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1980-05-27 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesRECEIVED JUN - 9 1980 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes May 27, 1980 Present: Mills, McMonigal, Williams, Bayless, Stein and Selander. Absent: Finn, Gustafson and Literski. 1. Minutes of March meeting approved. 2. Rogers Lake Park: John Uban, a landscape architect from Dahlgren and Associates was present to discuss various design alternatives for Rogers Lake Park. Mr. Uban first recognized the need to tie the park together and give it better definition. He noted that the current play apparatus in the park is not of one style and brings with it conflicting use patterns. It was also noted that the current play fort is in poor condition and represents a potential safety hazard. Mr. Uban proposed moving the current trail in such a way so that it connects with the picnic shelter. In addition, he recommended that the channel between the drainage pond and the lake be moved, that ad- ditional shrubs and landscaping be installed to both define the park and give it a more secluded feeling, and that additional picnic facilities be constructed. Finally, he recommended that the present play apparatus be removed and that a play structure of the sort already present in many Mendota Heights parks be installed. The Commission decided on the following priorities with respect to this park: a. Install a new play structure. b. Relocate the present trail. c. Install additional shrubs and landscaping. d. Install additional play apparatus for older children and adults. Commissioner Williams also noted the importance of providing activities and settings in this park suitable for teenagers. Moreover, the Commission decided to continue its consideration of alternative cites in this park for basketball facilities. Commissioner Stein moved that a play structure be purchased of a type similar to those located in other Mendota Heights parks and that approximately $4,000.00 be allocated for the purchase and installation of such a play structure. Motion passed. 1'he Commission considered what to do with the present equipment from the Rogers Lake Park. This led to a discussion of possibly relocating the equipment to the Tot Lot at Friendly Hills Park. It was agreed that the members of the Commission would familiarize themselves with the Tot Lot at Friendly Hills con- cerning possible relocation of the Rogers Lake play equipment to that park. Commissioner Mills noted further that an individual has asked for shade trees for the Tot Lot at Friendly Hills. However, the Commission was undecided as to whether it should allocate any money for the purchase of the trees. The Commission voted to table all consideration of a future of the Friendly Hills Tot Lot until the next meeting. Friendly Hi11s Pedway. Commissioner Mills noted that the pedway in Friendly Hills to the shopping center was in need of substantial repairs. It was estimated that such repairs would cost approximately $7,000.00 for the blacktopping of the pedway. Commissioner Williams moved to deny the request for resurfacing of the pedway based upon the above estimated cost. Motion passed. The Commission agreed to ask Rudy Literski to do what patch work he could on the pedway. 4. Park Signs. It was estimated that the engraving of the seven park signs would cost approximately $2,000,00. On the basis of this estimate, Commissioner McMonigal moved to proceed with the engraving of the park signs in all city parks. Motion passed. 5. Friendly Hills Pond. Commissioners Mills and Stein reported on the proposed changes for this pond. It was proposed that one side of the pond be dredged to remove plant life and debris from the shoreline. Commissioner Williams moved to request the City and all concerned not to make any substantial changes to the pond and to leave it in its present state. Motion passed. Commissioner Williams further moved to allow minor adjustments to the pond's drainage in such a way as to only have a minimal impact on the pond. Motion passed. 6. Recreation Program. Dewey Selander reported that the recreation program is going well and that enrollment in the various programs has remained steady. He noted that athletic fields for soft ball are a problem and stated that the City will need access to more fileds in the future. The Commission briefly discussed the status of the tdachtler property and noted that it might be ideal for a field complex to be constructed so that indi- vidauls would have a central location for all soft- ball activities. Commissioner Mills indicated that she would check with the City Administration concerning the status of the Wachtler property acquisition. 7. Commissioner Mills reported that she checked with Glen Stranton concerning the status of the Kiwanis project. He has indicated to her that that project is now "on hold" and that no active plans are now being considered. 8. The Commission discussed the park fund memoraadum concerning the status of the Commission's monies. The Commission felt that the memorandum was not specific enough and would like the City Administration to present a more detailed analysis as to where the Commission's money is going and the purposes for which the money is being spent. 9. Fire Facilities. Commissioner Williams indicated that park land may once again be considered for additional City Fire Facilities. He indicated that there is not agreement on a location or size of new fire facilities for the City. 10. Commissioner Williams recommended that the commission consider sponsering events for the community which will make the park program more visible. The Commission asked Commissioner Williams to consider alternative programs and to present a report on this subject in the future. James A. Stein Secretary CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS Park and Recreation Commission NOTICE There will be no meeting on April 22, due to the City Hall tour, scheduled for Saturday, April 26th. The playground equipment plan for Rogers Lake Park will be discussed on the tour. Enclosed please find copies of the March 25th Park and Rec minutes and a memo from Larry Shaughnessy regarding the special park fund. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO T0: Park and Recreation Commission Members FROM: Larry Shaughnessy, Financial Advisor SUBJECT: Special Park Fund April 15, 1980 Beginning Balance 1-1-79 Receipts - 1979 $39,857.53 Capital Expenditures 14,720.10 Operating Expenditures 1,688.24 Balance 12-31-79 $74,937.76 598,386.95 Balance prior to 1979 interest allocation, which will be an estimated $7,500. To 4-1-80 Receipts - 1980 $4,197.98 Expenses 500.00 CITY OF MEND= HEIGHTS PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION Minutes March 25, 1980 Present: Mills, McMonigal, Williams, Finn, Gustafson, Bayless and LiterskiI Absent: Stein and Selander. 1. Minutes of January meeting approved. 2. Planning Case No. 80-03, Lakeridge Planned Unit Development - Memo from the Deputy Clerk distributed, indicated the postponement of the Bream plan. Mills apprised Commission members of the City Council's actions concerning the proposed Senior Citizen Housing Project. The City Adminis- tratorprovided a brief presentation of the Wilder plan. The Commission voted to request Monetary Contributions in this situation rather than the proposed land contribution. 3. Commissioner Mills was re-elected Chairperson, Commission member Finn was re-elected Vice -Chairperson, and Commissioner Stein was elected Secretary for one year with the term ending on January 31, 1981, 4. Motion made by Gustafson to present a request to the City Council to read as follows: The Park and Recreation Commission of the City of Mendota Heights requests that the City Council of Mendota Heights direct the City Administrator and/or the City Clerk to provide the status of the Park Funds in ledger or balance sheet format to the Park and Recreation Commission at a minimum quarterly with the first status report to be available for the 22nd of April, 1980 meeting of the Commission. 5. Lexington - Marie Pond - In response to homeowner complaints and requests for action, a motion was made by Gustafson that the Commission make the following request of the City Council: The Park and Recreation Commission requests that the City take the nec- essary action to correct the engineering error regarding the water level of the Lexington - Marie Pond by lowering the outlet pipe as recommended by the Public Works Director. However, since this is a storm drainage and runoff problem, the Park and Recreation Commission requests that it be handled by Public Works and that funding to cover the cost of the project not be taken from Park funds. 6. Recreation Program - The matter of Dewey Selander's salary action was discussed. The need for future action was tabled pending discussions of next years budget. Mills brought up the possibility of a joint Recreation Program with West St. Paul or Eagan. Discussion indicated that such a possibility of a joint program was remote due to on -going youth programs and other attendant problems, Park Minutes March 25, 1980 Page Two and lack of available funding to support joint programs. 7. Rogers Lake Park - This item was deferred pending input from the Planning Consultant. 8. Fire Facilities - Williams indicated .that Park land was no longer being considered for Fire Facilities. 9. Kiwanis Proposal - The West St. Paul Kiwanis organization had contacted Chairperson Mills about thepossibilityof taking on a Community Service project in the Mendota Heights Parks. Their suggestion was a Vita Course for Valley Park. Discussion indicated that the Commissioners were not in favor of that kind of development in Valley Park. It was suggested by Finn that several Park Commission members meet with the Kiwanis to discuss alter- nativeprojects. Mills will pursue such a meeting. 10. Publicity - Mills presented the concept of the proposed quarterly.Community newsletter and the possibility of the inclusion of Park and Recreation publicity. No action taken. 11. Park Contribution - Mills referred the Commission to the memo from the City Administrator concern- ing the increase in Park Contributions from developers. No action taken. 12. Park Maintenance Report - Literski reported no change in the Rogers Lake Park Play area due to wet and frozen ground. He reported that the City had six new barbecue grills for installation in the parks. It was recommended that one or two grills be installed in the Ivy Falls Park. Others to Friendly Hills and Rogers Lake as appropriate. It was further recommended that due to vandalism, the grill be removed from Valley Park. Further Park Upgrades await action from the Planning Consultant and the Commission. 13. The meeting was adjourned with some members of the Park Commission joining the Planning Commission meeting to discuss the Park Commission thoughts on the Senior Citizen Housing Project and the Bream Proposal. Gustafson and Bayless represented the Park Commissions position. T. J. Bayless Acting Secretary CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO March 14, 1980 TO: Park and Recreation Commission Members FROM: Jim Danielson Public Works Director SUBJECT: Stormwater Retention Pond - Lexington and Marie This City storm water retention pond was the subject of much conversation last summer because together with the fact that the drainage area is developing and the surface runoff increasing, it was an unusually wet year. The residents adjacent to the pond complained that the pond was drowning the trees .inthe area and was actually 15 - 20 feet on private property. They requested that something be done to remedy these concerns. I feel the elevation the pond was at last summer, whichwas for the most part at the outlet pipe elevation, will be normal for the future. I feel the City could correct the situation by lowering the outlet pipe up to two feet. This would not adversely affect the operation of the storm system in the area and would lower the ponds controlled elevation off private property. The outlet would be constructed such that the storage of the pond could actually be increased. The flow at this lower elevation would be restricted until the water elevation reached the original flow line. This work could be accomplished by City forces in the spring with the costs of the project being charged to the City's operating budget.