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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-19-14CITY OF LAKEVILLE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES March 19, 2014 Vice Chair Peterson called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. Members Present: Lori Bovitz, Judy Hayes, Scott Kelly, Jeanne Peterson, Bob Swan Members Absent: Tom Goodwin, Howard Lovelace Staff Present: Parks & Recreation Director Brett Altergott, Park Maintenance and Operations Manager John Hennen, Environmental Resources Manager Mac Cafferty, Recreation Supervisor Patty Dexter, Recording Secretary Tamara Wallace 2. Approval of February 19, 2014 minutes Minutes will be approved at next meeting. 3. Citizen comments There were no citizens present. 4. Staff report The Park and Recreation brochures went out last week, and have started arriving at resident’s homes. 5. Enclave preliminary plat Staff reviewed the Enclave preliminary plat, and discussed wetland impacts, tree preservation, and storm water ponding requirements. Motion made by Jeanne Peterson, seconded by Lori Bovitz to recommend to City Council approval of the Enclave preliminary plat, subject to the recommendations as presented by City staff. Ayes: unanimous 6. Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks John Hennen went through the maintenance and repair requirements for the ice rinks, and specifically the extensive work needed at the Highview Heights ice rink. Patty Dexter answered questions regarding the ice rink attendance, as well as the facilities’ uses year round. Brett Altergott reiterated the attendance was positive this year in spite of the challenges with colder weather. There was additional discussion about re-opening some of the rinks that are currently closed, and the maintenance and efforts that would go into that process. The committee requested additional research on both the neighborhood and school demographics surrounding the rinks. Staff will reach out to the school district to find additional data that supports the neighborhoods needs. Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Committee Meeting Minutes, March 19, 2014 Page 2 7. Other Business None. 8. Announcements The committee asked if there were enough volunteers for the upcoming clean-up day. Mac Cafferty explained that additional outreach is being done to get more volunteers. He is also working with other City departments to attend the event and bring awareness to their environmental efforts. Recess at 7:01 p.m. Meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. 9. Parks, Trails, and Open Space – work session in Lake Marion Parks and Recreation Director Brett Altergott stated that at their February 24 work session the City Council discussed their issues and concerns regarding the Parks, Trails and Open Space Plan. Much like the City Council the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee is being asked to provide comments and concerns to assist in development of the plan. Committee Member Hayes stated that a big concern amongst our citizens is sustainability. When we look at our park system long term, we have to evaluate the sustainability of our plan. Altergott added that was also a concern with the City Council. Dan Licht of The Planning Company stated that the current plan was completed in 2006 and in that time many things have changed. The 2012 Parks, Trails and Open Space Plan update was put on hold while the City was going through Envision Lakeville so that information could be incorporated into an updated Parks Plan. Committee Member Peterson added that in a presentation by Mattamy earlier this year is how a project the size and scope of the proposed development and park land is a game changer. Committee Member Hayes stated as we look at the plan, there needs to be more emphasis on community park s because they allow more of an evolution – initially you bring your kids, and ultimately you can bring your grandkids to it over time. The community park makes it more feasible to sustain. I am also concerned about our greenways and keeping those alive. Without that we just become a City of concrete, and our green areas are what make us unique. We need to continue to look at the Met Councils Regional Plan and make sure we are utilizing all the funding mechanisms that are available to us. Committee Member Peterson stated we have talked about the Rosemount Dome, and building something like that into our community. We have residents going to St. Paul, and other places to utilize spaces like this. Families go where their kids are having sports if you are looking at young families. This an example of how we could build upon the amenities offered in our parks. Committee Member Hayes added that facilities have Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Committee Meeting Minutes, March 19, 2014 Page 3 the potential to positively affect the businesses that surround them due to the people from inside and outside the community that use them. Altergott added that there has been research done into the economic impact of parks on surrounding neighborhoods and businesses. Committee Member Swan inquired if there was a better way to present the plan so that it would be easier to understand. Would it be better to present it by districts? Is it too big of a chunk for anyone to embrace all of the past, present and future. Maybe the plan should focus on the areas of where the City Council can see the most change and impact and start there. Mr. Licht stated that was a good point as Committee and Council members change and we need to be able to easily convey the information contained in the Parks Plan. Presenting the plan a bite at a time will make it easier to understand and will also act as a building block for future plans. Mr. Altergott shared his notes from the February 24 City Council Work Session and outlined the comments and concerns expressed by the City Council. He further stated that the Committee and the City Council had similar comments and concerns. Committee Member Bovitz mentioned that when looking at where to locate parks we need to consider physical barriers such as busy roads. We live right across the street from Marion Fields Park, but Dodd is a really busy road and there have been many close calls. We live on the pathway leading to the park but the traffic on Dodd is our barrier. It becomes one of those things where we don’t have a park to go to unless we drive. Altergott added, that when we are identifying park search areas we will identify the type of roads (i.e. arterial, collector, etc.) surrounding the subdivision where the park is being proposed. Committee Members Bovitz and Hayes brought up the trail system, and the multi- purpose use throughout the day. This use includes evenings, where for example at Steve Michaud Park, residents are taking advantage of the well-lit parks and trails, and utilizing these areas to walk their dogs and exercise at night as well. Committee Member Peterson added that through those activities, residents are able to interact and get to know their community better, as the trails allow residents the space and opportunity to talk and develop relationships within their neighborhood. Mr. Altergott and Dan Licht reiterated that the objective of this meeting was to collect ideas on how to improve, clarify and build on the Parks, Trails, and Open Space plan going forward, and to reconstruct the plan based on the Committee’s feedback. After consideration, and further research and request for data, the Committee will be provided a revised draft of the plan to review in advance of the next Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources work session. Meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tamara Wallace, Recording Secretary