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• PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Minutes for meeting on: January 16, 2008
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: P. Messinger, T. Goodwin, J. Hayes, K. Miller, S. Kelly, and H.
Lovelace. Roger Walia and Jeanne Peterson were not in attendance due to work conflicts. Also present
were Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud and Recording Secretary T J. Ruter.
ITEM 3 Approval of December 19, 200? meeting minutes.
The minutes of the December 19, 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 reported that all the outdoor rinks are open and running well. Pat Messinger commented
on the headline in the Sun Current and Steve gave a brief explanation about the misprint.
• ITEM 6 Skating facility distribution discussion.
Steve Michaud began the discussion by taking the committee members through two of the handouts staff
had prepared. He explained the legend on the map and then explained each of the potential future
neighborhood parks identified in the 2030 park system plan, along with the thought process behind each
one in terms of possible outdoor rink placement. He communicated the strong possibility that Dodd Road
might dead end someday. Thus, the outdoor rink in location four could be a fully developed skating facility
or a smaller site depending on the outcome of Dodd. Judy Hayes asked for clarification on possible rink
site two with it having hockey even though Quail Meadows also has hockey. Steve explained that the plan
would be to have hockey as well because it is located on the other side of Pilot Knob Road. Major
collector roads dividing neighborhoods are a determining factor when deciding facility service areas.
Steve then discussed a matrix showing the calculations of total hockey rinks and pleasure skating areas
proposed through 2030. With the population estimated at 80,000 people, the City of Lakeville ratios of
rinks to population density would fall within the normal standard and provide 100% coverage within the
1-mile service area standard. Steve further explained the next step is to take the committee's comments
and create a statement of standards or guidelines.
Chair Kevin Miller inquired if there is any kind of timeline or order that the rinks might come into
existence. Steve Michaud said that he would get this information to the members. Steve further said that
he would discuss the status of tine park dedication fund under new business.
Judy Hayes inquired if the placement of boarded hockey rinks would limit the amount of potential field
space in the City. Steve explained that the City generally builds the boarded hockey rinks at parks that are 8
to 10-acres in size. A typical neighborhood park of this size will accommodate a boarded hockey rink and
space for open field sports.
The committee members then discussed the Chadwick ice rink petition. Steve received another email from
the residents. Because of the budget, staff is not likely to do a trial flooding there this year. Chair Miller
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee Page 2
January 16, 2008
• expressed that putting a rink at Chadwick seems premature given the lack of funding at this time. Finally,
the group discussed the handouts on current rink counts. This year's attendance will likely double over the
past few years by the end of the season, ultimately reflecting a "normal" year.
ITEM 7 Veterans Memorial Gardens update.
Chair Kevin Miller lead the discussion on the Veterans Memorial site and gave committee members an
overall summary of the project to date. The site is almost completed with the exception of the brickwork
on the four columns. The Veterans Memorial Committee has purchased the brick and it is in storage. The
members are hoping to get volunteer masons to complete the .project this spring. Steve Michaud added
that the masons. working on the new Police Department have agreed to complete the project at this time.
There are also another 3-4 masons from another company who are willing to assist. Steve feels confident
about getting it fuushed this spring. Kevin expressed the committee's desire to complete it by Memorial
Day 2008.
Chair Miller then gave the background information about the gardens to the group. In April 2007, he met
with the Director of Landscape Services for Bachman's whose team was willing to donate their time to
develop a master landscape plan for the Memorial. The plan was developed to enhance the existing
environment as well as tie various elements of the Memorial together. Additionally, the plan steered away
from the committee's initial idea of flower or rose gardens because of the high maintenance and care
involved with those gardens. Instead, the plan focuses on low maintenance plantings with different shapes
and heights along with limestone sitting stones as design interest features. Chair Miller then commented on
the potential uniqueness of the area; the Veterans Memorial Committee hopes it will be a centerpiece for
the City as there is nothing like it in Lakeville at present.
Chair Miller further reported that the Veterans Memorial Committee has approved the landscape design to
move forward and it will be discussing fundraising options at its next meeting on Tuesday, January 22.
They are looking at various pricing options for the six gardens and use any additional donation proceeds to
keep the gardens maintained in the first one to two years. Steve Michaud added that the sitting stones are a
nice design feature; visitors can sit on them to rest, mediate, visit with a friend, or whatever.
Chair Miller explained the current plan is to have everything go into the ground at the same time. Judy
Hayes inquired if it could be an Eagle Scout project. Kevin then explained that the base costs only reflect
the cost of the materials and did not include installation; the committee will reach out to the community
and ask for help with the installation, so it would be appropriate for an Eagle Scout to help, etc.
Steve Michaud explained that the new landscape plan is a slight deviation from the original plan, so he
asked the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources committee to make a recommendation regarding the
new plan. Steve will then take their recommendation to City Council. Pat Messinger stated that she thinks
the gardens will look very nice after they are completed and liked the idea of having varieties of plants that
flower. Judy Hayes commented that she would recommend having pathways, so that older visitors would
be able to walk through the gardens more effectively. Steve Michaud replied that there would be paced
trails eventually, but that staff could take a look at swinging closer to gardens in certain areas to allow
greater accessibility.
