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2001-06-06 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION June 6, Z001 6:30 p.m. -Large Conference Room Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. May 8, 2001 Minutes 4. Carolyn Krall: Discussion of Amenities for Town Center 5. Adopt-a-Pazk-Bench Proposal 6. Updates • May Recreation Report • MNRRA Great Mississippi CD Release Performance Events • MNRRA Update 2001 • Police Report 7. 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 MAY 8, 2001 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, May 8, 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, Jay Liberacki, Raymond Morris, Dave Libra, Larry Craighead, and Paul Portz. City Staff present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. Mr. Hollister took the minutes. MINUTES Commissioner Libra moved to approve the minutes from the April 10, 2001 meeting with revisions. Commissioner Portz seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA Ms. Colleen Naughton of the American Lung Association of Minnesota introduced herself to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Ms. Naughton explained that at the suggestion of Commissioner Craighead, American Lung had asked to be on the Parks Commission agenda for May 8, 2001 to discuss possible trail linkages and other civic amenities that may accompany their proposed new headquarters building at the east end of the Mendota Bridge. Ms. Naughton said that this building would be a pioneering project in the field of healthy design and clean indoor air quality. Ms. Naughton explained that American Lung had already purchased the property and that they had already met with roughly fifty residents of Mendota Heights to get feedback about the project. Ms. Naughton provided an overview of the site plan and the principles of healthy design. Ms. Naughton mentioned that as a component of clean air quality, the landscaping most likely would be restricted to low pollen -producing plants. Commissioner Morris said that in regards to landscaping, the DNR would not want the introduction of exotic species, and that low pollen -producing plants may be exotic. 3. That the American Lung Association work with MnDOT regarding landscaping along the freeway right-of-way. Commissioner Morris seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 The Commission thanked Ms. Naughton for her presentation and wished her luck with the project. VALLEY PARK STORM DAMAGE Mr. Kullander reported on the damage to the culvert at Valley Park. Mr. Kullander said that this year damage occurred to a culvert that has been repaired repeatedly over the years. Mr. Kullander said that the original 36-inch diameter culvert washed out many times before asphalt surfacing was laid in 1990. Mr. Kullander said that since 1990 the culvert has washed out several more times, most recently this spring, despite the fact that a second culvert was added. Mr. Kullander said that City Engineer Marc Mogan recommends that rather than repair or replace the culverts again, a bridge be installed. Mr. Kullander said that the estimated cost for a ten -foot by thirty foot steel bridge is $37,500. Liberacki moved to recommend that the Council authorize repair to the bridge as recommended by Mr. Kullander, sharing the cost of the bridge 50-50 between the Special Parks Fund and the Storm Water Utility Fund, Commissioner Linnell offered a friendly amendment to recommend that Dakota County be asked to provide for half of the cost of the repair, since the bridge could eventually be part of the NURT trail. Commissioner Liberacki accepted Commissioner Linnell's friendly amendment Commissioner Libra seconded the motion as amended. AYES: NAYS: Mr. Kullander said that it was highly unlikely that Dakota County would be willing to contribute to this cost. PARK THEFT WARNING SIGNS Police Officer Brian Convery visited the Parks Commission briefly to present the new park theft �vaming signs to be placed in Kensington and Mendakota parks on an MENDOTA ELEMENTARY PLAY EQUIPMENT Mr. Hollister acknowledged the presence of Mr. Lenny Axelrod, Mendota Elementary parent, Mr. Steve Goldad, Mendota Elementary Principal, and Mr. Richard Gray of TKDA. Mr. Hollister reminded the Commission that Mr. Axelrod had addressed the Parks Commission at their regular meeting on November 14, 2000 regarding the condition of playground equipment at Mendota Elementary School. Mr. Hollister said that Mr. Axelrod had 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 said that Mr. Axelrod had 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 continued 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 averse to providing assistance to Mendota Elementary for this playground equipment, provided that the equipment met ADA standards, the City were released from any potential liability, and the City not contribute more than one third of the cost of the equipment. Mr. Hollister said that Chair Spicer had 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. Mr. Hollister added that Chair Spicer asked Mr. Axelrod to return to a future Commission meeting when he had a more defined plan for the facility and had secured other sources of funding besides the City. Mr. Hollister said that Mr. Axelrod had submitted the attached update on his efforts for discussion with the Parks Commission, and that Mr. Axelrod wished to give a brief presentation with color displays to the Commission and then answer questions. Mr. Hollister advised the Commission 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. Mr. Axelrod, Mr. Goldad, and Mr. Gray gave a presentation with display boards of the master plan for the outdoor facilities at Mendota Elementary School. Mr. Axelrod said that the fundraising to implement the plan was being carried out by a committee of eight to ten parents of school students. Mr. Goldad said that the first phase of the master plan was the northeast playground, where the play equipment would be educational in nature. Mr. Goldad said that future phases of the plan would include a hockey rink, and amphitheater, and a golf putting green. Mr. Gray said that the elementary school was short on parking for major events such as a ball game, and that part of the plan was to expand parking. Chair Spicer said that the City did not have deep pockets to help the school district with its needs. Chair Spicer said that the City had contributed to school projects in the past, CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO June 7, 2001 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Patrick C. Hollister, Administrative Assistant SUBJECT: Second Town Center Discussion with Consultant Carolyn Krall Discussion Town Center consultants Carolyn Krall and Janis LaDouceur met with the Parks and Recreation Commission at their regular meeting on April 10 to discuss the open space, recreational, and civic amenities aspects of the Town Center concept plan. Councilmembers Jack Vitelli and Mary -Jeanne Schneeman were also present. The Commission discussed the plan with Ms. Krall and Ms. LaDouceur for about an hour. Commissioner Craighead then made a motion to make the following nine recommendations to the Council regarding the Town Center Concept Plan: Remove or relocate the center building labeled "retail and office" and replace it with a formal park area. (The Commission felt that the Town Center needed more green space and that the current "village green" and "town square" spaces were too small.) 2. 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.) 3. The Town Center should provide good linkages to the City's bike and pedestrian trail system and good trail access within the development itself. 4. There should be a tunnel underneath Dodd Road linking the trails in Town Center to the Valley Park trail system. 5. There should be a pedestrian bridge over Highway 110 linking the Town Center to Mendota Plaza. 6. Grants should be sought from Federal, State, County, and/or Metropolitan sources to pay for amenities such as the tunnel and bridge, such as "T- 21"P'ISTEA" money. A ��J er Redevelopment will be located on a 23 acre redevelopment dd Road and Highway 110. This corner is historically significant Town Hall. The proposed Mendota Heights Town Center will ommercial and retail uses, linked by green space, and enlivened is places, to create a Village with the unique character of the centered around a "town square" and along the gently curving include a mix of neighborhood convenience (bakery, pharmacy, *coming), specialty (florist, art gallery), and destination uses 'd other compatible uses. The three buildings surrounding the --etail on the street level and service office space above. Several :d on the frontage road or near the square, appropriate for nm The design and layout will be both auto and pedestrian Ie shared by the various uses. The plan includes approximately: 37,000 sF 24,000 SF /Daa =e of life -cycle housing, including senior housing, townhomes ents are to be located adjacent to the town square, close to ilor housing building will be no more than 3 stories high, with ,building will include both one and two bedroom units, afford - seniors. Two townhome neighborhoods are planned: the tory units, with parking directly below accessed from a com- to offer I-2 story units with all resident parking provided Ines, facing the central commercial area, will offer a live/work I office space and additional front door. All of the town homes cing the street, with on -street visitor parking. The North tyle, 2 story condominium buildings, each with 8 units, 4 flats z underground. Visitor parking will be provided in a central \�i OWNHOUSE � O UNITS 1 "IOFFICES {LIVE -WORK F) UNITS yOWNHOUSES 23 UNITS ONDOMINIUM FLATS 32 UNITS _��PARTMENTS 60 UNITS d a network of green spaces, interconnected by pedestrian spaces include: the "welcoming green" with a pond, arbor- ; area for the trail head (informal, natural design); the "village mes knitting the west neighborhood to the commercial area ); the "town square" which is the primary civic space for the nd an urban garden with a fountain and flagpole defining each rdens), and enlivened with interpretive elements describing paces link the North and East neighborhoods with the town can ��_ _ ~�gaze6darbor ��ace and a green transition from commercial to residential head _ ;E �;�;:. of the site to be retained as open space, and to provide trails -�Vf , I. y `existing Big Rivers Regional Trail system and the MississippiNDOTA HEIGHTS STATE HIGHWAY 110 E'c DODD ROAD in part by a Livable Communities Demonstration Account Grant from the �ndota Heights. The project is expected to 6e completed in 2004. St�d1olP�orks s UAeM DESIGN CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMORANDUM TO: Parks and Recreation Commission June 8, 2001 FROM: Cari Lindberg, City Administrator SUBJECT: Adopt A Park Bench Program DISCUSSION: At the City Council meeting on June 5`h, Mary Jeanne Schneeman indicated that she had received a great suggestion from a resident. They suggested that the City place park benches along the Lexington Trail approximately every half mile. They explained that the older residents in town might utilize the trail system more if there were places to sit along the way. They also suggested that the benches could be purchased by residents in some type of an "adopt a park bench" program. Each bench that was purchased by a resident would then have a plaque notation of some sort on the bench with the donor's name. Mary Jeanne Schneeman asked that we look into this as a possible City program. Staff and Council are seeking input from the Parks Commission on this possible City project. ACTION REQUIRED: Discuss the possibility of an "Adopt a Pazk Bench" program and make a recommendation to the staff and City Council on its feasibility, cost and desirability. City of Mendota Heights MEMO To: Parks & Recreation Commission From: Mary L. Hapka, Recreation Programmer Date: June 7. 2001 Subject: May Recreation Report Celebrate IVlendota Heights Parks 2001 Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks was held on Saturday, June 2. This year's park celebration was a success. Despite the very cool weather an estimated 1,000 residents attended the three-hour park celebration. This years celebration included breakfast with the bears (Teddy Bear Band & Ziggy's Deli), The A1phaBits, a petting zoo, face painting, a Super Jump, caricatures, a soccer shootout, Mendota Heights and Sibley Area Fastpitch exhibition games, demo's by Boltz's Tae Kwon Do & Turner's Gymnastics Center, fire truck rides by the Mendota Heights Fire Department and the St. Paul Winter Carnival Vulcan's, several clowns from the Inver Grove Heights Clown Club, Mendakota Animal Hospital and two -minute mini massages by Inver Family Chiropractic whose owner is Dr. Tim Guthman a resident of Mendota Heights. Unfortunately, Team Ramp, an In - Line Skate show scheduled to perform cancelled last minute. There were drawings for wo Sun Country Airline Tickets, 18 holes of golf and lunch for two at Mendakota Country Club, and ten rounds of golf were given away courtesy of the Mendota Heights Par 3. A special thanks you goes out to the following Parks and Recreation Commissioner who either gave a cash donation or contributed their time and/or talents at the celebration, your support and enthusiasm is greatly appreciated. Cash Donations Jay Liberacki, J. Liberacki & Associates Dave Libra, Lapp, Libra Law Firm Judge Richard Spicer Celebration Volunteers Lawrence Craighead Dave Libra Paul Portz Summer Softball Leagues Although dle weather has not been cooperating this season we consider ourselves fortunate to have had only two rainout game nights so far this season (knock on Mood)_ The SSP Umpire Association has been for the most part able to supply umpires for both he Tuesday and Thursday night games. vaICIII Q il1:1 C 410Z: to r.) dmnnr�mqn-- n �hn in�nrinr For Immediate Release June 1, 2001 For More Information Contact: Ann Samecki 651-290-3030 x234 Great Mississippi CD Release Performance Events (St. Paul, MN) GREAT MISSISSIPPI, an album being released by the National Park Service of Mississippi River songs written and performed by Charlie Maguire, the Singing Ranger, will be showcased this summer in a series of eight CD release performance events held in locations throughout the Minneapolis -St. Paul metropolitan area. The original music features stories about people and places within the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area