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1994-07-12 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTYo MINNESOTI MINUTES The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, July 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 were present; Damberg, Kleinglass, Libra and Linnell. The following members were excused Katz, Spicer and Norton. Also present were Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder, Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander, Landscape Architect Joni Giese and guest Mrs. Janet Schrankler. APPRO\%AL OF MINUTES Commissioner Libra moved to approved the June 14, 1994 minutes. Commissioner Kleinglass seconded the motion. ARCHERY AT FRIENDLY MARSH PARR Acting Chair Damberg introduced Commission members, staff and guest. Mrs. Janet Schrankler, of 2350 Apache Street, stated that the City has a nice archery range at Friendly Marsh Park with one draw back that there is no regulatory signage. She stated there is no indication that this is an archery range other than the existence of the bales. Mrs. Schrankler stated her husband, herself and their daughter enjoy using this range and that she had called about the use of the range at some point in the past and had not been told there were any restrictions regarding the use of the range by minors. Mrs. Schrankler stated her sixteen year old daughter learned archery under their supervision and that this summer her and her daughter went to use the archery range and it had been burned down and not replaced. Mrs. Schrankler stated she had just now found out that minors are not allowed, by Ordinance, to discharge bows and arrows, any where in the City of Mendota Heights. Mrs. Schrankler stated other archery ranges that she has attended have signs posting the restrictions of the range. Parks and Recreation Commission July 12, 1994 Page 2 Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that Section 5 of Ordinance No. 909 prohibits minors from discharging any firearms, sling shot, bow and arrow, spring gun or the like whether accompanied by his parent or guardian or otherwise. Commissioner Kleinglass stated he feels this Ordinance is inappropriate. Damberg asked Parks Project Manager Kullander to summarize the costs for vandalism that has occurred at this archery range this summer. Kullander stated that approximately $750 from the maintenance budget has been spent to fix the archery range after three vandalism incidents this summer. He stated it has not always been expensive to maintain the archery range every year but this summer it has been burned down three times. Mrs. Schrankler stated she has seen hunters practicing with bows and arrows at this site with their own targets. Ramberg inquired about the Police Department's opinion of the archery range. Batchelder stated the Police Chief has indicated that they prefer not to have the discharge of these types of weapons in the City. Damberg stated that perhaps the City Council needs to address this Ordinance. Kullander stated that because of previous vandalism incidents, more formal support structures were put up last summer so that the hay bales would be better designed and perhaps treated with more respect. Mrs. Schrankler stated they have used the archery range during the summer in the early morning and that they occasionally see other archers at this facility. She stated the majority of the time they have the facility to themselves and that on all occasions everyone has been respectful, cautious and safety minded. Mrs. Schrankler stated it was a real benefit to have this equipment in their neighborhood and that they prefer not to travel to use their archery equipment. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that the archery range sees an increased level of activity in the months prior to the deer hunting season. Commissioner Libra stated his concern regarding the archery range is that in the past he has used the bike trail and as you come over the hill and enter the flat area where the archery range is you have no warning that you are coming upon an archery range. Libra stated that, at a minimum there should be regulatory signage and signage warning people on the trail that they are approaching an archery range. Libra stated when he has observed people using the archery range it appears they are being safety minded. Kullander stated the trail is on State property and that the City maintains the trail and that the State will not allow the City to pave the trail. Parks and Recreation Commission July 12, 1994 Page 3 Acting Chair Damberg stated that there were two items that the Commission should consider. She stated the Commission should consider if the City's Ordinance on weapons is clear enough and should the City Council take a look at this. Damberg stated the Commission also needs to consider whether they are going to replace the archery range following its destruction by arson. Damberg stated the Commission is upset at the level of vandalism occurring in the City's park system. Mrs. Schrankler stated she is aware the police have caught the perpetrators and that perhaps word of this apprehension will get around and there will no longer be vandalism at this park. Ramberg inquired if it is a fire hazard when these hay bales are set on fire. Kullander stated the only hazard is that the Fire Department has to respond to put out the blaze and that perhaps in a dry year the surrounding woods might catch on fire. Kullander stated there have been arson incidents at this archery range every summer for the last five years. Commissioner Kleinglass stated he would like to see staff conduct an analysis of the cost