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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRNRC Minutes 03-07-18 CITY OF LAKEVILLE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES March 7, 2018 Vice Chair Peterson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Lake Marion Conference Room. Members Present: Jim Storms, Holly Weberg, Lori Bovitz, Patty Zuzek, Judy Hayes Members Absent: Tom Goodwin, Bob Swan Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director John Hennen, Environmental Resources Manager Mac Cafferty, Recording Secretary Stella Eskelson 1. Approval of February 7, 2018 minutes Minutes approved as written. 2. Citizen comments Dave Bachmeier, 16598 Dynamic Drive, Lakeville MN, 55044 was in attendance as a representative for the Spirit of Brandtjen Farm Homeowners Association and asked a few questions regarding the Goose Management Plan as noted in Item #4 on the agenda. 3. Staff Report: Park Maintenance has posted openings for seasonal summer employees, applicants must be 18+ to apply. Jan LeVasseur will be retiring from the Park Maintenance Administrative Assistant role in April after 30 years of working for the City, the position has been posted online. The King Park Lighting project is progressing on schedule, the contractor has been able to install 4-5 poles each day. Power will be connected once the weather is warmer and dryer with plans to complete the project by mid-June. The Legacy Park bid opening has been set for March 22. An upcoming Indoor Athletic Facility Task Force meeting is scheduled for March 15, Staff will be presenting a Pro-Forma analysis detailing the construction and operation costs required to manage a dome facility. The Pro-Forma analysis will then be presented to City Council at the March 26 Work Session. City Council interviewed and appointed existing and new PRNRC members. Committee Members Weberg and Zuzek were both appointed to 3-year terms. Tony Wotzka will be joining the Committee in April as an alternate. After 12 years of service, Committee Member Hayes will be stepping out of the role. Staff thanks her for energy, dedication and many contributions during her time on the Committee. 4. Goose Management Plan: Environmental Resources Manager Mac Cafferty presented the 2018 City of Lakeville Canada Goose Management Plan. The plan was developed to meet the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requirements. The management plans must be in place prior to implementing any management measures. The plan provides estimates on goose populations, details management concerns and recommends targeted management practices. The plan includes four potential management areas: Lake Marion, Orchard/Kingsley Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Committee Meeting Minutes, March 7, 2018 Page 2 Lake, Valley Lake and East Lake. The proposed plan focuses on beaches that have experienced closure because of public health concerns (Antlers Park, Orchard Lake and Valley Lake). Potential management activities include; shoreline management, redistribution, excrement removal, trapping and removal and nest search management. While it is difficult to determine the population of migratory birds, a field assessment was completed in 2017 through the observation of a variety locations throughout the city. Cafferty shared that Staff has taken a number of steps in the past to manage this population including; redistribution, removal and decoys and other types of deterrents. Cafferty shared that factors such as scarcity of predators, reduction in hunting activity and close-cut grass make park spaces ideal locations for geese to congregate. Having reviewed the 2018 Goose Management Plan, citizen Dave Bachmeier came prepared with a few questions: Do landscaping changes such as longer grass prevent geese from congregating? Staff responded that yes, tall grass is helpful as a natural deterrent. Would landscaping changes require approval from the DNR? Staff responded that no, approval was not needed to make landscaping changes. Is the scope of the goose management plan restricted to park areas? Staff responded that yes, at this time only City owned land was part of the report, but City Staff could provide guidance for the association on developing a plan of their own. Could the association explore working with a contractor to manage the goose population independent from the City’s management plan? Yes. Committee Member Peterson asked what the conclusion of the proposed plan was. Cafferty stated that providing a plan to the DNR is the first step in the management process and must be approved prior to implementing any population control measures. The plan can be utilized for multiple years once approved. Committee Member Weberg wanted to know if there were any adverse impacts to other wildlife in the park as a result of the management activities mentioned. Staff stated that other wildlife would not be impacted. Weberg also inquired about the availability of chemical/biological control. Staff responded that while there are products on the market, at this time they have not been found to be as effective as other management practices. Committee Member Zuzek asked if there were any efforts by the City or DNR to encourage hunters to partake in a Metro Hunt in an effort to reduce the goose population. Staff stated that with development over the last 10-15 years the areas in Lakeville that are suitable for hunting have diminished. Committee Member Storms inquired as to whether the management activities were contracted or completed by City Staff. Cafferty shared that some measures may be contracted while others are managed in-house. Motion made by Judy Hayes, seconded by Patty Zuzek to recommend approval of the 2018 City of Lakeville Canada Goose Management Plan for implementation beginning Spring of 2018. Ayes: Unanimous Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Committee Meeting Minutes, March 7, 2018 Page 3 Motion passed 5. Other Business: Parks and Recreation Director John Hennen briefly touched on the responsibility of the PRNRC and their role as an advisory committee. The purpose of the PRNRC is to advise on matters concerning natural and environmental resources including items such as; wetlands, woodlands, water (surface and ground), wildlife, land and land forms along with reviewing development plans to make sure they are in compliance with the Parks, Trails and Open Space Plan. This information was reviewed in an effort to assist Committee Members with review of future plats. 6. Announcements: The Arts Center is hosting the Famous Armadillos who will be performing a stadium rock concert on March 9 and 10. Parks and Recreation Staff will be attending the Lakeville Landscape and Home/Consumer Showcase Expo on March 10. The event runs from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Staff will be providing information on programs, events and classes that the department offers. The 2018 Advisory Appreciation Dinner is on March 14 at the Arts Center. 7. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Stella Eskelson, Recording Secretary