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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-01 CITY OF LAKEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING OCTOBER 1, 1997 ITEM #1. Call to order. The meeting was called to order in the North Meeting Room of Lakeville City Hall by Chairperson Larson at 6:00 PM. ITEM #Z. Roll call. Present were H. Lovelace, C. Warless-Sobel, J. Larson, A. Raymond and C. Bonn. L. Lulf had notified staff that he would have a training commitment for work through the month of October; P Messinger was absent. Also present were Park Director Steve Michaud and Recording Secretary Judi Ryan. ITEM #3. Minutes of September 17, 1997 The minutes of the September 17, 1997 Parks 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 #6. Discuss concept drawings for Dodd Pointe tot lot. Letters were sent to residents of the Dodd Pointe neighborhoods inviting them to the meeting and describing the proposed project. One resident was present and stated she represented seven to eight families in her immediate neighborhood. Residents had also been invited to attend a meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee several months ago and view preliminary concept plans. In addition, staff met with neighbors at Valley Christian Church last fall. Staff stated that a complicated acquisition process had finally been completed whereby Dakota County purchased the property with the City of Lakeville paying 45 % of the cost. The City has also requested title to a portion of right of way along Dodd Blvd. in order to accommodate a trail. Staff feels this will be beneficial in providing a trail loop through residential areas. The concept plan for Dodd Pointe proposes a playground and aquarter-court basketball surface, similar to other neighborhood parks which have recently been completed. In addition, the park plan includes open space for play, picnic tables and benches near the playground. Staff • considers the project a priority with the goal to complete a survey, topography map and grading plan and as much grading as possible this fall, weather permitting. This Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Minutes October 1, 1997 Page -2- • will allow the playground equipment to be bid and ordered for early spring delivery and installation. A berm which exists on the west side of the park may be being encroached upon by a few neighbors with their gardens and landscaping. Additional screening along this side of the property would be desirable as nursery stock becomes available. Committee members felt it would be in their best interest to clean out as much of the existing scrub trees as possible to maximize the actual park area. 97.42 Motion was made by Raymond, seconded by Wanless-Sobel, to approve the proposed concept plan of Dodd Pointe Park and recommend staff move forward with the project. Motion passed. ITEM #5. Staff reports and summary of current projects. ~ Staff reported that the closing on the Christian property had been accomplished on September 26, 1997. r The lights have been installed on the 202nd Street staircase and the Juno Trail extension. ~ Construction of Meadow Brook and Cherry View rinks is finished. Meadow Brook's blacktopped surface will be painted white by ISD #192 using street marking paint. Construction of Highview Heights rink was started today after the delay caused by wet ground conditions. The STS crew will work on the rink through the weekend. Bids were opened on the Klamath Trail trail project and the low bid came in just above engineers' estimates. Staff is recommending City Council approve the bids contingent on the receipt of railroad permits. A small piece of property, about 500 square feet, will also need to be acquired from a resident to complete this project. City staff is working with ISD #192 on the Meadow Brook Park punch list. Some minor grading problems need to be corrected and turf areas still need work. Park maintenance staff is busy with fertilizer and herbicide applications and taking care of other fall maintenance and turf responsibilities. Chair Larson and several other committee members expressed a desire to walk the Christian property to see its amenities. ITEM #7. - Unfinished business. • Committee members received a final copy of the Park Naming Policy. Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Minutes October 1, 1997 Page -3- ITEM #8. - New business. Committee members received a memo from Recreation Supervisor Renee Brekken who stated that staff has requested approval from City Council to submit a grant application to the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council jointly with the City of Farmington Parks and Recreation Department. Staff would like committee members to consider suggestions and offer comments on types of music or entertainment which may be provided if the grant application is successful. The Snowmobile, jointly owned by Farmington and Lakeville, is planned to be utilized for six open air performances, three in each city. Committee member Larson felt that people are more attracted to music than theatrical activities and would prefer a concert series over mime, magic, juggling, etc. He suggested an orchestra, bluegrass band, jazz band, or an a cappella group. Committee member Bonn stated she would like to see a children's performance, such as the Teddy Bear Band, or some other family activity. Committee members also stated that any of the suggestions are good, as children benefit from exposure to a variety of cultural activities. Some specific groups were suggested such as the LHS Now and Then Singers and an a cappella group, Tonic Sol Fa. Committee members • recalled when a concert series throughout the summer featured a different group each week, usually a local high school or college group and wondered if it would be possible to rejuvenate that program. Proposed sites for next year's entertainment events included North Park, Valley Lake Park and especially Casperson which has a natural amphitheater. Staff also mentioned that the Musicians' Union may have additional grant funds available. Corporate sponsors are attempting to be found for the 1998 Fourth of July program. Also under Unfinished Business, Committee member Bonn thanked the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and staff for the new playground which had been installed at for Independence Park. She stated that the new equipment has, a great deal of play value and has been very heavily used by a wide range of ages in the neighborhood. At her request, staff stated that an additional picnic table could be delivered to the park. Committee members were apprised of activities in preparation for the joint meeting with the Snowmobile Task Force which is scheduled for October 15, 1997. The last week of September, 1,748 survey cards were sent to residents of the Valley Park area in order to provide city staff with further comments and input, since some members • of the non-snowmobiling community did not feel they had received equal notification of, or representation at, the meeting of September 11th. Committee member Bonn felt that the police were doing a good job of enforcing the ordinance and that families Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Minutes October 1, 1997 Page -4- • and people who ride legally are the ones who will suffer if snowmobiling is banned. In addition, she stated several people don't own a trailer and would need to purchase one if the proposal is approved by City Council. Staff stated that copies of the ordinance were sent to snowmobile owners two years in a row and combined with saturation events and articles in the Messages page of the Life and Times, people should be well informed enough to obey the rules. Main issues are with noise, trespassing, property damage, and especially the safety of children. People on both sides of the issue have emphatically expressed their views. Committee member Larson prefers not to make a recommendation concerning the issue since the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee has not been involved in the process up to this point. Member Lovelace stated that the committee's function pertains to parks and since it has already been established that snowmobiling is not allowed in parks, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee doesn't need to be involved. Staff stated some issues, such as relocation of the Ritter Park snowmobile trail and possible use of trail corridors as snowmobile trails, will require consideration by committee members. ITEM #9. - Announcements. The next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee is scheduled for October 15, 1997 at 6:00 PM and will be a joint meeting with the Snowmobile Task Force. ITEM #10. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, ~ J J dit A. Ryan, Recordi Secretary ATTE J rson, .Chairperson jr