1986-03-11 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
MARCH 115 1986
The regular meeting
of the
Park and
Recreation Commission was held on
March 11, 1986. Members
present:
Stein,
Schneeman, Singer, Doffing, Damberg,
and Knittig. Leffert was
out of
town.
APPROVAL OF Minutes of the February 11 meeting were approved as submitted.
MINUTES
BARYON-ASCHMAN Mr. Barry Warner, of Barton-Aschman, began by introducing his
PRESENTATION ON associate, David Warzala, a civil engineer with the firm.
POTENTIAL ATHLETIC
FACILITY SITES Warner indicated that they had completed their analysis of the
six alternative athletic facility sites, as well as the com-
bined bike trail and pedestrian system.
He indicated that on each of the six sites, they had laid out
a schematic for a soccer field, three softball fields, parking,
and a comfort station. He also noted that the cost of common
excavation made a major difference in the cost of developing the
various sites.
Warner indicated that to do a community field in connection with
Henry Sibley high school was by far the most cost effective
alternative. This is due to a greatly decreased cost for land
acquisition, and the fact that Sibley high school already has
parking facilities which could be used, greatly reducing con-
struction costs.
Commissioner Doffing reported on the meeting that he, Warner and
City Administrator Frazell had had 'with Dr. Don Zahn, School
District #197 Business Manager, and Athletic Director Dean
Verdoes. Doffing indicated that Zahn and Verdoes were very
receptive to the City's suggestion for joint development and
operation of the facility.
Chair Stein questioned whether the City would really need to
develop two sites for its ultimate population needs, or might it
be possible to meet all those needs at Henry Sibley only. Warner
responded that by improving lighting on existing tennis courts
and fields at the Sibley site, it might well be possible to go
with one site only.
It was noted that "light pollution" can be a significant problem
in putting in athletic fields in existing neighborhoods. Mr.
Warzala commented that Burnsville had had a real problem with
this. He indicated that they had tried putting glare louvers
on some of the ballfields, but that had not proven to help much.
He suggested that the only effective approach is to closely
regulate the hours that the lights are on.
March 11, 1986 Park Minutes Page Two
Ayes: 6
Nays: 0
Commissioner Doffing said that he thought the Commission needed
to take a hard look at how much it can really afford to propose
to the voters on a bond issue. He noted that the total cost of
developing the Henry Sibley site, plus completion of the bike
trail system, would bring the total bond issue up to about the
$1.2 to $1.5 million that had been discussed. The Commission
raised the possibility of having a second question on the ballot,
asking the voters whether they would be in favor of an additional
one-half million dollars to simply acquire the Wachtler property
and hold it for future park development.
Chair Stein indicated that his sense was that the Commission was
narrowing in on the Sibley site, with the Wachtler property as a
possible second site if needed. Motion by Commissioner Doffing,
seconded by Commissioner Damberg to pursue discussions with
School District 197 for joint development of the Sibley site,
including tiling and lighting of the baseball field and lighting
of the tennis court, further to exclude further consideration of
the other sites, except for Wachtler.
Mr. Warner said that Barton-Aschman would provide some general
cost estimates for lighting and tiling the baseball fields and
tennis courts, as well as the soccer and track field lighting.
It was agreed that Commissioner Doffing, Warner, and City Admin-
istrator Frazell should try to meet with the School District
officials before the next meeting of the Parks Commission.
BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN Mr. Warner presented the revised bicycle/pedestrian trail plan
TRAIL PLAN that Barton-Aschman had prepared. He indicated points where it
PRESENTATION had been amended from previous graphics, due to their findings
of topographical and land use conditions around the community.
Warner pointed out that the plan contemplates bicycle trails on
the Mendota Bridge when it is upgraded by Mn/DOT around 1990.
He suggested that it is important that the City of Mendota
Heights communicate its bike trail plans to Mn/DOT, and strongly
encourage construction of those bike trails on the Mendota
Bridge. He also suggested that Mendota Heights ask for letters
of support from other cities that could tie into this system
(i.e., Eagan, West St. Paul, St. Paul, Minneapolis).
The
cost
estimate
for complete development of the trail system
was
$728,982.
Commissioner Doffing indicated that given a choice, he would
prefer to spend the money on development of the bike trail
system,as opposed to acquiring the Wachtler property. Chair
Stein agreed that those were also his priorities.
Commissioner Knittig asked about the possibility of using Dodd
Road for a bicycle trail, since she felt it was a more direct
route for people headed south. Warner responded that it would
be really tough to squeeze a bike trail into the existing TH149
right-of-way. He said that experienced riders will go on the
March 11, 1986 Park Minutes Page Three
roadways anyway, and less experienced riders will stick to the
bike trails.
OTHER BUSINESS Commissioner Doffing reported on a discussion he had had with
Councilmember Jann Blesener regarding removal of forestation
at the Marie/Lexington pond.
The Commission briefly discussed the timing of a bond issue,
and came to the conclusion that it would not be possible to
do it yet this spring. No definite date for a fall referendum
was set.
City Administrator Frazell advised the Commission that the
Tandem Developers would like to be on their next agenda to
discuss park needs and Phase II and III of the Copperfield
development in southeast Mendota Heights.
ADJOURN There being
no further business
to
come before the Commission,
the meeting
was adjourned at 8:49
o'clock
P.M.
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