1. Call to Order and Flag Pledge.

Commission Chair Craig Fourre called the meeting to order.

2. Roll Call.

Chair Craig Fourre and Commissioners Diane Dennstedt, Doug Baines, and Michelle Orieux were present as was City Council Liaison Tim McNeil, Assistant City Planner Mike Elhard, City Planner Erin Stwora, and City Administrator Samantha Orduno.

Commissioner Dennis Fisher was absent.

3. Approval of the Agenda.

The agenda was amended by Commissioner Baines.

Motion to approve by Commissioner Baines, seconded by Chair Fourre, All ayes.

4. Open Forum.

Chair Fourre opened the open forum.

No one came forward for open forum.

Chair Fourre closed the open forum.

5. Staff Presentation.

Administrator Orduno and Planner Stwora presented the Park Commission with an overview regarding the Park Commission’s role in new developments.

Motion to be more involved in any activity involving parks and trails to the City Council made by Chair Fourre, seconded by Commissioner Dennstedt, All ayes.

6. Consent Agenda.

A. Approval of the June 5, 2007 Park Commission Meeting Minutes.

Motion to approve by Commissioner Dennstedt, second by Chair Fourre, All ayes.

7. Park, Trails and Open Space Plan

A. Discuss Section 4 – Classifications and Standards

Commissioner Baines questioned the objective of covering each chapter in the Parks, Trails and Open Space (PTOS) Plan. Assistant Planner Elhard stated the intention was to make each commissioner more familiar with the plan and to begin ranking parks and trails that are highest of importance to the Park Commission.

Commissioner Dennstedt questioned why an athletic ball field may be included in the neighborhood parks. Commissioner Baines stated the PTOS Plan states an athletic ball field may be included but is not required in each park. Council Liaison McNeil questioned if Commissioner Dennstedt wanted to regulate uses by classification of park. Commissioner Dennstedt stated she would not want to implement rules on current parks

only future parks. Chair Fourre stated the Park Commission has regulation over what will be placed in future parks. Commissioner Dennstedt stated the language in the PTOS Plan states a youth league may use a neighborhood park. Commissioner Orieux stated the PTOS Plan states what each park might contain, but does not mandate what will be at each park. Assistant Planner Elhard stated the athletic ball fields that may be created at neighborhood parks could be used if a youth baseball becomes popular in Dayton and additional fields are needed.

Commissioner Dennstedt stated many people do not visit parks in Dayton because they are crowded. Commissioner Baines stated the present inventory of parks contains Natural Resource Parks Goodin Park and Overlook Park that do not have athletic ball fields and can be used as reflection parks.

Commissioner Dennstedt stated the PTOS Plan states playground equipment may be placed at Natural Resource Parks. Commissioner Dennstedt stated she objects to placing playground equipment in Natural Resource Parks. Commissioner Baines stated a Natural Resource Park may need playground equipment because kids may attend Natural Resource Parks.

Commissioner Dennstedt stated the older population of Dayton would enjoy bird watching without children on playground equipment. Council Liaison McNeil stated parks could change classification over time. Commissioner Orieux questioned if the definition found in the PTOS Plan for a Natural Resource Park should be changed. Council Liaison McNeil stated a restrictive clause could be attached to the Natural Resource Park designation and a motion could be made and passed on to the City Council.

Commissioner Baines stated all parks in Dayton should be multigenerational. Commissioner Dennstedt stated she objects to all parks being multigenerational. Chair Fourre stated new developments will attract young couples with young kids and a neighborhood park with features for children will be needed. Commissioner Dennstedt stated the young kids will not be there forever. Commissioner Baines stated parks should accommodate the current demand and not the future demand.

Commissioner Dennstedt questioned if the trail system would connect residents to parks to accommodate them. Council Liaison McNeil stated it is within the Park Commission’s jurisidiction to determine if all parks are connected or not. Commissioner Dennstedt stated the PTOS Plan shows trails connecting more parks.

Chair Fourre stated future parks will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Commissioner Baines stated the PTOS Plan states what may be included in the neighborhood parks. Commissioner Orieux stated what is placed in each park may be determined upon the types of homes near the neighborhood park and the immediate population served.

Motion to approve Section 4 – Classifications and Standards by Commissioner Baines, seconded by Commissioner Orieux, Commissioner Dennstedt abstains. Motion carries.

B. Discuss Section 5 – Park, Trail & Open Space System

Council Liaison McNeil stated the Park Commission should approve, amend or disapprove Section 5 as it reads.

Commissioner Baines stated the City Council embraces the PTOS Plan as it stands and the Park Commission is not responsible for implementing each element of the plan.

Commissioner Baines stated the objectives outlined in Section 5 are general objectives. Council Liaison McNeil stated the City Council would like to know if the Park Commission is opposed to any objectives.

Commissioner Dennstedt questioned Objective 6 regarding public access to French Lake. Commissioner Baines stated the boat launch is controlled by the DNR and open to the public only during hunting season.

Motion to approve Section 5 – Park, Trail & Open Space System by Commissioner Dennstedt, seconded by Commissioner Baines, All ayes.

C. Rank Planned Park Locations Identified in Figure 5.1 System Plan

Chair Fourre stated the parks should ranked separately beginning with Community Parks, Neighborhood Parks and Natural Resource Parks.

Chair Fourre, Commissioner Orieux, Commissioner Dennstedt and Commissioner Baines stated Community Park identified on South Diamond Lake Road near Dayton City Hall is the highest priority and the Community Park located in NW Dayton is next, followed by SE Dayton/French Lake Community Park.

Chair Fourre, Commissioner Orieux, Commissioner Dennstedt and Commissioner Baines stated Neighborhood Park identified near Cloquet Overlook Park south of County Road 12 (Gold Nugget) is the highest priority followed by the Neighborhood Park located southwest of French Lake and the Neighborhood Park located northeast of French Lake.

Chair Fourre, Commissioner Orieux, Commissioner Dennstedt and Commissioner Baines stated Natural Resource Park identified south of Diamond Lake near South Diamond Lake Road followed by the Natural Resource Park identified north of Laura Lake, followed by the two Natural Resource Parks identified near French Lake were highest priority.

Chair Fourre, Commissioner Orieux, Commissioner Dennstedt and Commissioner Baines stated the highest priority parks are; Community Park identified on South Diamond Lake Road near Dayton City Hall, Natural Resource Park identified south of Diamond Lake near South Diamond Lake Road, Neighborhood Park identified near Cloquet Overlook Park south of County Road 12, Natural Resource Park identified along the Mississippi River between Goodin Park and Cloquet Overlook Park, followed by Natural Resource Park identified southwest of French Lake.

D. Rank Planned Trail Locations Identified in Figure 5.1 System Plan

Tabled to the next meeting.

8. New Business

Future and Continued Planning Commission Agenda Items.

9. City Council Update.

Council Liaison McNeil provided the update.

10. Staff Notices and Announcements.

A. The next Park Commission meeting will be October 2, 2007.

12. Adjourn.

Motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Dennstedt, seconded by Commissioner Baines. Ayes: All.