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1995-10-10 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 10, 1995 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, October 10, 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, Liberacki, Libra, Norton and Linnell. Commissioner Damberg was excused. Also present were Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder, Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Recreation Programmer Shelli Heinsch. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Libra moved to approve the September 12, 1995 minutes. Commissioner Kleinglass seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 Commissioner Norton thanked the Parks and Recreation Commission for their work in stenciling the park trails. Norton stated that she is impressed that the whole trail system had been stenciled by Commissioners on a voluntary basis and that she apologized for not being present that evening. Commissioner Norton stated she had visited the overlook which was just constructed in North Kensington Park and feels that it is a very nice amenity. RECREATION PROGRAM REVIEW Recreation Programmer Heinsch provided an overview of the 1995 recreation program components. Heinsch stated that each program is evaluated upon its conclusion on an annual basis in order that City staff can track the growth and monitor each individual programs so that improvements can be made. Heinsch stated each evaluation Commission included some comments on improvements that could be made to individual programs. She stated that all City programs are fee supported except for the concert in the parks which is the one subsidized recreation program that is offered. 1 Heinsch distributed a revenue and expenditures handout showing all of the individual programs and comparing them to their status in 1994. Heinsch highlighted the new programs including Build -a -Bird -House, Natural Wonders Program, Junior Golf League, Women's Golf League, Senior Golf League and an additional softball league that had been held in 1995. Heinsch stated that recreation program revenue had gone from $14,456 in 1994 to $26,611.50 in 1995. Heinsch stated that park reservations had significantly increased in 1995 and that many of our shelters and other park facilities were heavily booked this past summer. Heinsch stated that Mendakota Park is heavily reserved and almost every weekend and quite a few week nights throughout the summer are reserved at this location. Heinsch stated that park reservations are time intensive. She stated that park reservation revenue had increased from $570 in 1994 to $1,385 in 1995. The Commission discussed Women's and Senior°s Golf Leagues and the possibility of offering those on a different day or merging that program with West St. Paul in order to increase attendance. The Commission discussed other options for the golf programs such as evening leagues and other golf courses besides the Par 3. Chair Spicer inquired why so much revenues had been collected on adult softball. Heinsch stated that this is a result of non- resident fees that are being paid to the program. Heinsch stated no costs for maintenance of the ballfields have been figured into the league expenditures. She stated this includes chalking and weekend field preparation that sometimes occurs with tournaments. The Commission discussed the Summer Adventure Program. The Commission discussed the Nature Camp that had been canceled due to the lack of participants in 1995. Heinsch stated that instructor fees and supplies would not have been covered by the number of registrants and therefore this program was not held. The Commission discussed whether some programs are worth doing, whether all of the fees cover the costs. Batchelder stated it is the City's intent to have all programs be user fee based. Commissioner Linnell suggested that a downhill ski club would be a good idea and stated that many ski areas will give group rates for twenty or more skiers and that a program could be set up where people provide their own transportation to the ski area but are able to get group rates because it is done as a City program. Commissioner Norton stated she would like the City to look into providing 4 cross country ski lessons including ski skating which is becoming very popular. Commissioner Norton stated the County has trail grooming equipment and that the City should look into cutting our own trails so that they can be groomed by the County during the winter time. Norton stated that perhaps the Par 3 Golf course may want to be involved in this as well. Norton stated that high school cross country and cross country ski clubs are becoming very popular and she feels the City should explore joint programming with the school district, St. Thomas Academy and Dakota County. Heinsch stated that the in -line skating program may be expanded to have spring and fall classes instead of just one class in mid summer. The Commission discussed the amount of time spent by staff on park reservations. The Commission discussed fall softball leagues. Recreation Programmer Heinsch stated that fall softball leagues would be very popular, however, it is difficult to do without lights because week night play into September runs into early evenings and darkness. DODD ROAD TRAIL DISCUSSION Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that City Council had been looking at providing a safe pedestrian bike access at Dodd Road and Highway 110 in response to a letter from former Councilmember Jann Blesener. Kullander reviewed the proposed preliminary trail layout with the Commission. He reviewed trail cross sections for both two lane and four lane sections of Dodd Road. Kullander stated providing safe pedestrian bicycle access along Dodd Road, South Plaza and Highway 110 is difficult because there are four lanes of traffic and no shoulders and this becomes a very unsafe situation. Kullander described improvements that would be proposed to widen the path along Dodd Road by McDonald's as it approaches Highway 110. Kullander discussed funding for this project and stated an application would be made to MnDOT for a cooperative agreement whereby MnDOT would pay for these trail and roadway improvements under the guidelines of safety, access and transportation purposes. Kullander stated the City would also pay a share of this trail and that would be determined at the time MnDOT accepts the application for cooperative agreement. Kullander stated the estimated cost was $250,000 to $300,000 for all of these trail improvements. He stated the City portion could be funded from tax increment financing. He also described a scenario where an application would be made for federal ISTEA money. �3 Kullander stated the City Council has asked the Parks and Recreation Commission and Planning Commission to review this proposed trail. At their first meeting in November, the City Council would consider a resolution for making application to MnDOT before December list for a cooperative agreement to build and fund this trail. Kullander described the preliminary route and layout of the trail plan including a traffic light at South Plaza Drive and trails on both sides of Dodd Road in some places. Kullander described the trail from Marie Avenue to Wagon Wheel Trail. The Commission discussed how this new plan would cross Highway 110 at Dodd Road. Kullander stated there would be a safety button for lights and there is an island half way across. Kullander stated a tunnel had been suggested but it was determined that it would be extremely expense. Kullander explained the culvert extension that would allow the trail to be widened as it approaches Highway 110 along Dodd Road. Commissioner Liberacki stated he does not feel a traffic light is warranted at South Plaza Drive based on the traffic numbers. Kullander stated that at South Plaza Drive, Dodd Road is like crossing a four lane highway. He stated he feels a light is warranted and that the traffic should be slowed down to 35 mile per hour to provide a safe crossing. The Commission discussed approving the conceptual plan as presented and making application to MnDOT. The Commission discussed the preliminary trail layout from South Plaza Drive to Highway 110 and discussed routing bicycle traffic around the center. Kullander stated staff would explore this option. Commissioner Kleinglass moved that the Parks and Recreation Commission recommends support for the conceptual plan for the Dodd Road trail improvements. Commissioner Norton seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 The Commission discussed the approximate cost for the Dodd Road trail improvements and the possibility of a pedestrian bridge. Commissioners Linnell and Norton stated their preference for a pedestrian bridge. Commissioner Liberacki stated he feels the City should contact the golf course about providing a trail easement along the west of Dodd Road along their property. The Commission discussed having a trail along the golf course property verses a traffic light at South Plaza Drive. Kullander stated that pedestrians will still need to cross Dodd Road in order to connect the Plaza with Mendakota Park. Commissioner Liberacki felt that the City should ask Mendakota Country Club to cooperate on a trail easement. Liberacki stated he does not believe a traffic light at South Plaza Drive is warranted due to low traffic volumes along South Plaza Drive and that he feels a trail on both sides of the road would be a better situation. The Commission stated they would like to review the final plan before it is formally approved by both the City and MnDOT. UPDATES The monthly Police and Parks Department report were reviewed by the Commission. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated he had contacted ISD No. 197 Business Manager Lois Rockney to inquire about the use of the old tennis court site. He stated he had been informed that this area was going to be seeded for a practice field and that the School District would not be favorable to allowing skinned infields for transitional t-ball play. Batchelder stated the practice field would be available for use by t-ball programs. Batchelder stated the bid awards for the landscaping at North Kensington and Ivy Falls Parks had been presented to the Council the previous week. Batchelder stated the bid work for the grading at North Kensington Park was above the budget and the Council had expressed a concern about the native prairie grasses in the park and had asked staff to take a second look at this. Batchelder stated the Council had indicated that they wanted less prairie grass in the design of the park while at the same time keeping the backyard concept. He stated with Ivy Falls Park, the City Council had directed staff to rebid the tree and shrub portion of the bid and bring those bids back with the bid from Prairie Restoration for the wildflowers. Batchelder stated Kullander would be presenting these bids at the next City Council meeting. Batchelder reported on the North Urban Regional Trail discussion held at the Council meeting the previous week. He stated County Commissioner Patrice Bataglia and County Planner Lynn Moratzka had appeared before Council to discuss the North Urban Regional Trail's proposal for improvements in Valley Park. Batchelder stated the City Council had directed staff to prepare a resolution to send to the County reiterating the City's stance that "only" minimal improvement in Valley Park. Commissioner Linnell stated that some improvements to Valley Park may be desirable including the rounding off of some corners, widening certain sections and changing the grade in certain areas. Linnell stated that these improvements are possible to enhance the trail section without harming or impacting the park or changing the wooded nature of the park. Parks Project Manager Kullander reported on roofing bids for the shelters in Valley and Roger's Park and stated City staff would be rebidding with the current wood shingles to be replaced with asphalt shingles on these buildings. Kullander stated if the bids are over the $1,500 that are budgeted for these items that the City may find the money for the roofing by not doing the concrete bleacher pads in the park. The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed the Big Rivers Trail Plan. Commissioner Linnell stated he feels that Dakota County should landscape the islands in the parking lot instead of having a concrete island. Commissioner Linnell distributed a preliminary schematic design for the new middle school to be located at Huber Drive and Mendota Heights Road. The Commission discussed the need for additional fields and gymnasium space at this middle school and directed staff to make the school district aware of the City's need for additional recreation facilities. The Commission discussed linking this site to the City's existing trail system. IslaL�1�L-t� iril��� There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission moved to adjourn its meeting at 7;50 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant [d