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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-21-15 CITY OF LAKEVILLE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES October 21, 2015 Chair Swan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Lake Marion Conference Room at City Hall. Members Present: Tom Goodwin, Judy Hayes, Scott Kelly, Howard Lovelace, Jeanne Peterson, Bob Swan Members Absent: Lori Bovitz Staff Present: Interim Parks & Recreation Director John Hennen, Environmental Resources Manager Mac Cafferty, Recording Secretary Tamara Wallace 2. Approval of September 23 minutes Minutes were approved as written 3. Citizen comments None 4. Staff Report At the October 26 City Council Work Session, staff will present the Land of Amazement (LOA) fundraising plan to the Council for their approval, complete with a brochure, 3D image of the playground, a video, and other marketing materials. Staff applied for and preliminarily received a grant that would save $36,531 on the total project. However as per the requirements of the grant, the City has to provide the playground manufacturer, GameTime, with a check in the amount of $220,917.76 no later than November 13 for the purchase of the main playground structure. If the Council approves this grant, there will be an estimated fundraising goal of $221,627 remaining after the grant, rotary monies donated, and the encumbered balance. The construction of the LOA would ultimately be a community build construction project, hopefully taking place in August of 2016. Jeanne Peterson added that a sign at the LOA site would be helpful so residents and visitors are aware of the impending fundraising and construction goals for the playground. The Parks and Recreation staff continued the second week of training at Logis’ office in Golden Valley, for the new software system, RecTrac, which will roll out later this year. The Lakeville Art Festival held the weekend of September 19 and 20, was very successful with great attendance, weather, and numbers for vendors. The 24th Annual Haunted Forest Event will be held at Steve Michaud Park this Saturday, October 24 from 5:30pm – 8:00pm. Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Committee Meeting Minutes, October 21, 2015 Page 2 5. Discuss Off Road Biking Proposal A group of Lakeville residents presented a proposal requesting the City establish a designated area for off road bike riding in Lakeville. Included in this proposal was the possibility of establishing the off road biking area at West Lake Marion Park which is South of Casperson Park, and approximately 20 acres in size. The group detailed the growth of the sport spanning from those who seek to off road bike recreationally, and mentioned the combined high school team (Lakeville North & South) has 18 participants. The committee asked several questions including how the group plan ned to fund the trail creation and whether there was a difference in the trails needed f or recreational vs. team use. Ultimately the group’s plan is to first designate the trails on site, next to seek donations and grants to fund the site, and finally to utilize volunteers to build and maintain the trails, as well as keep the area clean. The group clarified there is no difference between the trails needed for recreational or team use. Motion made by Judy Hayes, seconded by Jeanne Peterson to recommend to City Council approval to work with the group on a plan to begin off -road biking at West Lake Marion park. Motion made by Judy Hayes, seconded by Tom Goodwin to rescind the previous motion. Ayes: unanimous Committee members rescinded the previous motion and instead provided direction to staff to work with the group of residents to research more information on the trail requirements, extent of the work, cost, maintenance, etc. 6. Review Notes & Comments from the Northeast and North Central Park Tours As part of the 2015 Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Committee (PRNRC) work plan, the committee began a tour of the parks system to ultimately identify destination parks and their amenities, and to establish guidelines for future park development and re-development. The park tours were divided into regions within the City which included the Northeast, North Central, Northwest, and Southern portions of the City. Beginning with the Northeast and North Central parks, the committee will discuss the notes and comments from each park, and brainstorm on ideas and key points on the park’s use or amenities that could be added, removed, or relocated to improve the overall quality of the park. The parks discussed at this meeting included East Community, Fieldstone, Independence, Dodd Pointe, Valle y Lake, and Sleepy Hollow parks. Discussion will continue at the November 4 PRNRC meeting. Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Committee Meeting Minutes, October 21, 2015 Page 3 7. Other Business None 8. Announcements None 9. Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Tamara Wallace, Recording Secretary