2000-12-12 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda Packetter,
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CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AGENDA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
December 12, 2000
6:30 p.m. -Council Chambers
1. Call to Order
' 2. Roll Call
3. November 14, 2000 Minutes
4. Parks Five Year (2001-2005) Capital Improvement Plan
5. Projects for 2001 from Five Year Capital Improvement Plan
6. School District 197 Athletic Fields Maintenance Plan
7. Dakota County Dra$ Park System Plan
8. Updates
• November Recreation Report
• Clifford Timm Donation
• Trail Guide - Mississippi National River and Recreational Area
9. 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.
t
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
NOVEMBER 14, 2000
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held
on Tuesday, November 14, 2000, in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 1101
Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 630 p.m.
The following Commissioners were present: Chair Spicer and Commissioners Ann
Connelly, Jay Liberacki, Dave Libra, and Lawrence Craighead. Commissioners Stan
Linnell, Raymond Morris were excused from the meeting. City Staff present were Parks
Project Manager Guy Kullander, Recreation Programmer Mary Hapka and
Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. Mr. Hollister took the minutes.
MINUTES
Commissioner Craighead moved to approve the minutes from the October 10, 2000
meeting.
Commissioner Liberacki seconded the motion.
AYES: 4
NAYS: 0
MENDOTA ELEMENTARY PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
Mr. Lenny Axelrod, resident of Mendota Heights, addressed the Commission regarding
the condition of playground equipment at Mendota Elementary School. Mr. Axelrod said
that he is a ten year resident of Mendota Heights and that he has a five-year old child
attending Mendota Elementary School. Mr. Axelrod said that Mendota Elementary has
very old playground equipment and that he was searching for various sources of fimding
to upgrade the equipment and create a "learning center". Mr. Axelrod said that the
playground at Mendota Elementary was not just a school facility, but also a community
facility. Mr. Axelrod said that both the school and the community needs more equipment
for physically challenged kids. Mr. Axelrod said that he is 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 recalled an earlier similar request for assistance from the City for
recreational equipment for Friendly Hills Middle School from its previous principal, Liz
Witt. Chair Spicer said that in that case the City did provide funds to match other funds
that the school received from other sources. Chair Spicer said that he had recently made a
successful plea to the Council for an infusion of cash into the Special Parks Fund based in
large part on the need to upgrade the playground equipment within the City own park
system. Chair Spicer said that therefore the City's own playground needs had to take
priority over assisting the school district with school playgrounds. Chair Spicer said that
nevertheless, in concept he was not averse to providing assistance to Mendota Elementary
for this playground equipment, but that the equipment would need to meet ADA
standards, the City would have to be released from any potential liability, and the City
should not contribute more than one third of the cost of the equipment.
Mr. Axelrod
said
that
the school district
would indemnify the
City from liability.
Mr.
Axelrod also
said
that
they school might
even install security
cameras for added
safety.
Chair Spicer advised Mr. Axelrod that he could not speak for the Council and that the
Council would have to authorize any contribution to this effort.
Commissioner Liberacki asked whether construction would begin in the summer of 2001,
or whether it would be longer -term.
Mr. Axelrod said that ideally construction would begin next summer, and that he should
have a visual design for the equipment by late spring.
Commissioner Craighead said that to him the term "learning center" implies the
involvement of teachers, and asked whether this facility would be part of the school
curriculum.
Mr. Axelrod said that those decisions would be made in conjunction with school and
district staff.
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. Chair Spicer also recommended that Mr. Axelrod talk to Friendly Hills Middle
School about their experience with their new equipment.
Mr. Axelrod said that he would do as Chair Spicer had suggested and thanked the
Commission for their time.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2001-2005
Mr. Kullander reviewed with the Commission the proposed Special Parks Fund Capital
Improvement Plan for 2001-2005 from the last Commission meeting. The Commission
then made final revisions to the Capital Improvement Plan.
Commissioner Libra moved to recommend that the Council approve the Capital
Improvement Plan for the years 2001-2005.
Commissioner Liberacki seconded the motion.
AYES: 2)
NAYS: 0
Mr. Kullander said that he would present the proposed CIP to the Council at a future
meeting.
FRIENDLY HILLS TRAFFIC CALMING
The Commission reviewed the materials provided by Mr. Hollister on the traffic calming
issue in Friendly Hills. The Commission decided that they had no further
recommendations to make to the Council beyond those provided by the Traffic
Consultant.
OTHER ITEMS
Mr. Kullander reported on his discussion with Mr. Blum of the Parks Crew on the
condition of the ISD 197 fields in terms of safety, playability, and maintenance. Mr.
Kullander said that some of the school districts ball fields were in bad condition, but that
the City Parks Crew was already too busy with City fields and that it did not have the
time or resources to help the school district.
Chair Spicer suggested that the Mendota Heights Athletic Association may have fiords
from pull tabs to assist the school district and that perhaps the City could at least assist in
providing advice or lending equipment.
UPDATES
Staff provided updates on the following items:
• Spring/Summer 2000 Program Evaluations
• Police Report
CJ�IZ�IIle7`►I
Motion made to adjourn by Liberacki and seconded by Morris.
AYES:
NAYS:
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respecfully Submitted,
Patrick C. Hollister
Mendota dleights
Pan" and Recreation Commission
December , 2000
To: Parks and Recreation Commission //
From: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager ✓Ve
Subject: Parks Five Year (2001-2005) Capital Improvement Plan
Background:
I presented the Five Year Capital Improvement Plan, recommended by the
Commission, to the City Council last Tuesday, December 5t (see attached memo).
The Council accepted the plan with one exception, Council member Dwyer asked
the Commission to reconsider the priority placed on the Safety Netting for the
Mendakota Park Hub area, which is scheduled for consideration in 2005. He felt a
serious risk of being hit by a foul ball exists and would like to see this project
addressed sooner rather than later in the five-year plan.
Action Required:
Discuss Council member Dwyer's comments.
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
MEMO
December 1, 2000
Memo to: Mayor, City Council, and Interim City Administrator
From: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager
Subject: Parks Five Year (2001-2005) Capital Improvement Plan
Introduction:
In June, the Parks and Recreation Commission postponed developing a
capital improvement plan due to uncertainties in future revenue dedications to the
Special Park Fund, On January 1, 2000 the Special Park Fund balance stood at
$263,000.00, well below the minimum balance of $300,000.00 the commission
had voted to maintain. In late fall the City Council offered to transfer cell tower
revenues, in the amount of $60,000.00 per year for three years, to the Special
Park Fund for infrastructure improvements in the park system. The Commission
renewed their efforts and reviewed the capital improvement, infrastructure and
maintenance needs of every park, trail and open space component of the system. A
final draft plan was reviewed and approved by the Commission at their November
meeting.
The Commission has recommended that City Council acknowledge the
Mendota Heights Parks Five Year i2001-2005) Capital Improvement Plan as a
working guide and budget document that is intended to recognize the needs of the
parks system and ensure its preservation.
Discussion:
The Parks and Recreation Commission's thorough review of the park system
involved many details and conflicting priorities. Generally, most items that are
considered repair, maintenance or replacement of existing facilities are scheduled
from the General Fund and were not included in this plan. The Special Park Fund
has been considered the appropriate place for "new" facilities or upgrades in the
system.
The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal mandate that requires
the City to review its services and facilities so that they are accessible to all
people. ADA upgrades or requirements have been categorized as "new" facilities
and have therefore been proposed as Special Park Fund expenditures.
Removal of the outdated thirty year -old wood timber play structures from
five of the thirteen play areas is considered a top priority. In addition each play area
will see some new components added along with resilient surface/walks to conform
to ADA standards. Replacement of the warming house at Wentworth Park and
replacement of the hockey boards at Marie Park also received high priority
rankings.
Funding for improvements would come from the Special Park Fund. The
commissioners re -affirmed that the Special Park Fund balance should not dip below
$300,000.00 and that projected dedications to the fund should allow the
expenditure of $400,000.00 during the next five years. (See attached memo:
Projected Revenues to Special Park Fund 2001-2005)
The Commission also realized that City Council is not going to automatically
approve every item on the list and that these items will have to be annually
budgeted for approval. The Commission hopes City Council will acknowledge this
Five Year Capital Improvement Plan as a guide and reference for the annual budget
process. It is intended to serve as a working document and budget -forecasting tool
for the Commission and should be annually updated to recognize the needs of the
park system. (See attached Parks Five Year (2001-2005) Capital Improvement
Plan),
Recommendation:
The Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to recommend that
City Council acknowledge the proposed Five Year Capital Improvement Plan as a
working guide and budget document that is intended to recognize the needs of the
parks system and to ensure its preservation.
Action Required:
Review the proposed Parks Five Year (2001-2005) Capital Improvement Plan
for the park system. If the Council desires to implement the Parks and Recreation
Commission's recommendation, they should pass a motion to acknowledge the
proposed Parks Five Year (2001-2005) Capital Improvement Plan as a working
guide and budget document that is intended to recognize the needs of the parks
system and to ensure its preservation.
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CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
MEMO
Memo to: Parks and Recreation Commission //��
From: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager�f\
dl
Subject: Project Revenue — Special Park Fund 2001-2005
Introduction:
The balance in the Special Park Fund has "historically" been maintained at a
level in excess of $300,000,00, Do to the dwindling increases from development
of single family lots or re -plats in the Industrial Park the fund has been drawn down
below this level. Balance as of December 31, 1999 was $262,822.00,
Discussion:
When Town Center is developed it is assumed that the normal revenues from
Park dedications for residential and commercial development will be used for trail,
park or similar amenities within the project development area therefore any revenue
from this source was not included in the following projections.
Five Year Fund Projection 2001-2005
1. Fund balance December 31, 1999 $263,000
2. Park dedication fees during 2000 $ 79,000
3. Donation from MHAA (matching funds) $ 8,000
4, Cell Tower fees ($60 K x 3 yrs) $180,000
5. Interest on fund (avg. $20 K x 5 yrs) $100,000
6. Residential/Commercial/Industrial dedicated fees
-Infill residential (est. 50 x $750) $ 37,000
-Pilot Knob/Acacia Area (Res. or Comm.) $ 75,000
Estimated Five Year Fund Revenues $742,000
Working capital .............. $442,000
Less 10% staff time..............................................................$ 42,000
Funds Avai/ab/e for Improvement Projects -Five Year Total....... $400,000
(Average of 580,000 per year)
/Memdota Heig is
Parks and Recreation Commission
.Memo
December 7", 2000
To: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager
Subject: Implement Projects for 2001 from Five Year Capital Improvement Plan
Discussion:
The Commission identified nine projects to be completed in fiscal year 2001 .
Initiation/preparation of plans for three of these projects (Wentworth warming
house, Roger's Lake play equipment, and RFP's from Natural Resource Planning
consultants) should begin as soon as possible.
The following describes how 1 suggest the projects should proceed.
1. Roger's Lake Park —Replace wood timber play equipment
This park has two play areas, one containing the wood timber play
equipment installed in 1971 . The other area contains steel and plastic components
installed in 1991, which are in excellent condition. Both areas contain 6" to 8" of
pea gravel surrounded by redwood timber edging. I suggest that the commission
consider removing the older timber equipment along with the pea rock, which
would be placed in the second play area to "deepen" the existing resilient surfacing
to 10"1 Replacement equipment would be designed for "tiny tots" (similar to what
was installed at Marie Park last summer), which would then be installed on a
'rubberized" accessible surface. The proposed project to add an accessible
rubberized access path to the Marie Park play area would be combined with this
project.
a. Review proposals from play equipment suppliers: Jan./ Feb.
b. Request Council award bid Feb./ Mar.
c. Construction/installation Jun./ July
Project estimates: $20,000 and $7,000
2. Wentworth Park Warming House — Replace
The concept for this project has been difficult for the Council to embrace. I
recommend the Commission present to the Council (at the December 19" meeting
or the January 2nd meeting) a detailed "concept description" of the proposed new
warming house describing the size and shape of the building, materials, etc. and
state that preparation of construction drawings and specifications would begin in
January with a rendering and project presentation to the City Council scheduled in
March.
aI Submit rough concept sketch to a Plan Service January
b. Commission review draft construction plans February
c. Present plans and specifications to Council March
d. Bid project April
e. Demo existing house -grade & prep site May/June
f. Construct warming house July -Sept.
Project estimate: $25,000
3. Natural Resource Planning Consultant — RFP
I recommend that the commission agree on what type of "product" they
would expect from such a consultant and present this, in written form, to the
Council at the December 19"' regular Council meeting. The information presented
should state that Request for Proposals would go out on December 20" and review
of the RFP's, by the Park Commission, would occur in January with a projected
recommendation to the City Council at the first Council meeting in February. The
"speedy" time line described is necessary because the submittal deadline for DNR
projects is March 31'. A condition of the contract with the consultant would be
meeting this deadline with one more requests for DNR grants.
The additional 2001 project "Matching Funds for Federal or DNR Grants"
should be "combined" with this project for implementation.
Project estimates: $10,000 and $5,000
4. Marie Park —Replace Hockey Boards
Plans and specifications for this project are simple to prepare and will go to
Council for approval to seek bids in February or March with an anticipated award of
bid in April. The contractor will be given several months to complete the project.
Project estimate: *25,000
5. Trail Safety &Information Signage
This project will take a substantial amount of time to inventory all of the trail
mileage in the City and to map the locations of proposed sign locations. Access to
the trails, via golf cart, will be attempted in May (preferably on a sunny day). Plans
and specifications will go out for bids in May with installation scheduled for June
and July.
Project estimate: $6,000
6_ Roger's Lake Park — Bituminous Path to Fishing Pier
Installation of an accessible bituminous path from the parking area to the
fishing pier is required by the DNR. This project will be bid and scheduled for
installation as early in the spring as possible. I anticipate the installation to be
completed by mid -May or sooner.
Project estimate: $6,000
7. Ivy Hills Park —Demolish old warming house
The free -skating rink was discontinued at this park in 1997. The hockey rink
was last flooded for use in 1995 (unsuccessfully). The soils in this area are
predominately clay and wet resulting in substantial soil movement due to freezing
and thawing of the soil. In addition sun boils resulting in fair to very poor skating
conditions always affected the hockey rink. The warming house is over thirty years
old, with a floor constructed of non -treated lumber, rests on timber sleepers a few
inches above the ground, and is reported (by the Public Works Parks crew) to be
severely deteriorated and unsound.
Demolition of this building would be by the Public Works Department with
the only direct costs being rental of a dumpster, land fill fees, and utility disconnect
fees. Project estimate: $2,000.00
Recommendation:
Discuss implementation of the above projects with emphasis on the three
projects that require immediate decisions to proceed from the City Council.
Mendota Heights Parks Five Year
2001.2005 Capital Improvement Plan
2001
Roger's Lake Park
Replace wood timber
play equipment
$20,000
Marie Park
-Install resilient surface
walk to play structure.
$7,000
Hire Planning
Consultant
Prepare natural resource
plan & grant applications
$10,000
Marie Park
-Replace hockey boards,
site grade, ADA upgrades
$25,000
Matching Funds For Federal
or DNR Grants
-Park improvements
$ 5,000
Ivy Hill Park
-Demolish warming house
$2,000
Trail Safety &Info Signage
-21 miles of trails
$6,000
Roger's Lake Park
Bit path to DNR fishing pier
$6,000
Wentworth Park Warming House
Build new structure
$251000
Total: � 106,000.00
plus staff time
City of Mendota Heights
Memo
November 30, 2000
Memo to: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Mary L. Hapka, Recreation Programmer
Subject: School District 197 Athletic Fields Maintenance Plan
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Mr. Marc Fortman, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds for School District 197
contacted me on Wednesday, November 29 and we briefly discussed the following
current conditions and future maintenance plans for district athletic fields.
