Loading...
2002-10-08 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, NIINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Tuesday, October 8, 2002 6:30 p.m. —Council Chambers Note: This meeting will be televised by NDCTV. 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. September 12, 2002 Minutes 4. Public Information Meeting: Skate Park Development in Friendly Hills Patk 5. Garron/Acacia Site Concept Plan 6. Updates • Recreation Programmer's Update (Available Tuesday) • 2003 City Budget Request • Wentworth Warming House • Police Report 7. Other Comments 8. Adjourn Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities are available upon request at least 120 hours in advance. If a notice of less than 120 hours is received, the City of Mendota Heights will make every attempt to provide the aids. This may not, however, be possible on short notice. Please contact City Administration at (651) 452-1850 with requests. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA I' ::. _ : ► 1 : : [�7\[�ZI \i%11%1f7`1Z17�fU1 �IIJIY�.J SEPTEMBER 12, 2002 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Thursday, September 12, 2002 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 Larry Craighead, Paul Portz, Raymond Morris, Missie Hickey, and Dave Libra. Commissioner Stan Linnell was excused from the meeting. 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. MINUTES Commissioner Morris moved to approve the June 11, 2002 minutes as written. Commissioner Portz seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: RECREATION PROGRAMMER'S UPDATE Ms. Gangelhoff provided an update of Recreation Activities for Fa112002. On the subject of skating rinks, Ms. Gangelhoff also commented that she thought that all three existing rinks were sufficiently used to justify their continued operation. Ms. Gangelhoff said that she would recommend against closing any of the skating rinks. Chair Spicer commented that he agreed that the rinks should remain open. Commissioner Craighead also said that he thought that the rinks should remain open. Chair Spicer asked if anyone would like to make a motion recommending that the Council not close the rinks. Commissioner Craighead moved to recommend to Council that they not close the rinks. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. Commissioner Libra asked about the pond in Ivy Hills Park where it appeared that the wildflowers had turned to weeds. Commissioner Libra said that he believed that the report discussed that area. Mr. Kullander said that it was simply a question of continued maintenance of that area. Mr. Kullander added that not all of the "weeds" were truly weeds, that many of them were desirable native grasses. Commissioner Morris said that the nature of prairie restoration dictated that one had to wait long-term to see tangible progress. Commissioner Morris added that the Minneapolis Parks Board had a program to convert to natural plantings, and that the program was not popular with some people. Commissioner Libra said that the report should identify an approach to prairie restoration for Ivy Park, Marie Park, etc., and that he did not see that type of approach in this report. Mr. Kullander said that Ivy Park is mentioned in the report, along with prairie enhancement such as in Copperfield Park. Mr. Kullander said that although it is difficult to maintain on steep slopes, the plan has examples of types of plantings that the City should strive for. Commissioner Morris said that there were other invasive species besides buckthorn and that combating invasive species should be a very high priority. Commissioner Hickey suggested that Dodge Nature Center could be helpful in the education effort. Mr. Kullander said that it was not about dollars for education, just staff. Mr. Kullander said that volunteers are hard to come by. Commissioner Moms said that it was important to have someone adept at grant writing. Commissioner Portz said that the report and presentation were excellent. Commissioner Portz said that he was in southern Minnesota over the weekend, and now that his consciousness had been raised about buckthorn, he saw it growing all along the highways. Commissioner Morns said that "kudzu" in the south is even worse than buckthorn in the north. AYES: NAYS: Mr. Kullander informed the Commission that a request to add $10,000 to the 2003 Parks Maintenance Budget for Natural Resources Management Projects had been included in • Police Report ADJOURN Motion made to adjourn by Portz and seconded by Libra. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. City of Mendota Heights October 2, 2002 Memo to: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager A� Subject: Skate Park Development in Friendly Hills Park Background: For your review, I have attached memos previously presented to the City Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission pertaining to development of a Skate Park. 1. Council memo included in packet for September 17, 2002 2. Commission memo and attachments dated August 29, 2002 3. Commission memo from Mary Hapka dated October 31, 2001 4, Matt Engelhart's memo to Patrick dated October 9, 2001 5, Matt Engelhart's "petition" presented to the Commission on November 13, 2001 Notices of the Open House were mailed to over one hundred residences within 350 feet of the Friendly Hills Park boundaries. The notice included my name and phone number as a contact for comments or additional information. As of 3:30 pm, Wednesday I had received two phone calls. One from Mr. Mike Reynolds at 2286 Nashua Lane who left a message that stated, "The money should be spent on some "other" project". The second was from Mr. Bernie Friel at 750 Mohican Lane, who asked several questions and said he would probably attend the meeting. From his questions and comments I would say he is "neutral / concerned". Action Required: If, after hearing from the residents living in the vicinity of the propose skate park, the Commission wishes to proceed with this project they should make a recommendation to the City Council. City of Mendota Heights MEMORANDUM Memo to: Mayor, Council Members, and City Administrator From: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager Subject: Skate Park Development in Friendly Hills Park Background: The Commission, on several occasions, has discussed the development of a Tier One Roller Skate Park in one of the City's parks. The Commission has selected a system comprised of individual components that can be placed on an asphalt surface, such as the paved hockey rink in Friendly Hills Park. The ramps and jumps would be installed within the hockey boards in early spring and disassembled and stored each fall. Tier One ramps and components do not exceed three feet in height and would not require supervision or oversight by city staff. The skate park, as are any other park amenities, would be available to residents during normal park hours. The Commission will hold a Roller Skate Park Informational Open House at their October 8' meeting and have directed staff to notify and invite the surrounding neighbors, within 350 feet from the park boundaries, to attend. Funding for this improvement would come from the Special Park Fund. The Commission has included this project in the Park Five Year (2001-2005) Capital Improvement Plan with a working budget of $24,000.00, with a goal for completion of this project in 2003. Action Required: No action is required. This memo is for information only. Skate Park Comments (phone) 1. Mike Reynolds — 2286 Nashua Lane — 681-9218 (9-26 02) Use money for another use 2. Bernie Friel — 750 Mohican Lane — 454-3655 (10-1-02) Noise (he can hear hockey puck from 1200' through triple pane windows Hours of operation No lights Were other sites looked at ? Parking congestion on Pueblo during game events Plans to attend Open House 3. Alice Thesing — 2354 Apache St. — 454-3124 (10-3-02) Not a good idea Friendly Hills Park has been neglected since Mendakota built Rink currently used by nice young men (20's plus) during noon - Broom ball games by Friendly Hills Middle School classes - Remove 6 dead oaks in park - Lids for large trash cans to keep crows from digging out trash - Replace bench by play area (broken — removed by City) - Trim trees in park - Large weeds allowed to grow in Park Sign landscaped area - Take care of what we already have - Ramps would destroy asphalt surface - Would attract rough groups into neighborhood - Younger kids use rink with small pedal cars and to learn bike riding - Play area holds/ponds water following heavy rain events. Works evenings and cannot attend meeting. City of Mendota Heights MEMORANDUM August 29, 2002 Memo to: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager Subject: Skate Park Background: At their August 6t' meeting, the City Council expressed a desire that the Parks and Recreation Commission make a recommendation regarding construction of a Skate Park in Mendota Heights. In November of 2001, Matt Engelhart presented a petition to the Commission requesting the construction of a Skate Park in Mendota Heights. The Commission directed staff to gather additional information for a future discussion. This issue was next discussed by the Commission in February 2002. The Commission expressed approval of this project and added this item to the Parks Five Year (2002-2005) Capital Improvement Plan with a working budget of $24,000,00 for a project to be considered for construction in 2003. Discussion: Attached are three informational "sheets" I have prepared for the Commission to help better evaluate the pros and cons of a Skate Park: a. Items to consider for locating a Skate Park b. Tier One Skate Park — estimated costs c. Evaluation of City Parks for suitability as Skate Park site Following discussion of the pros and cons of skate parks, the Commission may wish to recommend one of the following options to the City Council. 1. Recommend against construction of a Skate Park and state the reasons for this determination (cost, limited funding, no suitable location, safety, etcl. 2. Recommend that a Skate Park facility be located at Friendly Hills Park and be located on the asphalt surface of the hockey rink. Development of the Skate Park at this location could be accomplished for under $30,000. Local residents would be invited to comment on the facility with the understanding that the operation would be reviewed after one year and if found "unsuitable" removed or relocated to COPY another park. (If relocation of equipment was necessary any new location would require construction of additional facilities for the Skate Park, asphalt surface, fence, parking, amenities, etc., which would require expenditure of from $30,000 to $70,000 (following approval of local residents). Note: The Council should be made aware of the effort required from the Public Works staff for maintenance of a Skate Park facility and future costs required for replacement units. 3. Recommend that a Skate Park facility be constructed in one of several parks identified by the Commission as a suitable location for the facility. The Commission should establish a preliminary design and estimated construction costs for each of the parks/locations identified. If the Council concurs with the Commission's recommendations, an open house for residents in the vicinity of the proposed Skate Park location(s) will be held by the Commission to inform the neighborhood of the proposed project and to receive input from residents. Following the open house the Commission would make a "final" recommendation to the City Council. Funding the Project: The Commission has assigned a "working budget" of 524,000, from the Special Park Fund, for this project. If the cost to develop the Skate Park, at the selected park/location, exceeds this amount additional funding will be required. Possible Funding Sources 1. Reprioritize or eliminate projects in the Parks Five Year Capital Improvement plan. 2. Ask City Council for additional funds. 3. Require "skate park enthusiasts" to provide a portion of the funding. Such a group (not organized or directed by city staff) could seek donations from local businesses, MHAA, school Parent Teacher Organizations, funding drives, private donations, etc. Once this group has acquired the required "matching funds" the City Council would direct that the project proceed. 4. Combination of the above three options. August 27, 2002 Items to consider for locating a skate park... 1. Should be open and visible to surrounding area — not hidden in a heavily landscaped area. 2. Parking space for 10 to 20 vehicles 3. Easily accessed by Police (easily visible from "street drive -by") or emergency vehicles. 4. Distance of 200 feet (minimum) from other park amenities that attract young children/parents (play area — youth ball field players benches). 5. Asphalt path that connects to other City trail/path system 6. No lights for area where ramps are located — security light in parking area. 7. No "obstacles or challenges" outside of or in close proximity to fenced skate park that could be used by skaters to "test their skills" (steps, hand rails, etc). 8. Maintenance: (staff time -equipment -supplies) a. Graffiti awareness. Be prepared to remove immediately. b. Daily walkthrough to check for vandalism and pick up litter. c. Daily check to assure ramps have not been moved Note: City currently does not have maintenance workers on duty on Saturday or Sunday except during special events or tournaments. City Council may need to reconsider weekend staffing if skate park is developed. Only full-time employees have security access to vehicles -union requires 2 hr. minimum for staff called in on weekends, time and a half or double time. d. On -going maintenance and repair of ramps, equipment, and asphalt surface — daily/weekly schedule. e. Ramps and paved area should be kept dry. This may mean that a park employee visit the site after a rain to sweep or blow water off site. Site may have to be