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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-04CITY OF LAKEVILLE PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES June 4, 2025 Committee Chair Weberg called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Lake Marion Conference Room. Members Present: Holly Weberg, Steve Henneberry, Pat Sauer, Vicki Schwartz, Renee Brekken, Mark Engler, Saima Ali Members Absent: Shahid Nadeem, Dan Volkosh Staff Present: Parks and Recreation Director Joe Masiarchin, Environmental Resources Manager Mac Cafferty, Environmental Resources Specialist Maria Friedges 1. Approval of May 21, 2025 minutes A motion was made by Henneberry, seconded by Schwartz to approve May 21, 2025 minutes as written. Ayes: unanimous 2. Citizen comments No citizens were present. 3. SWPPP Public Meeting was opened at 6:03 p.m. Environmental Resources Specialist Maria Friedges 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 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) permit. For each best management practice, there are required goals, timelines and education efforts associated with them. The goals include, clean water, public education and outreach, public participation and involvement, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site stormwater runoff control, construction stormwater management and pollution prevention/good housekeeping. Staff facilitates several projects and education/volunteer events throughout the year, part of the public outreach campaign includes the Annual Watershed Cleanup and Earth Day Celebration. Staff also developed other educational programs including videos and educational tips that are shared via social media platforms. In collaboration with the Recreation department, Puppet Wagon, Ritter Farm Park After Dark and Nature Detectives programming are some of the other environmental programs available. • How do the stormwater grates get serviced and cleared from debris? The Streets Department is responsible for clearing the grates from debris and litter. Some of the designs have skimmers included that reduce the need for larger grates and frequent maintenance. Stormwater grates are essential for reducing debris from flowing into the stormwater system and also prevent pedestrian access. • What is the city’s policy for topsoil replacement in new developments? The topsoil must be replaced once removed and is left up to the developers to replace the topsoil at a 4–6- inch depth. This is an ongoing discussion for staff and is recognized as a concern for residents and developers. There were no citizens present and the SWPPP Public Meeting was closed at 6:14 p.m. Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources committee Meeting Minutes, June 4, 2025 Page | 2 Blue Water Science Presentation with Steve McComas McComas has worked with the city and Environmental Resources department for a number of years on water quality management, invasive species management and other projects. He provided an overview on the different mitigation efforts that have taken place over the years to improve and maintain the water quality of the city’s lakes. 4. Draft Electric Bike Policy Staff presented a draft policy for the usage of e-bikes on city paths and sidewalks. Under the current ordinance, e-bikes are not allowed on paths and sidewalks but with their growing popularity and feedback from residents, staff recognizes the need for an update to the original ordinance. Committee Discussion: • Public education is a key component to implementing this type of policy, partnering with the PD and other associations to educate riders was recommended. • Committee members recommended reducing the proposed speed limit, adding guidance around passing/sharing the trail with pedestrians. A slower speed limit could be posted on more heavily trafficked trails; these don’t currently exist at all and would be a new feature with the rollout of the proposed ordinance. • Stressed the need for a consistent policy between regular bikes and e-bikes, the speed limit would be applicable to pedal bikes as well as e-bikes. • Explore other speed mitigation, barriers, natural barriers, etc. to reduce speed on heavily utilized trails. 5. Lake Marion Greenway Alignment Review Staff presented the most recent Lake Marion Greenway Trail alignment through Ritter Farm Park. This alignment would extend the pavement past the frontage road bridge and require additional widening of the entrance from the bridge to the park. The existing bridge is not wide enough to accommodate the addition of a designated bike lane and riders will be sharing the road with cars over the bridge. This would create a sharp, right turn that will require traffic control, the greenway way will then traverse through the meadow linking up with the woods. A tree survey has been completed and the impact to the trees within a 100-foot radius is being determined. The proposed trail would be a 10-foot trail with 2-foot maintenance easement on either side. The existing trail will be repurposed as part of the greenway and some changes to the equestrian trail alignment will need to occur. A potential equestrian realignment could include a portion of the existing trail running to the silo and gravel parking lot. The trail segments surrounding the silo could also be shifted to repurpose a portion of the parking lot into the trail system and reduce wetland impacts in this area. A small portion of the parking lot has also been identified as a spot for a new shelter with modern unisex restrooms, this would serve as the trailhead for the Lake Marion Greenway in Ritter. The northwest exit out of the park to 185th Street West depends on the purchase of additional easement and/or property acquisition. The details of this have not been worked through but have been assessed, it would have been staff’s preference to complete this portion as part of the greenway development. Staff encouraged the committee to attend the June 10 open house to share their opinions on the project. 6. Staff Report Consultant interviews for the 2026-2036 Parks System Master Plan are currently in progress. Staff along with selected committee members have reviewed the proposals and provided feedback on each. Three concepts have been received for the East Community Park Phase II project. Staff will review and then share with the committee at a future meeting. Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources committee Meeting Minutes, June 4, 2025 Page | 3 7. Other Business Staff will send a few different date options for a park tour so that more committee members can attend. 8. Adjourn Meeting 7:46 p.m.