Parks and Recreation Commission

Meeting Minutes

August 4, 2015

8:00 p.m.

 

PRESENT:  Becker-Finn, Diedrick, Gelbach, Heikkila, Newby, O'Brien, Stoner

ABSENT:    Bogenholm, Doneen, Holt notified staff about being unable to attend

STAFF:      Anfang, Brokke, Paul Bilotta, Community Development Director

 

 

1.    INTRODUCTIONS

 

2.    ROLL CALL/PUBLIC COMMENT

No public comment at this time.

 

3.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JUNE 2, 2015 MEETING

June 2, 2015 minutes passed unanimously.

 

4.    REVIEW LANGTON LAKE PARK in RELATION TO TWIN LAKES AREA

Bilotta requested to speak with the Commission in an effort to get ahead of the game as groups look into development opportunities in the Twin Lakes area and to hear first-hand from the Commission their thoughts and questions.

 

Bilotta presented general, broad information on the Twin Lakes area, including the upcoming development of Twin Lakes Parkway. Planning for the parkway began in 1996. The Parkway project is going out to bid on Monday. Paul shared maps of the Parkway adjacent to Langton Lake Park.

·         Bilotta commented that project community meetings have shown there is community interest in the park in relation to this project.

·         Bilotta also mentioned there are potential development proposals that could be coming in to the City in the coming months.

 

Commission discussion followed.

·         Commissioners inquired into more information on the Regulating Plans

o    Bilotta explained that the Regulating Plan allows the City to require developers to provide items in a development

·         Stoner asked about environmental impacts with the current Parkway design

o    Bilotta responded that the plans address current environmental standards & requirements

·         Gelbach asked about whether the project will provide possible assistance for improving Terrace parking lot run off.

o    Bilotta replied that the local watershed is interested in being involved in improvements as well as doing direct parking lot improvements.

·         Becker-Finn commented on the pathways in Langton Lake Park and how some of the pathways have a significant buffer while others have minimal buffers and commented on how the community has often commented on interest in maintaining the buffer and/or increasing green space/buffers around pathways in the park.

o    Bilotta added that the Council has also added a height buffer adjacent to the park.

o    Becker-Finn also added it is one thing to have a green buffer, and it?s another thing to have a paved parking lot buffer.

·         Bilotta asked the Commission & staff about access opportunities, easement possibilities, ie. greenway corridor.

·         Brokke mentioned that engaging a planning professional to work with citizens and staff to look at access and opportunities in the area.

·         O'Brien commented on how things seem to be moving fast, what is the timeline at Twin Lakes?

o    Adjacent lands to the park are about 2 years out and are need in some site clean-up and requiring more time. Current interests are a bit removed from the park area but will eventually move closer to park.

o    Brokke commented how the regulating map helps us by identifying different needs with different developments.

 

Twin Lakes Public Comment:

·         Annette Phillips voiced her interest in keeping the area well buffered. The Twin Lakes area is a real jewel, the warehouses are not visually beautiful, but they are quiet. There are concerns about potential parking lots very close to the park and encourage efforts to keep the park pristine and safe.

·         Carol Tanning is concerned about the safety of walkers in the area. Carol feels the development has the possibility of opening up properties to unsafe situations and is concerned about those potential problems that could come in with further development. She urges the City to keep the area safe.

·         Lacy commented that the lake and the area around the lake are her favorite part of living in the area. There is lots of wild life and she is advocating for conserving the area. She is also concerned about safety at the south side of lake.

·         Ron Tanning mentioned this is a park in need of access for everyone. Tanning also mentioned the need for lighting and minimizing a closed in feeling.

 

5.    FOLLOW UP ON JOINT MEETING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL

Brokke highlighted meeting minutes and council interests.

·         Golf Course operations review

·         Park Dedication Fees

o    Policy on use of Park Dedication Fees

§  Capital Items

§  Acquisitions

·         Discussion on Southwest Roseville properties

·         Fees: resident and non-resident

 

Extensive discussion on Park Dedication fees and the possibility of considering a policy that provides more direction on the use of park dedication fees.

 

6.    UPDATE ON CEDARHOLM GOLF COURSE REVIEW

Phil, Jerry & Dave have been working with staff to review Golf Course operations and learn more about the enterprise fund.

 

Jerry briefed the commission on recent discussions and spoke to the workings of an enterprise fund. An enterprise fund is required to cover all direct and in-direct costs plus capital items. Unfortunately, the golf course will not be able to maintain the enterprise fund status going into the future, it is not sustainable with current revenue streams and expense base. The transparency required of an enterprise fund can be replicated as a general budget program. Stoner explained that the Skating Center at one time was an enterprise fund and transitioned to the general recreation budget program with the opening of the OVAL.

 

Gelbach added that through review of operations and staff interviews he is leaning strongly toward recommending moving the golf course into the parks and recreation budget and discontinuing the enterprise fund.

Newby inquired into how the golf course might handle capital expenses at this time. Brokke responded generally, talking about the need to make tough decisions if we were placed in that position.

 

Brokke also spoke of Finance Director Miller's estimates of $95,000/year in addition to current revenue levels is what is required to sustain the golf course. It was suggested that representatives from the Parks & Recreation commission and the Finance commission meet to discuss options.

 

7.    CONFIRM SEPTEMBER MEETING DATE

Commission agreed to meet Tuesday, September 1 at 6pm at the County Road C2 entrance to Langton Lake Park. This tour of Langton Lake area will be followed with a virtual tour of the Renewal Program at Sandcastle Park Building.

 

8.    CONSIDER RESCHEDULING FUTURE AUGUST MEETINGS

Commissioner Becker-Finn asked the Commission to consider rescheduling future August meetings so that all commissioners might participate in National Night Out events. All agreed to consider this when setting the 2016 calendar.

 

9.    STAFF REPORT

·         Fall Activities Brochure is scheduled for delivery to area homes the second week in August.

·         Roseville Park Buildings were featured in the August edition of the Minnesota Recreation & Park Association magazine.

·         Today's Commission packet included a park building report for the Commission?s review

·         Commission Packet also included an EAB update.

 

10. Other

None

 

Meeting adjourned at 10:15 pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Jill Anfang, Assistant Director