2008-06-04 P & R Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes May 7, 2008 Committee Member Harris mentioned it is muddy under the drinking fountain to which Mr. Ross replied that area is not yet completed and since it needs to be ADA accessible, it has to have asphalt or stepping stones of some kind underneath it to meet the requirements. Mr. Mark Sta~ Citv Emrineer - Hidden Sprine: Park Mr. Mark Statz, City Engineer made an appearance to update the committee on the status of the work to be completed at Hidden Spring Park and to discuss options for the shoreline stabilization. Included in the packet was a proposal from Mr. Gregg Thompson, Urban Conservation Specialist, for the shoreline stabilization project. Mr. Statz talked to Mr. Gregg Thompson regarding the soil compaction test Mr. Thompson was going to do on the rain garden and thought it would be done yet this week. The rain garden is currently dry and some plants are coming up. Mr. Statz would like to give it a few more weeks to determine what is yet to come up before the plantings are replaced which did not survive the winter. The recycled materials for the glider bench have been ordered by Bonestroo, at no cost to the City, and will be replaced when the parts arrive. Mr. Paul Palzer, Public Works Director, was also in attendance and reported the artesian well was turned on today and is running full force. The water table is probably up and the well has been filling up for 6 months while it was turned off, so it is not possible to say what this means for future water pressure from the well. Mr. Statz said one of the water falls will be adjusted, as the water is flowing behind the rocks instead of over them. Chairperson Seeley questioned whether the divots in the asphalt trails will be repaired which were damaged by equipment. Mr. Statz replied that they would be repaired. Mr. Statz stated he expected all the work to be completed by the end of May, except for the shoreline restoration, which is a lengthier process. Mr. Statz informed the committee that in reviewing the lakeshore stabilization plan from Mr. Gregg Thompson, he has a few concerns with the design plan proposed by Mr. Thompson. The committee discussed the various ideas, benefits and the possible problems with each. Mr. Statz stated that he is concerned that Mr. Thompson's proposal may not be durable enough to work and Bonestroo would be held responsible when it was not the plan Mr. Statz had recommended. Bonestroo does not want to warranty the work if it is not done the way Bonestroo has proposed with rip rap boulders and live dogwood stakes. The committee is hesitant to use dogwood or willow as they do not want to obstruct the view of the lake and they feel rip rap is not the environmentally friendly way to show lake shore owners how to best preserve the lakeshore. Mr. Thompson's proposal has some dogwood, but uses a variety of other lakeshore stabilization methods which the committee would like to try before resorting to rip rap. The committee ultimately agreed that it would be best to get whatever plantings in that will maintain the shoreline in the best way possible, as soon as possible, and shrubs can always be removed or cut back later if they become intrusive. Mr. Statz has full confidence that the rip rap will work and stabilize the shoreline, but stated Bonestroo is also willing to go ahead and fully implement Mr. Thompson's plan if that is the Committee/Council's desire. The committee and Mr. Statz also felt that if we start to see failure, we can step in before we lose too much and go to the rip rap plan as a backup at a later time. Motion was made by Chairperson Seeley, seconded by Vice-Chairpenon Amundsen, to recommend City Council support the lake shore stabilization pian submitted by Mr. Gregg Thompson, keeping the lakeshore as natural and environmentally friendly as possible. All in favor. Motion carried unanimously. 30f6