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1994-02-08 Parks and Rec Comm Minutes6 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, February 8, 1994, in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:45 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Katz, Libra, Linnell and Spicer. Commissioners Norton, Kleinglass and Damberg were excused. Also present were Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder and Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander. Guests present at the meeting: Mike Blake COMMISSION COD�IENTS Chair Katz inquired what the City°s policy on closing the ice rinks were due to temperature. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated the rinks were closed this evening because the park crews were busy helping plow streets. He stated that when the streets are completed they would plow the ice rinks, Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the City's policy on closing the warming houses is if it is below -10 degrees or -25 below windchill the rinks will be closed. Commissioner Libra inquired about when the fields at Kensington Park would be lined and striped for soccer. Kullander stated he would have to meet with the Sting coaches and survey the corners of the field. Kullander stated City staff could then place monuments in the corners for the striping of the fields. Libra inquired about the rest rooms and storage rooms at the comfort stations. Kullander responded that he should contact Parks Leadperson Terry Blum and arrange for the coaches to get keys for the storage rooms. He stated the park crews will open the rest rooms in the morning and the police department will lock them up in the evening. Libra inquired about soccer nets and Kullander responded that the City had provided one set of soccer nets to the coaches so that the coaches will look after them. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLANNING FOR PARR SYSTEM - TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE Administrative Assistant Batchelder introduced this agenda item and stated that tonight's meeting would review the trail and open space system for maintenance, capital improvement and replacement needs. Batchelder stated the review of the trail and open space system represents the final portion of the park system that the Commission has reviewed for the Capital Park and Recreation Commission Minutes February 8, 1994 Page 2 Improvements Plan. Batchelder stated that since the July 1993 meeting the Commission has been reviewing the park system on a monthly basis to generate a list of maintenance, capital improvement and replacement items that will be necessary in the parks system in the near future. He stated that beginning at the March meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission will begin more difficult discussions regarding priorities and funding sources. Batchelder stated the intent, at the March meeting, is to provide a summary list of all of the discussions to this date based on the monthly reviews that have been occurring since July. He stated that from this list priorities will have to be determined, funding sources identified and a five or ten year schedule will have to be established. Parks Project Manager Kullander reviewed the open space system in the City of Mendota Heights. Kullander stated this open space is land that the City owns that is not in the park system. Kullander reviewed the Ivy Falls area and stated that this land is mostly steep and difficult to install improvements. Kullander stated that at one point in the past the Lilydale/ Harriet Island Regional Parks had considered connecting to the Ivy Falls open space area but that the City of Mendota Heights response had been negative. Kullander stated we have not heard back on this issue since. Kullander described the Caren Road open space area that had originally been a storm water ponding area that is not now used for that purpose. He stated that Parks Leadperson Blum has planted some evergreen trees in this area over the last year and that some neighbors have been maintaining wild flowers in this open space. Kullander stated the City can continue to place plantings in this area and that no one in the neighborhood has requested that the City clear cut it and mow. Kullander described the Marie Avenue and Lexington Avenue open space area by stating that this had been given to the City as a park dedication. Kullander stated this open space was mostly storm ponding area with swales and open space along the rear yards of some of the homes. Kullander stated the neighbors had requested that the City dredge this pond and that $10,000 had been allocated from the storm water maintenance fund to do this. Kullander stated that borrings and soundings have recently been taken which shows the pond is of adequate depth and is actually designed correctly to meet NURP Pond Standards. He explained that based on these tests, it may be best to not dredge this pond this winter as planned. Park and Recreation Commission Minutes February 8, 1994 Page 3 Kullander described the Civic Center site as being an open space pond and a ball field next to City Hall. Kullander stated discussions in this area have included a possible loop trail and that part of the City owned property includes the lift station off of Veronica Lane. Kullander stated that Mr. Ted Van had dedicated a lot to the City on the northwest corner of this pond within the last year or two. Kullander described the public works garage area as a possible tree farm site. He stated another consideration at this area had been the possibility of t-ball diamonds due to the fact that they do not need large fields for t-ball. Kullander described the Friendly Hills tot lot area and stated that all play equipment has been removed from this site. He stated this site is mowed and maintained for neighborhood kids to use as a playground lot. Kullander described Copperfield Ponds open space area. He stated the only improvement need is the gravel trail and that this site has been left mostly in its natural character. He stated that at an earlier Parks Commission meeting it had been discussed that wildflower plantings might be appropriate in this area. Kullander described the Delaware pond area between Copperfield Drive and Mendota Heights Road by stating this is a steep, wooded lot connecting to a pond along Delaware Avenue. Mr, Mike Blake, resident on Aztec Lane, inquired about the Dodd Road highway right-of-way behind his house. Kullander stated MnDOT will not allow the City to improve this open space. He stated the City has requested to install a paved trail there. Kullander stated MnDOT does not allow this but that the park crews have been cutting trails through this area. The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed the City acquisition of the highway right-of-way and the recent City survey on this area. Mr. Blake stated the neighborhood would like a paved trail from Dodd Road to the plaza along this highway right-of-way. The Commission discussed trails in the Friendly Marsh Park area. Kullander stated the trails planned in the referendum are on line and that the Parks Commission should discuss maintenance policies for the upkeep of these trails. Kullander stated that in the future there may be opportunities for additional trail segments in conjunction with developments and he mentioned the Arndt Plat in which the City received 1,200 feet Park and Recreation Commission Minutes February 8, 1994 Page 4 of trail from the developer. Kullander stated this section of trail would be constructed in 1994 as this project begins. Kullander stated the Mendota Interchange trails are in progress and that the County is currently constructing the underpass at Highway 55 and Highway 13. Kullander stated the County has a seven phase program involving the implementation of this regional trail and that the Pilot Knob Road connection, south to Eagan and north to the new Highway 13/ Soo Line trail is the last step of that program. Batchelder stated that the City Council had considered endorsing the North Urban Trail concept which the County is beginning to work on. Batchelder stated the City Council desired to know where the trail connections would be and where the trail corridors would be before they gave concept approval to this trail. Kullander stated that in valley Park the City was working with Dakota County staff to look at possibilities of clearing and grubbing a natural trail that would allow grooming in the winter for cross country skiing. Commissioner Spicer inquired about signage and markings along the trails. Kullander responded the City has the stencils to begin the mileage markers and would be doing that this summer. Kullander stated the City currently has twenty miles of paved trails. Spicer stated that perhaps the work service crews might help the City in this regard. Kullander stated occasionally the City receives requests for new trail connections from certain neighborhoods. He stated there are currently several grant opportunities available for trail purposes. Kullander stated that staff would need authorization to pursue these types of grants because typically they involve a fifty percent matching fund contribution from the City. Kullander stated the Soo Line trail at Mendota Heights Road would be a possible grant request to connect this trail south along Highway 55 to Lexington Avenue in Eagan because this might be a joint City project that grant givers would look favorably upon. Commissioner Spicer stated the City should contact the City of Eagan to find out what their plans are for bringing trails north along Lexington Avenue so that we could connect at the Soo Line deadend. Kullander stated as part of the Capital Improvement plan he would like to have the Parks Commission make recommendations on policies for periodical seal coating of the trails, for clearing and grubbing the brush around the trails and for snow removal in the winter Park and Recreation Commission Minutes February 8, 1994 Page 5 time. He stated that last year the City budgeted $31500 to seal coat trails and that this provided approximately one mile of seal coating. He stated that perhaps a more aggressive program would include three miles of trails per year at a cost of $10,000. Kullander stated that with twenty miles of trail this would then renew each mile of trail every seven years. Kullander stated a wood chipper could be another Capital Improvement item which would help increase the efficiency in clearing brush along the trails and that a capital expenditure would be approximately $8,000 to $10,000. Commissioner Linnell stated an option besides seal coating could be to do overlays on the trail and that this would only have to occur every twenty years. Kullander responded that with this option the City would need to do crack maintenance to keep the trails in usable condition. Kullander stated it is a question of which policy the City desires to pursue. Commissioner Libra inquired if there is a master plan for the City's trail system which has not been fully implemented at this date. Libra stated that many of the major trail arteries are not continuous such as Dodd Road which has a trail from Smith Avenue to Highway 110 where it deadends. Kullander stated that the City would like to install a trail in this area. He stated no, the City does not have a master plan and that certain legs are missing on the major arteries in Mendota Heights and that these are typically pieces that the City cannot acquire. Kullander stated that along Delaware Avenue, south of Huber Drive is an area the City would like to widen for trails but the County refuses to participate. Mr. Blake stated the trail segment from the Amoco gas station to the Dodd Road intersection is a dangerous stretch of trail. Kullander described the City's effort to backfill and widen this section of the trail. Kullander stated he would like to see the City adopt a policy on clearing brush from trails so that the trails are safe with adequate site distances. The Parks Commission discussed the safety of the trails system at the Dodd Road and Highway 110 intersection. Commissioner Linnell stated it is imperative that the City provide safe trail connections in this area. Linnell suggested that perhaps this would be an appropriate project for ISTEA funding. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 8, 1994 Page 6 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Libra moved to approve the January 11, 1994 minutes. Commissioner Spicer seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS@ 0 ELECTION OF OFFICERS Commissioner Spicer moved to nominate Vicki Katz as Chair of the Commission. Chair Katz moved to nominate Dick Spicer as Vice Chair and Kevin Batchelder as Secretary of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Commissioner Libra seconded the motions. AYES@ 4 NAYS@ 0 NORTH iCENSINGTON PARR/ NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the City Council had not accepted the Parks Commission recommendation for concept plans at North Kensington Park. Batchelder stated the City Council felt a neighborhood meeting should be conducted before a concept plan is developed and directed staff to conduct this meeting. He stated the neighborhood meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, February 24th in the evening at City Hall. He stated mailed notice would be sent to all property owners in Hampshire, Brentwood, Kensington, Mendota Woods and Bridgeview Shores neighborhoods as well as press releases to local newspapers and association newsletters in this area. Commissioner Spicer stated he felt the Commission could show what previous options had been discussed for this park at the neighborhood meeting, however, he is concerned that we would open the doors to unlimited spending at this park. Spicer stated we would have to inform the audience that there is a certain amount of dollars left in the referendum and describe what possible options could occur at this park. Spicer stated he feels the Commission's recommendation that this be green space with landscaping was still appropriate and that possible options which have been discussed in the past were tennis, horseshoe pits, picnic shelters, basketball and open space. Spicer stated the City should just present these options and Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 8, 1994 Page 7 record comments from the neighborhood. Commissioner Libra stated that staff could provide presentations on a periodic basis of about ten minutes each to provide information to those present. The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended that the hours of the open house be from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. with periodic presentations. Commissioner Spicer stated he is puzzled by Council°s non- acceptance of the concept plan which had been presented. He stated that originally the Parks Commission wanted active uses in this area and that they had accommodated the City Council°s desire to have more open space, natural type use in this area. Batchelder stated his understanding was that the City Council disagreed with spending money on the tennis courts at Hagstrom-King Park and that they wanted to finish Kensington Park with the remaining referendum dollars. Batchelder stated that one comment at the Council meeting was that there is a lot of density in the area and a lot of these owners do not have a backyard and that this property should serve as a backyard for these residents. Commissioner Spicer stated that he felt tennis is still needed in this area of the City. Commissioner Libra stated this park is City property and that the Parks Commission must consider what is good for the whole of the City as well as what is appropriate for this neighborhood. The Commission agreed that there should be handouts available at the neighborhood meeting listing the options, reasons and financial situation. The Commission also agreed that there should be exhibits showing the area and other parks nearby and specifics of North Kensington Park's topography and features. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that at the January Parks and Recreation Commission meeting the Commission had asked staff to explore alternatives at Mendakota Park to address the issue of foul balls during baseball games. Batchelder stated that Mendakota Park, which was designed primarily for adult softball games, has experienced some injury situations caused by foul balls when youth baseballs games have been allowed. Batchelder stated that City staff is beginning to receive requests for summer time reservations for baseball tournaments and desired to address this issue. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 8, 1994 Page 8 Parks Project Manager Kullander examined the alternatives for addressing this issue. Kullander stated that the options aree 1. Extended backstops 2. Overhead netting of the center area 3. Curved or parabolic shaped backstops 4. Do nothing and allow baseball use 5 Do nothing and not allow baseball use 6. Limit baseball use 7. Netting over the home plate area Kullander stated for option no. 1, extension of the backstops, sleeves could be fit inside the existing pipes in order to extend the backstops to twenty-four feet in height. Kullander stated this would stop the direct line drives but that foul balls would still clear the extended backstops. He stated this option would cost approximately $10,000. Kullander described option 2 with the overhead netting. He explained that overhead, nylon mesh netting could be erected to extend from the comfort station to the existing backstops with wire cables. Kullander stated this would provide complete overhead protection in the center area of Mendakota Park's ball field complex. He stated there might be some line of site vision obstructions for those people in the observation decks. Kullander stated the wire mesh netting has a five to eight year life expectancy and that it would be somewhat susceptible to vandalism. Mr. Blake stated he is aware of three complexes that use this type of netting quite effectively. Blake stated that Bloomington has two softball complexes, one at Dred Scott Fields and one at Portland and 90th and that the City of Minnetonka also has a netted pinwheel softball complex. Kullander stated it would be necessary to put these nets up in the spring and take them down in the fall and that more frequent removal and placement of the netting would only be possible with a cherry picker. Chair Katz inquired if the netting could not be constructed at a higher location where it would be more difficult to reach it to prevent vandalism. Kullander stated he is trying to maintain a balance between the maintenance and easy installation of the netting versus the liability due to vandalism. Commissioner Spicer inquired about the use of a metal fiber netting. Kullander stated that the City would pay a premium for metal fiber netting and that the nylon netting is estimated by the vendors to have an eight to ten year life span. Kullander stated that original construction of the Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 8, 1994 Page 9 netting would be one by an outside firm and that lightning protection would be included. Kullander described option 3 - oval fencing or parabolic backstops. He explained these backstops actually arch over home plate and would knock down any foul balls. Kullander stated there are a number of drawbacks to this proposal, the first being that it would cost approximately $40,000 to install this system. Kullander stated there would be high liability as the curved backstops would be an attractive climbing apparatus for young people. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated an option would be to do nothing and continue to allow baseball use. Batchelder stated this option is not very feasible because of the liability involved if injuries occur from foul balls. He stated the City's risk managers do not recommend this approach. Batchelder stated the fifth option, to do nothing and not allow any baseball use, is probably not feasible due to the high demand for use by youth baseball players in Mendota Heights. Batchelder stated Mend -Eagan has a lot of demand for the fields in Mendakota Park and that the parents of youth baseball players like the convenience and quality these fields provide. Kullander described option 7 which included overhead netting, stretched over and connecting to the backstop over home plate area. The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed option 2, netting of the central area, as the preferred option. Chair Katz stated the cost to replace the netting every five to eight years might be significant. Commissioner Spicer stated it appears the overhead netting is the most reasonable alternative and also the cheapest alternative. Kullander stated the overhead netting would be a maintenance item that would have to be put up in the spring and taken down each fall. Kullander estimated that each of the twelve individual panels cost approximately $300, and that there would be a need to have replacement panels on hand due to the six week time to place an order. Commissioner Spicer stated that it is likely not all the panels will have to be replaced each life cycle. Spicer stated Kazwell Park in Mankato uses this netting and is quite effective. The use of Mendakota Park for adult softball and youth baseball was discussed by the Commission. Mr. Blake stated that if the City was spending $10,000 on netting then they would have to allow more youth baseball at the park. Mr. Blake stated it was his understanding that the referendum Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 8, 1994 Page 10 intended Mendakota Park be used more than fifty percent for youth baseball. Chair Katz stated it was never the intention of the referendum that Mendakota Park was always intended for adult softball, however, we can accommodate some youth baseball on these fields. Katz stated the purpose of any overhead netting would be to protect spectators and to address liability issues. Mre Blake stated Mend -Eagan is under the assumption that this park was intended to be used at least fifty percent by youth baseball and that this is what he had heard from some baseball commissioners° Commissioner Spicer corrected him by stating he had been involved in the referendum from the very start and that this park was always intended for adult use, however it can accommodate some youth play and that is what the City is attempting to do. Spicer stated that the City's Parks and Recreation Commission have denied numerous requests from outside adult softball users such as a church league, West Publishing and Northwest Airlines. The Commission inquired about timing to implement any of the options discussed tonight. Kullander stated that if the Commission decides to move forward with the netting he would like to install the wires and connections in late April or early May so that the panels can be ordered to an exact fit. Kullander stated this would allow the panels to be in place in June when baseball reservations have been requested. Commissioner Spicer stated he would like staff to get concrete bids for recommendations on option 2, to place overhead netting at Mendakota Park. Commissioner Spicer moved to recommend that Council direct staff to prepare specifications and advertise for bids to install overhead netting at Mendakota Park for the cost estimated to be $10,400. Spicer stated City Council could consider using referendum funding or special park funding to pay for this item. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. A%ES: 4 NA%S� 0 DYSCUSSION OF BASEBALL RESERVATIONS Commissioner Spicer stated he would like to discuss the scheduling priorities on the City's Park Reservation Policy in regards to softball fields. Commissioner Spicer stated Mend - Eagan provides baseball programs that have over 1,400 children involved in baseball, softball and t-ball. Spicer stated there are 1,230 family memberships in Mend -Eagan. Spicer stated he is aware that the City has received a request from Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 8, 1993 Page 11 a non Mend -Eagan team fox a field reservation at Civic Center field. Spicer stated this independent youth team is not affiliated with Mend -Eagan and Mend -Eagan is extremely concerned that this team would be granted a reservation due to the fact Mend -Eagan cannot get all the fields it needs to meet demand. Commissioner Spicer stated the Mend -Eagan board met to discuss this possible reservation and felt that if the City granted this independent youth team a reservation that Mend -Eagan would turn the baseball program back to the City. Chair Katz stated Shelli Morgan, the City`s Recreation Programmer, should make the reservation decisions according to the City's reservation policy which was recently adopted in the Fall. Commissioner Spicer stated he feels the policy needs to be revised. Mr. Blake stated the policy needs to be revised. Mr. Blake stated the policy needs to be more specific and that the City should be giving priority to teams that have been affiliated with the City for a long time. Commissioner Spicer stated that the priorities need to be reworded on the policy to be more clear that Mend -Eagan has priority. Commissioner Libra stated he feels the more appropriate way to address this problem would be for the Parks Commission to receive a request from the Recreation Programmer for clarification of the policy if she is finding contradictions or difficulties in enforcing the policy. Commissioner Spicer stated that if the City is not going to support Mend -Eagan then the City can have the baseball program and administer it itself. Chair Katz stated that that is a fairly hot headed viewpoint for Mend -Eagan to take and that the City has always supported Mend -Eagan fully. Chair Katz stated she cannot understand how Mend -Eagan could ever feel that the City has not fully supported them. Chair Katz the City has to balance Mend-Eagan's influence with other park programming needs. The Commission discussed Mend-Eagan/City relationships. Mr. Blake stated the policy does not specifically say that Mend -Eagan has priority over the use of fields, it only says that organized youth programs of Mendota Heights have priority. Mr. Blake stated that Mend -Eagan has more demand and need for fields than there are fields in the City and that they are extremely concerned that this independent youth team that has broken away from Mend -Eagan would be treated equally given the fact that Mend -Eagan has participated with the City for over twenty years and runs most of the City programs for Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February 8, 1994 Page 12 youth. Commissioner Spicer reiterated that Mend -Eagan has more demands for fields than we have fields. Chair Katz stated she feels this reservation request is the Recreation Programmer's decision to make. Commissioner Spicer stated the Civic Center Field has always had two nights available for the Mend -Eagan 12-13 year old traveling team. Spicer stated he feels there is only space for one traveling team in Mendota Heights. The Commission directed staff to come back at next month's meeting to discuss the clarity of priorities. Mr. Blake stated at this point the rules are too vague and that there are many groups that may fit the category of "organized youth programs". Commissioner Spicer stated that the terminology about what is considered an organized youth program has to be clarified and that Mend -Eagan should be specifically granted higher priority. -_P i ' •Tip � . � i.._. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that St. Thomas Academy had made their annual request to reserve the tennis courts at Roger's Lake Park and Friendly Hills Park for the upcoming spring tennis season. Batchelder stated last year the City had granted Roger's Lake Park to be reserved but had not granted the Friendly Hills tennis courts for reservations. Batchelder stated he thought St. Thomas Academy had used Friendly Hills Park last year on a first come, first served basis and that the City had been willing to reserve tennis courts that were north of Highway 110 for a second court that St. Thomas Academy could use. Commissioner Spicer moved to recommend that City Council grant Ste Thomas Academy°s request for Roger°s Lake Park tennis court and one court north of Highway 110, similar to last years reservation grant. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated he has contacted Barb Schmidt at Dakota County Parks Department to discuss the grooming of trails in Mendota Heights, Batchelder stated Dakota County had indicated the City should send an informal letter of request and they would consider whether they can fit this request to groom trails for cross country skiing into Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes February B. 1994 Page 13 their schedule, and stated that they would charge us for labor at the same rate as they charge the City of Inver Grove Heights. He stated grooming of the park trails is preferred to be done on non -paved trails for two reasons. First, the piston bully can damage the asphalt and second, the asphalt, because it has a black surface, will allow the snow to melt faster. He stated staff will look at areas that could be cut in the summer time so that grooming for ski trails could occur in the winter time. There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned their meeting at 9:10 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant