Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 12/12/1996

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APPROVE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Motion by Commissioner Droegemueller and seconded by Commissioner Johns to approve the Park and Recreation Commission meeting minutes dated November 14, 1996, as submitted. Motion carded. Voting Yes: Chair Cook, Commissioners Droegemueller, Johns, and La/Mere. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioners Asfahl, Ostrurn, and Skinner. COMMISSION BUSINESS: Case/ti: Trott Brook Presentation. (The following in italics is the portion of the Comprehensive Parks and Open Space Plan adopted in May 1991, that deals specifically with Trott Book and is provided as additional background for these minutes.) Trott Brook, running about eight miles easterly from Elk River to the Rum River, is proposed as one in which a minimum of lOO feet of good usable land be protected or acquired on each side of the Brook for its entire length. This is a great natural feature of Ramsey and should not be exploited by developers or others, but preserved for all the residents to use. The Trails would support hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing, with a separate tread way for snowmobiling. In addition, the trails wouM be a spine, enabling the connection of several park sites and connections to other trails, thus helping to create a true park system. General Introduction {Mr. Terence Cooper, instructor) The University of Minnesota initially contacted the City about using Trott Brook and its watershed as a study subject in conjunction with a course entitled "Problem Solving in Natural Resource and Environmental Science." The multi-disciplinary class analyzed various issues and topics of the watershed as they relate to the proposed trail system. Class members were briefly introduced. Introduction to the Presentation (Valerie Malmquist) The use of Trott Brook and its watershed as a study subject for the purpose of park/trail development was discussed. Historical Background (Melissa Leiser) The area studied was laid 20,000 years as a result of glacial melt waters, prairie fires, and agricultural (i.e. crop) activity. The Brook was previously ditched and straightened for drainage purposes. Watershed Characteristics, Hydrology, and Aquatic Ecology (Mitch Allan) Sampling was conducted at three sites along the Brook: 1) Armstrong; 2) Hwy. 47; and 3) Varidite Street. Sampling conducted was done to analyze the chemical (done at U of M) and biological characteristics. No current information was available on the flow rate. Chemical characteristics of the water were described. Temperatures of the water (up to down stream) and velocity were taken in September and October. Dissolved oxygen is lower than 100 percent; two possible scenarios were offered for a less than 100 percent reading. Conductivity is Park and Recreation Commission/December 12, 1996 Page 2 of 9