signed to warn that ramps are unsafe if wet, etc. f. Maintain informational and rules of the park signage. Include City Hall and Police general phone numbers as well as emergency numbers. Assumption of staff time required for maintenance of skate park: Equipment in place 28 wks. (Mid April to Mid October) a. Week day walk-through, clean-up, etc. 140 days x3/4 hr. = 105 hrs. b. Weekend & holiday walk-through, etc. 56 days x 2 hr. = 112 hrs. b. Seasonal set-up & take -down @ 10 hrs per operation = 20 hrs c. Repairs, maintenance, etc. 3 hrs per incident x 7 times = 21 hrs d. Special attention following rain events: 1 hr x 28 times = 28 hrs Estimate of PW staff time commitment = 286 hrs. The amount of maintenance required (286 hrs) is approximately one -sixth of the productive hours of one maintenance worker per year. This amount of time, at 2002 salary & benefit levels, would cost approximately $8.000.00. August 27, 2002 Eva/nation of City Parks for suitabi/ity/cost of Skate Park Unsuitable: 1. Ivy Hill Park: Too isolated 2. Valley Park No open space available. Removal of trees required to to prep site. Extra costs involved. 3. Victoria -Highlands Park: Only site would be near playground equipment. Park is easily accessible. 4. Sibley Athletic Complex: Not type of facilities School District would allow. 5. Marie Park: Ditficult to locate and not be too close to play area or existing residences. 6. Civic Center: No area suitable. 7, Friendly Marsh Park: Isolated park. Poor access. Undeveloped/natural in character. 8. Kensington Park: North Park has been developed as a "back yard" for the residences and town homes. Strong opposition from residents if "active" improvement was proposed. South Park fully developed. Only open land area would be east of soccer fields -far from parking area -isolated and difficult to observe. 10. Copperfield Ponds: Natural/undeveloped park. For Consideration: 10. Roger's Lake Park: Upper (gravel) parking lot, if paved, could accommodate skate park. Would be close to tennis courts. 1 1. Hagstrom-King Park: Open area, leveled for possible future tennis court, (north of Mendota Heights Rd. and east of trail/path) is large enough. Existing parking area would need to be expanded. Skate area would be approximately 150' from play area. One house would be approximately 150' away. August 27, 2002 �� Estimate of various cost items for the deve%pment of a IIJr-J Tier One Skate Park (components three feet and under in height) Basic Requirements... (A =modest & B=medium) 1. Asphalt surface: A. 60'x130' = 8,000 s.f. $16,000 B. 80'x150'=12,000 s.t. (Hockey rink: 83'x203'=16,850 sf) (Tennis Court 1 10x122=13,420 sf) 2. Ramp, obstacles, etc. A. $22,000 B. 3. Fencing, signage, etc. A. 4. Paved parking lot A. 8 to 10 stalls B. 16 to 20 stalls 4. Expenses (non -staff time) A. (Postage, printing, etc.) B. 5. Staff time (memos, meetings, A. plans, specification, bids, B. inspection, etc.) Estimated deve/opment costs: S 4,000 $ 8,000 $ 1,000 $ 4,000 $ 24,000 $36,000 $ 6,000 $16,000 $ 2,000 $ 6,000 555,000 590,000 August 27, 2002 COP Evaluation of parks suitability for location of Skate Park 12. Mendakota Park: An open level area, west and above the parking lot between the top of the bank and the overhead power transmission lines, is a large enough area for a skate park. This is about 150' from the play area and near enough to use the NW corner of the parking lot for vehicle parking. A second location would be in the vicinity of the asphalt Paved basketball court located west of the play area. This second site is very isolated and not visible from the street 13. Wentworth Park: An open turf area, directly north of the entrance and west of the "circle of trees" would be large enough for a skate park. Parking spaces could be added west and north of the entrance road. This area is moderately isolated but still visible from Wentworth Ave. No homes or other active park amenities are within 200 feet. 14. Friendly Hills Park: The paved hockey rink in this park was the initial location discussed for installation of skate ramps. Installation of ramps, jumps, rails, etc. could be accomplished for approximately $25,000. The hockey rink is located 175' from two houses on Navajo Lane, 15. Other sites: A large open turf area, east of the Public Works Facility and west of Lexington Ave. would be large enough for a skate park. This area is on the fringe of the Industrial Park with few residential units in the area. City of Mendota Heights Memo To: Parks & Recreation Commission From: Mary L. Hapka, Recreation Programmer Subject: Request for development of a Skateboard Park Date: October 31, 2001 The City of Mendota Heights received a letter from Matt Engelhart dated October 9, 2001 requesting the city build a skateboard park in Mendota Heights. Patrick Hollister, Assistant City Administrator, requested that I contact Rich Dippel, Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of South St. Paul. Mr. Dippel coordinated the construction of a Tier 1 skateboard park at a neighborhood park in South St. Paul; the skateboard park was built in the spring of 2001. I contacted Mr. Dippel and was given the following information. There are currently two types of skateboard parks as designated by the League of Minnesota Cities. 