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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-16Lakcv~((e PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE • Minutes for meeting on: May 16, 2007 ITEM 1 Call to order. The meeting was called to order in the Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m. ITEM 2 Roll call. Committee members present were: K. Miller, S. Kelly, J. Peterson, H. Lovelace, and R. Walia who arrived at 6:01 p.m. Pat Messinger and Judy Hayes were not in attendance due to work conflicts. Tom Goodwin was not in attendance because of a personal conflict. Also present were Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud and Recording Secretary T J. Ruter. ITEM 3 Approval of May 2, 2007 meeting minutes. The minutes of the May 2, 2007 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 for items other than those scheduled on the agenda. ITEM 5 Staff reports and summary of current projects. Steve Michaud had no other information to report. There were no questions from committee members. ITEM 6 Meadowlark Wren First Addition final plat. • Steve Michaud explained the location of the plat and also gave some historical background information about the property. The Dakota County Development Agency has a strong track record in developing affordable housing. Steve then explained that there is no park land designated there per the Parks, Trails, and Open Space Plan, so a cash contribution will be required. Because they had submitted a preliminary plat, the calculation is based on the 2006 park dedication rates. A short discussion ensued regarding the playgrounds they typically install for their neighborhoods; it is a standard practice for them and they also maintain it. Chair Miller asked about the vacation easement. Steve commented that it is due to the right turn lane that needs to be added in the development. (07.16) Motion made by Walia and seconded by Kelly to recommend Ciry Council consider approval of Meadowlark Wren First Addition final plat. Review of the Park and Open Spaces System Plan indicates no park land designations in this planning district. However, a bituminous trail currently exists along the north side of 210°i Street. A portion of the trail will need to be reconstructed due to the construction of a right turn lane from 210°` Street to Holiday Avenue within the development. The new trail construction will include pedestrian curb ramps where the public trail crosses Holiday Avenue. The CDA shall pay 100% of the costs of the trail realignment and any associated restoration. Additionally, the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Committee is recommending a cash contribution, utilizing the 2006 rate of ($3,490/dwelling unit x 40 units=$139,600). The developer will also be required to construct sidewalks on both sides of Holiday Avenue with the cost to be paid 100% by the developer. Finally, the developer is required to follow any other details which are outlined in the Planning and • Engineering reports as they pertain to this plat. The developer is also required to follow the natural 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. Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee May 16, 2007 • 5-Ayes 0-Nays Motion passed. Page 2 ITEM 7 Murphy-Hanrehan Master Plan review. Steve Michaud reported that staff copied the entire plan for committee members. He explained the overall concept of the plan and how it might impact Lakeville's border. They are looking to develop some facilities on the east side which is part of the eighth of an acre that the City of Lakeville owns. He then took committee members through various pages of the plan. He encouraged members to read the executive summary (III-VI) on their own time for the overall vision. Additionally, Steve explained the proposed amenities currently outlined in the master plan and how he might suggest some expansion of the ideas. He also commented on its park reserve status and that there are specific guidelines which dictate the development. Specifically, Steve commented on the possibility of asking for a slightly larger parking lot as well as some additional trail connections. He also gave some historical background on the Minnregs Lake area. Chair Miller asked if they are looking for contributions from the City of Lakeville. Steve reported that he has communicated that the City might be willing to help in some way. If they chose to increase the size of the parking lot, for example, the City could maintain its side of the trailhead area, including sanitation services, etc. Finally, .Steve commented that this proposed plan is a real positive for the City of Lakeville and its residents. He encouraged committee members to read through as much of the document as possible for the next meeting. Staff will prepare a report with a recommendation, so that the Parks, • Recreation, and Natural Resources Committee could review it, and then send it along to the next City Council meeting. The Three Rivers Park District is requesting that Lakeville's City Council consider and pass a Resolution of Support for the master plan. ITEM 7 Unfinished business. Chair Miller reiterated his concerns regarding the use and abuse of motorized scooters on sidewalks and trails in Lakeville. He distributed the draft of an article that will appear in the Messages page of the newspaper this week. Staff had also distributed an e-mail from the police department concerning this issue. They have had 38 complaints already. Steve Michaud explained that people using motorized scooters need to follow the same rules as cyclists; they need to use the road, follow traffic laws, etc. Chair Miller also spoke about the noise factor with some kids modifying their scooters (with their parents' help) to make them louder. Howard Lovelace inquired as to whether licenses are needed for scooter like they are for Vespas. Steve replied that scooters do not require a license. Finally, Steve Michaud reiterated that scooters are illegal on trails and sidewalks and have the same laws as bicycles. Chair Miller expressed that communication with the public will be a key factor with this growing issue, and was appreciative of the City's efforts to keep the discussion open. Steve Michaud explained that the park maintenance department continues to be very busy. Staff had included maintenance schedules from John Hoger in committee members' packets for the week. Steve reported that he receives these updates every Friday. Also, Steve mentioned that staff will continue to distribute this information to committee members, so they are aware of the various tasks that are to be completed. • Chair Miller inquired about the new tree nursery. Steve Michaud explained that the City had planned to create one anyway, but it turned into an Eagle Scout project. Steve also explained the steps in the process and the positive end result. Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Coininittee Page 3 May 16, 2007 Finally, Steve mentioned that the Historical Society is still moving forward with its two items: a memorial • for Nich Mahowald and a historic narrative plaque. The first plaque will feature the Weichselbaum Resort, the first resort on Lake Marion. ITEM New business. Steve Michaud reported that there may be a petition from the Chadwick Park neighborhood concerning the residents' desire to have a hockey rink there. Steve gave some detailed information to some mothers as to how the City park system works. He also mentioned that the petition would most likely lead to a discussion of the number of hockey rink per capita required for the City of Lakeville. For an example, Steve spoke to committee members about the City of Burnsville's decision to put rinks in many neighborhoods in the 1980's. Because of budget cuts, they found that they could no longer maintain the facilities and had to eventually slash the number of rinks for public use. Finally, Steve discussed the need to take a look at alternatives or a compromise, such as a pleasure rink. At some time in the future, if deemed appropriate, the facility could be upgraded. Right now, the cost of building a rink is around $100,000. Because the City has other commitments and priorities, a potential ice rink would be lower on the list. Chair Miller expressed that this petition might be a catalyst. for. a bond referendum. He also asked if staff would provide committee members will a map showing the locations of all the current ice rinks. Steve Michaud reported that he spoke to the lead organizer of the petition and explained the appropriate process by which to bring their petition to City Council; he encouraged them to come to the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Committee first. The organizer agreed to his suggestions, but was not sure what meeting date the group would be attending. • Howard Lovelace inquired about the old police station and what will become of it after the new police station is built. There are no plans at this time. Chair Miller gave an update from the Veterans Memorial Planning Committee on which he also serves as a member. He met with the Head Landscaper from Bachman's to discuss the possibility of creating a master landscaping plan for the memorial site. The Head Landscaper said he'd be willing to lead the effort and would donate the services of his landscape team. He also asked if they could delay the project until the second half of the season after work slows down for them. Finally, he indicated that when the plan is finalized, he could assist the City in developing a request to Bachman's corporate office for some additional sponsorship. Steve Michaud gave a brief staffing update. He explained that the Manager of Ames Arena recently resigned and gave some background information on the relationship between the City and the Lakeville Hockey Association. Because of the sudden resignation, staff has done some temporary reorganizing of staff. Dan Brettschneider has assumed the Ames Arena management role and is splitting his time between the arena and the Parks and Recreation Department. John Stutzman who was hired as a part-time Recreation Program Assistant has been moved to full-time status for the summer. Steve also mentioned that the City has decided to use Ken Vraa as the head hunter to find a new arena manager. He also commented that is not likely to be an easy task because there is a very limited pool of applicants for these jobs. The City would be looking for someone who is also willing to expand programming on the recreations side as well. • ITEM Announcements. The next meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources. Committee is scheduled for June 6, 2007 at 6:00 PM at City Hall (Council Chambers). Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Corrunittee May 16, 2007 ITEM Adjourn. . The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. Respect y sub ~tted, ~'' / -~ T y o Ruter, Recording Secretary Page 4