Vacation time of the year. >> Good to go. >> All right. Funny. >> All right, I'm going to call this Monday, June 15th meeting of the Parks Commission to order. First, let's please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> [clears throat] >> Next, let's have a look over the agenda and approve it or take any changes. Is there a motion to approve the agenda? >> So moved. >> Second? >> I'll second that. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. All right, motion passed. Next, let's take a look at the minutes, please. I did have one correction that I noticed. For staff present, we also had Ashley and Sophia at that May meeting. So, if they could please be added, that'd be great. Did anyone notice any other changes? >> No. >> Okay. Well, then I'll make a motion to approve the minutes from May 18th with the correction that Ashley and Sophia were also like almost staff present. I have a second. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Motion passed. Thanks. And now we're on to the Bridgewater Townhomes concept. >> [snorts] >> All right, thank you. So, tonight we're we are reviewing the Bridgewater Village Townhome concept plan. So, the applicant for this application is Pulte. The property owner is Bridgewater Bankshares Incorporated. The current zoning and guidance in the 2040 comp plan is Village Medium Density Residential. The property is just over 16 acres. It is 82 town home units. And a little history on this area. So, this section was before the Parks Commission in 2023 with the original Bridgewater development, and the commission voted to recommend approval of cash in lieu of land for this area, um specifically for the commercial component. So, there are five outlots that comprise this project. To get your bearings, of the five parcels, to the north is Stillwater Way and Fieldstone neighborhood. To the south are the commercial commercial users, Primrose Daycare, Bridgewater Bank, and then some stormwater ponding. To the west is a cemetery and residential. To the east is Holiday gas station and Manning Avenue. Here is the proposed unit layout of the property. So, there are two main development parcels, east and west of the north-south street. One outlot, uh closer to the Holiday gas station, um that is not going to be developed. And then two stormwater ponds would be included with this development. And then I will call out the dark green area in the center of the project, that is proposed to be a private um outlot, private park space for the residents. So, as you are aware, the city will need to satisfy its park dedication requirements. This can be achieved either via cash payment, physical land, or combination of both. Um and then also trail cat trail credit may be applicable in this case. With the main Bridgewater development, they did install all the necessary trails and met those requirements. So, this one would not qualify for any trail credit. And then just a note, um cash value would be $318,000. Land would be about 1.6 acres. So, staff has reviewed the proposal in the context of the comprehensive plan. So, this area is within a regional and road separated trail search area. Again, that's been satisfied already. And it is within a community park search area. We also looked at it in the context of the the 2024 master plan. Um so, it is partially located in a gap area. Um just worth noting, the property is within 1 mile of seven parks, uh Tanners Ridge, Firefly, Pilot, Reed, VFW, Lions. And then I did note that it is pretty close to the Washington County Fairgrounds, which may act as open space. Staff has five recommended findings. The first is that the site is partially within a community park search area in the 2040 comprehensive plan. Second is that it is within a regional and road separated trail search area. Third is that the required trails were constructed with the Bridgewater Village development. Fourth is that it is located in a gap service area in the 2024 master plan. And five is that the project will provide a private open space area for residents to recreate. And so, staff is recommending cash in lieu again due to the existing conditions for this project. >> Great. Thanks, Sophia. Any questions for Sophia? >> Okay. Uh back to a little bit of the mathematics. We looked at this before. >> To which slide? >> The whole site. >> Okay. >> We looked at the whole site and you said we looked at it before and we wanted money. So, we've gotten our money from that part, right? >> component. >> Okay. And that's only the commercial component. So, um that's everything except for this. >> Correct. >> So, there will not be any unassessed area. >> Correct. >> Okay. So, that's just for these residential we're kind of asking the question again. >> Yes. >> All right. >> The question about the trails that you have already been put in, where where are those trails? >> I believe they did a trail along Stillwater Boulevard. >> Okay. >> And then along Stillwater Way. And I don't recall if they did the segment along Manning. If they did, that would have been spaced out by the gas station. Since there's not currently a trail in front of the gas station. >> on Manning. >> Yeah, I don't think so. >> Do they connect with anything else? >> At this time, Stillwater Way will connect into that neighborhood to the north. >> Okay. >> Um Stillwater Boulevard is there's an existing cemetery and the residential house that block that at this time. >> Mhm. >> Um >> Okay. >> There's potential in the future. >> But you can walk on the other side. There's a crosswalk and you can walk to the other side. >> Of Stillwater Boulevard? >> Way. >> Correct. Yep. >> And go west. But this is also where the county would come through with their trail, right? So, this would fit in. >> Correct. It's part of the regional trail right there. >> Right. So, this fits in good with that. >> Yes. Any other questions or clarifications? Is there Does anyone want to propose a motion? >> Uh I will move to recommend approval of Bridgewater Village Townhome concept plan with the acceptance of cash in lieu of land based on