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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-04 PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE Minutes for meeting on: April 4, 2007 ITEM 1 Call to order. The meeting was called to order in the Council Chambers at 6:00 PM. ITEM 2 Roll call. All Committee members were present: P. Messinger, J. Hayes, K. Miller, S. Kelly, J. Peterson, H. Lovelace, R. Walia, and T. Goodwin. Also present were Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud, Environmental Resources Manager Mac Cafferty, Environmental Resources Specialist Ann Messerschmidt, Steve McComas with Blue Water Science, and Recording Secretary T.J. Ruter. ITEM 3 Approval of March 14, 2007 meeting minutes. The minutes of the March 14, 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. Chair Miller welcomed Boy Scout, Michael Pikin, who was present at the meeting to earn a merit badge. ITEM 5 Staff reports and summary of current projects. Steve Michaud reported that he had e-mailed a request to be on the next City Council work session agenda regarding the tobacco-free park discussion. It?s his understanding that the work session agenda is getting quite large, so he will keep both the committee members as well as the student groups informed as to when City Council may be reviewing this information. Steve also briefly mentioned to members that the Lakeville Historical Society has made a request to purchase a brass plaque of Lakeville?s first police chief, Nick Mahowald, who served the City from 1931- 1972. This plaque would be placed in Pioneer Plaza. Steve will also be taking this request to the City Council work session. Chair Miller asked for an update on the Miracle Field project. Steve explained that the Lakeville Baseball Association (Brian Roseen) is currently working on major fundraising efforts for the project. The City is ready to support them as needed and the project is moving forward; Steve expects announcements in the near future regarding the major sponsors. ITEM 6 SWPPP (Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan) 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 6:10 PM. 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 habitat improvement, exotic plant management, and frog monitoring. She reported that the Environmental Resources Department had secured $73,500 in grant money for 2006. They also have the possibility of getting another $20,000 grant through the Vermillion Watershed District. Finally, Ann explained the water Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee Page 2 April 4, 2007 monitoring program, the review of approved plats for environment-related compliance issues, and the education/outreach efforts of the department in the past year. 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. In addition, he expressed the need for on-going water management and tracking and taking a pro-active approach to ensuring the health of Lakeville?s lakes. Steve Michaud asked for clarification regarding the labels impaired and unimpaired. Steve McComas explained that there is a fine line between the labels. Orchard and Marion are designated unimpaired at the present time, but the status could change fast. He reiterated the need for strong monitoring programs, so changes or trends can be seen quickly. In turn, the City would be able to resolve a potential problem quickly as well. Steve Michaud reported that there is a current trend for strong attention to environmental resources and protection. The development of the Environmental Resources web site should help Lakeville citizens gain more knowledge about the City?s natural resources programs. Chair Miller asked Mac Cafferty to comment on items he would include on a wish list for his department. Mac responded by saying the Adopt-A-Pond program has a very small, limited budget and takes a lot of staff time. The City has approximately 500-600 wetlands and just about as many ponds, so it?s quite a challenging process. There are also many costs associated with purchasing barley straw and native plantings as well as just the monitoring of the resources. (07.10) Motion made by Walia and seconded by Messinger to close the public hearing/meeting at 6:47 PM. 8-Ayes 0-Nays Motion passed. (07.11) Motion made by Messinger and seconded by Lovelace and Walia to accept the Environmental Resources Department?s 2006 Annual Report. 8-Ayes 0-Nays Motion passed. ITEM 7 CIP and Park map. Steve Michaud explained the current goals with regard to the Park Capital Improvement Plan. He gave an overview of the construction timeline for the Valley Lake Park/liquor store project and mentioned that some trails may be closed during the construction phase. The City will try to reopen trails as soon as possible. Steve also reported that staff just completed a 95% review on the East Community Park project. City staff went through each change in the developer?s plans and specs and is working with Mac and his staff regarding wetland issues and associated permits. The next step is for the plans to be returned to Tradition Development for its review. Then they will go back to the City?s engineering department for review. The anticipated project start date is early summer. Steve also discussed other future park dedication fund-related park enhancements, including the items on page 58 and the possibility of connecting Lakeville?s trail system with Murphy-Hanrehan. Chair Miller asked Steve to comment on the accuracy of the financial predictions. Steve explained that the City tends to take a very conservation approach to the figures. If more new plats are approved, increasing revenue, the City may move up the timelines on certain projects. Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee Page 3 April 4, 2007 (07.12) Motion by Walia and seconded by Kelly to accept the 2007-2011 CIP/Park Dedication Fund and park map as presented. 8-Ayes 0-Nays Motion passed. th ITEM 8 Fieldstone Creek 4 Addition final plat. Steve gave some background information to committee members about this project and explained the reason why the developer is asking for a credit associated with the soil corrections of the parking lot and building pads. Mac then continued to discuss various aspects of the plat. Judy Hayes opened a discussion on Lakeville?s fields; she had heard some comments through her involvement in the lacrosse association that some of the fields are not level. Staff encouraged committee members to forward information to the Park Department for review. (07.13) Motion by Goodwin and seconded by Walia to recommend City Council consider approval of th Fieldstone Creek 4 Addition final plat. The developer dedicated 10.6 acres of park land with Fieldstone st Creek 1 Addition. The park area met all park dedication ordinance requirements. As part of that dedication, the developer was to grade the park to a prescribed specification, including the completion of soil corrections for proposed future parking lots, roadways, and building sites. The soil corrections and most of the grading have been completed. In addition, the developer will be required to construct five-foot concrete sidewalks on the east side of Dodd Lane and Falkirk Trail. Eight-foot bituminous trails will be constructed from Falkirk Trail to the City Park with the fifth addition of Fieldstone Creek. A future ten-foot-wide greenway trail will also be constructed through Outlot E at the time the fifth addition develops. The developer will be responsible for all the grading and restoration of trails. The City will share cost (3/8 City 5/8 developer) the expenses of base materials and bituminous. The developer is requesting a reimbursement in the form of a $4,625 credit for the soil corrections. The Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Committee recommends approving the credit. 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. 8-Ayes 0-Nays Motion passed. ITEM 9 Autumn Meadows preliminary plat. Steve Michaud explained the details of the proposed park in the Autumn Meadows plat. Mac Cafferty gave an overview of the environmental aspects of the plat with regard to wetlands, tree preservation, etc. He commented that there is one stand of box elder and elm that do not appear to be in good health. Mac and his staff will review the health of the trees before the final plat. Steve explained the City easement on Exhibit K and the foresight used in the planning process. Tom Goodwin asked if the City still has the foresight to create easements on future properties. Steve responded Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee Page 4 April 4, 2007 by saying that many departments review the plats and look for opportunities to create pedestrian connections whenever possible to create a pedestrian-friendly community. Tom then inquired as to the difference in housing density between Autumn Meadows plat and the th Fieldstone Creek 4 Addition plat. Mac Cafferty told the committee members he would check with planning regarding Tom?s question and would follow up on his request immediately. The committee members asked for the information to be e-mailed to them. (Information was e-mailed the following day.) (07.14) Motion by Walia and seconded by Messinger to recommend City Council consider approval of Autumn Meadows preliminary plat. The City?s 2006 Park and Open Space System Plan identifies the need for public open space within this planning district. The Autumn Meadows preliminary plat proposes a combination of land and cash for park dedication purposes. Autumn Meadows proposes to dedicate 2.88 acres of land as Outlot D to satisfy part of the park dedication requirement. The adjacent 80-acre property to the east will dedicate a minimum of 3.9 acres of land to be combined with Outlot D to create a dedicated park area of 6.78 acres. The balance of park dedication for Autumn Meadows and the development to the East will be paid in cash. In addition, five-foot-wide concrete sidewalks will be constructed by the developer along one side of all local streets and cul-de-sac streets. Eight-foot-wide bituminous trails will be constructed by the developer th along the north and south side of 179 Street. The City will reimburse the developer 3/8ths the cost of base material and bituminous for eight-foot trails as identified in the Engineering report. The developer will be responsible for all the grading and restoration of trails. An eight-foot-wide bituminous trail is adjacent to the east side of Flagstaff Avenue but will have to be modified slightly as part of the proposed road construction with the Autumn Meadows plat. The developer is required to construct 100% an eight- foot-wide bituminous trail within Outlot B and over an existing trail easement in Kenridge to Firebird Path. Staff will send all committee members an e-mail regarding a clarification on the housing density for this plat versus the density for the Fieldstone Creek plat. Staff is to follow up on this request immediately. 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. 8-Ayes 0-Nays Motion passed. ITEM 10 Unfinished business. There were no items to discuss. ITEM 11 New business. Steve Michaud gave a brief overview on the Parks and Recreation Department?s 2006 Annual Report. Judy Hayes expressed her concern regarding the vandalism page in the annual report. Steve reported that these numbers have been very consistent over time; there are usually 15-20 incidents per year and the costs are usually in the range of $3,000-6,000. In comparison to other cities in the metro area, the City of Lakeville?s vandalism rate is actually very low. Vandalism is a concern; however, it has really been quite stable in Lakeville?s case. Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee Page 5 April 4, 2007 Steve gave committee members an update on the new improvements scheduled for Casperson Park. Steve reported that proposed changes to the approved Master Plan have been approved by the Met Council. They would like to start construction on the parking lot as well as the four half-size soccer fields this summer due to the loss of the McGuire fields. Additionally, Steve is investigating the location of a second well as the City does not foresee having public sewer and water in that location. Steve reiterated that the City is only improving the undeveloped areas and leaving the existing areas as is. Steve answered some questions by the two visitors at the meeting regarding the Casperson Park Master Plan. Finally, Steve commented that the City just authorized to start the plans and specs with Brauer & Associates. The City is scheduling to start the project this summer. The committee members asked for a small size copy of the plan. Staff will provide copies of the plan to committee members at the next meeting. ITEM Announcements. Chair Kevin Miller and Jeanne Peterson will be absent at the next meeting. The next meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee is scheduled for April 18, 2007 at 6:00 PM at City Hall (Council Chambers). ITEM Adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:47 PM. Respectfully submitted, ATTEST: ______________________________ _____________________________ Tammy Jo Ruter, Recording Secretary Kevin Miller, Chair