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1991-10-08 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION OCTOBER 8, 1991 (Revised) The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, October 8, 1991, in the City Hall Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. Chair John Huber called the meeting to order at 7:05 o'clock p.m. The following members were present: Huber, Damberg, Lundeen, Hunter, Kleinglass and Spicer. Absent: Katz. Staff members present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder. Councilmembers Blesener and Smith were also present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Kleinglass moved to approve the minutes of August 13, 1991 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Commissioner Spicer seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 Commissioner Kleinglass moved to approve the minutes of September 10, 1991 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Commissioner Spicer seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 MAYFIELD HEIGHTS TRAIL Chair John Huber stated that the staff memo indicates that all the property owners surrounding the Mayfield Heights neighborhood have refused to provide the City with voluntary trail easements in the neighborhood. Huber stated it appears the City has exhausted its ability to provide a trail based upon voluntary acquisition of easements from affected property owners. Huber stated that in the past the Commission has declined to recommend any trails based upon condemnation proceedings. Commissioner Damberg stated that the City has reviewed this thoroughly and it appears options to provide a trail link to Douglas Road or James Road have been exhausted. Commissioner Spicer moved to recommend that the Parks and Recreation Commission direct staff to inform the Mayfield Heights neighborhood that trail options to Douglas Road/James Road have been exhausted and that the Parks and Recreation AYES: NAYS: Commission has concluded its review of trail options. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. PARR Chair Huber stated that staff had received grading plans from the Centex developers and that Guy Kullander had been directed by the Parks Commission to provide schematics for the Kensington Park. Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander provided a presentation on schematic designs for Kensington Park based upon the 1989 Parks Referendum and input received to date from the Commission, City Council and residents. Kullander explained that staff had been selected to do the design of this park and that no private consultants would be hired on the design of this park, as approved by the Commission and City Council. Kullander stated the staff has three years of park development experience and has a better feel at this time for the original intentions of the referendum and the input that has been received since. Kullander explained that the Kensington Park dedication is a result of a lengthy approval process for the land use in this area. Kullander explained that in addition to the park dedication there are trail links provided through easements across lots to have access to Delaware Avenue. Kullander stated a given to this park design was to have a portion of the park -large enough to provide two full size soccer fields. Kullander stated that the Citizens Park Review Committee had determined a.need for three soccer fields-- two full size soccer fields and one large soccer field. Kullander stated that the.two fields were proposed to be 240 feet by 360 feet with one having the ability to be enlarged to 300 feet by 390 feet in order to meet the needs of current soccer users. Kullander stated that these soccer fields and the other field being provided at Sibley High School, will fulfill the referendum. Kullander stated that the original budget proposed in the referendum for Kensington Park was $568,000. Kullander stated this amount was to provide for development of 26 acres, including three full use softball fields and'two full size soccer.fields. Kullander stated that because of delays in land use approvals Mendakota Park became the number two park in the referendum and that first issue money was directed towards improving Mendakota Park. Kullander stated that second issue money, for a total of $700,000, was earmarked for future land acquisition and park development. Kullander stated that $15,000 in design cost by Barton Aschman had already been spent on Kensington Park and that Barton Aschman's original estimated design for Kensington Park was $800,000. Kullander stated that the remaining money for parks includes the $700,000 in the second issue and the $350,000 currently in the special park fund. Kullander stated the plan he is proposing as a schematic tonight is an affordable plan and is in roughly the $400,000 range. Kullander explained the constraints on the site which include a pipeline and power line which cannot be moved and restrict grading. Kullander stated that Centex will be doing the mass grading on the site and that it will be up to the City to do the fine grading. Kullander estimated the fine grading at $40,000. Kullander explained that the south area of the park drains towards 494 which has restricted drainage and that the City will have to use storm sewers to take it to the north. Kullander explained that the soils in this area are poor with hard clay and rocks and that topsoil will be needed. Kullander explained that the trees in the north park area are not developable because they're on too steep of slopes and are mostly on private property. Kullander explained the details of the south park area. He stated there is proposed 78 space parking lot, approximately $251000-30,000 play equipment area, picnic tables, benches and a structure to enclose the irrigation mechanical equipment and port -a -potties. Kullander stated that providing sanitary sewer to this building would be an extra $25,000, Kullander explained the north park area. He stated U.S. West has an existing building that provides bathrooms and storage. Kullander explained that this is proposed to be a wide open flat grassy area, it would drain