1. Tier I — Basic skateboard park, younger less experienced skaters, and all ramps are 3 feet and under in height, supervision is not mandated, no helmet required. 2. Tier H — Advanced skateboard park, skateboarders with more advanced skills, ramps/jumps can be 36 inches or higher, supervision is required. Costs Involved • Construction costs can range from $40,000 - $150,000 or higher depending on what type of park is built: Tier I Skateboard Park $40,000 ($18,000 to paint asphalt + 20,000 structures) Tier lI Skateboard Park $150,000 • Salary for part-time skateboard supervisor Attendant to supervise skateboard park $6,000 for an approximately 5 month season (late May to late August). Liability • Tier I skateboard park; no additional insurance required. • Tier II skateboard park; additional insurance is required. Participation Mr. Dippel stated that at the opening of the skateboard park attendance was high but has since leveled off to approximately 15-20 kids per day. Participants that use the park on a regular basis tend to be younger more inexperienced skateboarders. Mr. Dippel has found that once the skateboards increase their skill level they tend to go back out onto the city sidewalks looking for more of a challenge. Mr. Dippel receives calls from the local schools complaining of skateboarders still using the sidewalks and steps at the schools to skateboard. Neirhborbood Response During the first year of operation of the South St. Paul skateboard park there were many neighbors who objected to the skateboard park. The Parks and Recreation Department had a uniformed officer at the skateboard park for approximately one week due to problems reported by the public; a skateboard park supervisor was also added. During the 2"a year of operation the neighborhood seems to be much more supportive and problems have significantly decreased with the addition of the supervisor. In conclusion, Mr. Dippel reported that he feels the Tier 1 skateboard park provides an excellent place for skateboards to congregate and pursue the activity of skateboarding. Mr. Dippel is currently in the process of contacting Steve Sullivan, Director of Dakota County Parks, in hopes of having a Tier II skateboard park developed at one of the county parks in northern Dakota County. Action Required: I bring this information before the Commission for discussion purposes only Please review attached letter received from Matt Engelhart. October 9, 2001 Dear Mr. Hollister, My name is Matt Engelhart. I am interested in having the parks and recreation put a skateboard park in Mendota Heights. These are my reasons: 1. We do not want to destroy public property. 2. We want to skate freely. 3. We want new people to enjoy skating. 4. We want to have a place nearby where we can meet our friends and skate together. We want you to support kids who want to do something that does not involve drugs, gangs, or criminal activity. This is wholesome fun! Please consider my request. Consider this: You may not understand the sport or the way we dress, but we are athletes and are passionate about our sport. We will continue to skate, we just need a place to do it. I look forward to seeing you on November 13. Thank you for listening to me. Sincerely, 141A Matt Engelhart 686-0655 Free Community Skatepark in Mendota Heights Introduction: My name is Matt Engelhart. I am a 6Grader at Friendly Hills Middle School, in Mendota Heights. I am interested in having The Parks and Recreation put a skateboard park in my community: Mendota Heights. These are my reasons: 1. We NEED a place to skate LEGALLY without destroying public or private property. 2. We want to skate freely. 3. We want new people to enjoy skating. 4. We want to have a place nearby where we can meet our friends and skate together. 5. We want you to support kids who want to do something that does not involve drugs, gangs, or criminal activity. 6. In previous times, baseball diamonds were created so that kids would not play in the street. 7. We need a safe place to participate in our sport. 