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2004-10-12 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 12, 2004 [Note: The Parks and Recreation Commission held a workshop on location at Mendakota Park to discuss playground equipment from 6:00 pm to 6:25 pm before convening the regular meeting at City Hall at 6:30 pm. Commissioners Dave Libra, Stan Linnell, Larry Craighead, and Paul Portz were present for the workshop.] The September 2004 meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Thursday, October 12, 2004 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 Dave Libra, Missie Hickey, Stan Linnell, Larry Craighead, and Paul Portz. Commissioner Raymond Morris arrived five minutes late. City Staff present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. Recreation Programmer Teresa Gangelhoff was on vacation. Mr. Hollister took the minutes. MINUTES Commissioner Libra moved approval of the September 9, 2004 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes, Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: [Commissioner Morris arrived at this point] PAR 3 GOLF COURSE [Mendota Heights Resident Robin Ehrlich, 1656 Gryc Court, and Councilmember Ultan Duggan were present for this discussion.] Mr. Ehrlich told the Commission that the northern part of Mendota Heights does not have a lot of open space. Mr. Ehrlich said that seniors and kids can play golf at Par 3. Mr. Ehrlich said that it would be a shame to let the Par 3 Golf Course be developed into a residential use, because it would turn Mendota Heights into a bedroom community. Mr. Ehrlich asked the Parks and Recreation Commission to show support to keep the Par 3 as a golf course. Chair Spicer said that the Parks and Recreation Commission in the past had taken the position that Par 3 should remain as a golf course. Commissioner Portz said that the Par 3 Golf Course was special and that the City would lose something special if it were developed. Commissioner Morris pointed out that the Par 3 is a public golf course and that the other remaining golf courses in Mendota Heights are private. Commissioner Morris added that it is a good golf course for kids, seniors or beginning golfers. Chair Spicer said that he considers himself to be a good golfer and he enjoys playing at Par 3. Chair Spicer said that it would be a shame to lose Par 3. Chair Spicer said that although Par 3 is not as exciting as championship golf courses, it is an important asset to the community. Chair Spicer said that it is still the Parks and Recreation Commission's position that the Council should use its best efforts to preserve the Par 3 golf course. Councilmember Duggan said that he is speaking mostly as a resident rather than a Councilmember. Councilmember Duggan said that he watched a TV program on Channel 17 that explained that only 6% of the natural land within the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area remained. Councilmember Duggan said that the show was narrated by Bev Tov. Councilmember Duggan said that the City should be alert that both Par three and Acacia may be lost to development. Councilmember Duggan said that the City's own Comprehensive Plan, which the Metropolitan Council approved emphasizes the need for open space, and that the principle is more important than dollars. Councilmember Duggan also mentioned that Al Singer led the referendum effort in Dakota County to buy open space, and suggested that the Parks Commission may wish to invite Mr. Singer to a future meeting if the City decides to pursue a parks referendum to purchase Par 3. Chair Spicer said that the Parks and Recreation Commission supports Councilmember Duggan's position that Par 3 should be preserved. Councilmember Duggan said that the impetus for the City to buy Par 3 would have to come from the community, and that he has received calls both in favor and against purchasing Par 3. Councilmember Duggan said that at this point he does not perceive a strong desire from the community as a whole to purchase Par 3. Commissioner Craighead pointed out that representatives of Dakota County did attend a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting at the time that the Dakota County referendum on green space acquisition was passed. Councilmember Duggan said that Dakota County could educate the City on how to conduct a referendum. Commissioner Linnell said that the intent of the Dakota County referendum was for the acquisition of natural open space, and that he did not believe that Par 3 would qualify for green space preservation. Commissioner Linnell said that Acacia stood a better chance of qualifying for a funding grant. Chair Spicer said that the City did pass a successful referendum in the late 1980s, but that it took two attempts. Chair Spicer said that it would be possible for the City to issue bonds to purchase Par 3. Chair Spicer said that at this point Mr. Ehrlich was merely asking the Parks Commission to reaffirm their previous position, which they have done. Commissioner Libra said that he agreed with Commissioner Linnell that Dakota County would not be a likely source of funding for the acquisition of Par 3. Commissioner Libra said that he was impressed with the amount of attention to detail that the Council put into reviewing and approving the landscape plan for Town Center. Commissioner Libra said that Par 