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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-02CITY OF LAKEVILLE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES January 2, 2013 Chair Kelly called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Members Present: Matt Dinslage, Judy Hayes, Scott Kelly, Howard Lovelace, Jeanne Peterson, Bob Swan, Jerry Zell Members Absent: Tom Goodwin Staff Present: Park Maintenance & Operation Manager John Hennen, Parks & Recreation Director Brett Altergott, Environmental Resources Manager Mac Cafferty, Recording Secretary Patty Ruedy Also in Attendance: City Administrator Steve Mielke, Council Member Colleen LaBeau, Council Member Doug Anderson 2. Approval of December 5, 2012 meeting minutes Minutes were approved as presented. As a follow-up to December’s meeting, Swan reported on Goodwin’s findings on trail access in Murphy-Hanrehan Park; it is closed to pedestrians after Nov. 1 during snowmobiling season when snow is on the ground. 3. Introduction of Brett Altergott, new Lakeville Parks & Recreation Director 4. Citizen comments There were no citizen comments. 5. Lake Marion/South Creek Greenway John Mertens and Kurt Chatfield from the Dakota County Office of Planning and Physical Development are working with a landscaping architectural firm, Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc. on the Lake Marion/South Creek Greenway master planning process. Mr. Chatfield presented a video overview of what a greenway would include, such as 1) habitat 2) recreation 3) water quality and 4) transportation. Mr. Mertens explained the purpose of the greenway master plan and once finalized, how it will provide more access to grant funding such as MET Council acquisition funds, regional park funds, Federal Transportation Enhancement Funds and funds for natural resources and water quality. He also reviewed the potential alignments of the greenway, including options that have yet to be determined. Swan inquired about using the existing C.P. rail line. Chatfield replied that there is guarded optimism on acquiring the C.P. rail line property. Mielke inquired if it is feasible to consider both alignment options. Chatfield replied yes. Council Member Anderson added that it will be important to keep options available. Chatfield replied that they will include cost estimates for each option in the plan. Zell inquired about the timeline. Open houses for the public are scheduled for January 15 and 24. 1,500 landowners adjacent to the proposed trail alignments will be invited to the open houses. The county approval process will take approximately Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Committee Meeting Minutes, January 2, 2013 Page 2 three months and is planned to be completed by September. The county will leave it to individual cities as to how they will formally recognize the plans (i.e. resolution of support). Mertens explained that this 18-mile regional trail will be maintained by Dakota County once completed. The county will consider implementing joint powers agreements for local sections of trail that would be more conveniently maintained by each city if the cities so desire. Council Member LaBeau inquired about who will maintain the trail until it is turned over to the county. Mertens explained that maintenance will be the responsibility of each city until the trail connects fully. 6. Orchard Lake area tax forfeit property/trail connection City staff has been made aware a number of parcels currently owned by the MN Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division on land south of 175th Street and north of Layton Path, south of Orchard Lake. Staff has been in contact with the MN DNR regarding a possible donation or transfer of title to the City of these parcels. There is also a parcel that is currently in the process of going tax forfeit, whereby the City could also acquire this parcel via Dakota County. If the City doesn’t acquire these parcels they would most likely be put up for auction. Staff shared with committee members the idea of constructing a future passive trail through the wooded area which would extend from Layton Path to 175th Street. Swan inquired as to whether the parcels would be developed if the City acquired them. Staff replied that they will remain in a natural state and act as a buffer to the wetland. Motion made by Zell, seconded by Lovelace to recommend City staff move forward with working with the Minnesota DNR and Dakota County to acquire the Orchard Lake parcels south of 175th Street and north of Layton Path. Ayes-Unanimous 7. Staff report Winter recreation leagues started this week (60 teams). There were 18 performances at the Arts Center in December and all were well-attended. All outdoor rink facilities were opened the week between Christmas and New Years’. 8. Other business Hayes inquired about the timeline for the Tree and Shrub Sale. Staff will be preparing for the event to be held in April. 9. Announcements The next Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources meeting is scheduled for Jan. 16. 10. Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patty Ruedy, Recording Secretary