dedication.
Denaway stated that it was not in the Park Dedication Policy.
Moore-Arcand supported maintaining the integrity of the policy. She asked about being in the habit of
accepting whatever developers construct and if that normally happened.
Rachel Juba, Community Development Director, stated that all developers ask for something like this.
She also noted that construction of the trail is not in the first phase which allows for more time to plan
and for the developers to make a proposal for credit. At this time the Commission should give input on
what the amenities would be.
Moore-Arcand asked if boardwalks are need for the trails.
Staff noted the two access points and future boardwalks.
Tennyson asked about on street parking availability in the neighborhood and how people would access
the trails. Staff and Rask discussed the on street parking options, future Bernin property parking lots,
and existing on street parking at Oneka Lake Park.
Moore—Arcand made a motion, St. Pierre seconded, to accept park dedication of 3.89 acres and
payment of 60% of the fee (currently totaling $648,730 with 318 units) for the Shores of Oneka Lake.
All ayes. Motion carried.
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Denaway presented the North Star Wetland Bank preliminary concept proposed by Tony Havranek from
WSB. The City has been partnering with White Bear Lake Area schools to plan and construct trails that
would link existing trails and parks through district property to connect to the new school being
constructed. This trail system is in existing wetlands and the area could qualify for wetland bank credits
through restoration. The Parks Commission allocated funding in the CIP for this study. A trail study was
done in April 2021 which showed connections to Lions Park and 147th street for recreational and
environmental benefits. Wetland banking would possibly include filling old drainage ditches, breaking
drain tile, installing agate valves to control hydrology to meet performance standards and complete
management activities with soil/land manipulation to bring back wetland ecosystems.
Improvements made to the wetlands provides environment benefits including:
surface water detention, nutrient transformation, carbon sequestration, sediment and other particulate
retention, waterfowl and water bird habitat, other wildlife habitat, enhanced wetland functions,
downstream water recipients, nutrient transformation and regional wildlife communities.
Credit could then be applied to future wetland alteration needs. The land being considered for
improvement credits is 51 acres.
Juba informed that if construction impacts a wetland then you must purchase a credit to do this
construction. If you make improvements to a wetland then you get credits. This banking system gives
you credits that can be used in future construction needs or sold.
Denaway informed that applying would be a 12 month or longer process to get approval including the
initial evaluation, a draft prospectus, legal boundary survey, title and easement recording, project
construction, certification and ongoing monitoring with ongoing maintenance then the applications to
the deposited credits. The estimated cost to design, construct, and monitor is$800,000—$1,000,000.
Councilmember Dave Strub was in attendance and Parks Commissioners asked for his feedback. Strub
informed that it had obvious benefits to water quality that is in line with the city's initiatives. He
discussed that future Councils would hopefully be thankful for the investment and is similar to the
forward thinking of the purchase of Irish Avenue Park.
St. Pierre stated her support for the project but expressed concern over the ownership of the property.
Juba stated that she didn't know what the vehicle for that would be and that it could possibly be an
easement, purchase, or MOU. She said that staff would talk with the school district and seek legal
counsel.
St. Pierre made a motion, Moore—Arcand seconded to have WSB Engineering, Tony Havranek start the
hydrology monitoring, vegetation monitoring, and draft prospected proposed at a cost of$21,964.
Denaway asked for clarification on the motion as to whether ownership of the property was required
before taking those steps. It was discussed than an agreement is likely before the entirety of the steps
were taken which would allow more information on the viability of the project before considering
purchase of the land. Raushendorpher stated that there is no downside to owning the land.
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A roll call vote was taken:
Ayes: Roger Clarke, Emily McGinnity, Cathy Moore-Arcand, Nicole Schmid, Meredith St. Pierre, Ranell
Tennyson.
Nay: Mat Rauschendorfer
Motion carried.
Shayla Denaway, Parks Planner updated on repairs that were needed to the trail on Freedom Drives.
The trail connects Oneka Parkway to 1571h Street and is located on City owned property and adjacent to
a private drive. It has a history of patching and repairs with continual root pops emerging near the
ponds and wooded area as well as cracking due to settling. Multiple complaints from residents and the
Home Owners Association were received asking for repairs.
If reconstruction for Freedom Drive trail is done at the same time as Oneka Parkway street project there
could be a cost savings of up to $40,000. The Capital Improvement Plan has $77,000 for trail
improvements that could be used towards this project and the remaining $23,000 could come from the
street fund, based on the City Engineer's cost estimate.
Schmid asked why this long term repair maintenance issue wasn't discussed before replacement needs.
Scott Anderson, Public Works Director, informed that Freedom Drive trail has been continually repaired
and always on the long term improvement watch list. The opportunity to combine project and funding
with Oneka Parkway street project brings the possible improvement to the forefront.
Tennyson made a motion, Moore—Arcand seconded to use $77,000 from the Special Park Fund for
reconstruction of the Freedom Drive trail.
All ayes. Motion carried.
Matt Rauschendorfer requested staff to provide a yearly report to all Park Commission members to
show how park funding is spent.
Clarke recommended future discussion on reconstruction and maintenance of trails.
J
Public Works: 90%of operations are moved in and the offices will be complete this week. Vegetation
and landscape work are out for bids and a few exterior aesthetics are getting close to completion.
Lions Park: The exterior is in nearing completion and interior wiring is in process. The lighting, fencing
and concrete in the park is in progress and will mostly be completed in May.
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Hardwood Creek Regional Trail: Washington County is continuing public engagement on an extension of
the trail between 1302h and 120th Streets. Council approved a letter of support for the County's
application of regional solicitation funding for construction.
Annual City Bus Tour: The Bus Tour will be held on October 1, 2022. Councilmember Strub encouraged
Park Commissioners to attend to help visualize the future parks with new developments and see what
has been accomplished throughout the City.
Hopkins School House: A meeting will be held for the public at City Hall Saturday April, 23 10:00 am —
Noon to discuss the future of the Hopkins School House. Commissioners were encouraged to
participate if it is of interest.
Moore-Arcand made a motion, Tennyson seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:03 pm.
All ayes.
Motion approved.
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