including one that tells the story of Reverend Hickman, founder of Pilgrim Baptist Church, Minneapolis. All of the GREAT MISSISSIPPI CD release performance events are free and open to the public (entrance and parking fees may apply at certain locations with no additional charge for the concert.) Performances will feature some of the best musicians and singers in the region on vocals, guitar, bass, mandolin and fiddle. The CD release performance events with Charlie Maguire, the Singing Ranger, are as follows: Sunday, June 24, 4:00 p.m., Grandview Parkin South Saint Paul, with special guests Gordy Abel and Lisa Fuglie —Free, no parking or entrance fees. Wednesday, June 27, 7:00 p.m., Oak Hill Park in St. Louis Park, with special guests Gordy Abel and Lisa Fuglie —Free, no parking or entrance fees. - more - MENDOTA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT INCIDENT SUMMARIES - PARKS CN: 01001422 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Damage to City Property DATE: 05/08/2001 21:33:o OFFICER: Anderson, D 2204 LOCATION: Kensington Park 06-04-2001 SYNOPSIS: While in the process of locking the restrooms at Kensington Park, I noted that the westside restroom had been damaged due to fireworks. Suspect(s) unknown had set off one M-1000 next to the side -molding the along the floor. This action resulted in damage to the tile. Another M-1000 had been ignited and thrown into the urinal. Apparently this explosive device did not ignite, and there was no obvious damage. Photos were taken of the incident. There is no further information. CN: 01001444 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: DOB's DATE: OS/10/2001 15:25:0 OFFICER: Rosse, T 2237 LOCATION: Kensington Park SYNOPSIS: On 05-10-2001 at 1525hrs, I responded to the above location concerning DOB's. On scene I observed 3 unoccupied vehicles in the park lot. Lic#080KXS,866NUM,EYB303. UTL parties. Absolutely no signs of any illegal activity was present. J: 01001469 OFFENSEIINCIDENT: Assist Public DATE: 05/12/2001 10470 OFFICER: Willson, C 2238 LOCATION: SYNOPSIS: On 05-12-01 at 1041 I was dispatched to the trail West of Friendly Hills M.S. on a report of a fotin bike.. I met with comp who said the bike was now gone. The owner of the bike set it down and went into the woods. The person came out of the woods later a rode away. Comp mistakenly thought it was an abandoned/stolen bike. CN: 01001511 OFFENSEIINCIDENT: DOB's DATE: 05/15/2001 14:39:0 OFFICER: Willson, C 2238 LOCATION: Rogers Lake Park SYNOPSIS: On OS-15-01 at 1439 hours, I was dispatched to Rogers Lake Park on DOB's driving in the grass around a public works employee who was mowing. On arrival I spoke to people in the parking lot at the park and no one admitted to seeing anything. I checked the park and didn't see any mowing taking place either. I spoke to a public works mower at Mendota His Rd by Patterson Dental and he said he was in the park mowing earlier but there was no problem. I cleared at 1449. INCIDENT SUMMARIES - PARKS 06-04-2001 CN: 01001514 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Vehicle Unlock tTE: 05/15/2001 20:12:0 OFFICER: Anderson, D 2204 LOCATION: Kensington Park SYNOPSIS: Dispatched to a vehicle unlock @ the listed location. On arrival, I unlocked Mn. Lic# 135NPZ. CN: 01001658 OFFENSEIINCIDENT: Medical DATE: 05/28/2001 10:07:01 OFFICER: Rosse, T 2237 LOCATION: Rogers Lake Park SYNOPSIS: On 05-28-2001 at 1007hrs, I responded to Rogers Lake Park dock area concerning an unknown medical. On scene I met with the injured party near the picnic area. The party identified as Robbiy Anne Wilson DOB/12-06-49 was walking around with her cane, lost her balance and struck her right eye -head area against the concrete lacerating the area above her right eye. I applied gauze to control bleeding, and asked the party if any other pain existed, she responded no- but I can't normally feel my legs due to my disability.Healtheast arrived on scene -no transport. CN: 01001684 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Public Assist DATE: 05/28/2001 19:18:0 OFFICER: Flandrich, L 2229 LOCATION: Mendakota Park YNOPSIS: Keported Handicap violation. Signs were missing and pavement not properly marked. 10-8 CN: 01001701 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Suspicious Person DATE: 05/31/2001 13:50:0 OFFICER: Patrick, S 2231 LOCATION: Mendakota Park SYNOPSIS: Dispatched on a report by Public Works that a suspicious person was walking in the park headed toward South Plaza Drive. I kept away while 2222/ 2228 approached the subject. The subject, identified as David Thompson, was walking from his residence on Wagon Wheel to McDonalds where he is employed. Thompson was carrying a Hewlett Packard computer tower Serial # US63206717 that he intended to sell to a co-worker. The computer was clear the 10-29 check.