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2004-08-10 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Tuesday, August 10, 2004 6:30 p.m. —Council Chambers Note: The Parks Commission will be holding a workshop the same evening as the regularly scheduled meeting at Wentworth Park from 6:00 to 6:25 to discuss playground equipment maintenance and accessibility issues. The Parks Commission will then convene their regularly scheduled meeting at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. July 13, 2004 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 4. Recreation Programmer's Update 5. Discussion with Amelia Olson of MHAA 6. Mendota Elementary School Playground Upgrades Discussion: Parks Five Year (2005-2009) Capital Improvement Plan 8. Verbal Updates • News Article: "WSP Parks to get Face Lift" • Saint Thomas Academy Temporary Fieldhouse • Police Report 9. Other Comments 10. 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) 4524850 with requests. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES DULY 13, 2004 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, July 13, 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 Raymond Morris, Dave Libra, Larry Craighead, Paul Portz, Missie Hickey. Commissioner Stan Linnell arrived late. City Staff present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander, Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister, and Recreation Programmer Teresa Gangelhoff. Mr. Hollister took the minutes. MINUTES Commissioner Libra moved approval of the June 8, 2004 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes, Commissioner Hickey seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: RECREATION PROGRAMMER'S UPDATE Ms. Gangelhoff provided an update of planned events for the Fishing Derby scheduled for Wednesday, July 14, 2004, Safety Camp, and other recreation activities planned for Fall 2004. Chair Spicer commended Ms. Gangelhoff on a successful summer and fall recreation schedule. N.U.R.T. TRAIL NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATIONAL MEETING The following residents were present for this discussion John Wallace 645 Highway 110 Mendota Heights Bonnie Wallace 645 Highway 110 Mendota Heights Susan Verduza 2047 Charlton Street West Saint Paul Justin Herzog 669 Highway 110 Mendota Heights Sue Herzog 669 Highway 110 Mendota Heights Fischer added that he and Ms. Jackson had met with residents living along the frontage road on June 22 and that the neighbors had expressed a clear preference for the trail to be on the south side of the frontage road. Mr. Fischer added that the neighbors also expressed concerns about strangers, the safety of children, litter, dog residue and loss of mature elm trees. Mr. Fischer presented three scenarios for the alignment of the trail. The first option showed the trail between the frontage road and the highway. The second option showed the trail north of the frontage road. Mr. Fischer described the third option as a hybrid of the two, with the trail partly north of the frontage road and partly south of the frontage road. Chair Spicer then asked for comments from individual Commissioners. Commissioner Craighead said that his biggest concern was safety. Commissioner Portz agreed that the biggest concern is safety. Commissioner Morris asked if the trail would be bituminous. Mr. Fischer responded that it would be and eight foot wide bituminous pathway. Commissioner Morris asked what the funding mechanism would be for long-term maintenance. Ms. Jackson said that she would have to check on that but that she believed that the City would do routine maintenance of the trail and that the County would perform any reconstruction or overlay when necessary. Commissioner Morris asked how thick the trail would be. Mr. Fischer said that it would be two inches thick on a six-inch gravel base. Commissioner Morris echoed previous comments that safety is the biggest concern. Commission Morris said that in his experience with the National Park Service, he has observed that trails generally increase the value of residential property. Commissioner Morris said that if he were a homeowner along the north side of Highway 1 10 he would actually prefer putting the trail on the north side of the frontage road rather than having to look at a guardrail. Commissioner Morris said that he could go with either Option I or Option 2. Commissioner Hickey asked who has responsibility for patrolling the trail. As. Jackson said that the Dakota County Parks Patrol would patrol the trail. Mr. Kullander said that the only place in the City where garlic mustard has been recorded is in Valley Park, and that the City does not have sufficient staff to actively search for other areas where garlic mustard may be present. GUIDE PLAN FOR REMOVAL OF INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES FROM CITY PARKS Commissioner Linnell said that it would be good to remove the garlic mustard from the sidelines of the Valley Park trail. TRAIL MAINTENANCE PLAN FOR 2004 Chair Spicer complemented Mr. Kullander on the plan. Mr. Kullander said that the plan contained a minor error, and