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1997-05-13 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY.MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 13, 1997 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, May 13, 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, and Linnell. Chair Spicer and Commissioners Liberacki and Damberg were excused from the meeting. Also present were Recreation Programmer Chris Esser and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister, AGENDA Commissioner Kleinglass moved to place the Ivy Hill Park Donation Offer item first on the agenda after approval of the Minutes, since Mr. Oyen was in attendance at the start of the meeting. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: APPROVAL OF APRIL 8 PARK AND RECREATION MINUTES Commissioner Libra moved to approve the April 8, 1997 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes with no corrections. Commissioner Kleinglass seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: IVY FALLS PARK DONATION OFFER Mr. Ralph Oyen of Ivy Hill Townhouse Association presented a letter to the City of Mendota Heights dated May 2, 1997 stating that at the last meeting of the Association, the members voted to offer to quitclaim Lot F immediately east of Ivy Falls Park to the City for park purposes. Mr. Oyen explained that the property was reserved in 1970 through a restrictive covenant for recreational use for people in that development. Mr. Oyen said that the restrictive covenant would end in the year 2000. Mr. Oyen said that when the townhome development was approved by the City, the land was dedicated as open space for density purposes. Mr. Oyen said that as early as 1980 the Association voted 74% in favor of donating it to the City. Mr. Oyen said that many people already assume it is part of the park and use it in that fashion. Mr. Oyen said that the Association has made no attempt to restrict or discourage public enjoyment of the land. Mr. Oyen said that he felt that it made more sense for it to be owned by the City. Commissioner Kleinglass asked who owns the land and who currently paid the taxes for this land. Mr. Oyen said that all four Associations were supposed to jointly own the land, but that legally that was not the case. Mr. Oyen said that officially the Ivy Hill Townhouse Association owns the land. Mr. Oyen continued that the Ivy Hill Townhouse Association currently pays 35/84ths of the taxes for this land, and that the other three Associations reimburse the Ivy Hill Townhouse Association for their share. Mr. Oyen continued that only 3 Associations are named on the quitclaim but that the other Association's units are not mentioned. Mr. Oyen said that the Ivy Hill Association is empowered to unilaterally donate the land to the City if it so desires. Mr. Oyen said that his group wished to either donate the land to the City or quitclaim the deed to the other Associations. Mr. Oyen added that the other Associations did not want the land. Mr. Oyen added that the land was currently valued at $56,000 and that the Association paid $1500 per year in taxes on the land. Mr. Oyen said that City Staff felt that the land was over -assessed by the County. Commissioner Kleinglass asked who currently maintains the property. Mr. Oyen responded that the four Associations cooperate together to maintain the property. Commissioner Libra asked if the condominium association is in favor of donating the land to the City. Mr. Oyen responded that the condominium association has mixed emotions about donating this land. Mr. Oyen continued that the Associations had talked about maintaining some sort of gardens on the land, but that nothing had ever been done. Commissioner Libra asked if the neighbors would object to an active use for the land if it were incorporated into the City Park system. Mr. Oyen said that some of his neighbors might object to an active use such as a soccer facility there but that the majority of the neighbors would not object. Mr. Oyen continued that he personally wasn't concerned because in the adjacent park nothing seems to get used except the ballfields and the children's playground. Commissioner Linnell said that the City needed more athletic facilities for active use during peak times such as evenings and weekends. Commissioner Libra said that Staff should pursue this title report and find out which Associations maybe required to join in the deed. Mr. Libra said that the City should also solicit neighbors' opinions on the possibility of donating this park land to the City. Commissioner Libra moved that recommend that Staff review options, get a title report, and bring this item back to the June meeting. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. Commissioner Norton offered a friendly amendment that Staff research the potential suitable uses for this land. Commissioner Libra accepted the amendment. AYES: NAYS: Commissioner Libra suggested that Mr. Oyen talk to the other associations about donating this land. Mr. Oyen said that he had, and that he had received no response. OPEN SPACE TOUR The Commission decided to postpone the Open Space Tour to a future meeting due to the absence of three Commissioners and the inclement weather. DOYLE PARK DONATION OFFER (810 RIDGE PLACE) Mr. Hollister explained that Mr. John Doyle of 810 Ridge Place had asked about the possibility of subdividing his back lot and offering it to the City as an addition to valley Park for a tax deduction. Mr. Hollister continued that Staff has considered placing this item on the May 20, 1997 agenda of the City Council for discussion, and that before the Council meeting, Staff would like any comments from the Parks Commission. Mr. Hollister also mentioned that the City should consider possible neighborhood opposition to this acquisition, and that some neighborhood notification process would have to occur if this transfer were to take place. Mr. Hollister also mentioned the issues of liability and maintenance. On the positive side, Mr. Hollister said that the parcel would be adjacent to an existing park and may allow the City better access to the sewer easement which runs across the back yard. Mr. Hollister concluded that if the City were to acquire part of this parcel, the City may only want that portion up to the sewer easement. Commissioner Libra said that this land was not very useful to the City. Commissioner Norton asked if the City had a permanent easement for the trail. Mr. Hollister responded that this was the case. Commissioner Li ell said that this land should be put on the postponed Open Space Tour, Commissioner Libra said that the neighbors would probably object to the donation. Commissioner Kleinglass said that he did not feel that the City would gain very much by acquiring the land. Commissioner Meinglass made a motion recommending that the City not pursue further the acquisition of this land. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: Commissioner Kleinglass said that he appreciated the offer but that the land was best kept in private hands. PARK DEDICATION FEE INCREASE PROPOSAL Mr. Hollister explained that at the April 8, 1997 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Commission had 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 Park Inventory and summarized the current Park Dedication Policy, Mr. Hollister continued that for sake of discussion, Staff had proposed a Resolution that would increase the fee for residential lots from $750 to $900, assuming an average of 3% inflation rate for each year from 1991 to 1997. Commissioner Libra said that rather than merely adjust the fee for inflation the City should rewrite the fee policy SOLhat the fee was due at the time of building permit issuance and was charged on a per unit basis, rather than collecting the fee at the time of subdivision on a per lot basis. Commissioner Libra continued that he felt that this would be the best way for the City to make sure that it collected the proper amount from the construction of housing units such as apartments, townhomes and duplexes. Commissioner Linnell suggested raising the dollar amount to $1000 single family and $500 multi -family. Commissioner Linnell asked if the Park Dedication fee applied to someone replacing an existing structure. Mr. Hollister said that that is not the case. The Commission asked Staff to return to next month meeting with a new proposal reflecting Commissioner Libra's comments. UPDATES Staff provided updates on the following items: PARAC Meetine Mr. Hollister explained that he and Mr. Esser had attended the Annual PARAC meeting at Camp Sacajawea in Lebanon Hills on May 7, 1997, Mr. Hollister said that various Cities in Dakota County had made presentations about developments in Parks and Recreation. Mr. Esser explained that one of the highlights of the meeting was discussion of the new Fort Snelling State Park Master Plan. Mr. Esser continued that he had served on the committee that drafted the plan. Mr. Esser then gave a brief overview of the major points of the Master Plan, Commissioner Norton asked if the plan included paving bike trails. Mr. Esser responded that some bike trails would be paved. Mr. Esser also offered to make a draft of the plan available to the Commission. Mr. Esser also said that the plan has not yet been officially adopted, but that the adoption was expected to happen soon. Wentworth Park Shelters Mr. Hollister explained that Commissioner Libra had asked Staff to provide plans for the Wentworth Park Shelters. Mr. Hollister provided the plans. Making America Walkable Mr. Hollister explained that this information had been provided to the Parks and Recreation Commission by Engineering Technician Guy Kullander. Parks Report There were no comments on this item. Police Report Mr. Hollister explained that the April Police Report was not yet available. OTHER COMMENTS The Commissioners asked Staff to invite the Police Chief and Maintenance Crew to a future meeting to talk about the parks. The Commissioners asked Commissioner Linnell to provide an update on the status of North Kensington Park. Commissioner Linnell said that he had met with Councilmember Smith and Mr. Kullander and had reached a compromise. Commissioner Linnell continued that Councilmember Smith had wanted more of the area done in shrubs. Commissioner Libra said that North Kensington Park needed to get done this spring. IVY FALLS Commissioner Linnell asked if the City had contracted anyone to clean up the pond at Ivy Falls. Mr. Hollister said that he would ask Staff about this. Commissioner Norton asked for an Update at the next meeting on Ivy Falls Park. ADJOURN Motion made to adjourn by Kleinglass and seconded by Libra. AYES: NAYS: The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. 0