2019-07-09 Council-Parks Rec Commission Joint Work SessionCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
JOINT CITY COUNCIL–PARKS & REC COMMISSION
WORK SESSION AGENDA July 9, 2019 - 6:30 pm
Mendota Heights City Hall – Council Chambers
1) Call to Order—Mayor Neil Garlock
2) Roll Call
a. City Council
b. Parks and Recreation Commission
3) Discussion Items
a. Review of Parks Financing
1. Scheduled Projects
2. Current Special Parks Fund Balance
3. Projected Income
4. Impacts on FY 20 Budget
b. Dog Park
c. Capital Improvements Discussion
1. Projects
2. Prioritization
d. Par 3 Trail
4) Other Topics
5) Adjourn
Date: July 9, 2019
To: Mayor and City Council
Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Mark McNeill, City Administrator
Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator
Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director
Subject: Review of Parks Financing
INTRODUCTION
Staff will provide a detailed review of available funding for park projects and improvements at
the July 9 joint meeting. The following is general background information intended to help make
informed planning decisions about future park improvements.
BACKGROUND
City parks are funded by two sources—the Special Parks Fund and the General Levy.
Special Parks Fund
The Special Parks Fund is governed by Minnesota Statutes (MN Statutes §462.358, subd. 2b)
and is funded through park dedication fees. Use of these fees/funds are provided for in State
statute, summarized as follows:
Use of Fees—Fees received must be placed by the municipality in a special fund to be
used only for the purposes for which the money was obtained. Park dedication fees must
be used only for the acquisition and development or improvement of parks, recreational
facilities, playgrounds, trails, wetlands, or open space based upon the approved park
system plan. Fees must not be used for ongoing operation or maintenance of parks,
recreational facilities, playgrounds, trails, wetlands, or open space.
Projects paid for through the Special Parks Fund should be carefully considered to determine
whether it is a maintenance project or an improvement project.
General Levy Funding
Park funding is also provided for through the City’s general levy. The City has two financial
obligations relating to parks —the Par 3 and Ice Arena Bonds.
Ice Arena: In 2014, Mendota Heights made a $555,333 commitment to the City of West
St. Paul for renovations to that City’s Ice Arena. An initial payment of $277,666 was
made on May 15th, 2015. That was comprised of $112,666 of cell tower revenue,
$100,000 of fund balance, and an initial levy of $65,000.
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For each additional year from 2016-18, the City also levied $65,000. There will be a
final levy (or use of fund balance) totaling $83,333 this year (2019).
Par 3: On April 24, 2007, the voters approved the purchase of the Par 3 and the issuance
of $2,790,000 in General Obligation bonds. Since then, the City has levied annually to
repay the bonds. The remaining years and the levy amounts are:
2019 $243,600
2020 $244,440
2021 $245,175
2022 $248,745
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DATE: July 9 , 2019
TO: Mayor, City Council, Parks & Recreation Commission and City Administrator
FROM: Ryan Ruzek, P.E., Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Off-Leash Dog Park Discussion
COMMENT:
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
Mendota Heights City Council approved an interim use permit for the operation of an Off-Leash
Dog Park at 1360 Acacia Boulevard on August 4, 2015. The conditions of the interim use permit
state:
1. The interim use shall be terminated by December 31, 2020 or upon the
properties being sold, but may be renewed.
The original Planning Commission memo and City Council memo are attached.
DISCUSSION
The Parks & Recreation Commission have asked to discuss the future of the Off-Leash Dog
Park.
If the Council desires to renew the interim use of the Off-Leash Dog Park. Consideration could
be given to producing a feasibility report on expanded uses of this park. A feasibility report is
estimated to cost $5,000-$10,000.
