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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRNRC Minutes 05-08 DRAFT CITY OF LAKEVILLE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES May 8, 2019 Committee Chair Swan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Lake Marion Conference Room. Members Present: Bob Swan, Jeanne Peterson, Patty Zuzek, Lindsay Haneman, Nick Thompson, Jim Storms, Members Absent: Holly Weberg, Alternate Tom Goodwin Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director John Hennen, Environmental Resources Manager Mac Cafferty, Public Works & Facilities Coordinator Neil Normandin, Recording Secretary Stella Eskelson 1. Approval of April 17, 2019 minutes Minutes approved as written. 2. Citizen comments No citizens present. 3. GreenStep Cities Program Neil Normandin, Public Works & Facilities Coordinator attended the meeting to provide an update on the City’s participation in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program, an estimated 130 cities participate currently. This is a voluntary recognition program similar to Tree City USA that is facilitated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The program is designed to help cities achieve sustainability and quality of life goals. There are 29 best practices and each City is required to implement a series of these best practices before graduating to the next level of recognition. While there are some up front costs to the City, there is a 20-year return on investment and the funds spent would be recouped. The intention of the program is not designed to create cost but reduce operating expenditures over time. To date, the City has so far implemented four best practices and is looking to complete four more to achieve Step 3 status. A few of the programs that have already been implemented include; HOA irrigation audits, native planting ordinances, required tree replacement and inventory, maps/signage installation in City parks, hosting a Farmers’ Market, improving the walkability/bike access on City streets and retro-fitting no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings. All the best practices require tracking and a record of improvement over time, Staff is currently working to complete these items and hope to achieve Step 3 in 2020. Committee Member Zuzek: Does the City currently buy into any solar farming or wind energy to offset resource usage? The City does currently invest in some solar farming. Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Committee Meeting Minutes, May 8, 2019 Page 2 Committee Member Storms: How is this committee a liaison to the program? Staff: The committee would be leveraged for community outreach initiatives and to prompt community participation. Chairman Swan: What type of recognition does the City receive for completing the program? Staff: Recognition is similar to Tree City USA; signage and display plaque. Committee Member Zuzek: Are there any City programs that incentivize home builders/owners to build efficient homes? Staff: Not currently but there are builders in the area that offer efficient products as part of their models. 4. Pinnacle Reserve at Avonlea Preliminary Plat This plat consists of 268 family lots on the 139 remaining acres that are part of the Avonlea Development. The proposed development would be located east of Highview Avenue and north of the future 185th Street. The plat includes approximately 40 acres dedicated to being preserved as wetlands, buffers and stormwater ponding. Trail connections will be constructed along both sides of 185th Street, the east side of Highview Avenue and the east side of Hamburg Avenue. As part of the plat 5.92 acres will be dedicated as a park, the remainder of their dedication requirements will be cash contribution. The Tree Preservation Plan identifies 2,142 trees on-site, 1,667 of which are to be preserved. Motion made by Nick Thompson, seconded by Patty Zuzek to recommend to City Council approval of the Pinnacle Reserve at Avonlea Preliminary Plat subject to the recommendations as presented by City staff. Ayes: unanimous 5. Staff Report: Cherryview and Dodd Pointe Park playground replacement concepts were shared with residents via NextDoor and Staff shared the results with the committee. Park Maintenance 6-months seasonal employees have started, Staff is still seeking applicants for 6-month mower candidates. An estimated 1,400 volunteers turned out for Watershed Cleanup Day and Earth Day Celebration also at the Central Maintenance. The Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day Event was a busy event with 980 cars coming through to drop off waste for proper disposal at the Central Maintenance Facility. 6. Other Business Committee Member Storms revisited the status of the MRPA Metrics that were collected in the last year. He would like to see the comparative data presented to City Council in some form before the numbers are too outdated. Initially, the committee had recommended that the data be used to support a bond referendum advocacy group but Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Committee Meeting Minutes, May 8, 2019 Page 3 since this is not being pursued at this time, other ways to share the data should be explored. Various committee members were in agreeance that the data should be presented in a timely manner. Staff will share the committee’s desire to present the metrics to City Council and get further direction on how best to do so. 7. Announcements Next meeting would be set for May 22. 8. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Stella Eskelson, Recording Secretary