(08.01) Motion by Pat Messinger and seconded by Tom Goodwin to recommend Ciry Council
approval of the landscape design and fundraising concept of the Veterans Memorial Gardens as presented.
• 6-Ayes 0-Nays
Motion passed.
Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Coininittee
January 16, 2008
•
ITEM 8 Annual tree sale community event.
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Chair Kevin Miller had suggested this agenda item at the last meeting. His thought was to stimulate some
ideas among committee members as to some goals or key initiatives that the group might want to pursue
in 2008. Steve Michaud impressed upon the members that a tree sale is very much like a special event. He
also stated that it might be possible to dovetail a tree sale with a community clean up day using a "greening
theme." His hope is to run it in conjunction with local nurseries and get wholesale pricing. Chair Miller
suggested putting an ad in the local paper and then having people pre-order on a web site ahead of time.
The group then discussed possible titles or names, like the "City of Lakeville greening program," and
making sure to state the positive aspects of planting trees.
The members discussed timing. Pat Messinger stated the best time for planting would likely be the spring.
Staff explained that Park Maintenance will coordinate the Drop off Day for the City because of Leif
Hanson's resignation. Tom Goodwin suggested that it might make sense to have the tree sale on the same
day so that people can drop off unwanted items and pick up a tree as well. Chair Miller asked if committee
members were in favor of planning some type of event. Pat Messinger and Tom Goodwin thought it was a
good idea. Judy Hayes liked the idea ofpre-ordering on a web site. Additionally, Judy Hayes
communicated that all the sports associations' participants need to do community service, so it would
seem likely to get students to help with it. Steve Michaud agreed to make some phone calls to other
communities and get more information about their current tree sale events. He will report back to the
committee.
ITEM 9 Unfinished business.
There were no items to discuss.
• ITEM 10 New business.
Steve gave brief information on the election of officers. The committee members had a short discussion.
(08.02) Motion by Pat Messinger and seconded by Howard Lovelace to nominate Kevin Miller as
Chair, Tom Goodwin as Vice-Chair, and Judy Hayes as Secretary of the Parks, Recreation, and Natural
Resources Committee.
6-Ayes O-Nays
Motion passed.
(08.03) Motion by Howard Lovelace and seconded by Pat Messinger to approve the nominations of
the 2008 officers as presented.
6-Ayes 0-Nays
Motion passed.
After the election of officers, Chair Miller reiterated his encouragement to the other members regarding
some new initiatives for 2008. Pat Messinger commented that there will also be a need to get creative with
the financing based on the park dedication handout in the packet.. Steve 1~Iichaud responded that it will
depend on whether or not the City decides to pursue a bond referendum; in that case, Park Committees
have traditionally had a lot of involvement with previous bond referendums. Chair 1~Iiller asked what the
next step is to get a park referendum established for this year.
Steve l~fichaud explained that a report is being prepared concerning a park bond referendum that will be
presented to the City Council at its January 29 work session. Staff is recommending the next step be
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January 16, 2008
• completing a more detailed survey of community support, including bond amount and the type of
projects. Funds for a survey were approved in the 2008 budget.
Steve would recommend doing a survey as a next step to garner more information about the level of
support from residents. He expressed that the committee could make a motion to have City Council
explore the survey option. Judy Hayes asked if the schools are doing one in 2008. Steve Michaud reported
that he has been told they axe not doing one in 2008. Pat Messinger asked the group to consider a
statement of support to collect more data.
Steve Michaud discussed two handouts with the committee members regarding the park dedication fund
status. The City is committed to the Phase I development of East Community Park as it enters 2008 and
other projects and/or improvements may be started as funds become available. Scott Kelly asked if the
City is considering and planning for the end of park dedication fees and budgeting for items using the .
general fund instead. Steve Michaud commented that he raised a good point; the members discussed some
of the issues in St. Paul as they try to retrofit parks now. Scott expressed the need to have foresight now
and take action while long-term planning is still possible; St. Paul seems to have waited too long.
The Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Committee members asked Steve to relay their message of
support for taking the next step of doing the survey to determine support for a park bond referendum to
the City Council. Steve agreed to communicate the message.
The committee discussed the details of a dog incident at Ritter Farm Park. The caller described Ritter as
the City's dog park because it's the major destination for dog owners. The caller also explained that he
• counts more hikers than skiers when he is there, so maybe it needs to be marketed differently. Steve
Michaud explained staff's recent efforts to enforce and educate the "no dogs on the ski trails" rule as well
as keeping dogs on a leash. The committee members discussed some possible options, like adding some
type of loop specifically for winter hikers and dog owners. However, the group also realized that a new
trail may not address the off-leash dog issue. The members will continue their discussion at another
meeting.
Finally, Steve made some brief comments about the rest of the items in the packet. There were no further
questions from committee members.
ITEM 11 Announcements.
The next meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee is scheduled for February 6,
2008 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall (Council Chambers).
Chair Miller and Pat Messinger will not be able to attend the next meeting.
ITEM 12 Adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Res y s ~tte~sl,
Ta y o Ruter, Recording Secretary