that he would be changing the request in next year's budget from $40,000 to $45,000 as the Commission requested in June. PROPOSED 2005 PLAYGROUND "ACTION PLAN" Mr. Kullander explained that at least half of the elements of park playground facilities needed to be handicapped accessible for ADA compliance purposes. Chair Spicer commented that the costs are lower than the estimates from Mr. Kullander several months ago. Commissioner Morris said that he might be changing the subject slightly, but that he wanted to comment on how frequently Lite skateboard park is being used. Commissioner Morris said that every time he visits the skateboard park there are at least three kids using it. Commissioner Morris suggested that the Parks Commission look into adding one or two more elements to the skate park. Commissioner Morris said that by contrast he usually only sees one child using the play equipment. Mr. Kullander said that if the Commission wished to add an element to the skate park, the logical next piece would be a "half -pipe", which would cost $12,000 to $15,000. Mr. Kullander said that he would include this item in next years Parks Capital Improvement Plan to facilitate discussion and add this to the draft 2005 City Budget request. Commissioner Portz suggested that the Commission take a tour of the playground equipment of one of the parks so that Mr. Kullander could explain to them some of the maintenance issues that require rehabilitation or replacement of the playground equipment. the Commissioners to either fax or e-mail CIP suggestions to him so he could put a draft CIP together for the next meeting. VERBAL UPDATES Staff provided an update on the following item: • Police Report ADJOURN Commissioner Portz moved to adjourn to the August 10 workshop at 6:00 pm at Wentworth Park, to be followed by the regularly scheduled meeting at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers, Commissioner Hickey seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. 7 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMORANDUM Date: AUGUST, 2004 To: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION From: TERESA GANGELHOFF RE: JULY 2004 PARKS AND RECREATION REPORT Youth Trips This month we visited Faribault Family Aquatic Center, Hyland Park Chutes and Ladders with swimming at Bush Lake, Bunker Beach Wave Pool, MN Twins Game (they won!) and Wild Mountain Park. We have two trips left for August, Nature Center and Swimming and Valley fair. Trips are listed in the Heights Highlites, local newspapers and were sent home with local school children in the Park and Rec summer flyer. Softball Softball season finished with a playoff tournament for all three leagues held Saturday, July 24. 19 of the 22 teams participated. Bogey's finished in first place in the league and playoffs and received a birth to districts. M and L Women's team won the women's league and will go on to the state tournament. Golf Lessons, camps and leagues are running all summer. We will still have one camp in August that we are still taking registrations for. Safety Camp Plans are in place for another successful camp to run 3 days on August 10, 11, and 12. The camp is for children going into 3ftl and 4"' grade in the fall and will only cost $15,00 for the 3 days. As of this writing we are now full with 40 kids and will take a waiting list. Fishing Derby Another successful derby was held on Wednesday, July 14. I would like to thank commissioners Hickey for helping and providing the worms and Chair Spicer for helping to weigh and measure the fish (and for having to touch all those bullheads!!!!) I also would like to recognize our fishing pro Scott Seaton and his girlfriend Kaya for all their help at the derby and our youth volunteer Tom Bertrand. Last but not least, thanks to Cliff Timm who was also on hand to help and donated the tackle boxes. I would like to also recognize staff that helped with this event and kept it running smoothly -Kathy Swanson, Judy Wonick, Katie Gangelhoff and Amanda Boser. Our winners are: Jared Kluck-Biggest fish 4 5/8 oz, Simon Babin-Most fish caught 15. Casting contest winners were Sidney Stockton, Kaitlyn Hollerback, and Nate Moline. 50 kids participated and over 130 fish were caught. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS August 4, 2004 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Patrick C. Hollister, Administrative Assistant SUBJECT: Discussion with Amelia Olson and Greg Springer of MHAA Discussion At the April 13, 1004 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Chair Spicer commented that it would be good for the Commission to meet with MHAA on a quarterly basis. Chair Spicer asked staff to invite MHAA to send a representative to Parks and Recreation Commission meetings on a quarterly basis. Staff contacted Amelia Olson of MHAA, who agreed that this is a good idea and offered to come to the August 10 meeting to introduce herself and Greg Springer and to discuss MHAA's activities. (Please also see the attached print-out from MHAA's website. MHAA's website address is www.eteamz.com/mhaaonline.) Action Required Discuss MHAA's activities this season with Ms. Olson. City of Mendota Heights MEMORANDUM August 2, 2004 Memo to: Parks &Recreation Commission From: Guy Kullander, Operations & Projects Coordinator A Subject: Mendota Elementary School Playground Upgrades Background: At Commission meetings in May and June of 2001 representatives from Mendota Elementary School (School District 197) requested funding support from the City for proposed improvements to the school's playground equipment. The plan presented to the Commission proposed to remove much of the existing equipment and installation of a custom play -structure and other components at a cost of $30,314,00, This plan reused existing timber border edging and pea rock as a surfacing material. In the 1992/93 the City funded a portion (one-third: City/Sch. Dist 197/PTA) of a $25,000.00 upgrade of play equipment at the school that included installation of ADA accessible surfacing for swings and some play components. Discussion: The Commission on July 10, 2001 made a recommendation to the City Council to fund one-third of the cost to upgrade play equipment at the school with a not to exceed limit of $8,000.00 (see attached Commission minutes). Council concurred with the Commission's recommendation and authorized funding from the Special Park Fund up to $8,000,00 towards playground improvements ... upon completion and certification that the project has been completed" (see attached Council minutes dated July 24, 2001. Work in progress: Apparently the School District has modified their original plan, which did not include removal/replacement of the wood timber border edging nor the pea rock surfacing. Work currently in progress entails: removal of the wood timber edging and replacement with recycled wood fiber/plastic 6" by 6" - "XO-timbers" and installation of wood fiber surfacing that will make all of the play area components ADA compliant/accessible. They have also "cut" back in the number of new play components to be added to the existing units. Earl F. Anderson, Co. has been contracted to provide play equipment at a cost of $5,500.00 plus $1,000.00 for installation. Edging timbers were also purchased from EFA at a cost of $7,000.00. Work related to the border CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES DULY 10, 2001 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, July 10, 2001, in the Large Conference Room 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, Dave Libra, Larry Craighead, and Paul Portz, Raymond Morris, and Jay Liberacki. City Staff present were Recreation Programmer Mary Hapka and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. Also present was resident Lenny Axelrod, Mr. Hollister took the minutes. MINUTES Commissioner Linnell moved to approve the June 12, 2001 minutes. Commissioner Morris seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 MENDOTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT Mr. Hollister reminded the Commission that at the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on May 8, 2001, Mr. Lenny Axelrod, Mendota Elementary parent, Mr. Steve Goldade, Mendota Elementary Principal, and Mr. Richard Gray of TKDA continued their discussion with the Commission regarding the condition of playground equipment at Mendota Elementary School. Mr. Hollister recounted that Mr. Axelrod bad told the Commission that Mendota Elementary had very old playground equipment and that he was searching for various sources of funding to upgrade the equipment and create a "learning center". Mr. Hollister added that Mr. Axelrod had also told the Commission that he was also searching for revenue sources among the school district, the state, and the parent PTA school committee, as well as individual teachers and parents. Mr. Hollister said that Chair Spicer had told Mr. Axelrod that the City's own playground needs had to take priority over assisting the school district with school playgrounds but that in concept he was not adverse to providing assistance to Mendota Elementary for this playground equipment. Mr. Hollister said that Chair Spicer had added that in order to receive his support the equipment would need to meet ADA standards, the City would have to be released from any potential liability, and the City would not contribute more Page No. 16 July 24, 2001 Ms. Shore agreed that the condition is satisfactory and stated that all they want to do is repair their back yard and it has never been their intent to ask for city determination that the project will work. Mayor Mertensotto stated that the resolution must be amended to include a whereas stating that the applicants, being the homeowners of the property at 739 Knollwood Court are fully aware that the city has the authority to grant the wetland permit and bypass the public hearing required at the Planning Commission but that the city fully discloses that it does not have the professional judgment to determine the merits of the applicants' project and to that extent the city cannot grant any assurance that this project will stabilize the slope. Councilmember Dwyer pointed out that the city disclaims any liability arising form the project. As a