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2001-07-10 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION July 10, 2001 6:30 p.m. -Large Conference Room Call to Order �si.7i[�Ffil 3. June 12, 2001 Minutes 4. Mendota Elementary School Playground Equipment 5. Updates • June Recreation Report (Available Tuesday) • Hagstrom-King Tennis Court • Police Report 6. 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 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 12, 2001 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, June 12, 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. Commissioners Raymond Morris and Jar Liberacki were excused from the meeting. City Staff present were Recreation Programmer Mary Hapka, Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. Also present were resident Sten Gerfast of 1802 Valley Curve and Councilmember Jack Vitelli. Mr. Hollister took the minutes. STEN GERFAST'S COMMENTS Mr. Sten Gerfast of 1802 Valley Curve asked Chair Spicer for permission to address the Parks and Recreation Commission before Consultant Carolyn Krall arrived. Chair Spicer granted Mr. Gerfast permission to address the Commission. Mr. Gerfast identified himself as the co-chair of Mendota Heights Neighbors. Mr. Gerfast presented the results of a survey taken of residents of Mendota Heights, Mr. Gerfast said that the majority of the residents surveyed felt that the proposed Town Center was too dense, and generated too much traffic. Mr. Gerfast added that he had read the Parks and Recreation Commission's nine suggestions for the Town Center project from their April 10, 2001 meeting and that the Parks Commission's thinking was very much in line with his own. Mr. Gerfast said that in particular he agreed with the concept of removing the center retail building and replacing it with a park. Mr. Gerfast also said that the snow from the Town Center project could not be plowed and would actually have to be removed, and that this would have to be paid for by a special assessment. Mr. Gerfast also said that there was no provision for a playground for the children living in this development, no adequate green space, and no provision for ambulance access. Chair Spicer thanked Mr. Gerfast for his comments and suggested that other items on the agenda be addressed before Carolyn Krall arrived to discuss the Town Center project. • All nark signage, historical interpretive signage, etc. should be made of a material more durable than wood such as stone. Nls. Krall said that the signage would be made of stone or some equally durable material. Ms. Krall said that she was currently planning for four "historical" markers and four "natural" markers. but that this concept could change as the plans become more refined. Keep the Gazebo shown in the plan with appropriate seating for concerts or other events. Ideally the gazebo should be moved from its current planned location near Highway 110 to the new center green area created by removing the center retail building. Ms. Krall said that the gazebo could either stay at its current location or be moved to a different location. All four corners of the Dodd Road/I Iighwav 110 intersection should have appropriate "landing pads" or pedestrian[bike waiting areas for people waiting for the light to change. Ms. Kral] said that she had spoken with MnDOT on this issue and that MnDOT agrees with this idea. Ms. Krall said that MnDOT may even have funds available to help pay for this safety improvement. Grants should be sought from Federal, State, County, and/or Metropolitan sources to pay for amenities such as the tunnel and bridge recommended below, such as "T-21 "/"ISTEA" money. Ms. Krall said that she is pursuing all possible avenues for grants for all aspects of this project. Ms. Krall said that "T-21" grants are intended for connections between trails, and that the tunnel under Dodd Road would probably be a stronger candidate for a T-21 grant than the bridge over Highway 110, although she would pursue T-21 grants for both. • There should be a pedestrian bridge over Highway 110 linking the Town Center to Mendota Plaza. Ms. Krall said that this possibility was under study. • There should be a tunnel underneath Dodd Road linking the trails in Town Center to the Valley at trail system. Ms. Krall said that this possibility was tinder study. • The Town Center should provide good linkages to the City's bike and pedestrian trail system and Qood trail access within the development itself. Ms. Krall said that the Town Center would have both bike trail connections and extensive sidewalks. Ms. Krall added that although not a part of the Town Center project, it would be nice if ultimately a trail on the east side of Dodd Road could be extended north to Marie Avenue. • Remove roads from the project where they are not necessary to provide access to the buildings. (The Commission felt that several of the buildings do not need road access on all four sides as currently planned. Removing roads would provide more green space.) Ms. Krall said that most of the buildings would need road Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: RECONSTRUCTION OF IVY PARK TENNIS COURT iN 2002 Mr. Kullander reported that the Ivy Park Tennis Court was in bad need of repair, and would cost about $30,000 to fix. Mr. Kullander said that the budget process was beginning for 2002 and asked if the Parks Commission wanted to make a recommendation to the Council that they fund the repair out of the General Fund for 2002. The Commission felt that the sport of tennis was on the decline, that few people ever use the City's tennis courts, and that $30,000 may not be a justifiable expenditure to repair a facility that does not receive much use. The Commission asked Mr. Kullander to put a sign on the fence of the tennis court asking anyone to call him if they want the tennis court fixed and report back to the Commission in sixty days on the results. PARK CRIME WATCH SIGN MOUNTING POLES Mr. Kullander asked if the Commission would be willing to expend $150 from the Special Parks Fund to pay for the poles to mount the police department's crime watch signs in the city parks. Commissioner Libra moved to make this expenditure of $150 from the Specia] Parks Fund for the sign poles. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: OTHER COMMENTS Commissioner Linnell asked for an update from Chair Spicer, Commissioner Craighead. and Commissioner Portz on the Hockey Arena Task Force. Chair Spicer said that the Task Force was strongly in favor of the hockey arena, but that Saint Thomas Academy was only willing to contribute the land for the arena, and was not willing to share in the expense of operating the arena. Commissioner Craighead said that the Task Force had received very informative and sobering testimony from the Eagan Athletic Director, who gave a realistic assessment of CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO July 6, 2001 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Patrick C. Hollister, Administrative Assistant SUBJECT: Mendota Elementary School Playground Equipment Discussion At the Parks and Recreation Cormission 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. Axelrod 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. Axelrod 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. Chair Spicer 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. Chair Spicer 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 than one third of the cost of the equipment. Chair Spicer also advised Mr. Axelrod that he could not speak for the Council and that the Council would have to authorize any contribution to this effort. Chair Spicer asked Mr. Axelrod to return to a future Commission meeting when he had a formal commitment from the school district to contribute to the cost of the equipment. Mr. Axelrod has submitted the attached update on his efforts for discussion with the Parks Commission. Mr. Axelrod wishes to give a brief presentation to the Commission and then answer questions. Action Required Discuss the attached letter with Mr. Axelrod. If the Commission wishes to recommend to the Cotmcil that the City contribute to this project, they should keep in mind that any contribution from the Special Parks Fund towards this project may displace or postpone one of the City's own projects already scheduled on the Parks Capital Improvement Plan. FROM CMC ` L ,„ „a,K „rte Tiinrthrr Mendota Heights Parks Commission Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55118 7uly 2, 2001 Dear Park Commissioners: PHONE NO, : 6516886699 MENDOTA ELFJmF.NrrARY SCHOOL 1979 Summit T ane • Mcndura f lcights, Minnu+ota • 5511 R • (651) 4052451 E-MAII.: oldade+(Nisd197.k12.mn.,i!. FAX, 651405 2891 Steven Gol lode, Principal This ►otter updates you on the playground improvement.~ taking place at Mendota Elementary School. Thank you for reviewing this letter and considering a contribution to our project. The Mcndout Elementary Outdoor l..earning Center Task Force chose to purchase equipment from EFA with sales assistance from Bill Bach and Tom Snook. We look forward to incorporating some of our current playground structure with the new equipment and modifying other existing pieces of equipment. The Mendota playground will be safe, modem, and fun. Installation is scheduled for August of 2001. In addition to the Mendota PTA, Independent School District 197 will be providing funds to improve the playground. The School District will be spending a total of $8,000.00 to remove the old equipment, provide more safety material (pea gravel) and resurface the blacktop adjacent to the playground. These specific projects are important to die completion of the total playground. Agpin, thank you for considering a wntributinn to the Mendota Elementary playground project if there are any questions, plcayse contact us at 651-681 .2300I Sincerely: Steven Got de Principal, Mendota Elementary School Ce: 7ohn L.ongtilt, Superintendent of Schools Mark Fortnuw S.D. 197 Director of Buildings and Grounds DistrictOlficcs:1897i�c1awareAveuue MendotaHeiglns,MN 5,118 MzinSwitch6oanl.(GS1)G81-2300 FAX: (h5 Q 681.9102 Serving Eagan 9 Inver Grove IIeights • L;Iyd:dc • Meuduti • lv1cuduta Heights • Sunfish LAv • Wcst St. Paul Jtlendota Heights Park & Recreation Commission June 18, 2001 Memo to: Park &Recreation Commission From: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager Subject: Request for Tennis Courts at Hagstrom-King Park Request: Today, I had a conversation with Ms Sara Pavek, 2471 Pond Circle East (452-781 8) regarding the status of constructing tennis courts in Hagstrom-King Park. I informed her that the commission had presented a Five Year 2001-2005 Capital Improvement Plan to the City Council last fall and that construction of new tennis courts was not included. I further informed her that the commission had received no requests for tennis courts in this park in a number of years. I suggested she write to the commission or attend one of the regular monthly meetings. Action Required: None. This memo is for information only. MENDOTA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT IMCIDENT SUMMARIES - PARKS CN: 01001790 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Info To Department DATE: 06/07/2001 10:05:0 OFFICER: Convery, B 2230 LOCATION: Veterans Park 07-06-2001 SYNOPSIS: The Mayor of Mendota called to report a newer red Chevy Blazer was speeding up and down 2nd St. on the evening of the 4th or 5th of June. He also stated the vehicle drove through Veterans Park, damaging the grass and the sand area near the volleyball net. He did not get a plate off the vehicle, however, later he saw a vehicle parked in the area that looked similar to the suspect vehicle bearing MN he. EXB-034. He is unsure if this was the supect vehicle. Nothing further at this time. CN: 01001817 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Theft DATE: 06/07/2001 20:13:0 OFFICER: Flandrich, L 2229 LOCATION: Scenic Overlook SYNOPSIS: Vehicle window broken out. Personal property stolen. ...a: 01001819 OFFENSEIINCIDENT: Thefr DATE: 06/07/2001 22:25:0 OFFICER: Flandrich, L 2229 LOCATION: Scenic Overlook SYNOPSIS: Vehicle window pried open with screwdriver. Purse taken. SEE DICTATED REPORT CN: 01001824 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: DOB's DATE: 06/08/2001 15:41:0 OFFICER: Rosse, T 2237 LOCATION: Rogers Lake Park SYNOPSIS: On 06-08-2001 at 1541 hrs, I responded to the above location concerning kids hitting golf balls in the lake. On scene I spoke with the parties regarding the complaint. Parties advised to go to range instead. Parties agreed and left scene. CN: 01001827 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Does at large DATE: 06/09/2001 16:32:0 OFFICER: Rosse, T 2237 LOCATION: Rogers Lake Park —`�NOPSIS: �n 06-09-2001 at 1632hrs, 1 responded to the above location concerning dogs at large. On scene I observed a party training [wo dogs with a tennis ball in the lake. Dogs were extremely well behaved and were in no violation of the law.