8. I have over 100 signatures on a petition stating that kids are interested in a skate park. 9. I have signatures from business owners in Mendota Heights stating that they would support the city building a skate park. L Objective: The development of a free Skatepark in our city. II. Purpose: To provide a safe environment for skateboarders to participate in our sport. And to provide a place other than business areas or school parking lots where we can skate without destroying public or private property. III. Frequently asked questions: A. Cost: The cost of a Skatepark depends on what size and style the Skatepark is. It varies. Skateparks cost somewhere between $12.00 and $25.00 per square foot. This includes all design and construction service including labor and materials. Portable Parks and Wood Parks: As little as $3,000 and up to $100,000 with the average park being 10,000 sq, ft and costing around $25,000 require regular maintenance -surfaces may be masonite, plywood, birch, skatelite, skatelite proadvantages-portable, movable, affordable. Steel Frame Skateparks: Steel frame with metal or skatelite surfaces -permanent parks -can be bolted to existing concrete pad some maintenance -more expensive than wood with a 10,000 sq. ft park starting at around $30,000. Advantages -park can be reconfigured, weatherproof, affordable. Concrete Parks: Concrete starting as low as $10.00 sq. ft. averages $16.00sq. ft and as high as $20.00 sq. ft, depending on excavation, grading, drainage, irrigation, water table etc. Average 10,000 sq. ft. park $140,000. Must work with qualified builders and designers and make sure the concrete crew is experienced. Advantages -no maintenance, permanent park. B. Size: The average Skatepark is 10,000 square feet. The minimum size should be 8,000 square feet. C. Location: We believe that the Skatepark should be in a community/neighborhood park, much like a basketball court, tennis court, hockey rink, play structure, or other public general use area. D. Liability: We believe the liability should be as it is with any other public general use area. E. Safety: Sport Participants Injuries %of Injuries Ice hockey 1,7003000 61,264 3.60% Football 14,700,000 409,206 2.78% Basketball 2900,000 761,358 2.57% Soccer 10,3003000 146,000 1.42% Baseball 36005000 437,207 1.26% Volleyball 20,500XO 1 12, 120 .54% Skateboarding 6,200,000 27,718 .49 % (From U. S. Consumer Safety Commission (CPSC) ) Conclusion: Please consider my request. You may not understand the sport or the way we dress, but we are athletes and are passionate about our sport. We will continue to skate, we just need a safe place to do so. Matt Engelhart 686-0655 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO October 3, 2002 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Patrick C. Hollister, Administrative Assistant SUBJECT: Review of Concept Plan for Ganon/Acacia Sites Discussion The Parks and Recreation Commission has requested that Staff provide the Commission with materials pertaining to any proposed development of the Garron/Acacia sites. Mr. John Uban and Mr. Ron Clark met with Planning Staff to discuss their concept plan for owner -occupied multi -family housing on the Garron and Acacia sites near the east end of the Mendota Bridge. The gentlemen have now submitted the attached Concept Plan for review by the Airport Relations Commission, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Planning Commission, and the Council. This Concept Plan will be on the Planning Commission agenda for October 22, 2002. It will then proceed to the Council for their review and comment on November 5, 2002, Action Required Review the attached Concept Plan. Staff will convey any comments the Parks Commission may have to the other reviewing bodies at their respective meetings. SUMMARY OF MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS This generalized list should not replace detailed recommendations in preceding chapters. Nor should it necessarily override efforts at individual parks that gain momentum out of this sequence. Concurrent efforts are recommended whenever possible, particularly education and invasive plant eradication programs. 