1991-01-08 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
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JANUARY 8, 1991
MINUTES
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and
Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, January 8, 1991 in the
City Hall Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. Chair John Huber
called the meeting to order at 8:20 o'clock p.m. The following
members were present: Huber, Katz, Damberg, Hunter and Lundeen.
Kleinglass and Spicer were excused. Councilmember Jill Smith was
present as an observer. Staff members present were Parks Project
Manager Guy Kullander and Administrative Assistant Kevin
Batchelder.
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES Commissioner Damberg moved approval of the December
il, 1990 Parks and Recreation minutes.
Commissioner Hunter seconded.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
VERBAL UPDATES
Chair John Huber requested the verbal updates be
provided first. Parks Project Manager Guy
Kullander stated that NSP's Community Service
Manager, Mr. Bob Schmall, had been contacted
regarding landscaped screening around the NSP power
station near Mendakota Park. Kullander stated that
Mr. Scmall had indicated that NSP was willing to
address, and possibly provide, screening to the
north of the transfer station, as had been required
to the south at the time of their CUP. Staff will
provide NSP with a copy of the site plan for
Mendakota Park and NSP will propose screening.
Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder had
indicated that Planning Commissioner Ultan Duggan
had requested that staff conduct an inventory of
park acreage to compare with the stated goals of
the City 's Comprehensive Plan. Batchelder
indicated that the preliminary analysis had been
completed and that a report would be provided to
the Park Commission at their February meeting and
then forwarded to the Planning Commission.
Batchelder stated that the City Council
acknowledged the receipt of a lawsuit from Centex,
the developers of Kensington, over the City's
failure to approve the requested rezoning.
Kullander described the progress of the Mendakota
Park design. Kullander stated that Barry Warner
was incorporating the Commission's, Council's and
staff's suggestions into the design and had run
into no problems at that point. Kullander stated
the tennis court would be a bid alternate that
could be included should the neighborhood decided
to dedicate the land and participate in the
construction costs. Kullander stated that the
Commissioners would be sent copies of the final
plan and, if there was agreement, there would be no
need for a special meeting to review plans on
January 29.
Kullander stated that Barton-Aschman had requested
a fee increase due to the upgraded status of the
Mendakota Park project. Kullander stated that
Barton-Aschman had originally requested a
percentage based fee increase, but had agreed to go
along with a staff time and materials increase to
their fee. Kullander stated this matter would be
for City Council to decide at their January 15,
1991 meeting.
PRIORITY SETTING
Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander briefly
described the memorandums provided to the Parks and
Recreation Commission that outlined unfinished park
improvements, their estimated costs and their
feasibility. Kullander compared the remaining
monies in the referendum to the amount necessary to
build Mendakota Park. He stated that approximately
$806,000 remained from Question One and that the
cost to construct Mendakota Park was estimated by
Barton-Aschman to be $785,000. Kullander stated
that since the first estimate additional
improvements and enhancements have been identified
that will raise this estimate beyond $800,000.
Kullander stated that staff feels that the
referendum has been substantially completed, with
the exception of the second ball field site, which
is now Mendakota, and the third ballfield complex,
which will probably be Kensington plus some minor
neighborhood ballfield improvements and some trail
segments. Kullander stated that funds to develop
the third site were to come from Question Two.
Kullander stated that remaining funding for parks
improvements was available in Question Two
($700,000) and the Parks Special Fund ($325,000).
Kullander stated that the obligations of the
referendum were fulfilled, however, some trail
segments shown in the map in the referendum
brochure may prove impossible to build or too
costly. He stated the remaining major segments of
trail would be completed as highway and street
projects are undertaken.
Kullander stated that his memo outlined all the
remaining trail segments and park improvements and
he desired the Commission to set priorities for
each project so that preliminary cost estimates
could be prepared, if necessary. He stated that
the funding from Question One will be substantially
depleted by the construction of Mendakota Park and
that the Commission should set priorities for each
project so they can be fulfilled in that order as
the remaining funds run out. Chair Huber stated
that it boils down to which remaining items are
built or not. Kullander stated that the Second
Question monies were originally earmarked for land
acquisition and development of the third ballfield
site (Kensington). Kullander stated that Special
Park Fund monies could be used for high priority
items.
The Commission discussed the budget for Question
One. Commissioner Hunter agreed with staff that
the obligations of the Question One had been
fulfilled. He stated that one item, the Mayfield
Heights trail that had been requested by that
neighborhood, should be fulfilled if possible.
Chair John Huber stated that the Commission should
decide what priorities exist and let available
money follow it until exhausted. Huber stated that
Mendakota Park was priority number one. The
Commission concurred.
Kullander led the Commission through the list of
projects remaining. The Commission identified four
trail segments to consider for priority. The
Delaware trail from Marie to Highway 110 was
declared a medium priority, Dodd Road from Wagon
Wheel to South Plaza was declared a medium
priority, Mayfield Heights segment was declared a
low priority and all MSA funded trail segments were
declared low priority. The Commission decided to
wait and see on all other trail segments.
The Commission discussed the use of Special Parks
Fund monies for referendum uses. The Commission
asked staff for a report on the fund, the interest
it earns, and any recent draws upon the fund. The
report would be used to discuss guidelines for use
of this money.
The viewing blind at Friendly Marsh park was
declared a very low priority as it is repetitive of
Dodge Nature activities. The remaining
improvements to existing neighborhood park
ballfields, estimated at $3,000 to $5,000 was
declared to be completed in 1991, as was $1,000
improvements to Curley's Valley View Tot Lot. The
bleachers and play equipment at Sibley Park were
discussed. The Commission recommended construction
of the bleachers in 1991 and recommended waiting
for demand on the play equipment construction in
Sibley Park. Kullander stated that funding for the
two Sibley items had been reserved so that these
two items did not impact the remaining funds of
$806,000.
Commissioner Hunter stated that the City had its
foot to the floor on parks construction for the
last year and that we should proceed with
construction of Mendakota Park, it would be the
centerpiece of the parks system. He stated that
with construction of Mendakota Park the City should
wait until the dust settles to determine what
should or can
be accomplished as far as the small
Commissioner Hunter moved to recommend to City
Council that the obligations of the referendum are
essentially fulfilled, that Mendakota Park should
be constructed according to the preliminary plans
and specifications and that staff proceed with
trail construction according to the priorities
recommended until Question One money was exhausted.
Chair Huber seconded.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
ADJOURN There being no further business, the Parks and
Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:30 o'clock
p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin Batchelder
Administrative Assistant