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1995-05-19 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 9, 1995 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, May 9, 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: Spicer, Kleinglass, Libra, Damberg, Liberacki, Norton and Linnell. Also present were Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder and Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Libra moved approval of the April 11, 1995, minutes with corrections. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Kleinglass stated that he felt the previous meeting in April was a very good meeting because controversial issues generated a good discussion. Commissioner Liberacki inquired about having the Police Chief at the June meeting to address the vandalism issue. Commissioner Damberg stated the graffiti and destruction in our parks is serious and was wondering if the Commission can do more to address this issue. Commissioner Damberg stated the Commission does not want to just sit there and see this happen without being proactive. The Commission discussed people practicing golf in the parks and a broken window that was reported. The Commission discussed regulatory signage in the parks. Mr. Ram Muthyala, of 699 Apache Lane, stated that he does not want to limit park use but that he wants people to respect his private property and not golf in the direction of his home. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PLAN 1 Administrative Assistant Batchelder provided an overview of the 1995-1999 Capital Improvements Plan. He outlined the funding sources that are relied on by the Capital Improvements Plan including the General Fund, the Special Parks Fund and the Referendum fund. Batchelder provided a list of new requests that have been made for park improvements since the adoption of 1995-1999 Capital Improvements Plan. These items are: 1. Enlarge the skating area in Wentworth Park. 2. Construct a tennis wall at Friendly Hills Park, 3. A request for basketball court at Valley View Heights Park. 4. Resurface the tennis courts in a different order of priority. 5. Explore the construction of additional baseball fields at Mendota Plaza and Centre Pointe. Mr. Ram Muthyala and his son, Brian, were present to discuss the need for a tennis wall at the Friendly Hills Park site. Commissioner Liberacki inquired if the City had a tennis wall or bang board at any of our tennis facilities. er Kullander responded no. Commissioner Liberacki inquired if Mendota Heights teaches tennis through its recreation program. Parks Project Manager responded no. Commissioner Libra stated that Sibley High School does not have a bang board at their tennis courts, however he stated that Mendota Heights Athletic Association has a summer tennis program. Commissioner Norton arrived at 6:45 o'clock P.M. Commissioner Damberg inquired how big a tennis wall needed to be and how much would it cost. Parks Project Manager Kullander responded the ideal bang board would be constructed out of concrete block and based on an estimate of a 20' by 8' wall that would cost approximately $2000. Kullander stated this size was used for a soccer wall estimate and tennis may need to be bigger and could possibly cost up to $10,000. Commissioner Liberacki inquired if the tennis wall could be constructed out of wood. Kullander stated the reason his estimate was based on a concrete block wall was due to the wind load that would be created by such a wall and it would be necessary to have reenforced concrete block for this. Commissioner Liberacki stated that perhaps a bang board could be constructed with a 2' by 4' frame with plywood surface that would be 8' high with possible reinforced bracing. Commissioner Liberacki stated he thinks this is a great idea, however, he qualified his comments by stating that bang boards and tennis walls are more generally associated with a teaching program. 2 Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that in his discussions with people involved in tennis, their response has been that ball machines have generally replaced bang boards due to the cost of a ball machine being about $200. Or. Muthyala stated that he feels a ball machine and a bang board wall serve two different purposes. Commissioner Kleinglass inquired if there was a fence in a strategic location that we could experiment with a plywood tennis wall. Kullander stated that it would have to be structurally based to support for wind load. Commissioner Damberg inquired of Brian Muthyala if there were other youths interested in using this tennis wall. Brian Muthyala stated yes, that he has approximately a dozen friends that play tennis and that they are interested. Commissioner Kleinglass moved to recommend that City staff look at providing a tennis wall at a minimal cost in the City. Commissioner Kleinglass stated that it was nice that someone approached the Parks and Recreation Commission to ask for a neighborhood improvement. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN CONTINUED Parks Project Manager Kullander distributed a handout describing funds available for park and trail improvements in the coming years. This handout included the 1995 City Budget, remaining referendum projects, items approved by City Council in 1995 that are not in the Budget and improvements funded by the Special Park Fund in 1995. This list also included Special Park Funds committed in 1995, Mendakota Park assessments, Kensington turf improvements, anticipated additions in 1995, and referendum fund expenditures and balance to date. Estimates were also provided for park improvement projects that have been newly placed on the agenda. The Parks Commission reviewed the new improvement items that have recently been suggested. Chair Spicer stated that Valley View Heights Park basketball court should be addressed and that Mr. Dave Ayers had contacted him and stated that a particular neighborhood resident is in the concrete business and could provide the City with an estimate on the cost of building a half court basketball at this location. Kullander stated that the City must receive quotes from contractors based on plans and specifications C<? and that he would be happy to send this person a copy of the plans and specifications to receive a quote from him. The Parks Commission desired to get the estimates for Valley View Heights Park for their June meeting. Mr. Mark Kapaun, a Valley View Heights resident, stated that the neighborhood was concerned that this park improvement would be put off many years into the future and felt that it should be built in 1995 or 1996. Commissioner Linnell arrived at 7:10 o'clock P.M. Commissioner Libra stated that according to the Capital Improvements Plan in 1996, only $12,800 is proposed to be spent in the Special Park Fund and that this Special Park Fund figure for 1997 is $11,000. Libra stated this is quite a bit different than approximately $65,000 that is anticipated to be spent in 1995. Commissioner Libra stated that it might be a good idea to spread some of the expenses from 1995 over these other two years. Commissioner Spicer agreed with Commissioner Libra that it would be possible to spread out some of the Special Park Fund expenditures over the next few years. Kullander stated that the big items are the Wentworth picnic shelter and Wentworth and Valley Park bridges. The Commission agreed that the bridges are a health, safety and welfare issue and should be addressed in 1995. Commissioner Norton inquired if the picnic shelter could be put off until 1996. Commissioner Linnell stated that currently the picnic shelter is in the budget and he wondered if there would be a risk of losing the picnic shelter project if it has to go through the budget process again. Chair Spicer stated that the picnic shelter could be placed in the 1996 Budget and that we could start the planning process to site and design it in January so that it would be built in early summer next year. Chair Spicer stated that it might be September before we can do anything on the Wentworth picnic shelter this year. The Commission agreed to put off the Wentworth Park picnic shelter until 1996. Parks Project Manager Kullander inquired about the Friendly Hills picnic shelter and should that be moved to 1997. The Commission was of the consensus to move the Friendly Hills picnic shelter to 1997. Commissioner Damberg stated a concern that the Special Park Fund would be spent down and stated that paying for Mendakota Park assessments out of the Special Park Fund might not be appropriate. Commissioner Damberg stated there is not much development remaining in Mendota Heights and 0 that it appears the City Council is using the Special Park Fund to pay for replacement items such as bridges in Wentworth Park. The Commission discussed the spending down of the Special Park Fund. The Parks Commission reviewed the improvements funded by the General Fund in the 1995 Budget. The Commission reviewed the improvements funded by the Special Park Fund in 1995. The Commission was of the consensus to delay the installation of Wentworth Park grills for $600 and the Wentworth Park picnic shelter for $18,000 until 1996 with the caveat that this project would begin its planning stages in January so it could be built in the early summer of 1996. Commissioner Linnell stated that the enlarging of the skating area at Wentworth Park should be looked at if the warming houses are being switched between Ivy Falls and Wentworth Park. The Commission directed staff to look at the possibility of enlarging the skating area at Wentworth Park. The Commission directed staff to add Wentworth Park rink enlargement to the 1995 Special Park Budget. The Commission discussed the Wentworth Park bridges and culverts which are estimated to be $25,000 from the Special Park Fund in 1995. The Commission felt that this was a priority item and that it should be addressed in 1995. Commissioner Liberacki inquired about resurfacing the tennis court at Roger's Lake Park as funded in the 1995 General Fund Budget. Commissioner Liberacki stated that he had visited the tennis courts in the City and that Roger's Lake tennis court was still in good condition and that he felt that Valley Park tennis court was in very poor condition. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated he had received a phone call from a resident upset about the condition of Valley Park tennis court surface. Parks Project Kullander stated a resurfacing contractor will be visiting the tennis courts in Mendota Heights in the next week to prioritize the courts for resurfacing. Kullander stated that resurfacing involves sealing the cracks and adding a top coat of 1 /4 inch of colored asphalt. Commissioner Liberacki inquired about sweeping the trails and seal coating the Mendakota Park trail. Liberacki inquired if it would be better to overlay as opposed to seal coating. Kullander stated the slurry seal machine will not it on the City bike trails and that seal coating has proven to be more cost effective than overlay. Commissioner Linnell stated that this issue had been examined by the Parks Commission during last year's discussion. Commissioner Liberacki inquired about sweeping trails and Parks Project 5 Manager Kullander responded that this is an item contracted as part of the street sweeping bid. Commissioner Linnell stated that in his opinion, overlaying of trails is not worth the money and that it is more cost effective to seal coat trails until they need replacement. Kullander reported that for installing concrete bleacher pads in the park, the park crews have reported that Kensington Park is the most appropriate location for concrete bleacher pads this year. The Commission felt that staff should determine the needs of concrete bleacher pads. The Commission discussed the priority for tennis court resurfacing, which are scheduled to be done one court per year. Commissioner Liberacki stated he felt the priority should be in the following order: Valley, Ivy, Rogers, Marie, Wentworth and Friendly Hills. The Parks Commission discussed installing baseball fields at the Mendota Plaza and Centre Pointe sites. The Commission felt that the City should continue to explore these options and that City staff should continue to work with Mendota Plaza and look at ball field options at the Centre Pointe site. The Commission reviewed the 1996 improvements in the Capital Improvement Plan. The Commission was of the consensus that the Fiagstrom-King tennis court should wait until the Friendly Hills school site is designed as it may include tennis courts and it would be unwise to duplicate this service in the same neighborhood. Commissioner Liberacki inquired about paving the gravel driveway entrance to Roger°s Lake Pa, k. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that the Parks and Recreation Commission had looked at this item on a number of occasions including during and after the referendum and that for reasons due to the character of the neighborhood and the park, the Commission has always favored leaving this driveway as a gravel trail. Chair Spicer stated that the neighborhood had informed the Parks Commission that they wanted this kept as a gravel drive, however we have paved all the other driveways into the other parks. Spicer stated this was necessary because the other parks had ball fields which caused parking and dust concerns. Commissioner Liberacki inquired if the City should Zook at paving a hockey rink for rollerblading. Batchelder stated that some cities have tried this and that the City of Mendota Heights looked at this issue in 1990 and dismissed it at that time. The Commission directed staff to review the success that other cities may or may not have had with paving a rink for rollerblading. Commissioner Liberacki stated that he feels there is a general lack of picnic tables in City parks. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that the City budget includes the purchase of ten picnic tables in 1995 and that the City has a general supply of picnic tables that the park crews move around as requested. Commissioner Liberacki stated that there should be more picnic tables near the ball diamonds for use by the parents attending games. Commissioner Libra stated that Ivy Falls Park could definitely use some picnic tables near the ball diamonds. The Commission directed staff to include picnic table purchases on the 1996 CIP list. The Commission directed staff to put together these pieces of their discussion on the Capital Improvement Plan for review at the June meeting at which time the Capital Improvement Plan for 1996 through the year 2000 would be put into final draft form for City Council review. DAKOTA COUNTY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that Dakota County was seeking comments on its Capital Improvements Plan. Commissioner Norton stated that the County's Capital Improvement Plan includes a massive development scheme for Lebanon Hills Park to which there is organized opposition. Norton stated she feels the County is making these capital improvements at Lebanon Hills Park because the Cities of Eagan and Apple Valley are putting political pressure on the County. Norton stated that $2 million is budgeted for expenditures in Lebanon Hills Park and that she feels this money would be better spent on acquisition of additional park land. Commissioner Norton stated that Thompson Park is the only County park in northern Dakota County and that it is very small and does not meet the needs of northern Dakota County. Commissioner Norton stated that the City has approached Dakota County about purchasing park land on the Resurrection Cemetery site but that the County has ignored this site in their acquisition program. Norton stated that the County Park Policy is not to acquire any more park land until existing parks are developed. Commissioner Damberg stated she felt Dakota County was unwise in not making acquisitions at this time while the land may still be available. 7 Commissioner Liberacki stated that the County Highway Department is supposed to have shoulders on all their County highways and that these shoulders are definitely lacking along Delaware between Huber Drive and the south boundary of the City and along Wentworth Avenue between Dodd Road and Delaware Avenue. Liberacki stated that Delaware Avenue is very dangerous because of its narrow shoulders and he is aware that a lot of bike riders and pedestrians use this stretch of Delaware Avenue. Commissioner Norton stated she feels that at this time there is an opportunity for a three way partnership with the City, County and Archdiocese to preserve the area around Lake Augusta. Commissioner Damberg stated this end of Dakota County needs more County park land. The Commission was of a consensus that the City should offer to meet with the County and the Church to discuss the possibility of a partnership for the preservation of open space and trails around Lake Augusta in the Resurrection Cemetery. The Commission suggested that Bill Morrish River Plan Group and perhaps the National Park Service should be involved in these discussions as well. CITY COUNCIL/PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION JOINT MEETING Chair Spicer stated that the City Council had put a joint meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission on their agenda for some time this summer. Spicer stated that the Parks Commission should discuss what type of items they may want to address during this joint meeting with the City Council. The Parks Commission generated the following list including County park lands, additional baseball fields, the philosophy of park fund use and major park project funding, netting at Mendakota Park, expansion of the recreation program, the Burows Farm, open space inventory and trail opportunities. VERBAL UPDATES Administrative Assistant Batchelder reported that City Council had met with representatives from the Valley View Heights neighborhood and had told them that Valley View Heights Park would not be added to the City's park system. Batchelder stated that the City Council did, however, indicate that the City park crews would maintain this park and that improvements to this park could be made. Batchelder stated that the City Council had directed the Commission to review the basketball court request at Valley View E:? Heights Park. Batchelder stated that the City Council had met with neighbors in Bridgeview Shores regarding the trail extension as part of the Mendota Heights Road/Dodd Road traffic signal project. Batchelder stated City Council had directed staff to contact the contractor regarding whether this project could be put off until the fall under the terms of the contract. Batchelder stated the City and the contractor are currently discussing doing this project later in the year during the fail. TRAIL STENCILING The Commission decided to set aside a night or an afternoon in June in which they could tour the park and participate in trail stenciling. VERBAL UPDATES CONTINUED Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that finding a civic group or organization to operate the concession stands at Mendakota Park has been very difficult because while many people would like to do the concessions on the big weekend tournaments there are not many groups who are willing to do the Monday through Friday night time periods. Batchelder stated that the City Council had told staff that if no civic groups or booster groups could be found to upgrade the concessions stand, that it should be advertised for a private vendor. The Commission inquired if lease money through a private vendor situation could go into the Special Park Fund or be earmarked for park projects. Commissioner Norton reported that on the pond at the corner of Marie and Lexington Avenue a resident had built a path down to the pond including stone steps. Norton stated that she feels this stairway was unattractive and inquired if it was on park land and in a designated Wetland. The Commission directed staff to have the Code Enforcement Office look at the construction of a pathway to the pond at Marie and Lexington. The Commission discussed the vandalism at the Marie Park warming house. Administrative Assistant Batchelder informed the Commission that Acacia Cemetery had approved our request for the use of up to 300 stones to include in our projects in North Kensington Park and Ivy Hills Park ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned its meeting at 8:25 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant 10