1. Invasive Species: Immediate Intervention A. Garlic mustard: North end of Valley Park B. Garlic mustard: Along path southeast of Cullen Ave. /Timmy St. intersection. C. Purple loosestrife: Small patch on Hagstrom-King pond 2. Maintenance Regimes for Vulnerable Areas A. Rogers Lake shoreline restoration B. Ivy Hills Park pond area C. City property and adjacent private property south of Hwy. 13, northeast of Wachtler Ave. 3. Education Efforts (In conjunction with all of above buckthorn removal efforts) A. City maintenance staff B. Residents: Informational flyers, workshops on upcoming management changes, yard design and invasive eradication. Introduce and support "buckthorn bash" concept (see Appendix B). C. Schools (potential project partners) 4. Adjust City Property Maintenance Practices (Can be instituted anytime following staff/crew education) A. Create buffers around ponds by mowing less closely to shoreline. B. Eradicate fleeceflower in Wentworth Park. C. Start controlling other herbaceous species encroaching on natural areas (e.g. crown vetch, thistle, sweet clover, purple knapweed). Hagstrom-King Park, Kensington Park, other areas. D. Enforce regulations against dumping yard debris on city property. 5. Invasive Eradication at Priority Sites Target Species: buckthorn, amur maple, black locust, honeysuckle, Siberian elm, fruiting boxelder. See specific park recommendations for details on where to begin control efforts. Important: Institute follow-up control and maintenance plans for each site. This may include controlled burning. A. Areas least infested with buckthorn 1. Friendly Hills pond area 2. Hwy. 13/Wachtler site 3. Ivy Hills Park Barr Engineering Company 31 B. High -quality areas within Northern Dakota County Corridor 1. Valley Park 2. Copperfield Ponds C. Vulnerable areas outside corridor 1. Rogers Lake 2. Hagstrom-King Park (prickly ash and thistle in addition to woody species) 6. Demonstration Plantings (Ideally, begin these immediately following invasive eradication efforts in a given area) A. Copperfield Ponds B. Valley Park C. Wentworth Park D. Rainwater gardens in areas with existing roadside swales E. Buffer zones around selected ponds F. Other public buildings (City Hall, Public Works) 7. Second Priority Invasive Eradication A. Dense concentrations of buckthorn (Wentworth Park, Kensington Park) B. Lower quality areas within corridor (will involve restoration as well as eradication) C. Other city properties 32 Mendota Heights Nahtrnl Resources Manngement Plnn City of Mendota Heights MEMORANDUM October 3, 2002 Memo to: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager Subject: Wentworth Warming House - Update Background: The Commission directed me to present their recommendation to replace the Wentworth Warming House to the City Council. Attached is the memo I presented to the Council and the minutes from that meeting. I am currently working on several concepts and will update the Commission on my progress at tonight's meeting. City of Mendota Heights uIRVALWIMW Memo to: Mayor, Council Members, and City Administrator From: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager e4eaw Subject: Replacement of Wentworth Park Warming House Background: The Park and Recreation Commission recommends that the Wentworth Park warming house be replaced and that additional site work be undertaken to improve access within the rink areas. The Commission recommends that this project be funded from the Special Park Fund and have established a working budget of $35,000 for these improvements. Recommendation: The Commission has identified this as a "High Priority Project" and have directed staff to proceed as quickly as possible to develop plans and specifications, prepared bid documents, accept bids and award the project for completion prior to the start of this years skating season that begins around December 15', 2002. Project Time Line: 1. September 17th Council directs staff to proceed 2. October 8m Park & Rec. Comm. Approve final plans 3. October 152h Council Approve final plans -authorize bid awards 4. Oct 16t1i to Nov 1 st - Seek and award bids 5. Nov 1" to Dec 15t' - Construct new warming house 6. Nov 1 st plus... - Demolish existing warming house Action Required: If the City Council accepts the recommendation from the Park and Recreation Commission they should authorize staff to proceed with development of plans, specifications, and bid documents for this project. Page No. 3 September 17, 2002 Councilmember Dwyer seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 WARMING HOUSE Council acknowledged amemo from Parks Project Manager Kullander regarding replacement of the Wentworth Park warming house. Councihnember Krebsbach stated that she would like more information from Mr. Kullander if he has any concerns about the tie line. Councihnember Vitelli felt that Council should try to get the cost down closer to $20,000 rather than going out to bid on something that might cost $35,000. It would only be used for two to three months a year. He asked Mr. Kullander to tweak the size and some of the specifications so that it is something everyone can live with and