• Friendly Hills Middle School — An irrigation system has been installed within all
grounds, with the exception being the soccer field. The Buildings and Grounds
Department will be evaluating their budget for future improvements, if it is
determined that the cost of an irrigation system for the soccer field is approved the
soccer field would be ready for use in 2002.
• Sibley Athletic Fields — There are no plans to irrigate the southern soccer and ball
fields and fertilizing has been kept to a minimum.
• No plans to make improvements to grounds/fields at Mendota and Somerset
elementary.
• Mr. Fortman did advise me that school district will hire an engineering firm to
conduct a district wide facility and grounds study. The study is to begin in
January 2001.
I advised Mr. Fortman that the City of Mendota Heights would be interested in some type
of partnership to improve the current conditions of the districts athletic fields. Mr.
Fortman seemed very receptive to this idea and advised me he would be willing to be a
guest at an upcoming Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to discuss the
possibilities of this future partnership. A follow up letter was sent to Mr. Fortman, please
see the attached.
Recommendation:
This is a discussion item. The commission should direct staff as to which future
meeting they would like Mr. Fortman to appear at.
November 30, 2000
Mr. Marc Fortman
Supervisor of Buildings & Grounds
Independent School District 197
1897 Delaware Avenue
Mendota Heights, MN 55118
Dear Mr. Fortman:
Thank you for discussing School District 197 maintenance plans for the district athletic
fields. As we discussed there is a great and growing need for usable athletic fields within
the community of Mendota Heights, The City of Mendota Heights hopes to be able to
work with your department as we have in the past to provide all user groups with quality
athletic fields.
You also advised me that the school district is planning to conduct a district wide facility
& grounds study starting in January. The City of Mendota Heights as well as I am sure
other user groups such as; The Sibley Area Sting, Mendota Heights Athletic Association
and others would appreciate if the engineering company the district hires to conduct the
study would contact all user groups within the district to discuss and assess each groups
needs as they relate to current and future athletic fields. I believe each user group's input
would contribute greatly to the overall study.
The City of Mendota Heights has greatly enjoyed its past working partnerships with
School District #197. The city also hopes to continue this very good working
relationship so that we may continue to serve the citizens of this community by providing
quality athletic facilities to all user groups.
Again, I appreciate you discussing the districts plans for maintenance of fields and look
forward to working with you in the future.
^Sincerely r=�i7�
Mar . Hapka
Recreation Programmer
City of Mendota Heights
1101 Victoni Curve •Mendota Heights, 11Si`I u5511S (651) ;52-1S50 • F41 452-S9-60
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
MEMO
December 8, 2000
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Patrick C. Hollister, Administrative Assistant
SUBJECT: Dakota County Draft Park System Plan
Discussion
Dakota County is seeking public input on the attached draft Park System Plan. The
public is invited to attend an Open House on Wednesday, December 13, from 7:00 to
8:30 p.m. in Conference Room L139 at the Dakota County Western Service Center in
Apple Valley. Written comments are also welcome until December 22, 2000.
Action Required
Review the attached Park System Plan. If the Commission has any comments on this
plan, they may direct Staff to relay these comments in writing. Individual
Commissioners may also wish to attend the public hearing on December 13".
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
MEMO
DATE: December 7, 2000
TO: Park & Recreation Commission
FROM: Mary L. Hapka, Recreation Programmer
SUBJECT: November Recreation Report
Conferences/Meetings Attended
• Attended MRPA Annual Conference in St. Cloud November 6-9.
• Attended MRPA Programming meeting in Rosemount on Friday, November 17.
• Met with the City of West St. Paul and South St, Paul Recreation Programmers to
plan winter teen youth trips.
• Met with Mr. Clifford Tim to discuss Fishing Derby 2001. Mr. Tim was thrilled
with the idea and advised me that he would be willing to donate prizes for this
program.
• Contacted Mr. Marc Fortman, Supervisor or Buildings and Grounds for School
District 197 discussed current conditions and future maintenance plans for district
athletic fields (see attached memo).
Marketine of Upcoming Programs
• Approximately 500 fliers were delivered to local elementary and middle schools
with information on upcoming winter programs such as, winter break youth trips,
after school ski trips and the Learn to Skate Program.
• News releases were sent to the SunCurrent and SouthWest Review Newspapers
with winter program information.
• The advertising board was placed outside the Mendota Heights Fire Department
to advertise rink attendant positions and to promote the Learn to Skate Program.
Rink Attendant Update
The Parks and Recreation Department pleasantly received over twenty applications for
the position of rink attendant for the 2000-200 1 -winter season. Interviews were held and
attendants have been hired for each of Mendota Heights ice rinks. A flood crew has also
been hired for this winter season. The Parks and Recreation and Park Crew anticipate
that having a specific flood crew will increase the community's satisfaction with ice rink
conditions and will reduce the cost of maintenance problems that occurred in 1999.
Terry Blum, Parks Leadperson for the City of Mendota Heights will train and monitor the
work of the flood crew. A mandatory Rink Attendant meeting will be held on Tuesday,
December 12 and weather permitting the rink attendants will begin flooding after the
meeting in anticipation of opening the rinks on Friday, December 15.
Upcoming Programs
• Registrations are being accepted and processed for upcoming winter break
youth trips to Drukula's Bowl & Shoreview Community Center, Green Acres
& Lava Links and Maple Grove Community Center.
• Registrations for the Learn to Skate program have been steadily arriving with
the Smalls & Talls and Advance Beginners classes filling the first section
offered, permitting we receive enough registrations a second section would be
offered for each of these classes.
• A portion of the musical entertainment to be offered at the Mendota Heights
Parks Celebration and the Performances In The Park has been scheduled.
Softball Fees 2001
Due to the increase in the South St. Paul Umpires fees for the 2001 softball season, the
Parks and Recreation Department will be increasing registration fees for all softball
leagues. Softball packets that will be mailed to all teams that played in our leagues in
2000, packets will include the new fees.
Mendota Weights
Par" and Recreation Commission
.Memo
December 7", 2000
To: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager
Subject: Clifford Timm - $2,000.00 cash donation to City
Mr. Clifford Timm donated an additional $2,000.00 to the City for
improvements at Roger's Lake Park,
Mayor Mertensotto presented Mr. Timm with a Certificate of Appreciation
during last Tuesday's meeting.
Action Required:
No action required. This memo is for information only.
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
MEMO
November 30, 2000
To: Mayor, City Council and Interim City Administrator
From: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager
Subject: Recognition of $2,000.00 Donation to Special Park Fund
Discussion:
As Council is aware, Mr. Clifford Timm donated $4000.00 to the Special
Park Fund in 1999 for improvements, specifically fishing related, at Roger's Lake
Park. Last January the Department of Natural Resources installed a temporary lake
aerator that operated for several months, successfully preventing "winter fish kill"
n the lake. In July the DNR installed a "T" shaped fishing pier that extends
approximately one hundred feet into the lake and they are currently working on the
installation of a permanent aerator that will begin operation this winter.
Mr. Timm periodically stops in at City Hall to express his appreciation for the
City's willingness to make improvements at Roger's Lake Park. Last week, while
here, he made an additional donation of $2,000,00 to the Special Park Fund, which
he hopes will be used for amentias at the park.
Action Required:
Acknowledge the generous donation ($2,000.00) from Clifford Timm. Mr.
Timm has been invited to attend.
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WEST:-T. PAU
Retiree, 81
water •
® Conservationist
do.oates money to
like-minded groups
NATALIE Y. MOORE sing wanes
Clifford Timm, 81, says he's no
windbag. •
Maybe the retired giassmaker
turned philanthropist worries that
championing environmental causes
will label him an overzealous,
pesky nature lover who doesn't
know the difference between phos-
phorus and fertilizer.
Even if it did, Timm would like-
ly keep on wagging his finger.
MS latest cause is speaking out
�C�d6-m0
� CONTINUED tROM la
But when high levels of phos-
phorus leach into lakes, algae use
the nutrient to blossom exponen-
tially. But overabundant algae
blocks the sunlight into the water
and turns it murky green.
Reduced sunlight depletes oxygence and redus visibility for fish. The
outcome doesn't necessarily hurt
humans.
"He's not afraid to tell an offi-
cial his opinion," Mayor Michael
!- Bison said.
The Council decided not to ren-
der an order but to help educate
West St. Paulites on the issue
through the city's newsletters and
neighborhood associations.
There's support for Timm's
argument that phosphorus levels
are rising. Louise Watson of the
Ramsey -Washington Metro Water-
shed District said that of the soil
and prairie tests the agency has
done, 75 percent to 85 percent
have high or very high phosphorus
levels.
She is a member- of a state
work group that hopes to get the
Legislature to pass an ordinance
banning the use of pho^;:,horus that
all cities could adopt
These days, Timm said, he gets
more enjoyment from doling out
his wealth to the organizations
that tout his beliefs.
"We've got to, educate people,"
he said,
b
pbo
brought up to respect the Pnvi
ment" le t rl, r,)f
Stacked on Tinnm'z4qtFF4t,
Paul kitchen table are sat>sc�np.
lions from ecology magazines. End
newspaper articles decrying the
state of the environment. So are
letters be's written to chain com-
pagies requesting that .they only
selI Aosphorus-free fertilizer.
He'alawaiting answers.
In September, the voluble .Timm
wen1%, fore the West St. Paul City
Council, requesting an ordinance
anning the sale of fertrs ilize, with
spborus.
Phosphorus is a'naturai'elepent
in soil and isn't • a71vays.1hargitul.
TIMM cOH1NUEDQtJ,t2S.►
To help
What you can do to prevent
phosphorus from seep inginto
ekes:
• Buy fertilizer without phospho:
rus if your lawn doesn't need it.
• If you use phosphorus, sweep, -
grass clippings and dirt off the
street or sidewalk to prevent
theTo from going down a storm
in.
• As autumn enters, be sure to
rake up leaves, which have phps-
p %a.us in them.
The passionate conservationist
has pushed to transform Pickerel
Lake in Lilydale Park and hawked
SLillwater's water preserving
efforts.
"A working guy like me came
to town with $40," Timm said. 411
was a farm boy raised in southern
hfianesota who came to the Twin
Cities in 1937 to study the trum-
pet.:. '
Timm's wife died two years
ago and they had no children. He
donates his money as often as he
(fishes. Last year the self -mad$
millionaire gave $30,000 to region=
al government preservation groups
sucIt as Hennepin Parks. .
"Each year I give more. It's just
terrible how the water has deteri-
o sled," Timm said.
Natalie Y. Moore, who covers West 5t.'
Paul and South St. Paul, can be reached
al nmoore ®plonaorprass.com or (651}-,
22&5452.
By Steven Musolf
VVest St. Paul, Minn. —
Sometimes you have to
put your money where
your mouth is if you want to
accomplish something.
Clifford Timm knows this from
experience.
This feisty, outspoken 81-
year-old has put both his
mouth and his money to work
providing fishing opportuni-
ties for kids in the Twin Cities.
He gave $10,000 to Hennipen
Parks to create a small boat
ramp at Murphy Lake in the
Murphy-Hanrehan Park
Reserve east of Prior Lake.
He has donated $4,000 to a
variety of other projects in the
south metro area, too. Projects -
include an aeration system at
Pickeral Lake.
"I've been working on that .; ,
fol;35,.year ,-PndnohY,I)n2; -.
finally getting some recogni-
tions;" Timm says.
"Recognitions" are important
to Timm, who has learned that.
a little publicity can go a long
way in getting bureaucrats and
unresponsive businessmen to
act. He's been after a couple of
major retailers to offer phos-
phate free fertilizer in their
stores with little success. He
plans to send them pictures of
himself beside the mayor of St.
Paul where he is receiving one
of those "recognitions" he talks
about.
"So I'm going to say,'Well,
I'm doing what I can to dean
doing? I can't even buy any
phosphate -free fertilizer in
your store.''
Timm doesn't take'no/ for an
answer. "I says, 'If you don't
change your.way, I'm just
going to have to go to the city
council and have an ordinance
passed like Stillwater, and
Aself--made million-
aire, he has estab-
lished a gift. trust that
ltas over $100,000 in it
so that his money can
continue to meet the
financial needs of pro-
ested t)I OileY the yeGiYS.
Plymouth, and Oakdale."
Timm is a relentless and pas-
sionate advocate for causes
like raising lake levels, clean-
ing up lakes, restoring good
fishing, and providing piers
and shore fishing opportuni-
ties for kids. He has developed
quite a reputation for ruffling
the feathers of those who
oppose him.
"I've been accusedof bribery,
ya know," Timm boasts. "I've
Ueen accused of being a rabble
rouser, obnoxious, and a run-
away train."
In a public meeting, he once
I an opponent (a tugboat
operator) present his views
against Timm's project. When
the man was done, Timm went
after him. - -
"You talk like you own that
river. Why you don't know -
not)zing!" Timm recalls. "If you
wasn't subsidized by us tax-
payers, you wouldn't even
have a job!"
Timm laughs about it now.
He feels a good fight is often
necessary when you believe in
something. He'll resort to
whatever it takes to win his
point.
All I have to do is stand
down there by the bait store
and hell, I can collect names in
a hurry,;' Timm, says.
He 'ii'( ri,rn than mike' ""'
noise and collect names, how-
ever. A self-made millionaire,
he hasestablisheda gift trust
that has over $100,000 in it so
that his money can continue to
meet the financial needs of
projects he's been interested in
over the years. ri
"My purpose now is to see
some of my money being used
properly. I've made it, now, I
got to get rid of it so there's -
going to be some use to it."
In other worts, Clifford
Timm is ready and able to put
his money where his mouth is.
Mendota Heights
Parks and Recreation Commission
December 7`h, 2000
To: Parks and Recreation Commission
From: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager ��K
Subject: Trail Guide -Mississippi National River and Recreational Area
The City received twenty copies of the attached guide last week, which
'disappeared" very quickly. I managed to save a copy for each commissioner.
' 'ram
F2
RE;
For Immediate Release
November 28, 2000
For 1Vlore Information Contact
Susan Overson 651-290-3030, ext. 225
The National Park Service Releases A New Trail Guide for the Mississippi
National River and Recreation Area
The National Park Service (NPS) has released a new trail guide that focuses exclusively on
the recreational opportunities along the Mississippi River from Minneapolis to South Saint Paul.
The "Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Trail Guide, Minneapolis/Saint Paul Area"
includes maps, scenic photographs and brief overviews of each of the six featured trail segments,
recommended trail routes, area history, interesting destinations, directions, and sources of
additional information. A companion web site can be found at www.nps.gov/miss, the NPS web
site for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. (Click on Trail Guide.) The site
provides updates on ongoing construction and links to other recreational web sites and eventually
will expand on the information contained in the Trail Guide.
"We're very excited to introducethe Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Trail
Guide to recreational enthusiasts," said JoAnn Kyral, the Area's superintendent. "We feel this
will be a very popular product for those who love to hike, bike, or rollerblade along the
Mississippi River. It gives people a lot of wonderful information about this national river
corridor."
The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, which is a unit of the National Park
System, is a narrow comdor alon0 the Mississippi River that extends 72 miles south from
Dayton and Ramsey to Ravenna Township, just south of Hastings. It encompasses 54,000 acres,
only 35 of which are under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. The NPS cooperates
with a variety of state, local, and private partners to provide recreational and educational
opportunities and protect corridor resources. The National Park Service developed the Trail
Guide, and printing costs were shared by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the Saint
Paul Riverfront Corporation, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Dakota County
Parks, the Trust for Public Land, and the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota.
The Trail Guide is available at various locations throughout the -Twin Cities or by calling the
National Park Service at 651-290-4160. _ . -