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1994-01-11 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, January 11, 1994, in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:40 o'clock P.M. The following Commission members were present Damberg, Libra, Linnell, Norton and Spicer, Commissioner Kleinglass was excused. Chair Katz arrived late. Also present were Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder and Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Damberg moved to approve the November 9, 1993 minutes with corrections. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. AYESa 5 NAYS: 0 DISCUSSION OF DAKOTA COUNTY TRAILS Vice Chair Spicer introduced Mr. Robert Doffing, a Dakota County Parks Advisory Committee Commissioner, who was present to introduce himself to the Parks and Recreation Commission and discuss his position on the Dakota County Parks Advisory Committee. Mr. Doffing stated he desired to discuss opportunities in which the County Commission and the City may work together, especially on trails and trail systems. Doffing stated most of the Dakota County regional parks are within the southern part of the County due primarily to open space opportunities. Doffing distributed copies of a draft mission and philosophy statement for the Parks Advisory Committee of Dakota County. Mr. Doffing explained this Committee meets once a month and makes recommendations to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners. Mr. Doffing presented a map of the Dakota County parks system and stated that most of the County's parks are natural land/ scenic areas as opposed to active parks. Mr. Doffing described Thomas Lake Park, Lebanon Hills Park, Spring Lake Park, Lake Byllesby Regional Park and the newest park within the County, the Miesville Ravine Park. Mr. Doffing stated the Dakota County Regional Parks have been funded entirely by the Metropolitan Council. Doffing stated the Soo Line trail Park and Recreation Commission January 11, 1994 Page 2 concept, as part of the northwest trail segment, is a regional trail that the County is attempting to implement at this time. Mr. Doffing stated there is a County regional trail planned for South St. Paul along the Mississippi River. Plans are to extend this trail all the way south along the Mississippi River to Red Wing. Mr. Doffing stated Dakota County has hired a consulting firm to make recommendations for the location and design of the North Urban Trail to link the Soo Line trail to the South St. Paul trail. Mr. Doffing stated he hopes this is an area in which the County and the City could work together. Mr. Doffing described the Cannon Valley trail which currently exists from Red Wing to the City of Cannon Falls. He stated the City of Northfield has asked Dakota County to extend the trail from Cannon Falls to Northfield and that the County considers this a good opportunity. Commissioner Norton stated she has inquired in the past if the County could share their cross country trail grooming equipment with the City so the City can groom Valley Park. Vice Chair Spicer inquired if staff could make this request of Dakota County. Administrative Assistant Batchelder described the meeting which he and Parks Project Manager Kullander attended regarding the north urban regional trail. Batchelder stated the Cities of South St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Lilydale and West St. Paul had representatives at this meeting as well as Dakota County staff and the County's park consultant. Batchelder stated the County hired a park consultant to make an independent recommendation on the best concept plan the for North Urban Trail that would connect the Soo Line trail that runs along the northwest boundary of the County with the South St. Paul to Hastings trail which runs along the northeast side of the County. Batchelder stated each City had beenaskedto discuss possible connection points and public facilities that might be desired along this trail. Batchelder stated each City was given the opportunity to comment on concepts for the north urban regional trail and that the consultant would take these comments and begin work on a design for the trail. Commissioner Libra inquired if the County was looking for a scenic type trail. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated no, that the County is looking for an access trail that would serve to provide access for neighborhoods to the regional trail system on the east and west sides of the northern part of the County. Kullander discussed the use of the trail as an Parks and Recreation Commission January 11, 1994 Page 3 access trail as opposed to regional trail standards. Mr. Doffing stated that ideally the County would like to have an 9 foot to 12 foot wide trail that is separated from the road. Commissioner Damberg moved that the City of Mendota Heights draft a letter supporting the concept of the north urban trail connection. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. The Commission discussed whether Marie Avenue or Wentworth Avenue would be the more appropriate route for a trail connection through Mendota Heights. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that the consultant would be making his recommendation to the County in February and by June or July the County Board would be deciding on a trail design for the north urban trail and public hearings would be held in each of the affected cities. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that tonight°s meeting would examine nine parks in Mendota Heights and would be the final month of examination of the individual parks. Batchelder stated the following parks would be examined for maintenance, capital improvements and replacement: Friendly Hills Park, Friendly Hills Tot Lot, Friendly Marsh Park, Copperfield Ponds, Kensington Park, Civic Center ballfield, Sibley Park, Valley View Heights Tot Lot and Hagstrom-King Park. Batchelder stated that following this discussion of individual parks a master list would be presented to the Parks Commission at which time the Commission will need to begin discussing funding sources and priorities for a five to ten year Capital Improvements Plan. Parks Project Manager Kullander provided an overview of the nine parks being reviewed this evening. He stated that lists A potential improvements which he is presenting to the Parks Commission is based on input received from park maintenance crews, city residents and past discussions with the Commission. The Commission discussed Friendly Hills Tot Lot. Commissioner Linnell inquired if this could be used as a tree farm. Kullander stated the Public Works Department is currently looking at establishing small tree farms in the City of Mendota Heights. Kullander stated the City could get northern Minnesota tree packets from the DNR that contain a variety of Parks and Recreation Commission January 11, 1994 Page 4 hardwoods. Kullander stated this is one site which is being considered as a tree farm. Kullander stated the grass in this area is low and sometimes difficult to cut. Commissioner Damberg proposed that the neighborhood does not want these lots sold that maybe the City should consider letting it go natural as a wetlands with compatible vegetation. Vice Chair Spicer stated the neighborhood kids use this as an open space area and his understanding is the neighborhood wants to keep it green, open and maintained. The Commission discussed Friendly Hills Park. Kullander reviewed the following items: 10 ADA Improvements to Play Equipment 2. ADA Improvements to the Warming House 3. New Lights for the Ice Rinks 4. Replacement of Bridge 5. Tennis Court Resurfacing 6. Installation of Picnic Shelters 7. Park Signage The Commission discussed the possibility of lighting tennis courts. Kullander estimated it would cost approximately $8,000 to provide lighted tennis courts. Vice Chair Spicer stated lights at a tennis court can be operated with a pay box and restrictive timer to limit the hours of availability. The Commission discussed the concept of having lighted tennis courts somewhere in the City of Mendota Heights and directed staff to explore the possibilities of Valley Park and Wentworth Park as acceptable sites for lighted tennis courts. Commissioner Linnell inquired if the half court basketball could be connected to the trail further to the east in Friendly Hills Park. Kullander stated he would examine this option. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the Parks and Recreation Commission had discussed providing additional skating facilities in the southeast quadrant of the City and that an option staff had considered was expansion of the free skating at Friendly Hills Park. Batchelder stated this. facility already has a warming house, parking and hockey rink Kullander described how an expansion of free skating could occur at Friendly Hills. Commissioner Norton stated she feels the free skating area is too small at Friendly Hills and needs to be enlarged especially to provide room for the skating lessons program. Parks and Recreation Commission January 11, 1994 Page 5 Kullander stated another option would be clearing off the pond in Friendly Hills Park. Kullander stated this was done in the past but the City had much heavier equipment in the past and there was a concern about having the equipment on the ice. Kullander stated the City currently has lighter weight equipment and clearing the pond is a possibility. The Parks Commission discussed Friendly Marsh Park and trail maintenance at this park. The Commission discussed the Copperfield Ponds Park area and the maintenance of the path in this area. vice Chair Spicer inquired if this would be an appropriate location for wildflower plantings. Kullander stated the western side of the Copperfield Ponds along Huber Drive probably has appropriate areas for wildflower plantings. The Commission asked staff to add wildflower plantings to the Capital Improvements Plan for the Copperfield Ponds area. Chair Katz arrived late at 7e30 o°clock P,M. The Commission discussed Hagstrom-King Park and Kensington Park. Kullander stated a turf specialist had recommended top dressing the soccer fields twice over a two year period with pulverized dirt to soften the soil in this area and improve the grass. Kullander stated a dirt stockpile exists on the southeast end of the park that was left over black dirt from the public works building expansion. Kullander stated this dirt could be pulverized and spread over the soccer fields. Kullander stated the grass at the soccer fields is quite good and there is a smooth playing surface. He stated the clay soil makes for a hard field in this area, however the fields are currently as good as most ball diamonds and that the City could live without the top dressing in this area. Kullander described the trail connecting south Kensington Park to the single family homes to the east. Commissioner Libra inquired about the pond areas to the east of south Kensington Park and their possible acquisition. Kullander stated this was a possibility should those landowners ever decide to subdivide in the future. The Commission discussed Sibley Park. Kullander explained the agreement for shared maintenance costs at Sibley Park. Kullander stated there has not been any drainage problems or washout problems along Marie Avenue since the grass has been established in this location. Kullander stated this park has experienced some minor vandalism. Parks and Recreation Commission January 11, 1994 Page 6 Commissioner Libra inquired if the bathroom facility could be opened when parent and athletic groups are using Sibley Park. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the City would address this issue during its annual meeting with the school district and make a request to provide better access to keys for opening the bathrooms. The Commission confirmed that they do not desire play equipment to be built at Sibley Park. The Commission discussed improvements in the Civic Center ballfield area. The Commission considered improvements to the Valley View Park area. Kullander stated originally this was a tax forfeited lot that had sewer and water stubs to it. He stated the City had acquired this lot and desired to sell it for single family use. Kullander stated the neighborhood did not desire this and pleaded their case for a tot lot and eventually agreed, in a written contract, to maintain the site Of the City paid for the equipment. The City installed the equipment and provided a nice tot lot in this area. He stated the neighborhood has failed to maintain it. The Commission discussed their options regarding Valley View Park. Commissioner Norton was excused at 8005 o°clock P.M. CONCEPT PLANS FOR NORTH KENSINGTON PARK Parks Project Manager Kullander stated staff had reviewed past options for park design concepts at the November meetings Kullander stated at that time, the Commission had directed staff to prepare concept plans that included a tennis area, parking and a green open space in north Kensington Park with the intention there would be no duplication of park services that are already in existence in the south park. Kullander presented a concept design for north Kensington Park. Kullander stated he had placed the tennis court as far north as possible to preserve open grass areas and to stay away from the power line easement. Kullander stated a parking lot was designed to have 8 to 10 cars at a cost of $6,000 to $10,000. He stated the landscape design has been placed to create wind breaks for tennis courts and to define the parking area so that cars on Huber Drive do not think it is a through street. Kullander estimated the cost for this concept plan to be $61,000 to $75,000. Parks and Recreation Commission January 11, 1994 Page 7 Chair Katz stated she feels this is an expensive price tag just for two tennis courts, landscaping and parking facilities. Kullander responded the tennis courts are expensive in this area because it would be necessary to do a two foot sub -cut to provide proper soils. He stated the tennis courts are designed as are the other tennis courts in the City and that they are fenced, double courts. Kullander stated the parking is shown as asphalt with curb and gutter and that the prices on parking vary depending on the level of service beginning with gravel only, blacktop with no curb, up to a blacktop surface with curb and gutter. Commissioner Damberg inquired if 10 spaces are necessary for a tennis court facility. Kullander stated the number of spaces is a variable and that once you grade it it could be 8 spaces or less. Commissioner Linnell inquired if no parking lot could be built and if people could just park on the street or in the south Kensington Park lot. Kullander stated people would most likely park on Mendota Heights Road if this were the case. He stated the road curves in this area and that there is an intersection in this area and it is probably not an appropriate place for parked cars. Commissioner Spicer stated he feels the people in this area deserve tennis courts. Chair Katz inquired if the City could build tennis courts somewhere else at less cost. Kullander stated Hagstrom-King has an area that has been graded for tennis courts and that it would cost $8,000 to $10,000 less because no soil corrections are necessary in this area. Kullander stated there are 8 parking spaces at the Hagstrom-King Park. Chair Katz stated the City could still have the tennis courts for this area of the City and save some money. The Commission discussed the trail and bathrooms that are in existence at North Kensington Park and the fact that some level of activity was planned in this area. Commissioner Spicer inquired if the other Commissioners felt that North Kensington Park could simply be an open area with appropriate plantings. Commissioner Linnell stated that perhaps ice skating could go in this area. Kullander stated the storage room at the US West building is 10' by 20' and possibly could work as a warming house. Kullander stated there is a hydrant across the road and that an overflow structure could be built to expand the size of the pond. Commissioner Linnell stated that another option is to have the ice skating rink could be done in the grass area instead of on the pond. The Commission discussed this concept. Parks and Recreation Commission January 11, 1994 Page 8 Commissioner Damberg stated she feels that tennis courts could be installed at Hagstrom-King and that North Kensington Park could be developed as an open area with appropriate landscaping. Kullander stated that Hagstrom-King Park, if developed with tennis courts and landscaping, could be done for approximately $40,000 to $45,000, including some additional landscaping at North Kensington, The Commission was of consensus that the City could save money by having the tennis courts at Hagstrom-King Park and proceeding with some landscaping for North Kensington Park, Commissioner Libra stated any landscaping in North Kensington Park should be done with foresight for future park uses and options in the open area. Libra stated that given the density in this area open space might be the best park use. Libra stated the private yards located around the park have already been landscaped and that appropriate landscaping should accentuate the pond, the forested hill and the existing trail. Libra stated the City could leave a green, open space in this park and it would be amendable to games and informal play. Libra stated a future use could be ice skating and that he felt tennis is most appropriate at Hagstrom-King. Commissioner Spicer moved to recommend a concept plan that includes tennis courts at Hagstrom-King, landscaping at North Kensington Park that accentuate the pond, the forested hill and trail with an option for future ice skating. Commissioner Libra seconded the option. AYESa 5 NAYS° 0 Administrative Assistant Batchelder explained that the Parks Commission had discussed adding pond quality and water preservation as a responsibility and focus at their November meeting. Batchelder stated the Commission had desired Civil Engineer Klayton Eckles to attend a meeting and provide an overview of pond quality and preservation activities. Batchelder stated that at Council's December 21st meeting, the Council passed a resolution supporting a water resources education plan that would be prepared by a consultant who has contracted with Dakota County. Parks and Recreation Commission January 11, 1994 Page 9 The Commission discussed the water resources education plan. Chair Katz stated that she feels that it is vital that community education be provided regarding pond quality and water quality issues. She stated this could be as effective as the recycling program. Commissioner Libra inquired if the City owns the ponds that are in some of our parks, i.e. Copperfield Pond. Kullander responded the City owns the pond, however, the people's property lines do extend into the pond with the City owning a scenic easement around the outside of the pond. Commissioner Libra stated he is also concerned about water quality, especially with ponds that are in City parks and that we have an obligation to ensure their quality. The Commission discussed tactics used in the City of Eagan for protecting water quality. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the City Council decided not to make any changes to the trail within the Arndt Addition. Batchelder stated all of the ice rinks are up and running and that the ice is in good condition due to the very cold weather and a good job of flooding by the park crews. Batchelder stated Recreation Programmer Morgan has contracted with an ice skating instructor and there are currently six classes of skating lessons at Friendly Hills Park. Batchelder stated the City had received a request to reserve Mendakota Park for baseball in June by Mend -Eagan. Batchelder stated the issue of allowing baseball or providing safer netting or backstops to prevent foul balls from hitting spectators is still an issue at Mendakota Park. The Commission directed staff to come back with some options to reduce liability in this area. Batchelder stated the City has received a $100 donation to the Special Park Fund from a local business. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned their meeting at 8:45 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant