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1993-06-08 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesThe regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, June 8, 1993 in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Norton, Libra, Linnell, Spicer, Damberg and Katz. Commissioner Kleinglass was excused. Also present was Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder. APPROVAL OF NINUTES Commissioner Spicer moved to approve the May 11, 1993, Minutes with corrections. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. AYESs 6 NAYS: 0 COMMISSION COMbIENTS Commissioner Libra mentioned the soccer groups had been out at Kensington Park to examine the soccer fields and noticed the fence along the west side by the townhouse and Centex parking was only a five foot (51) fence. Libra asked staff to investigate this matter. Libra stated he was concerned that kicks to clear the ball would be entering the Centex property and possibly causing damage to cars or windows. Commissioner Damberg inquired if the Parks Commission had considered using the concession stand money towards the Park Budget when they had met with the Fire Relief Association in May. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the agreement for the concession stand was a one year term requiring an annual report on the finances and revenues of the concession stand. Commissioner Damberg stated it was her desire that when this agreement is renewed in a year that if money is generated in the park it should be returned to the park. Commissioner Spicer stated Mend -Eagan had a baseball tournament on June 5th and 6th at Mendakota Park and that on their behalf he wanted to thank all the City staff that had been extremely cooperative in helping Mend -Eagan with this tournament including Shelli Morgan and Terry Blum and his crew. Spicer stated with the pinwheel design for the four ballfields, that when they are being used for baseball a lot Parks and Recreation Commission June 8, 1993 Page 2 of foul balls tend to go back into the center area where people are participating as spectators. Spicer stated several people were hit with foul balls during this tournament and stated he was aware that other communities have provided netting between the concession stands and the backstop to stop foul balls. Spicer stated he was concerned because with this type of pinwheel design, spectators have their backs to the other fields. Batchelder stated this park had been disagreed for adult softball, in which foul balls behind home plate are rare. The Parks Commission asked City staff to get estimates on netting including: 1. nylon netting that would be temporary and seasonal; and 2, metal fiber netting that would be more permanent; and 3. other netting that might also provide shade in this area. FUTURE LAND ACQUISITION Chair Katz introduced this item by stating the Commission was revisiting the future land acquisition issue after discussing and examining goals and priorities last fall. Katz stated the memo provided to the Commission listed the sites that the Commission had ranked as priority parcels for land acquisition and had listed the priorities and goals that had been discussed by the Commission. Katz asked Administrative Assistant Batchelder to provide a brief review of those sites that had been ranked the highest by the Commission in November. These sites included: Par 3 Golf Course, Olin Site, Dodd Road right-of-way, school district/friendly hills, Centex remainder and Foss property. Batchelder stated the priorities and goals that were discussed by the Parks and Recreation Commission included the following: Land that is adjacent to existing parks. Possible acquisition of one large site. Land that could be used for trail extensions or trail links. Batchelder reviewed the vacant sites that had been ranked by the Commission in November. Batchelder stated at that time, Commissioner Hunter had inquired about providing a fact sheet for the western Resurrection Cemetery site and that staff could prepare that if the Parks Commission was still interested. The Commission directed staff to provide a fact sheet for western Resurrection Cemetery. Parks and Recreation Commission June 8. 1993 Page 3 Par 3 Golf Course Commissioner Spicer inquired, hypothetically, if in the City's acquisition of the Par 3 Golf Course the City would be using bond sales to pay for this acquisition. Batchelder stated yes that was the assumption staff had made in the calculation of revenues generated and the amount of bonding the City could afford based on these revenues. Batchelder stated if the City decided to use Special Park Fund or Referendum money that is also available. Commissioner Spicer inquired if, hypothetically, the City could conceivably waive the deferred assessments on this property. Batchelder stated the bonding that had been issued for the public improvements in this area had to be satisfied and that the deferred assessments had to be paid if the property is transferred. Commissioner Damberg stated it was her understanding that most people in this neighborhood wanted to keep the golf course as open space and did not want to see it developed. Batchelder explained the revenue calculations and debt service calculations that staff had made regarding purchase of the Par 3 Golf Course. Batchelder informed the Commission that following his letter to Mr. Schway, Mr. Schway had responded with a telephone call saying he would proceed with other options. The Commission discussed the revenue calculations and debt service calculations for the purchase of the Par 3 and discussed the likely pay off of this property in a development scenario and compared the two scenarios. The Commission felt it might be in Mr. Schway's best interest to continue considering working with the City on possible acquisition as compared to what Mr. Schway might be able to receive from a developer. Burrows Farm Batchelder stated at the June 1, 1993 City Council meeting Mr. Ronald Smith approached the City regarding the possible purchase, by the City, of the Burrows farm located on Victoria Road between Marie Avenue and Stratford Road. Batchelder stated this home recently suffered a fire and there was a discussion about historical value and the possible interest in preserving this home and rural site in the City. Batchelder stated the Council was interested enough to refer this item to the Parks and Recreation Commission for discussion. Batchelder stated there are many factors to consider in regards to preserving and maintaining this site including its priority as an open space or park acquisition, its historical Parka and Recreation Commission June 9, 1993 Page 4 value® operating costs and ongoing liability depending on the future use of City owned property, requirements for Americans with Disability Act (ADA) for municipally owned structures, provision of a life estate for Mr. Burrows, limited resources for future land acquisition and the particular terms of agreement offered in Mr. Smith's facsimile dated June Sp 1993. Batchelder displayed a map showing this property and its site features and other park land in the vicinity. The Commission discussed the Burrows farm in context of their priorities for land acquisition. Chair Katz stated she walks this trail by the Burrows farm and finds that this land has a lot of charm to it and feels it should be preserved in its rural setting. Commissioner Damberg concurred stating that this is a lovely site and an asset to this part of Mendota Heights and she does not want to see it developed. Chair Katz stated she would like to see the City Council continue investigating Mr. Smith's offer. The Commission discussed the factors that would have to be analyzed prior to acquiring this property° Commissioner Spicer moved to recommend that the City Council investigate this offer and the feasibility of acquiring the Burrows farm. Spicer stated this motion should include the statement that the Parks Commission reserves its option on the use of this land until such an investigation is complete including the appraisal of the buildings and land and an appraisal of the historical value of this land. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 The Commission was unanimous that the use of the land should emphasize passive open space. Commissioner Linnell stated it might be a possibility to have Mr. Burrows donate the land in his will to the City. Somerset Area Studv Commissioner Linnell stated he had attended some of the meetings on the Somerset Area Study and that some residents had indicated an interest in park land in this area and other residents had indicated they were only interested in private open space uses. Batchelder stated the Planning Commission had released the Planner to complete Phase III of the Study which includes Master Plan Alternatives. Batchelder stated park alternatives would be presented as part of this Master Parks and Recreation Commission June 6, 1993 Page 5 Plan and it would probably be possible to bring this information before a future Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Batchelder stated that one of the options being considered by the neighbors was the possibility of a private nature conservancy where land would be dedicated as open space on a private basis. Batchelder stated some residents in this area had indicated they were not interested in bringing the public into this area with public paths or trails. Commissioner Libra stated he would like to have staff look into the possibility of widened shoulders or a pathway along Wentworth Avenue. Libra stated Wentworth Avenue is very narrow and a lot of people like to walk in this area including walking a loop around the Somerset Golf Course. The Commission directed the Parks Project Manager to take a look at the possibility of trails or widened shoulders along Wentworth Avenue. Review of Land Use Acquisition The Parks Commission was of a consensus that the goals and priorities for future land acquisition would remain as is and directed staff to prepare a fact sheet on the western Resurrection site and to provide their recommendation on the Burrows site to the City Council. DISCUSSION OF PARKING MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD Batchelder stated at the June 1, 1993 City Council meeting the City Council adopted an Ordinance restricting parking along Victoria Curve by the ballfields up to the Synagogue and along Delaware Avenue at Sibley Park. Batchelder stated both actions by the Council were due to heavy use of ballfields. Batchelder described the parking limitations enacted by the City Council. He stated that during the discussion of this topic the Council discussed the parking situation that exists along Mendota Heights Road at Hagstrom-King Park during scheduled play at the ballfield. Batchelder stated the City Council had directed the Parks and Recreation Commission to review this issue. Commissioner Spicer stated Hagstrom-King Park did indeed have a small parking lot but that was because, at forty-four feet (441) in width, Mendota Heights Road was available for parking on both sides. The Commission discussed painting crosswalks on Mendota Heights Road in order to provide safe crossings at appropriate places on the road. Commissioner Linnell stated if possible any crosswalks provided at Mendota Heights Road should be done at trail heads or intersections in order to Parks and Recreation Commission dune 8, 1993 Page 6 make them effective. Commissioner Spicer stated the City could do the crosswalks as it does not appear to be an expensive action on the City's part. Spicer stated he was concerned about restricting parking to one side of Mendota Heights Road as this would force people to park further from the ballfield and walk a Longer distance in the public road. Spicer stated Hagstrom- King Park ballfield was used for only seven weeks of the year by the Mend -Eagan Athletic Association. Commissioner Spicer moved to recommend that parking be permitted on both sides of Mendota Heights Road at Hagstrom- King Park and directed staff to examine appropriate places to provide crosswalks. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. M:tsVVI�r] The Commission was unanimous in stating that Hagstrom-King Park had been counted as a park to be used for active play and that Referendum money had been spent to upgrade this ballfield for reseeding, team benches and backstops with a landscape buffer along the east boundary. Batchelder stated City staff had received telephone requests to limit the parking along Mendakota Drive at the Mendakota Park ballfields. Batchelder stated he had been expecting written requests to arrive prior to the Parks meeting and they have not been received. Batchelder stated the typical process is to have the Police Department and the Engineering Department review these requests and make a recommendation to City Council. The Commission was of a consensus that if it makes sense to restrict parking on one side of Mendakota Drive then the City Council should do so. Chair Katz stated it might be appropriate for all recreation information to state concerns about parking and using the parking lot. Katz stated if parking is restricted it should be publicized prior to writing tickets. RENTAL TENTS Batchelder stated that following last year's community celebration it was discussed that perhaps the City could buy a couple of big top tents for use during the community celebration and to provide rental tents within the community. Batchelder stated it was felt at that time it might be more cost effective to purchase instead of renting the tents. Batchelder stated Recreation Programmer Morgan had provided Parks and Recreation Commission June 8, 1993 Page 7 some comparisons on rental versus purchase price. Batchelder stated a 20' by 30' tent costs approximately $100 to rent for a day and that we would be using two tents for the community celebration. Batchelder stated the rental agencies that had been contacted typically sell used tents in the Fall depending upon their condition in a price range of $400 to $600. Batchelder stated a new tent would cost approximately $1,000 to $1,200. The Parks and Recreation Commission and staff felt the tents were too expensive to provide efficiencies to purchase and that the community celebration should continue to rent a tent. The Commission discussed the community celebration. Commissioner Spicer stated Mend -Eagan would like to try some type of all star game or baseball activity and was instructed to contact Michelle Morgan about fitting in during the softball tournament schedule. Commissioner Libra stated a Mend -Eagan booth involving information and registrations for Fall events might be a good idea. Commissioner Spicer stated Mend -Eagan was talking about combining with West St. Paul and offering new programs. Spicer stated these new sports programs would be considered feeder programs to the high school and included girl's volleyball, youth golf, youth wrestling and youth track and field. Batchelder stated the Parks Commission had asked staff to look at future capital improvements in the parks at the May meeting. Batchelder stated City staff was looking at this and would be discussing this as part of the 1994 Budget process. Batchelder stated equipment requests had already been put in on a five year plan including trucks and mowers, etc. Batchelder stated the capital infrastructure type improvements would include items such as tennis court resurfacing, basketball court resurfacing, bridges and culverts, various trail segments and the possibility of a new tennis court at Hagstrom-King Park. Batchelder stated this item could be brought back again at the July meeting and asked the Commission if they had any ideas. Commissioner Linnell stated he would like to see Americans with Disability Act (ADA) improvements be included in the capital infrastructure plan. Linnell stated this could include tennis court openings, playground updates and warming shelters. The Commission discussed ADA standards. Parks and Recreation Commission June 8, 1993 Page 8 Commissioner Linnell stated that wooden screens around some of the port -a -potties used in the park might be an idea to consider for capital improvements. Commissioners Libra and Spicer stated the Sibley Park bathrooms were often not open during scheduled play and asked staff to contact the School District about possibly providing better access to the bathrooms. Commissioner Linnell inquired about paving the entrance and parking lot at Rogers Lake Park. The Commission stated this had been considered during the Referendum and it had been decided to leave this access road and parking lot natural based on the fact that dust did not seem to be a problem at this park, that improvements were made to the gravel road and that the Commission wants to limit blacktop in the parks. Commissioner Linnell stated rest stops, benches and overlooks along the trail system should be considered as a capital improvement. The Commission discussed the bridges in Valley Park and Wentworth Park and directed the Parks Project Manager to provide some alternatives and to again discuss the funding of the bridges in Valley and Wentworth Parks at their July meeting. Batchelder described the concession agreement entered into between the Fire Relief Association and the City Council at the May 18th meeting. Batchelder stated Mend -Eagan used Mendakota Park on June 5th and 6th for a baseball tournament and also used the concession stands in cooperation with the Fire Relief Association. Batchelder stated Dakota County had been awarded an ISTEA Grant for the amount of $330,000 and will be constructing an underpass on the Soo Line trail in conjunction with the Mendota Interchange Project. Batchelder stated the County will be seeking future grants to complete the remainder of the Soo Line trail and estimated the total project cost to be $2.2 million. Commissioner Libra presented a memo to staff regarding the soccer fields at Kensington Park and the possibility of raising the power line in the vicinity of the soccer fields. Commissioner Libra stated he would like to see this on the July Parks and Recreation Commission agenda. Parks and Recreation Commission June 8, 1993 Page 9 There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned their meeting at 8:35 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant