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1997-04-08 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY.MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 8, 1997 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, April 8, 1997, in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:40 PM. The following Commissioners were present: Norton, Libra, Kleinglass, Linnell, Liberacki. Chair Spicer was excused from the meeting. Also present was Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister, APPROVAL OF MARCH 11 PARK AND RECREATION MINUTES Commissioner Linnell moved to approve the March 11, 1997 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes with corrections. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: (Commissioner Damberg arrived at this point.) PARK DEDICATION FEES Mr. Hollister explained that at the March 11, 1997 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Commission had asked Staff to place the park dedication policy on the Apri18, 1997 agenda. Mr. Hollister continued that the Commission had also asked Staff to provide a comparison of what other cities require for their park dedication. Mr. Hollister said that the Commission was concerned that $750 may be low compared to what other Cities were asking for, especially in proportion to the land values in Mendota Heights. Mr. Hollister summarized the current park dedication policy. Mr. Hollister also explained that any Park Dedication Fee that a City wished to exact from a developer must meet three legal tests in order to be considered legitimate: 1. The City must be able to demonstrate that the fee or land exaction is necessary to meet an increase in demand for park services or to mitigate a negative impact upon the park system caused by the development itself. 2. The amount of the fee or land exaction must be roughly proportional to the increase in demand or negative impact caused by the development itself. 3. The entirety of the fee or land exaction must be used for the park system, and may not be merged with the general fund or used for any other purpose. Mr. Hollister concluded that the City's Park Dedication policy should be consistent with goals and standards for parks and open space as expressed in our Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Linnell said that an increase in the Park Dedication Fee could be justified based upon an increase in trail demand. Commissioner Liberacki said that an increase could be justified by the City's need for various types of open space (passive, active) and that the City was short-changing itself. Commissioner Libra asked Staff to research what the City had required from the HRA senior housing development in terms of park contributions. Commissioner Liberacki asked if there was a land exaction in addition to these fees. Commissioner Liberacki continued that there had been an increase in demand for ballfields and an increase in demand for trails, and that these increases could be documented. The Commission asked Staff to come back to the next meeting with an updated open space/park facilities inventory and a proposal to increase fees. Mr. Hollister presented the "short list" of highly desirable remaining open space parcels which was compiled at the Joint Workshop between the Parks and Recreation Commission and the City Council on January 14, 1997: • Map #6 Acacia Area TIF Acquired Property • Map #9 Slowinski Property • Map 411 Foss Homestead by Wentworth Park • Map #16 Acacia property north of Acacia Boulevard • Map #18 Resurrection Cemetery "Break Off' Area • Map #19 Visitation Convent Property • Map #21 Tousignant Property off Mendota Heights Road Commissioner Li ell said that the Commissioners should go on a tour of open space either individually or as a group, and that passive and active use could be combined on one park. Commissioner Damberg said that the City should talk to Foss about acquiring his land. Commissioner Liberacki said that he disagreed with what he perceived to be the prevailing philosophy among his fellow Commissioners, that anything of natural or scenic value should be publicly owned. Commissioner Liberacki said that due to a combination of 2 environmental regulations and a landowner own incentives to preserve the beauty of a given site, in general those views which we value in the City would be preserved. Commissioner Liberacki continued that rather than use limited government funds to buy land to prevent trees from being cut down, it would be better to use the funds for park land that was visible, accessible, and usable. Commissioner Linnell said that there should be an overlook at Acacia with a plaque explaining the history of Pilot Knob. Commissioner Linnell said that the Foss land would be good for an extension of the Park and Trail system and could be compatible with Single Family Home construction. Commissioner Libra said that the Resurrection Cemetery land would be good for a park and picnic area. Commissioner Liberacki said that when Resurrection develops, the City should get the 10% dedication in land and hook up a trail around the lake. Commissioner Norton agreed with Commissioner Liberacki. Commissioner Linnell suggested that at the next meeting the Commission take two cars or a van and do a tour of these sites. Commissioner Linnell offered to talk to Mr. Slowinski to try to get permission to walk his property during the tour. UPDATES Mr. Hollister provided updates on the following items. Caren Road Detention Pond Commissioner Damberg said that the ponding area of Caren Road should be enhanced by replacing some of the plantings. Commissioner Damberg suggested putting up signs saying "Wild Flower Restoration Area." Commissioner Damberg also requested that Mr. Kullander make an on -site visit and talk to the neighbors. Commissioner Li ell offered to come to that meeting if it could be arranged. Commissioner Liberacki suggested that the Caren Road ponding area be included in next month's open space tour. Commissioner Damberg said that the City should pay more attention to the appearance of its older neighborhoods. Commissioner Libra said that some of the project money for the Tilsen reconstruction should be used to replace trees and put up signage for the wild area at the Caren Road site. North Kensington Park Commissioner Linnell said that he thought he had reached a compromise with Councilmember Smith about North Kensington Park, and that Mr. Kullander would be presenting his revised plan to both of them before bringing it to Council for approval. Commissioner Norton said that she knows of a non-profit organization that runs seminars for homeowners on the advantages of native plantings in their yards which would reduce the need for fertilizer and pesticides and would be good for water quality, as well as give their yards a more natural appearance. Commissioner Norton said that this approach should also be taken for the public land around City Hall, Wentworth Picnic Shelters Commissioner Libra said that he would like to see specific plans for the Wentworth park shelters. Wentworth Park Warming House Commissioner Libra said that he wanted a Staff review, cost parameters and a capital budget review for warming houses. Commissioner Libra asked staff to identify locations in the City where new warming houses should be built. Commissioner Norton said that Mr. Kullander should build a new multi -use, multi -purpose shelter for summer programs. Commissioner Liberacki said that continuity of architecture was important, and that the new shelter should resemble the existing shelters. Commissioner Liberacki recommended a pre-fab building on a poured slab with garage -type doors around it that could be rolled up for summer programs. Dakota County CII' Commissioner Liberacki said that he was disappointed that in the most recent Dakota County CIl' there was no reference to road widening or trails apart from the NURT trail and the Big Rivers Trail. Commissioner Liberacki asked Staff to inquire as to why that was the case. Commissioner Liberacki said that roadways are in the 5-year plan, but not widening shoulders. !g Cormmissioner Libra said that the County was spending a disproportionate amount of money for trails in the southern part of the County, and that some of that money should be channeled into trails for the north. Commissioner Norton said that the Mayor and City Council need to lobby the County for trails. Commissioner Libra said that one major barrier to the NURT Trail is that Valley Park neighbors don't want that trail widened very much. Commissioner Norton asked Staff to invite someone involved in trails and roads from Dakota County to come to a future meeting Wood Duck Houses in City Ponds Mr. Hollister explained that the Council had authorized the expenditure for wood duck houses and that the Public Works crew had started making these birdhouses. Full -Time Recreation Facilitator Mr. Hollister said that the Council had decided to discuss the issue of a full-time Recreation Facilitator at a 5-year plan setting workshop in mid -May. Park Police Summary for 1996 Mr. Hollister distributed a summary of all police incidents in City parks for the year 1996. Other Mr. Hollister announced that Mr. Esser was married on Saturday, Apri15 and that he was now on honeymoon until April 14. Commissioner Damberg announced that she would have to miss next month's Commission meeting because she will be in Istanbul. Commissioner Liberacki asked Staff to bring back the issue of Mr. John Doyle of 810 Ridge Place who wanted to donate his back yard to the City. Mr. Hollister distributed a letter submitted by Chair Spicer inviting interested Commissioners to attend the Dakota County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee information sharing meeting in May 7, 1997 at Camp Sacajawea. Commissioners Norton and Linnell said that they would try to attend. Parks Report Mr. Hollister presented the Parks Report for the month of March. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn made by Damberg and seconded by Kleinglass. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Respec�lly Submitted, Patrick C. Hollister