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1989-03-15 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES, MARCH 15, 1989 The Parks and Recreation Commission meeting began at 7:05 P.M. on Wednesday March 15, 1989 in the Conference Room at City Hall. The blizzard on Tuesday evening forced the meeting to be held on Wednesday. The following members were present: Damberg, Huber, Leffert, Owens and Stein. Also present: Councilmember Blesener, City Administrator Frazell and Administrative Assistant Batchelder. Guests present were: Ken Dallman of U.S. West and Norm Gellerman. MINUTES The minutes of the February meeting were approved after changes were made to indicate that no additional funding was needed for this years T- ball program because costs for T-ball can be kept down. U.S. WEST City Administrator Frazell gave a background report on the application process of the U.S. West plan to provide fiber optics to the Kensington area. Frazell explained the siting of the building on park land with a storage area and rest rooms for park activities. He stated that the City Council has granted a Conditional Use Permit and has referred the request to the Parks Commission to determine which alternative is best. Ken Dallman, of U.S. West, outlined the fiber optics to the home test project that U.S. West wishes to install in the Kensington area. He explained how their portion of the proposed 18 ft. by 32 ft. building would be used. Mr. Dallman explained the three alternatives of siting and buildings. The Commission and Mr. Dallman discussed the parking, maintenance, liability and use of the facility. Mr. Dallman stated that U.S. West would only need to get one small service truck into the site at a time and the impact on parking would be minor. He stated that U.S. West would maintain the roof and the City would maintain the exterior of the building, there would be no sign or burglar alarms, and that there is no danger from the electronic technology. Councilmember Blesener described the Citizens Parks Review Committee's work on this park site. She recommended to accept a storage room, bathrooms, and an overhang with a window cut in the side and that the facility be located to maximize the parking lot with provision for at least sixty (60) spaces and that the parking lot have a drive through capability. She stated this was the Ballfields sub -committee's preference. Commissioner Leffert stated he had concerns that once again the Parks Commission received a proposal or issue so late in the process that their input was minimized and that a quick decision was necessary on a critical issue. Mr. Dallman explained the process his proposal has one through and what the city options are on easements and buildings. Commissioner Owens made a motion to accommodate U.S. West with option one for the east end site with a 3 foot overhanging roof, enabling a 60 car drive through parking lot The motion is subject to planning staff and City Council review. Commissioner leffert seconded and the motion was approved 5-0. ICE ARENA Norm Gellerman appeared on his and John Schwab's account to present a preliminary proposal to build an ice arena and indoor soccer facility. The arena would have two indoor ice sheets and two indoor soccer fields for use by the Minnesota Indoor Soccer League. The ice sheets would be used by local high schools, Mend -Eagan and others with verbal commitments to 3,000 hours of use. It would be a 4,000 seat arena with weight rooms and concession facilities. One ice sheet would have a smaller arena. Year round use for training, meeting and storage. A 21 - acre facility that is privately owned and would operate on a fee for service basis. The Commission queried Mr. Gellerman about parking, users, revenue projections, and traffic impact statements. The Commission expressed thanks for sharing the idea and stated this was an exciting idea and that they wished to be kept posted. CIVIC CENTER City Administrator Frazell explained the cost SOFTBALL projections and that the field's primary use would be for youth baseball. He explained the deduct items in the proposal and stated that it was simple to bring this project in under the $40,000 allotted by the Commission. Commissioner Leffert made a motion to approve the design with a $40,000 limit and the coordination of deduct items with Chuck Mastel of Mend -Eagan. Special thanks were extended to Chuck Mastel and Bill Owens for their work and efforts. Carol Damberg seconded and the motion was approved 5-0. IVY FALLS City Administrator Frazell explained how the BRIDGE neighbors, in a public hearing, had suggested a foot bridge to connect the school with the surrounding neighborhoods. Commissioner Damberg questioned the $40,000 price tag. Chairman Stein suggested that this bridge went beyond a parks issue and should be included with a roads and bridge budget. Frazell stated the idea of the bridge had the endorsement of the trails sub -committee but not necessarily the price tag. It is part of a stub of the trails system and does provide good access for the area. Chairman Stein stated that the need for the bridge was a valid public safety issue and that this was in essence a sidewalk. Therefore, he felt it was a city issue and not a valid parks expenditure. Councilmember Blesener stated that the bridge was a good link to access schools as part of a trail system, however, the $40,000 price is too high. Commissioner Leffert made a motion to reject the bid for a W ,000 bridge at Ivy Falls and to informally ask the engineering staff to develop a cheaper plan. Commissioner Huber seconded and the motion was approved 5-0. OTHER BUSINESS The work on the referendum by the Citizens Parks Review Committee was reviewed and there was discussion of the referendum process. The Parks Board will meet the 20th of April to look at the package the Council will consider on the 21st of April. Councilmember Blesener presented the Citizens Parks Review Committee request for endorsement by the Parks and Recreation Commission for the plans put forward on the referendum. She presented an outline of the Ballfields recommendations, the possible Mendakota acquisition, and the Sibley proposal to the School District. Commissioner Huber presented the Trails recommendations and Commissioner Damberg presented the New and Existing Neighborhood Parks recommendations. Chairman Stein stated that he was impressed by the effort of the referendum committee and that they should be commended. He stated this was the best way to build consensus and it was obvious that they have incorporated all the necessary elements. He expressed a desire to see a resolution that is a public statement strongly endorsing the proposal as it reflects the community's input through a comprehensive process. He congratulated the committee for their work and the City Council for providing the process. He recommended a motion to this effect that strongly recommends Council approval. Commissioner Leffert made a motion to move the Citizens Parks Review Committee's proposal to Council with a strong endorsement of approval, by resolution. Commissioner Owens seconded and the motion was approved 5-0. ADJOURN There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 P.M. Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant MEMO CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS February 14, 1989 To: Ballfiel�%d S/u�c�om�mtittee From: Kevin Ef ✓ y Administrator Re: Materials for January 20th Meeting Please be reminded that the Ballfields subcommittee will meet this coming Monday evening, February 20th, at 7:00 p.m. to continue discussions regarding athletic facility needs. Enclosed you will find the following information to help prepare you for that meeting: 1. Minutes of the January 23rd meeting, as corrected at the February 6th meeting. 2. Minutes of the February 6th meeting. 3. A synopsis of the subcommittee's recommendations for addition and upgrading of facilities. 4. A matrix of the estimated costs for acquiring and developing each of the ten sites identified by the subcommittee as potential locations for playfields.* 5. A site plan for each of the ten locations showing how fields might be accommodated. A city map locating the ten parcels. It is hoped that each subcommittee member will have an opportunity to drive by and observe the sites prior to the meeting. As requested by the committee, these are staff produced "ballpark" estimates for acquisition and development. Land values have been calculated as follows: Low density residential $22,000 per acre Medium Density residential 33,000 per acre High Density residential 39,000 per acre and Business/Industrial There are complicating factors in some of the locations that might render these "rules of thumb" invalid; an actual appraisal would be needed to determine true costs. The Centex and School Property parcels show no acquisition costs, as in the former case the developer is willing to dedicate the land, and in the later, a cooperative arrangement with School District 197 would be pursued.