Ryan Ruzek
Public Works Director
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DATE: July 9 , 2019
TO: Mayor, City Council, Parks & Recreation Commission and City Administrator
FROM: Ryan Ruzek, P.E., Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Park Project Prioritization
COMMENT:
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
At the joint City Council and Parks & Recreation Commission workshop in May of 2018, project
prioritization was discussed. Projects receiving votes included:
• Wentworth Park – parking lot & trail rehab, playground replacement, and warming
house replacement (planned for late 2019/early 2020), Rink Lights (COMPLETE)
• Marie Park - Full court basketball and tennis court rehab (COMPLETE)
• Mendakota Park – Dugouts (Not in 2020 CIP)
• Friendly Marsh – Add soccer field (Not in 2020 CIP)
• Market Square Park – Add picnic tables (COMPLETE), and shade (Not in 2020 CIP)
• Off-Leash Dog Park – Add picnic table with shade (COMPLETE)
• Additional Playground Improvements (Not in 2020 CIP)
• Dedicated Pickle Ball – This item was not advanced through the Parks & Recreation
Commission and paved hockey rinks are planned to provide this amenity
• Bike Racks in Parks – Nearly complete, Wentworth and Hagstrom will be done with
other planned improvements
Other improvements not receiving a priority vote in 2018 included:
• Mendakota Park – Field lighting
• Rogers Lake – Restrooms and lake connection, Skate Park expanded features
• Friendly Hills – Tennis Court resurfacing
• Shuffle Board
• Splash Pad
• Winter Disc Golf
DISCUSSION
Items not currently in the CIP should be discussed to assess if these items should be removed
from a future priority list or if a priority should be given to be included in a future CIP. In
addition, the City could consider a means of implementing the Oheyawahe/Pilot Knob
Preservation plan or expanding its park system by acquiring additional properties around Ivy
Falls or expanding trails around the Lake Lemay and Lake Augusta conservation areas.
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The complied list of projects not currently in the CIP are:
• Mendakota Park – Dugouts
• Mendakota Park – Field lighting
• Friendly Marsh – Add soccer field
• Market Square Park – Shade Structure
• Friendly Hills – Tennis Court resurfacing
• Rogers Lake – Restrooms
• Rogers Lake –Skate Park expanded features
• Oheyawahe/Pilot Knob Improvements
• Iv y Falls Park development
• Augusta/Lemay Conservation Trails
• Additional Playground Improvements (Marie Park is next oldest, 2005)
• Dedicated Pickle Ball
• Drinking Fountains
• Shuffle Board
• Splash Pad
• Winter Disc Golf
Additional amenities could be discussed for inclusion on the list of projects.
Ryan Ruzek
Public Works Director
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30 | PREFERRED CONCEPTOHEYAWAHE/PILOT KNOB: HISTORIC LANDSCAPE PLAN30 | PREFERRED CONCEPTOHEYAWAHE/PILOT KNOB: HISTORIC LANDSCAPE PLANACACIA CEMETERYOFF-LEASH DOG AREAACACIA BLVDHWY 55HWY 110SIBLEY MEMORIAL HWYVALENCOUR
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RVIEWING AREA / AREA FOR INTERPRETIVE FEATURENORTH MEDICINE WHEEL(EXISTING)TRAIL PULL-OUT WITH KIOSK, SEATING, BIKE PARKING (BY OTHERS)EXISTING INTERPRETIVE SIGNBLUFF TRAIL WITH TIMBER STEPSBIG RIVERS REGIONAL TRAILSEVEN COUNCIL FIRES OVERLOOK & EXISTING INTERPRETIVE SIGNPERCHED WETLAND / OPPORTUNITY FOR INTERPRETATIONAREA FOR NON-NATIVE SPECIES REMOVAL/RESTORATION WITH MNDOTBIG RIVERS REGIONAL TRAILSEVEN OAKS GATHERING AREA WITH MOWED CENTERFOUR OAKS GATHERING AREA WITH MOWED CENTERSOFT SURFACE TRAIL SPUR SOFT SURFACE TRAIL SPUR SOFT SURFACE TRAIL SPUR northSEE ENLARGEMENT OF ENTRY AND ACCESSIBLE LOOP TRAIL PILOT KNOB RDLEGENDROAD/PARKINGPAVED TRAILSOFT SURFACE TRAILEXIST. TREES (Planted by GRG)PROP. TREESPLANTED AREASFIGURE 11: PREFERRED CONCEPT PLANDRAFTpage 16
PREFERRED CONCEPT | 31OHEYAWAHE/PILOT KNOB: HISTORIC LANDSCAPE PLANPREFERRED CONCEPT | 31OHEYAWAHE/PILOT KNOB: HISTORIC LANDSCAPE PLANnorthSTONE SEATING VIEWING AREAAREA FOR INTERPRETIVE FEATUREACACIA BLVDPILOT KNOB RDINTERPRETIVE PATH/ SERVICE VEHICLE DRIVEAREA FOR INTERPRETIVE FEATURE WITH SEATINGENHANCED NATIVE PLANTING AREAS RAINGARDEN/POLLINATOR GARDENPARKING AREA 16 SPACESENCLOSED PORTABLE RESTROOM/ BIKE PARKINGSTAGING FOR GROUPS/ AREA FOR INTERPRETIVE FEATUREGATEWAY AREA: TRAILHEAD INTERPRETATION/POTENTIAL SHELTER/ AREA FOR INTERPRETIVE FEATURE BUS DROP-OFF AREA AND PATH ENTRANCEENTRY MONUMENT SIGN (CLEARED TREES)ACCESSIBLE LOOP TRAILFIGURE 12: ENLARGEMENT OF ENTRY AND ADA LOOP TRAILDRAFTpage 17
SIBLEY MEMORIAL HWYKNOLLWOOD LNARCADIA DRLAURA STCASCADE LN
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Date: 7/2/2019
City ofMendotaHeights0310
SCALE IN FEET
GIS Map Disclaimer:This data is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for a true title search, property appraisal, plat,survey, or for zoning verification. The City of Mendota Heights assumes no legal responsibility for the information containedin this data. The City of Mendota Heights, or any other entity from which data was obtained, assumes no liability for any errorsor omissions herein. If discrepancies are found, please contact the City of Mendota Heights.
Contact "Gopher State One Call" at 651-454-0002 for utility locations, 48 hours prior to any excavation.
Location of Ivy Falls
Association owned Property
Mendota Heights Property
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HWY 55HWY 13
HWY 110
PILOT KNOB RDLE
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Dakota County GIS
Augusta Lemay Conservation Area
May 26, 2011
City ofMendotaHeights0380
SCALE IN FEET
Work with Cemetery & City of Mendota * Trail, Wooden Pier, Lake Access
Work with Augusta Shores * Trail, Wooden Pier, Lake Access
Construct Storm Water Treatment BMP
Existing Trail
Lake Augusta Outlet(Location TBD)
Construct Storm Water Treatment BMP
Construct Storm Water Treatment BMP
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DATE: July 9 , 2019
TO: Mayor, City Council, Parks & Recreation Commission and City Administrator
FROM: Ryan Ruzek, P.E., Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Par 3 Trail Connection
COMMENT:
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
Staff has received two inquiries into the construction of a trail from Wachtler Avenue to
Bachelor Avenue. One inquiry was emailed to the Planning Commission and another as a public
comment at the Parks & Recreation Commission.
DISCUSSION
There is an undeveloped right-of-way for a portion of Wachtler Avenue just north of the Par 3
golf course. This right-of-way could be utilized for a pedestrian trail although neighboring
properties have extensive landscaping in this right-of-way.
The current Mendota Heights Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), proposes that a Dodd Road trail
could be constructed between Marie Avenue and ideally reach Wentworth Avenue (some right-
of-way is needed between Evergreen Knoll and Wentworth Avenue).
A trail that runs from Wachtler Avenue to Bachelor Avenue could potentially cost $100,000.
There would be extensive tree removal, site grading and paving. The trail would also need to be
ADA complaint.
Estimated costs for a new trail segment are generally estimated at $1 million per mile. This
segment is 650 feet long (0.12 miles), resulting in a rough cost of $123,000 including indirect
cost of surveying, engineering, and material testing.
Ryan Ruzek
Public Works Director
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Dakota County, MN
Property Information
July 1, 2019 0 225 450112.5 ft
0 60 12030 m
1:2,400
Disclaimer: Map and parcel data are believed to be accurate, but accuracy is not guaranteed. This is not a legal document and should not be substituted for a title search,appraisal, survey, or for zoning verification.
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View from Bachelor
View from Wachtler
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Oblique from North
Oblique from East
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