5.b) Administrator's ReportStaff Report
Date of Meeting: June 4, 2018
To: Parks & Recreation Committee
From: Neil Soltis, Administrator
Re: Administrator's report
Budget — The initial Council review of the 2019 budget will occur at the August 1 Council work session.
There should be discussion and comment at the July PRC meeting regarding Adam's budget submittal that
will be incorporated into the information provided to the Council.
Scandia Marine Lions Legacy projects — The Lions are in the process of surveying their membership
regarding establishing a legacy project. Among the projects under consideration that would impact the
City are: a playground at Lions Park, handicap accessible doors for the Community Building, and a shelter
for Lilleskogen Park. The results of the survey will be presented at the July 12 Lions meeting.
Gateway Trail —The language that would allow for MnDNR to seek the expiration of the metropolitan
agricultural preserve classification on the portion of land under their trail easement was included in the
tax bill that was sent to the Governor but was vetoed. This bill would have allowed MnDNR to proceed on
trail development on the portion of the trail between William O'Brien State Park and Oakhill road before
December 2024. The bonding request to fund predevelopment of the trail section in Scandia was not
included in the final bonding bill.
Lilleskogen Park —
Wetland Setbacks - The City's new shoreland ordinance became effective on May 23rd. Jay Riggs
of the Washington Conservation District has applied of the Minnesota Routine Assessment Method
(MnRAM) for Evaluating Wetland Functions for determination of setbacks. Jay has determined that
the wetland at Lilleskogen is a Manage 1 wetland so that structure setback from the wetland boundary
is 75'. The approximate setback areas are shown red in the aerial map below.
Right-of-way setback — In the Village Mixed Use zoning district there is a 150' setback from the
centerline of minor arterial highways such as MN 97. The approximate road setback is shown in blue
in the attached.
Grading and Fill —The Carnelian Marine Watershed District requires a permit for fill in excess of 5,000
s.f. The map below shows a rough area between the parking lot and the wetland where fill might be
appropriate. The blue fill area is 5,633 s.f. There should be Committee discussion on the extent to
which fill should be placed and what should be planted as a temporary or permanent cover or the fill
areas. Subject to suitable erosion control measures, the City has no wetland setback for fill.
Butterfly garden —The Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails will not be utilizing the former Rasmussen
property to create a new butterfly garden. They will be doing an inventory to get a full list of what
they think can be moved to a more suitable location.
Big Marine Park Reserve —The Washington County Public Works Department has informally inquired about
any City plans for the parcel identified as Outlot 1 on Margo Ave. which is within the boundaries of the Park
Reserve. The Township acquired the parcel in 1973 to meet the Town's open space requirement for the
platting of the subdivision. As shown on the aerial below over 90% of the parcel is wetland. The County owns
lot 1 at the bottom of the aerial and is in negotiations to acquire the parcels located on the east side of Margo
Ave. While there has not been a formal inquiry from the County about acquiring the outlot, it would be helpful
to get confirmation from the Committee that there are no plans for the parcel.