Lake Elmo City Council — Transcript
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Reed Park Parking Lot and Trail Reconstruction
Parks Service Level Staffing and Future Needs
Park Reservation Policy Revisions
General Park Updates and Future Reviews
Votes (3)
Reed Park Parking Lot and Trail Reconstruction
Moved by Unknown [0:5:40] · Seconded by Unknown [0:6:10]
The discussion centered on the proposed reconstruction project for Reed Park's parking lot and trail. Details included the $227,120 bid from Miller Excavating, plans for asphalt replacement, new concrete curbs (highback and drive-over), and a sophisticated drainage system. Project timelines were set for late fall, specifically August-September to align with baseball seasons. Concerns were raised about pedestrian safety, the absence of striping on 30th Street without a full crosswalk, and the lack of police/fire department review for access. The potential future development of a smaller pavilion near the ADA parking was also considered for the site of a basketball court. The continuation of the sidewalk down to 30th Street received positive feedback.
Park Service Level Staffing and Future Needs
The commission reviewed the Parks Master Plan's primary recommendation to establish a Parks Director position. The discussion focused on identifying specific areas where current park services are lacking or could be enhanced, with an emphasis on recreational programming for all ages (e.g., teen nights, leagues, music in the park). Other identified needs included securing diverse funding (donations, grants), improving communications (website), strategic planning for growth, enhancing trail accessibility, and coordinating volunteers. Commissioners noted the city's comparatively low parks staffing levels and discussed the potential for a dedicated forester/arborist role, or a combined conservation and parks manager, drawing comparisons to other cities like River Falls and Little Canada. This item served as a preliminary discussion, with commissioners tasked to compile a detailed list of 8-10 items for a future joint meeting with City Council.
Park Reservation Policy Revisions
This segment addressed ongoing efforts to revise the park reservation policy, slated for City Council review next month. Key proposals include distinguishing between residents and non-residents, introducing half-day options for shelters, retaining all reservation funds to cover cleanup, and increasing lighting fees (currently $150). The commission also discussed reserving a percentage (e.g., 50%) of courts for walk-in public use. Operational issues with the current manual reservation system and the transition to a new website were noted. Public feedback highlighted both the cleanliness of facilities and frustrations regarding long-term reservations monopolizing courts, prompting suggestions for improvements like paddle racks for equitable waiting. The potential expansion of the reservation system to other parks like Stonegate and Ivywood was also considered, balancing increased revenue with maintaining informal community use.
Notable Quotes (17)
So um we're right in line with that 227,000 um with the bids that we received.
So, uh the current parking lot is asphalt. So we are replacing that with asphalt. There will be new concrete curb uh throughout um that edges the the outside of the the parking area.
So, city council will review this um at their next meeting. Uh, so that' be end of the June. So we weren't looking till late fall on this project to begin with. So August, that way it correlates with our uh summer baseball and spring fall baseball.
but a highback curb will also prevent people from driving over that parking too.
Really appreciate the uh continuation of the sidewalk down to 30th. kind of ends in no man's land right now. So, that'll be nice.
The issue before the parks commission tonight, what park level related services need more attention or what is being missed that should be relayed to city council for consideration in improving our park system?
I think we have really great parks and amenities, but we're kind of lacking that um recreational programming um that a lot of a number of other comparable cities have.
Also having, and we've mentioned this before, having a spot for donations for trees, benches, different equipment, um, picnic tables, shelters.
um and then another piece is of course the inner connectivity of the trails which I know is on our plan. And I know there's different areas identified, but how's even more um resource spent on that to try to figure that out.
but if you look at one the city of little Canada which is only slightly bigger than Lake Elmo they have four people okay and now a lot of them are doing the things that we were suggesting and talking about about programs and activities and communications and things like that um but I think you can kind of see that we are definitely in the area of staffing somewhat out of the norm when it comes to parks.
Well, and I was just going to add, I mean, it's right to start with the work because then starting with the work defines what that position is and even what that level is because a director or do you start with a manager or what do you know what's the level that you start with or a coordinator?
that parks reservation is to really look at reservations of residents versus non-residents uh specifically with our shelters is splitting that up half day versus full day.
with that funds of likely receiving those funds all um keeping all those funds versus being returned mainly because um we're still going back there to clean up the garbage after each time, right?
I think having something that would allow for you know like each day to be reserved rather than I want this for the full summer
On the other hand hand, I have a friend who used to play in um another city and they came over here because it was a much better deal. They get their money back and they're one of the groups reserving for three days during the week for a number of hours each day. So I've heard both sides.
do we want to add any additional parks to the reservation?
But if we had a parks director, they would be on top this to build a more coherent policy structure.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
Completed by Bolton Mink in Fall 2024, identified adding a Parks Director position as the first priority.
City staff work plan for 2025, which included the Parks Director position and was approved by City Council in February 2025.
Capital Improvement Plan, whose adjusted schedule led to the re-ordering of meeting agenda items.
The city's policy guiding the implementation of crosswalks, mentioned in the context of 30th Street striping.
The current policy under review for changes related to resident/non-resident fees, shelter rentals, lighting, and court use.
Mentioned in the context of development and the potential need for a city forester.