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1990-11-13 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 13, 1990 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday November 13, 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, Hunter and Spicer. Katz and Lundeen were excused. Staff members present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder. MINUTES Commissioner Kleinglass moved approval of the October 9, 1990 Parks and Recreation minutes. Commissioner Damberg seconded. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 Chair John Huber presented a thank you note from children in the Friendly Hills neighborhood for having the City crews move a tree that had been inadvertently planted at the base of their favorite sliding hill. MENDAKOTA SITE Chair John Huber explained that the Mayor, in response to the Park and Recreation Commission recommendation to make a final offer to C. G. Rein on the purchase of the Mendakota site, had been successful in obtaining a signed purchase agreement based upon the City's appraisal of the property. Huber explained that the purchase price was within the budget for the park referendum. Huber stated the agreed upon price was $525,000 for the land with the City also paying $83,000 for the pending assessments for a total of $608,000. Huber stated that the City Council agreed to enter into the purchase agreement at their November 6, 1990 meeting and that the closing would occur on December 20, 1990. Huber stated that the budget looks okay and that City Council had directed the Parks and Recreation Commission to begin planning for 1991 construction of the site as a four field softball complex. Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander requested that the preliminary discussion of the site layout and design be held over until the rest of the items on the agenda had been handled. The Commission concurred. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM Administrative Assistant Batchelder reported that the City had received the evaluations of the Summer AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 Adventure program from the Community Education department of ISD-197. Batchelder stated that the program was a success and that the Community Education department was requesting the same amount of funding from Mendota Heights, $3,000, to continue this program in 1991. Batchelder stated that Mendota Heights participation in the program had been 21%, and that in light of this low level, the school district was holding our fund level the same and requesting an increase from West St. Paul in order to balance funding with participation. Batchelder stated that Sally Warring, Director of Community Education, would appear at 8:30 p.m. to answer any questions. Commissioner Dick Spicer moved to recommend that City Council, during the budget approval, authorize $3,000 from the Recreation Contigency line item to fund the After School Program's Summer Adventure in 1991 contingent on West St. Paul agreeing to fund in 1991 also. Commissioner Stephen Hunter seconded the motion. Parks Project Manager Guy the Trail Map requested by two color with photos and complete trail and par} estimated the cost of pre postage to be approximately would include the mailing mail drops in the City. Kt referendum's proposed bu funding for a trail map per possible funding sources co fund. Kull Kullander reported that the Commission could be black ink showing the system. Kullander paration, printing and $3,000. He stated this of a map to all 3,400 stated that the 3get did not include se. Kullander stated a uld be the Special Parks The Commission discussed funding sources. Chair John Huber inquired if it was possible to have advertisers buy space on the map that would cover the cost. Huber felt the Police Department might want a service message included also. The Commission concurred that the map should be done and directed staff to explore funding options, advertising and preparation for a Spring mailing. Kullander explained that Spring would be the appropriate timing for this mailing and that the map would include the rules of the trail. Comissioner Spicer inquired if it was possible to share the cost with the City's general fund. KENSINGTON ALTERNATIVE PLAN REVIEW Mr. Dick Putnam and Mr. Tom Boyce briefly discussed their recent attempt for a rezoning at the Kensington project and the alternatives left to them since the rezoning was not approved. Mr. Putnam stated that proposing an alternative plan, that attempts to address the concerns of the different interests involved, seemed to be a worthwhile approach. Mr. Putnam described the alternative plan with the smaller lot single family housing replacing a majority of the condominium units. He stated the alternative plan now showed all single family or park use along Mendota Heights Road from Huber Drive to Delaware Avenue. Councilmember-Elect Jill Smith arrived. Mr. Putnam stated that the park concept envisioned in the original proposal was a major facility. He stated that this concept has shrunk the size of the park but still provides for three softball fields and a neighborhood park. Mr. Putnam stated that the park still offers approximately 15 acres of land with most of the land being usable park land. He stated the original plan included pond and power line right of way, that while providing open space, really wasn't usable park space. Mr. Putnam outlined the original park as including two soccer fields, three softball fields, trails, wooded picnic area, neighborhood park facilities, and a pond. Mr. Putnam stated that the new scenario was having single family lots over a larger share of the site thus reducing the multi- family units and replacing this with single family. He explained that the southwest portion of the site is not conducive to single family with the freeway noise and air traffic. Mr. Putnam compared the smaller lot sizes of 9,500 square feet as being similar to lot sizes in Eden Prairie, Edina and Plymouth. Mr. Putnam stated that in designing the alternative plan, Centex had considered just offering a neighborhood park along Mendota Heights Road, similar to Plan A, the original sketch plan from 1987. Mr. Putnam stated that Councilmembers and City staff had indicated to him that the City would desire retaining a community recreational aspect to the park dedication, so room had been included for three softball fields and parking should the City decide this is how they want to develop any park dedication. Mr. Putnam also stated a cash dedication was considered. Mr. Putnam stated that the alternative plan was given to City Council who felt the pursuit of an alternative was worthwhile and directed the Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission to begin the review process. Mr. Putnam stated that Centex had held a neighborhood meeting. Mr. Putnam felt it was well received by the neighbors who expressed a few concerns and a desire for more details. Mr. Putnam described the proposed park dedication. He stated the three softball fields were the same size as the original proposal - 2651, 275' and 280' fences - 100 parking spaces, room for comfort station and a warmup or practice infield. Mr. Putnam emphasized that he is not proposing what the City should do with its dedication, only what he believed the City desired. Mr. Putnam described the dedication as 10.2 acres along the freeway for ballfields and 4.6 acres along Mendota Heights for neighborhood park for a total of 14.8 acres. He stated that the total site is 104 acres and a 10% dedication would be 10.4 acres. He stated that the proposed dedication is 12 acres less than the original proposal, but emphasized that this is all usable space, not pond and power line right of way. There would be an 8-10 foot berm between the ballfields and the single family houses with shrubbery planted along it, he stated, and the parking area entrance could be secured after hours. Mr. Putnam stated all the streets in the project would be served by sidewalks. Mr. Putnam stated that a neighborhood park facility made sense for the park dedication along Mendota Heights Road. Commissioner Hunter stated that he wondered if it was appropriate for the Parks and Recreation Commission to make a recommendation on the proposed park dedication at such an early stage, when it is only conceptual. He stated that he felt bad for Centex, that they had been dragged through so many options and adjustments to the park dedication. Commissioner Spicer moved to recommend approval of the Kensington Park plan as presented in concept form. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion for discussion. The Commission discussed the merits of a combined park instead of the two separate parcels. The Commission discussed the need for softball fields now that Mendakota Park has been purchased and scheduled for a four field softball complex. Commissioner Spicer stated that the original intent was to develop Sibley and Kensington while hoping that Mendakota might become a reality. He stated that now that Mendakota was acquired and scheduled for Spring construction that the emphasis on Kensington Park might shift. Commissioner Spicer stated that Mend -Eagan has 1,100 kids in its programs and that youth fields might be more appropriate for Kensington Park. The Commission discussed the mix of softball and soccer and the possibility of Kensington Park being a graded, seeded multi use area by the freeway and the portion by Mendota Heights Road a neighborhood park. The Commission discussed the possibility of accomodating soccer fields in the southern portion of the park dedication. Chair John Huber stated he feels it is preliminary to make any Parks Commission approval this evening. Huber stated that he feels the 15 acre dedication should be looked upon favorably, but that he wants the Commission to be able to look at the dedication again when more detailed plans may be discussed. Commissioner approval. Commissioner Recreation developer to presented, it move forward with the Spicer withdrew his motion of Kleinglass moved that the Parks and Commission should encourage the I with the concept that was being an acceptable plan that should to the Planning Commission for review Parks and Recreation Commission considering the Commission Chair AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 details at a later stage. Huber seconded the motion. Mr. Dick Putnam stated that he will take what he heard tonight and work with it as he designs and plans for the Planning Commission. VERBAL UPDATES Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander provided updates to the Commission on: 1. Olin development and park dedication is on hold as Dr. Olin and his neighbors are unable to agree on the subdivision. 2. Valley Park foul poles. Costs of providing pads and removing the poles discussed. The Commission decided the foul poles would remain as is. 3. ISD-197 will be approaching the City about joint upgrades of all the softball and baseball fields at City schools. 4. Somerset School trail link from Brookside Lane to Dodd Road. Trail easements at Sibley High School along Delaware Ave. 5. Crosswalks at Dodd Road striped for trails. 6. The final contracts for the park improvements and trails are being finalized with the final costs to be determined for the December meeting. 7. Sibley site contract. 8. Third ballfield sites that were being considered before the acquisition of Mendakota. 9. Discussions with MnDot about the T.H. 149 turnback. 10. Distance markings and signage for the trail system. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM Sally Warring, Director of Community Education, arrived and discussed the After School Program with the Commission. She stated that they had been asked to present the After School Program to a statewide convention as a model under the category of cooperation. Ms. Warring stated that West St. Paul enjoyed a locational advantage and that has led to their higher numbers of participation. She stated they would ask West St. Paul for a higher proportional funding amount. She also stated that the school district was considering cutting back the summer school program to expand the After School Program because it had been so successful. MENDAKOTA PARK Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander gave a brief overview of the land acquisition at Mendakota Park. He stated the acquisition was 10.7 acres that would be added to the 9 acres already dedicated. Kullander stated that this site was a premier ballfield site. He described how the Citizen's review committee had included soccer on this site, then not included, then included it again and then finally left soccer out. He stated the Commission ADJOURN would have to consider if they want to include soccer on this site. Kullander stated the Commission should give Barry Warner an indication of uses so that Barry could prepare schematic designs for consideration. Kullw, er presented a preliminary sketch showing four softball fields, one full sized soccer field, parking, ice rink, open area and comfort station with the neighborhood amenities on the west end of the site. Parking under the power lines was discussed. The Commission discussed a pinwheel softball design without the soccer field. The Commission directed Barry Warner to provide schematics for a four field softball complex with, and without, soccer fields and including parking, neighborhood amenities and play equipment, hardcourt, volleyball, horseshoe pit and ice skating area for the special meeting on November 27th. There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned until the special meeting to be held on Tuesday, November 27, 1990 at 7:00 o'clock p.m. at City Hall. Ajourned at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant