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1989-12-12 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES, DECEMBER 12, 1989 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Park and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, December 12, 1989 in the City Hall Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. Commission Chair John Huber called the meeting to order at 7:05 P.M. The following members were present: Huber, Damberg, Katz, Kleinglass, Lundeen and Spicer. Absent: Owens. Staff members present were Parks Project Manager Kullander and Administrative Assistant Batchelder. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Spicer moved to approve the minutes of October 24 and November 14 Park and Recreation meetings. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBER Commission Chair John Huber introduced and welcomed new member Steven Kleinglass to the Park and Recreation Commission. He was heartily welcomed by the group. VERBAL UPDATE Administrative Assistant Batchelder provided the commission with a verbal update of the progress of referendum issues including Sibley High School site, Mendakota site, Kensington site, Ivy Falls Townhome Association, Somerset School. Batchelder also updated the commission on the action that Council took regarding Friendly Hills. He stated that Council had ordered plans and specifications prepared for Friendly Hills Storm Sewer. He stated that Council had ordered the removal of play equipment from Friendly Hills Tot Lot and that had been accomplished by the Parks maintenance crew. He stated that Council had called for a public hearing with the Friendly Hills neighborhood to consider the divestment of the tot lot. Parks Project Manager Kullander presented an update on the progress of the trail design and some of the constraints with certain sections of trail. Kullander stated that he was contacting Dakota County about four PRESENTATION BY BARTON-ASCHMAN sections of our trail system, those being Delaware, Wachtler-Wentworth, Marie Avenue and Lexington Avenue. He stated he was seeking approval for trails along the County roads and possible joint funding with the County. Kullander stated he was exporing the possibility of state funding by tying our trails into a regional park trail system. He stated that state trails have higher standards such as a twelve foot width and that we would have to balance the possible funding with community needs. Kullander stated that he would be prepared to let bids in March for Victoria Highlands and Hagstrom-King park improvements which Barton- Aschman is designing and that if any of the big parks were available at that time the attempt would be made to include these larger sites into one bigger bid which would save the City money. Barry Warner, of Barton-Aschman, was present to give a briefing to the Commission on the preliminary sketches that his firm had completed on the landscaping designs for Hagstrom-King Park, Victoria -Highlands Park, Rogers Lake Park and Friendly Hills Park. He stated he was here to show the preliminary designs and to be provided direction by the Commission on which types of landscape options they would prefer. Warner stated that bond issues are inherently difficult to put in the ground because costs change, designs face unforseen constraints and other uncertainties involved in the bidding process. Hagstrom-King Park Warner s owedtTie schematics for Hagstrom- King Park for the $14,800 allotted plus some extras that had been specified. This included a backstop, skinned field, grading and seeding of the field, 3 park benches, 3 trash receptacles, 2 bike racks and a screen of Black Hills spruce on the west side of the park. One extra he mentioned would be boulevard plantings along the east side and along the road. In response to a question, Mr. Warner explained the bidding process. He stated that alternates are included in case the bids come in low. He stated that this would enable the City to add items to a bid that comes in low. Mr. Warner stated it was important for the City to establish an extra careful watering policy for the new trees the first year. Victoria Highlands Park Mr. Warner presen a the schematic for Victoria Highlands Park. He demonstrated the differences in the old design and the new schematic. He stated the new schematic included a bituminous trail (east to west) and a softball field with backstop, benches, and a graded and seeded field. The park also had 3 benches, 2 trash receptacles, 2 bike racks and landscaping. He stated the landscaping provided screening and accenting. A new play structure is included. He queried the commission about the alignment of the backstop so that it didn't look into the sun or abutt the houses. The commission came to consensus on the southeast corner for placing the backstop. Rogers Lake Park For the 5,000, Mr. Warner recommended landscaping between the tennis courts and the parking. He also recommended dredging the slough and wondered if the City maintenance budget could accomplish this. Friendly Hills Park Mr. Warner presen ed a design for landscaping the entrance. He stated that if the City became involved in the Arbor Day festivities that planting willows around the pond would make the most sense. Three planting options for around the sign included: (1) a geometric design with color during three seasons including bulbs of tulips and daffodils, (2) native plant materials including boulders, ornamental grasses, webber junipers, and wildflowers, (3) a four season color design with spioreas, webber junipers. He stated that number three was the most functional and maintenance free. The Commission directed Mr. Warner to pursue number three. The Commission directed Kullander to pursue this type of sign landscaping for each park. Warner stated the cost would be about $2,000 apiece. The Commission asked for an accounting of where the referendum stood in COPPERFIELD POND PLAY EQUIPMENT BIDS regards to cost. Mike Kampmeyer, a Copperfield resident, was present to represent a group of Copperfield residents who had contacted the City regarding a neighbor who had been pumping water from Copperfield Pond. He stated that they had checked with the DNR who had said that 10,000 gallons a day could be pumped. Kampmeyer stated that the pond was about five to six feet deep and that it was low due to the drought. He stated it was more susceptible to weeds now and that the weeds had increased. Commissioner Damberg stated that it was the intent of the Parks and Recreation Commission that all ponds in Mendota Heights, many of them in or adjacent to parks, should be kept as nice as possible. she stated that many lots were advertised with the ponds as a feature based on the aesthetic appeal. Commissioner Katz stated that an ordinance may not be necessary to protect the ponds, that City staff should pursue this informally. The Parks and Recreations Commission was unanimous that it opposes private residents using pond water and pumping it. They requested that a formal statement be made in the Heights Highlites to this effect. They requested information on what can be placed in the City's easements around the pond and what actions the City can take to prevent this. Parks Project Manager stated that in addition to removing the unsafe equipment at Friendly Hills Tot Lot that the City's park maintenance crews have been removing and dismantling equipment deemed unsafe in the other parks. He stated some of this equipment would be reinstalled by the parks crews after the newer equipment is put in, but that some of the equipment is unsafe or inappropriate and will not be reused. Commissioner Damberg asked Kullander what criteria the parks crew was using to eliminate equipment, that she was under the impression the equipment had been inspected in the Spring. Kullander responded that the equipment had gone through a maintenance checklist inspection the Spring and that now the equipment was being evaluated according to the Consumer Guidelines for Play Equipment and with the advice of the City's Risk Manager. Parks Project Manager Kullander presented the play equipment proposals that the City had received from five play equipment contractors. He presented the options on the possible materials and designs for play equipment. He stated that durability should be a main concern of the Commission, that it should still be standing and functioning in ten years. He advised getting references form other communities that are using the various brands. Kullander described the specifications that the City had requested in asking for proposals. After discussing the various proposals the Commission decided that Earl Anderson Company should be first considered with Klein Company second priority. There was a general discussion involving Barry Warner, Guy Kullander and the Commission about the bidding process and how to negotiate the best play equipment bid for the City. The Commission gave Kullander direction to move forward with negotiations with Earl Anderson Company and prepare to go to City Council when negotiations are finished. FRIENDLY HILLS TOT LOT PROCEEDS Kullander stated that City Council had called a public hearing with Friendly Hills neighborhood to discuss the recommended divestment of the tot lot. Council had requested that the Park and Recreation Commission draft a "wish list" of possible uses of the proceeds if they are placed in the Park Fund. Kullander presented options and the Commission discussed the following items: 1. Knock off the top of hill in Friendly Hills Park and build a picnic shelter. 2. Light poles need replacing around ice rink. 3. Bituminous trails. 4. Comfort station. 5. New, bigger wariming house. AJOURN 6. Friendly Hills Storm Sewer to improve ballfield. 7. Additional landscaping. The Commission requested that Mr. Kullander prepare a cost estimate of these items and any other appropriate improvements and that they would finalize the "wish list" at their January meeting so that City Council would have that information for their January 16th hearing with the Friendly Hills neighbors. There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned their meeting until January 9, 1990 at 7 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant