HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-07 CITY OF LAKEVILLE
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
DECEMBER 7, 1994
ITEM # 1 Call to order.
The meeting was called to order in the Lakeville Council Chambers by
Chairperson Illa at 7:00 PM.
ITEM #2 Roll call.
Present were L. Lulf, C. Wanless-Sobel, K. Illa, G. Grenz and P. Messinger. A.
Raymond and H. Lovelace did not attend. Also present were Park Director Steve
Michaud and recording secretary Judi Ryan.
ITEM #3 Minutes of November 2, 1994.
The minutes of the November 2, 1994 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.
James Moe, 8593 - 202nd Street W, along with three other neighbors of Aronson
Park, were present to discuss their dissatisfaction with the noise at Aronson Park
during the summer. He stated that he has experienced problems with noise late
at night due to the extended time for softball games. He added that occasionally
lights remain on and people stay in the park later than the 11:00 PM curfew.
Mr. Moe stated that he did not contact the police or park department staff last
summer to lodge any complaints because he felt calls in previous years had been
ignored. It was the opinion of Mr. Moe that 10:00 PM is late enough to have the
park open for softball since the noise is disturbing to the neighbors. When asked
by staff, Mr. Moe stated that the light spillage issue has improved with the new
lights which were installed in 1993.
Staff stated that the lights are to go off at 11:00 PM with no exceptions. In 1995
Community Service Officers will have extended hours so should be able to visit
the park more regularly at 11:00 PM to make sure the rules are being followed.
Staff also suggested more screening with large trees would cut down on the noise
factor. for the neighbors. Staff sympathized with the neighbors' frustrations but
added that softball is a very popular sport and as the population grows, more and
more teams want to get into the league. Chairperson Il1a stated that to cut back
on the times would eliminate current teams from the league.
Jerome Perry, 8571 - 202nd Street W., wanted to go on record at this time with a
formal complaint on the park being open until 11:00 PM. Lynette Perry, 8571
202nd Street W., stated that she did place one call to the Park Dept. last summer
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December 7, 1994 Page 2
to say that the noise was troublesome. Staff thanked the neighbors for their
comments and assured them that he would work with league officials on these
issues.
Committee members felt that more stringent regulations and an ability to enforce
them, need to be developed. It was suggested that if they are to continue the
11:00 PM curfew the league submit in writing what they intend to do to reduce
noise problems.
94.46 Motion was made by Lulf, seconded by Messinger, to request the Men's Softball
League submit in writing their strategy for making sure that field lights are
turned off at the time specified in the ordinance and that softball players leave
the park as soon as the lights are turned off.
Motion passed.
ITEM #9 Review Park Facility and Reservation and Fee Policy.
Recreation Supervisor Renee Brekken was present to review proposed changes in
the resolution with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. Renee
explained that changes were minor, incorporating new language and the
addition of the Ritter Farm Park Environmental Learning Center use policy.
There are no fee changes proposed. Some discussion was held concerning the
actual process of reservations and confirmations and some revisions in wording
were suggested. Committee member Messinger would like to allow overnight
camping in the Ritter Farm Park ELC. Staff stated that the building is not
appropriate for camping and that scout groups could tent outside and use the
restroom facilities in the building. It was also suggested that in the future, staff
may want to consider a clause which would limit the number of times a group
could book a location per year.
94.47 Motion was made by Messinger, seconded by Wanless-Sobel, to recommend City
Council approve the amended Resolution Establishing Rules and Rental Fees for
Use of City Parks and Property, including revisions discussed at this meeting.
Motion passed.
Presentation by engineering consultants on utilizing North Park property as a
location for a water tower.
Jim Norton and Wayne Hendrickson from the engineering firm SEH were present
to show committee members a different water tower design which had been
suggested as a result of additional input from staff and Council. The new design
is a pedestal spheroid one-million gallon tank, as opposed to the hydropiller, 1.5-
million gallon tank which had previously been proposed. The new design is 40'
• in diameter at the base and offers no storage space. The entire structure is 50-
60% less mass, which makes it less obtrusive to the park. The suggested location
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December 7, 1994 Page 3
has been changed to a site on the north side of the gravel parking area, about
125 feet east of the Ipava Avenue right of way. Scheduled construction will be
from about July through the middle of September.
Committee members were concerned about parking spaces which would be
temporarily lost during construction, as a large area around the site will need to
be fenced for security. Staff asked SEH to provide a plan showing exactly how
much parking will be lost during those months. It was suggested that a soccer
field be used for temporary parking, committee requested SEH resod the field
following the project.
Committee members generally felt that it is a better design and a better location
for the water tower and were pleased with the improved shadow lines. In
addition to paving the main parking lot, the lot near the Land of Amazement
should also be considered for paving. Committee members suggested several
items to be included in the recommendation.
94.48 Motion was made by Grenz, seconded by Lulf, to recommend City Council accept
the concept proposal of the water tower at North Park as presented by SEH
including the following: both driveways to the park must remain open at all
• times; security fencing must be provided around the construction project at all
times; and the committee reserves the right to request no construction on certain
dates, such as during the Pan-O-Prog soccer tournament. The committee further
suggests to Council that if a soccer field is removed from use to accommodate
parking requirements, that funding be allocated for quick rehabilitation of the
field, making it usable for the 1996 season (sod is preferred). In addition,
committee suggested if the tower has any writing, Council consider putting the
City emblem and the words, "North Park".
Motion passed.
ITEM #5. Staff reports.
Committee had received a narrative from staff updating them on various projects
and issues. Kevin Illa stated that he had received a complaint from a resident
who stated that the bike trails along Griffin Trail had not been plowed after the
last snowfall. Staff stated only those trails which are walking routes for students
are plowed and will check on whether that street should be put on the schedule.
ITEM #6. Review Ritter Farm Park master plan preferred concept.
Staff had received the revised concept plan from Barton-Aschman, which he
showed to the committee. Changes which had been indicated at previous
meetings had been made and committee members were pleased with the layout.
The basic plan does not interfere with any large tree stands and the picnic area
and cistern will remain in their present locations. Staff suggested that the
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December 7, 1994 Page 4
informational signage be moved closer to the parking lot. Committee and staff
felt that the plan is very functional and should adequately meet park needs well
into the future.
94.49 Motion was made by Wanless-Sobel, seconded by Messinger, to accept the
revised concept plan of Ritter Farm Park with the revisions as discussed at this
meeting. Committee further directed staff to begin working on the narrative
with Barton-Aschman as soon as possible.
Motion passed unanimously.
ITEM #7 Bond referendum projects update.
Staff distributed a concept plan of an eight-field youth baseball complex which is
proposed to be constructed at a site near 185th Street and Cedar Ave., outside of
the MUSA. Negotiations for the purchase of the property are continuing.
Committee members discussed the wagon-wheel field design and questioned
whether that was the best orientation for fields. Staff indicated that for youth
ballfields, it has worked well for other communities. Staff will also consider field
layout input from the LAA as concept plans are finalized.
ITEM #8. Snowmobile Task Force update by Larry Lulf.
One of the biggest obstacles of the snowmobile trail in past years has been
ingress and egress of Lake Marion. The task force and staff are recommending a
trail be designated through the center of Antlers Park which would continue east
through the Warweg property, across Ipava Avenue, along County Rd. 64 and
connect to the main trail corridor. Committee members stated that they would
support the placement of a trail through the park if it would reduce problems
now being encountered by area residents.
It had also been suggested by the Task Force that Casperson Park parking lot be
plowed and used as a parking area for snowmobile trailers. A small segment of
trail could be added on 195th Street which connects to the existing main trail
corridor.
94.50 Motion was made by Wanless-Sobel, seconded by Messinger, to recommend City
Council authorize the location of a snowmobile trail corridor through Antlers
Park for the purpose of creating an access to the existing corridor trail along
County Road 64. Committee further recommends City Council approve the
addition of Casperson Park as a snowmobile trailer parking area.
Motion passed unanimously.
Larry Lulf gave committee a brief overview of what had been accomplished by
• the Snowmobile Task Force at their four November meetings. The task force
intends to meet again in the spring to discuss this season and possible future
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December 7, 1994 Page 5
improvements. The major accomplishments of the task force were rewriting the
ordinance and generating other ideas for information distribution. It is planned
to have a map printed showing the Lakeville snowmobile trail system and
distribute other information on rules and regulations. It is possible that in the
future, if complaints persist, snowmobiling may be reduced in urbanized areas.
Larry Lulf, Steve Michaud, Linda Moe and Ton Vonhof met with the City Council
at a work session on December 6th. The Council was very supportive of the
recommendations which they received from the task force and agreed to
consider financial assistance for printing of trail maps and distribution of
information to registered owners. Larry also stated that members of the
SnoTrackers have volunteered their time to assist where needed. A formal
presentation will be made to City Council at their December 19, 1994 meeting.
94.51 Motion was made by Messinger, seconded by Grenz, to support the
recommendations of the Snowmobile Trail System Review Task Force. Messinger,
on behalf of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, thanked Larry Lulf
for his work as chair of the task force, Gerry Grenz, for his support as a member
of the task force, and City staff for their assistance.
Motion passed unanimously.
• ITEM # 10. ~ Unfinished business.
Staff reintroduced the issue of the designation of Dodd Blvd. as the county
bikeway. Dakota County will be involved in several construction projects in the
next year. Staff met with county planners this week to discuss alternate Dakota
County trail routes. The committee agreed with staff
s preliminary ideas; staff
will report back as additional information comes from the county.
Staff asked committee what they felt had been their biggest accomplishment of
1994. Members listed:
0 passage of the park bond referendum,
0 the accomplishments of the snowmobile task force,
0 the progress which has been made on the Ritter Farm Park concept plan, and
0 the opening of the Quigley-Sime athletic facility.
Earlier this year the committee had discussed the sale of a lot on the west side of
Quigley-Sime athletic complex to an adjoining landowner. After some
discussion the committee decided that there would be no benefit to the sale of
this lot. At this time both staff and City Attorney Jim Walston have advised that
sale of the lot probably would not be in the best interest of the City.
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December 7, 1994 Page 6
94.52 Motion was made by Grenz, seconded by Wanless-Sobel, to go on record that the
Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee feels there would be no benefit to the
sale and is not interested in selling the property at this time.
Motion passed.
ITEM # 11. - Unfinished business.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee terms of Colette Wanless-Sobel
and Gerry Grenz will expire on January 1, 1995. Member Wanless-Sobel has
submitted a letter to the City Council requesting a reappointment to the
Committee. Staff regretfully announced that due to other commitments, member
Grenz had submitted a letter of resignation from the committee. Staff thanked
Grenz for the valuable contributions he has made during his twelve years of
service on the committee and as a citizen of Lakeville. Member Grenz will be
recognized at the Advisory Committee Christmas Dinner.
Committee chair Kevin Ilia was presented with the Minnesota Recreation and
Park Association Board and Commission Member Award of Merit on December
2nd. The City Council will acknowledge this award and repeat the presentation
at their next council meeting. Staff will be surveying committee members for an
appropriate date to commemorate this award.
• ITEM # 12. - Announcements.
The December 21, 1994 meeting has been canceled for the holiday break. The next
meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee is scheduled for January
4, 1995 at 6:00 PM.
ITEM # 13. Adjournment.
The meeting adjourned at 10:05 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
ud' h A. Ryan, Record g Secretary
ATTEST:
Kevin Ilia, Chairperson