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1990-08-14 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 14, 1990 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday August 14, 1990 in the City Hall Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. Vice Chair Vicki Katz called the meeting to order at 7:15 o'clock p.m. The following members were present: Hunter, Katz, Lundeen and Spicer. Damberg, Huber and Kleinglass were excused. Staff members present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander, Parks Leadperson Terry Blum and Administrative Assistant Batchelder. MINUTES Commissioner Spicer moved approval of the June 12, 1990 Parks and Recreation minutes. Commissioner Lundeen seconded. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 TROPHY Commissioner Spicer presented the trophy that the Mend -Eagan Under 12 Traveling Baseball Team won when they placed fourth in the National Tournament held earlier in the month in Des Moines, Iowa. Commissioner Spicer also stated that the team was awarded with a banner from the nationals that they could hang on the backstop at the Civic Center field. Commissioner Lundeen City Council should meeting with a trophy recommended that this future Council agenda suggested that the Mayor and honor the team at a Council presentation. The Commission be placed on an appropriate and that they would attend. HAYFIELD HEIGHTS TRAIL REQUEST The Commission briefly discussed a request by petition from 27 Mendota Heights residents in the Mayfield Heights area for the City to add a link to their neighborhood as part of the Trail project in the 1989 referendum. Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander stated that engineering staff had done a rough cost estimate for a link to Douglas Road that is $6,000 to $10,000. Kullander stated that the City has a sewer easement from Mayfield Heights Road to Douglas Road, but that it may be difficult to acquire trail easements from the adjoining property owners. Kullander stated that the other constraints are steep slopes and poor soils next to our holding pond, which he stated was swampy. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that staff could investigate the feasibility of a trail link here, or other options for Mayfield Heights, and consider it as an addition to the 1991 project for trails construction. He stated that when City Council considers the trail project for bid advertisement for 1991 they could consider adding this trail segment to the referendum. Vice Chair Katz opened the floor to the petitioners present to discuss the proposed trail addition. There were sixteen residents to present their petition. Ms. Judith Phillips spoke for the residents and stated that Mayfield Heights is a combination of new and old Mendota Heights residents, many with children or grandchildren who desire access to the new parks facilities without having to use Highway 13 for bike or pedestrian travel. Ms. Phillips stated that there used to be a pathway to Douglas that was eliminated when the last lot was developed. She stated that since that homeowner has installed landscaping, the residents stopped using the path out of respect for the homeowner and that the pathway has grown wild. She stated that Hwy. 13 is the only access and that it is a very busy road as a result of the business uses along it. She listed the different business uses along Hwy. 13. She stated the neighborhood was confined to vehicle access. She stated her concerns for safety and that she desired to be put into the parks like the rest of the community. Another resident mentioned the Shiely gravel pit had lots of traffic with large trucks and that this was no place for children on bicycles. Another resident stated that the old pathway was there in 1961 and was used for years and inquired if this gave their neighborhood easement rights. Commissioner Spicer stated that he felt the resident was referring to prescriptive rights and that it was not applicable to this case. Commissioner Spicer stated that he was not adverse to exploring the feasibility of adding this trail segment to the referendum improvements. He stated he sympathized with the neighborhoods concerns, however, he felt the Commission needed more information, particularly the availability of trail easements from the adjoining property owners and the cost of construction, given the slope and soil concerns. Commissioner Spicer moved to direct staff to investigate the feasibility of this trail section and to consider it for the 1991 trail improvement program. Commissioner Lundeen seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 A resident stated that the trail did not have to be bituminous if the extra cost was going to kill doing the segment at all. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that for erosion purposes it would be bituminous, however, staff would also be exploring other access alternatives. He stated that Victoria Trail was going to be rerouted and Highway 13 widened and that may provide other alternatives. TENNIS COURT RESERVATION The Parks and Recreation Commission considered a request from the Convent of the Visitation School to reserve the Friendly Hills and Rogers Lake tennis courts for the fall tennis season practice schedule. The request was to reserve the courts from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday from August 13 until October 12. Commissioner Lundeen stated that this was similar to St. Thomas Academy's request in the Spring and that it should be granted. He inquired if it was necessary to have signs made and posted for the reservation. Kullander stated that the St. Thomas signs had cost the City $170 and that this expense was a burden for the City or for Visitation if they were to pay it. Batchelder stated that the Convent of the Visitation desired only letters from the City that their coaches could use that designate the reserved times. Commissioner Spicer moved to approve the requested court reservations and direct staff to prepare the letters of reservation and that the City consider signage should there be complaints or problems with the use of the courts. Commissioner Lundeen seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 PARK PLACE HOMEOWNERS PLAYGROUND LIABILITY AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 BUDGET REVIEW Commissioner Spicer stated that he had been asked to speak for the Park Place Homeowners Association regarding the liability insurance for their tot lot in Park Place. He stated that the developers had paid the liability insurance for the tot lot play equipment until it was dedicated to the Association. Spicer stated that the tot lot play equipment is at the head of a public trail and appears to be a public tot lot and that people from all over the City use it. He stated it would be in the best interest of the City to insure it against a lawsuit, as in any case the City would be sued also. He stated there is exposure to the City because of the way it sits near the public access. He proposed that the City insure it or that the Homeowners pay the premiums as a rider on the City's policy. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that the City's risk manager would have to determine if the play equipment had been built to industry safety standards and would have to control the maintenance and supervision. Batchelder stated the City's park policies discouraged tot lots and emphasized larger neighborhood parks. He stated that to meet liability standards there was a chance that the play equipment might have to be reconstructed, or even removed. Commissioner Spicer requested that the City explore how much the insurance would cost, what would it cost to bring the play equipment up to standards, and the feasibility of an agreement for the association to be named as an additionally insured to the City's liability insurance policy. He stated that at this point we are both uninsured and both have exposure. Commissioner Lundeen moved that staff evaluate the questions raised and report back to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Commissioner Spicer seconded the motion. The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the City Administrator's proposed 1991 Parks and Recreation budget and the Special Parks Tund budget. The Commission discussed the Sibley Park Maintenance agreement and the new $15,000 line item in the budget for the City to meet its obligation for maintenance of the new facility. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated the contract requires the City to pay half the costs, that all the monies budgeted might not be spent. The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed the Recreation Contingency line item and what items are currently being paid for from this line item. Batchelder stated that this line item funded T-Ball subsidies, the After School Program in 1990, umpires and staff time for Men's Softball. He stated that the School District was going to provide an evaluation of the After School Program which was a first time item in 1990. Vice Chair Katz stated that the City should have staff to coordinate recreation programs and that with all the new parks and facilities the City should be considering recreation program options. Commissioner Spicer suggested that staff investigate the need for recreation programs and staffing. The Commission was of a consensus that staff begin exploring this for future commission consideration. The Commission felt that City Council should be aware of potential recreation needs during the budget process. Parks Leadperson Terry Blum discussed the maintenance items in the budget, the seasonal staffing for the parks and the capital requests. Kullander stated that $19,302 was coming out of the Special Parks Fund for the Somerset trail bridge that the Parks Commission approved in 1988. IVY HILL HOCKEY RINK Parks Leadperson Terry Blum stated that he would like to remove the hockey rink at Ivy Hills Park because it is not possible to maintain the ice in its location. He stated that a bigger general ice surface could then be maintained and that nets could be put out for use. Blum stated that the rink faces east/west and that the sun reflects off the north boards and melts the ice. He stated it is mid January before frost can be maintained at this hockey rink and that the melting ice cause ice boils elsewhere on the rink. Blum stated that the general soil situation in the area is bad for maintaining safe ice in the hockey rink and that the boards are constantly heaving. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 BALLFIELD SITES Commissioner Spicer stated that the Mend -Eagan hockey association does not use Ivy Hills Park. Blum stated the boards would be saved and could be used to maintain the other rinks. He stated the general skating could be made bigger and without the boards the ice could be of a higher quality. He stated the lights made this a nice general skating rink, the biggest in the City. Commissioner Lundeen stated that he would like to see the boards kept so that if there were numerous complaints, or increased demand, that the hockey rink could be put back next year. Commissioner Spicer moved to recommend that staff remove the hockey rink at Ivy Hills Park and retain the boards should the citizens or City want it back. Commissioner Hunter seconded the motion. The Commission discussed the recent rezoning denial of Centex's proposed Kensington PUD and the park dedication that would have supported the athletic fields proposed in the referendum. The Commission also discussed C.G. Rein's recent approach to the City to move forward with their 106 unit apartment complex at Mendakota where negotiations were occurring concerning ballfield acquisitions. The Commission asked staff to investigate, with bond counsel, if referendum monies on the proposed Kensington Park could be spent elsewhere. The Commission also discussed a process for revisiting the discovery of third ballfield sites as a part of the referendum. IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING BALLFIELDS Parks Project Manager Kullander presented a proposal for improvements to existing ballfields at Friendly Hills Park, Wentworth Park, Marie Park, Valley Park and Ivy Hills Park. He stated that referendum funds totaling $63,960 were allocated for improvements to the existing ballfields at these parks. He stated that City crews have been leveling, grading and preparing fields for additional improvements, as well as installing a storm sewer at Friendly Hills Park to level the outfield. Kullander stated that there would be three contracts let for these improvements - one for AYES: NAYS: UPDATES THANK YOUS fencing, one for concrete and one for benches. Vice Chair Katz questioned the need for outfield fencing at Marie Park and Valley Park. Kullander stated that the Citizens Review Committee had desired a barrier to stop balls from going into the ponds and that the City's risk manager would only allow for six foot fencing as a barrier. Vice Chair Katz stated that she would prefer an open park and open ballfields. The Commission felt that aesthetics were more important than keeping balls out of the park. Commissioner Spicer stated that Valley Park is beautiful and doesn't need a fence in the outfield. Kullander stated that the outfield fencing at Marie and Valley parks could be removed from the contract and be put on hold. He stated that the fencing could be bid out at any time in the future. Commissioner Spicer moved to recommend that City Council authorize staff to solicit bids for the existing ballfield improvements, with the exception of outfield fences in Valley Park and Marie Park. Commissioner Hunter seconded the motion. Parks Project Manager Kullander provided updates on the park construction for Sibley, the Comfort Station bids, the trail construction, Victoria Park construction, tree planting, the landscaping around the park signs, the Victoria/Celia trail, the play equipment punch list, etc. Kullander stated that he has been observing heavy use of the play equipment. Commissioner Lundeen stated the children love the new equipment. Kullander stated that he would appreciate any comments about how the parks are being used so that the City can consider refining the amenities, such as a new swing or a horseshoe pit or other items. The Commission briefly discussed the Par 3 golf course and was of a consensus that this remain a golf course or an open space. They felt the City should not let it be developed even if it meant the City running the golf course. The Parks Commission acknowledged a thank you from Mary Louise -Cleary for the play equipment in Ivy Hills Park and a thank you from Dick Spicer for the wonderful job Terry Blum and crew did to maintain ADJOURN the ballfields for Little League play this summer. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 o'clock p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant