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1994-06-14 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesIWIpWCMIWIMI The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, June 14, 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: Damberg, Norton, Kleinglass, Libra, Katz and Linnell. Commissioner Spicer was excused. Also present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder. Guests included Mr. Steve Sullivan of Dakota County Parks Department and Mr. Eric Evenson of the Dakota County Office of Planning. Commissioner Kleinglass moved to approve the May 10, 1994 minutes. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. INVITATION FOR JOINT PARKS COMMITTEE°S PICNIC Administrative Assistant Batchelder informed the Parks Commission that the Commission had received an invitation from Barb Schmidt, Parks Director for Dakota County, to attend a picnic with Dakota County and all the municipalities at Schaar's Bluff picnic area in Spring Lake Park Reserve located at 127 Street East and Idell Avenue. Batchelder stated the picnic is scheduled for 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, June 21, 1994 and that the County desires to bring together the various parks and recreation commissions throughout Dakota County in a social setting to meet and establish dialogue. Commissioner Norton volunteered to represent the City at this event and the Commission directed staff to contact Commissioner Spicer to see if he was interested in attending also. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL FOR LEBANON HILLS REGIONAL PARK Chair Katz introduced Steve Sullivan from Dakota County Parks Department to discuss the 1994 construction proposal and development plans for Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Parks and Recreation Commission June 14, 1994 Page 2 Mr. Sullivan stated that Lebanon Hills Regional Park is a part of the metropolitan park system that is a result of state enabling legislation that allows the Metropolitan Council to plan and develop a regional park system. This regional park system was developed in response to a lack of state parks in the metropolitan area. Mr. Sullivan described the three types of parks in the metropolitan park and open space system. These parks are: The regional parks which are the largest parks, generally 2,000 plus acres The regional park reserves which are a fairly large park at 1,000 plus acres. 3. The linear park such as the Soo Line Regional Bike Trail. Mr. Sullivan stated regional park reserves have an 80/20 rule on open space and development. Mr. Sullivan stated the Lebanon Hills Regional Park is in the largest park category and that typically includes picnicking, camping, swimming, fishing, boating and other activities. Mr. Sullivan stated there are thirty-six regional parks and ten park preserves in the metropolitan area. He stated that 50,000 acres have been designated for this park system and 40,000 acres have been acquired for the metropolitan regional parks system. Mr. Sullivan stated in Dakota County they have Spring Lake Park Reserve, Lake Byllesby Regional Park, Miesville Park Reserve, Thompson Lake Park and Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Mr. Sullivan described Lebanon Hills Regional Park as having 2,000 acres and being 4 miles long and 1 mile wide located on the southern border of Eagan and the northern border of Apple Valley. Mr. Sullivan stated that there is a recreational vehicle campground, youth camp at Camp Sacajawea, beach, boats, lake and trails for mountain bike, pedestrians, horses and cross country skiing. Mr. Sullivan stated the 1994 development plan includes four areas to be developed in Lebanon Hills Regional Park including the Jenson Lake area, Holland Lake area, Camp Sacajawea and the Tamarack Bog Restoration. Mr. Sullivan stated that an internal design team of county and staff developed this plan. Parks and Recreation Commission June 14, 1994 Page 3 Mr. Sullivan displayed design boards and described the construction plans for the various areas in Lebanon Hills Park. Mr. Sullivan stated that at Jenson Lake they have an existing picnic facility that they would like to enhance with 1994 development. Sullivan stated a large pavilion that would seat 100 people under the roof with a plaza is planned as well as increased parking and trail connections and a canoe dock. Sullivan stated that the County would like to re -vegetate the blue grass areas to native grass species so that there is less maintenance, better wildlife habitat and enhanced water quality. Mr. Sullivan displayed side elevations of the proposed picnic structure. Sullivan described the development proposal for the Holland Lake picnic area which is off of Cliff Road. Mr. Sullivan stated that Holland Lake is one of the deepest lakes in Dakota County at 75 feet deep and possesses a lot of potential as a fishery. Mr. Sullivan stated that currently Holland Lake is a scenic wetlands in which profuse tubing use is occurring. Mr. Sullivan stated that tubing and swimming uses are not endorsed by the County in this lake and that the County wants it to be a picnic use, not a bathing or tubing use. Mr. Sullivan stated that in 1994 the County intends to replace the bathroom facility, add a small picnic shelter to enhance the picnic use and that there are plans for future parking and trail expansions. Mr. Sullivan stated that the County's beach is located at Schultz Lake. Commissioner Norton inquired how the County intended to control the use of Holland Lake and stated that on numerous occasions she has seen hundreds of people using it. Mr. Sullivan responded that the County's attorney is currently looking at this issue and the County is considering zoning it as a public water. The County is also considering enforcement issues between the City of Eagan and Dakota County. Mr. Sullivan stated there are many users who love tubing here and the County is very concerned about using correct enforcement procedures and the public relations involved with this situation. Commissioner Norton inquired if this could be made a permitted use. Mr. Sullivan stated no, that at this time the County does not feel that is the best use in a facility that they consider a fishery wildlife facility that has a lot of scenic resources. Mr. Sullivan stated there is a deep shoreline and a lot of liability and risk with this use. Parks and Recreation Commission June 14, 1994 Page 4 Chair Katz stated there is always a liability issue with any type of park usage and she feels that people in user groups should determine the use of public spaces. Mr. Sullivan stated in 1995 the County intends to update their Master Plan and to review the uses and facilities of all their County parks. Mr. Sullivan stated the County desires to have as much public input and that there will be public hearings to consider appropriate uses for these parks. Mr. Sullivan described the long term plan for Holland Lake that includes expanded trail uses, a trail head and picnic facility expansion and additional parking. Mr. Sullivan stated that this part of the plan is still being discussed and that the County has had feedback that this is too much development for this area. Commissioner Norton stated she feels Holland Lake should only be developed with the small bathroom, existing parking lot and trail, some shoreline improvements and the four picnic table shelter. She stated she doe not favor the future proposals and feels it is too heavy of a development of a natural area. Mr. Sullivan described the improvements for Camp Sacajawea which is a youth group camping facility that is oriented towards nature camps. Mr. Sullivan stated that in 1994 an outdoor classroom building would be constructed along with new toilet facilities. Commissioner Ramberg inquired if there was an under aged drinking problem at Holland Lake. Mr. Sullivan responded that yes that had occurred but that there is a range in age of users from youth to middle aged to families. Sullivan stated that many of these users are safety conscious but some are not. He stated they have had problems in the past. Damberg stated she does not agree that the use of a facility should drive its purpose. She stated that any use of a park facility should not be damaging the resources and the use should be the best for the area. Commissioner Norton stated there are not enough swimming facilities in Dakota County parks system. Norton stated that at Schultz's Lake there is a sand beach and approximately 200 parking spots that is woefully inadequate. She stated this is a small swimming area that is heavily used. Commissioner Norton stated that personally she is not in favor of any of the future Holland Lake development plans and that she feels some of the development plans at Jenson Lake are too heavy as well. She stated that she is not as vehemently opposed to the Parks and Recreation Commission June 14, 1994 Page 5 Jenson Lake improvements as she is to the future Holland Lake improvements. Commissioner Norton encouraged all the Parks Commissioners to visit Lebanon Hills Regional Park and she stated that this is one of the last remaining natural open space areas that has been preserved in this County. Commissioner Damberg inquired how these regional parks are funded. Mr. Sullivan stated that through a Metropolitan Council grant that comes from State bonding on an annual basis. Mr. Sullivan stated that some fishery and wildlife funding was involved in these improvements. Sullivan stated the cost of improvements are as follows: Jenson Lake - $600,000; Holland Lake - $100,000; Camp Sacajawea - $1250000 and the Tamarack Bog - $25,000. The Commission discussed uses at Lebanon Hills Park including snowmobiling and cross country skiing. Mr. Sullivan stated that Dakota County Parks Commissioner Bob Doffing was very concerned about snowmobiling in the park and is attempting to have that discontinued as a use in the park system. Commissioner Norton asked Mr. Sullivan to continue notifying the City about the development of the Park Policy Plan and the public hearings that are forthcoming. Sullivan stated that all communities will be kept informed and that they have a strong desire to keep the park commissions involved in this process. Chair Katz introduced Mr. Eric Evenson, of Dakota County Office of Planning, to discuss the park policies that Dakota County has been working on in the recent past. Mr. Evenson stated the first County Park Policy Plan was done in the early 1970°s and that it had been updated in 1975 and 1981. He stated the plan has not been updated since 1981. Mr. Evenson stated there are twenty-five policy items in the proposed Park Policy Plan, including future park development. Mr. Evenson displayed the regional parks and trails in the County system. Mr. Evenson stated that the mission of the Dakota County park system is to provide for the protection and preservation of land in its natural state, while providing for outdoor natural resource oriented recreation activities. Mr. Evenson stated that the County does not wish to compete with active use parks that are provided by municipalities or with the larger state parks such as Fort Snelling State Park. Mr. Evenson stated that funding is primarily from the Metropolitan Council through Open Space Grants for acquisition and development of Parks and Recreation Commission June 14, 1994 Page 6 these regional parks. Evenson stated that the operating costs, maintenance costs, enforcement and security costs come from the County property tax. Mr. Evenson described the County's funding policy and stated that in tight budget situations the priority for expenditures of funds for operation/maintenance of the County park system are as follows: 1. To maintain park user safety. 2. To maintain existing park facilities and the protection of existing natural resources. 3. New acquisition. 4. New development and natural resource enhancement initiatives. 5. Provide new recreational services and programs. Commissioner Damberg inquired how much of our tax bill is for County parks. Mr. Evenson responded that an unofficial calculation shows this would be roughly $2.50 per year per county resident. Evenson stated that the use of fees has been a big discussion and issue with County officials and that the County's Park Commission recommended that the parks be open and free and that no entrance fees shall be charged. Evenson stated the County Board has endorsed this as well. The Commission discussed appropriate user fees such as equipment rental and camp rental and interactive programs. The Commission discussed commercial use of the parks such as horses, canoe rental, pares -sailing rental and rollerblading. Mr. Evenson described another policy issue as being future development of the park system and that they are limiting their acquisition of land outside of their existing park and that they are focusing on finishing their current park system. Commissioner Norton stated this does not seem consistent with the Park Acquisition Policy described in the Executive Summary. Commissioner Norton stated that all we have in northern Dakota County is Thompson Park which is really quite small. Mr. Evenson stated the County i; about other acquisition outside constantly being approached Parks and Recreation Commission June 14, 1994 Page 7 Mr. Evenson stated that the Policy includes language that no outside acquisition would take place until all internal acquisition is complete. Commissioner Norton stated that there might be land available now that could be a missed opportunity if the County only focuses on acquisition in or around the current parks. Chair Katz inquired what still needs to be acquired for the existing parks. Mr. Evenson described the current parks and the incomplete parcels involved in each one. Commissioner Norton inquired if the Dakota County Park Policy has been adopted yet. Mr. Evenson responded no and that it is still a public process and the County Board has recently sent it back for more citizen and municipal input and that there will be a public review and hearing process. Mr. Evenson stated that written comment should be directed to Dakota County by July 15 and that the County Board would be conducting a public hearing on July 19. Mr. Evenson strongly encouraged any comment from the City of Mendota Heights to the County Board. Commissioner Linnell inquired that if Dakota County is heading towards a natural resource based system they better take a look at what land is available now before it becomes developed. Mr. Evenson stated that many of these parcels, such as Resurrection Cemetery, may not qualify for regional park funding due to their size. Mr. Evenson stated that most 1,000 acre tracts are in the southern portion of Dakota County. Mr. Evenson stated that the County is hearing many requests for community based parks such as Buck Hill or Resurrection Cemetery. Commissioner Linnell stated the prices on the land that the County is currently looking at acquiring will go up but eventually the County will be able to acquire those parcels. Commissioner Linnell encouraged them not to miss opportunities such as the Lake Augusta/Resurrection site which could make a good destination for the regional trail that is being placed just to its west. Commissioner Linnell described the Lake Augusta/Resurrection site as a miniature Lebanon Hills with airplane noise. Mr. Evenson stated that any park they are looking at for Dakota County should have a minimum of 1,000 acres. The Commission thanked Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Evenson for their appearance and their information at tonight's meeting. Parks and Recreation Commission June 14, 1994 Page 8 Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the Parks and Recreation Commission had been involved with discussions of capital improvements, infrastructure, maintenance needs and replacement items in the park system since July of 1993. Batchelder stated that every park, trail and open space component of the system has been reviewed and recommendations have been made on priorities in the system and funding sources. Batchelder stated the Parks Commission should now review the final draft plan for the Capital Improvements Plan and to make a recommendation to the City Council. Batchelder stated there were two items not in the Capital Improvements Plan that the Parks Commission had discussed - a lighted tennis court and lighted ball fields at Mendakota Park. Batchelder stated that Mendakota Park lights were not in the park plan because of their large cost and the fact that staff feels these lights should be promoted by interest groups that use the parks He further stated lighted tennis courts are something that staff is still looking at to determine which is the appropriate park and how much the cost would be for this. Commissioner Libra stated he did not see the raising of the power lines at Kensington Park at an estimated cost of $25,000 listed in the Capital Improvements Plan. Libra stated that the landscaping that had been placed along the freeway was not sufficient for stopping balls kicked towards the freeway and that the fence is not high enough. Libra stated that $25,000 had been earmarked in the referendum for expenditures at these soccer fields and for raising the power lines if it was determined to be necessary. Commissioner Damberg stated that $25,000 was not guaranteed to be spent at Kensington Park if the power poles are not needed to be raised. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated this money had been reserved for raising the lines but not as a guarantee for Kensington Park. Kullander stated the Parks Commission and City Council had discussed this at a previous meeting and that a verbal understanding had been established that the Special Park Fund would make up for any shortcomings from the referendum. The Commission directed staff to add the power line as a line item in the Capital Improvements Plan for 1995. Parks and Recreation Commission June 14, 1994 Page 9 Commissioner Linnell inquired about the funding for any of the improvements required by Americans with Disability Act. Linnell inquired why staff had placed ADA funding in the Special Parks Fund. Batchelder stated that staff had taken the approach that the General Fund is the appropriate place for items considered to be repair, maintenance or replacement of existing facilities. Batchelder stated the Special Park Fund was considered the appropriate place for any "new" facilities or upgrades. Batchelder stated the Referendum Fund is the appropriate place for any new facilities or upgrades that are related to the intent of the referendum such as improvements to neighborhood parks like the enlargement of the Friendly Hills skating rink. He stated that ADA upgrades or requirements have been categorized as "new" facilities and have therefore been proposed for the Special Park Fund, The Commission discussed the spread of funding from the years 1994 to 1999 in the different fund categories of the General Fund, Special Fund and the Referendum Fund. The Commission discussed the appropriate use of the Special Park Fund, The Commission recalled that early on there were discussions about using the annual interest from the Special Park Fund in order to pay for annual improvements thereby maintaining the bulk of the Special Park Funds. Interest from the fund was estimated to be $20,000 to $25,000 annually. Commissioner Libra stated that development of the tennis court at Hagstrom-King for $35,000 out of the Referendum should be pushed into the year 1995 from 1994. Libra stated, as he jogs through the City, he sees many tennis courts that are under used or open and does not believe the demand justifies the building of a tennis court at this time at Hagstrom-King. The Parks Commission agreed with Libra and directed staff to move this line item into the 1995 year. Commissioner Kleinglass moved to endorse the proposed Capital Improvements Five Year Plan. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. Commissioner Linnell stated he still has a few other items he would like to consider before action is taken on the motion. Linnell inquired about the t-ball fields at the public works garage in 1994. Parks Project Manager Kullander explained a memo that had been sent on May 17th describing that the City had contacted Mend -Eagan about the need for t-ball fields and that Mend -Eagan had indicated there was no need for additional Parks and Recreation Commission June 14, 1994 Page 10 fields for t-ball at this time. Kullander stated therefore the line item to have t-ball fields at the public works garage or in Friendly Hills tot lot had been removed from the Capital Improvements Plan. Kullander stated that until we hear further from Mend -Eagan, this item would not be in the CIP. Commissioner Linnell stated that for 1997 he would like to see a bench overlook area along Victoria trail, screening from the creek for the Valley basketball court and the feasibility of a basketball hoop at South Kensington. Commissioner Linnell stated that for 1998 the City should consider drinking fountains in the park system. The Commission discussed drinking fountains in the park and felt that it was too expensive and directed staff to not include them in the CIP. Commissioner Kleinglass restated his motion to recommend to City Council the adoption of the Capital Improvement Plan with the modifications as discussed as a working guide and budget document that is intended to recognize the needs of the park system and to ensure its preservation. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. The Commission discussed an add -on memo from Parks Project Manager Kullander regarding the development of 1994 projects to be done this construction season. Kullander stated these 1994 improvement projects are based on recommendations by the Commission to City Council during the CIP discussions. The Parks Commission discussed the ADA upgrades at Wentworth Park and Kullander stated these would be competitively bid. The Parks Commission reconfirmed their recommendations on these development proposals for 1994 construction and directed Kullander to proceed to City Council for these 1994 projects. Y,ANDSCAPE ARCHITECT FOR NORTH RENSINGTON PARR Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated a contract for North Kensington Park's landscape architect would be presented to the City Council at their June 21 meeting. Batchelder stated that Ms. Joni Giese had applied for the position and was interviewed by City staff in May. He stated that Ms. Giese has previous experience with municipalities having worked as a research assistant with the University of Minnesota's Landscape Study Center in designing a Masterplan for a park in Sandstone, Minnesota. He explained that she has also completed landscape and design projects for St. Lawrence Parks and Recreation Commission June 14, 1994 Page 11 Parish Courtyard and that in addition to her landscape design skills, Ms. Giese possess public presentation skills and is eager to work with the Commission and Council. Batchelder stated that the City Council had selected Councilmember Smith to be a member of a committee that would meet with the landscape architect during the concept design work to speed up the approval process. The Parks Commission chose Commissioner Linnell to serve in this capacity for the Commission. VERBAL UPDATES Parks Project Manager Kullander stated Public Works Director Danielson had recently been working on the Parks Budget and had included all the 1995 requests in his departmental budget. Kullander stated the archery range at Friendly Marsh Park had been the target of numerous incidence of vandalism this year and that all four targets and support posts were recently destroyed by two or three intentional fires. He stated that replacement of six inch by six inch support posts and four archery bales would cost approximately $750. Kullander stated the City crew will not replace this archery facility again unless specifically directed by Commission due to the cost and the repeated occurrence of vandalism. Commissioner Damberg felt that this facility should not be replaced when it is so blatantly destroyed. Commissioner Linnell stated he would like to see the archery replaced but not if it is not getting heavy use, it does not justify the cost. Kullander stated the new Budget proposed for 1995 would include a new line item for vandalism which is currently paid for out of the maintenance line item. Kullander stated this was done to provide information on the extent of vandalism in the parks system so that these costs would not be hidden in the parks maintenance line item. Administrative Assistant Batchelder described the progress for Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks! and stated that a recent donation letter had been sent out and donations and offers to volunteer were coming forth. Batchelder had recently received a notice and press release from Dakota Soil and Water Conservation District that they had received a grant in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources for a cost sharing program for oak wilt control. Batchelder stated this program will pay 50 percent of the cost for oak wilt suppression work done in 1994 and that this program is available to all landowners in Dakota County communities where an oak wilt suppression program currently Parks and Recreation Commission June 14, 1994 Page 12 does not exist. He stated residents of Mendota Heights should contact the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District directly to find out if they can participate in this cost sharing program. He stated landowners in areas where oak wilt suppression programs currently do not exist are eligible for 50 percent cost share administered through the County Soil and Water Conservation District, There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned its meeting at 9:05 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitteda Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant