2005-06-14 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AGENDA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
June 14, 2005
6:30 p.m. —Council Chambers
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. May 10, 2005 Pazks and Recreafion Commission Minutes
4. Chair Spicer's Repor[ on Committee Meeting to Plan 2006 Park Celebration/
50s' Anniversary Recognition,
5. Accessibility Improvements in City Pazks—Funded by CDA
6. Mendakota Park —New Play Area Structure
7. Valley View Heights Play Area Upgrades
8. Recommend 2006 Capital Improvement Projects
9. Park Dedication Fee Survey
10. Updates
• OPUS/EcoLab
• Recreation Programmer's Report (available Tuesday)
• Police Report
11. Other Comments
12. Adjourn
Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities aze 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
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
MAY 107 2005
The May 2005 meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was
held on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 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, Larry Craighead, Raymond Morris, Stan Linnell, and Paul Portz.
Commissioner Missie Hickey 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.
MINUTES
Commissioner Morris moved approval of the April 12, 2005 Parks and Recreation
Commission Minutes.
Commissioner Portz seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
RECREATION PROGRAMMER'S REPORT
Ms. Gangelhoff provided an overview of this summer's recreation activities and the June
4, 2005 Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks event.
MENDOTA HEIGHTS' SOTH ANNIVERSARY IN 2006
Mr. Kullander informed the Commission that at the recent City Council goal setting
workshop the Council indicated that they wished for the Parks Commission to take the
lead in the planning for the 50TH Anniversary of the City of Mendota Heights in 2006.
Mr. Kullander added that the Council thought that it might be good to fold the observance
of the anniversary into the annual Parks Celebration.
Chair Spicer asked the
other Commissioners
if they
preferred to observe the anniversary
in conjunction
with the
Parks Celebration or
hold a
separate event.
Mr. Kullander proposed rearrangement of some of the Parks Commission's previously
identified priorities for playground equipment for 2006. Mr. Kullander said that he would
like to propose that refurbished play equipment from the year's project at Marie Park be
installed at Valley View Heights Park and Mendakota Park next year instead of Victoria
Highlands and Ivy Hills as previously planned.
The Commission indicated that Mr. Kullander was free to make his suggested revisions to
the priority list, but that actual implementation of these projects would have to wait until
the status of the potential influx of cash from the OPUS/EcoLab project is certain.
VERBAL UPDATES
Staff provided the following updates:
• Police Report
ADJOURN
Commissioner Portz moved to adjourn.
Commissioner Craighead seconded the motion.
AYES:
NAYS:
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
City of Mendota Heights
MEMORANDUM
June 7, 2005
Memo to: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Guy Kullander, Operations & Projects Coordinator
Subject: Accessibility Improvements in City Parks
Background:
Each year the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA)
contributes funds thru their Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
program to the City for various programs. In recent years the City has not
drawn from this fund and has been informed that if the City does not spend
the money the funding will be withdrawn and used in another city.
One type of authorized program eligible for the CDBG funds is to make
municipal facilities more accessible by removal of barriers that restrict access
to individuals with handicaps. Staff proposed two types of improvements that
were eligible to use these funds. One type, at City Hall, consisted of remodeling
of restroom facilities and the second type were the addition of pathways and
viewing pads in parks to accommodate wheelchair access to ball field and park
facilities.
The City Council, at their last meeting (May 17+h) selected the second
option pending approval by the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Discussion:
Eligible improvements in the parks identified by staff are basically
construction of access pathways from existing paved parking areas or paved
trails to park shelters and/or viewing area(s) at playfields, plus installation of
8ft by 8ft concrete pad(s) for wheelchairs to be located adjacent to existing
bleacher or seating areas. Proposed improvements for each park are explained
in the attached Council memo in "Group 2: Barriers in Parks". A rough cost
estimate for the proposed improvements is $50,000.00.
At present bleachers located behind each ball field backstop are placed
on turf/dirt. Several years ago the Public Works parks personal requested
concrete pads be installed at each park to place the bleachers on to facilitate
turf maintenance. This request was viewed favorably by the Commission and
bleacher pads were included in a prior "Parks Capital Five Year Plan" but due
to the urgency and costs to upgrade playground equipment this project was
removed from the current project list. The cost to add 9 bleacher pads at ball
fields plus eight bench pads at Kensington would cost $14,000 to $151000,
City of Mendota Heights C(DFy
MEMORANDUM
May 4, 2005
Memo to: Mayor, Council members and City Administrat,oe
From: Guy Kullander, Operations & Projects Coordinator
Regarding: CDBG Grant to improve access by removal of barriers to
the disabled in City parks or at City Hall
Background:
Dan Rogness, Dakota County CDA, met with staff last week to discuss
use of CDBG funds for possible accessibility improvements to City Hall or
in City parks to remove barriers that may block or hinder persons with
disabilities from fully utilizing these facilities. At present the balance in the
City's CDBG account is approximately $100,000.00.
