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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-21 CITY OF LAKEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMNN~TI'EE N JUNE 21, 1989 Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman Larson. Present were Illa, Messinger, Lulf, Larson, and Lovelace. Grenz arrived later. Also present were Park Director Steve Michaud and recording secretary Judi Ringeisen. Several citizens were present; a sign-in sheet is attached to these minutes. 89.76 Motion was made by Illa, seconded by Lulf, to approve the minutes of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Connnittee meeting of June 7, 1989. Motion passed. Under item 3, citizen comments, there were no continents pertaining to items not on the agenda. Several citizens were in attendance to discuss the Orchard Lake area trail situation under Item 4. Staff began the discussion by talking about the county priorities for trails, especially on County Road 44, and the accessing of County Road 5. Staff has attended several meetings with the county concerning trails in the area. County Road 44 is on the turnback program list, however it does not meet city standar<Ls for turnback acceptance and would have to be upgraded by the county before it would be acceptable for turnback. The upgrading would have to include extensive work, including trails. Staff has also done a survey on what property is available for widening the • road .and installing a trail. Some of the adjoining property is buildable, some is not. The process of purchasing or acquiring adequate property would be extremely expensive. Difficulties past the viaduct also exist with topography and infringement problems on private property. 172nd Street would be the more conducive for an on-street trail as it is somewhat wider. Previous committee suggestions included a trail across the YMCA property, and acquiring an easement between property owners in Kingswood Estates. A citizen asked about a possible trail on the railroad property along Judicial. There is not a safe way to bike from that area to the school or the lake. Staff discussed the Rails to Trails Program and the difficulty in getting a trail crossing across railroad property. A citizen in attendance suggested a rerouting of the traffic on the west side of Judicial in conjunction with the sewer/water installation. A property owner along 162nd Street who has several acres of land said she would be very willing to donate property for a trail. Connie McCarty said she feels the bottom line is that the traffic is so heavy and fast that the speed limit needs to be lowered. Several other residents also stated the same sentiments. City Ac~iiinistrator Bob Erickson was in attendance and commented that committee, staff and residents are at a disadvantage because of a lack of traffic planning and design expertise. He feels what is needed is a combination of regulatory signage and interim trail system. His suggestion • was to have Barton-Aschman or another expert do a traffic survey of the area Park and Recreation Advisory Coirnnittee June 22, 1989 -2- then have citizens meet with staff on site to discuss possible solutions. He would like to see the regulatory signs installed before school starts. He also co~nnented on the importance of the different department heads working together towards an equitable solution to traffic and trails. Larson thanked the citizens for attending and for their conmients and ideas. Lulf also mentioned that the citizens on the west side of County Road 5, north of Lakeville Hills, need trails also and will be provided with trails more easily than those on the east side of CR5. Staff also addressed a question concern playgrounds and toddler apparatus at the Orchard Lake Park. 89.77 Motion was made by Lulf, seconded by Messinger, to proceed with contracting Barton-Aschman to study possible solutions to the traffic and trail situation in the Orchard Lake area. Motion passed. The lack of an Oak Shores Park trail access on the northwest side was explained by staff under item #5. Somehow the trail easement was not recorded as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Co~[nnittee some time ago. Staff feels it is now too intrusive to go into the lots where it originally was intended. Vern IAken owns a lot in the area and is asking $25,000 for the entire lot.. He may, however, sell a portion of the lot for less. • Kevin Illa stated he had surveyed the area and did not see any worn paths as evidence of pedestrians using undesignated routes. Larson would like to contact the owners of the .lots where the original easement was supposed to be placed. Committee felt the route along lot 13 would be a flatter route than that between lots 7 and 8. Citizens in attendance asked questions about weeds in Orchard Lake, particularly Eurasian Milfoil and Purple Loosestrife. The damages each can cause was discussed. The slalom course on the lake was also discussed. Staff has been in contact with the sheriff's dept, concerning the proximity of the course to the public beach. He feels it is unsafe and wants the sheriff's dept. to take responsibility for having the course moved. Staff and conunittee also answered questions concerning surface water zoning and thanked the citizens for their input. Staff introduced Bob Erickson to the co~unittee members. Mr. Erickson discussed his philosophies and goals for the growth of the city and its staff. Under item 6, staff updated the conmlittee on some questions they had asked at the last meeting. The facilities planned for the new elementary school include two ballfields, one large soccer/football field and a playground. • Parks aril Recreation Advisory Committee June 21, 1989 -3- The city of Lakeville will not receive any J'I'P positions this year due to several circ~unstances. Only two positions would have been available, one of which was a handicapped worker. Staff also updated the committee on playground delivery, playground at Dakota Heights, trail sweeping, puppet wagon, and his tour of the park system with Bob Erickson. Staff attended the Dakota County trail system planning meeting. The southern coalition was well represented at the meeting and. made their opinions and ideas hean3. The county was in the process of overlaying Pilot Knob Road by Countryview; staff was disappointed that the shoulders were not paved for trailways in the area in conjunction with the road repaving project. Staff reportedhe had toured the park system with Barry Warner on June 20th for the purpose of the Park and Open Space System Plan update. They had discussed the Parkvew/Valley Lake scenario and haw it could be combined into one park. This scenario also exists in other areas. The septic system is completed at North Park and lighting and paving is now being worked on. The building is being used by the playground program. Most of the playground sites are well attended as have been the special events so far this siumner. City staff is working on several Pan-O-Prog events. The Water Cross event is being finalized with plans for set up. Pan-O-Prog concessions are being • .worked on by Dan Bale and Judi. John Heger has been working with the portable toilet company in preparation of filling the many requests. Renee is working with Dan Bale on the Pan-O-Prog run and Youth Tournament Days. Nancy Kill is this year's city liaison. The Independence Park project is nearly complete. Some citizens have contacted staff concerning the backstop and citizens have also been solicited for their continents. A petition may be circulated in order to verify public opinion. The bathroom the projects are also finished at Aronson Park, Orchard Lake Park and Orchard Lake Beach. The phasing of the Caspersen project was discussed with Barry Warner during their park tour. Staff's idea is to start at the lake shore and move into the amphitheater and picnic areas. Staff will do a further report when the LAWCON grant application is submitted. Trees and flowers are all planted, growing and being watered regularly. Some of the bare root trees which were planted last year may have been lost, probably due to last year's drought. Park Maintenance employee, John Wiemelt, has been working on pruning and replacement. Larson has discussed with a resident the pruning of the apple orchard at Ritter Farm Park for its .revitalization. Staff was informed of a 100 foot pedestrian expansion bridge which was recently removed from a location in St. Lpuis Park. The corrnnittee felt the 162nd Street crossing would be a good spot if the bridge could be secured for a reasonable sum. Grenz suggested Cedar Avenue near Valley Park may Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee June 22, 1989 -4- • also be a suitable location. Staff is suggesting Casperson Park as a site. Permits and agreements are complete for Lake Marion dredging. Friedges Landscaping got the bid. The exact date for the project has not been set but staff would like to get it done before the Pan--O-Prog fishing tournament. Staff informed the co~nnittee about former Park and Recreation Committee member Duane Gramstad's recent heart surgery. A card was distributed for conunittee signatures. Al Hermann has been in contact with staff about the funds he had proposed towards a new building at Ritter Farm Park. Staff would like to see the money used for restoration. Outpost toilets may be an alternative for the funds. Staff will discuss the situation further with Mr. Hermann and report back to the committee. Messinger conmlented on the need for benches around the playground at Independence Park. She also requested a harclcourt surface be installed at the park if possible. Staff commented on the good job that the park rangers are doing and also the special SWAT team that Dan Bale is supervising. They do odds and ends projects that are difficult for maintenance crews to get to, • including such things as painting and minor repairs. The park rangers will be getting a bike from the Police Dept. so they will be riding the trails. All signs ordered last fall for the trail system have been located and marked by the utility companies and installation is planned to begin June 26, 1989. The freezer at the Antlers Park was in need of repairs which would have proven costly so it was decided the freezer would be replaced this year. A used stave and refrigerator has been donated for the North Park building and will be installed. before the Pan-O-Prog soccer tournament. .89.78 Since there was no further business, motion was made by Illa, seconded by Larson, to adjourn. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:55 PM. R fully 'tt , J Larson, Chairman AZTFST: • Larry f, Secre ~r