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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-01 CITY OF LAKEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING March 1, 2000 ITEM #1. Call to order. The meeting was called to order in the Lakeville Council Chambers by Vice Chairperson Messinger at 6:00 PM. ITEM #2. Roll call. Present were H. Lovelace, L. Lulf, P. Messinger and K. Manias. J. Larson was absent. Also present were Park Director Steve Michaud and Recording Secretary Judi Hawkins. ITEM #3. Approval of Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee minutes of February 16, 2000. The minutes of the February 16, 2000Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting were discussed. There were no additions or corrections and the minutes were approved as printed. ITEM #4. Citizen comments. There were no citizens present for items not on the agenda. ITEM #5. Staff reports and summary of current projects. Parks and Recreation Dept. staff is busy planning summer programs and events. ? Staff reviewed the history of the Kensington Park grant with committee. In 1999 a ? $28,000 grant was received from the DNR. Staff was subsequently notified verbally that funds were available for a second grant, however, the second grant was not awarded. Some legislators are working to restore funding and staff has been advised to re-submit the grant for funding Phase II development of Kensington Park. Phase II of Kensington Park is planned for completion this summer with grant funds or with Park Dedication funds. St. Croix Recreation is proposing some new playground concepts which will be ? reviewed by staff and the playground subcommittees for possible consideration for the new playgrounds. In addition to initial playground installations at Greenridge Park and Kensington Park, replacements are planned at Bunker Hill Park and Valley Lake Park. A meeting was recently held with Mayor Zaun, City Administrator Bob Erickson, ? Bob Vogel of the EDC, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Chair Jeff Larson and Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud concerning Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Minutes of: March 1, 2000 Page -2- residential/commercial/industrial park dedication rates. It has been suggested that the commercial/industrial park dedication fees increase to keep up with inflation and to stay in line with what other communities charge. An idea surfaced that a bond referendum could be held for the purpose of implementing the Gateway design concept, however, it was felt that an increase in the commercial/industrial park dedication rate might be an alternative to a bond referendum, as revenues would be generated for many years. A suggestion was also made that the residential park dedication rates be automatically increased annually based on construction cost indicators. There are an estimated 400 acres in the city currently zoned Industrial. Staff has received several requests from runners and walkers to place park benches ? along hilly stretches or long segments of trails. The new Park Operations Superintendent position will be advertised next week. ? It has been determined that the Lakeville Area Arts Center will be under the ? administration of the Parks and Recreation Department with a separate Arts Advisory Board. ITEM #6. Discuss City of Lakeville leash ordinance within city parks. Serious complaints in the entire city plus calls from concerned residents who use the major parks, trails and athletic complexes have prompted a review of existing leash laws within the City of Lakeville. The current ordinance states that dogs must be restrained with a leash or must be under a strict voice command. Many people have a fear of dogs in general and find it very disturbing when unleashed dogs run in the parks or along trails. Committee member Manias stated that from the Police Department?s perspective, ?voice command? is too difficult to enforce and suggested the wording pertaining to public property be modified and made stricter. Problems also exist in residential neighborhoods, however the situation is different on private property. Staff will ask the attorney?s office to draft an ordinance revision specifying use of a leash ?on trails, parks and public properties.? Committee members also stated that dogs at large are dangerous to bicyclists and runners, as it is a dog?s natural reaction to chase a person who is running or riding a bike, as well as other dogs who are out with their owners. Staff has received requests for a ?dog park? or an area where people can take their pets to run freely. Unfortunately, there are very few locations available that would allow this type of activity. One example is the south side of Casperson Park, which is presently undeveloped. This area could be used until development occurs. ITEM #7. Unfinished business. Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Minutes of: March 1, 2000 Page -3- Staff has received some requests to provide public communal garden plots. In many areas plots are provided for residents of high-rise housing facilities or other areas where a private garden would not be possible. Plots would need to have ready access to water and would need to be secured. Messinger suggested that if a new Senior Center is built, plans should include provisions for a garden. Other possibilities to provide this service would be to lease farmland near park property or a greenway. ITEM #8. New business. The two vacancies on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will be advertised on the ?Messages? page of Thisweek News. Committee members received a copy of a letter which was sent to the Hunting Committee asking for their input on committee reorganization. ITEM #9. Announcements. The next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee is scheduled for March 15, 2000. ITEM #10. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, _____________________________________ Judith R. Hawkins, Recording Secretary ATTEST: _____________________________________ Jeff Larson, Chairperson