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1994-04-12 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTYa MINNESOTA The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, April 12, 1994, 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 present were Spicer, Norton, Damberg, Libra and Linnell. Commissioners Katz and Kleinglass were excused. Also present were Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder and Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Libra moved to approve the March 8, 1994 minutes. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS9 0 NORTH URBAN TRAIL DISCUSSION Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that on March 9, 1994 Parks Project Manager Kullander and himself met with Dakota County staff and consultants to discuss the alternative trail routes being considered for the North Urban Trail. Batchelder stated the North Urban Trail is being considered as a connecting trail that would link two county regional trails on the west and east sides of northern Dakota County. Batchelder stated at that meeting three alternatives were considered for the trail through Mendota Heights to connect to South St. Paul. He stated the three trail alternatives are along Wentworth Avenue, Marie Avenue and Trunk Highway 110. He explained that all three trail options eventually end up going through Valley Park to connect with the Soo Line Regional Trail near the Lilydale Yacht Club. He stated this had been a concern of one of the City Councilmembers at a previous meeting. Vice Chair Spicer stated he feels there is nothing negative about the North Urban Trail connecting in Lilydale. Commissioner Linnell stated he feels this is a great connection to the Lilydale/Harriet Island Regional Park and to the Soo Line Regional Trail. Kullander stated the Park and Recreation Commission had previously discussed widening the trail corridor in Valley Park with the possibility of a clear cut on one side of the trail to provide for skiing in the winter time. Kullander stated the County was considering a trail -head kiosk near Highway 13 in this area and there might Parks and Recreation Commission April 12, 1994 Page 2 be some trail reconstruction in Valley Park if the North urban Trail proceeds through Valley Park. Vice Chair Spicer stated it was the City°s intent to hook up to other trails outside of the City of Mendota Heights when the original trail system was designed. Batchelder explained the three trail options along Wentworth Avenue, Marie Avenue and Trunk Highway 110 Frontage Road. Wentworth Avenue Batchelder stated that connecting Valley Park to Wentworth Avenue is difficult due to the steep slope on the east side of Valley Park. He stated Dakota County prefers a trail along the south side of Wentworth Avenue and that this would impact many front yards making it a negative in their mind. Batchelder stated City staff had stated at the meeting that the north side of Wentworth Avenue has less driveways and property owners and would connect with our existing trail there. Marie Avenue Batchelder stated that in consideration of the Marie Avenue alternative, the County desires to make many adjustments to the width and location of the existing trail along Marie Avenue to meet the standards required for regional funding. Batchelder stated this includes separating the boulevard, moving mailboxes across the street and creating buffers between the trail and homes. Batchelder stated that staff had indicated to the County that disruption of front yards could be avoided if the existing trail was used, and that the County should relax its trail standards. Trunk Highway 110 Batchelder stated this trail alternative would connect to Valley Park at Dodd Road and Trunk Highway 110. He stated the trail would run along the north side of the frontage road to either Delaware Avenue or Warrior Drive and then connect to Marie Avenue in West St. Paul. He stated that having an off road trail along Delaware Avenue from Trunk Highway 110 to Marie Avenue would add a desired link to the City° s trail system and would also be seen as a benefit to Sibley Park and Sibley High School. He stated the City should carefully consider the impact to yards and trees along the Trunk Highway 110 Frontage Road. Parks and Recreation Commission April 12, 1994 Page 3 Batchelder stated City staff had indicated to Dakota County at the March 9th meeting that the Trunk Highway 110 Frontage Road would probably be the preferred option at this time. Batchelder stated he would like the Parks and Recreation Commission to discuss this and provide input to staff. He stated the County's process includes a draft plan that will be presented by the consultant for review and comment by the County Board. He stated the County Board review would be followed by City review and a public hearing process. Batchelder stated there were opportunities for the City to continue informing the County about their desired approach for the North Urban Trail. Commissioner Damberg inquired why Dakota County could not use the Trunk Highway 110 Frontage Road for an on -street trail. Kullander stated the Regional Trail standards call for an off street trail in order to keep the bicycle and pedestrian traffic safely separated from street traffic. The trail link along Delaware Avenue or Warrior Avenue to Marie Avenue from Trunk Highway 110 was discussed by the Commission. Batchelder stated that both staff from West St, Paul and from the City of Mendota Heights made it clear to Dakota County that we felt the relaxing of the standards for regional trails could help facilitate the North Urban Trail. He stated that without the relaxing of the standards, it appears that the Trunk Highway 110 Frontage Road option offers the least impact to Mendota Heights and may, sometime in the future, enhance the City's ability to cross Trunk Highway 110 to the south with a pedestrian overpass. Batchelder stated that with the regional trail along Trunk Highway 110 there may be options for grant money to bridge Trunk Highway 110 to south Mendota Heights. Commissioner Linnell stated a third option could be to not use north Valley Park and to just have the Marie Avenue trail connect to Highway 55. Kullander stated that City staff had also sent the County an option where Trunk Highway 110 was used and then Highway 110 was bridged south to connect the trail to Mendota Heights Road which would then eventually connect to the Soo Line Regional Trail at Pilot Knob Road. Commissioner Linnell moved to recommend that the Highway 110 option be considered the preferred option with the condition that a pedestrian overpass for Trunk Highway 110 be coordinated with the North Urban Trail. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. Parks and Recreation Commission April 12, 1994 Page 4 Commissioner Libra stated he was concerned about the front yards along the Trunk Highway 110 Frontage Road. Libra stated that Summit Avenue in St. Paul has painted trails for on - street trails, however, because of the high level of traffic there are too many conflicts. Libra stated the County should not rip through these people's front yards unless the amount of usage on the trail merits it. Kullander stated the impact of the trees in these front yards depends on the setback that the County insists one He stated the trail can avoid the trees and that there is maybe twenty feet of clear space between the edge of the road and where the front yard starts after the ditch area. Kullander stated the ditch could be filled with storm sewers and the trail placed in this area with minimal impact on the front yards. Commissioner Libra offered a friendly amendment to minimize the impact on the front yards. Commissioner Linnell accepted the friendly amendment. AYES: 5 NAYS* 0 Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated this item was carried over from the March meeting and that over the as several years the Commission and City Council have discussed forestry options and levels of service in the City of Mendota Heights. Batchelder stated that during the 1994 Budget process the City Council determined not to make expenditures for forestry personnel and had directed staff to seek out volunteers who may provide the City with some level of expertise. Batchelder stated he had been having discussions with Mr. Steve Shimek, Horticultural Specialist with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and a Mendota Heights resident, who has been assisting staff with tree issues such as tree inspector certification, tree specifications, grant programs and private consultations. Batchelder stated that most of the grant programs and opportunities that the City would have to participate in tree programs require Tree City USA status for qualification on these applications. Vice Chair Spicer inquired of the Commission if there was really any gain or benefit to Mendota Heights for having Tree City USA status. Batchelder stated there is a potential of receiving matching grants to address tree issues, usually on 1 50 percent match basis. Parks and Recreation Commission April 12, 1994 Page 5 Commissioner Norton stated that she favors the City receiving Tree City USA status and that she feels it is appropriate that the City adopt a community tree ordinance. Norton stated that the City should recognize what urban forest resources we have and that we should enhance them. Commissioner Damberg agreed and stated she feels this status would benefit the community in the future and that awareness of urban forestry issues is important. Vice Chair Spicer read the requirements for applying for National Arbor Day Foundation designation as the Tree City USA as: A tree board or departmento A community tree ordinance® A community forestry program with proclamation. Spicer stated that the City already complies with everything except for having a community tree ordinance. Commissioner Norton moved to recommend that the City Council direct staff to apply for Tree City USA status. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYESa 5 NAYSa 0 KENSINGTON UPDATE Administrative Assistant Batchelder explained that City Council had considered the Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation on the backyard concept and had essentially agreed with the backyard concept, however, had discussed including a shelter in this approach. He stated the City Council had directed staff to pursue advertisements for a graduate student to do the landscape architecture design. Batchelder stated this recruitment process has begun and that we have advertised at the University of Minnesota's Landscape Architecture Department seeking applicants to design the landscape in North Kensington Park. Commissioner Ramberg stated she felt adding a shelter to this design is a detriment to the backyard concept. Commissioner Libra stated he felt the Commission was clear that a parking lot would be needed if attractive uses such as a shelter are included in this plan. Libra stated there already is a beautiful shelter at South Kensington Park. Parks and Recreation Commission April 12, 1994 Page 6 Commissioner Damberg stated the City Council ought to reconsider the inclusion of a shelter in this plan and that they should be reminded that not one neighbor at the Neighborhood Meeting requested a shelter. Commissioner Damberg stated she feels spending money on a shelter was a misuse of referendum funding. Vice Chair Spicer stated the neighbors at the meeting did ask for tennis courts and he felt that tennis courts at Hagstrom- King Park should be funded out of the referendum money. Commissioner Linnell stated he does not object to a shelter in this area, however, he feels it could be done as a future item out of the City's General Fund at some point in the future. Commissioner Damberg stated the draft Capital Improvement Plan shows there are many needs in the different parks in Mendota Heights and that there are other parks that have a higher need for shelters. Vice Chair Spicer stated the tennis courts should be a part of the parks referendum and that the Parks and Recreation Commission, as the keeper of the referendum, has done a good job in meeting the goals of the referendum. Spicer stated he feels it is not appropriate to spend special park fund money on the tennis courts in this area of the City. Commissioner Damberg stated that improvements to meet ADA requirements are going to take a large chunk out of the special park fund. The Commission was of a consensus not to make an expenditure for a shelter at North Kensington Park at this time. Commissioner Libra stated Wentworth Park is the appropriate place in the City for the next shelter. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated a packet on the DNR's Urban Forestry Program had been included in the agenda packet and that an article Commissioner Damberg had submitted from the Star Tribune was also included. Commissioner Damberg stated she feels many of these urban forestry ideas could be incorporated incremently in Mendota Heights and that creating awareness of these issues was probably the most important thing the Park Board could do. Batchelder stated the full plan of the DNR Urban Forestry Program is available if anyone is interested and mentioned the dates of the open houses for public hearings on this plan. Batchelder inquired of Vice Chair Spicer about Mend-Eagan's need for satellites at the various ball fields in Mendota Heights. Spicer stated they would need satellites in the usual places including Mendota Elementary, St. Peter's Church Parks and Recreation Commission April 12, 1994 Page 7 and a new location in downtown Mendota. Spicer stated if the City placed satellites in these areas that Mend -Eagan will reimburse the City for this because the City gets a better rate on satellites. Batchelder stated the City has received a request to reserve South Kensington Park for a graduation party in June where there would be potential for overflow parking and noise on a Tuesday night in this area. The Commission discussed this reservation request and felt that it is more appropriate that Mendakota Park be used for an event of this size. CAPITAL IMPROVIDSENTS PLAN Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the Commission has been working for eight months to do a thorough review of the Capital Improvements, Infrastructure and replacement needs of the City's park system. He stated each City park, the open space system and trail systems were reviewed for anticipated future projects and replacement needs and that some cases funding sources had been identified. Batchelder stated the Parks Commission will begin the process of identifying priorities and assigning funding options to these prioritized items. Batchelder stated this is the beginning of putting together a draft CIP Plan for review and recommendation to the City Council. He stated the funding sources that have been identified are the General Fund, Special Parks Fund, Referendum Fund and a category called Donations/Other. Batchelder stated the list had been compiled and that maintenance and replacement items had been separated from new facility items. He stated the Parks and Recreation Commission should begin by reviewing the general maintenance and replacement needs for the park system. Vice Chair Spicer inquired if everything will get approved after the Parks Commission adopts a CIP Plan. Batchelder stated the purpose of having a Capital Improvements Plan was so the budget process could be enhanced and that you could look at the future horizon and determine what level of expenditures would be necessary to keep the parks system up. He stated it is unlikely the City Council would approve a five year CIP Plan and automatically adopt every piece in it. He stated the real intent of a CIP Plan is to guide the annual budgeting process and that annually these CIP items will need budget approval. Parks and Recreation Commission April 12, 1994 Page 8 Port-a-Pottie Enclosures Batchelder stated the Parks Commission had discussed scheduling on a yearly basis the construction of a port-a- pottie enclosure in each neighborhood parks He stated no determination had been made yet to include this item but it was on the list for discussion. Commissioner Linnell inquired how these port -a -potties were constructed and how their estimated expense was arrived at. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated a kit would be used to do one of these structures each year in a neighborhood park. Kullander described the kit as painted wood support with a roof. Linnell stated the DNR was using an enclosure without a roof and that it could be constructed out of treated pine for $1,000 a piece. vice Chair Spicer stated the port -a potties are only in the parks for four or five months out of the year. Kullander described the port -a -potties enclosures as a structure with no maintenance, however, Kullander anticipates some vandalism will occur and there will be a need to replace boards and shingles. Commissioner Linnell stated he would be in favor of including port-a-pottie structures and that he feels the port -a -potties currently stick out like a sore thumb and the use of satellites in our parks is a fairly cheap alternative to begin with, Linnell stated the least the City could do is to protect the port -a -potties and screen them from the neighbors. Linnell stated he figures these can be constructed for $1,000 each. Linnell stated the City should add a port-a-pottie near the playground at Mendakota Park and this should receive a structure as well. The Commission was of the consensus to direct staff to include port-a-pottie enclosures in the draft CIP Plan. Commissioner Libra stated he would rather have more port -a - potties than to provide enclosures in the places where we currently have port -a -potties. He stated the port -a -potties should be out sooner beginning around April 1st through the year until about October 15. Libra stated he has had numerous occasions where they have had soccer games or practices at both Sibley Park and Mendakota Park where the bathrooms have been locked. The Commission directed staff to include the provision of very spartan port-a-pottie enclosures in the park where port -a -potties are used at the rate of two a year commencing in 1995 using General Fund money. Parks and Recreation Commission April 12, 1994 Page 9 Modified Play Equipment to ADA Standards Administrative Assistant Batchelder explained it will be necessary for the City to have a long term plan in effect to eventually make all of our play equipment handicapped accessible. Batchelder stated the law requires all programs and facilities be evaluated and that a plan be developed to make these programs and facilities accessible. Commissioner Damberg stated she feels the City only needs geographically located accessible play structures to provide handicapped accessible services in Mendota Heights. The Commission discussed having one park north of Highway 110 handicapped accessible and one park south of Highway 110 handicapped accessible. The Commission discussed putting Wentworth Park on line first and that would match Kensington Park which is in the south part of the City. Commissioner Libra inquired if the City has received a request to make the tennis court gates handicapped accessible. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated no, that adapting the tennis court gates was an idea suggested by Commissioner Linnell. Kullander stated the City could look at adapting the gates as we resurface the tennis courts. Vice Chair Spicer stated the first handicapped modifications of play equipment should occur in the north side of the City and Wentworth Park should be done first within the next five years. Kullander described the fact that both Kensington and Mendakota Park would need to be updated to provide transfer points within the current play structures. Kullander estimated this would be a minor cost of about $500. The Parks Commission directed City staff to include the update of Wentworth play equipment in 1995 with Special Park Fund money and that we would begin to do one park north of Highway 110 and south of Highway 110 every five years. Concrete Bleacher Pads Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the discussion on concrete bleacher pads in the park had been along the lines of scheduling one a year to be constructed by the park crews. The Commission directed staff to have the park crews schedule and prioritize which parks should be done first. The Commission directed staff to include concrete bleacher pads in the draft CIP Plan on a two per year schedule through the General Fund. The Commission stated the City park crews would have to get this item approved in the annual budget. Parks and Recreation Commission April 12, 1994 Page 10 Park and Trail 11You Are Here" Ma Parks Project Manager Kullander described these maps as being planned to be installed in each park and would show a city wide map with park and trail information. Kullander stated the map would be mounted on a warming house or on a roofed, kiosk/shelter. Kullander stated the estimate of $800 to $1,500 was based on map development, frame and mounting. He explained if the kiosk shelter is used, the City would need to add $800 per installation. Commissioner Damberg felt this item seemed to be very expensive. Kullander stated the art and prep work to prepare these maps is expensive and that each map would have to be armored by plexiglass to avoid vandalism. Commissioner Linnell stated he feels the provision of a trail map might be more important. Commissioner Libra inquired if the City could provide little boxes in each park which could be stuffed with trail maps and restock them on a weekly basis. The Commission discussed the need to have trail maps in each park under a roof and kiosk. vice Chair Spicer directed staff to continue this item until the Parks Commission's May meeting to allow more time in determining cost and options for providing map information in the City parks. The Commission directed staff that this item would be appropriate for Referendum funding. Park Signage Parks Project Manager Kullander stated this item includes the regulatory signs that need to be included in each City park. He stated this would cost approximately $4,000 to $5,000 for the whole park system. The Commission directed staff to include this as a referendum funded item in 1994. Seal Coating Trails Kullander stated he had hoped the Parks Commission could direct staff on a policy for miles of trail per year to be seal coated. He stated currently the City's budget includes $4,500 for seal coating trails on an annual basis. He explained there are 20 miles of trails in Mendota Heights and that if two to three miles of trail are done per year then every trail would get seal coated every eight years. Kullander stated it would cost approximately $10,000 to seal coat three miles of trail on a yearly basis. Parks and Recreation Commission April 12, 1994 Page 11 Commissioner Linnell stated the City should see now the trails hold up longer than an eight year life span. Linnell stated a life span of a trail is approximately 20 years and then it needs to be overlaid. Linnell stated it may be cheaper in the long run to overlay the trails on a 20 year basis and not seal coat them. Kullander stated typically the City's experience on trails is they need to be seal coated about every nine to ten years. Linnell stated the City may still need to overlay trails after 20 years so why bother seal coatings Kullander responded the City's experience with seal coating the trails has been very good. Vice Chair Spicer offered to direct staff to include, as a policy on seal coating trails, the following: That two miles of trail will be seal coated every year on an eight year cycle and that four miles of trail will be left untouched to determine if overlay was a cheaper options The Commission was of the consensus that this policy should be included in the draft CIP Plan and that General Fund money should be used beginning in 1995 to seal coat two miles of trail per year on an eight year cycle with four miles untouched to be overlaid after 20 years. Seal Coating Parking Lots Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that most of the parking lots were built in 1990 and that they would not need seal coating for six more years. The Commission directed staff to include in the draft CIP Plan doing three parking lots per year on a nine year plan where the City would be doing a parking lot once every three years. The Commission directed staff to start this process in 1999 with General Fund money. New Facilities Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the Commission should now begin to look at the list of new facilities which they had generated in their discussion/review of the park system. Batchelder stated the Commission should direct staff on which items on that list have the highest priority. Vice Chair Spicer stated the provision of the tennis court in Hagstrom-King Park should be the first priority. Spicer stated it was very clear that the feedback at the Neighborhood Meeting on North Kensington Park that this area of the City needs a tennis court. He stated this tennis court should be built with a gate that is accessible to handicapped individuals. Spicer also stated he feels the tennis court should be funded by Referendum funding in 1994. The Parks Parks and Recreation Commission April 12, 1994 Page 12 Commission agreed with this and directed staff to include this in the CIP Plan. Commissioner Linnell stated he feels another high priority is having a play equipment structure in a northern park handicapped accessible. The Commission directed staff to use the Special Park Fund to provide handicapped accessible play equipment in Wentworth Park in 1994. Commissioner Norton stated she feels that a lighted tennis court was a high priority. The Commission discussed the Henry Sibley High School tennis courts and inquired of staff when they will be updated. The Commission discussed the Ivy Park land dedication received from the Arndt Addition and felt the landscaping of this park should be done in 1994 with Special Park Funds. The Commission discussed top dressing of soccer fields at Kensington Park for $10,000, Commissioner Libra felt that maybe the soccer fields could be fine tuned in conjunction with the park crews and the upcoming soccer manager's meeting to discuss necessary improvements and stake the corners of the field. Libra felt the total top dressing of the soccer fields was probably unnecessary at this point and could wait. The Commission discussed the steel with wood plank bridges at Wentworth Park and directed staff to include this in the CIP Plan for the 1995 Budget using General Fund money with the installation of two wooden bridges and one culvert. The Commission discussed the replacement of the bridge in Friendly Hills Park. Parks Project Manager Kullander explained a wood bridge would cost approximately $7,000 and that use of a culvert and trail extension would only be $2,000. The Commission discussed this item and felt the bridge is in okay shape for the next five years and directed staff to include replacement of the bridge in 1999 as a General Fund item. The Commission discussed new lights at the ice rink in Friendly Hills and the consensus was to hold off this replacement item until necessary. The Commission directed staff that new poles should be provided for an expansion of the free skating area in 1994 using Special Park funds. The Commission directed staff to bring the remaining Capital Improvement items back at the May meeting for further discussion. Parks and Recreation Commission April 12, 1994 Page 13 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned at 8:35 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant