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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-02Lukev~((e • PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE Minutes for meeting on: Apri12, 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, R. Walia, J. Peterson, and H. Lovelace. Scott Kelly was not in attendance due to a work conflict. Also present were Parks and Recreation Director. Steve Michaud, Environmental Resources Manager Mac Lafferty, Environmental Resources Specialist Ann Messerschmidt, Steve McComas with Blue Water Science, and Recording Secretary T J. Ruter. ITEM 3 Approval of February 20, 2008 meeting minutes. The minutes of the February 20, 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 for items other than those scheduled on the agenda. ITEM 5 Staff reports and summary of current projects. Steve Michaud reported that lots of events are well underway in the City of Lakeville. The Ironman Bike • Ride is set and will occur on Sunday, Apri127. The Miracle League is regrouping next week and is continuing to raise funds for the Miracle Field at King Park. The Taste of Lakeville planning is moving forward and will be another great event this year. The construction of the boardwalk started at East Community Park; the bridge is going to be a wonderful addition to the park when it's completed. Staff will plan to include this site in the spring tour. The tree sale is going strong and we are approaching 400 trees with another week to go. Roadside Cleanup Day is also coming up quickly on Apri119. Mac Lafferty interjected that his staff has 650 volunteers signed up already which is a considerable increase from most years. They normally have about 350 volunteers. He also mentioned they are also looking for volunteers to help with serving lunch. Chair Miller inquired when committee members should show up to help. Mac replied between 11 and 11:30 a.m. Staff and committee members then discussed more upcoming dates: tree sale pick up (Apri126) and Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day (May 3). Finally, Steve reported that the summer brochure is at the printer and is scheduled to be mailed this Saturday, April 5. Park maintenance staff is working on mostly indoor work because of the weather; they are between seasons, so they are constructing picnic tables, doing some forestry work, and painting the warming houses in preparation for next year's season. ITEM 6 SWPPP and Wellhead public hearing/meeting. Steve gave a brief overview of this annual event for the Environmental Resources Department. Two guests were present: Ann Messerschmidt, Environmental Resources Specialist, for the City of Lakeville and Steve McComas from Blue Water Science. Chair Miller officially opened the public hearing/meeting at 6:07 p.m. Ann gave a PowerPoint presentation regarding the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan • (SWPPP) and the Wellhead Protection Program. Additionally, Ann gave committee members a brief overview of their annual report and highlighted many of their successful volunteer programs, such as the Boy Scout projects,. exotic plant management, frog monitoring, and Blue Thumb workshops with Dakota County Soil and Water. In addition, Ann explained the water monitoring program, various grant projects, Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee April 2, 2008 Page 2 shoreline restorations, the review of approved plats for environment-related compliance issues, and the • education/outreach efforts of the department in the past year._Kevin Miller asked her to clarify the purpose of the frog monitoring and what is to be learned by monitoring them. Ann explained that volunteers listen to the intensity and variety of various calls. The variety and loudness of the calls indicate the health of the pond or wetland. Tom Goodwin also explained parts of the monitoring to committee members. Finally, Ann turned the presentation over to Steve McComas to discuss the City's lakes. Steve McComas, who works closely with the Environmental Resources staff, updated committee members on the status of the City's lake projects. He covered Valley Lake, Lee Lake, Orchard Lake, and Lake Marion. He discussed various observations and experiments with the lakes and some of the technical aspects of their research and monitoring systems. Valley Lake has had its ups and downs in terms of water quality, but is one of the first projects in the county to work with barley straw. It has been much better in the last three to four years. Lee Lake's water quality is currently moving in the right direction; they are also seeing water clarity improvements in the lake. He explained how they added iron filings to certain areas of the lake about four years ago to decrease the growth of curly leaf weed. Because of the experimental nature of the iron filings, they will continue to monitor the long-term effects, if any, of adding them. At this time, the treated areas have less of this evasive, non-native species. Mr. McComas also gave a detailed update on Orchard Lake. He reported that it is no longer an impaired lake based on the nutrient criteria, but it is still close to the threshold. Thus, they need to continue monitoring it closely. They have also been doing iron filing treatments on the lake and have also seen positive effects so far. Finally, he discussed Lake Marion. It is also off the non-impaired list and the challenge is to keep it off. He commented that there has also been curly leaf weed found in the lake, but • not to the same extent as on Orchard Lake. They have found curly leaf growing to the surface in a few spots and are tracking it fox now. He further explained that the longer winter season this year may have an effect on the growth of the curly leaf this summer. They will continue to monitor it. Finally, he commented that after the curly leaf dies off, there is still a large native plant population which is a positive sign. Finally, he expressed the need for on-going water management, tracking, and taking apro-active approach to ensuring the health of Lakeville's lakes. He then asked committee members if they had any questions. Tom Goodwin inquired if iron filings have been used in the lakes in other parts of the country. Steve McComas explained that they have been used in a few metro area lake spots, but as a demonstration only. Tom then inquired if there was any known impact on other plants. Mr. McComas said that it appears to just impact the curly leaf and not the native plants. Steve Michaud inquired why he thought it just affects the curly leaf. Mr. McComas explained their findings in other healthy lakes; it looks like there is a relationship between a low PH, high iron, and less curly leaf grown. They are trying to mimic the conditions they find in other lakes that are naturally occurring. Tom Goodwin asked if they might expand the iron treatments this year. Mr. McComas that another two acres in Orchard were budgeted at this time. He then explained the importance of working closely with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and their guidelines. Mac Lafferty added that they do a report back to the DNR as well. Steve McComas said they will eventually publish the findings and typically, after peer review, a new idea can get more momentum. Chair Miller asked if City of Lakeville is then blazing a new trail. Mr. McComas replied yes. The members then discussed the phosphorous levels on pages 34 and 36 of the report. Tom Goodwin commented that the amount of phosphorous going in the lake is more • than the number going out. Mr. McComas replied that a lot of it settles out into the sediment, so it is important to protect the sediment from being disturbed and releasing the phosphorous. He further explained the dynamic of how different phosphorous levels live side-by-side; there is low phosphorous in Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Comn-uttee Apri12, 2008 Page 3 the water column and high phosphorous in the sediments. The group then discussed the importance of • having infiltration systems to ensure the runoff doesn't directly impact the water sources. (08.07) Motion made by Goodwin and seconded by Messinger to close the public hearing/meeting at 6:50 p.m. 7-Ayes 0-Nays Motion passed. (08.08) Motion made by Walia and seconded by Lovelace to accept the Environmental Resources Department's 2007 Annual Report. Ayes-7 Nays-0 Motion passed. ITEM 7 Crescent Ridge 2°d Addition preliminary plat. Steve Michaud explained the details of the plat. Because there is no park land required in the plat, staff is recommending a cash contribution for this development. Mac Lafferty also discussed the environmental aspects associated with the plat. The developer was asked to follow the recommendations for all plantings; there are no wetlands on site and no significant trees. Overall, there are not a lot of environmental issues associated with this plat. Chair Miller inquired about Outlot B which looked like an access road on the map. Mac Lafferty explained • that staff is trying to keep access roads to ponds open, in general, to ensure a way to get down to them in case it needs to be cleaned ten years from now. Chair Miller then inquired about the issues of encroachment and whether the City puts up any signage. Mac Lafferty explained that owners can't put up any structures of any type on City-owned property and the City hasn't been putting up signs lately because of aesthetics. Finally, Chair Miller asked if the final plat might be done in 2008. Steve Michaud replied that it might be a smaller final plat, using a phased approach. Mac Lafferty agreed and said that staff is reviewing many preliminary plats and developers are showing fewer lots on the final plats. (08.09) Motion by Goodwin and seconded by Messinger to recommend City Council consider approval of the Crescent Ridge 2°d Addition preliminary plat. The City's Comprehensive Park Plan does not identify any parkland needs in the area of the subject site. Therefore, park dedication requirements are to be satisfied as a cash fee in lieu of land. A park dedication fee of $4,747 per lot will be required to be paid prior to final plat approval All internal local streets, including Heath Court, will have five foot wide concrete sidewalks on one side. 193Td Street will have five foot wide concrete sidewalks on both sides. Highview Court will not include a sidewalk. All sidewalks will be paid for and constructed by the developer. Eight foot wide trails must be constructed on both sides of 194th Street along with a future ten foot wide trail along both sides of Holyoke Avenue. A future trail will also be constructed on the south side of 190t1i Street. The trails on 194th Street will be constructed by the developer. The developer shall be fully responsible for the grading and restoration and 5/8 of the cost for the aggregate base and bituminous paving. The City shall provide the developer a credit to the park dedication amount for 3/8 the cost of the • aggregate base and bituminous pavement. Grading and restoration for future trails along Holyoke must be completed as part of the project mass grading. Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Corrunittee Page 4 April 2, 2008 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 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. Ayes-7 Nays-0 Motion passed. ITEM 8 Unfinished business. Steve Michaud explained the transportation update plan maps that were included in committee members' packets. Chair Miller inquired about the potential impact of the Dakota County tax increase on developing the Park and Ride near 35W. Steve replied that staff will need to monitor it. Chair Miller asked that staff continue to encourage the extension of trails to future park and ride sites as much as possible. Steve Michaud then discussed the 2030 MUSA maps with parks as well as the open space standards and map. He explained that the City of Lakeville has done well in its maturation process so far and hopes that the. overview will give committee members a big picture perspective of where Lakeville will stack up when the community is fully developed. As the group discussed the comprehensive map, Tom Goodwin inquired if any park land focuses on prairie. The group briefly discussed the costs associated with preserving or re-creating prairie as well as the prairie restoration project at East Community Park. Tom also inquired if the City is still trying to acquire • the conservation area near King Park. Steve said that the site is identified in the updated system plan and is a priority. Steve Michaud then suggested that committee members keep the maps accessible, so they can refer back to them as necessary. ITEM 9 New business. Steve Michaud announced that engineering is doing a feasibility study regarding the placement of a municipal well in Cedar Highlands Park; it would serve as a supply line to the Water Treatment Facility. Chair Miller inquired if there would be any safety issues. Steve replied that there are none at this time. Steve also gave an update on the Berres log cabin. He explained that the Lakeville Baseball Association is interested in moving the garage to be used for storage. Staff is working on a deal with Welsh Companies at this time. Staff has researched a company that buys old cabins and resells them. It is estimated that the cabin and garage might be worth almost $23,000. Steve further announced the City is still looking for cell tower sites and one possibility might be Valley Lake Park. It could be located in the northwest corner of the park property and the rental is approximately $18,000 per year. It might also be possible for the income generated to go directly to the park dedication fund because of its location on park land. Right now, there are only internal discussions happening and nothing has been finalized. Steve asked committee members for their thoughts on the matter and commented that if the idea moved forward, the City would hold neighborhood meetings on it. The members discussed the placement of the tower. Pat Messinger said she would prefer it in another location because the park looks really great at this time. She further said it could be a last resort option. Chair Miller asked how high the tower would be. Steve replied about 65-70 feet, but there axe some now that look like trees. Steve will keep everyone up to date on the discussion. Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Conunittee Apri12, 2008 Page 5 Mac Lafferty gave an update regarding the 205`" channel stabilization project. His staff received a $12,000 • grant from Vermillion River Watershed for a feasibility and design study of it. The. overall cost of the project will be close to $200,000. It is looking like a 2009 project at this time. Steve Michaud complimented T.J. Ruter and Patty Ruedy for the creation, design, and layout of the Parks and Recreation Department's 2007 Annual Report. The entire department contributed to it and did a great job. Chair Kevin Miller summarized the Gardens at the Veteran Memorial project for committee members. There are six gardens and 37 sitting stones at the site. As of this meeting, one garden plot and three stones are sold. He further explained his verbal agreement with Tom Faust regarding the installation of all 37 stones this spring. The agreement is that the City of Lakeville will pay Bachman's by the end of the year (December 2008). Prior to Memorial Day, the Veterans Memorial Planning Committee plans to have at least one garden (or maybe two) as well as the sitting stones installed. Chair Miller listed the other groups they are pursing for involvement: Lakeville Garden Club, Lakeville Lions, Lakeville Rotary, and Mac is looking into some collaboration with Vermillion for a native garden installation. Chair Miller expressed his confidence that the stones are likely to be sold by the end of the year. He reiterated the need fox members' help in spreading the word about this great project. Steve Michaud reported that he'll be having lunch with the mason soon. He also reported that Aggregate Industries donated about $600 worth of mortar for the brick columns. Furthermore, a Boy Scout is scheduled to the plantings in the gardens as well. • The group briefly discussed the tree sale numbers and the great showing for the first year. Steve Michaud reported that he has tickets for the Taste of Lakeville if anyone is interested in attending this year's event. Finally, Chair Miller requested that committee members read the motions aloud in the future in the event that a developer or builder is present for the meeting. The members agreed it would be a good idea. ITEM 10 Announcements. The next meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee is scheduled for Apri116, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall (Council Chambers). Kevin Miller will not be able to attend the next meeting due to a work conflict ITEM 11 Adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Res ect sub ~tte , r ~ ~ Ta y o Ruter, Recording Secretary •