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8-5-13 MinutesCity of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee August 5, 2013 Members Present: Greg Zauner (Chair), Mike White, Pam Arnold, Dan Lee (City Council Representative) Members Absent: Matt Rasmussen (Vice -Chair), Alex Bildeaux Staff Present: Kristina Handt (City Administrator), Tim Kieffer (Public Works Director) and Judi Negus (Office Assistant) Guest: Janie O'Connor A site visit at Hay Lake Park preceded the meeting. Committee Members and Staff met at 7:10 p.m. at the Community Center. Chair Zauner called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Zauner recommended Lillquist Eagle Scout Project agenda item be moved up prior to Reports. Motion by White, seconded by Chair Zauner, to approve the agenda as amended. The motion carried 3-0. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by White, seconded by Chair Zauner, to approve the July 1, 2013 and July 15, 2013 minutes as presented. The motion carried 3-0. NEW BUSINESS Lillquist Eagle Scout Project Thomas Lillquist reported his project at the Hay Lake Park would include landscaping and signage once a path is installed. There would be three 18" by 24" signs with HIP sheeting and "C" lettering, which is the standard street font. Kieffer recommended the signage lettering to be white on brown to remain consistent with street sign standards. Arnold questioned if the signs would have a decal of the City logo like the Sand Lake signs. Chair Zauner recommended native Minnesota plants replace the proposed day lilies. Arnold agreed to provide Lillquist with a recommendation for what native plants to plant. White recommended the plants be drought resistant. Lee suggested a map drawn to scale to include elevations and specifications, including size of font and color. Kieffer agreed to help Lillquist draft specifications. Motion by Chair Zauner, seconded by White, to approve the project as amended to include: recommended native plants, Kieffer's recommended changes to eliminate landscaping in the buffer zone near the parking lot entrance and the area on the western end of the trail, landscaping areas along the south side of the trail should be 20 feet wide, two signs (one to point to the Swedish monument and one to the school) approved by City staff, include City decal on sign, and include drought resistant plants along the main trail. The motion carried 3-0. REPORTS Chair's Report Chair Zauner had nothing to report. August 5, 2013 Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Page 2 of 3 Staff Report Negus reported that the summer programs will wrap up the week of August 12. Negus will share the results of a survey conducted by Camp Lakamaga when received. OLD BUSINESS Lilleskogen Butterfly Garden Guest Janie O'Connor shared information that she gathered from Dr. Vera Krischik from the University of Minnesota and Karen Schik. O'Connor suggested the removal of the brush this fall followed by tilling and re -tilling. The best time to plant would be in April. Prairie Restoration would charge $6.60 for a six-pack of plugs. O'Connor estimated the cost to be between $3,000 and $5,000 and would also depend on how far apart the plugs are planted and suggested we consider making the garden a little smaller. Arnold suggested we make our own plugs from seeds and offered to start the process. Lee agreed to help Arnold. O'Connor also stressed the need for a maintenance plan. Strategic Action Plan Handt prepared a draft Lilleskogen Park Restoration Strategic Action Plan and recommended the plan be the Committee's reference guide moving forward. Arnold shared the plan does not address evasive species eradication. Handt agreed to include a goal to remove buckthorn with action steps including creating a program to train volunteers, recruiting of volunteers, and executing the plan. White reported he no longer has a volunteer to spray herbicide. Handt recommended the herbicide be applied by a qualified person. Motion by Arnold, seconded by White, to obtain a bid from Prairie Restoration. The motion carried 3-0. Kieffer informed the wood chips would be spread out by the end of this week if the weather cooperates. Chair Zauner questioned if trees needed to be removed for placement of the Butterfly Garden. Kieffer suggested concentrating on the parking lot before completing any clearing. Chair Zauner suggested installing black plastic as a weed barrier after tilling and prior to planting. Arnold suggested modifying the strategic action plan to include an action step to design the picnic shelter. Kieffer recommended including installation of electricity as an action step. Arnold also suggested including an action step to design the boardwalk, design the outdoor classroom, design the wildflower entrance feature, design the signs, and any other goal that would require a design. Arnold recommended the Committee initiate the designs and pass them on to Scouts who are looking for projects to complete. Motion by Chair Zauner, seconded by White, to approve the Lilleskogen Park Restoration Strategic Action Plan as amended. The motion carried 3-0. Vinterfest 2014 Arnold shared she would like to see businesses get involved with Vinterfest and the event offer evening activities. Arnold shared her written proposal dated August 5, 2013. Lee suggested a parade during Vinterfest. Chair Zauner suggested the addition of daytime activities for 2014 and consider nighttime activities for 2015. Arnold agreed to draft a schedule listing new Vinterfest activities for those proposed activities that she has public support and willingness to coordinate. Arnold will share this schedule at the September 9, 2013 PRC meeting. August 5, 2013 Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee Page 3 of 3 AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING The Committee agreed on the following agenda items for the September 9, 2013 Committee meeting: 1. Winter Recreational Programs 2. Lilleskogen 3. Finalize Vinterfest ADJOURNMENT White, seconded by Chair Zauner, moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 9 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Judi Negus Office Assistant