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1994-03-08 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesThe regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, March 8, 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 members were present Spicer, Norton, Kleinglass, Linnell, Katz and Libra. Also present were Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder, Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Recreation Programmer Shelli Morgan. Guests present at the meeting were Dan Rostrader, Dave and Barbara Barnes and Sandy Running. Commissioner Linnell moved to approve the February 8, 1994 minutes. Commissioner Kleinglass seconded the motion. DISCUSSYON OF CONCEPT DESIGN - NORTH KENSIN PARK Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the Parks and Recreation Commission had hosted a neighborhood meeting on February 24 at which approximately 40 residents attended to provide input and suggestions about the development of the park in their neighborhood. Batchelder stated it was a positive meeting and that the City staff has received 25 written comments or letters and approximately one dozen phone calls from interested residents regarding the parks design. Batchelder stated it was not easy to categorize all of the comments but listed the following preferences as being expressed by residents in the area: Park Lase Preferences Number of People Landscaping, berms, plantings, trees 13 Tennis at Hagstrom-King li Gathering area/picnic tables 10 Passive, open park 9 "Backyard" concept 8 Opposed to active uses 7 opposed to parking 7 Basketball hoop 5 Parks and Recreation Commission d7arch 8, 1994 Page 2 Horseshoes 5 Barbecue pits 4 Benches/rest area 3 Badminton/shuffleboard/bocce ball 3 Volleyball 3 Par Course and Paths 3 Tennis Courts at Kensington 2 Ice Skating/Roller Hockey 2 Wildflower Beds 1 Pond Improvements 1 Commissioner Spicer suggested that the Parka Commission divide up the issues about the development of North Kensington Park. Spicer stated it is apparent there is a demand for tennis in this area, however it also apparent that the Hagstrom-King seems to be the preferred site for tennis. Spicer stated that tennis should be considered for Hagstrom-King Park. Administrative Assistant Batchelder inquired if the Commission desired to see this placed in the Capital Improvements Plan or to be done as part of the referendum. Spicer suggested this could be the final spending out of the referendum and stated there is approximately $80,000 left in the referendum. Spicer stated if you subtract the $30,000 for tennis at Hagstrom-King the remainder could be spent on North Kensington Park. Chair Katz stated the Commission should separate the issue of North Kensington Park development and the tennis, but that North Kensington Park should be addressed first. Commissioner Spicer moved to recommend that the City Council approve the construction of tennis courts at Hagstrom-King Park, as there is neighborhood support, and that the City has pre -planned for it with the grading in the area. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. Commissioner Norton inquired if tennis is approved for Hagstrom-King if it could be handled as an early and high priority on the Capital Improvements Plan. The Commission was of a consensus that this could be done as a high priority item in the Capital Improvements Plan and directed staff to place this in the Capital Improvements Plan. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 Commissioner Spicer stated he feels it is obvious a green area is the preferred option of the development of North Kensington Park and that this park should be developed along the lines of the backyard concept. Batchelder stated that while many of the residents have indicated that they desired a passive or Parks and Recreation Commission March 8, 1994 Page 3 open, backyard concept for this area there were many different suggestions about how this could be achieved. Commissioner Spicer moved that the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend that a backyard concept plan be designed for North Kensington Park. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. The Parks Commission discussed how a backyard concept would be designed for this park. Commissioner Spicer stated he feels the backyard concept would exclude active uses. Commissioner Ramberg stated the neighborhood wants a quieter park, however the suggestions about how to achieve this get very specific. Commissioner Damberg mentioned a couple of specific suggestions the Parks Commission had received for example, planting trees along the north end of the park to screen from traffic along Huber Drive. Commissioner Damberg stated the people in this area obviously have taken a good hard look at the design of this park and that any concept plans should utilize the suggestions made by residents in the area. Commissioner Spicer stated he feels the Commission and Council could direct staff to draw up concept plans based on these suggestions. Chair Katz stated there is some contradiction apparent in that some prefer an open, passive area while others prefer a heavily landscaped type of design. Commissioner Linnell stated that, for instance, the heavy screen proposed along the north edge of the park to block wind and traffic conflicts with the need to have an open park and visibility into the park. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated any concept design should be based on the numbers of anticipated park users. Kullander stated, for instance, if three or four barbecue pits were placed in the park with eight or ten picnic tables this would attract enough people where parking would be needed. Kullander stated that under this scenario, unless parking was provided, there would be parking along Mendota Heights Road which is a situation we would prefer to avoid. Kullander described how the City could construct a grass parking area that would have a more open, natural look to it than a paved parking area. He stated if groups are encouraged to come into this park, then parking should be considered. Commissioner Spicer stated he feels it would be appropriate to have a couple of barbecue pits and some picnic tables and plantings to make it attractive in this area. Chair Katz stated the Commission must consider that if this is a public park and there are attractive uses, parking must be considered. Parks and Recreation Commission March 8, 1994 Page 4 Commissioner Norton inquired if it could be designed on a scale to discourage parking. Kullander stated that any picnic activities that are planned are going to draw people in automobiles as most people will not desire to carry picnic supplies a long distance. The Commission discussed the use of this park by those in the immediate vicinity. Mr. Dan Rostrader, Brentwood resident, stated if he desired to picnic in this area he would go to the south part of the park where there are swings for his children to use and picnic shelters available. Spicer stated that maybe the City should consider two barbecue pits and no more than five picnic tables. Kullander inquired if the Commission was interested in any grass or natural parking area. The Commission indicated they were not. Commissioner Spicer stated we should design this park with a backyard concept to include two barbecue pits, four picnic tables, no parking, appropriate landscaping and a bench or two along the pathway. Spicer also stated that wildflowers could be placed around the pond. Commissioner Damberg suggested that bushes with berries be used in addition to wildflowers in order to enhance the wildlife in the area. Ms. Barbara Barnes inquired about the shallow pond and stated that it appears it is almost dry during the summer. She inquired if this pond could be improved. Kullander responded that this pond is a detention pond designed to slow stormwater in the area and that it does dry up in dry years. Kullander stated this pond has no clay bottom to hold water, however more water will be in this pond now that the adjacent development has occurred. Ms. Barnes inquired if this pond could be improved. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated the City could scrape out the pond and put in a clay bottom and put some appropriate landscaping around the edge of it. Kullander estimated it would cost approximately $5,000 to $10,000 to improve the pond and stated the City would desire that the pond not be too much deeper, maybe a maximum of three or four feet deep. Kullander stated this pond won't be pristine, that there is runoff from adjacent streets and that the pond would be flushed out every time there is a heavy rain storm. Kullander suggested plantings that would be appropriate around a pond, such as wildflowers, cattails and bushes. Chair Katz stated the Commission should return to the generic backyard concept that had been proposed by Commissioner Spicer and discuss this earlier motion. Parks and Recreation Commission March 8, 1994 Page 5 Commissioner Spicer restated his motion and moved to recommend that the City utilize a backyard concept for North Kensington Park with landscaping plan being based on the requests we have received from the neighborhood. Spicer stated this motion includes two barbecue pits, four picnic tables and two benches along the walkway. Commissioner Linnell suggested the Parks Commission should consider hiring a professional landscape architect to do this landscape plan. Linnell stated he is considering offering his talents as a landscape architect and to do this as a volunteer, however, he is not sure he has the time to adequately finish this plan for the City. The Commission discussed including the hiring of a professional landscape architect to design an appropriate landscape plan. Commissioner Spicer accepted this friendly amendment. Chair Katz seconded the motion. AYESs i NAYS 0 Parks Project Manager Kullander inquired what the dollar range is that they would like to see for this motion. Commissioner Spicer stated that the City has approximately $80,000 left in the referendum and that $25,000 has been earmarked for raising power line poles, and that $30,000 to $35,000 would be needed for tennis at Hagstrom-King. Kullander stated the barbecue its are relatively inexpensive and that the City already has picnic tables in stock as inventory. Commissioner Spicer stated that landscaping not to exceed $20,000 may be appropriate. Commissioner Kleinglass inquired the cost for hiring an architect. Kullander stated this would likely cost the City approximately $3,000 to $5,000, however we would have to get request for proposals on the design of the landscape plan. Chair Katz stated she feels the City needs to explore the least expensive design options for this park. Commissioner Spicer moved to recommend that the backyard concept be planned at a range of $20,000 to $30,000 with this cost including the landscape architect's fees. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 Parks and Recreation Commission March 8, 1994 Page 6 The Commission discussed design specifics for or Kensington Park. Kullander stated City staff would have to seek request for proposals and choose an architect to do the design. The Commission discussed the planning and construction and the use of volunteers to cut costs at this park. Commissioner Linnell inquired of other Commissioners what type of guidance the Commission would want to provide the architect for this park. The Commission discussed grass volleyball, picnic shelters and horseshoes. Commissioner Spicer stated we should develop the park with a backyard concept and see what its. Commissioner Kleinglass stated he prefers to give the architect some room to suggest appropriate uses. The Commission agreed. Mr. and Mrs. David Barnes suggested that a barbecue pit be included at the South Kensington Park as well as barbecue pits at North Kensington Park. The Commission was of the consensus that one pit should be placed in South Kensington Park. CELEBRATE MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARKS Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the City Council had been invited, at their February 15th meeting, to volunteer for the Steering Committee that will plan this coming year's park celebration. Batchelder stated this event was publicized at the February 15th City Council meeting so that we can begin generating interest. Batchelder stated recruitment would then expand to include previous sponsors, volunteers and the community at large. Commissioner's Libra, Norton, Katz and Spicer volunteered to be on the Steering Committee. Recreation Programmer Morgan discussed the use of a Mend -Eagan tournament in conjunction with this year's celebration and stated this would probably mean this celebration would be one of the last two weekends in July. Morgan stated we had had success in involving Mend -Eagan last year and that this tends to generate a lot of families in the park on the day of the celebration. Commissioner Norton stated she thinks it is great that we are getting an early start on this year's planning and that this would allow us to consider additional events such as using the trails and different parks in the City. Commissioner Norton stated she felt the focus should be on acquainting people with Parks and Recreation Commission March 8, 1994 Page 7 the park and park system and perhaps the City could use some type of door prize drawing based on getting a stamp at each event located around the City. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that at last month's meeting the Commission discussed the City's policy for reservation of our five adult sized softball/youth baseball fields, the priorities for reservations and the assignment of reservations to competing user groups. Batchelder stated the Commission had suggested that Recreation Programmer Morgan seek clarification on this issue at tonight's meeting. Commissioner Spicer stated that Exhibit C lists the priorities for assignment of reservations for the softball fields. He stated that second priority is given to organized youth programs of Mendota Heights. Spicer referred the Commission to item 4g in the Reservation Policy. He stated that this item defines the organized youth programs in Mendota Heights as the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Department, Mend - Eagan Athletic Association, Sibley Area Girl's Fast Pitch, Sibley Sting Soccer and non-profit organizations within Mendota Heights City limits. Commissioner Spicer felt that priority number two could have an additional wording that states "as described in Section 4g". Spicer stated that 4g defines what he feels was assumed were the organized programs in Mendota Heights. Commissioner Linnell offered an alternative suggestion that the priorities discussed in Exhibit C could be amended to state "the larger the number of Mendota Heights residents in the organized youth program, the higher the priority for field reservations". Chair Katz stated that she feels Commissioner Linnell's proposal makes sense. Administrative Assistant Batchelder cautioned the Commission about changing priorities or policies in mid stream during the current reservation period. The Commission discussed current reservations and competing interests with Recreation Programmer Morgan. Morgan stated she attempts to accommodate all Mendota Heights residents who make field requests, however she is receiving competing requests for the same fields on the same evenings. Commissioner Spicer stated at the recent sign ups for Mend - Eagan baseball he was asked by numerous parents why the baseball programs are not playing on the Mendakota fields. Parks and Recreation Commission March 8. 1994 Page 8 The Commission discussed the use of Sibley Park and Independent School District 197's fields. The Commission discussed priority based on historical rights. Recreation Programmer Morgan stated that she gets requests from new organizations that have recently formed and we have to attempt to find room for them as well. Commissioner Libra stated that Item 4a in the Park Reservation Policy should be amended to state "neighborhood park reservations are reserved on a first come, first served basis on the weekends". The Commission discussed the competing interests for reservations at Civic Center field. Commissioner Kleinglass moved to recommend that City staff make a good faith effort to accommodate the Pegasus traveling team at Sibley Park or offer available nights at Civic Center Park. Commissioner Norton seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 ABSTAIN: 21 SPICER, NORTON The Commission discussed scheduling and giving historical priority to teams who have demonstrated continuing need for fields. The Commission discussed Commissioner Linnell's proposed amendment to the policy to add the wording that priority will be given to "the larger the number of Mendota Heights residents in the organized youth program, the higher the priority for field reservations". The Commission felt it appropriate to revisit this issue next Fall for possible amendments to avoid changing the priorities and policies during the current registration period. TREE CITY USA Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated over the last few years the Parks and Recreation Commission and the City Council have discussed forestry options and level of service in the City of Mendota Heights. Batchelder stated that during the 1994 Budget process the City Council had decided not to authorize expenditures for forestry personnel and had directed staff to provide a referral service for interested property owners and to explore options of working with volunteers and finding grant programs. Batchelder stated he had been meeting with Mr. Steve Shimek, a Horticultural Specialist with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture who is a Mendota Heights resident and has indicated an interest in assisting the City on tree issues. Batchelder stated he has discussed tree inspector certification, tree specifications, newsletter Parks and Recreation Commission March 8, 1994 Page 9 articles, Arbor Day celebrations, private consultations and Tree City USA and coordinated grant programs with Mr. Shimek. Batchelder stated Tree City USA status is necessary if the City desires to pursue grant programs that are available. Batchelder stated some of these programs include the Minnesota ReLeaf planting programs, Oak Wilt control grants, the Energy Conservation through Community Forestry Program, the Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grants Program and the Small Business Administration Natural Resources Development Program. Chair Katz inquired if there was any desire on the part of the Commission to pursue Tree City USA status. Commissioner Kleinglass indicated he was not interested in this program. Commissioner Spicer inquired if the City really had a desire to pursue this. Commissioner Damberg stated she feels trees have a value as a resource in the community and that Tree City USA status should at least be considered. The Commission tabled this item until their April meeting. REQUEST FOR TRAIL SEGMENT Parks Project Manager Kullander stated he had received a request for an additional trail segment on Mendota Heights Road from the Mendota Heights Road Traffic Signal Task Force. Kullander stated this Task Force has been looking at getting a traffic signal at the intersection of Dodd Road and Highway 149. He stated the Task Force feels it is difficult to cross Dodd Road because the trail switches from the south side to the north side of Mendota Heights Road as it crosses Dodd Road. Kullander stated that the desired extra segment would run from Dodd Road to the Bridgeview Shores development along the north side of Mendota Heights Road and is a duplication of a trail on the south side of Mendota Heights Road. Kullander stated this trail can be proposed to be included in the MnDOT funding and if it is approved MnDOT will pay for this trail segment. Kullander stated if MnDOT does not approve funding for this trail segment it could be paid with MSA money. He explained that no motion is necessary from the Parks Commission. The Commission indicated that City staff should pursue inclusion of this trail segment in the request for the traffic signal at Dodd Road and Mendota Heights Road. Parks and Recreation Commission March 8, 1994 Page 10 1994 MINNESOTA FIRE DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY SERVICE WARD Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that on March 3rd the City Council had passed a resolution nominating the Mendota Heights Fire Department for the 1994 Minnesota Fire. Department Community Service Award. Batchelder stated this resolution and nomination is based on the various community activities undertaken by the Fire Department for the benefit of the community. Batchelder stated Fire Chief John Maczko was requesting that the Parks and Recreation Commission consider authorizing Vicki Katz, Chair, to write a letter of support of this nomination. He stated the Fire Department had provided significant volunteer efforts at the last two Celebrate Mendota Heights Parksl events and they also assist the park efforts through their staffing of the Mendakota concession stand. Commissioner Damberg moved to authorize Chair Katz to sign a letter of support for the nomination of the Mendota Heights Fire Department for the 1994 Minnesota Fire Department Community Service Award. Commissioner Spicer seconded the motion. AYESs B NAXSs 0 VERBAL UPDATES Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that the City Council had considered overhead netting at Mendakota Park at their February 15th meeting. He stated City Council had directed staff to conduct additional research on issues involved with overhead netting including maintenance, costs, effectiveness, as well as, looking at other possible alternative options. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that he had received preliminary summary evaluations from Dakota County on the North Urban Regional Trail. Batchelder stated the County is looking at three alternatives for the North Urban Trail through the City of Mendota Heights including routes Wentworth Avenue, Marie Avenue and Trunk Highway 110. He stated all alternatives do have one thing in common which is that they proceed north through Valley Park to link Lilydale and the Soo Line Trail. Batchelder stated City staff was meeting with County staff and their consultant on March 9th to discuss these preliminary findings. Parks and Recreation Commission March 8, 1994 Page 11 Batchelder provided an update on the County regional trail system that had been received from the County. Batchelder stated he had received a request from the City of Eagan seeking endorsement or resolution of support for their ISTEA grant. He stated the City of Eagan is pursuing an ISTEA grant for trail construction in the Cedar Avenue/Minnesota River area that would be a part of the loop system connecting Mendota Heights and Eagan to the I-494/Minnesota River Valley crossing. Batchelder stated the City of Mendota Heights had provided this resolution of support last year but that Eagan was not awarded the ISTEA grant. Commissioner Kleinglasa recommended that City Council approve a Resolution of support for the current Eagan ISTEA grant for trails in the Cedar Avenue/Minnesota River Valley area. Commissioner Norton seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS* 0 Commissioner Linnell stated the City should consider the Diane to Celia Road trail link. Kullander explained the costs of construction and the availability of MSA funding. The Commission felt that this trail link should be included in the Capital Improvements Plan. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned its meeting at 8:45 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant