The stormwater subcommittee meeting was attended by the subcommittee members, engineering representatives from Burke and V3 Engineering, and elected City officials including Mayor Steve Morley. The main discussion at the meeting was to review the letter the Park Board sent to the City on October 29, 2014, replying in the affirmative to help the City with stormwater detention and outlining the details of their approval.
The City stated they were surprised by the Park District's decision on the use of park land. City representatives asked how the Park Board arrived at its decision and for a clarification of the approvals. Park District representatives reiterated the Park Boards three criteria used to guide decision making:
- Try to help the City meet stormwater needs if possible
- Ensure that the park sites, if used for detention, retain their recreational function
- Not adversely impact residents living in proximity to the parks
The subcommittee discussed both sites. The City understands the Park Board's proposal for Golden Meadows and asked what the Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) restrictions are specifically in regards to transferring ownership of the property. Executive Director Rogers explained that deeding over the property would require the parcel be replaced with property of equal value.
The City inquired about the Park Board's rational in its decision to provide only the west lobe of York Commons Park and asked that the Park Board reconsider the east lobe.
The Park District's representatives suggested that the City submit a written request to the Park Board for reconsideration and noted that the request needed to come enough in advance of the Park Board’s November 19 meeting to allow time for it to be reviewed by V3 Engineering, the subcommittee and Park Board prior to their meeting.
