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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5I - Erie Avenue Rain Garden CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 June 21, 2004 51 Kelly Meyer, Administrative Assistant Joe Zieska, Naming Committee Member Andrea Blomberg, Naming Committee Member Pat McFadden, Naming Committee Member AGENDA ITEM: CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RECOMMENDED NAME FOR THE ERIE AVENUE RAIN GARDEN PARK FROM THE NAMING COMMITTEE. DISCUSSION: Historv: In April 2004, in order to address the need for additional storm water management in the Downtown area, the City Council entered into a partnership grant agreement with the Metropolitan Council and authorized the construction of several rainwater gardens in the Downtown area. The rainwater gardens not only include a filtration trench, under piping and storm sewer connections, they also provide extensive perennial plantings that add a pleasant aesthetic to areas that can have a lot of hardscape and concrete - such as parking lots, sidewalk boulevards, or commercial areas. The Erie Avenue rainwater garden is the first of several similar projects in the Downtown area. The garden is needed to manage stormwater runoff, but it is also located in a key location that will allow the City to further accomplish its 2020 Vision goal of tying Downtown to the Lake. This area provides an important link connecting Downtown to Lakefront Park. As such, it became important to make the area an extension of Lakefront Park and an area that was more than simply a trail connection. Additional features, such as a fountain and seating area, entry structure, and new trail were proposed to be included in the project. The remaining rain gardens will likely not include such amenities unless the City receives additional donations from the community. During the same period, the Prior Lake Rotary Club contacted City staff looking for a way to contribute to their community in recognition of the centennial of Rotary International. After working with staff and evaluating several options, the Rotary Centennial committee concluded that the Erie Avenue Rain Garden Project was the one that best met their goals and selection criteria. They recommended the site to their Board who authorized the contribution conditional upon the park name. Current Circumstances: The grading, under piping and extension of water for the rain garden park project on Erie street is now under construction. These items were bid with the Downtown streetscape project. Bidding the project with a larger and adjacent project helped us to get favorable construction costs. The project is also proposes to include: · A trail from Dakota to the floating footbridge into Lakefront Park; · A small pavilion building I entry structure at its south end that will provide additional seating; www.cityofpriorlake.com 1:\COUNCIL\AGNRPTS\2004\ERIE N~~~'~~2.44 7.4230 / Fax 952.447.4245 ISSUES: RECOMMENDED ACTION: Al TERNATIVES: RECOMMENDED MOTION: . Boulder retaining walls; and . At its north end, a circular seating area with a fountain as its central feature. City Council consideration authorizing the funding for some of these amenities appears later on tonight's agenda. The total cost of the project is $79,792. The Rotary Club has committed to donating $32,500 in cash, two Rotary Centennial benches ($2500 in value), and in-kind services in providing the labor for planting all of the rain gardens (valued at $5000). The total value of the Rotary contribution is estimated to be $40,000, or half of the total project costs. The contribution is conditional upon the park being named after the Rotary Club. The Naming Committee (Councilmembers Blomberg and Zieska, and Parks Advisory Committee Member Pat McFadden), met on May 5, 2004, to discuss the naming application (attached). The proposed name submitted by the Rotary Club for consideration is the "Prior lake Rotary Gateway". The Naming Policy provides for a process for considering naming and re-naming of streets and parks. The process includes solicitation of alternate names through notification in the City's official newspaper and posting at City Hall. The Naming committee concluded that this step was not necessary and would be misleading to other applicants, given that the Rotary Club was a long-time community leader making a significant donation to the project. There would not likely be a better namesake in this case. The policy sets forth various rationale for naming. One rationale states "name selection may acknowledge local historical events, persons or sianificant benefactors (emphasis added). The committee concluded that the Prior Lake Rotary was a significant benefactor. The Naming Committee recommends that the Erie Avenue rain garden park be named the "Prior lake Rotary Gateway". This name prominently identifies the Rotary Club, identifies the area as a "gateway" between Downtown businesses and the Lake, and promotes partnership between the City and the civic groups serving the community, all of which are directly responsive to the goals of the 2020 Vision and Strategic Plan. The Committee further recommends that signage on the entry structure from the Downtown area indicate that this is a gateway to Lakefront Park, and from Lakefront Park, the signage should indicate that this is a gateway to Downtown Prior Lake. The City Council should determine if the recommendation is appropriate. (1) Approve the naming of the Erie Street rain garden park as the "Prior lake Rotary Gateway". (2) Take no action and direct staff accordingly. Alternative (1). Motion and second as part of the consent agenda to re-name the area the "Prior Lake Rotary Gateway" 1:\COUNCIL\AGNRPTS\2004\ERIE NAMING.DOC Adopted September 5, 2000 Revised June, 2002 APPLICATION FOR NAMING OR RE-NAMING A PARK, FACiliTY, STREET WITHIN A PARK, OR PUBLIC PLACE Applicant Name: PRIOR LAKE ROTARY CLUB c/o Jodi Lanohorst Address: 16186 Main Avenue SE City/State/Zip Code: Prior Lake, MN 55372 Phone: 952.226.1220 (Please check one) D RE-NAMING EXISTING Current Name: Proposed Name: 1. 2. D NAMING NEW Location: Erie Avenue / Dakota Street Rain Garden Proiect Proposed Name: 1. PRIOR LAKE ROTARY GATEWAY 2. Please describe rationale for proposed name or re-naming of this park, facility, street within a park, or public place: ( attached) (attach additional forms, if needed) Please return completed application to: City of Prior Lake Attn: Assistant City Manager 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue NE Prior Lake, MN 55372 Adopted September 5, 2000 Revised June, 2002 This is a cooperative effort between our service organization, the Met Council, and the City of Prior Lake. We are committed to working with the City in planning the rain garden park, participating in planting the gardens, constructing the gardens, the fountain, rock wall and any other aspects of design, formation and completion of this park. We see this as a clearly identifiable need to the downtown redevelopment project that we are excited ad energized to be a partner in. We are proud to be associated with his worthwhile venture as a small piece of achieving the 2020 Vision in the City of Prior Lake. We want to be a team player in all aspect of the development and implementation of this significant connection between downtown business and Lakefront Park. Our time, talent and money are pledged to support this project and help see it through to the final stages of completion. The Rotary International organization has challenged clubs globally to celebrate 100 years of community action by Rotary Clubs all over the world. For the last 25 years, Prior Lake Rotary Club has made a positive impact on this community and we want to join with the City in this project to demonstrate the remarkable scope and power of Rotary service and our commitment to continued support of our community. Thank you for your consideration of this request.