DRAFT

Lake Elmo Park Commission

Minutes of the Regular Meeting

July 15, 2009

COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE: Hartley, Dobbs, DeLapp, Ames, Larson, Zeno

STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Planner Matzek

The Chairwoman called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

Agenda

Planner Matzek suggested adding “No Parking Sign Request on Marquess Trail North.”

Commissioner Ames added “General Signage Discussion.”

Commissioner DeLapp asked to have the Commission form a recommendation regarding the Senior Living/Farm School application extension request for the following night’s City Council meeting.

Commissioner Dobbs added “Schedule of Park Visits.”

M/S/P, Ames/Dobbs, move to approve the agenda as amended. Vote: 5:0.

Commissioner Zeno arrived.

Minutes – No minutes were provided.

Eagle Scout Project

Mr. Erik Eitz explained that he was proposing as his Eagle Scout project, to design and construct a small bridge which would connect Lake Elmo City Hall with the Elementary School to the South.

Chairwoman Hartley asked Mr. Eitz to further explore the building code requirements and to contact City Hall to see if a building permit was needed.

Commissioner Ames stated that this was not on parkland and therefore out of their responsibility. He said he did not feel comfortable making a recommendation.

Commissioner DeLapp stated that the commission should be more involved in non-park land.

Chairwoman Hartley stated that could be added to a future agenda.

M/S/P, Ames/Dobbs, move to recommend approval in concept of the bridge proposed pending follow up to the questions posed. Vote: 6:0.

No Parking Sign Request on Marquess Trail North

Planner Matzek said there was a request submitted for No Parking signs on the north side of Marquess Trail North due to parking associated with Carriage Station Park.

Commissioner Ames said he believes street signage is outside the commission’s pervue.

Chairman Hartley said she has received no information if there is a parking problem.

Update to Lake Elmo Park Reserve Discussion

Planner Matzek stated that Washington County held another open house regarding potential trail connections on the west side of the Lake Elmo Park Reserve. She said they have moved away from the idea of having a small parking lot within the park off Inwood Avenue. She said that the trail segment proposed along Inwood Avenue is also a part of the Lake Elmo Comprehensive Trail Plan.

Commissioner Larson stated that they had a motion related to this item at the last meeting.

M/S/P, Larson/DeLapp, move to recommend the trail connecting Oakdale, Lake Elmo and possibly Woodbury to the west side of the Lake Elmo Regional Park is located on the East side of Inwood Avenue starting at 10th Street and to consider connecting Stillwater Boulevard to Tablyn Park. Vote: 6:0.

Sunfish Lake Park West, DNR Request

Commissioner Dobbs said that when the MPCA performed work on the landfill site, it took away useable City parkland. He said the DNR has stipulated that this “lost” parkland be replaced. City Administrator Messelt has stated that the City is not going to pay for replacement. Commissioner Dobbs said that the amount of land that is now deemed unusable has not been officially determined, but future discussions will be occurring. He said anything that is fenced in is considered not accessible parkland and therefore not a part of the park system.

Property Adjacent to Sunfish Lake Park

Commissioner DeLapp identified that there are three properties that are adjacent to Sunfish Lake Park with a potential for a sizeable connection. He stated that one of those properties has applied for the ability to put a three story apartment complex and a farm school on it. The City Council had previously approved a Concept Plan for the development. He said the applicant was on the City Council’s agenda for the following night’s meeting requesting an extension to apply for the Preliminary Plat.

Commissioner Ames asked if this property was adjacent to Sunfish Lake Park.

Planner Matzek stated that the property on which the application for the Senior Living and Farm School Project was located was not adjacent to Sunfish Lake Park.

M/S/P, Ames/Zeno, move to ask the City Council to consider this new information about park replacement requirements and as a result, to allow this application’s timeline to expire in order to maximize options. Vote: 5:0. DeLapp abstained.

General Signage Discussion

Commissioner Ames said that the kiosks up at Demontreville Wildlife Park and at the access to the Gateway Trail are both completely blank. He suggested putting something in there, even as a placeholder. He said the kiosk in Sunfish Lake Park was also empty.

Chairwoman Hartley said she would like this on a future Commission agenda.

Commissioner Ames said some of the maps need to be more user friendly.

Commissioner DeLapp said some of the maps are not oriented correctly in Sunfish Lake Park.

Commissioner Zeno suggested adding signs with arrows pointing toward numbers of where someone is heading.

Schedule of Park Visits

The Commission identified they would visit Ridge Park, Stonegate Park and Heights Park on July 25th at 6:30 p.m.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kelli Matzek

City Planner