North St. Paul City Council — Transcript
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Dorothy Park & Silver Lake Park Issues and Signage Policy
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Review and Adjustments
Votes (2)
Dorothy Park Signage and Lake Usage Issues
Dissent: None
The commission discussed various issues at Dorothy Park and Silver Lake, including fishing from the shoreline, casting onto private property, cannabis/vaping use, littering, and off-leash dogs. Staff reported increased police patrols. Discussion focused on updating park signage city-wide to prohibit smoking, vaping, and marijuana use, and exploring clearer boundary markers for public vs. private property. The current ordinance allows shoreline fishing in general, but not at swimming beaches. Commissioners debated whether to change the ordinance for Dorothy Park, ultimately deciding against an immediate change in favor of temporary signs and educational campaigns. The role of the DNR for water-related jurisdiction was also highlighted.
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Adjustments
Dissent: None
Moved by Lloyd Grachek [6m 48s] · Seconded by Ingred Kohler [7m 10s]
The commission reviewed the existing CIP, emphasizing the need to prioritize projects without raising the tax levy. Key adjustments included pushing Mcnite Park fencing and dugouts to 2034 due to ongoing design and survey work. The Casey Lake observation deck was moved up to 2028 with a budget note of $80k-$100k, with potential for scout or college partnerships. A $25,000 project for KBY Lake Hills (for potential multi-use courts) was moved from 2032 to 2027, with the understanding that community feedback would be sought via a video series before implementation. The Downtown Open Space project was deferred to 2030, and the Tower Park Gaga Ball Pit was removed pending water tower plans. Additionally, the commission approved adding trash cans to PCU Pond and advancing Southwood Park improvements to 2028.
Notable Quotes (8)
And I had no idea that anyone was fishing um in that small little area. Um, and if you guys can picture Dorothy Park, there is really only I don't know how many feet, not very many feet of shoreline that anyone could be casting off from.
It's not technically in our ordinance. We we allow fishing off of the shoreline. So, that's also a larger discussion if we want it. We can't fish at the beach. That's that's a clear rule. But, as far as the other shorelines, it doesn't specifically call that out.
So, in the same vein of no fishing here, can you know, is there also an element of here's where you can fish type piece so that you're proactively getting that messaging out too.
So, we're if we say no, you can't fish, then you can't fish on land, but then they start walking out. I I wonder if we can have some sort of community education like Laura was saying because it's a it's kind of a sticky situation because you when you're out in a boat or canoe, you can cast anywhere in the water.
um keeping in mind that um council has made a goal that they don't want to raise the levy necessarily. So um adding a lot of expenses would probably be um frowned upon. Um and then just stressing to continue prioritizing the projects like you have been.
Yeah, the deck. Uh we may want to start getting quotes on what it's going to run to do that or if we can get another uh Boy Scout, which built that 101 15 years ago, to redo it as an Eagle Scout project.
I have an idea that I'm wondering. This is kind of based off of your idea for messaging. Something I was going to propose was I w I would like to see Ava do like a monthly highlight on a park each month like a video series and I'm wondering if we do that and we start or one of the first ones is Colby Hills and we talk about that open space being available and we see if that ups usage there at all.
I think the downtown open space honestly has to be one of those that's I don't know what to say but like convenient to build when the money's a little more convenient too which we may not know the true cost of Mcnite until it's done. So I certainly don't think it to me like 2028's probably too premature for that.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
Annual plan outlining capital projects for parks, reviewed and adjusted by the commission.
Existing rule prohibiting smoking in parks; discussed for potential updates regarding vaping/marijuana and fishing restrictions.
Document triggering discussion about Dorothy Park and Silver Lake issues.
Agreement for geotechnical exploration, asbestos surveys, wetland delineations, and design options for Mcnite Park.
Pending funding decision impacting Casey Lake CIP projects.
Document clarifying the payment schedule for Casey Lake building contribution from local government aid funding.