3 is being put to great use and that he is in favor of acquiring it. Commissioner Linnell said that the City lost the opportunity to exact park land from the Hidden Creek Estates development, and that Par 3 would be a good substitute. Councilmember Duggan said that he talked to City Administrator Jim Danielson about the City's total amount of park land. Councilmember Duggan said that the City has a goal of 25 acres of park land for every 1000 residents. Councilmember Duggan said that it appears that the City has a lot of park land unless Fort Snelling State Park is removed from the calculation. Chair Spicer said that the Comprehensive Plan has all of those numbers. Mr. Ehrlich said that the school board passed a sizable referendum in September, which leads him to believe that a properly organized referendum including benefits for the entire community could pass. SKATING RINK OPERATIONS Mr. Kullander explained that this month's discussion on the consolidation of skating rinks had been rescheduled to next month's meeting because Councilmember Schneeman was unable to attend this evening. Mr. Hollister said that residents would soon be receiving the October edition of the Heights Hilites that announces that weather permitting the skating rinks would open on December 17. Mr. Hollister said that at this point Staff is planning on keeping all three rinks open, and that even if the City ultimately decided to close down one or more rinks, this would most likely take effect next winter, not this winter. BATTING CAGE SURFACING Mr. Kullander explained that M11AA had submitted a request for new surfacing at the batting cage in Mendakota Park because of safety concerns due to balls ricocheting off rocks in the existing surfacing. Chair Spicer said that he believed that rubber matting would be better and cheaper, and could be installed for a about $200 per mat. Mr. Kullander said that he agreed and that rubber matting combined with a re-slopeing of the terrain inside the batting cage should take care of the wet conditions in the batting box and pitching area. Chair Spicer asked Mr. Kullander to send a letter to MHAA explaining that the City would first try to solve the problem with rubber mats before resorting to a more expensive solution. SPECIAL PARKS FUND Mr. Kullander told the Commission that his previous estimate for the Special Park Fund balance of $340,000 was not correct and that the actual balance was closer to $300,000, Mr. Kullander added that the Council had asked Staff to clarify the Council's position on the Special Parks Fund and that the Council had not directed the Parks and Recreation Commission to "spend it down", but rather had said that the Council sees no need at this time to find an alternative source of revenue for the Special Parks Fund due to slower residential development. Mr. Hollister added that Councilmember Krebsbach had felt that the minutes from the September Parks and Recreation Commission meeting seemed to imply that the sentiment that the Parks and Recreation Commission should "spend the Special Parks Fund down" was unanimous on the part of the Council and that she wanted Staff to clarify that this was not the case. Commissioner Libra commented that the Council had spent a lot of time with the developer of Town Center last month discussing future trails in and around the Town Center development. Commissioner Libra said that he was pleased to learn that the future trail on the east side of Dodd Road from Town Center north to Marie could be paid for with MSA funds rather than the Special Park Fund. Commissioner Libra asked Mr. Kullander what percentage of the Town Center development was considered green space. Mr. Kullander said that he thought it was in the neighborhood of 20 percent. [Planning Commission Chair Sally Lorberbaum arrived at this point.] Chair Spicer said that the Parks and Recreation Commission should wait until after the City election to see if there have been any changes on the Council and resume dialog about the Special Parks Fund at that time. Chair Lorberbaum apologized for arriving late for the discussion on Par 3. Chair Lorberbaum explained that she was filming a commercial on Town Square Television. Chair Lorberbaum asked what the result of the Par 3 discussion was. Chair Spicer reported that the Parks and Recreation Commission had reaffirmed their position that the Council should use their best efforts to [preserve the Par 3 golf course. Chair Lorberbaum said that the Parks and Recreation Commission's position was also her position. UPDATE ON ENGINEERING PROJECTS Mr. Kullander updated the Commission on the trail projects on Lexington Avenue and Emerson Avenue. Mr. Kullander said that the bids for the Lexington Avenue trail would open tomorrow at 10:00 am. Mr. Kullander also said that he received another check for a park bench and that the City would probably be installing two park benches this fall. Mr. Kullander said that he would show the Commission two location plans for the park benches. VERBAL UPDATES Staff provided the following updates: • Flag Football at Mendakota Park • Recreation Programmer's Update • Police Report OTHER COMMENTS None. ADJOURN Commissioner Hickey moved to adjourn. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Please see the attached e-mail correspondence from residents relating to the Par 3 discussion.