point of discussion, Councilmember Krebsbach stated that Council is in no way looking at the aesthetics. She asked what responsibility the city has with regard to aesthetics. Councilmember Schneeman pointed out that the property backs up to the falls and no one will see it. Ms. Shore responded that the fence is designed to allow the vegetation to grow through so that the root structure will establish itself in a very short time. Councilmember Vitelli moved adoption of Resolution No. O1-41, "A RESOLUTION APPROVING A WETLANDS PERMIT FOR 739 KNOLLWOOD COURT," as amended. Councilmember Schneeman seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 MENDOTA SCHOOL Council acknowledged a request from Mendota Elementary School PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT Principal Steven Goldade for city financial assistance for upgrading the playground equipment at the Mendota Elementary School. Council also acknowledged an associated report from Assistant Hollister. Mr. Lenny Axelrod, a parent and member of the Mendota Elementary playground committee was also present. Mr. Goldade stated that the school has gathered parents and district staff to come up with a comprehensive plan on what they would like to do to finish the school site over the next one to 20 years. They Page No. 18 July 24, 2001 Mayor Mertensotto stated that if Council adopts the commission recommendation to spend $8,000 out of the special park fund, the city would require that the money not be paid until the project is complete. Councilmember Dwyer pointed out that the recommendation was $8,000 or one-third of the cost of the equipment, whichever is less. Mr. Goldade stated that the current bid for equipment is $22,666, so the school would be asking for one-third of that. Responding to a question from Councilmember Schneeman5 Mr. Goldade stated that Mendota School houses the district's Autism program and another special program called the MMI program, and there are about 25 students in both those programs. The play equipment is geared to those children as well. Councilmember Dwyer moved to authorize an $8,000 expenditure from the Special Park Commission with the condition that the $8,000 be a contribution towards playground equipment for installation at Mendota Elementary and that the school district be entitled to reimbursement from the city upon completion and certification that the project has been completed. Councilmember Schneeman seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 DRAFT ORDINANCE, Council acknowledged a memo from Assistant Hollister regarding TREATMENT FACILITIES a proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance to create a conditional use for residential treatment facilities in the B4 Zone. Council also acknowledged a letter from City Attorney Dan Schleck and the proposed amending language. Councilmember Krebsbach stated that she wants to be sure how the property is guided in the Comprehensive Plan so that the city is not spot zoning. Attorney Schleck responded that the property is guided LB-PUD. The definition of LB-PUD states that all the conditions of B-1 must be met. The reason Haven Chemical is not seeking rezoning to LB- PUD is because five acres are required for a PUD. The city does not want them to have to go through the variance process on the PUD since the conditions are the same with respect to B-1 and LU-PUD. City of Mendota Heights MEMORANDUM August 3, 2004 Memo to: Parks &Recreation Commission From: Guy Kullander, Operations & Projects Coordinator /Zw Subject: Proposed "Parks Five Year (2005 thru 2009) Capital Improvement Plan" Background: The Commission adopted my recommendation to discontinue implementation of uncompleted programmed improvement projects in the Parks Five Year (2001 thru 2005) Capital Improvement Plan and to merge remaining viable projects into a new five-year plan. Commission members have ranked and prioritized a list of various park projects, distributed at last month's meeting, to be considered for inclusion in a new "Parks Five Year (2005 thru 2009) Capital Improvement Plan", detailed below. Discussion: I have developed an estimate of park dedication fees the City will receive during the next five years (2005 thru 2009) that illustrates that the Special Park Fund will only be able to fund, each year of the plan, project costs of approximately $115,000.00 per year (see attached "Appendix - A"). If the Commission adopts the "Playground Rehabilitation and Replacement Plan" I presented at the July meeting, at a projected cost of $385,000.00, this would leave only $190,000.00 for some of the other non -playground projects identified by the Commission that could be included in the final Five Year Plan, The Commission has requested City Council to provide an alternate revenue source(s) that would contribute an additional $70,000,00 per year to the Special Park Fund. Council at their 2005 Budget Workshop to be held later in August will discuss this request. If additional funding in the amount requested ($70,000.00 per year) is approved the average yearly budget available for Park Capital Improvements would increase to $190,000,00, Recommendation: The "Parks Five Year (2005 thru 2009) Capital Improvement Plan" (attached) has been developed from written responses by Commissioners to the list of improvement projects (from last months agenda package) and from comments and opinions expressed by Commission members during past commission meetings. Action Required: If the Commission supports the five-year plan as presented they should make a recommendation to City Council for acknowledgement of the plan and support of the Commission's previous request to provide an additional source(s) of revenue to the Special Park Fund. Other projects: The Commission has identified other projects that are not included in the above Five -Year Plan that they may wish to add or substitute with one or more of the above projects. 2. 3. 5. 6. Q Marie Park Pave Hockey Rink @ $45 K Wentworth Park -Pave Hockey Rink @ $45 K -Pond fountain @ $5 K Kensington Park -Pond fountain @ $5 K Ivy Hills Park -Pond fountain @ $5 K Roger's Lake Park -Install boat launch @ $6 K -Install permanent "stairway" for lake aerator @ $20 K Hagstrom-King Park -Install double tennis court @ $60 K Copperfield Ponds -Restoration of native plants and enhancement of park area to provide additional gravel trails to access other areas within the park @ $35 K Trails -The Commission has identified numerous desirable trail linkages or projects throughout the City, many of which, to substantially reduce City funding participation, require collaboration with Dakota County, Minnesota Highway Department, or neighboring municipalities. City staff are invited to participate with preliminary plans for roadway improvements by other agencies and when trail opportunities become apparent the Parks Commission will be informed. A Lillie Suburban Newspaper ` Sunday, July 25, 2004 P narks #o nay fa cE EkERS BARK it K-IMMUMM WON MENDOTA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT JCIDENT SUMMARIES - PARKS CN: 04002196 OFFENSEIINCIDENT: Fireworks Complaint 08-02-2004 DATE: 07/04/2004 19:46:0 OFFICER: Rosse, T 2237 LOCATION: 700 block of Wentworth SYNOPSIS: Responded to the above location conceming a fireworks complaint. In the area, several parties were located in Wentworth park. No fireworks were seen or heard. 10-8. Advised, CN: 04002207 OFFENSEIINCIDENT: DOBs DATE: 07/05/2004 15:51:0 OFFICER: Patrick, S 2231 LOCATION: Bike path in Mendota SYNOPSIS: Dispatched on complaint. In area four juveniles were seen fleeing. Subjects were later located and caught in lies, but no proof of fireworks. Verbally advised. CN: 04002208 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Found Property nATE: 07/05/2004 19:45:01 OFFICER: Hurst, J 2212 "OCATION: Roger's Lake Park SYNOPSIS: Received information from dispatch to contact a woman who found a wallet at Roger's Lake Park and was looking for assistance in finding the owner. The reportee stated she found the black men's wallet in the satellite bathroom around 1800 hours on 07/05/2004. There was no cash inside the wallet, but there were several phone cards, a Holiday gas station charge card and a MN DNR license. The name on DNR license was Jeremy Alan Frutiger DOB 05-09-88 with an address of 476 W Emerson Ave in West St. Paul. The reportee wished to return it to the owner herself so I assisted her in finding a telephone number for the party. Nothing further. CN: 04002240 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Medical DATE: 07/08/2004 13:56:0 OFFICER: Garlock, N 2205 LOCATION: Mendakota Park SYNOPSIS: I responded to Mendakota Park reference a medical. I was advised that the victim had run into a BBQ grill and had dislocated her left shoulder. Healtheast Paramedics arrived and transported her to Fairview Ridges. CN: 04002264 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Horses in park DATE: 07/10/2004 18:58:0 OFFICER: Rosse, T 2237 LOCATION: Victoria Highlands Park SYNOPSIS: iesponded to above area concerning two horses with their owners, in park. Area was checked. GOA/UTL INCIDENT SUMMARIES - PARKS 08-02-2004 N: 04002436 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Abandoned 4 Wheeler DATE: 07/24/2004 09:34:0k OFFICER: Patrick, S 2231 LOCATION: Valley Park SYNOPSIS: Dispatched on said report of an abandoned 4 wheeler in the park. Upon arrival I found area where it had been and was advised by passerby that a teenager had removed it a few minutes prior to my arrival. CN: 04002444 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: DOB's DATE: 07/24/2004 20:53:01 OFFICER: Tillery, Y 2228 LOCATION: Mendakota Park SYNOPSIS: Unfounded. CN: 04002446 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Suspicious Vehicle DATE: 07/24/2004 22:00:04 OFFICER: Spicer, T 2236 LOCATION: Ivy Falls Park 'YNOPSIS: . responded to the above location to investigate a report of DOBs possibley drinking in a vehicle. I was unable to location anyone in the area. 10-8 CN: 04002526 OFFENSEIINCIDENT: Loud Persons DATE: 07/30/2004 23:58:0 OFFICER: Spicer, T 2236 LOCATION: Wentworth Park SYNOPSIS: I responded to Wentworth Park to investigate a report of loud persons. I was unable to locate anyone in the park. 10-8