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1994-05-10 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOU r r •.. �'• i :. •. MAY t The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, May 10, 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 were present: Spicer, Kleinglass, Libra, Norton and Linnell. Commissioner Katz had informed staff she would be late. Commissioner Damberg was excused. Also present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander, Recreation Programmer Michelle Morgan and Senior Secretary Kim 3laeser. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AYESo NAYS: Commissioner Libra moved approval of the April 12, 1994 minutes with corrections. Commissioner Norton seconded the motion. Recreation Programmer Morgan explained that she has received a request to reserve Kensington Park for a graduation party on Tuesday, June 14, 1994. She stated she is seeking a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Commission on whether or not to issue this permit. She stated that she had request the Police Chief to review this request because of concerns with potential noise and parking problems to nearby residents. Morgan explained that Chief Delmont is concerned with possible noise and nuisance citations due to the live band, the possibility of uninvited guests, the inability to control the size of the crowd, parking and the mixing of high school students from rival high schools. Morgan stated Chief Delmont is extremely concerned about the resulting effect on the community and that the City has had serious problems every year with graduation parties that are held in homes and involve much fewer people than this request for a party. Morgan stated that Chief Delmont has requested that the Parks and Recreation Commission deny the request. Commissioner Norton stated she is concerned with the effects of a live band playing music in the park. She stated there are a number of homes near Kensington Park. Parks and Recreation Commission May 10, 1994 Page 2 Mrs. Stillman, Mrs. Schactman and Mrs. men were present to discuss their request to reserve Kensington Park. Mrs. Benke stated the band members do not play hard rock music. Vice Chair Spicer stated there will be five families involved in this graduation party. He stated these kids have grown up together and that the parents want to include everyone at one party. He stated there will be no alcohol. Spicer stated the Police Chief has indicated there have been problems in the past where parties were held at a home. He stated that maybe there will be no problems with one big party at a park. He stated there will be roughly 200 people invited. He stated there has been discussion of hiring off duty police officers. Mrs. Stillman explained that the graduates will be from St. Thomas Academy and Sibley High School. She stated that these kids all have the same friends and their families are all inter -related. She stated they will be serving dinner and dessert. She explained that people will attend the party by invitation only. She stated that this was a simple idea generated by all of the families. She stated that she can understand the City's concerns. Vice Chair Spicer stated this group had request Kensington Park because of the two pavilions. He explained City staff suggested that an event such as this could better be served at Mendakota Park. He stated that there are double header softball games scheduled at Mendakota Park that night and that there just would not be enough parking and space available for all groups. He further stated that not everyone comes at once to an open house. He further suggested that a time limit be placed on the playing time of the band. Commissioner Kleinglass inquired if Vice Chair Spicer is directly involved in planning the graduation party. Vice Chair Spicer stated that his wife is and that he would remove himself as Vice Chair for this discussion. He further stated he would abstain from voting on this issue. This discussion was placed under Commissioner Kleinglass' direction. Commissioner Kleinglass inquired why Police Chief Delmont objects to this request. Recreation Programmer Morgan responded that the Chief has concerns based on past experience with graduation parties in the City. Morgan stated that the live band music is a real concern as Kensington Park is close to homeowners. Parks and Recreation Commission May 10, 1994 Page 3 A brief discussion ensued regarding the use of Mendakota Park on June 14th and the times the softball games are held and the time of the graduation party. Commissioner Libra stated that these parks have been constructed to be used by its residents. He stated that limitations can be worked out between the parents and the City in allowing them to have this party at Kensington Park. In response to a question from Mrs. Stillman, Recreation Programmer Morgan stated that the police officers will most likely be dressed in uniform and that there is a fee charged. Commissioner Linnell stated that this request is a good idea and that Kensington Park is a public park. He stated that a band is apt to draw additional people and that limitations can be stipulated in order to allow this party to happen. Commissioner Norton stated that noise is an issue. She stated amplified noise is different than crowd noise. Norton stated the Commission should have consideration for the residents in the area. She stated the Commission should consider limiting the hours of play. A brief discussion ensued regarding changing the date of the graduation party and moving it to Mendakota Park. Recreation Programmer Morgan pointed out there are softball games played during all nights of the week at Mendakota Park. Commissioner Kleinglass stated the parents have requested to use Kensington Park on June 14 and that the Commission should not be changing the date and time of the graduation party. He suggested that no live music be played after 9:30 P.M. and that off duty police officers be hired. In response to a question from the Commission, Morgan stated that Sibley Sting is not scheduled to use the soccer fields at Kensington on June 14. She stated she would contact Sue Hanson, of Sibley Area Sting, to verify that they are not playing on the night of the graduation party. Commissioner Norton moved to recommend that Council grant the request to reserve Kensington Park on June 14 from 6:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. conditioned upon the following: 1. That the parents hire off duty police officers as directed by Police Chief Delmont; and 2. That no live music be played after 9:00 P.M.; and Parks and Recreation Commission May 10, 1994 Page 4 3. That there be no alcohol served; and 4. That attendance be by invitation only. Commissioner Kleinglass seconded the motion. AYES* 4 NAYS* ABSTAIN* le SPICER MISCELLANEOUS HAYFIELD HEIGHTS NE TRAIL REQUEST Parks Project Manager Kullander explained that Mrs. Sargent, resident of the Mayfield Heights area, had briefly discussed with him, earlier in the day, the possibility of the City reconsidering the connection of a trail in the Mayfield Heights area to Douglas Road. Kullander stated he had suggested that Mrs. Sargent attend the Parks Commission meeting to discuss this issue further. Vice Chair Spicer briefly explained that this issue has been discussed three times previously. He stated the Parks and Recreation Commission had wanted to help the neighborhood in the past because it is an isolated area. He stated the City had difficulty in obtaining easements from the residents in the area. He stated that the City has no resources to purchase easement rights. Mrs. Sargent stated that the original owner of the property, were the easement could be obtained, has moved. She stated the City is currently building up the berm and she feels that the issue should now be revisited. Ms. Judy Phillips, 1670 Mayfield Heights, stated that some of the children in the area are getting old enough to use the Highway 13 to Victoria Road route but that this is not really a good alternative. She stated the children do find elicit ways of getting around the area. In response to a question from Commissioner Kleinglass, Parks Project Manager Kullander stated there is a holding pond in the area. Vice Chair Spicer stated that the Parks Commission had strongly supported the neighborhood but no neighbors volunteered easements. Parks and Recreation Commission May 10, 1994 Page 5 Mrs. Phillips stated she wants the children in the neighborhood to access the trails safely. She stated she wants a healthy atmosphere for the children in the neighborhood. Commissioner Katz arrived at 7v06 o°clock P.M. Mrs. Phillips stated there have been five dogs hit in the neighborhood and that there is a real safety concern for children in the area. She stated there has been an informal easement created from Mayfield Heights Road to Douglas Road. She stated the owner of this property, who was not willing to give an easement, has now moved. Commissioner Norton stated that this is an important issue and that it should be reconsidered by the Parks and Recreation Commissson and the City Council. Mrs. Phillips stated that this is a safety issue. Commissioner Spicer stated there is not a lot the City can do at this point. He suggested that the neighbors get together and discuss this issue. It was the consensus of the Parks and Recreation Commission that the Mayfield Heights neighborhood residents discuss this issue amongst themselves and determine if the area residents are willing to volunteer easements to allow the connection of the trail to Douglas Road. The Commission directed staff to make past correspondence regarding the Mayfield Heights Trail request available to the residents of this neighborhood. Parks Project Manager Kullander introduced this item by submitting a reduced version of the preliminary list of capital improvements for the park system. Kullander stated the Parks and Recreation Commission should establish and review funding sources, priority of improvements, time lines, etc. Kullander asked the Commission if funding for ADA upgrades should come from the General Fund or Special Park Fund. The Commission agreed that the Special Park Fund was for new capitol improvements and that ADA mandated upgrades could come from the General Fund. Parks and Recreation Commission May 10, 1994 Page 6 In response to a question from Commissioner Spicer, Kullander stated that Wentworth Park improvements had been given priority by the Commission at the April meeting over Ivy Park improvements because the Commission had designated Wentworth Park as the ADA park north of Highway 110. Kullander stated that safety improvements at Valley View Heights and Hagstrom King park need to be considered. He stated the play structures are not in compliance with Consumer Products Safety guidelines. He stated the guidelines were not adhered to when the structures were constructed. Chair Katz inquired on who maintains Valley View Heights tot lot. Kullander responded the City has been maintaining it because the neighborhood has not. Chair Spicer suggested that any unique improvements to the park system should be funded by the Special Park Fund. The Commission discussed using the General Fund for constructing picnic shelters at Wentworth and Friendly Hills Park. Kullander stated the Commission should determine what level of image should be considered in constructing these shelters. He stated if shelters are constructed similar to that of Kensington, the cost could be approximately $10,000 to $12,000. He stated a time line for constructing shelters in these two parks would be included in the CIP plan. Kullander inquired as to what type of fire pits are preferred at Roger°s Lake Park. He stated two prefab pits cost approximately $600 and that masonry pit cost approximately $4,000 to $51000. He stated this could be considered a maintenance item because grills originally located in the park have been removed for maintenance reasons. The Commission decided to replace the old grills with two fire pits. Kullander inquired if the Parks and Recreation Commission would like to provide sand volleyball at Mendakota Park. He stated sand volleyball is presently offered at Roger's Lake Park. He stated a sand volleyball court could cost approximately $4,000 to $5,000. Commissioner Libra inquired how much use Roger's Lake Park has in sand volleyball users. Kullander responded there is a league and that the City receives several requests to use the sand volleyball court. The Parks Commission was of the consensus to schedule the construction of a sand volleyball court at Mendakota Park as a low priority item, using Special Park Funds in later years. The Commission discussed irrigation expansion at Mendakota Park. Kullander explained that Parks Leadperson Blum had completed some irrigation work last year and he would like to Parks and Recreation Commission May 10, 1994 Page 7 see more irrigation placed in the park (berm area). Kullander stated additional irrigation could cost approximately $5,000 to $6,000. The Commission felt that this should be funded through the General Fund. Kullander explained that Parks Leadperson Blum would like to switch the warming house from Ivy Park to Wentworth Park sometime in 1994. Kullander stated that Wentworth Park skating rinks gets a lot of use and the current warming house is too small. Kullander stated that ADA improvements will need to meet (i.e. access, railings, ramps). The Commission was of the consensus that this should be funded through the General Fund. Kullander stated he had done some research regarding soccer bang boards for the Kensington soccer field. He stated the Commission should decide if they would like to see permanent or portable boards. He stated permanent boards will cost approximately $2,000 per bang board installation. Commissioner Libra stated the Commission should wait one year as the soccer program will be utilizing these fields for the first time this year. Commissioner Katz stated that permanent boards could become a real eye sore. Commissioner Libra stated that more sod is needed at Kensington Park as there are several muddy spots in the field. Kullander inquired if the Commission is open to considering T- Ball fields at the public works facility. He stated there is open space near Medallion Drive and Lexington Avenue. He stated that possibly two backstops and ag-lime could be placed there. He stated the approximate cost could be $3,000. Commissioner Spicer inquired how soon this could be done. Commissioner Spicer moved to recommend that the City Council approve the installation of backstops and ag-lime at the public works facility, using the Special Park Fund as the funding source with a cap of $2,500. Commissioner Norton seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 Commissioner Libra moved to the Kensington soccer field exceed $450. Commissioner Norton seconded AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 direct staff to add more sod to with an expenditure cap not to the motion. Parks and Recreation Commission May 10, 1994 Page 8 The Commissioner directed Parks Project Manager Kullander to complete the CIP matrix of improvements to the park system and to present a draft copy at the June meeting for review. The Commission also asked for preliminary cost impacts of the CIP Plan. MISCELLANEOUS Commissioner Norton stated that the culvert in Valley Park has been sprayed with graffiti. She stated it is unsightly and she inquired how the public works crew can best remedy the problem. Parks Project Manager Kullander noted several ways to correct the problem. Norton stated she would like to see more information from the parks department regarding the amount of vandalism which occurs at the parks. Kullander stated the Parks and Recreation Commission could be kept better informed of any type of vandalism activity which occurs in the parks by requiring Parks Leadperson Blum to submit a monthly report. The Commissioners agreed that such a report would be very helpful. Commissioner Norton inquired if the trail in Valley Park is patrolled. Kullander responded no and that at one time, the Police Chief had considered purchasing bicycles for patrolling the area parks, trails and neighborhoods. DISCUSSION OF DRAFT DAKOTA COUNTY PARK POLICY PLAN Commissioner Norton stated that the public meeting scheduled for today (May 10, 1994) to discuss the County°s park policy plan is actually scheduled for May 17th. She stated that the Parks Commission should be involved in this process and that she encourages the Commissioners to read the plan. She stated that she has heard some discouraging comments regarding changing of character and paving trails. She stated the City and County should be preserving the natural areas of the County park system. Commissioner Spicer suggested that Bob Doffing be invited to attend a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to discuss this plan. Commissioner Norton directed staff to get a copy of the Draft Park Policy Plan and distribute it to the Commission. NUTITAWW Parks Project Manager Kullander stated staff had received one application from the University of Minnesota Graduate School of Landscape Architecture for the project of designing the Parks and Recreation Commission May 101 1994 Page 9 landscaping in North Kensington Park. Commissioner Linnell stated he has volunteered his time to work on this project along with a member from City staff and Councilmember Smith, Commissioner Spicer stated at their last board meeting, Mend - Eagan Athletic Association has requested that a member from City staff be in attendance for their monthly meetings. He stated that the board has requested Recreation Programmer Morgan to attend the meetings. He stated he would be in contact with Administrative Assistant Batchelder regarding this issue. Commissioner Linnell informed the Parks and Recreation Commission that he had attended the recent joint workshop between the City Council and the Planning Commission regarding the Highway 55 corridor issue. He stated the Council and Commission have a lot of ideas regarding use in this area. There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned its meeting at 8:22 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kimberlee K, Blaeser Senior Secretary