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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-07 CITY OF LAKEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COPM~TI`EE NQNU1~'S SEPTEMBER 7, 1988 Meeting was called to order by Chairman Larson at 7:00 PM. Members present were Lulf, Illa, Grenz, Larson, McDonald and Messinger. Lovelace was absent. Also present were Park Director Steve Michaud and recoreling secretary Judi Ringeisen. 88.77 Motion was made by McDonald, seconded by Illa to approve the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee minutes of August 17, 1988. Motion passed. Three residents of Valley Park were in attendance to discuss the potential purchase of the Goff property as an addition to Valley Lake Park.. The developer is asking $20,000 per .acre for the five acre parcel. Mr. Vensel Ruhmann suggested if the property were rezoned to a lower density, the price would probably also be lowered and stated the Valley Park residents would be willing to help fund the purchase. Mr. Ruhmann referred to the article in the "Messages" and asked how a portion of the money which will become available for theconstruction of a new City Hall can be redirected to this type of a land purchase. Staff explained that this is not part of the general fund, but bond defeasance, and has come from sound investments by the city over the years. The funds do not exist to be allocated to certain areas of the City. Gene Hokins from Valley Park suggested a cooperative purchase of the • property with the City of Apple Valley. Staff thought that would be a difficult venture but suggested that if the residents of Valley Park feel the park is overused, a fee structure could be set up to deter residents of neighboring comarnanities from overcrowding the parka Mr. Ruhmann also voiced concern for the high amount of traffic on Cedar: Avenue and the dangers it poses for bicyclists who are trying to cross. Staff stated that besides the crossing at 160th Street, a crossing will be provided at 170th Street. The trail is slated for installation on the west side of Cedar Avenue from Whitney to Dodd Blvd. Mr. Hokins stated he appreciates all that has been done for the residents and asked about possibly grooming the trails for cross country skiing and also letting residents know about what is available. Staff reported that a marketing. plan is being designed. Committee member Grenz thanked the citizens for their r~nnents and added his feelingsthat this is not a matter of the residents wanting more park land, but rather it is their intent to stop the development of the property adjoining the park. Also under citizen caminents Ms. Chris Headrick was present representing the Crystal Lake PT'O's concern about the safety of the children who walk. or bike to the new school from north of County Road 46 and. east of the school. A "School Crossing" sign has been installed on Co: Rd. 46 since the school is barely visible from the east. A specific spot is needed for the children to merge for a crossing. About 200 children are affected. Parks and Recreation Committee minutes September 7, 1988 -2- • The wide of Coun Road 46 will not be done for about five ears and an~J tY Y , the plan does not include trails. Easements for accesses have been provided out of Bluebill Bay Estates but now the county has slightly changed the layout of the road, putting in turn lanes and making a more dangerous situation.. Staff feels. at this time the best way to lower the danger would be to designate a safe route and educate the children and parents.. McDonald suggested that there were many good facilities on the north side of 46 and if the children are bused to school there will not be a need for them to cross. Staff feels the school zone-should be designated by the PTO which would make the school be more accountable and the county more willing to work with them. Under item number four, staff reported the subcontractor had been replaced on the paving of the trails along 165th Street and hopefully work will now begin soon. Staff met with neighbors near Rolling Oaks Park concerning the drainage situation. The engineers are continuing to work with the contractor on the grading and reseeding.: of the park. Staff expects to have an answer on the railroad property by Friday and nothing can be done unti_1 he hears from them. At North Park the infields have been installed. on the softball fields. Several tons of black dirt have been brought in to top dress and level the ground. Water is badly .needed for the sod so a temporary irrigation system is being developed. 6" pipes are to be brought in overland and • hooked to a hydrant, for a cost of under $1,000. Friedges will trench for the. piping of the permanent system and the manufacturer will install the pipes. .The cost of the permanent system should be under $30,000. The Irxlependence Park drainage plan is being designed. It was originally planned that the cost would be taken from the Storm Water fund, however it is felt now that the developer and the park are also partly responsible and will share the cost. Staff reported that as the sewer lines are installed in The Cove and Great :Oaks plats the trails will be graded so that only the blacktopping will be left to be done. It was noted that the City Council had approved the resolution to limit the motor size on Lake Kingsley to 10 HP, which will eliminate the water skiers, to .the satisfaction of the residents. The Orchard Lake Park retaining wall and shelter are finished. Other shelters are being constructed and it is felt that some extra bracing may be needed to further stabilize the buildings. Staff is working with the manufacturer on a solution. The senior citizen center is in the process: of being repainted. Messinger asked if a new swim raft would be purchased for Valley Lake next sunmier; staff will check the budget. McDonald asked about the status of the fishing docks which were to be on~ered for Valley Lake. Staff stated Parks and Recreation Committee minutes September 7, 1988 -3- • the docks were of a t which is still active and could roduce the Part gran p revenues next sutrnner. Until then, the shore fishing is acceptable. Committee disc.-ussed the Ritter Park trail map which staff is working on in conjunction with NAC. It was decided that three separate maps be done to be distributed seasonally:. equestrian, ski and snowmobile, and hiking. The cost will be about $500 for the 8-1/2 X 11 maps. The maintenance on the trails is getting to be an issue. There are so many miles of trails to be kept up along with the bon~ering grassy areas. The irrigation system on Fire Station #3 is .being designed. The October tree planting project is getting underway. Two Eagle Scouts will be involved in the landscape design and installation of trees at Dakota Heights and Rolling Oaks Parks. Shelters, Playgrounds and plantings will be priorities this fall, along with regular pre~ainter tasks. This weekend is the last .softball tournament for the season at Aronson Park. After the tournament the final cuts will be made for the soccer and football fields. Name badges for committee members have been ordered and hopefully will arrive in time for the Community Fair at the High School on Saturday. It is hoped that the cotmnittee members will each spend some time at the Parks & Rec. booth. • Committee members reported the seminar put on by the MRPA on August 23rd was very beneficial and enlightening. The sessions attended included ..legalities and liabilities, and marketing ideas.. Staff reported the building plans for North Park and Foxborough were approved by city council on Tuesday evening. Neil Weber has .designed the .separate picnic shelter to be installed at Foxborough. Committee received an updated Park Dedication Fund budget. Billings are still being worked out with Donohue on projects that took place in 1987. The engineers and contractors are deciding on responsibilities for certain charges. North Park has been the largest addition to the budget. Other items on the proposed budget include the park system plan update and the master plans for Ritter_Farm Park, which will be done separately. NAC is currently working with C.J. Lilly in preparing a proposal which will better meet the needs and desires of the Parks and Recreation Committee than. the proposal which they previously submitted. Messinger feels renegotiations should be considered with the other companies .who had offered proposals previously. She also suggested doing the project in phases. McDonald stated she feels a different company than NAC should be retained to do the plan. Staff will propose a phased project to council. • Parks and Recreation Crnrnnittee minutes September 7, 1988 -4- The bond referendum trail ro'ects are almost lete. The 185th Street P 7 ~ segment is quite some time away and the Highway 50 project will also affect the trail next year. The Lakeville Commercial Center will be coming in with park dedication mbney but the residential building has slowed considerably. It is anticipated that building will pick up a .little in September and October but it would be difficult to estimate to what extent it will add to the budget. Staff directed the committee to give some thought to what they feel is priority, whether double or single trails are needed on 185th Street from Hwy.50 to I-35. The Highway 50 improvement project from Dodd to Southfork right now is scheduled to receive 10' shoulders on street to accotrnmodate pedestrian and bike traffic but city staff would like to participate in the planning for this project and have input concerning the trails.. Staff and cannnittee discussed the surveys which were returned-after being handed out at the parks this su~rmter. ..Most of the conmients were very .complimentary and also there were some good suggestions. The gardens were particularly praised in several instances. McDonald and Messinger co~miented on the effectiveness of the rangers this stmmler and how the parks are becoming family oriented.. There. has been a .definite decrease in vandalism this year. The con~unittee members suggested the ranger program continue through the winter for the warming houses. • Staff will follow up on that suggestion. It was suggested that the Park Watch program also be followed up on this winter and through the spring. Staff will hold some meeting and try to keep the Program going. .Larson suggested staff send a letter to Char Dennhart, spokesperson for the equestrian trail issue in Ritter Farm Park, asking her to remind trail users of the rules. Larson has noticed some evidence of riding off the trails and not. waiting the specified 24 hours after a rainfall before usingthe trails. 88.78 Since there was. no further business, motion was made by Illa, seconded by Grenz, to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 10:20 PM. Respectfully submitted, Jeff. Larson, Chairman ATI'E.ST: • Larry Lulf, Secretary jr