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2003-03-11 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, NIINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 11, 2003 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, March 11, 2003 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. The following Commissioners were present: Chair Richard Spicer and Commissioners Stan Linnell, Larry Craighead, Raymond Morris, Paul Portz, Missie Hickey, and Dave Libra. City Staff present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander, Recreation Programmer Teresa Gangelhoff, and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. Mr. Hollister took the minutes. This meeting was televised by NDCTV and replayed the following Friday at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm. The following residents were in the audience for the skateboard pazk discussion: Tim Meyers 2334 Swan Drive Stephenie Reierson 2334 Swan Drive Michael Johnson 2300 Lexington Avenue South i�� n.I�y ray Commissioner Morris moved to approve the February 11, 2003 minutes with revisions. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: TILSENBUROW FARM Mr. Kullander introduced an application from Tilsen Homes, Inc. for a Subdivision Approval and Wetlands Permit for the creation of seven single-family lots at 1875 Victoria Road (Planning Case #03-09). Mr. Kullander reminded the Commission that the City's parks dedication policy stipulated that the City may require either $1500 per new lot created or ten percent of the land at the Council's discretion. Mr. Kullander added that the Council could also accept other park improvements or recreational amenities in lieu of cash or land if they so choose. Mr. Kullander said that at $1500 per new lot, the total cash contribution would be $1500 times six, or $9000. When asked, Mr. Kullander speculated that ten percent of the total value of the land would be something in the neighborhood of $50,000. Mr. Kullander called the Commission's attention to a letter from James Tilsen indicating that he would be willing to entertain the idea of public access to the pond, but that he sensed that the neighbors would not be in favor of that, and that it would be difficult to maintain if it were located behind the proposed new homes. The Commission discussed the fact that the park contribution of $1500 per lot would not reflect the true value of the land. The Commission also felt that it would be good to memorialize Tom Burow in some manner, although the neighbors apparently would object to public access to the pond, just as neighbors objected to public access through the Ridder property. In light of these factors, the Parks Commission decided to recommend that the City ask Tilsen Homes, Inc. to make a parks contribution in the amount of $20,000 toward a picnic shelter in nearby Marie Park, which would feature a plaque memorializing Tom Burrow and acknowledging the generous contribution of Tilsen Homes, Inc. Commissioner Portz moved to recommend that the City ask Tilsen Homes, Inc., for a parks dedication contribution in the amount of $20,000 toward a picnic shelter in nearby Marie Park, which would feature a plaque memorializing Tom Burrow and acknowledging the generous contribution of Tilsen Homes, Inc. Commissioner Morris seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 1 (Libra) ABSTENTIONS: 1 (Linnell) Commissioner Libra explained his vote by saying that he felt that asking Tilsen Homes to make a financial contribution in excess of the standard $1500 per lot for an amenity that is neither within nor even contiguous to their development site would be too onerous. Commissioner Linnell explained his abstention by stating that he is a coworker of Daniel Tilsen at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and therefore he had a potential conflict of interest. Mr. Kullander reviewed with the Commission the fact that the Council had agreed to allocate $25,000 for the construction of a skateboard park facility at Rogers Lake Park. Mr. Kullander added that the Council had instructed him to work with local interested skateboard enthusiasts regarding the design of the skateboard park. Mr. Kullander said that this item would appear on the March and April Parks Commission agendas and would be submitted for Council review and award on April 15. Mr. Kullander said that he had requested materials from eight vendors. Mr. Kullander reviewed the materials that he had received from the vendors. Mr. Kullander said that the 2 metal ramps were more attractive to him from a maintenance standpoint, although he was aware that many skateboarders preferred skating on a composite surface. Mr. Tim Meyers told the Commission that he would favor a composite surface over a metal surface. Mr. Meyers said that the metal park in Eagan generates a lot of complaints from the kids who use it because the ride is not as smooth, and there are often indentations at the transition areas between the metal and the wood components. Mr. Meyers said that his friend who builds skate parks with composite materials has a warranty, but the warranty is void if bikes are allowed on the surfaces. Mr. Meyers also pointed out that Fort Snelling State Park is in the process of installing a 90,000 square foot skate park. Chair Spicer asked who built the Eagan skate park. Mr. Kullander said that it was Skatewave, which makes anall-steel product. Chair Spicer explained the following dilemma to Mr. Meyers. Chair Spicer said that he was aware that kids prefer a composite surface to skate on, but that such a surface not only costs more money for initial installation, but also costs more in the long run for maintenance. Chair Spicer said that the choice might come down to whether the City should install a metal park with more components, or a composite park with fewer components. Mr. Meyers said that in that case, he and other skaters would prefer a composite park with fewer components. Ms. Stephenie Reierson said that she is a beginning skateboarder, and that she prefers a composite surface to a metal surface. Ms. Reierson said that a metal surface gets too hot in the summer. Ms. Reierson said that she grew up in Hibbing, where they have a composite skate park, and it is superior to the metal surface. Commissioner Linnell pointed out another advantage to a composite surface. Commissioner Linnell said that a composite surface is quieter than a metal surface. Mr. Kullander said that the newest generation of steel ramps is quieter than the older steel ramps. The Commission asked Mr. Kullander to get three bids for skate park equipment. Two of the bids should be for composite materials, and one bid should be for steel. The Commission asked Mr. Kullander to specify the budget limit of $22,000 to see what that amount could buy. The Commission also asked Mr. Kullander to invite the skateboarders who have attended recent Parks and Recreation Commission meetings to provide their input. At the suggestion of Mr. Meyers, the Commission also asked Mr. Kullander to contact the cities of Oakdale, Shoreview, Eagan, and Shakopee to discuss their experience with maintenance issues of steel and composite materials. BALLFIELD LIGHTING Mr. Kullander reminded the Commission that they had discussed the idea of folding ball field lights into a larger parks bond referendum and/or utility bond to cover various items at the last meeting and had asked Mr. Kullander to convey that idea to the Council for their reaction. Mr. Kullander said that the Council is not interested in a parks referendum at this time. Mr. Kullander said that nevertheless, he would like the opportunity to update the Barton -Ashman parks study completed in 1985, and that this update may provide some new direction to the Parks Commission and the Special Parks Fund Five -Year CIP, Commissioner Craighead moved to request that Mr. Kullander perform a comprehensive update of the Barton -Ashman study. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 Commissioner Craighead recommended that the residents be surveyed as part of the update. 17\:7 �`I�II�IDI-'1��:7C�1\iYII\IfIiL1i:Z1 I u Commissioner Moms moved to forward the Parks Five -Year Capital Improvement Plan revised project schedule to the City Council for their acknowledgement. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 PASTER ENTERPRISES Mr. Kullander introduced a Concept Plan for a Planned Unit Development from Paster Enterprises for commercial expansion on vacant land east of Mendota Plaza (Planning Case #03-14). Commissioner Linnell said that the portion of this land closest to Highway 110 is a natural, beautiful area, and perhaps should be incorporated into the Dakota County greenway/natural area corridor program. Commissioner Linnell said that he would like to see this area preserved. The Commission suggested that Staff make an inquiry with Dakota County to see if this land would be eligible for preservation. 4 UPDATES Staff provided updates on the following items: • Recreation Programmer's Update • Wentworth Warming House • Dakota County Farmland and Natural Areas • Police Report (No incidents during February 2003) OTHER COMMENTS None. ADJOURN Motion made to adjourn by Portz and seconded by Linnell. AYES: NAYS: The meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.