to replace the archery range, the cost to install regulatory signage and the necessity for fencing or other structures to make a safer archery range. Commissioner Linnell stated that perhaps fencing and separating this area is appropriate. Linnell stated he feels the Ordinance should be changed so that minors are allowed to discharge bow and arrow when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Linnell stated this should only extend to bows and arrows and not the other items listed in the Ordinance such as sling shots, air guns, etc. Linnell stated this should only be allowed at the archery range and not in other areas of the City. The Commission was of the consensus that the Police Department should address this issue and that City staff should analyze the replacement of the archery range and that some hay bales can be placed in this area in the meanwhile. Commissioner Kleinglass stated that he wants this to be a safe facility. Commissioner Linnell stated that perhaps berming behind the archery range and the establishment of shooting stations would be appropriate. Mrs. Schrankler thanked the Parks and Recreation Commission for their consideration of this matter. Acting Chair Damberg stated vandalism has undermined a lot of activities in the park system. NORTH KENSINGTON PARK Administrative Assistant Batchelder introduced Joni Giese as the Landscape Architect under contract with the City Council to do the design work for North Kensington Park. Ms. Giese began by providing a background and overview of Mendota Parks and Recreation Commission July 12, 1994 Page 4 Heights and its existing park system. This overview included a discussion of existing parks, nearby golf courses, schools and open space, and drainage patterns in the watershed area. Is. Giese stated the water that exists on the site is at the top of the watershed which eventually empties into the Mississippi River through valley Creek. Ms. Giese stated that currently there is a lot of algae and some smell associated with it in this pond. Giese stated the new residents in this area have grass down to the edge of the pond and there is a good possibility that heavy use of nutrients and fertilizer by the Association is causing additional algae growth. Giese stated that water is cleansed by ponds and marshes as it works its way through the watershed and she would like to use this in designing Kensington Park. Mso Giese described this area from a neighborhood perspective and stated there are a lot of ponds in this immediate area. She then displayed a map showing how many people have direct access to water with properties charted that have access or do not have access to water. Ms. Giese described the road system in the area including major arterials and collector streets. She stated Huber Drive and Mendota Heights Road are the two major collector streets in this area and that they intersect at this park. She stated a large percentage of people in this area see the park on a daily basis and a big question that should be answered by the design of the park is what do we want to communicate to the people who see this park. Ms. Giese described the existing conditions including property lines, soil conditions, ground water levels and described the existing vegetation in the area. Ms. Giese described the limitations existing in North Kensington Park including the power line easement, pipeline easement and mature vegetation, including oak trees, that she does not wish to disturb. Ms. Giese stated the townhouses that border North Kensington Park all front away from the park with their backyards being adjacent to the park. She stated it is difficult to tell There the park ends and where the backyards begin. She described that all entrances to the park and the existing topography draw you into the park and that this speaks well for use as a gathering area. She described the knoll in the southern portion of the park that separates North and South Kensington Park. Ms. Giese stated three concepts she is about to present are aggressive concepts and have been designed to generate ideas and discussion. She stated the first concept is titled The Movement Concept and this is based on the philosophy that the existing site currently is used for the movement of energy Parks and Recreation Commission July 12, 1994 Page 5 (gas and electric lines), the movement of water and the movement of people in the trail system. Giese stated that philosophically we are a mobile society and that this park can be designed as a place to reconcile that movement with a gathering area. Ms. Giese stated the NSP easement could be planted with low level hawthorne trees to provide a buffer between the yards and the public park. She stated benches would be designed in a fashion to act as a porch for residents in the townhomes. Ms. Giese stated this movement concept shows the pond being segmented in three tiers that terrace down towards Mendota Heights Road. She stated the first level would include vegetation designed to filter water as it flows down the terraces. She stated the terraces would be created by using sandstone block that is available to the City and located at Acacia Cemetery. She stated this is wonderful stone that can be had free and was aware this stone was placed in on vacant land Acacia Cemetery when the old Ramsey County Courthouse was dismantled. Giese described how the water spills over the stone terraces from one pond level to the next. Giese demonstrated that this first concept also has the lawn segmented into three terraces with gardens and open grass spaces. Under this concept design the roof of the existing building (US West building) would be extended to have a covered picnic and shelter area. Ms. Giese introduced the second concept titled Formal Garden Concept. Giese stated the location of this park is in the very heart of this neighborhood and that this concept is based on creating a place that is the center of the neighborhood and a gathering area. She stated people enjoy flowers and flower beds but do not have time for this so a formal garden concept could be created in this park. She stated this concept creates a place of existence and imposes order on the site. She stated this design also creates a place of civic pride and would include perennial flowers, terraces to the wetlands and wetland vegetation in formal plantings. Giese described the garden layout with four gazebos at the corners and an axis mundi at the heart of the garden. Giese explained that the axis mundi is a center piece at the heart of the garden that would be a granite piece that would be available from the stone pile at Acacia Cemetery. She stated this plan also uses granite as support poles for the gazebos and granite pillars to mark the boundaries of the formal garden. This concept includes an open space area in the southern portion of the park. Parks and Recreation Commission July 12, 1994 Page 6 Ms. Giese described the third concept titled The Backyard Concept. Giese stated she asked herself what goes on in a backyard to come up with this design. She stated backyards usually include a sense of privacy with nooks and crannies where someone can sit and read a book or enjoy animals and nature. Giese explained that under this concept, the pond is divided into three ponds in a linear fashion and that the path systems would bring people to a gazebo in the center of these ponds. The Backyard Concept would include lower growing trees near the residential areas and provide entrances with gardens into the park system. This concept would include wildflower gardens with an open flexible grass area in the southern portion of the park. Ms. Giese stated the trees and plantings that would be used with this concept would be able to handle the wet conditions around the pond system. Commissioner Kleinglass inquired about the price differences between the three concepts. Ms. Giese responded that all the concepts can be modified to be in the price range budgeted for North Kensington Park. Acting Chair Damberg felt the Formal Garden Concept would be the most expensive and inquired if these pond reconstructions are affordable. Ms. Giese responded yes the ponds can be designed and explained the drainage on the pond site as being from the south to the north and showed the locations of storm water pipes that discharge water into this pond area. Commissioner Libra inquired about the roof structure on the pavilion and if it could be extended to cover a picnic area. Libra stated he feels this is a good idea and use of existing resources. In response to an inquiry from the Commission, Administrative Assistant Batchelder explained the intended process for this park design. Batchelder stated the concept plans would be considered by the Commission tonight and by the City Council next week and following the Council's review, final plans for construction and plantings would be presented to the Parks Commission at their August meeting for a formal recommendation to the City Council. The Parks Commission discussed the Formal Garden Concept plans for a structure. Ms. Giese explained that granite block would be used to support a trellis roof with ivy that would grow on this. The Commission discussed the shelter area and having a Parks and Recreation Commission July 12, 1994 Page 7 gathering place in any concept that is chosen. Giese stated her design of a gathering area with the second concept was to push the envelope of what a shelter is other than a roofed structure. Acting Chair Damberg stated she is intrigued by the Movement Concept and its use of terracing ponds to filter the water flow in this area. Giese explained that sandstone structures would be used to divide the pond segments and that there would be different aquatic plants within the upper ponds. Ms. Giese explained there would be wildflowers used in the terraced sections of the park. Commissioner Kleinglass stated he feels the Backyard Concept was the more natural concept and for that reason he prefers it. Kleinglass stated the Formal Garden Concept is too busy and he feels formal gardens and structures are too much for this park and do not fit the character of Mendota Heights. Kleinglass stated he prefers the Backyard Concept because it is more natural and more open. Acting Chair Damberg inquired about pond maintenance with the Backyard Concept. Kullander stated rainfall would flush out this pond system and that possible artificial aerators could be used to stir the water in dry times. Acting Chair Damberg inquired if the pond could be unsightly if low during dry years. Damberg stated she is concerned about segmenting the pond verses keeping it intact and trying to work around it. Commissioner Linnell stated he feels multiple ponds on the site can work and as a result of this each successive pond is a little bit cleaner. Ms. Giese stated that the standards she is using on this pond design for the Backyard Concept is that in order to clean the water the pond should be five times in length what it is in width. Commissioner Libra inquired about the concept showing trails through the townhouses through Claremont Drive. Kullander stated easements would be necessary and grading would be needed but that these trails do not have to be formal eight foot wide asphalt trails. He stated they could be wood chip trails and as narrow as four feet. The Commission reviewed the preferences listed in the summary of the neighborhood meeting. The Commission discussed the idea of using soft paths, stone dividers and wildflower gardens in the design of this park. The Commission discussed the maintenance of gardens and flower bed areas in the park system. Kullander stated that perhaps the City could initiate the plantings in this area and that they could be lower Parks and Recreation Commission July 12, 1994 Page 8 maintenance perennials. The Commission discussed providing flower beds and gardens for residents of the area to maintain. Kullander stated that currently Victoria Highlands has a wildflower area maintained by a resident and the City Hall sign is maintained by the Garden Club. Acting Chair Damberg inquired about using oaks verses evergreens. Ms. Giese stated her design is based on the fact that a canopy as provided by oak trees is more desired than permanent screening as provided by evergreens. She stated you want to maintain visibility into the park. Commissioner Linnell stated that he finds the Movement Concept interesting but that he feels the Backyard Concept might be preferable. Linnell stated the Formal Garden Concept appears to be high maintenance and too formal. Linnell stated he prefers the Backyard Concept with the idea of incorporating the stone pieces as shown in the Formal Garden Concept. Commissioner Linnell stated that perhaps the stone could be used in a fashion designed to connect the south and north park and lead you into the park from the south. Commissioner Libra stated he likes all of the concepts that have been demonstrated tonight but that he prefers the Backyard Concept. Libra stated he feels this has been an area of intense development that needs a more passive use park and feels that the Backyard Concept addresses this best. Libra stated there is no formal parking in this area and that therefore a more passive park is desired. Libra stated he likes the idea of having more trails to access the park from the townhouse area. He stated he feels the Backyard Concept fits the site most appropriately but he would also like to see use of the stone included perhaps for gazebos or the gathering area. Libra stated he feels this park should address the need as a gathering area but the City needs to recognize that there are picnic shelters and parking areas nearby at South Kensington Park. Ms. Giese described the congregating area with the Backyard Concept with an elevated structure with some wood decking around it overlooking the pond and that benches could be accommodated in other areas of the park. Commissioner Kleinglass moved that the Parks and Recreation Commission endorse the Backyard Concept with the inclusion of the comments by Commissioners, including incorporating the stone pieces, using the stone or other method to visually Parks and Recreation Commission July 12, 1994 Page 9 connect the north and south pieces of the park, considering trail connections to the townhouses and providing more benches° Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. DISCUSSION OF SHELTER PRIORITIES Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that at the June 211 1994 Council meeting, Councilmember Huber had requested that the Parks Commission discuss the priorities for locations of shelters in the City's park system and to make a recommendation on which park should be next to receive a shelter. The Commission discussed the Capital Improvement Plan which includes a shelter for Wentworth Park in 1995 and proposes a shelter for Friendly Hills Park in 1996. The Commission discussed the shelter/gathering area for the Backyard Concept which they had just endorsed. Ms. Giese explained that her notion of a shelter in this area was more to provide shelter from the sun than the rain. She described an elevated structure with a deck nearby the ponds at the center of a trail system. Acting Chair Damberg stated she prefers a gathering area verses a formalized pavilion or shelter. Damberg mentioned she had recently seen copies of a pergola (a structure designed to have a trellis as a roof with ivy and vine to provide shelter from the sun). The Commission felt that the priority for shelters in the City's park system was appropriate with Wentworth Park scheduled for 1995 and Friendly Hills Park scheduled for 1996. The Commission was of the consensus that a shelter in North Kensington Park appears to be appropriate for 1994 but that this is dependent on the costs which would be known at the time the final plan is reviewed. TENNIS DISCUSSION Commissioner Libra stated that tennis for Hagstrom-King Park had been listed as a high priority for residents at the neighborhood meeting. Libra stated he had discussed the tennis situation with Roger Kneissel, of St. Thomas Academy, who was of the opinion there has never been a problem getting access to tennis courts in Mendota Heights. Libra stated he is also aware that Henry Sibley High School was upgrading their tennis courts. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the plans at Henry Sibley High School are to replace Parks and Recreation Commission July 12, 1994 Page 10 their eight old courts, which will be dismantled, with nine new courts in a new location at the northwest corner of the Sibley High School site. Commissioner Libra also notified staff that the play area at South Kensington Park has standing water following rain events. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that Dakota County has completed their preliminary design work on the North Urban Trail and has forwarded a copy of the draft plan to the City. Batchelder stated Dakota County has incorporated our suggestions and is avoiding the front yards along the Highway 110 Frontage Road. He stated the County is proposing a the trail to be south of the Frontage Road within the highway right-of-way. He stated the City had invited County staff to appear at the June 19 City Council meeting to make a presentation on the North Urban Trail that all Parks and Recreation Commissioners are invited to attend this presentation. The Commission discussed issues regarding the North Urban Trail. Acting Chair Damberg stated she feels the possibility of providing a better landing for the Valley Park trail as it approaches Dodd Road is an opportunity that should not be missed. Commissioner Linnell stated he has three concerns as follows: 1. The Marie Avenue underpass could be widened. 2. The trail should be widened, at County expense, through Valley Park where it is easy to do so. 3. The City should advocate for an overpass at the Highway 110/149 intersection. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated Dakota County has been made aware that the City feels the County should bear the burden of cost for widening of the trails at this time and not in the future when it would be the City's obligation to do so when maintenance is needed. Kullander stated the County felt overpass at Highway 110/Highway 149 intersection would be the type of improvement where an ISTEA Grant could be applied for by the City with County support. PARR PLAY EQUIPMENT Parks Project Manager Kullander stated it is the City°s intent to make the play equipment accessible at Wentworth Park so that the City has a handicap accessible play structure north of Highway 110. He stated this project had been approved in Parks and Recreation Commission July 12, 1994 Page 11 the Capital Improvements an by City Council for an estimated cost not to exceed $17,000. Kullander stated at the last Council meeting the Council had authorized him to seek bids for that amount to make play equipment accessible at Wentworth Park. Kullander stated he had a bid from Flanagan that meets this cost estimate, however, when he spoke to Earl Anderson, who has supplied all our current play equipment, they had come back with an expanded concept. Kullander showed the existing play structure and stated that at the time of the referendum some of the old equipment had been kept in place but that new features had been added to replace old play equipment and that $20,000 had been spent in the referendum to improve the existing play structure. Kullander described the new concept proposed by Earl Anderson that would have an asphalt ramp connection from the trail system, a rubberized surface and bucket swing as well as transfer points and additional play facilities for an estimated $18,573. Kullander stated they also suggested a tiny tots addition for $2,680 that would be accessible as well. Kullander stated that Earl Anderson had analyzed the Wentworth Park play equipment with regards to American with Disability Act and consumer product safety guidelines. Kullander stated that some future repairs would be needed to meet these new standards. He stated that due to this possible need for replacement he is raising this issue now so the Commission can look at the overall picture and the whole set of equipment for this park. Kullander stated that tiny tots play equipment may be an area where we are undeserving our residents. The Commission discussed the need for all of the proposed upgrades. Commissioner Linnell stated that he prefers that the City at this time provide more accessibility than new equipment. Linnell stated that access to the swings and slides in existing equipment is better than putting out new pieces. The Commission discussed age range and accessibility of new equipment. The Commission directed Parks Project Manager Kullander to seek to incorporate some of the elements of Earl Anderson proposal but to stay within the $17,000 budget for making Wentworth Park play equipment accessible. Parks and Recreation Commission July 12, 1994 Page 12 Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the final plans were being made for the Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks! and encouraged all Commissioners to pass the word along that participation as volunteers or donors are needed and that they should invite all their neighbors to attend and enjoy this events Batchelder stated the City Council had acknowledged the Capital Improvement Plan and commended the Parks Commission for their efforts in this matter. He stated that the 1994 park improvements that had been proposed were ratified by City Council. He stated the City Council had passed an Ordinance restricting parking along one side of Pueblo Lane across the street from Friendly Hills Park for the summer baseball season only. Batchelder stated a City Target Issue is to have the Parks Commission look at the Park Vision/Philosophy Statement and that staff was currently gathering other statements from surrounding municipalities and preparing this issue for the August agenda. Batchelder stated the Community Education Advisory Council are looking for a representative for their Board from Mendota Heights and that they prefer to have a Park Commissioner for this position. Batchelder stated he would mail each Commissioner a copy of the job description and encouraged anybody interested to contact him for appointment to the Community Education Advisory Council. ADJOURNbIENT There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission moved to adjourn their meeting at 8:45 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant