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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-16 CITY OF LAKEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COM~TI'EE MEE'T'ING MAY 16, 1990 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman Illa. Present were I.ulf, Lovelace, Larson, Illa, Grenz, and Raymond. Messinger had a conflict and was unable to attend. Also present were Park Director Steve Michaud and Recording Secretary Judi Ringeisen. 90.37 It was moved by Grenz, seconded by Raymond, to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Conanittee meeting of May 2, 1990, as published. Motion passed. 90.38 It was moved by Larson, seconded by Lulf, to amend the minutes of April 18, 1990 as follows: Page 2, paragraph 3; change the word "chosen" to "reconunexided" . Motion passed. Four residents of The Meadows West addition were in attendance to discuss the Royal Woods pond/trail area with the connnittee. Royal Woods plat is north of County Road 64, west of Jacquard and south of The Meadows West and is being developed by Wensmann Homes. One of the main issues of concern to the residents is the construction of Outlot A to a major holding pond for storm water retention. Staff told the residents that engineers and developers are attempting to design ponds which are • aesthetic as well as functional, much more so than in the past. The land in Royal Woods would be adjoining to Outlot A in Meadows West. Staff is proposing the developers install an 8' trail which would begin in The Meadows Park and continue on the perimeter of the pond and loop back into the park. Not all neighborhoods have the opportunity to have trails within the parks such as this. Another example is Oak Shores Park and Valley Lake Park, where the trials are in people's back yards and no problems have been encountered with these situations. Residents asked about whether the pond would actually hold water at all times or if it is designed to empty out shortly after a rainfall. Staff explained the pond could be lined on the bottom with clay in order to better hold water, since the soils in the area are typically sandy. It is staff's intention to get the construction of the trail accomplished while the developer is working in the area, so funds can be saved in benchcutting, etc. Residents were also concerned about removal of mature trees and erosion into the pond. The residents stated they had paid a premium for their lots from Frontier Development because of the privacy associated with the pond behind their homes. They felt their property values would decrease since the trail would only be 30' from their houses. Committee members who are familiar with similar situations said it is more of an amenity and a very good selling point for homes which have access to the trail system and suggested these residents visit Oak Shores and Valley Lake Parks. The . residents stated they would not have chosen these particular lots if they had known the trail would be installed. Staff will check into the possibility of routing the trail between the outlots at .the tree line instead of around the pond. Staff also explained the recommendation and Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting May 16, 1990 Page -2- decision making process to the residents. Committee discussed the location of the trail around the new Outlot A and felt they could not yet make a reconnnendation on construction of the trail on the north side of the outlot, as there are several unanswered questions. 90.39 It was moved by Larson, seconded by Lovelace, to reco~unend to City Council that an 8' trail be constructed on the south side of Outlot A in Royal Woods and expand the width of the access on the west side to 20 feet. It is further reronunended that the developer provide the actual benchcut of the trail and the access to the pond. Motion passed. 90.40 It was moved by Raymond, seconded by Larson, to table the discussion on the Royal Woods trail on the north side of the ponds and south side of Meadows West, pending further investigation. Motion passed. Staff reported he had met with Darrell Schneider on four major trail construction projects. The Hambun~ Avenue to Aronson Park trail will possibly be a 6 ft. aglime trail, considering it could be torn up in the future if development takes place on the east end of Aronson Park. The main priority of this trail is to allow safe access to the park. Other trail construction projects discussed included the trail access to Christina Huddleston Elementary, Dodd Park to Flagstaff, 160th Street and Fairgreen to Excel Way. The engineers are studying the feasibility and time lines for these trail projects. The first phase of the turf renovation program is completed. This included the soccer fields and baseball/softball field fertilizing and overseeding. A different type of seeding method called slice seeding was used this year. With the good seed that was used and the excellent rains we have received, the renovation program should be successful. The baseball diamond has been cut out at Foxborough Park and looks very nice. The softball field at Foxborough needs dryer weather to be completed and will be finished when weather permits. Staff explained the lifeguard hiring problems which are taking place in Lakeville as well as in neighboring cities. Competition with other employers such as the fast food industry have left a shortage of available qualified youth. The Park Dept. is encouraging the schools to offer Lifeguard Training as part of the regular curriculum at the high school next year. The Park Dept. will be offering a Lifeguard Training session over Memorial Day Weekend to try to increase their staff. Staff also discussed what hours the beaches will be open as it relates to heavy use times and budget cuts. Under Item #7, committee reviewed the revised ordinance concerning ultralight planes, loaded weapons, and splat ball in the parks. The • attorney suggested that even though the ordinance concerning firearms was redundant, it should be left in this section also for the sake of Parks and Recreation Advisory Cozrnnittee meeting May 16, 1990 Page -3- reinforcement. Conmtittee suggested under Section 2-7-141 the word "the" city park be changed to "a" city park. 90.41 It was moved by Larson, seconded by Lulf, to reco~runend to city council approval of the ordinance as amended concerning ultralight planes, splat ball and public access regulations. Motion passed. Staff showed connnittee the color coded map of the park service areas identified by the subconnnittee. Potentially planned park areas are in the southwest area of the city, west of the freeway, West Park, Raven Lake and also the North Creek area. Conunittee felt the school facility coverage areas should also be noted on the map. Co~nnittee feels it is important to set an adequate base for growth for the next 10-15 years. Future budgets will dictate actual park development and acquisition. Raymond asked about Cherrywood Park development. Staff is planning to hold a neighborhood meeting concerning the park area to get input for development. Plans for 1991 include reforestation of the park and a trail to meander through the woods and around the pond. Some people in the neighborhood favor installation of a playground, while others are opting to keep the area natural. • The next Parks and Recreation Advisory Crnrnnittee meeting will begin with the annual park tour. Members and other invited guests will meet at 6:00 PM at City Hall. Suggested sites to visit include future park sites, the proposed trail site at Meadows West and the North Park and Foxborough Park buildings. Staff will decide on a route and map it out. Staff also mentioned that the concrete floors at North Park and Foxborough buildings have been repaired, sealed, sanded and scored and he is pleased with the outcome. Staff reviewed the 1990 budget cuts. Cutbacks by the Legislature necessitated across the board cuts to the entire city. The portion cut from the park budget will be approximately $10,000. These cuts will likely include lifeguard hours, some maintenance, recreation and senior citizen activities. Under unfinished business, Raymond asked about current status of Ritter Farm Park buildings. The cost estimates will be finished soon on renovation of the duplex. The electrical inspector will be coming out to discuss with staff the extent of electrical work needed to bring the house to code. Staff is waiting for a reply from the Fire Dept. on burning the outbuildings. Larson suggested that the pond by the new proposed road at Ritter Farm Park be placed on the list for designated future acquisition. Larry Lulf, LAA liaison, said at recent meetings the LAA had indicated they would be using the ballfields on a 6-day a week basis in 1991. Two more fields will be available next year from Lake Marion Elementary school. Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting • May 16, 1990 Page -4- Staff is working with the Street Dept. to coordinate on-street bike trail striping. Bike route signs will be installed where necessary. Council will receive the petition on filling in or fixing up the lagoon area at the old Antlers Park boat launch. Staff is considering redesign of the property if the DNF2 does not allow the lagoon to be filled. A redesign could make the area much more aesthetic and safer for neighborhood children. Staff mentioned that the barrier to the Orchard Lake outlet had been dismantled by an unknown person or persons and the lake is back to normal. LAA had requested that the soccer fields at North Park be rolled to help the unevenness of the ground. Staff mentioned that some of the ground variation is actually tufts of grass caused by the overseeding program.. Park maintenance will look at it and see what can be done. Steve informed the coirnnittee he would be on vacation the week of May 21st. Since there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned. • Respectfully submitted, Kevin Illa, Chairman ATTEST: Pat Messinger, Secretary jr •