towards the pond area in the northwest corner, the grass area would not include"a skinned area but would have a backstop and benches to'4Allow for softball. He stated there is :a half court basketball proposed and a small parking lot. Guy Kullander stated this proposal for Kensington Park is estimated to cost $400,000 to $450,000. Kullander explained the edge o£ 494 is roughly 65 feet from the right-of-way fence. He is proposing a 28 foot high cyclone fence as a kick barrier that would extend 120 feet in length behind.both soccer goals on the south. Kullander estimated this at a $15,000 cost. Commissioner Damberg inquired if it would be possible to build a solid fence for noise walls. Kullander explained that the noise wall solid fences that you see typically along highways are extensive structures and very expensive to build and stated that a cyclone fence is the cheapest method of fencing. Liability hazards for balls kicked into the highway right-of-way were discussed. Alignment of the soccer fields in the south park area was discussed. The Commission acknowledged the intent is to grade the south area for two full size soccer fields but that it can be striped in any fashion depending on the user. Kullander stated that all bleachers, benches and goals in this area are proposed to be movable. Fencing around the south park area was discussed and Kullander was directed to look at reducing fence costs to save money. Extension of utilities for sanitary sewer to the proposed structure in the south park area were discussed. Kullander estimated an additional $25,000 to extend sanitary sewer to the building and provided plumbing. Commissioner Spicer stated that an open shelter roofed area should be considered for use in inclement weather or hot sun. Kullander was directed by the Parks Commission to explore plumbing and shelter at this structure. The Commission discussed the play equipment proposed in the southern area. Kullander stated he is estimating this at $25,000-$30,000 which is slightly higher than what has been spent in the typical neighborhood park for new play equipment. The Commission agreed with this as there will be lots of residents in this area. Councilmember Smith stated the north park area doesn't meet the needs for the future residents of this area as shown on the schematics. Councilmember Smith stated that a PUD allows for higher density in order to gain park space and amenities. Councilmember Smith stated that the multi -family area and its future residents must have a park geared toward their needs. Councilmember Smith stated that the northern portion of the park should be open space area. Commissioner Spicer stated that the current proposal as shown by the schematics do show a green open area for this area. Councilmember Smith stated that what she had in mind was a picnic area or walk destination with potentially a picnic shelter in this area. Commissioners Spicer and Lundeen both stated that the Parks Commission did not feel it necessary to build structures in both the south and north park areas. Chair Huber stated that the design for the south park area showed minimal amenities including bathrooms, a mechanic area and a structural overhang. He stated that it had been the City Council's and Park Commission's intent that this park not be built "on the order of Mendakota Park." Chair Huber stated that he felt Councilmember Smith was talking of a higher quality area for the north area. Councilmember Smith stated she had had phone calls from people in this area and they had indicated their desires to have a tennis court, play facilities for older children, horseshoes, volleyball and that this area should be perceived as a destination park connected to the hiking trails. Commissioner Ramberg stated a basketball court would be appropriate for older children. Commissioner Spicer stated an open green area would provide a multi -use area. Councilmember Smith stated she realized that it had to be somewhat flat for the drainage in the area but she would prefer to see something more interesting in the terrain. Councilmember Blesener stated she has been involved in the parks review process with the Citizens Park Review Committee and all the effort that went into the Parks Referendum. She emphasized that playing fields are needed and have been identified as a high demand item. Councilmember Blesener stated that the land use approval process had given away a 27 acre park that would have met some of these extra needs. Commissioner Damberg stated that she would like to speak for the older generation and she felt that their needs should be addressed in this park as likely there would be elderly residents, empty nesters, single people, and young people not in organized sports living in many of the multi- family units. Commissioner Spicer stated he disagreed. Spicer stated most of the City's neighborhood parks are multi -use parks and they are currently working well and do meet the needs of diverse age groups. He gave as examples Marie, Wentworth, Valley and Friendly Hills Parks. Commissioner Kleinglass inquired about the noise in this park. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated the north area is probably too far to receive noise from the highway and Mendota Heights Road was not a large noise generator. Kullander stated there would be highway traffic noise in the south area. Commissioner Spicer stated there is no reason not to leave a green grass area in the northern park and that it should be graded properly. Commissioner Damberg agreed, stating leave it open with plantings to allow for multiple use. The north park area was discussed as a picnic area. Commissioner Spicer stated the north park area is a little bigger than a neighborhood park and the existing neighborhood parks are mostly appropriate for play on the fields by those age eight and under. Spicer stated that what has been shown on the schematics for the north park area is not a formal ballfield. Spicer stated the Citizens Park Review Committee had envisioned this as a practice area, as did City Council when they determined Mendakota Park would be the flagship premier park of the City. Councilmember Blesener stated the Citizens Park Review Committee had identified a need for 13 fields and the referendum has not yet fulfilled this. The location of the parking lot in the north park area was discussed. Horseshoe and volleyball were discussed for the north park area. Councilmember Smith stated the north park area should have some sort of contouring in the terrain to make it more interesting. She stated the parking lot should be moved to the west with some berming behind it. She stated she envisioned this park as having horseshoes, being multi -use with no dedicated ballfield and no backstop. Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander stated the drainage slopes towards Mendota Heights Road and it would be tremendously expensive to change the drainage in this area. Kullander stated berming would block the view into the park. Councilmember Blesener stated the cost of placing a backstop in the north park area is minimal. Councilmember Blesener stated if you decide in the future there is a better purpose for the park that it could be easily accomodated with the current design proposal. She stated she was certain that Mend -Eagan would be using the ballfield now. Commissioner Spicer stated Mend - Eagan currently buys field time from St. Thomas, St. Peter and Visitation and they would like to be able to utilize the parks more to alleviate the cost of buying field time. He stated coaches are actively looking for open space for their kids to practice from May 1st through September. Chair John Huber inquired of the Parks Commissioners about their opinions on the north park area. Commissioner Lundeen stated he felt that the Parks Commission should keep its options open, that it should not be a formal field but it should be an open grass area. Lundeen stated this allows the City to be flexible to make other improvements at a later date if the demand warrants it. Lundeen stated if the fields become used heavily, so be it. Commissioner Kleinglass stated Mend -Eagan will use it for practice fields at this time. Kleinglass inquired if the Commission is saying we don't want Mend -Eagan to use this as practice fields. Kleinglass wondered what kind of information do we have that the future residents of this area are making different demands than the schematics are currently showing. Kleinglass stated that we know Mend -Eagan needs to use the fields and at this point we can only speculate about what the future residents of this area would want diffently. Commissioner Ramberg stated she sees many of our neighborhood parks as being athletic fields. Ramberg stated that the idea of open space parks should be looked at carefully. Damberg inquired if the City had an obligation to totally meet Mend -Eagan needs. She stated other sectors of the community, such as seniors have park needs also. Commissioner Spicer stated the referendum was proposed and voted on by residents in the City. Spicer stated the Parks Commission was representing the community in constructing the referendum improvements and he felt the Commission would be short of meeting its obligations if this area is not developed to allow practice fields. Councilmember Blesener stated the second question money would still enable the City to provide open space type parks. Councilmember Smith and Councilmember Blesener left the meeting. VERBAL UPDATES Chair John Huber stated he was getting the sense from the Commission that this facility may be better used as a practice/athletic area. Chair Huber stated he felt Hagstrom-King may be a better area to locate these other types of improvements that have been talked about this evening. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated Hagstrom-King currently has an area graded for tennis courts, that it would be easy to convert the basketball court to a full court, and a volleyball area and a horseshoe area could easily be provided in Hagstrom-King Park. Kullander stated that the ponds at Hagstrom-King may be more scenic for a picnic area and lack the power lines that run through the north area of Kensington Park. Chair Huber stated that it's probably impossible for the Parks Commission to satisfy all the ball players and to satisfy all the passive park advocates. Kullander stated he felt the north part of Kensington Park had no natural amenities worth saving as a passive park and it would be expensive to create these amenities. He felt that picnic areas make more sense in Valley Park or Hagstrom-King Park or other parks that are destination areas on our trail system. Chair Huber, on behalf of the Parks Commission, directed Kullander to explore the park needs in the north area, investigating the options discussed tonight for destination type uses and to include Hagstrom-King Park as a factor in his review of park improvements for Kensington Park, for the November meeting. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the City's Risk Manager had visited to look at the City's exerglide swing in the Mendakota Park area where an accident had occurred with a young child. Batchelder stated the Risk Manager had sent the City a letter suggesting appropriate signage and striping of the hard surface area around the exerglide to indicate parental supervision and caution in a hazard area. Batchelder stated the Risk Manager's letter also addressed liquor sales at the concession area, a video library on risk management, and park maintenance. Batchelder stated there had also been an accident on the Somerset Elementary trail and the City would also be signing and striping that trail to warn of hazards and to use caution. Batchelder stated that Valley Park trail also has a steep sector that would receive the same signs and striping. Batchelder stated the adopt -a -park participants were recognized at the City Council meeting a week prior and that the new adopt -a -park signs had been installed. Batchelder stated that NSP had planted trees and landscaping at their power station in Mendakota Park to screen the view. ADJOURN There being no further business the Park and Recreation Commission adjourned their meeting at 8:45 o'clock p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder