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1990-01-09 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION MINUTES JANUARY 9, 1990 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Park and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, January 9, 1990, in the City Hall Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. Chairman John Huber called the meeting to order at 7:00 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Hunter, Huber, Lundeen, Kleinglass and Damberg. Spicer and Katz were excused. Staff members present were Administrative Assistant Batchelder, Parks Project Manager Kullander and Park Leadperson Terry Blum and City Administrator Tom Lawell. APPROVAL OF Commissioner Damberg moved to approve the MINUTES minutes of December 12, 1989. Commissioner Kleinglass seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 INTRODUCTION OF Chairman Huber introduced and welcomed new NEW MEMBER member Stephen Hunter to the Park and Recreation Commission. He was welcomed aboard by the members. VERBAL UPDATE Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that the staff had met with Dick Putnam, Tom Boyce and Kevin Clark, developers of the Kensington Project. Batchelder stated that they were interested in moving forward on their PUD approval for their proposed project and that if approval was granted the park dedication would move forward. Batchelder described the project and the 27 acre park dedication that would be made. Batchelder stated that the three developers desired a meeting with the Park and Recreation Commission in order to discuss the PUD and its park issues. They had hoped for a special meeting on the fifth Tuesday of the month, January 30th. The Parks Commission was unable to have a quorum for this date and stated their intention to meet with the developers at their regularly scheduled meeting of February 13th. Parks Project Manager, Guy Kullander, stated that the City has received a draft agreement from Independent School District 197 regarding the joint use of the Sibley site. He stated that negotiations have begun in earnest and that the major sticking points are ironing out a maintenance agreement. The Parks Commission inquired about who was on the negotiating team for Independent School District 197 and the City of Mendota Heights. Administrative Assistant Batchelder responded that ISD #197's negotiating team consisted of James Nikolai, Bob Doffing, John Niemeyer, Bruce Anderson and Lois Rockney. Batchelder stated that the City of Mendota Heights' January 9, 1990 Page 2 negotiating team included Councilmember Jann Blesener, James Danielson and Tom Lawell. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that C.G. Rein had been reviewing our appraisal of their land and offer for the Mendakota site. He also stated that C.G. Rein had requested the City's appraiser to look at a comparable piece of land. The appraiser will be ammending his report, but stated that the original amount of $585,000 would not be significantly changed. Parks Project Manager Kullander discussed his meetings with the County and the State regarding off road bike trails along County and State roads. Kullander explained that because of grades and steepness in topography that it was fairly cost prohibitive to do off road trails on the sections of Delaware between Huber Drive and Highway 110. Kullander stated that after discussing this issue with the County the likely outcome was a six foot (61) wide expansion of the shoulder for the bike trail on both sides of the road. The County will pay for all costs on the Sunfish Lake side of Delaware Avenue. He stated that this would be cost effective. Kullander stated that $40,000.00 had been budgeted for this section of trail and that we would be under budget with the on road shoulder expansion. He estimated it would cost substantially more than $40,000.00 for an off road trail along Delaware between Huber and Highway 110 because land and easements had to be purchased and damages paid to landowners. Commissioner Damberg asked if motorists honor the white line for on road trails. Kullander responded that Dodd Road currently works very well in this manner and that the traffic volumns are lower on Delaware. Commissioner Lundeen stated that it was likely that motorists would honor it but bike riders tend to be not as careful. Kullander responded that six foot (61) expansion of the shoulder is based on traffic volumes that if there was more traffic the County would require an eight foot (81) shoulder. Kullander stated that this might be the best we can do given the constraints in topography of this section of trail. The Commission decided that they would proceed with this approach. Parks Project Manager Kullander explained that the portion of trail along Lexington Avenue between Marie and Douglas was also in the same situation. However, he felt a separated trail may be warranted in this case because there is a lot of foot traffic along this section of trail. The off road trail is January 9, 1990 January 9, 1990 Page 3 expensive but we can afford it because this is a short section. The Commission agreed with him. Parks Project Manager Kullander explained that the bike trail scheduled for Victoria Avenue was tight on land because of the Highway right-of-way on one side the City would only be able to build a trail on one side. Because of this they are exploring the possibility of a ten foot (101) wide shoulder. Kullander stated that staff was also exploring trail options through the adjacent neighborhood to avoid the curve on Victoria and the Highway fence. Kullander stated this would be a temporary solution because eventually Victoria Avenue will be turned back to the City from the County. it would then be eligible for M.S.A. money if the City designates it as an M.S.A. street. At this point M.S.A. funding would pay for a trail. Kullander stated that this would likely be five to ten years down the road. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that there were no problems with the State of Minnesota as far as the trail system went. He stated that in one portion of the Valley Park trail, the trail will go over State right-of-way but this has been worked out with the State. Kullander also stated that when the Mendota Bridge interchange and highway upgrade for Highway 55 is done that highway funds will pay for most of the bike trails at the bridge and at the interchange. He stated that these extensions were anticipated and included in the original city wide trail system proposed inthe referendum. Kullander stated that the benefit of this link would be to hook up the trails in Eagan to the Mendota Bridge and across to the regional park facilities across the river. Parks Leadperson Terry Blum was present to discuss maintenance policies with the Parks Commission. Blum explained how the shakes on the pavilions will be replaced this summer and that the warming houses will be reshingled. Blum stated that the siding on these structures is now wood and is scheduled to be painted this summer. He stated that a more neutral earth tone color would be the best for the repainting. Blum stated that all of these improvements are budgeted out of the park maintenance budget. He stated that City staff would be able to complete these improvements because the new mower that was budgeted for 1990 will free up park