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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-19 CITY OF LAKEVILLE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES February 19, 2025 Committee Chair Weberg called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Members Present: Holly Weberg, Daniel Volkosh, Steven Henneberry, Shahid Nadeem, Lindsay Haneman, Monica Joubert Members Absent: Erin Young, Surya Ganesan (alternate) Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director Joe Masiarchin, Recreation Manager Susan Johnson, Dakota County Principal Planner Lil Leatham 1. Approval of February 6, 2025 minutes A motion was made by Joubert, seconded by Volkosh to approve February 6, 2025 minutes as written. Ayes: unanimous 2. Citizen comments See below. 3. Dakota County Parks, Greenways & Natural Systems 2050 Vision Plan Representatives from Dakota County attended the meeting including Dakota County Principal Planner Lil Leatham, County Commissioner Mary Liz Holberg, Greenway Manager Tony Wotzka and Dakota County Planning Commission member Jim Guttmann. Leatham provided an overview of the 2025 Vision Plan that began in the spring of 2024 with community engagement and gathering feedback to develop a draft plan. This was followed by a public review period during which members of the public could provide feedback on the vision. Dakota County programs five miles of design each year with the intention to construct two to three miles each year. Once completed, the project would connect potentially 200 miles of trails and greenways to local landmarks and regional destinations. The current 2030 plan that was completed in 2008 includes numerous existing parks, trails and open and serves as the foundation for the 2050 vision. Components of the vision include rebuilding sections of existing trails, for example, trails along Lake Marion are due for reconstruction in 2026. In some for instances, new trails segments will be constructed. Opportunities to expand local trails in tandem with Dakota County is an ongoing effort. Holberg encouraged the committee to be proactive in pursuing funding from Dakota County, expressed that the city depends substantially on city tax dollars and could benefit from county investment. Additional funding streams would benefit the already extensive trail system in Lakeville and provide active transportation infrastructure. Committee Member Volkosh – Would there be a property acquisition involved in the vision or is the easement already owned. Dakota county is still open to options either purchasing or reusing existing land, these discussions would progress as the plan is finalized. Leatham highlighted that the plan includes long term goals and that the county is dedicated to taking care of existing trails and finishing current commitments in addition to constructing new trails. Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources committee Meeting Minutes, February 19, 2025 Page | 2 Peter Thelen | 12119 Lucerne Trail, Lakeville Recommended Including the equestrian groups in the trail planning system and expanding equestrian access to the local and regional trail system. Jim Guttmann | 9282 178th St. W., Lakeville Provided more insight into what committee participation with the county and pursuing county funding could look like. 4. Recreation Program Review and Participant Survey Results Recreation Manager Susan Johnson provided an overview of current program enrollment numbers and year over year comparisons. 2022 saw record numbers for a variety of programs, as activities returned to normal, some decline in participation numbers was anticipated. Staff chose to reduce some offerings to have filled to capacity registration instead of numerous small group sizes. While staff reduced the number of pickleball tournaments offered, lessons and leagues continue to be successful and are continuing to expand. New programs including Puzzle Palooza and nature programs have been doing consistently well. Johnson also shared participant feedback from surveys that staff has been sending following programs. Overall, the feedback has been favorable, and staff will use the comments to make program adjustments where feasible. Committee Member Weberg – Could cost be a factor in the reduction of offerings? Staff didn’t think so, we are right in the middle with other communities and participants have not expressed concerns with program fees. Has there been consideration for expanded gap care? Not currently for recreation programs, it is offered in collaboration with Community Education for combo camps but there have not been opportunities outside of that. Motion was made by Henneberry, seconded by Joubert to adjourn the February 19, 2025 meeting. Ayes: unanimous 6. Adjourn Meeting 7:25 p.m.