not cost more than $20.000. He suggested possibly renting a temporary building that can be moved in for the season and then moved out. Mayor Mertensotto pointed out that one of the Park Commission's design criteria is that the building match the design of the structures at Mendakota park. Councihnember Schneeman felt that the existing warming house is not safe and it is too small. She wanted to make sure a replacement structure looks good. She was also concerned that staff time is very scarce. Mr. Kullander informed Council that it would be a very tight timeline to get a building constructed this year. If it can be put off until next year, he could look at different options and different materials. He stated that the $35,000 estimate includes site improvements. Responding to a question from Councilmember Dwyer, he stated that last year there were about 12 to 13 weeks when ice was available and the warming house was staffed. Councihnember Schneeman stated that she thought that there were only nine really good days for skating last year. Councihnember Dwyer stated that if there are only nine days of skating time because of thawing and freezing, he doesn't know if it makes sense to spend $35,000 for a warming house. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 Page No. 4 September 17, 2002 Mr. Kullander stated that this is not a flagship park like Mendakota. There are a lot of materials that could be used as a substitute for the stone that was used at Mendakota. It was the consensus to direct Parks Project Manager Kullander to take his time and see if there are alternatives that will reduce the cost. Mayor Mertensotto asked Mr, Kullander to come back with plans and specifications as soon as he can and Council will look at the plans to see if there are any alternative designs that can be used to reduce the costs. Councihnember Dwyer moved to authorize staff to proceed with development of plans, specifications and bid documents for replacement of the Wentworth Park warning house. Councilmember Vitelli seconded the motion. It was acknowledged that it would be difficult to build the structure this year if staff needs to develop options, because the engineering staff is very busy. Acknowledgment of a $4,000 donation from the Mendota Heights Athletic Association and a $2,000 grant from the Minnesota Twins Community Grant Fund for improvements at the Sibley Park varsity ballfields and the Henry Sibley High School fields. ROGERS LAKE EAST Council acknowledged a letter from Mr. Guy Heide, 889 Bluebill NOISE REDUCTION Drive, on behalf of the Rogers Lake East Airport Noise Reduction Committee requesting that the committee be placed on the agenda to discuss the integrity of the airport home noise insulation program administered by the MAC. Mr. Heide MHAA FUNDING REQUEST Council acknowledged a memo from Administrator Lindberg regarding a request from the Mendota Heights Athletic Association for $15,000 for funding for 2003. Mr. Charlie Noel, President of MHAA, was present for the discussion. Mr. Noel MENDOTA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT INCIDENT SUMMARIES - PARKS 10-oz-2ooz ::N: 02003052 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Medical DATE: 09/04/2002 18:50:0 OFFICER: Larrive, J 2233 LOCATION: Mendakota Park SYNOPSIS: Dispatched to location on a report of a medical. The call was a head injury from a fall. The victim was injured when she fell running after a fly ball. The injured party was transported to United Hospital. No further action. CN: 02003092 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Open Door DATE: 09/07/2002 20:18:Oj OFFICER: Larrive, J 2233 LOCATION: Kensington Park SYNOPSIS: While locking the restrooms at Kensington Park, I found the storage room unlocked. I was able to lock the door, but I am not sure if anything was removed. No further action. CN: 02003141 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Attempted Theft From Auto/Damage to Property DATE: 09/12/2002 12:43:0 OFFICER: Patrick, S 2231 LOCATION: 800 Block 13/ Monument Lot HWY YNOPSIS: On stated dates and times the complainant reported that someone had used a slim jim type of tool to unlock his car while it was parked at the monument lot near Mendota. Nothing was taken, however the interior and trunk were gone though. There were no witnesses or suspects. CN: 02003285 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Vehicle Unlock DATE: 09/23/2002 19:35:0 OFFICER: Hurst, J 2212 LOCATION: Wentworth Park SYNOPSIS: Responded to location on report of vehicle unlock. Upon arrival comp had already called a locksmith to respond. Locksmith completed vehicle unlock. Nothing further.