HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRNRC Minutes 4-15 DRAFTCITY OF LAKEVILLE
PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
April 15, 2020
Committee Chair Swan called the virtual meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Members Present: Lindsay Haneman, Nick Thompson, Holly Weberg, Jim Storms, Patty
Zuzek, Bob Swan, Steve Henneberry, Monica Joubert
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director John Hennen, Environmental Resources
Manager Mac Cafferty, Environmental Resource Specialist Ann Messerschmidt, Recording
Secretary Stella Eskelson
1. Approval of February 19, 2020 minutes
Minutes approved as written.
2. Citizen comments
No citizen comments.
3. Storm Water Pollution Prevent Program (SWPPP) Public Meeting and Annual
Environmental Resources Update
Public Meeting Opened at 6:05 p.m.
Environmental Resources Specialist Ann Messerschmidt gave a presentation on the
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), a list of best management practices
implemented to protect the health of the water system and outlined the minimum control
measurements required for the City to meet the MPCA permit. For each best
management practice, there are required goals, timelines and education efforts
associated with them. The SWPPP is executed through projects, lake management,
outreach and education, and inspections and maintenance.
Messerschmidt then presented the 2019 Environmental Resources Annual Report. The
report includes several fact sheets highlighting staff’s involvement with numerous
projects and education/volunteer activities this past year. Projects included, continuation
of the Urban Water Conservation Program, South Creek Restoration at Hamburg Avenue,
South Creek Hydrodynamic Separator and Woodland Management at East Community
Park. Staff also participated in several education and outreach programs, North Trail
Elementary Science Fair, Imagine a Day Without Water, Landscaping for Clean Water,
Watershed Cleanup and Earth Day Celebration. Messerschmidt also shared that staff is
working on developing online resources as an alternative to this year’s cancelled
Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Committee Meeting Minutes, April 15, 2020 Page 2
Watershed Cleanup Day. Groups who would still like to collect litter can contact
Environmental Resources staff for supplies to do so.
There were no citizens present and the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program Public
Meeting was closed at 6:23 p.m.
4. Staff Report
Staff is working with Engineering on the completion of the Aronson Park Improvement
Project, there are a few items that need completed this year.
The Orchard Lake Park Improvement Project will be going out for bid next week. Parking
lot and boat launch reconstruction are some of the proposed improvements.
Repairs to the exterior of the Arts Center including, tuckpointing, cement and masonry
work are underway.
Park signage to educate and enforce social distancing has been designed and ordered.
Staff will be installing the signage at heavily trafficked trails and park areas. Temporary
signage has already been posted along with barricades at all playground sites. A decision
on if and when the City beaches can open is still being discussed.
As a result of COVID-19, all Recreation programming has been cancelled through the end
of May. Some programs have shifted to virtual delivery while others have been postponed
to later in the year. The Arts Center has also cancelled shows through mid-June, larger
gatherings such as the Taste of Lakeville have been postponed to the fall. The Heritage
Center remains closed as well, staff is sending weekly email updates to members.
5. Park Bond Referendum Discussion
City Council was presented with the results of the recently completed citizen survey
regarding the favorability of a park bond referendum. Roughly 400 registered voters were
canvased, the results indicated that a tax increase of between $50-75 garnered the most
support. In comparison to the 2018 survey, the responses had not changed significantly.
Due to the state of current events, further discussion on a park bond referendum and
whether to move forward with an August 11 election date was postponed to the April 27
Work Session. Staff opened the discussion for committee member feedback:
• Would another survey need to be completed if the bond referendum was postponed
to 2021? Staff: Yes, the time lapse would be similar to the first and second surveys and
would need to be updated.
• How much do the surveys cost? Staff: Approximately $25,000.
Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Committee Meeting Minutes, April 15, 2020 Page 3
• Are there recession models available that could provide a reference point of what a
bond referendum during an economic downturn could look like? Staff: Did not think
that the consultant would have this available.
• What date would a 2021 election fall on? Staff: There are five special election dates,
starting in February. There is a 70-day notification period for adding an item to the
ballot.
It is the consensus of the committee that it would be best to postpone the park bond
referendum to a later date. The time delay could be used to gather momentum and support
for a vote at a later date. The committee will revisit the discussion at one of their August
meetings and determine how best to move forward.
Motion made by Storms, seconded by Thompson to recommend to City Council
postponing the August 11th park bond referendum. The committee will review the topic in
August to determine how best to move forward with this item given the unknown impact of
current events.
Ayes: unanimous
6. Other Business
New committee members Steve Henneberry and Monica Joubert were introduced, each
committee member shared a little about themselves and their experience on the
committee.
Committee Member Swan shared that he is stepping down as chairman of the committee
and will be filling the alternate role moving forward. New officer election will take place
at the May 6 meeting.
7. Announcements
The next committee meeting is scheduled for May 6.
8. Adjourn:
Meeting adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stella Eskelson, Recording Secretary