Mr. Rogness provided the attached Fax describing eligible improvements
allowed in parks.
Discussion:
The following are "very rough" estimates for two possible groups of
Improvement projects.
Grou�1: City Hall:
1. Replace door knobs with lever handles -Upper Level-17 doors and for
the lower level there are 12 doors not including seven doors with push-button
locks. Cost estimate for all 36 doors: $10,000.
2. Modify restrooms to provide minimum five foot wide stall.
a. Lower level Men's: Remove urinal &, partition-$4,000 to $6,000
b. Lower level Women's: Move sink, new counter, relocate partitions
and wall coverings: Cost estimate: $6,000 to $8,000
c. Upper level Men's: Remove one sink, move urinal, relocate
partitions to enlarge toilet stall, replace wall coverings, tile repair.
Cost estimate: $10,000 to $15,000
d. Upper Women's: Remove one sink, relocate one toilet, relocate
partitions, new counter, new wall coverings, and etc.
Cost estimate: $10,000 to $15,000
3. Hire architect to prepare plans and specifications: $5,000 to $101000,
Cost estimate for City Hall: Low = $45,000 to High = $64,000
Group 2: Barriers in Parks:
Eligible projects in the parks are construction of paved pathways from an
existing paved pathway or parking lot to provide access to a picnic shelter(s) or
bleacher seating area adjacent to a ballfield backstop or soccer field. At present
the only access from a parking lot or paved trail to the field area or backstop is
MAY-09-2005 15:13 DAKOTA COUNTY CDR
1228 Town Centre Drive
Eagan, MN 55123
Phone: 651-675-4400
FAX: 651-6754444
651 675 4405 P.01
To: Jim Danielson, City of Mendota Heights From: Dan Rogness (651-675-441i4)
Fax: 651-452-8940 Pages: +including cover page)
Bet®: 5/9/2005
Re: CDt3G Regs for Park Accessibility Items Cc:
• Comments:
I've circled the section that is most relevant to the proposed park improvements in Mendota Heights, as
identified on your list. This previous HUD memo is clear about the walkways being eligible, and I
believe the same holds true for pads that are installed for viewing events by handicapped persons.
The key test is whether or not the improvements are to remove architectural barriers that prohibit the
elderly and handicapped access to the facility�mprovemeni ... as opposed to doing something that
would benefit the general public.
MRY-09-20a5 15�14 DRKOTR COUNTY CDR 651 675 4405 P.t�3
privately -owned buildings, facilities, and improvements. This includes physical ,
modification to such buildings, Facilities, and improvements to make them
accessible to handicapped persons. Section 570.201(e} of the regulations allows
acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or installation of public
facilities and improvements. Since the inception of the CD6G program, parks have
been recognized as public facilities.
In order to determine that each activity carried out by the County as removal of
architectural barriers is properly classified, the material or architectural barriers
which prevented access to the public facility must be identified and it must be
evident that the primary beneficiaries of the modifications are elderly and
handicapped persons, not the general public. Documentation which supports that
the activities meet the eligibility criteria for removal of architectural barriers is
particularly important with respect to these activities since they might otherwise
not be eligible for CDSG assistance.►Our conc usions an comme
Parking Lots
The County paved several gravel parking lots. According to the information
provided, the tots were paved to accommodate wheelchairs. Approximately one -
tenth of the parking spaces are wider and set aside as designated parking for
handicapped persons. The Pittsburgh Office indicated that only two slots per lot
were designated for handicapped persons.
Clearly gravel parking lots are a barrier to persons in wheelchairs as well as to
others who may use walkers or canes or have difficulty walking without assistance.
The primary issue in this instance appears to be whether paving the parking lots
removed architectural barriers which prevented access to park facilities by elderly
or handicapped persons and, thus, whether the entire cost of the paving is eligible.
As a general rule, the design of the park facilities should be considered to
determine the extent to which modifications to the existing improvements, such as
parking lots, are needed to permit access by elderly Or handicapped persons. The
primary beneficiaries of any activity classified as removal of architectural barriers
must clearly be handicapped persons. Therefore, in the instant case, expenditures
for paving the Regional park's parking lots are
allowable as removal of architectural barriers to the extent that the County can
identify the barriers that were removed and justify the extent to which the paving
was needed to make the park facilities and improvements accessible to
handicapped persons. If the County is able to provide adequate justification for
paving the entire parking lots, the Department will accept the activities as removal
of architectural barriers.
Fishing peck
The County stated that the fishing "dock" which was constructed for handicapped
persons is actually a deck built to accommodate wheelchairs. Prior to the
installation of the deck, the only access to fishing was a stone and gravel grade
leading down to the lake which was not accessible by wheelchair.
The picture of the fishing deck provided to Headquarters shows a moderate size
deck that provides a place from which handicapped persons are able to fish that
did not exist previously. This appears to be a reasonable accommodation to allow
Ylest St. Paul/Mfmdota Heights SuneCurrent/ThursO4. 26, 2005
Dakota County funds to pay for
improvements in Mendota Heights
BY GLAIR REYNOLDS
Sun Newspapers
Accessibility. -
A key word for the Mendota Heights
City Council and its focus on city parks.
At its May 17 meeting, the council di-
rected staff to use approximately $50,000
in Dakota County Community Develop-
ment Agency (CDA) Community Devel-
c rent Block Grant funds to remove
physical barriers at the city's parks.
"The money is ear -marked for the city
to use," said City Administrator Jim
Danielson. "We have looked at our op-
tions. If we don't use this money, it will
be given to another community that.
win."
The money, which is not part of the
city's budget, will be used to make the.
parks, parking. lots and fishing piers
more user-friendly for all people, said
Danielson.
"This money is coming directly from
the county," he said. "The council prefers
to look at the parks this year and possi-
bly at the City Hall next year."
Much of the effort to remove barriers
from the city's parks includes making
trails more accessible and providing
curb cuts from parking lots to trails and
other amenities.
"There will be work done on the
bleachers at the ball fields as well," said.
Danielson. "These are simply improve-
ments to make the parks easier for those
with disabilities to use.
The fishing pier at Rogers Lake will be
improved to provide even more access
for those in wheelchairs, said Danielson.
"These are improvements we are try-
ing hard to make in a short amount of
time," he said. "This money will come in
handy for us to make these improve-
ments to eliminate as many barriers as
we can."
The issue will go to the Park and
Recreation commissioners for their re-
view, said Danielson.
"If they agree with the council, then
we will go ahead with the changes," he
said. "I don't see this as a major obsta-
cle."
Councilmember Mary Jeanne
Schneeman said the council and city
staff have done their homework.on the
matter.
"We looked .at all the options," she
said. "This direction will help us help as
many users of our parks and city ameni-
ties as possible. This is.a w,n-win situa-
tion.'
City of Mendota Heights
June 8, 2005
Memo to: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Guy Kullander, Operations & Projects Coordinatorzk
Subject: Mendokota Park -New Play Area Structure
Background:
At the May Commission meeting staff proposed installation of a new play
component at Mendakota Park to be installed in early 2006 prior to the Annual
Parks Celebration/City's 50th Anniversary recognition. In the current Parks
Five Year (2005 thru 2009) Capital Improvement Plan upgrades in this park
had been scheduled for the 2009 construction season.
Discussion:
The type of play component proposed is called a "Spacenet" (see
attached). Detail product brochures and a scale model will be available at
Tuesday's meeting.
This unit could be located directly west and connected to the existing
playground area which is enclosed by an eight inch thick concrete curb. To
prepare the site for installation of the play component will require removal of
500 cubic yards of earth (55 ft by 55 ft area), installation of 90 ft of retaining
wall (2 ft to 6 ft high), addition of 70 ft of concrete curbing and restoration of all
disturbed turf areas. Estimated cost for this portion is $18,500.00.
Rough estimate for the play component ("Spacenet"), installation, drain
tile and wood fiber surfacing is $23,500.00.
Estimate of total project cost:
1. Site preparation: $ 18,500 (Work done in 2005)
2. Component & installation $ 23, 500 (Macro Spacenet)
3. Contingency $ 4,000
4. Staff time $ 4100
Total: $ 50,000.00
Recommendation:
Consider improvements at this park in 2005/2006 rather than 2009.
If the Commission desires to proceed with this project on a schedule for
completion prior to the 2006 Annual Parks Celebration they must make a
recommendation to the City Council for use of Special Park Funds for site
preparation work that must be completed during the 2005 construction period
with installation of the play component in May of 2006.
Climbers
Rising above, pulling together
When kids set their minds to something, they can reach any height. Which is why we continue
to find ways to raise the bar for quality and creativity in climbers. Each piece is designed to
challenge kids physically — helping them hone their balance, strength and agility —as well as
foster interaction with others. So kids develop the social problem -solving skills that'll help them
move up in the world.
`"Climbers
dimension in play.
are imaginative, three -
made ofincredibly
" motor and logic skills for lots of kitls atone
bme
•Choose any powdercoat color for
center post
• SpaceCable available in red only
• Constructed of high -strength steel -
reinforced nylon cable
• Weather -resistant, UV stable, vandal -
'resistant, maintenance -free
City of Mendota Heights
MEMORANDUM
June 9, 2005
Memo to: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Guy Kullander, Operations & Projects Coordinator I/
Subject: Valley View Heights Park -Replace Playground
Background:
Wood timber play structure and swing unit installed in 1988/89.
Equipment purchased by City and installed with assistance from neighborhood
supporters that requested installation of play units on this "tax -forfeited" single
family lot (1/3 acre). Wood timber border edging was also installed with 6 to 8
inches of pea -rock as surfacing.
Staff and Mayor Huber have had discussions with local residents
regarding upgrading this playground within the past year.
Discussion:
Existing structure, many components, and location of border edging do
not meet current Consumer Product Safety Guidelines or ADA accessibility
standards.
Total replacement of this playground is scheduled in the Parks Five Year
(2005 thru 2009) Capital Improvement Plan for 2007 at an estimated cost of
$352000.00,
Staff has directed the playground vendor that is making improvements to
Wentworth and Marie Park play areas in 2005 to salvage usable components
from Marie Park (those suitable for re -use) and to store the usable parts
pending further instructions from the City. Cost for this additional effort will be
approximately $1,000.00.
Refurbishing of the salvaged components plus the addition of new
components will enable the City to install these units at Valley View Heights
Park for a total project cost of $25,000.00. The number and variety of
components will be greater than what could have been purchase at the original
$35,000 budgeted for this improvement.
Recommendation:
Consider improvements at this park in 2006 rather than 2007.
VALLEY VIEW HEIGHTS PARK
City of Mendota Heights
MEMORANDUM
June 9, 2005
Memo to: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Guy Kullander, Operations 8v Projects Coordinator
Subject: Recommend 2006 Capital Improvement Projects 1141
Background:
Preparation of department budgets for the Draft 2006 City Budget begins
this month and a printed draft will go to City Council in early August.
The Commission should identify, as soon as possible, any park
improvement projects they wish constructed in 2006 and identify the funding
source they deem appropriate (Special Park Fund, Parks Maintenance Budget,
General Fund, etc.). Council makes final determination which projects will be
included in next year's budget.
Discussion:
Projects identified in the Parks Five Year (2005 thru 2009) Capital
Improvement Plan scheduled for 2006 construction:
1. Victoria -Highlands Playground Rehabilitation $ 35K
2. Ivy Hills Playground Rehabilitation $ 35K
3. Friendly Hills -Path in lieu of bridge to tennis courts $ 4 to 8K
(Note: funding for this project may come from CDBG grant)
4. Replace 3 youth softball backstops $ 21K
5. Replace hockey lights @ Friendly Hills $ 20K
(Hold neighborhood "Open House" for comments')
Staff recommends the following projects "replace" one or more of above in 2006 and
that replaced projects be rescheduled for a later year.
6. Valley View Heights -Replace play components $ 25K
(Currently scheduled for 2007 @ ,$ 35K) New plan is
to use refurbished components from Marie + new units)
7. Mendakota Park - Space Climber $ 50K
(Currently scheduled for 2009)
Recommendation:
Select 2006 improvement projects and direct staff to submit
recommendations to City Clerk and Finance Director for inclusion in Draft
2006 City Budget.
City of Mendota Heights
MEMORANDUM
June 8, 2005
Memo to: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Guy Kullander, Operations 8v Projects Coordinator
Subject: Park Dedication Fee Survey Results of Metro Cities
For Your Information... Attached are survey results from forty-seven
Minnesota cities that provided information regarding Park Dedication Fee
requirements.
Action Required:
None.
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MENDOTA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT
"'CIDENT SUMMARIES - PARKS 06-03-2005
CN: 05001358 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Loud Music
DATE: 05/03/2005 23:16:01 son, C 2238
LOCATION: Wentworth Park
SYNOPSIS:
Responded to park on two carloads of kids. On arrival the park was empty and quiet. Cleared at 2321 hrs.
CN: 05001364 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Damage to Property
DATE: 05/04/2005 11:59:01 OFFICER: Lambert, B 2234
LOCATION: Rogers Lake Park
SYNOPSIS:
Nature Call Inc. owner reports damage to the porto pottie in the park. Two bullet holes (possible .22 cal) were fired into the front
of the Porto pottie exiting the back. One hole was made sometime last week and the other was made this week. No photos were
taken. There are no leads and officer cleared.
CN: 05001468 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Driving Complaint/DOBs
DATE: 05/12/2005 15:05:0P OFFICER: Lambert, B 2234
CATION: Rogers Lake Park
SYNOPSIS:
Responded to Rogers Lake Park on complaint of DOBs driving erratic. Group of vehicles/DOBs found at park. DOBs were
advised of the complaint. Erratic driving was not witnessed and officers cleared.
CN: 05001680 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Suspicious Vehicle
DATE: 05/30/2005 00:24:0 OFFICER: Rosse, T 2237
LOCATION: Valley Park
SYNOPSIS:
I responded to Valley Park to attempt to locate a suspicious vehicle. It was described as a white suburban.
On arrival at the park, [found no vehicles. 10-8.
CN: 05001697 OFFENSEIINCIDENT: Careless Driving / No Proof of Insurance
DATE: 05/31/2005 20:51:0 OFFICER: Larrive, J 2206
LOCATION: Rogers Lake Park
SYNOPSIS:
Dispatched to Rogers Lake Park on a report of a vehicle driving recklessly in the park. The caller thought that the driver of the
vehicle had done damage to the ground. Dispatch received suspect vehicle information and gave it to responding squads. Officers
rived, found that the gravel lot was tore up and the suspect vehicle was GOA. Contact was made with the suspect, who was
,ssued a citation. The vehicle was impounded.
SEE TAPED NARRATIVE.
City of Mendota Heights
ADD -ON AGENDA ITEM
June 13, 2005
Memo to: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Guy Kullander, Operations & Projects Coordinator N�
Subject: N.U.R.T. (North Urban Regional Trail) Alignment
Background:
The Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council approved an alignment
(location) for the proposed NURT trail, to be constructed by Dakota County this summer,
beginning at Dodd Road and extending easterly to Delaware Avenue and into West St.
Paul. The preferred alignment for the trail is basically adjacent to Market Street/North
Frontage Road of Highway 110. At the intersection of Dodd Rd. and Market Street a
storm water pond was constructed. The steepness of the pond slopes requires that a
safety railing (42" high, vertical rails, black painted) be installed along both the west and
north sides of the holding pond.
The developer, Ross Fefercorn, contends that the appearance of the fence will
be detrimental to his ability to market commercial/retail space in The Village at Mendota
Heights and is asking that the trail be relocated south of the pond closer to the main
driving lanes of Highway 110,
Discussion:
The County has left it up to the City to select the trail alignment, subject to
MnDOT approval because much of the trail lies within Highway right-of-way.
Aligning the trail adjacent to Market Street at Dodd Road better serves users of
the trail to access Town Center or connection to other City pathways to the north.
Aligning the trail south of the pond makes a more direct connection to the trail in Valley
Park, which is considered "part" of the NURT trail system that eventually connects to the
Big Rivers Trail at Lilydale Road/Sibley Memorial Highway/STH 13. Locating the trail
closer to the Highway 110 driving lanes south of the pond would also remove the need
for the safety railing on the north side of the pond, but not the west side adjacent to
Dodd Road which is a required safety feature.
The developer recommends locating the trail to south of the pond and that in the
future if a trail is required adjacent to Market Street the City could build this segment
with City funds.
Changing the trail alignment to south of the pond would be less expensive for the
County because it would remove the safety issues that require construction of 430 feet
of fencing. If the alignment is changed and the City desires to construct a trail segment
north of the pond (where it currently is proposed), City funds would pay for all trail
construction costs in addition to the installation of safety fencing at that time.
Recommendation:
I recommend that the trail alignment remain as originally shown, on the north side
of the storm water pond located at Dodd Road and Market Street,
Action Required:
Notify the City Council which alignment the Commission deems will best serve
the residents of Mendota Heights.
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