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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-04~~ PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE Minutes for meeting on: March 4, 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 Committee members present were: P. Messinger, T. Goodwin, J. Hayes, K. Miller, S. Kelly, and H. Lovelace. Jeanne Peterson was not in attendance at the meeting. Also present were Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud and Recording Secretaiy T J. Ruter. ITEM 3 Approval of January 7, 2009 meeting minutes The minutes of the January 7, 2009 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 asked if committee members had any questions on the written staff report. The committee members did not have any questions. ITEM 6 2009-2010 Budget update Steve Michaudgave committee members an update on the budget. Staff was asked to reduce the 2009 budget by 10 percent. The total City reduction is estimated to be $1.4 million. He then explained that there are two work sessions scheduled yet this month. Staff will continue to keep committee members informed. Chair Miller and Tom Goodwin asked about the $1.4 million adjustment to the budget. Steve Michaud explained that the adjustment is needed because of many factors including: the new transit tax, loss of State funding, Ioss in revenue from construction (building, permits, other fees), and the current economic conditions. Tom Goodwin explained how the schools started charging major fees to signal to the public that times were challenging and changing. He suggested that the City make sure that not all the changes are invisible. If they are invisible then the thought is likely that the City didn't need them anyway. If the City can make it known what is changing and why it is changing, then residents can have more awareness about the severity of the budget situation. The committee members agreed, ITEM 7 Grant proposal initiative (Lake Marion Loop Trail, Bury property) Steve Michaud gave committee members a site plan to review. The plan showed the 20 acres along with 3,300 feet of Lake Marion shoreline that would be part of the acquisition proposal. He explained the 14-acre acquisition and how the other 6 acres would eventually be acquired through the park dedication process. $200,000 has been set aside for the years 2009, 2010, and 2011 for the purpose of matching state and Federal funds. Steve also announced that the project is also eligible for the Remediation Fund Grant Program through the Department of Natural Resources. He then gave some background details about the various grants that are in process for this possible land acquisition. The City is working with Dakota County on a grant through the Federal Transportation Enhancement Fund. If awarded, this grant could be close to $1 million with a 20% match from the City. This particular grant would involve construction of the Lake Marion Loop Trail, but money could also be used to help acquire the bluffs. Finally, Steve reported that the City has asked WSB to help with this grant process because it was involved in the original trail feasibility study. Tom Goodwin asked Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee March 4, 2009 Page 2 if the project would be occurring yet this year. Steve explained the potential timeline; it would likely be atwo- year process of acquiring the property. It would be late 2010 or 2011 before anything would start happening. ITEM 8 2009-2010 Park Dedication Fee status Steve Michaud explained that he and Dennis Feller took a proposal to a City Council work session on February 23, which recommended a 6 7 percent increase in park dedication fees. There were three developers who opposed the increase at the work session and asked the Council to reconsider. Because of the economy, Steve communicated that staff might propose keeping the status quo for now with the provision that the fees could be review again in 2010. He reported that the normal procedure is for Council to vote on fees for a two-year period, so his request would be a slight change to that process. Chair Miller inquired if a motion was needed to'show the committee's support of this idea. Steve replied that a motion was not needed at this time. ITEM 9 Murphy Hanrehan Park Reserve public access status Steve Michaud gave committee members a brief overview of the public access. City engineering staff will be doing the. design work and the plan is moving forward to put in the access yet this year. Pat Messinger asked when the project would start. Steve replied that it would likely start in the spring or early summer. ITEM Unfinished business Steve Michaud reported that staff did a nice job contributing to and preparing the 2008 Annual Report. It will be distributed at the next meeting. Tom Goodwin commented that the Minnesota and G1obaT Economy handout in the packet was interesting. Steve Michaud discussed the Lakeville Rotary sign project and explained that it is moving forward. He hopes to have another draft by Friday. He further explained a numbering system on the map that is used in place of you-are-here points. He will continue to keep committee members posted and get them another draft when it is available. Chair Miller announced the tree sale figures to date. He reminded members that the distribution date is April 25 and volunteers are needed; he also commented on the smooth process at the Central Maintenance Facility. Tom Goodwin also reminded members that they could also participate in the Ironman Bike Ride the following day (April 26). ITEM New business Steve Michaud briefly mentioned the need for a public hearing with regard to a few of the grants that are in process. Staff is hoping to have the public hearing at the regularly scheduled March 18 meeting, but will keep committee members posted on the details. If the timing doesn't work, there may be a need to call a special meeting on-March 25. ITEM Announcements The next meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee is scheduled for March 18, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall (Council Chambers). Steve Michaud congratulated Howard Lovelace for his Lakeville North Hall of Fame induction. ITEM Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 6:51 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ta y o Ruter, Recording Secretary