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2019-07-09 Joint Council - Parks Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Joint City Council — Parks Recreation Commission Work Session Held July 9, 2019 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session of the City Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission, City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held at the City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Garlock called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Councilors Duggan, Miller, Paper, and Petschel were also present. Parks and Recreation Commission members present included Hinderscheid, Klepperich, Meyer, and Sherer. Commissioners Miller and Goldade were absent. City staff present included Mark McNeill, City Administrator; Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director; Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator; Meredith Lawrence, Recreation Program Coordinator; and Lorri Smith, City Clerk. POLCO Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson updated the members on POLCO, which is being used to collect citizen input on a variety of issues. It was noted that residents are able to sign up to be a part of POLCO. They can then answer the questions that are posted. The use of POLCO has been publicized in the Heights Highlights, Friday News, at Parks Celebration, on the city's website, Facebook and Twitter. There are currently 160 residents signed up. Ms. Jacobson reviewed the four questions that have been posted so far, and a breakdown of the responses received. REVIEW OF PARKS FINANCING Ms. Jacobson reviewed with the members the Special Parks Fund. She explained that this is funded through park dedication fees paid when development occurs in the city. These funds can be used for acquisition of park property, development of a park, or improvements to our parks. The money cannot be used for operation costs or maintenance costs. A spreadsheet showing the actual and projected fees/expenditures from this fund was reviewed (2018-2020). It was noted that the Park Dedication fee for a new lot in a residential development was increased in 2016 to $4,000. It was noted that the Council will address how to sustain this fund in the future. The parks are also funded through the general levy. Existing financial obligations include the ice arena located in West St. Paul (2019 -$83,333 -final payment), and the City's Par 3 golf course (approximately $244,000 - $248,745 per year, final payment to be made in 2022). INTERIM DOG PARK On August 4, 2015, the City Council approved an Interim Use Permit for city owned property located near Pilot Knob Historical site. The property is located south of Acacia Boulevard, east of Pilot Knob Road, and west of Highway 55. The permit would allow for a portion of the property to be used for a temporary off -leash dog area. The interim use permit would be good through December 31, 2020, or until the property is sold by the city. The permit could be renewed by the city. Parks/Rec Commission Pat Hinderscheid stated that he has received many positive comments on this dog area and would like to see the city make it a permanent dog park. Councilor Petschel stated that she has concerns because this property is zoned Industrial, but feels this is an excellent use for the property due to its proximity to the Pilot Knob Historical site. She stated that the Michael Development developer has stated that this is an amenity for the residents of this area. She stated she likes the idea of completing a feasibility study for this site. Mayor Garlock stated he feel this area should remain a dog park. Councilor Joel Paper stated that he feels the City is not getting the best use out of this entire site. Councilor Duggan stated that the Council needs to decide if they are committed to having a permanent dog park. Councilor Miller questioned if a feasibility study would really be needed. He feels the city could save $10,000. Comments from the public included: John Burbach, feels the current dog park is one of the best he has seen. Ken Dodge, questioned why the Council would want to still consider other locations for a dog park. Councilor Duggan stated the current off -leash dog area could be used for a commercial opportunity. Jeananne Krejchi, feels the current location, adjacent to Pilot Knob Historical site, is the perfect location for a dog park. Any other use may not fit in with the area. She encouraged the Councilmembers to keep. the dog park where it is. Gail Lewellan, stated that this site where the interim dog park is located is within the boundary of a National Historic Park. This is an important space for Pilot Knob. She recommended the Council appoint an advisory group to research how to proceed with keeping the dog park at this location and how to make improvements. She suggested the Council proceed with changing the zoning of this property to make it a permanent dog park, legal and conforming. Tabia Turner, thanked all of the members for supporting the dog park. Leslie Pilgrim, stated this has been an off -leash dog area for almost five years. She encouraged the elected officials to make a commitment. The Councilors discussed the two residential properties located on the west side of this property. They discussed the zoning for the entire property and how to go about changing it to Open Space. July 9, 2019 Joint Council -Parks Rec Commission Work Session page 2 of 3 Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek presented a request from residents to build a new trail segment from Wachtler Avenue to Bachelor Avenue. This could be built on an undeveloped right of way in this area. Extensive landscaping would be required to buffer the existing homes along this stretch. The cost is estimated to be $100,000. Mr. Ruzek reminded the Council that this trail segment may take away some of the pedestrians and bikers that currently use Dodd Road, which is not the safest route. Councilor Miller questioned if the trail would need to be hard -surfaced. Mr. Ruzek stated that the cost for paving would only be estimated to be $15,000. Commissioner Sherer stated that youth wander through this area now, so a trail would make the area safer. Comments from the public included: Cindy Johnson questioned if this trail segment were built, would the city still work to complete a trail along Dodd Road. Alexis Hovlund stated she has walked through this area and a trail segment would connect the two neighborhoods nicely and make the area more livable. PARKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS The members were given a list of potential future projects to be included in the Capital Improvements Plan. Along with the new trail segment from Wachtler to Bachelor, they were asked if any other projects should be included with this list. Councilor Miller asked that Lake Augusta be included as it needs to be cleaned up. He asked that this important resource not be forgotten. Staff stated that this list of priority project will be emailed out to all of the Councilors and Commission members. They will be asked to rank their top five projects that they see as a priority. Staff will tally the results and use the information for preparing the 2020 budget and the Parks Capital Improvements Plan. UPDATE ON WENTWORTH WARMING HOUSE Mr. Ruzek gave an update on the Wentworth Warming House. He reported that a block building is not feasible. A cap has been set for this building at $150,000. The City has been awarded a $180,000 grant for extending water and sewer to this building. Staff will be discussing the cost of the building with the designer and the building may be complete by the coming winter. The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm. '�_�_Lvgm zr Lorri Smith, City Clerk Neil Garlock, Mayor July 9, 2019 Joint Council -Parks Rec Commission Work Session page 3 of 3