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1990-06-12 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JUNE 12, 1990 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday June 12, 1990 in the City Hall Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. Chairperson Huber called the meeting to order at 7:10 o'clock p.m. The following members were present: Huber, Hunter, Katz, and Spicer. Lundeen, Damberg and Kleinglass were excused. Staff members present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Administrative Assistant Batchelder. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Spicer moved approval of the May 8, 1990 Parks and Recreation minutes. Commissioner Hunter seconded. AYES: NAYS: VICTORIA ROAD TRAIL TRAIL SYSTEM LINKS AND PRIORITIES Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that this item was an add -on to the agenda because the City had received a petition from residents requesting that the Victoria Road trail section be eliminated from the city's trail system. Batchelder stated that this item would appear on the City Council agenda at their June 19, 1990 meeting as requested by the residents. Batchelder stated that scheduled construction for the Victoria Road trail has been halted to afford the residents their chance to discuss the elimination of this section of trail. Batchelder stated that the Parks and Recreation Commission should acknowledge the petition and discuss the priority of the Victoria Road trail section and its function as a part of the overall trail system. Chairperson Huber stated that he felt this to be an integral link to the overall trail system providing a loop for all the residents north of Hwy. 110 and west of I-35E. Huber stated that this issue had been discussed on numerous occasions at the Citizens Park Review Committee, public open houses and Parks and Recreation Commission meetings. Commissioner Spicer stated that this was a vital link in the trail system. Commissioner Katz stated that she had noticed many walkers along this section of road. Commissioner Spicer moved that City Council be informed that the Victoria Road trail section is an integral piece of the City's trail system and that it be recommended that this trail section proceed as planned. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: HAGSTROM-KING PARK DEDICATION Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that the Hagstrom-King family, for whom the park dedicated by Centex along Mendota Heights Road is named after, is having a family reunion over the Fourth of July and would welcome some recognition or dedication by the City at that time in recognition of these lifelong Mendota Heights residents. The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed the availability of city officials on a holiday and decided it might be more appropriate to inform the local papers about a photo opportunity for the family and the new park. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that the new sign would be in place at that time, but that not all the improvements would be completed, especially the seeding of the graded fields. Chairperson Huber offered his services for a dedication ceremony if the schedule works out. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that Planning Commissioner Tilsen, at a developers meeting, had requested that the Parks and Recreation Commission consider a few items as regards the park dedication and planning issues for the proposed Kensington development in the City's Southeast Area. Batchelder stated the items were, one, that the Parks Commission consider the intended uses around Owens Pond and whether the dead trees that exist there would conflict with the intended park uses. Batchelder stated that Commissioner Tilsen was interested in determining if the developer should remove those trees before the Park dedication is accepted. Chairperson John Huber stated that it has always been the Parks and Recreation Commission's intent that the area around Owens Pond would be for a trail, with the possibility of clearing a few small picnic areas. He stated the intent would be one of passive open space and trail use that would VERBAL UPDATES preserve this area as natural. Commissioner Katz agreed, stating that this should remain an open and natural scenic area. Kullander stated that the dead trees exist from when MnDOT built I-494 and diverted runoff into Owens Pond thereby raising the level of the water and killing some trees. He stated the dead trees exist only around the edge of the pond or in the water. Kullander stated that the removal of the trees would have to be done in the winter when the ground is frozen and that the heavy equipment necessary to do the job might scar the surrounding area. Chairperson Huber stated that the removal of trees was not necessary and that the area around Owens Pond should be left in its natural state for the purpose of passive open space with a trail. The Commission concurred. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that Commissioner Tilsen's second concern was a public safety consideration of having on line parks existing around an area where there would be long term construction. Batchelder stated that Tilsen was concerned about keeping the park areas, where children would be playing, seperate from on -going, adjacent construction. Batchelder stated that Tilsen's third concern was that the Planning Commission has not received staging plans for the construction and that the Parks and Recreation Commission should be aware that, if this project is approved, construction could last 5-8 years and they should consider any possible negative impacts due to this staging. Commissioner Hunter stated that he had no problems with the developer using construction or safety fencing to seperate active park areas from on -going construction. The Commission concurred. Kullander stated that this could be handled in the developer's agreement or as a condition placed upon any approvals. Parks Project Manager Kullander provided updates on the construction of park improvements and trails. He stated that Ivy Hills Park improvements and play equipment was behind schedule because of all the recent rains. He stated the scoopers and edging need to be done in Ivy Hills Park. Kullander stated that we need some dry weather to finish this years park improvements and trail increments. Kullander stated that the culverts are being installed for the trail at Valley Park, and that the grubbing and clearing will be done next. Kullander stated that the contractor is using recycled concrete for the six inch sub base to the trails and that it is saving the City $1 per ton, or approximately between $16,000 and $18,000 in the trail budget. Kullander stated that the variances for the installation of trails along Marie Avenue between Dodd Road and Delaware have been approved by MnDOT. Kullander also stated that he has been receiving calls from residents requesting trails for their particular neighborhood. He stated that Mayfield Heights desired a small walking link to Douglas Road and that this might be easily accomadated by the City. He stated he has also received calls from the Victoria Road/Celia Drive area requesting that an extension of the trail be added north from Victoria Highlands Park to allow children north of the park to access the new park. Kullander stated that he had received a second request for the installation of play equipment for the Mendakota neighborhood. Kullander stated that this year's tree program which is funded out of the Parks Budget was a success and that all 100 trees had been sold and will be planted in October. Kullander stated that the bids for the construction of Sibley Park will be opened on Friday, June 15 and that City Council would be considering awarding a bid at their meeting of June 19, 1990. Kullander stated that City Council had approved the advertising of bids for the Sibley Comfort Station. Commissioner Spicer stated that Mend -Eagan would be using the concession facilities on a regular basis and that it was his impression that School District 197 was planning on using the concession area more than had been indicated previously. Commissioner Spicer also stated that Mend -Eagan programs were overflowing with kids and that participation is above any anticipations they had. Kullander raised the issue of the timing of the Sibley play structure with the Commission. Kullander stated that the play structure at Sibley Park, if constructed this year, could attract people into the park before it is ready for use and could damage seeding and other improvements. He stated this could be bid and constructed in the future. Kullander stated that the play equipment AYES: NAYS: installation is basically a non -disruptive two day event that could easily be accomplished next year. Commissioner Spicer moved that the Sibley play equipment not be installed until next year. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. Chairperson Huber stated that he had observed heavy use of the new play equipment. Commissioner Hunter stated that he had recently viewed a television show with Ralph Nader that explored the dangers and liabilities of play equipment and the surfaces that are used and that he is glad that the City spent a little extra to purchase top of the line play equipment. Commissioner Katz suggested that a press release be prepared plugging our new play equipment and park improvements. Commissioner Spicer stated that Mend -Eagan is pleased with the lock box that was purchased jointly with the City and that the minutes should reflect that Terry Blum and the parks crew have done a wonderful job in grading, chalking and maintaining the ball fields this summer. ADJOURN There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:M p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative t