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1995-02-14 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAROTA COUNTY, MINNESOTJ PARRS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 14, 1995 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, February 14, 1995, 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 Kleinglass, Liberacki, Linnell, Libra and Spicer. Commissioners Damberg and Norton were excused. Also present were Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder and Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Kleinglass moved to approve the January 10, 1995, minutes. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: INTRODUCTIONS Chair Spicer introduced new Commission member Jay Liberacki to the other Commission members and staff. IVY HILLS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Mr. Derrick Young, of Landscape Architecture, appeared before the Commission to give a presentation and proposal for landscape design of the Ivy Hills Park holding pond. Mr. Young stated he has been in practice since 1977 and is registered as a landscape architect in the State of Minnesota. Mr. Young provided personal background and a resume. Commissioner Libra arrived at 6;45 o'clock P.M. Mr. Young stated that he has designed several public parks, some of them similar to Ivy Hills Park. Mr. Young demonstrated with photographs how he and his firm disguised some holding pond and concrete structures within the holding pond. Mr. Young described possible approaches to hiding and disguising the concrete structure and seeding the steep slope along Maple Park Drive. Mr. Young provided a demonstration and photographs of a current project in the City of Farmington where he is doing a landscape plan for a 176 acre planned unit development known as the Town Plan in Farmington. Parks and Recreation Commission February 14, 1995 Page 2 Mr. Young stated he would consider a water garden in the pond with grasses on the slopes leading down to the pond. Mr. Young stated this park has the potential to be a beautiful picture and that different heights of trees and shrubs could be used to dress it up. Mr. Young stated this park should be dressed up because of its location and the neighborhood characteristics. Mr. Young provided a demonstration of a wildflower project for Station 19 Architects on a ten acre site that he had recently completed. Mr. Young stated that his design would see Ivy Hills Park being a composition for a four seasons of the year. Chair Spicer inquired if this park could be planned for $15,000. Mr. Young stated that was a generous budget. Mr. Young stated the use of native vegetation and wildflowers can take up to three years to establish itself, however this is less expensive than using sod and would be similar in price to seed. Mr. Young stated he would consider using shrubs in strategic locations to hide the concrete skimmers and the inflow structures. Chair Spicer stated the Commission has discussed Ivy Hills Park and some of the parameters included a picnic area, a path to the pond, the use of stone for benching and seeding and the use of native grasses and wildflowers to create a low maintenance park design. Mr. Young stated he had no preconceived ideas about Ivy Hills Park at this time. Chair Spicer stated it is likely the City will have the neighborhood in to review the concepts at public presentations. Commissioner Liberacki inquired if Mr. Young's work was primarily with public organizations or with private firms. Mr. Young responded that he has done work for both private and public bodies, including recent work at Lebanon Hills and the Jenson Lake Study in that area. Mr. Young stated he is also doing General Pump's new building and in the past has done the Lexington townhouses in Lilydale. Chair Spicer inquired if Mr. Young has time available to get started and return to the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Mr. Young responded yes. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Commissioner Kleinglass moved to nominate Commissioner Spicer for the position of Chair; Commissioner Norton for the position of Vice Chair and Administrative Assistant Batchelder for the position of Secretary. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. Parks and Recreation Commission February 14, 1995 Page 3 AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 ST THOblAS TENNIS RESERVATIONS The Commission discussed St. Thomas Academy's request to reserve Roger's Lake Park and Valley Park tennis courts from April 1, 1995 until June 1, 1995, from 3:15 P.M. to 5:15 P.M., Monday through Friday. The Commission felt that this request was routine and that a positive recommendation was forthcoming. The Commission discussed the use of Valley Park for reserved play, due to the fact that Valley Park is considered the best situated tennis court in Mendota Heights and is often heavily used. The Commission felt that this request for reservation should be approved with the caveat that if Valley Park proves to be too busy, then St. Thomas Academy would use Marie or Wentworth Park tennis courts. Commissioner Libra moved to approve the request for tennis reservations for St. Thomas Academy for Roger's Lake Park and Valley Park tennis courts from April 1, 1995 until June 1, 1995 from 3:15 P.M. to 5:15 P.M., Monday through Friday, with the caveat that if Valley Park proves to be too busy for reservations, that the play be moved to Marie Park or Wentworth Park. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 SOUTH RENSINGTON PARR SOCCER FIELDS Commissioner Libra introduced Pam Erhlich, of the Sibley Sting Soccer program. Commissioner Libra stated he had submitted a memorandum to the Parks Commission at last month's meeting requesting that the City consider releasing the funds from the Park Referendum that had been earmarked for raising the powerlines at Kensington Park. Libra stated the soccer groups are requesting that funds be released so that they may be used for other improvements at Kensington Park that they feel will be more beneficial to the overall quality of the soccer complex than spending the money to raise the powerlines. Commissioner Libra stated the soccer groups feel this would be a prudent use of the funds in order to complete the park and soccer fields. Libra stated the soccer fields have never been quite completed and need some problem areas corrected Parks and Recreation Commission February 14, 1995 Page 4 including new sod and top dressing certain areas. Libra stated the soccer groups are also asking that the City begin to plant evergreens along the southern boundary of the park complex adjacent to I-494 to serve as a visual, wind and noise buffer. Libra stated he is confident that the soccer groups could find many volunteers to plant small evergreen trees and that if the City started now, perhaps in future years, these trees will have matured to provide a nice screen along this southern boundary. Commissioner Libra stated that the final item the soccer groups would like to have purchased with the Park Referendum funds are youth goals and nets for the soccer fields. Libra stated that all these items are estimated not to exceed $15,000. Commissioner Libra stated the top soil was never adequately completed at this facility and that these areas need to be re - soiled and sodded to complete the existing facility. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated he would recommend that the Commission set a dollar cap, or a not to exceed amount, then direct staff to begin the work or contracting necessary to install the new soil and sod. Kullander stated he would like to see the City's General Fund budget, as a maintenance item, include top dressing for all of the fields in the City. Kullander stated this would help the City park crews eliminate the dips and the doodles and the sags on the existing fields. Ms. Erhlich stated she was present to support this request for improvements, instead of raising the powerlines option. Commissioner Kleinglass inquired if the powerlines have affected the play. Commissioner Libra stated no, and that in an ideal world, the powerlines would not be above the soccer fields, however, the soccer groups feel that raising the powerlines won't solve this problem. Commissioner Libra stated that soccer groups do not feel that the powerlines require action, however, they would like to see the park finished with their requests for turf improvements, plantings and additional nets and goals. Chair Spicer stated it sounds like the requested improvements are items that the City would have to fund to fix anyway. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated some settling has occurred and that in areas good top soil is very thin and that the grass preparation did not take very well in these areas. Kullander stated that soccer play on wet fields can drastically affect the turf conditions. Parks and Recreation Commission February 14, 1995 Page 5 Kullander stated the soil in this area has a lot of clay content and that the existing top soil could be better. Kullander stated, for the most part, the turf at the soccer fields is in good condition however there are areas where there has been some settling and that these areas sag and collect water and then in combination with heavy soccer use it is very difficult for the turf to establish. Kullander stated that soccer play continues despite the weather and that games go on even when the fields are wet. Commissioner Kleinglass moved to approve the request to top dress the fields and to fix the trouble spots with additional fill, seeding and sodding for an estimated cost of $10,000, to purchase $1,000 of evergreen trees to be planted with the help of volunteer assistants, and to purchase additional youth goals and nets for an estimated cost of $4,000. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. The Commission discussed the existing 1995 Maintenance Budget to see if there were anticipated savings that could pay for these items. The Commission discussed the Capital Improvement Plan and different funding sources available for park improvements. The Commission discussed the use of the General Fund for future maintenance and top dressing of the athletic fields in the City. The Commission inquired how much funding is left in the referendum. Kullander replied that approximately $55,000 remains in the Parks Referendum, however, this is slowly being used to pay for staff time and assessments at Mendakota Park. Kullander stated the North Kensington Park plan is budgeted for a not to exceed amount of $41,000 leaving less than $15,000 in the referendum. The Commission recommended that if the development of North Kensington Park uses up the remaining referendum money then these requests for improvements at South Kensington Park should be paid for out of the Special Park Fund. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 The Parks Commission felt it was important to pay for these final improvements at South Kensington Park at this time with existing funds, however, in the future these types of field improvements should be funded by the General Fund as maintenance items. Commissioner Libra requested this be held over until the March 7 Council meeting in order that some of the soccer parents involved could attend the Council meeting. Parks and Recreation Commission February 14, 1995 Page 6 Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the City had received a letter from Dakota County staff including a County Board resolution seeking input from the cities involved in the North Urban Regional Trail (NURT) Program. Batchelder stated the County was seeking an official City position by resolution regarding support for the North Urban Regional Trail, as it is proposed. Batchelder stated the County's resolution states that regional designation is needed before any construction may occur and that local funds would not be used for this project. Batchelder stated that this means regional or federal funds would therefore have to be used, and there is some concern that these funds would require "regional standards" that may mean trail widening, trail flattening and other enhancements for our existing trail in Valley Park. He stated that at this time it is difficult to guess the impacts that these improvements could mean in Valley Park. Commissioner Libra stated that Valley Park currently has a lot of family and residential use on its trail including walkers, bicycle riders, families with strollers and children. Libra inquired if by opening this trail up, as a regional park trail, are we mixing incompatible uses. Commissioner Libra stated, as an example, some of the problems the City of Minneapolis is currently facing with the use on their bicycle and pedestrian trails. Libra stated that Valley Park is a great facility, however it is not a high speed, high volume, destination trail. Commissioner Libra stated that perhaps Dakota County should consider providing separate walking trails and bicycle trails. Chair Spicer stated any resolution approved by the City should state that we are generally in favor of the North Urban Trail, however before approval, the City needs to review actual specifics regarding the width, grade and construction in Valley Park. Chair Spicer stated that this trail should be continued to be used for both pedestrian and bicycle use. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that basically the County is picking a corridor for the trail at this time and that any specifics involved in construction and improvements are details that will be worked out at a later date. Commissioner Liberacki inquired if the City has the opportunity to approve construction plans. Kullander responded yes, and that the City has an opportunity to review and approve these plans because they are using our park for their regional trail. Parks and Recreation Commission February 14, 1995 Page 7 The Commission directed staff to prepare a resolution that states that the City is generally in support of the North Urban Regional Trail, however, there are still some questions to be answered about construction and improvement details. IVY HILLS LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR (CONTINUED) Mr. Jim Hagstrom, of Savannah Designs, appeared before the Commission to make a proposal and presentation about the future landscape project in Ivy Hills Park, Mr. Hagstrom stated he has reviewed Ivy Hills Park and feels that this is very similar to some of the small projects in neighborhoods that his firm has done in the past. Mr. Hagstrom stated that while wildflowers and prairie grass are good for low maintenance, he would like to talk to the Commission about some of the possible constraints. Mr. Hagstrom stated that the area proposed for wildflowers is a steep, south facing slope that may be difficult to establish wildflowers on. Mr. Hagstrom also stated that this is quite a traditional neighborhood with manicured lawns and formal landscape designs throughout. Hagstrom stated that he wonders if the commitment for wildflowers and natural grass is appropriate for Ivy Hills Parks. Mr. Hagstrom stated that his firm specializes in native grasses and wildflower planting and that his firm has completed plans where they have met with neighbors to discuss the neighborhood context, which in many cases is more traditional in appearance than native plantings, grasses and wildflowers. Mr. Hagstrom stated that he is qualified to work with the Parks Commission and the neighborhood to discover the perception and the fit of wildflowers and native grasses in this neighborhood. Mr. Hagstrom stated that the wildflowers and the native grasses could be designed in shapes and patterns that fit in a traditional neighborhood. In this manner, Mr. Hagstrom stated, they can make the neighborhood look better and function better. Chair Spicer inquired if Mr. Hagstrom's firm could meet the budget and provide the low maintenance wildflowers and native prairie grasses including trees and shrubs and possibly addressing the concrete structures in the park. Mr. Hagstrom responded that this would be an ample budget and would also allow some oversizing of some plant materials to jump start the look in the pond area. Mr. Hagstrom stated that if wildflowers are seeded it can take up to three years to Parks and Recreation Commission February 14, 1995 Page 8 establish, however, using our inch pots and live plants you can jump start the project so that it looks good and acceptable in its first season. Mr. Hagstrom stated the pattern and the arrangements of these live plants can be designed in such a fashion to look good in the first season and the seeded areas would come along in later years. Chair Spicer inquired if Mr. Hagstrom would be able to meet the Commission's desire for a short turnaround time and to have concept plans ready for their March meeting. Mr. Hagstrom stated yes. The Commission inquired about Mr. Hagstrom's park design experience. Mr. Hagstrom stated his firm has done two or three public parks, however their major experiences have been with country residents that are typically five to twenty acre properties. Mr. Hagstrom stated that his firm has done a few campgrounds and has done approximately a dozen pond delineations similar to Ivy Hills Park. Hagstrom stated that the pond edges are tricky because of the storm water fluctuation and that it would be definitely possible to use the stone that is available to the City for use as tables, benches, ballards and traffic control. Hagstrom stated the City would probably want to spend most of its money on the trees, shrubs and plantings versus the stone work which could become quite expensive. The Commission discussed possible fees for such a design with Mr. Hagstrom and thanked him for his presentation. Mr. Cliff Swenson, of Damon Farber Associates, appeared before the Commission to make a presentation and proposal for the Ivy Hills Park landscape design. Mr. Swenson provided a list of public projects that have been completed by his firm and stated that he has been with Damon Farber for approximately three years. The Commission discussed some of the public projects with Mr. Swenson. Mr. Swenson stated that Damon Farber always takes a comprehensive approach to each park design where they look at the framework and the context of the park, in this case its residential location. Mr. Swenson stated that they then look at the existing elements in the park and the programs that the park is being used for, in this case tennis and little league. Mr. Swenson stated he has toured the site and it is his understanding that the pond area would be the primary focus of the landscape design. Parks and Recreation Commission February 14, 1995 Page 9 Mr. Swenson stated the first issue for the architect would be how to recreate the pond with the neighbors who have lived in this area for some time. Swenson stated it is important to consider what will be pleasing in this neighborhood and what will not. Mr. Swenson stated it will be necessary to hide or disguise the outlet and inlet structures that have been constructed. Mr. Swenson stated he feels they can enhance the look of the inlet and outlet structures with the sandstone that is available and using these sandstones in a placement pattern that would be an amenity. Mr. Swenson stated that native plant materials to establish a low maintenance area for Ivy Hills Park could be designed fairly easily. Swenson stated their proposal also includes an additional proposal to design a masterplan for the entire park. Swenson stated that plug materials could be used to make an impact sooner instead of relying entirely on seeding. The Commission inquired about experience with neighborhood meetings. Swenson responded that they are currently working on a similar project on Lowry Hill with the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program. Mr. Swenson stated that his proposed fee includes meeting with the Commission and the City Council, however separate neighborhood meetings will require a higher fee. The Commission inquired about using the stone from Acacia and Mr. Swenson responded this stone could be used for informal benches, retaining walls or possibly rip rap structures at the outlet structures. The Commission inquired about turnaround time to get the project completed for the March meeting. Mr. Swenson responded they could schedule this project. The Parks and Recreation Commission thanked Mr. Swenson for his presentation. The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed advantages and disadvantages of the three proposals presented this evening. Chair Spicer stated he had liked the presentation by Mr. Swenson, of Damon Farber Associates, because it appeared they had thought through all of the facets including ADA, the plantings, the stone work and their extensive experience in park design. Spicer stated that he is aware that Damon Farber had done an excellent job on a linear park in Chaska. Commissioner Kleinglass felt that Derek Young had also put a lot of thought into his presentation. Commissioner Libra stated he felt the stone work around the culverts could be a major undertaking and that the more stone work that was done, Parks and Recreation Commission February 14, 1995 Page 10 the less that could be spent on plantings. Commissioner Libra felt that perhaps Damon Farber relied too much on some of the stone work. Commissioner Liberacki stated he feels that Savannah Designs had discussed the traditional look of the neighborhood which he felt might fit better with the neighborhood. Commissioner Liberacki inquired about the use of natural prairie grasses and wildflowers in this area because he had also felt that the landscaping in the neighborhood is very traditional. The Commission discussed the conditions prior to the pond improvements and their desire to have low maintenance, natural wildflowers and prairie grasses. Commissioner Linnell stated he felt Derek Young was experienced in design and landscaping but did not have the specialized knowledge in prairie grasses and wildflowers that Mr. Hagstrom from Savannah Design possesses. Commissioner Linnell stated Savannah Designs specializes in native plants and due to the nature of these innovative designs had quite a bit of experience in neighborhood discussions as well. Linnell stated that Savannah Design has experience in hosting neighborhood meeting discussion. Linnell stated that Damon Farber is a large outfit and is a very good firm, however, this is considered a very small project for them and we may not get the kind of details that we are looking for. Chair Spicer stated that this indeed is a small project and would be very difficult to not do an adequate job. The Commission discussed the merits of all three proposals and the process for getting these proposals back before the Commission in conceptual form so that neighborhood meetings could be scheduled and then following the neighborhood meeting a recommendation could be made to Council for approval this Spring. Commissioner Libra stated the contracted architect could provide two proposals, one showing a proposal with wildflower and prairie grasses, as well as, a concept plan that is more traditional with trees and shrubs so that these can be available for the neighborhood meeting. Commissioner Kleinglass moved to recommend that the City Council appoint Jim Hagstrom, of Savannah Designs, as the landscape architect for the North Ivy Hills Park Project under the terms that two proposals would be submitted, one proposal for a prairie grass and wildflower concept and another proposal for traditional landscape concept utilizing trees and shrubs. Commissioner Liberacki seconded the motion. Parks and Recreation Commission February 14, 1995 Page 11 AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLANNING FOR 1995 THROUGH 1999 Chair Spicer requested that this item be carried over to the March meeting. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that this item appeared on the Parks Commission agenda so that they can begin planning future capital improvements and that they could be ready for the 1996 budget process which begins in late May or early June. The Commission discussed the possibility of recommending a floor for the Special Park Fund so that the park fund not be drawn down below an established fund level. UPDATES Administrative Assistant Batchelder explained that the City Council had not approved the concept plan for placing two t- all fields at the front lawn at the City Public Works garage. He stated the City Council directed staff to contact Resurrection Cemetery to seek their approval for placing some level of ballfields at the cemetery's southeast corner. He stated the cemetery had responded positively and he provide a copy of their letter to the Commission. The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed the appropriate ballfields that would be most needed by Mendota Heights Athletic Association in this location. The Parks and Recreation Commission directed staff to contact the Mendota Heights Athletic Association to find out what their priorities are for field needs and what their most needed field levels are. Batchelder stated that the Park Reservation Policy had been approved by the City Council with changes to the Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation. Batchelder stated these changes included amending Exhibit C to define organized youth programs. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned its meeting at 9:00 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder, Administrative Assistant