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1990-10-09 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY PARRS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 9, 1990 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday October 9, 1990 in the City Hall Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. Chair John Huber called the meeting to order at 7:00 o'clock p.m. The following members were present: Huber, Kleinglass, Damberg, Katz and Hunter. Spicer and Lundeen were excused. Staff members present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Administrative Assistant Batchelder. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Damberg moved approval of the August 14, 1990 Parks and Recreation minutes. Commissioner Huber seconded. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 PARK DEDICATION Dr. Olin, of Orchard Lane, appeared before the Commission to present a sketch of his proposed subdivision on his lot and that of his adjacent neighbors. He stated the neighbors, the Rolph's and the Swanson's, would divide their land into approximately 12 single family lots and would pay a cash dedication to the City for parks. Dr. Olin stated that his lot would be divided into 11 additional single family lots. He stated that he wished to explore with the Parks Commission about their preference regarding a land dedication or cash dedication with his subdivision. Dr. Olin stated that he would need a Wetlands Permit to build within 100 feet of the pond in the rear of his lot, the same pond that is behind City Hall. He inquired if the Parks Commission felt that this attractive pond area would be welcomed as a City park land dedication. Commissioner Hunter stated that he felt this land might make an attractive walkway. Commissioner Katz inquired if the choice of the type of dedication was up to the developer. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that, yes, at the time a formal subdivision application is received, the developer would indicate which type of dedication the developer proposes. Batchelder stated that the Parks Commission would make a recommendation about the dedication, the Planning Commission would consider it as part of the overall package and its NEW ITEM acceptability, and the City Council would make any final decisions about the subdivision, the acceptable features of the subdivision and any conditions they may base an approval on. Commissioner Damberg inquired about how the immediate neighbors would feel about a park in this area. Dr. Olin stated he would discuss this with his neighbors. Dr. Olin stated that he wanted an indication from the Commission if they prefer a land or cash dedication as his plans are being drawn. Commissioner Hunter stated that he felt this land was more valuable than a cash dedication. The Parks Commissioners concurred that Dr. Olin should pursue a land dedication, but that he should propose how a land dedication would be used as a City park use when his formal application comes forward. The Commission felt that the dedicated land should allow for usable park land around the marsh area. The Parks Commission discussed future in -fill development in Mendota Heights and how this type of development would raise the cash or land dedication issue again. The Commission felt a policy could not cover all instances and that a case by case approach was best. Comissioner Katz introduced a magazine article dealing with high power lines and health safety issues. She provided a copy for the Commissioners to read. Batchelder stated that staff has met with NSP and also had a copy of the article and was exploring the issue. MENDAROTA NEIGHBORHOOD PARR Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander stated that the referendum had budgeted approximately $53,000 for the neighborhood park improvements on land dedicated to the City with the Mendakota subdivision. He stated that this neighborhood park had not been built in 1990 because of the negotiations with C.G. Rein over a land acquisition for softball fields. Kullander stated that portions of the neighborhood park could be built without interfering with a possible future athletic complex and would be included anyways with an athletic complex. Kullander stated he had received a letter from Mr. Lou Leichter, a Mendakota resident, asking for the neighborhood amenities to be built. Chair John Huber stated that the neighbors want their park and that he feels the City can build everything except the youth ballfield. Huber stated the youth ballfield was not a concern with the neighbors, that they are interested in the play facilities. Commissioner Katz inquired about the process. Kullander replied that the Commission would direct staff to prepare preliminary sketches that would be reviewed, then the Commission would recommend that City Council order plans and specifications. Kullander stated that Barton-Aschman's contract provided for the design of this park, but staff had preparatory work to complete before Barton-Aschman would be formally released to work on this project. Chair Huber stated that the City should move forward with the play structure, grading and seeding, amenities, half court, grass volleyball and sign. Huber stated that the City could hold off on the youth ballfield for future construction. Commissioner Damberg moved to direct staff to prepare preliminary sketches of Mendakota Park for the play structure, grading and seeding, amenities, half court, grass volleyball and sign for 1991 construction. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 (Kleinglass excused early) PARK PLACE Chair Huber stated that providing Park Place Homeowners with liability insurance as an additionally insured on the City's policy was a park tot lot policy question for the Commission. Huber stated that Friendly Hills was informed of the City's policy on tot lots and that accomodating Park Place would overturn the City's stance on the Friendly Hills tot lot. Huber stated that he is not interested in doing it and that the request should be denied. Huber stated that the City insurance carrier required that the City own or control the land and that the equipment be brought up to City standards, which would cost about $4,000. Huber stated that Park Place could determine if they can live with these two conditions and then they could make a proposal to the City. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 C�f�i� fei�iJ��7;1��►�.' Chair Huber moved to deny the request by Park Place Homeowners Association to be added as additionally insured on the City insurance policy. Commissioner Hunter seconded the motion. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that the staff, at the request of the Park Commission, had begun consideration of a Park Ordinance that would bring park policies, rules and regulations up to date. He stated that the Police Chief was concerned about enforcement issues and wanted updated ordinances. Batchelder stated that the old ordinances would be reviewed, sample ordinances would be obtained from other cities, and a rough draft ordinance would be submitted for policy review to the Park Commission to begin considering. Staff reported no progress on the Mayfield Heights trail connection. Parks Project Manager Kullander explained the list of citizen suggestions that he has been recording. He stated the list consists of suggested improvements to the neighborhood parks and trails. Kullander stated that the new trails are being swept this week. Kullander explained the trail map that staff is preparing for a mailing to residents over the winter. Kullander discussed the safety and directional signage needed on the trails. Guy highlighted a memo on the neighborhood ballfield improvements. Kullander explained that Councilmember Blesener had desired benches and fencing at Mendota School as that field is heavily used by Mend -Eagan. Kullander stated that ISD-197 is also interested in providing the same at Somerset and Sibley on a joint basis with the City, each side paying 50% of the costs. Kullander stated this item would be presented to the City Council for future approval. Chair Huber stated that two evergreen trees planted by City crews were in the way of a sliding hill at Friendly Hills Park. Huber also reported that a Trail Road resident expressed concern about the foul poles installed at Valley Park. He stated that the resident was concerned about running into the poles when sliding in the winter and about ballplayers running into them in the summer. Huber stated that the foul poles should have a warning track or protective padding. Huber questioned if the poles were needed if it was determined they are a safety hazard. Kullander stated that Mend -Eagan had requested the poles to identify the foul lines and for striping. The Commission requested that Kullander look into the safety issue and report on protective options or removal at the next meeting. Commissioner Damberg mentioned that the landing on the bike trail at Hwy. 110 and Dodd Road was too close to the road and needs attention to what may be a traffic hazard. THIRD BALLFZELD SITE Chair Huber stated that the improvements at Sibley Park are almost complete, providing the City with a portion of the ballfields recommended in the referendum. Huber stated that the Mendakota property has been considered as a third site for additional ballfields and that the park dedication to have come with the Kensington development cannot be counted on. Huber stated that in 1989 the Citizens Park Review Committee had determined the need for fields and had reviewed many possible sites in the City as places to provide these needed fields. Huber stated that the Parks Commission had to discuss options for the second and third ballfield sites. Administrative Assistant Batchelder highlighted the staff memo that examined the various ballfield sites that had been reviewed by the Citizen's committee in 1989. The commission discussed the attributes of the dozen sites and reviewed possible new sites that have been explored recently by staff. Commissioner Damberg inquired if the softball leagues would be willing to fund raise to help the referendum. Kullander stated that the leagues don't exist yet. Commissioner Hunter asked if the ballfield needs identified by the Citizens committee were projected or actual need. Kullander stated they were projected needs for both adult and youth. Commissioner Damberg suggested that the Parks Commission take a field trip to review the various sites. Chair Huber inquired about the negotiations for the Mendakota site. Kullander stated that the City had the land independently appraised at $573,000, but that the landowners wanted close to a million for the land. Kullander stated that this difference has caused the negotiations to stall. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 ia� �Fidi7ci`, i Chair Huber stated that the City should find out if they are willing to sell, and if not, the site should be taken off our list. Huber stated there are other sites to consider and that the City should move on to those sites. Huber stated the City should find out where C. G. Rein stands. Commissioner Hunter inquired if there was a per ballfield cost that could be used in comparing sites. Hunter inquired if the City could tentatively place ballfields in strips of land owned by the City until a third ballfield site could be identified and developed. Kullander stated the City did not own any land that could temporarily accomodate ballfields. The Commission directed staff to contact MnDOT and report the status of the turnback of Hwy. 149 right of way south and north of Hwy. 110. Commissioner Hunter moved to make a last offer to C.G. Rein for the Mendakota site based upon our appraisal and, if it is not accepted, to move on to other alternative sites. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant