HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRNRC Minutes 01-17-18 DRAFT
CITY OF LAKEVILLE
PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
January 17, 2018
Chairman Swan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Lake Marion Conference Room.
Members Present: Bob Swan, Jeanne Peterson, Jim Storms, Holly Weberg, Lori Bovitz
Members Absent: Tom Goodwin, Judy Hayes (6:25)
Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director John Hennen, City Forester Emily Ball, Hannah
Tuomi Assistant to the City Forester (MN Green Corps), Recording Secretary Stella Eskelson
1. Approval of December 20, 2017 minutes
Minutes approved as written.
2. Citizen comments
No citizens present.
3. Park Tree Inventory Results:
The City Forester Emily Ball attended the meeting and shared an overview of a major tree
inventory project that she has been working on with the support of the City’s Minnesota
GreenCorps member, Hannah Tuomi. She shared details on what trees are being inventoried,
the data is being collected and why it is important for this project to be completed. Using the
Tree Plotter application that interfaces with the City’s GIS software, Staff members can add and
remove trees to the City inventory, assess maintenance needs and monitor infestations such
as Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Trees that are currently being added to the inventory are in City
right of ways, parks, mowed and maintained public property areas and on facility properties.
The City’s wooded areas have so far not been inventoried. An inventory of the wooded areas
and a Natural Resources Management Plan could possibly be completed at a future date in
cooperation with the Environmental Resources Department.
4. Emerald Ash Borer Update:
Ball then shared a presentation on EAB, what it is, how to identify it and its impact on the tree
population. At this time, EAB has not been a major concern in the developing areas of Dakota
County but there have been infested trees located within Lakeville and other cities in Dakota
County. Staff is in progress of developing an Emerald Ash Management Plan that will be
presented to City Council on how best to contain the infestation. Currently, the ash population
does not make up an overwhelming portion of the City’s tree population at 2,538 ash trees
that are City owned. At this time, Staff does not have the ability to inspect trees on private
property nor the authority to have infested trees removed but is certainly available to inspect
trees and advise on a solution if a homeowner wishes to request such assistance. Ball also
provided information on identification of Japanese beetles and treatment options, this is
another invasive species that has impacts to green spaces and the tree population.
Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Committee Meeting Minutes, January 17, 2018 Page 2
6. Adaptive Programs Update:
Recreation Coordinator Kacie Robinson provided a memo detailing research that she had
completed on Adaptive Program options in the area. Staff has developed an Inclusion Policy
and assessment for parents of differently abled children to complete. The assessment will
assist Recreation Staff in supporting the needs of the children and ensure that appropriate
resources will be provided for a recreation program when needed. In response to feedback
from the Committee regarding availability of this information, Staff will work to ensure that
advertisement of this policy is clear and accessible to those who would benefit from it.
7. Staff Report:
Bids were opened up for the Aronson Park Building Upgrade project in early January, fifteen
bids were received for the project, KA Witt Construction came in with the low bid. Staff has
worked with this contractor in the past on another park project. The anticipated completion
of the building upgrades is June 2018.
King Park Lighting Project Phase II also went out for bid with Laketown Electric coming in
under budget, there were a total of five bids for this project. The lighting project will not be
fully completed for the upcoming season.
Staff will be attending the Activities & Sports Festival being organized by Community
Education. The event is an opportunity for Parks and Recreation as well as sports associations
and other organizations to showcase the programming that they have to offer.
The public fishing pier at Valley Lake Park is slated for replacement this year, the pier will be
purchased by the Minnesota DNR. City Staff will then be responsible for installation and
maintenance of the pier.
Ritter Fest is this weekend, Saturday the 21st at Ritter Farm Park from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. This event
will have snowmobile rides, sleigh rides, snowshoeing and more – Staff is still in need of
volunteers for various stations.
8. Other Business:
Committee Member Storms shared progress that has been made on the NRPA Database
project. After touching base with contacts from NRPA, they are willing to contact surrounding
Parks and Recreation Departments to encourage them to enter their data as well. This will
make it possible for Lakeville Parks and Recreation Staff to compare programming and
demographics.
9. Announcements:
None.
10. Adjourn:
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stella Eskelson, Recording Secretary