the findings listed in the staff report. >> Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Any discussion? >> No, I think this is uh again, based upon the staff's analysis, is the right thing to do because of the um proximity to other places, the connectivity, which is probably the biggest part of this parcel, has been done, and that's good. There are internal Sorry, question two is there are internal sidewalks, right? >> There are. >> Okay. So, I think it's good from the that we've accomplished the main thing, which is connectivity. >> Yep, I have no concerns with this, either. Um All right. All in favor then to move to recommend approval of the Bridgewater Village Townhome concept plan with the acceptance of cash in lieu of land based on the findings listed in the staff report, say I. >> I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Nope. >> Okay, motion passed. Thanks, Sophia. >> You're welcome. >> Um and now uh the Tony Menzera tree donation. Thanks, Adam. >> Yes, thank you. So, the city has received a donation uh request from Tony Menzera to be used [clears throat] to purchase a large evergreen tree to be placed at Lions Park. The purpose of that donation is to improve the park, but also offer up the tree to to be used for the annual Light Up Lake Elmo event that is held um currently downtown. So, as they discussed as a committee, they're looking to possibly move that to a different location, and this is where that um some of those ideas have generated from. So, Tony is offering up to purchase a tree to have it transplanted >> [snorts] >> and replanted at the site. So, the issue before us tonight is should the Parks Commission accept the donation of the evergreen tree be placed at Lions Park. Current donation is approximately about $2,000 that'd be much of that is just the spading and moving a tree of that size. As we look forward to that, we do have our eight considerations we should look at. You know, really is the gift last long and going to last long. Biggest thing I think with the concern that public works might have at this is watering that tree. That first six months, year, the amount of water that would probably have to be serving that tree likely coming from public works staff. It's probably the biggest concern with that and the likelihood of its survival is going to depend on that first year. So, The second one of course doesn't have create a potential liability to the city. Again, it's being used the intent of it is being used not only for just value to the park, but also for value for another event to then prove that event in the long run. So, Will anybody find it offensive? Number four is a potential annual maintenance cost. Public works doesn't see a large maintenance cost to it initially just meeting time in that first year just keeping it watered similar to our grass that we did around Lions Park playground, but um you know, maybe some future trimming of the tree down the road, but not a whole lot of maintenance going forward. Um Moving on, the cost direct or indirect exceed the value of the gift. Um Seven does does the acceptance of the gift imply that the city will replace the gift when it's worn out or destroyed or vandalized? That'll be something to consider, too, or maybe make it our notes that if it does fail to you know, to survive, we'll likely just pull it, not replace it. Um we'll have to find different means or they'll have to find different means of doing something with that. So, um and any other agreements or clarifications that we might consider as fair or appropriate for this action. So, uh again, there's no financial impact for the public uh towards the parks or the parks um dedication funds. One thing that the staff did consider as due that we are planning for that master plan down there, you know, we do have a couple options. Either we accept the donation and have it planted, we don't accept it, or we kind of wait till that planning's done and make that part of that planning. That was our consideration of that as, you know, let Tony know that possibly we you know, that we are in favor of that, but wait till we can kind of how we can incorporate that into the the planning of uh Mike's Park. So, um with that, I'll take any questions or >> There's no idea right now where you'd put it. >> We have consideration. Like if we weren't doing the master plan right now, I think uh a possible consideration would be outside of the baseball fence in the outfield. There's a green space where the old library house was. That could potentially be the spot for it. Um >> But we were going to put in a garden or something a few years ago, right? >> Could have been. It doesn't sound familiar, but possibly be the only only open space for it. So, it'd be close to some parking, you know, um the roadways on both Laverne and um hopefully that's uh Layton, you know, just for people to gather, be able to see the lighting. I mean, that's that's the open spot for it. So, that's why it was considered, but >> And um there's water because of the ball field. So, as I said, not a big deal to hose over to the >> Yeah, likely if public works were to have to water on a continuous basis, we'd either grab from a closer hydrant or um bring in water, you know, from a >> Just make sure you're in full compliance with the city watering rules. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Um I I go ahead. >> Oh, I did note um in Tony's uh proposal, there was um he had recommended a balsam fir or another species. Is that something that you're considering right now or have had thoughts discussion on? >> We didn't have any considerations either either direction um for this donation, so. >> Okay. >> Is there any ecological benefit, negative, any of those? >> I mean, I think that there's some that you would avoid in this day and age, which is fine. >> Okay. >> Okay. But nurseries will set you up with that, I'm sure, so. I'm assuming if we planted it in a location and then we got through the master plan and it was like, "Oops, we need that space." There's obviously there's a cost and I'm guessing some risk. That we would we want to take that on if that were the case and we still wanted to keep the tree? Yeah. Probably not possible. I mean, it's going to that'd be tricky. >> Yeah. I mean, that'd be coming from the public works budget again to have it spade and moved again. Any regrowth, starting all over again. >> But on the other side, if we approve it tonight, you would tell the people doing the master plan that there's this tree you got to deal with. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Yeah. >> And is there I mean, is there a need for a new tree between now and the time we get done with the master plan or have I mean, for the for for tree lighting? >> Um no, I think I think this is just kind of like the starting period of like a transition, right? So, um, for years they've done it downtown. That's where they've always kind of um, celebrated that event. Um, they're just looking at ways to potentially move that just cuz of the number of people they're bringing into it. >> Yeah. I I feel like it's a great idea. I've seen the light up like a little tree blown over a couple times, you know, so it's something you know, hopefully that wouldn't happen to something that's in the ground. Um, any other questions or comments for Adam? Um, why don't we have a little informal discussion with commissioners before I ask for a recommendation? Um, does anyone have any initial thoughts that they want to put out there? >> I would do it like the the staff recommended until it can be coordinated. >> Yeah, I agree. I think that don't want to get ahead of that master plan. >> Doesn't seem to be a rush. >> No, I don't sense a rush on the tree and obviously we moved out the master plan a bit too, so Yeah. Um, I I do think just yeah, so the other thing that I'm thinking of is with those eight um, considerations, I think that if the transplant fails, the city should not be on the hook to replace it. >> There's no signs. I'm not going to put any signs on this. >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> Okay, would someone like to make a motion then? >> One clarification, are we going I mean it says evergreen trees, so I'm assuming we're just >> Yeah, I I think that's >> Good with that. Um I I can move to recommend that the city council accept the donation from Tony Manzella and defer installation of the evergreen tree at Lions Park until it can be coordinated with future Lions Park improvement plans. >> Is there a >> I'll second that. >> All right. All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passed. All right, there looks to be um no public comment. So, let's go ahead and move to communications and updates. >> Yeah, just um yester- actually today we did receive our grant donation for the garbage cans for Lions or not Lions Park, but for all of our parks actually. So, we received 10 garbage / recycling bins. Uh so, you'll you'll start seeing those being placed out into our parks um here in the next coming weeks to be fully fully completed probably before the end of the month. Um we did present the Lions Park master plan to city council at the last city council meeting. Uh they did request um they did make a motion to the to approve the scope of it, but they did ask that we uh start planning and stuff after the completion of the 76 acres um RFP after that one is complete. So, uh more to come on that as we uh progress with that. Um public works is currently working on um uh CIP project that we had in there regarding courts resurfacing. This is for our basketball courts in regards to Deming Trail, um Tavlin, and um Deming Trail. Deming Trail, Tavlin, and Carriage, sorry. >> Carriage. >> So, those three those three basketball courts are going to get resurfaced this summer. So, we've been working on that to get those bids in and well, final presentation to city council for that and then those will be complete by August, September. Um, that's all I have for updates. >> Okay, great. Any commissioners have updates? >> Just the one I mentioned this beforehand is that um granddaughters went to Lions playground facilities and their rating of it was very good. Futuristic was their words, so that's uh there were like 10 people there on 10 kids on there on Sunday morning, so it's being used. It's good. Nice assembly by public works. Going from where I saw it where it was all a million pieces out and putting it all together. They did a good good job. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, we are currently under budget on that project. So, um we're going you know, we did go back to city council, but we did do the wood chips on our own, so we were about uh we got one more purchase to make for the mats underneath the swings, so but we're still rating that for about $7,000 on the budget on that, so. So, we're good. >> Great. I did hear some comments in person there that oh, wouldn't it be nice to have some shade here. So, um you know, I know that was an agenda item a couple meetings ago to think about some uh artificial structures, maybe some shade sail type of deals um and I don't know if that would be >> And there is a perfect space there. >> Yeah, possible to consider here but >> between there and the uh courts. There's a rectangular shape that it can fit in. >> Would that cost $7,000? >> Ooh. >> No. >> Got to ask the experts. >> No. >> Or I don't I don't know if that playground component I mean, sometimes you can add shade within the structure, too. So, I don't know if that's a possibility. It's not for It wouldn't be for people obviously not playing on the equipment, but Yeah. You could put some shade over I don't And I don't know if it has that capability. It might. >> Yeah, in the design process, part of that was is like when you do talk to those vendors, they are they do ask them those questions like where is it being located? For like for instance, out at Ridge Park, that's going to be in the wide open. So, shade is going to be incorporated in that one. It's very similar to the Marjorie Bell, correct? So, in this case, because we were looking at a shade structure at that time, um that's why a large shade wasn't included in that one. You know, the enclosure of the actual play structure is partially shade for users, but maybe not the guests. >> Right. Yeah. >> And in 10 years, those trees will be up and grown. >> Yeah, but it's a great great improvement for the city, definitely. Anything else, folks? >> I have a potential um potential agenda item for next month. I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile for us to discuss how we could be involved in sort of the maybe more of the front end of this sports complex making recommendations to community development crew or maybe even be involved in formulating questions relating to the survey. I feel like uh potentially we're hearing about some of the stuff after the fact. And as a park commission, I'm like, I I wonder if I wonder if it's worthwhile having a discussion about whether we can be involved more. >> And I think we shared that when we met with them that we wanted to be involved when we had the joint meeting. So, I think that's a great idea. Cuz didn't you just say they wanted us to wait until that sports complex plan is done before we start Alliance? The The RFP. >> Yeah, which is just the um hiring of a consultant to look at those ideas, right? They have set forth. >> Right, but I'm wondering if that that if that changes again, direction or whatever that we should maybe have some involvement in. >> Yeah, and I'm just thinking about some of those what are probably considered smaller details for some people, but for us we know, hey, pickleball is uh pretty hot topic that we probably need to really consider gravitating our pickleball facilities towards that Central Park. And I feel like that should be on the front end of the discussion rather than kind of a get through an an RFP and start planning stuff and then it come to us to say, "What do you think about this plan?" And you say, "Well, think we should have I'd like to get some of those details to them in advance. Um again, I don't think they're necessarily uh you know, involved in our our discussions or reviewing our meetings. So, if we could do that in advance before it gets too far in the process, I think that would be beneficial. >> Great point. Yeah, we do hear about those pressures and feedback from the public comment that comes to this commission, so. >> Was the budget approved or is it going to be approved? The budget. >> Um so, they'll approve that in December. >> December, okay. >> Yeah, so we'll go like right now we're currently working with finance, going through a lot of those step-by-items. I know I did uh reach out to the chair just on a couple items that we had in our CIP in the past. Um but, yeah, we're currently going through a a number of things there just on uh department budgets, especially, and then as well as the 10-year CIP. So. >> Okay. >> When was the When was the RFP due for the sports complex? >> I think it's June 22nd. >> Okay. >> And again, the scope of that is to if correct me if I'm wrong, it's more to grab a consultant to look at these ideas. So, um it's it's not that that consultant already has those line items lined out of what's going to be there. It's a picking that consultant to say, here's a generic list. What type of service could you provide in order to um bring back to the community. So, I think you know, what Jason has provided and I can maybe have Jason reach out directly out to you. Um the consultant is just the the front end of the event of you know, I don't think you know >> But there must have been a reason to tie the the tree to this thing. There must have been a reason to tie the tree to the RFP. >> Uh two different two different things. >> Lions Park. >> Oh, the Lions Park. >> Lions reassessed. >> Which is tied then to the tree. >> Don't get Right. >> There must have been a reason. For tying >> Tying the two together. >> Well, I mean I think that we've thought of those reasons, too. >> We've thought of those reasons. I just want to know what their reason was. >> Yeah, but good question, Mike. >> But I think that's that's where we would want to start to be involved is when that consultant is picked cuz that's when they start talking about just I mean, so they understand kind of as you've kind of we've kind of talked about what we've been dealing with, kind of the larger framework. And I realize they're just kind of figuring out financially if it could work and what long what big picture it looks like and what it would cost. So, they're not getting down into nitty-gritty, but I think if we're not involved at the forefront, Peter, as you said, I don't want to get too far down the road and then we've the the ship has sailed. >> Yeah, and I think I would also like to just have a better understanding of I mean, it was it was really kind of a surprise to me to see this um written in as a set Central Park. I I had never really understood that concept. And again, for for me to try and make recommendations to the council about how we're going forward with with other parks, I would like to know on the front end what what the direction is and provide input as we are a commission to make those recommendations about what should happen. Obviously along public input um to to to make sure that we're we're included in that. I think this just what I'm asking. Yeah. That was a little bit of a ramble. I apologize. >> was a couple different ways. We talked about the one about the pickleball and putting the pickleball there. The other thing is they could say, "Oh, all we're going to do is put baseball there and all baseball will be at that place." So, now that frees up the baseball area at Lions Park. It could go any kind of ways. That's where we need to be connected. >> Mhm. >> Beyond the tree and beyond the plan. >> Right. Noted. Yeah. Great topics. Yeah. Anything else, Peter? >> No. >> Second time. >> [laughter] >> I'll hold. I was almost >> All right. Well, then if I could have a motion to adjourn this meeting, I think we're wrapped up. >> So moved. >> Seconded. >> All in favor? >> Aye. >> Great. >> We're breaking time.