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1997-06-10 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA ' : ; . _ : � 1 ��/:�lC[1J,CK�]ululfCX9[I]Yu11►UYYDl.9 JiJNE 10,1997 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, June 10, 1997, in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 PM. The following Commissioners were present: Libra, Kleinglass, Spicer, Liberacki and Damberg. Commissioner Linnell arrived late. Commissioner Norton was 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 before approval of the Minutes, in order to provide Commissioner Linnell time to arrive. Commissioner Liberacki seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: [Commissioner Linnell arrived at this point.] IVY FALLS PARK DONATION OFFER Mr. Hollister explained that at the May 13, 1997 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Mr, Ralph Oyen of Ivy Hill Townhouse Association presented a letter to the City of Mendota Heights. The letter was dated May 2, 1997 and stated 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. Hollister continued that the Commission had passed a motion recommending that that Staff research the potential suitable uses for this land, get more information regarding ownership, and bring this item back to their June meeting. Mr. Hollister said that Staff had done some research on this development and had discovered that Lot G had been donated to the City at the time of plat approval for open space and from then on has been known as Ivy Park. Mr. Hollister continued that Lot F immediately east of Ivy Park, the lot that Mr. Oyen wishes to donate, had been set aside for a private golf course. Mr. Hollister also reported that there had been some sort of golf operation there at one time, but that use had long since ceased. Mr. Hollister continued that in terms of potential active recreational use of the land, Staff felt that the land would be big enough for a soccer field but not for a baseball or softball field. Mr. Hollister presented a sketch drawn by Mr. Kullander showing a 120' x 240' soccer field oriented diagonally on the land. Commissioner Libra said that a soccer field that was 10 yards wider than that shown on Mr. Kullander's drawing could be useful. Chairman Spicer said that this donation would take this land off of the tax rolls, would create more maintenance for the City, and would not be useful for the City. Commissioner Libra said that he anticipated some opposition from the neighbors and that the soccer field was not a critical need for the City. Chairman Spicer said that even if the land were not to be actively used now, it could be good to acquire for future use. Commissioner Libra concurred with Chairman Spicer that City acquisition of the land could assure that it remain green open space permanently and that the land might prove useful for active recreational space at some unforeseen time in the future. Commissioner Linnell said that acquisition of this land could be justified in part by the consideration that there was less park land on the north side of the City than on the south side. Commissioner Spicer said that it would be good to obtain this land for more open space. Commissioner Damberg moved to recommend to the City Council that the Council accept the offer to donate this land and keep it as it is at this time, allowing the possibility of a change in use at some future date. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: APPROVAL OF MAY 13 PARK AND RECREATION MINUTES Commissioner Linnell moved to approve the May 13, 1997 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes with corrections. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: 2 T. THOMAS SOCCER FIELD REQUEST Mr. Esser explained that Mr. Jack Zahr of Saint Thomas Academy had asked Staff if Saint Thomas' junior varsity soccer team could use the Kensington fields for practice this fall from Monday through Friday, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mr. Esser continued that Mr. Zahr would like to use the fields from approximately August 18 to October 3 of 1997. Mr. Esser continued that MHAA had already submitted its scheduling request for the same fields beginning at 6 p.m., and that he saw no potential conflict between MHAA's and St. Thomas' scheduling wishes. Mr. Esser concluded that Staff was concerned about the potential wear on the soccer field resulting from granting Mr. Zahr's request and had thus decided to solicit advice from the Parks and Recreation Commission before giving Mr. Zahr an answer. Chairman Spicer acknowledged a potential bias in this matter due to his connections with Saint Thomas Academy, but continued that Saint Thomas Academy had been good to the community and thus he was sympathetic to this request. Chairman Spicer added incidentally that St. Thomas had shown interest in purchasing the Tousignant piece and that a joint use arrangement for athletic/recreational facilities on that site between the City of Mendota Heights and St. Thomas Academy could be in the best interest of all parties involved. Chairman Spicer continued that the City couldn't really say no to one team using the fields, and that their use of the fields would not be that great. Commissioner Libra said that if this season has a lot of rain St. Thomas could potentially cause significant wear on the fields. Commissioner Libra moved to recommend approval of St. Thomas's use of the fields based on the following conditions: 1. That St. Thomas use the fields no more than 10 hours per week 2. That Saint Thomas alternate use of the fields for more even wear 3. That Saint Thomas spread its usage within each field and not use the goal areas excessively 4. That Saint Thomas refrain from using the fields if the ground is too wet 5. That the City retain the right to suspend all use of the field by Saint Thomas if the field suffers too much wear Chairman Spicer said that the City has used St. Thomas fields for varsity baseball, and that it would be nice to reciprocate by letting Saint Thomas use the soccer fields at Kensington. Commissioner Libra said that the City had to be careful about the potential for maintenance problems from excessive use of the soccer fields. Commissioner Liberacki expressed concern that the conditions which the City would impose on Saint Thomas for use of the fields may be interpreted as punitive by Saint Thomas and cause them to impose similar conditions on the City of Mendota Heights for use of Saint Thomas' facilities. Commissioner Kleinglass suggested that the conditions placed upon Saint Thomas for the use of the fields could be made simpler if the City merely let St. Thomas use the fields but made them repair the fields if they were damaged. Chairman Spicer said that St. Thomas lets the City use their fields all year long, but has never asked the City to contribute to the maintenance of their fields. Commissioner Kleinglass said that the City has an obligation to its tax -payers to make anyone who puts excessive strain on the fields contribute toward their maintenance. Commissioner Libra again moved to recommend that Staff approve Saint Thomas' request to use the fields with his previously mentioned restrictions and also ask Saint Thomas to exercise caution when using the fields. Chairman Spicer added a friendly amendment that Saint Thomas' use of the fields be subject to adjustment if found to be in conflict with ISD 197 usage of the same fields. AYES: NAYS: Chairman Spicer asked for a motion to recommend that the City of Mendota Heights discuss with Saint Thomas the possibility of a joint recreational use for the Tousignant site. Commissioner Liberacki made the motion. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: Commissioner Liberacki asked if the Parks Department could install temporary goals for practice purposes at Kensington Park in order to reduce wear on the existing goal areas. Commissioner Libra said that it may be good to set up two such goal areas, but that just moving the temporary goals themselves could rip up the fields. The Commission asked Staff to investigate the possibility of installing two additional temporary soccer goals on the east side of Kensington Park. PARK DEDICATION FEE INCREASE PROPOSAL Mr. Hollister explained that at the Joint workshop between the City Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission on January 14, 1997, the Parks Commission had expressed the opinion that the Park Dedication Fee for developers should be raised to keep up with land values in Mendota Heights. Mr. Hollister continued that at the May 13, 1997 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Commissioner Libra said that rather than merely adjust the fee for inflation the City should rewrite the fee policy so that the fee was charged on a per unit basis instead of 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 multi -family housing units such as apartments, townhomes and duplexes. Mr. Hollister then presented his revised Resolution increasing the Park Dedication Fee to $900 per unit from $750 per lot and asked for Commission input. Commissioner Libra said that the fee should be $900 per single family residential unit and $600 per multi -family unit, and directed Staff to investigate what other communities charge. Commissioner Liberacki said that neither the current nor proposed dollar amount for the Park Dedication Fee equated to 10% of the value of a lot. Commissioner Liberacki asked Staff to come back to the next meeting and report whether or not the City had area charges for utilities such as sewer and water. Commissioner Liberacki added that writing a check was easier than dedicating 10% in land. Commissioner Liberacki asked the Staff return to the next meeting with a proposal for a sliding fee scale for Park Dedication Fees with a lower per -unit charge for multi -family than for single family and a comparison of other cities' Park Dedication policies. Commissioner Linnell asked if Staff anticipated any mulfi-family housing being approved in the next thirty days. Mr. Hollister replied that he did not anticipate any multifamily housing being approved in the next thirty days. Commissioner Liberacki offered to work with Staff personally on this issue. Mr. Hollister agreed to meet Commissioner Liberacki at a later date to discuss this matter. CAREN ROAD LANDSCAPING Mr. Hollister presented Staff Memorandum regarding Caren Road Landscaping. Mr. Hollister explained that at the March 11, 1997 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Mr. Tom Fahey of 979 Caren Road submitted a letter to the City of Mendota Heights asking for consideration of landscaping for the City -owned property near his use bounded by Lilac Lane, Caren Road and James Road. Mr. Hollister also said that Commissioner Damberg had suggested native plantings and/or wildflowers for the site. Mr. Hollister said that the area is used by the City for storm water retention, and that the Engineering Staff is concerned that the storm water retention capacity of this site not be compromised. Mr. Hollister said that the four city -owned lots at the end of Caren Road are not a park, and that Staff was concerned about the possible precedent set by an investment in an area like this which would essentially serve the function of a passive "mini -park". Mr. Hollister said that the City has traditionally discouraged the creation of such mini -parks because of high maintenance costs. Mr. Hollister also presented two articles on native plantings and said that Staff is concerned about the cost of maintenance of such an area. Mr. Hollister said that the City's recent problems with Ivy Falls Park are testament to the fact that such projects can have less -than -desirable results if the weather does not cooperate. Mr. Hollister said that at the Mazch 11, 1997 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Commission passed a motion requesting that Staff investigate the landscaping possibilities on this site, including a path. Mr. Hollister continued that Staff is hesitant to invest much time or many resources into the design of this area without prior Council input, and that the Council may be less enthusiastic about creating a prairie restoration area at this site than the Parks and Recreation Commission in light of the City's recent experience with Ivy Falls Park. Mr. Hollister concluded that if the Parks and Recreation Commission still wishes to pursue a native plantings restoration area on the Caren Road site in light of the above, Staff suggests that the Parks and Recreation Commission make a recommendation to the City Council to direct Staff to investigate that possibility, being as specific as possible about the components which the Commission would like to see incorporated on this site. Commissioner Damberg said that the unsightly appearance of the City -owned lots at the end of Caren Road was due to neglect, and that improvement of these lots would improve the appearance of the whole neighborhood. Commissioner Damberg said that the City should clean the site up and re-establish native plantings. Commissioner Damberg said that the residents of Mendota Heights try to keep their yards nice, and that the City should lead by example. Commissioner Damberg said that now that the road construction project is underway, no work could be performed on this site until the work on the roads is over. Commissioner Damberg added that Guy Kullander should come out to the site and discuss potential improvements with the neighbors. Commissioner Liberacki asked what the purpose of the Storm Water Utility Fund was. Mr. Hollister replied that his understanding was that the Storm Water Utility Fund was used for the creation, improvement and maintenance of storm water infrastructure for storm water purposes. Commissioner Liberacki said that if the City insists that the Caren Road site is not and should not be a park, then the City should not use the Special Park Fund for any Caren Road site improvement. Commissioner Liberacki said that the Caren Road storm water pond is a City facility, and thus should be commensurate with the City's standards for aesthetic appearance. Commissioner Liberacki said that he was under the impression that upkeep of the grounds around the fire hall came out of the Fire Department budget, and that the Public Works budget was used in part to keep up the grounds around their facilities, and thus it was appropriate to use the Storm Water Utility Fund or other similar fund to keep up the appearance of ponds. Commissioner Damberg asked for a motion to recommend that City Staff meet with herself and her neighbors to come up with a plan to be funded by the Storm Water Utility Fund or other appropriate fund, although no work could commence until the streets are done. Commissioner Liberacki agreed to make the motion. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS UPDATES Staff provided updates on the following items: Doyle Land Donation Offer (810 Ridge Place Mr. Hollister explained that despite the Parks and Recreation Commission's recommendation against accepting Mr. Doyle's back yard as a donation, the Council had expressed interest in acquiring this land and had directed Staff to contact Mr. Doyle further. North Kensington Park Mr. Hollister explained that Mr. Kullander intended to have the revised plan for North Kensington Park finished in time for the June 17 Council meeting. EMF Mr. Hollister explained that Mr. Kullander had found an article disputing the ill effects of EMF and had wanted to pass this on to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Parks Report There were no comments on this item. Police Report There were no comments on this item. OPEN SPACE TOUR Chairman Spicer asked how many Commissioners were interested in taking the planned "Potential Open Space Tour", Commissioners Kleinglass and Liberacki said that they had to leave soon. Chairman Spicer said that there was only one or two parcels on the "Short list" that were worth looking at. Commissioner Damberg recommended talking to Mr. and Mrs. Foss soon about acquiring their land if the City was truly interested in this land. Commissioner Spicer said that the City should ask Foss and Slowinski for permission to look at their properties. Commissioner Spicer further suggested that this evening the Commission only tour the two Acacia Sites and Resurrection Cemetery. The meeting then recessed. Commissioners Kleinglass and Liberacki left, and all others present proceeded to Acacia Cemetery. ACACIA CEMETERY Commissioners Spicer, Damberg, Libra, and Linnell and Mr. Hollister and Mr. Esser then met in front of Acacia Cemetery discussed the TIF parcels and tax -forfeit parcels in the immediate vicinity. The group then visited the Garron Site and Commissioner Linnell said he wanted a scenic overlook at that site. Chairman Spicer directed Staff to come back to the Commission with cost estimates and preliminary concept plans for athletic facilities at the two sites near Acacia and to discuss with the Cemetery the acquisition of those unused parcels owned by Acacia. ADJOURN Motion made to adjourn by Linnell and seconded by Libra. AYES: NAYS: The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Patrick C. Hollister