maintenance time allowing them to take care of the task of painting and reshingling the structures in the parks. January 9, 1990 Page 4 Park Leadperson Blum discussed the warming house policies with the Commission. He stated that warming houses are closed only on New Year's Day and Christmas Day. After a discussion on warming house policy, Blum stated that he would examine the policy to see if it was possible to have the warming houses open on New Year's Day next year. Commissioner Damberg stated she felt the colors of the new paint should be coordinated with the rest of the new park facilities that will be constructed this summer. Blum stated that he would bring in color samples for Commission review at the next meeting. Commissioner Damberg inquired about the trail and the plowing policies in the winter for the trails. Blum stated that when it snows we get out as soon as we can so the snow doesn't get packed and icy. Parks Project Manager Kullander explained that trails have a higher maintenance responsibility than streets. He stated that once a policy is established on how to maintain the trails, the policy will be posted and followed closely because of liability reasons. FRIENDLY HILLS Chairman Huber presented an update and status TOT LOT PRO- of this issue. He stated that on January CEEDS 16th the City Council would be holding a public hearing with the residents of the Friendly Hills neighborhood to discuss the divestment of the tot lot area. Chairman Huber stated that the Council had ordered the removal of play equipment and proceeded with this public hearing on the basis of the Parks and Recreation's recommendation to remove the play equipment and divest the tot lot. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that the original referendum includes $40,000.00 worth of improvements to Friendly Hills Park. In addition to this, $50,000.00 had been budgeted to improve ballfields in four parks. Kullander stated that it had not been determined at this point how much of that $50,000.00 would be apportioned to the ballfield at Friendly Hills. Chairman Huber stated that the City Council had requested that the Parks and Recreation Commission come up with a list of improvements that could be made to the Friendly Hills Park if the Council were to move forward with divesting the tot lots. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that from the wish list that the Parks and Recreation Commission had developed at the December meeting, that the storm sewer improvements to Friendly Hills ballfield would cost in the range of $12,000 to $15,000. He stated that bike trail hookups January 9, 1990 Page 5 to the bike trail system in Friendly Hills Park would cost approximately $15,000. Kullander stated that neither of these improvements are included in referendum money unless they came out of the contingency funds. Kullander stated that both of these items could come out of the proceeds from a divestment of the tot lot. Kullander stated that the following improvements could be considered: 1. Picnic Shelter - $4,000 - $40,000 2. Improvement of Light Poles - $8,000 - $101000 3. Comfort Station - $50,000 - $60,000 4. Several Small Picnic Areas - Commissioner Lundeen moved to recommend to the Council priorities for improvements to Friendly Hills Park from the tot lot proceeds with the following priorities: 1. Friendly Hills storm sewer improvements. 2. Trail system hookups. 3. Picnic facilities. Commissioner Hunter seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 PLAY EQUIPMENT Parks Project Manager Kullander explained how the City had received proposals from five play equipment contractors. The Commission, at their December 12, 1989, meeting, selected Earl Anderson as their first choise and directed Kullander to further negotiate their proposal. Parks Project Manager Kullander demonstrated the features of the play equipment that Earl Anderson Company was offering. Kullander stated that Earl Anderson had improved their original proposal by including one bench and one trash receptacle at each park as part of their proposal. He stated that we would blacktop the entrance to the play equipment area and locate the trash receptacle and the bench there. Parks Project Manager Kullander inquired if the Commission felt that more benches or bike racks would be needed. He stated that he felt these items could come out of the contingency fund if they were determined that they were needed after other facilities were built. The Commission felt that these items could wait until such point as most of the facilities had been developed and there was a better grip on how much contingency money was available. Commissioner Damberg the Council that they Company's proposal to at the seven existing Commissioner Lundeen AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 January 9, 1990 Page 6 moved to recommend to accept Earl Anderson install play equipment parks. seconded the motion. PARK NAME SIGNS Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that at the last Commission meeting they had approved the landscape design around the signs. Kullander stated that the signs are in different diverse locations with plants and rocks around them. This places constraints on the landscape design and some of the signs may have to be moved he stated. Kullander stated that it is beneficial to the parks to relocate these signs that have landscape constraints in order to place them in a more open and visible location and to allow for the new landscaping. Kullander also stated it was necessary to place a second sign at Ivy Hills Park. The Parks and Recreation Commission decided that they would visit the signs to review them. MENDOTA HTS Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that GARDEN CLUB he had received a message from Lori Matusoff regarding the Mendota Heights Garden Club's intent to donate a tree to Marie Park. Chairman Huber stated that he would contact Lori Matusoff about this. Chairman Huber also stated that the Parks and Recreation Commission was very grateful to receive such a donation from the Mendota Heights Garden Club and that we should schedule a ceremony to accept this donation. SIGNAGE Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that POLICY Earl Anderson Company has experience in placing a comprehensive sign design for a trail system in other municipalities in the metro area. They had requested an opportunity to give a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Commission about these signs. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that such a complete sign system for the bike trails could cost in the neighborhood of $20,000. He stated that this item would have to be paid for from the contingency in the referendum or would have to come out of regular park funds. Commissioner Lundeen stated that he felt the City should keep its options open on a sign policy such as this. He stated that such a sign system would be a benefit to the trail system. The Commission directed Kullander to January 9, 1990 Page 7 arrange for a presentation from Earl Anderson Company at their March meeting. They requested that Earl Anderson Company be prepared to discuss a range of options regarding a sign system. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned their meeting until February 13, 1990 at 7:00 'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant