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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-07• PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE Minutes for meeting on: January 7, 2009 ITEM 1 Call to order The meeting was called to order in the Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m. ITEM 2 Roll call All Committee members were present: P. Messinger, T. Goodwin, J. Hayes, K. Miller, S. Kelly, J. Peterson,. and H. Lovelace. Also present were Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud, Environmental Resources Manager Mac Lafferty, and Recording Secretary T J. Ruter. ITEM 3 Approval of December 3, 2008 meeting minutes The minutes of the December 3, 2008 Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee meeting were presented. They were approved as written. ITEM 4 Citizen comments There were no citizens present at the meeting. ITEM 5 Staff reports and summary of current projects Steve Michaud gave the administrative update. He reported that staff held its annual field scheduling meeting on Tuesday. The Valley Athletic Association is applying some pressure to secure fields in Lakeville • because of the participation of Lakeville youth in their programs. Lakeville youth have travelled across borders to play sports fox many years. This request has prompted staff to gather additional data regarding the breakdown and percentages of Lakeville youth playing in other communities. Additionally, Steve noted that it is likely a matter of time when Lakeville fields will be scheduled seven days per week. So far, the City has. been able to hold off scheduling fields on weekends. He also explained the priority system fox rentals to private teams (Bangu for example) and/or college teams. There may be a future need to change the system or stop accommodating the requests if scheduling conflicts occur with the major youth sports associations. Judy Hayes added that the addition of lacrosse programs in communities is also impacting field usage because the sport has field requirements as well. Steve Michaud reported that there is a budget meeting on Monday with department directors regarding additional City budget cuts for 2009. He will continue to keep committee members informed as information becomes available. Steve also announced the retirement of John Hoger, Parks Superintendent, after 35 years of service to the City. He expressed how John has been atop-notch, dedicated, veteran employee and that his position is a key managementrole. Despite the budget issues, Steve is hopeful that staff will be able to rehire for his position. Steve also gave an update on some upcoming Rotary service projects in conjunction with the City. The Rotary contributed a matching grant along with the City to then match the contribution from Tradition Development to reforest part of East Community Park. They will also be working on a project to purchase and install directional signage on Lakeville trails from Casperson Park to Downtown Lakeville. He commented that he and T J. Ruter are currently working on a snowmobile capital improvement grant. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recently mailed a solicitation letter for projects, so staff thought it would be good to take advantage of the opportunity. Steve explained his improvement concept. Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee Page 2 January ~, 2009 • Steve Michaud further reported on the department's work with the Lakeville Police Department regarding the City's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). Parks and Recreation would assist in managing the volunteers'in the event of a major disaster or emergency. Staff has recently contacted local churches to have them play a role in the EOP. Also, the City will be modifying its joint powers agreements with the school districts to have them also be a part of the EOP. The group then discussed the very recent example of the Burnsville apartment fire. Steve briefly commented on the status of the Miracle Field and the recent donations it received. The organizer and the Lakeville Baseball Association would like to begin the project this spring. Chair Miller inquired if the LBA has thought about increasing its fees slightly to help support the construction of the field. Steve said he would pass that idea along to the project's leadership. Steve Michaud then expressed staff's interest in completing some major projects in 2009. Specifically, the group discussed Fieldcrest Park and the irrigation system at North Park. Chair Miller asked when the budget would be approved. Steve explained that staff is already operating with an approved budget; the cuts. are retroactive because of the State's recent announcement of budget cuts, including funding to municipalities. The above projects will be funded from the park dedication fund. Finally, Steve asked committee members to consider attending the Liverpool Legends concert on January 31. Jeanne Peterson commented that she has seen the group before and has really enjoyed the concert. ITEM 6 Timbercrest at Lakeville 5`" Addition preliminary and final plat Mac Cafferry presented the details of the plat. It consists of a little over nine acres with mostly wetlands that will be given to the City. He discussed the dedicated trailway easement which will be part of the greenway corridor in that area. Mac also spoke about the tree removals for grading purposes and the-2:1 replacement ratio fox any trees located outside Lot 1 that are damaged or removed during the construction. Steve Michaud commented on Exhibit M and discussed additional details, future trails, and the greenway corridor. Tom Goodwin inquired about Outlot B and whether it was dedicated to the City. Mac replied that Outlot B along with Outlot D will be retained by the developer; Outlot D may have some buildable land. Steve explained that the park dedication fee was calculated using the commercial rate. (09.01) Motion made by Messinger and seconded by Goodwin to recommend City Council consider approval of TimberCrest at Lakeville 5`" Addition. The City's Parks, Trails, and Open Space Plan District #2 does not designate any park area within this project area. The City's Parks, Trails, and Open Space Plan identifies a future regional trail corridor along the east plat boundary. Although no specific route has been defined, the corridor is intended to be integrated with other local and regional trail systems to provide a connection with adjacent communities. In conjunction with the TimberCrest at Lakeville 5`" Addition plat, DEA is establishing and granting to the City a permanent 30-foot wide trail easement adjacent to the east property line of Lot 1, as shown on the preluninary plat. The plat will be required to pay a cash fee to satisfy the park dedication ordinance. Using the commercial park dedication fee rate, the park dedication fee is calculated as follows: 9.31 acres (gross area of • TimberCrest at Lakeville 5`" Addition) minus 5.08 acres (gross area of oudots A-E) multiplied by $7,693/acre (current park dedication fee rate) equals $32,541.39. Finally, the developer is required to follow any other recommendation outlined in the Planning and Engineering reports as they pertain to this plat. The developer is also required to follow the natural Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee Page 3 January 7, 2009 • resources requirement detailed in the Planning and Engineering reports associated with tree preservation, grading, drainage, and erosion control and further recommendations by the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District, if applicable. 7-Ayes 0-Nays Motion passed. ITEM 7 2009 Tree Sale Program Steve Michaud provided a brief summary to committee members. Recreation department staff thought it would be a good idea to combine smaller events with other larger, successful events, so the Arbor Day observance will be held in conjunction with the sale. Chair Miller summarized the 2009 estimated costs and the suggestion from the last park meeting with regard to committee members volunteering their time at the event to reduce the need for full-time City employees. He then asked Steve Michaud about the proceeds of the sale and whether or not they would go into a parks or recreation fund. Steve Michaud replied that staff continues to work with administration and finance to allow the use of special fundraising activity revenues to be reinvested back into certain programs dependent on sponsorships. The committee members expressed their interest and support in having the proceeds of the tree sale go back into the parks and recreation budget to enhance existing recreation programs, family-oriented events, or other recreational services for the community. Staff hopes to come to an agreement with administration and finance in the near future. Finally, Chair Miller inquired if the City is protected like last year's event and can return trees that are not • sold. Steve Michaud replied that the same format applies this year. The trees will be pre-ordered, so any trees that are not sold can be returned to the nursery. (09.02) Motion by Goodwin and seconded by Hayes to recommend City Council consider approval of an April 25, 2009 Arbor Day observance and authorize staff to conduct the second annual community tree sale as part of Lakeville's annual Arbor Day celebration. 7-Ayes 0-Nays Motion passed. ITEM 8 Unfinished business Mac Lafferty presented the Environmental Resources Department's fourth quarter update and summarized the status of various projects, including the 205t" Channel Stabilization project, Market Plaza/Downtown project, and the zoning enforcement at the Southwest Industrial Area. He also commented on the upcoming Blue Thumb workshops and the successful outcome from last year in which seven rain gardens and three shoreline restoration projects were completed. Finally, Mac announced that the department had received the Outstanding Conservationist Award from Dakota County SWCD at a convention on December 9; it is rare for a municipality to receive the award, so it was a huge honor. Mac thanked the committee members for their support in achieving this honor. Chair Miller along with the rest of the committee members congratulated Mac as well as his staff for this accomplishment; he asked that Mac communicate the kudos to his staff. • ITEM 9 New business Steve Michaud announced that committee members Messinger and Hayes had been reappointed to the committee. Jeanne Peterson was appointed to fill the rest of Roger Walia's term as a full-time member of the. committee. Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Conunittee Page 4 January 7, 2009 • Additionally, Steve announced that the committee members needed to elect the 2009 officers. He said that Kevin Miller contacted the office to express his interest to remain as Chair of the committee. Pat Messinger added that Kevin has done a great job in the role and. would support lus decision to continue in it. There was a brief discussion about the roles for Vice-Chair and Secretary. (09.03) Motion by Messinger and seconded by Peterson to nominate Kevin Miller as Chair, Tom Goodwin as Vice-Chair, and Judy Hayes as Secretary of the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Committee for 2009 and (09.04) Motion to approve the nominations of the 2009 officers as presented. 7-Ayes 0-Nays Motion passed. ITEM 10 Announcements The next meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee is scheduled for January 21, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall (Council Chambers). Steve Michaud suggested that meeting will be held in 2009 regardless of planning items; if staff can put together a packet or there are pressing issues to discuss, staff will plan to have the meetings. Chair Miller inquired if there any upcoming planning items so far in 2009. Steve Michaud briefly discussed a few possibilities in the pipeline, but nothing is confirmed at this time. Steve Michaud quickly commented on a potential bike ride event being organized by Harley Horsager and the Lakeville Friends of the Environment. The event will likely be held in September and could possibly be • a community bike ride or a bike/walk event. The group plans to hold it at East Community Park. Chair Miller asked for a status report on the Berres cabin at Ritter Farm Park. Steve explained the next step is to make the building handicap accessible. Chair Miller suggested that the proceeds from the tree sale could be used for this purpose. The rest of the committee members really liked and supported this idea. Finally, the members also discussed the need to ask for donations at big events to help pay or begin to assist with the budget shortfall. Steve Michaud agreed that residents would likely be willing to pay or make a small donation for a fun event, like the Fourth of July Celebration, For the Birds event, etc. ITEM 11 Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ,.~-` i Ta Jo uter, Recording Secretary A EST: in Miller •