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1996-02-13 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 13, 1996 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parlcs and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, February 13, 1996, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 PM. The following members were present: Libra, I{leinglass, Spicer, Linnell, and Liberacici. Norton and Damberg were excused. Also present were Interim City Administrator Kevin Batchelder, Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander, and Administrative Intern Patrick C. Hollister. The following members of the community were present: James L. and Julie M. Bader Frank Friedman Marl and Mike Black John Korman John Noern Dennis McCormick Morris Friedman Jann Blesener 9l0 Mendakota Court 906 Mendakota Court 904 Mendakota Court 2251 Dodd Road 915 Douglas Road 902 Mendakota Court 789 Hokah Ave 848 Mendakota Court Bill Wagner from the Highland Villager was also present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Libra moved to approve the January 9, 1996 Minutes. Commissioner Kleinglass seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 INTRODUCTION OF PATRICK C. HOLLISTER, ADMINISTRATIVE INTERN Kevin Batchelder introduced Patrick Hollister, the new Administrative Intern for the City of Mendota Heights. The Commission then introduced Mr. Hollister to the audience. Commissioner Liberacki arrived at 6:45 PM. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Commissioner Linnell moved to reappoint Spicer as Chair and Norton as Vice -Chair, and to appoint Hollister as Secretary. Commissioner Kleinglass seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 BALL FIELD LIGHTS AT MENDAKOTA PARK Kevin Batchelder provided a brief history of this issue. Mr. Batchelder explained that the Mendota Heights Athletic Association had expressed a need for more field time for their youth baseball program. After looking at alternatives such as increasing weekend play and flexible scheduling for the 1996 season, the Parks and Recreation Commission had a Joint Workshop with the City Council on January 9 to discuss long term solutions, including the possibility of lighting Mendakota Field. The Council directed City Staff to prepare a feasibility report and present it this evening to the Parks and Recreation Commission, John Norton of the Mendota Heights Athletic Association explained that a total of 38 fields are now needed for baseball and softball, but the athletic program will lose between 8 and 12 fields in 1996. Mr. Kullander then presented the Feasibility Study of possible light arrangements at Mendakota Park. Mr. Kullander explained that the City Council was the only entity that could decide to expend City funds. Mr. Kullander added that what he was presenting was only a Draft Feasibility Study and that Staff would try to incorporate input from the audience into the Feasibility Study to be presented to the Council on February 20, 1996. Mr. Kullander explained that the City Council has directed Staff to prepare a Feasibility Study for the installation of a sports lighting system at Mendakota Park to be presented to this commission for review and comment. Mr. Kullander said that the recommendation from this commission will be presented to the City Council next Tuesday February 20, 1996. Mr. Kullander explained that all city park land suitable for ball fields within the City of Mendota Heights had already been developed. Thus to increase field time, the City had the following options: 1. Purchase or lease land and build a new complex. 2. Add lights for approx. $225,000 to get more use of Mendakota Park. Mr. Kullander explained that the Parks and Recreation Commission is reviewing the option of installing a sports lighting system at Mendakota Park for the following reasons: 1. There is a shortage of fields to accommodate the requests from the Mendota Heights Athletic Association and other youth user groups. 2. The new lights would enable adult softball teams to play one or two additional games per night, thereby freeing fields for youth play. 3. The cost of the light complex would be $225,000, whereas the cost of land and development of another four field complex would be from $1 to $1.5 million. Mr. Kullander explained that the lighting system would have the following system design elements: Determine performance and level of lighting desired. Establish criteria for spill light allowed off the play field. Select a system that best meets design elements 1 and 2 above. Mr. Kullander explained the following about the performance level of a lighting system: 1. Baseball and softball fields require two levels of light; one for the infield and another for the outfield. Recreational lighting is considered to be 30 foot-candles infield and 20 foot-candles outfield. 2. Light should be uniform and smooth over the playing field. 3. Each point on the field should be lighted from two or more locations to eliminate shadows. 4. Lights should provide 10% to 15% greater average light level to offset loss of light as the lamps age. Mr. Kullander then explained methods which are typically used to reduce the light spillage if field: 1. Lights are typically aimed downward at an angle of 60 degrees or less. 2. Modern lights have reflectors and baffles which eliminate the "glare" effect. 3. Modern lights can also be fitted with hoods to reduce the amount of spillage above the field. Mr. Kullander also explained about different types of lights and how they cast light at different angles, which is a specific concern for corner poles. Mr. Kullander then showed three sample pole arrangements and their estimated costs: 1. A 16-pole design which would cost about $200,000. 2. A 20-pole design which would cost about $220,000. 3. A 28-pole design which would cost about $200,0004212,000. Commissioner Spicer then asked Mr. Kullander which pole arrangement would be the least objectionable fiom an aesthetic point of view. Mr. Kullander replied that it depended on one's point of view, but that the 28-pole arrangement would reduce light spillage over the 16- or 20-pole arrangements. YIr. Kullander explained that construction costs of alighting system vary depending on the desired light level, luminaire design, number of poles, amount of spill light allowed off fields, and other extra or add -on items. (ie: PA system, scoreboards, buried conduit in place of direct bury wire, etc.) Mr. Kullander explained that a uniform lighting system will cost in the range of $180)000 to $230,000 dollars plus staff overhead and any consulting fees. Mr. Kullander stated that a competitive bidding process would be used. Mr. Kullander explained that the major cost of operating the light system will be electrical charges by NSP. Mr. Kullander continued that using the lights an average of two hours per night or 50 hours per month will result in $7,500 in charges per season. Mr. Kullander stated that extending the number of games played each evening could require a park maintenance employee to remain on duty for an average of four hours per night. Mr. Kullander said that depending on the employee's pay level this could cost from $2,000 to $5,000 per season. Mr. Kullander explained that the Special Park Fund has a current balance of $463,000. He added that the Parks and Recreation Commission had judiciously refrained from drawing down the Fund so that the $25,000 plus interest earned each year could be used for various park improvements each year. Mr. Kullander suggested that the least expensive way to finance this project would be the use of the Special Park Fund. No interest or other fees would be added to the total project cost. If the City Council orders this project to be done and draws down the Special Park Fund, they may wish to look at a tax levy or some other funding source to replenish the Special Park Fund. Mr. Kullander listed the following additional items for consideration by the Park Commission not as a recommendation but to list all possible ideas or uses so that the Commission could state their positions on these issues: 1. Provide wiring and attachments for a public address system. 2. Provide wiring for electronic scoreboards. 3. Operation of a concession stand. 4. Construction of a storage building for park equipment and bulk storage items. 5. Additional lights at the lay area for safer night-time use. Commissioner Spicer then invited questions from the residents in attendance. James L. Bader stated that he passes by the park every night and had two questions: 1. When are the fields not in use? (Mr. Bader claimed that at least 2 or 3 nights per week the fields were not in use.) 2. During games people park on both sides of Mendakota Drive. The parking lot is half full, and cars are parked on the street. Mr. Bader stated that putting lights on the field would serve to increase the danger to local residents. Mr. Bader stated that if this kind of intensive use was intended for this area, the streets should have been made wider. Mr. Bader also stated that if demand for field time is growing so rapidly, it would be waste of money to buy the lights, since the City would simply have to build more fields down the road. Mr. Bader submitted that it would be better to use the money to buy fields now. Commissioner Spicer answered that the City had spent a year looking for potential sites for new fields, and that none exist. Mr. Kullander stated that there is no parking allowed on one side of the streets in the vicinity of the park, and that a new centerline was scheduled to be painted on the road in 1996. Commissioner Kleinglass asked Mr. Batchelder to address Mr. Bader's concern about the fields not being used every day. Mr. Batchelder responded that the fields at Mendakota park are not typically used on Friday or Saturday nights. Mr. Batchelder said that there is Adult Softball on all four fields from Monday through Thursday. Mr. Batchelder said that the City tried to persuade the MHAA to use the fields on Friday and Saturday for softball, but they declined. Mr. Bader stated that if there was too much demand for too few fields, the city should scale back programs. He also asked why more games couldn't be played in the daytime. Mr. Norton, MHAA Baseball Commissioner answered that during the daytime it was very difficult to get volunteers, coaches, umpires, etc., and that daytime play just would not work. Ms. Blesener stated that she chaired the referendum which included the ballfield complex at Mendakota Park. Ms. Blesener added that she doesn't deny that there were discussions of lights at this park, but did not think that they would be built this soon. Ms. Blesener stated that aesthetics were of a great concern to the neighbors and that the poles and lights would be an eyesore. She also objected to the noise from games. Ms. Blesener said that the traffic noise from the field was bad until about 9:00 and that people wished to go to bed by that time. Ms. Blesener added that as a taxpayer she was concerned about the costs of the system. Ms. Blesener stated that the whole athletic program needs to be redesigned. Ms. Blesener suggested that the athletic programs should try to meet demand by scheduling weekend games and playing shorter games. Ms. Blesener complained about the "knee-jerk reaction" of putting up lights because they can't buy more fields. Ms. Blesener stated that this new light system will create an absolute eyesore in the community "with all the charm of a K-mart parking lot." Mr. Bader stated that more games should be held during the day, and that the fields should be used by the MHAA during the weekend days. Mr. Norton replied that there will be more youth baseball on weekends for the coming year, and that many parent members in the MHAA are complaining about weekend play. Frank Friedman stated that the aesthetic concerns are too great and that the neighborhood will be negatively affected by this proposal. He also complained that he had not seen any numbers regarding fields per participants, time usage, growth in play, etc. Mr. Bader stated that since even with the lights, the demand for field space will not be net. If the demand can never be met, then why try to meet the demand? Where does it end? Spicer assured the audience that the Commission understands their objections and reminded them that the Commission is only an advisory body to the Council. Ms. Black stated that the residents of this area already have to endure the NSP plant and airplane noise, and now would have to suffer this annoyance as well. Spicer commented that in regards to cost -efficiency, there is not another "pinwheel" -style all complex in the metropolitan area without lights. Ms. Bader complained that the Adult Leagues invariably engage in drinking after games and that the curved streets are dangerous. Ms. Blesener stated that there appeared to be a double standard at work in the City, since both St. Thomas and Sibley were prohibited from erecting lights and now the City is contemplating putting up its own lights in the middle of a residential area. Ms. Blesener also stated that at the time that the Park Referendum was passed, the City had the opportunity to create another youth field at Huber Drive and Mendota Heights Road but did not do so. Mr. Korman stated that the lights would only benefit a small number of residents. Mr. Korman also stated that if the lights were to be constructed, pretty soon they would be on until 11 PM. Mr. Korman stated that he moved to Mendota Heights for peace and quiet and that this would be disrupted. As. Bader expressed concern for the children in the neighborhood. Morris Friedman stated that the residents east of Dodd Road were already close to the ballfield, and already had to listen to the playing and hollering. Mr. Friedman also asked whose responsibility it was to expand for all the demand, and asked what would have happened if the referendum had failed. He stated that the ballfield was only a few years old, and now it would already receive lights. Commissioner Spicer asked for a motion. Kleinglass recalled that at the Workshop it was stated that the kids would not play on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, and now they wish to play at Mendakota park. He stated that it would be a disservice to people to light the fields. Commissioner Spicer again asked for a motion. Kleinglass made a motion to recommend against lighting the fields. Commissioner Spicer asked for a second to the motion. There was none. Liberacki recalled that there was a lot of discussion at the Workshop including charts showing the use of the fields. He stated that lots of information on demand and use was available at the past joint meeting. Liberacki stated that all parties were willing to compromise for this season in order to get to a long-term solution. Liberacki directed Staff to make available the data showing that the need for fields has truly exceeded capacity despite the willingness of all sides to compromise. Liberacki informed the audience that he is a Landscape Architect and that he believes that strategically placed trees can help screen homes from the lights. He then made a motion to recommend to the Council that they determine a funding method for the lights, provided that they also provide for $10,000 worth of landscape screening to alleviate the potential visual impact of the lights. Libra seconded this motion. Mr. Linnell stated that his interest is primarily in natural areas and trails. Linnell added that the housing in lus neighborhood is turning over rapidly and that the number of kids in his neighborhood is on the increase. Linnell stated that he is concerned about the use of the Special Park Fund for the lights, and would prefer that the majority of the Fund be saved for future purchase of natural areas and open space. Linnell added that purchasing the lights was a cheaper and more feasible option than constructing a new ballfield complex. Spicer stated that he has to weigh the petition of 1200 households in favor of lights at Mendakota against the concerns of the surrounding neighbors. Spicer stated that he wished to add the following amendments to the Liberacki's motion: 1. That the lights must be constructed in an aesthetically pleasing manner (nice poles, few lamps, etc.) 2. That the lights never be on after 10 PM. 3. That the lights only be used from May 15 to August 1 of each year. 4. That the Special Park Fund contribute no more than 25% of the total cost of the lights. Kleinglass stated that he is not in favor of constructing the lights, and that it is unfair to say that 1200 people are in favor of the lights. Norton stated that the MHAA has agreed to schedule between two and four weekends of play in order to meet demand and work cooperatively with adult softball schedules. Libra stated that the lights constitute a reasonable expansion of the use of the fields. Libra added that the City has investigated alternate means of meeting demand, such as spending $40,000 to $60,000 for temporary fields at Mendota Plaza for 5 years. Libra stated that there is a tremendous amount of information available about the MHAA's need for additional fields. Libra stated that the lights would benefit and serve the youth of the community. Spicer stated that he wished to add another amendment to Liberacki's motion; that there be no additional softball leagues created. Commissioner Libra disagreed that this restriction should be placed on City recreational programs. Ms. Blesener stated that the lights represent too much tax money spent to simply extend play for one more hour. Linnell stated that the athletic community must work with their scheduling to a greater extent to accommodate demand. Linnell added that he would be less willing to build more fields if lights went in at Mendakota Park. Linnell stated that he wished to add an amendment to Liberacici's motion that no more lighting be constructed in the area for the parking lots, flee play area, and the soccer field. Ms. Blesener stated that additional landscaping should be included that would shield the NSP plant. Commissioner Spicer called for a vote on Liberacki's motion as amended: Motion to recommend to the Cite Council that they determine a f rnding method for bal�eld lights at Menda7ota Pads rvitlz the following conditions: 1. That they also provide for $10, 000 worth of landscaping to alleviate the potential visual impact of the lights. 2. That the lights must be constructed in an aesthetically pleasing manner (nice poles, few lamps, etc.) 3. That the lights never be on after 10 PM. 4. That the lights only be used front May 15 to August 1. 5. That the Special Park Fund contribute no more than 25% of the total cost of the lights. 6. That no more lighting be constructed in Mendakota Park for the parking lots, the play area, or the soccer field. AYES: 4 NAYS: I (Kleinglass) REVIEW OF SPRING RECREATION ACTIVITIES Mr. Batchelder provided a review of Spring Recreation Activities including golf leagues, adult softball, sand volleyball, in -line skating and "Build -a -Bird House." UPDATES Mr. Batchelder provided updates of the following items: • Police and Parks Depattment Reports for 7anuar� • Friends of the Parks Tree Program -February Newsletter. The Friends of the Parks will once again be having their tree sale this year. This will be announces in the February issue of Heights Highlites. • Par 3 Golf Course -Ski Trail Discussion. Staff met with Mike Cashill of the Par 3 Golf Course to discuss the possibility of allowing cross-country skiing at the course. • Friendly Marsh Park Trail -Senior Housing • Harriett Island Interpretative Center -Invitation by NINRAA • West Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Information Staff provided information regarding golf at Thompson Oaks and other West Saint Paul programs. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn made by ICleingtass and Seconded by Linnell AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 The meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM. Respectfidly Submitted, Patrick C. Hollister