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1991-11-12 Parks and Rec Comm Minutes.0 A,; CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION NOVEMBER 12, 1991 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, November 12, 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, Spicer, Lundeen, and Damberg. Kleinglass and Katz were excused. Hunter arrived late at 7:30 o'clock p.m. Staff members present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander, Parks Leadperson Terry Blum and Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Damberg requested revisions to the minutes on the Kensington Park discussion. Commissioner Lundeen moved approval of the October 81 1991 minutes, as revised. Commissioner Spicer seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION ATTENDANCE REPORT Chair John Huber introduced the attendance issue and stated that this became an issue at the May 1991 meeting when he was the only Commissioner in attendance. Huber stated that City Administrator Tom Lawell, at Council's direction, had written each Park Commissioner individually and that following this action the attendance had been fine. Huber stated the September meeting again lacked a quorum and City Council had requested an attendance report upon seeing this in the minutes. Chair Huber stated he was hopeful that attendance would be better in the long run. Huber stated the Commission has been over this issue and the September meeting is not going to be a regular occurrence. Commissioner Damberg stated that people are in and out of town in this day and age and that some Commissioners have jobs that take them out of town. Commissioner Spicer stated that people don't consciously avoid the meetings. Chair Huber stated that he felt the Parks Commission was an excellent group and had provided the City Council with Page 2 excellent input over the years. PARKS INSPECTION PROGRAM Chair Huber introduced Terry Blum, Parks Leadperson, to give a presentation on the City's inspection and maintenance program for park facilities and playground equipment. Blum stated he desired to present the inspection and maintenance program to the Parks Commission to provide information on the maintenance of the new facilities. Blum stated that inspection and maintenance of our parks is an important aspect of risk management and protecting the health, welfare and safety of park users. Blum stated that because the City had experienced some park accidents recently that he felt it was important that the parks officials understood the efforts the City was making in the proper inspection and maintenance of the park equipment and facilities. Blum explained the Guidelines for Park and Playground Equipment Management that is the goal statement for the inspection program. Blum stated that each park should be formally inspected once a month and documented. Blum displayed the documentation forms. Blum stated every time an employee is in a park, he or she should be conscious of maintenance work to be performed and report findings to the Superintendent of Parks. Blum stated that every change or repair, no matter how minor is documented. Blum stated that a full time employee would be the responsible party for the monthly inspections. Blum stated a back-up check by a non -regular inspector is performed once a year to prevent complacency. Blum stated this would likely be Jim Danielson and Tom Olund. Blum described the procedures to be taken in the case of an accident in the parks. Blum displayed the records and documentation forms for the inspection programs. Commissioner Damberg inquired if any parks seem to be more problematic or have more vandalism. Blum answered that all the parks need relatively equal amounts of maintenance and that it is typically the old play equipment that needs replacing or fixing. Blum stated that Rogers Lake Park has experienced vandalism, but typically not much vandalism has occurred in our parks. Page 3 Blum informed the Commissioners to give him a call, or let City Hall know if they ever discover a need for maintenance, for instance to trim growth along a trail, or to sweep a trail, and the parks crew will respond. Chair Huber inquired about snow plowing for the trails after the Halloween storm. Blum responded that the trails could not be plowed with present equipment, given the heavy nature of the snow. Blum stated they have the option of a pickup with a plow or the grader for plowing trails. Blum stated a pickup is not heavy enough to push the heavy snow and that the grader tears up too many things along the trail and is really too large for the trails. Blum stated the budgeted snow thrower for 1992 would easily clean the trails in their present state. Blum stated that the ice rinks would be flooded the first week in December and that he was currently hiring rink attendants who would have their informational meeting stated that the warming on November 25th. Blum houses would be open on New Years Day this winter, but not on Christmas Day. KENSINGTON PARK PLANS Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander handed out a memorandum summarizing the design of the Kensington Park, its history, the constraints of the site and funding. Kullander described the south half of Kensington Park stating the two soccer fields can only fit in a north/south orientation in the south park site. He stated tall fencing will be required behind the goals along I-494 and a parking lot for 80 to 100 cars will be needed. Kullander stated that play equipment and picnic amenities could also be located in this section. Kullander stated a comfort station with permanent facilities was considered necessary by the Park and Recreation Commission who will need to decide the level of service for the play equipment and comfort station. Kullander stated a trail link is designed to link the north park section and area to the east, which will be single family homes. Kullander stated it was the consensus, at the October 8, 1991 meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission, to construct permanent toilets with connection to the sanitary sewer and overhangs on the building which were added to the design. Page 4 Kullander estimated the additional cost at $40,000. Kullander stated the building would have an area for vending machines, a telephone, and water fountain facing the play equipment with signage, bulletin board and the mechanical storage room facing the parking lot. Kullander stated there would be 600 sq. ft. of space under the proposed overhangs. Commissioner Spicer stated that this proposal seems to be exactly what the Commission had been looking to provide in this area. Commissioner Lundeen stated he felt having a picnic under the shelter next to a parking lot would not be desirable, and asked if the shelter would get more use if located to the east of the play equipment. Kullander explained the small picnic area near the play equipment. Kullander stated that the fencing shown is to keep ball players from parking in the multi -family complex and that Centex will provide landscaping to increase the buffer. Kullander stated the fencing is designed to keep the soccer balls out of the parking and play areas. Kullander stated the fencing is an item that can be dropped, however, cost savings are realized with the original bid and fencing would be more expensive at a later date if bid outside the park construction. The 28 foot kick barriers along I-494 was discussed. Kullander stated some type of barrier is needed. Commissioner Lundeen stated an option would be a webbing net mounted on telephone poles and this would be less expensive than a 28' tall cyclone fence. Kullander stated telephone poles are crooked and unsightly and that the netting would require maintenance and replacement on a periodic basis. Commissioner Lundeen stated the wind drag on a 28' cyclone fence is what drives the cost up because the size of the piping that would be needed. The Commission decided to bid the webbing net as a bid alternate. Commissioner Spicer stated the plan presented incorporates what he envisioned in the south park area with a comfort station, shelter, play equipment and full sized soccer fields. Kullander explained the addition of T-ball option that would allow T-ball and pickup softball when the soccer fields are not in use. Kullander approximated $1,500 per backstop. Commissioner Spicer stated that this would provide additional practice areas Page 5 when soccer is not in use and meets neighborhood park needs. The Commission decided to place two T- ball backstops at the north end of the soccer fields and set back 30 feet. The Parks and Recreation Commission was of unanimous consensus that the plan presented for South Kensington Park should be recommended with the T-ball option. The Commission directed staff to discuss the design with Sting and Mend -Eagan. NORTH KENSINGTON PARK Chair Huber stated the design of the north section of Kensington Park had been the item of much discussion at the October meeting and as a result the Commission had directed Parks Project Manager Kullander to provide a menu of options for this park section and to include Hagstrom-King Park as a factor in siting park needs for this area. Kullander explained the original proposal that had been presented in October and stated this design has potential for a multi -use field. Kullander stated his original design is basically a neighborhood park in two areas, as it includes a play structure, play field, parking, trails, hard court and picnic facilities. Kullander explained the other drawing, Plan B, which includes all the options discussed as month to pick and choose from. Kullander stated this shows the park to contain an enlarged parking lot that has been moved to the west end of the park, a picnic shelter, heavier landscaping and berming, a two court tennis surface, a full court basketball, three horseshoe pits with an open grass area under the easement. Kullander stated this option shows maximum development and is not a proposal but merely an illustration of the options. Chair Huber inquired about volleyball. Kullander stated this area has unlimited development potential and could include volleyball if the Commission chose. Kullander stated that this area will contain a diverse group of residents and that eventually there will approximately 800 housing units in this area. Kullander stated the north park section is not a pretty area with natural amenities. He stated it is in the noise corridor, is adjacent to traffic, has high power lines running through the property, is void of significant vegetation and is lacking topsoil. Kullander stated it could be costly to provide extensive landscaping, trees and many years before this area would become a typical park site. He stated Mendota Heights Road will always look down upon the site. Kullander stated park funds would be best used where natural amenities already exist and shouldn't be forced into this site. Commissioner Damberg queried, what is a park? She explained a park she knew of that she considered the best park she ever visited. She stated it was a mixture of uses that attracted all segments of a community, it had athletic fields that were separated from the other areas, it had picnic areas, play areas, a flower conservatory, a fountain and tennis courts. She stated that on any given night, all generations of the community would turn out. Commissioner Damberg stated that athletic fields have dominated our parks, both the existing parks and the newly constructed parks, mostly because of financial constraints. She stated Mendota Heights should have one area that is more "park like." She also stated this may not necessarily mean Kensington Park, that Hagstrom- King Park may be more appropriate. She stated that if Kensington Park was not conducive to a green, passive park, it should not be forced to be that. Commissioner Damberg inquired about redesigning the future tennis area at Hagstrom-King Park to be something else. Kullander stated that this area had been graded flat for future use, and was not committed to tennis courts. Commissioner Damberg stated a creative approach could be used at Hagstrom-King Park. Chair Huber opened the discussion on the maximum development option for Kensington Park north, known as plan B. Kullander stated he estimated the cost for all the options at $180,000 as compared to $70,000 for the original proposal. Chair Huber polled the Commissioners. Commissioner Lundeen stated he liked the concept of T-ball with the backstops at the south area. Lundeen stated he liked Plan B. however has a hard time envisioning all those improvements on the site and getting a park like setting. Lundeen stated a landscape arboretum is the place to go to see greenery. Lundeen stated he liked the horseshoe its. Lundeen stated the power lines take away Page 7 from any park like setting in this area. Kullander stated Plan B is similar to Marie Park where there are a lot of uses in a small area and that court fencing does not detract significantly once trees are mature. Commissioner Hunter stated he likes open spaces for parks, and that Plan B is not the passive type of park development in which people will hang out. Hunter stated Plan B would be better without the basketball. Hunter proposed volleyball with landscaping and berms to replace the basketball. Hunter favored the tennis and horseshoes. Hunter stated that Hagstrom-King is more appropriate for a "park like setting." Bocce ball was discussed. Commissioner Spicer stated the north park area is an ugly site to begin with and we shouldn't put lots of money in it. Spicer advocated an open area with picnic shelter, horseshoes and some plantings. Spicer stated the money should go into Hagstrom- King which is already an attractive area and could accommodate tennis courts. Spicer stated money would be better spent beautifying Hagstrom-King. Spicer stated Kensington is best suited as an open play field and he prefers the original plan with a shelter, horseshoes and some beautification. Tennis at Hagstrom-King was discussed. It was acknowledged that the building at the north Kensington site already had bathrooms to support active use. Commissioner Lundeen stated he prefers Plan B without the tennis and basketball, which could be placed at Hagstrom-King Park. Lundeen stated that he felt if a "park like" area was needed that Hagstrom-King is more appropriate, and if active type surfaces are needed than Kensington is more appropriate. Commissioner Damberg stated she preferred Plan B as a passive area without the tennis and basketball. Damberg stated she thinks Hagstrom-King is a nicer area suitable for activity with a nice overview of the pond. Commissioner Spicer stated the basketball could be taken out of Hagstrom-King with some plantings to separate the ballfield and make Hagstrom-King Park the green area. Spicer stated the basketball could be replaced at Kensington Park. Spicer stated he liked the active use of Plan B near the existing plumbing, there will be a lot of people in this Page 8 area. Spicer stated there is an obligation to provide active surfaces for residents in this area. He stated the City needs one developed area and that the City needs one green area. Spicer stated he felt the Commission was disagreeing on which park should be the active area and which should be the green area. Spicer stated the site with the natural beauty should be left open and the ugly site should be developed for active use. Spicer stated Kensington has the facilities for active use and should be developed for active uses as shown in Plan B and that Hagstrom-King should be cleared out for open undeveloped green area with some passive amenities. Commissioner Damberg stated that adding lots of greenery to Plan B would make it more acceptable. Damberg suggested berming, landscaping, picnic, bocce ball and removing basketball at Hagstrom- King. Chair Huber stated he could not imagine tearing out the half court basketball at Hagstrom-King. The Commission discussed redesigning Hagstrom-King Parks as a passive park by providing trees, a loop trail, benches and picnic facilities. Commissioner Spicer stated that if a green area is needed for Kensington, Hampshire, Bridgeview, Copperfield and Delaware Crossing residents, a more central location than Hagstrom-King Park could not be found. Chair Huber focused the discussion on the options in Plan B. He inquired why the need for picnic shelters if this is to be the active park. The Commission discussed a few small scattered single table shelters. Commissioner Spicer stated that if Plan B is recommended it should be done in a green manner to offset the hard facilities. Commissioner Damberg stated it should be beautified because of its heavy use nature. Commissioner Spicer moved to recommend that Hagstrom-King Park be a beautified green area passive park and that the north section of Kensington Park be developed according to Plan B with kiosk areas for picnic shelters and enhanced with green landscaping. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. Page 9 AYES: 4 NAYS: 1 Huber. Huber stated his nay vote was based upon the amount of active uses in Plan B. Huber stated that Plan B as a passive design with horseshoes, picnic, trails is more appropriate and the tennis and basketball can go at Hagstrom-King which is similar to the other neighborhood parks. The Commission directed staff to inform City Council of the concept design and to bring back a more detailed plan with cost estimates for review at their next meeting for the formal recommendation to City Council, The Commission discussed 1st and 2nd Question referendum monies and there purposes as relates to improvements and future land acquisition. WEST PUBLISHING SOFTBALL PROPOSAL Chair John Huber introduced the proposal that the City had received from West Publishing for a mens and womens softball league in Mendota Heights to serve their Eagan employees. Huber queried if there was any support for this among the Commissioners. Commissioner Spicer stated that the Thursday night reservation requested by West Publishing is the primary night for the Mendota Heights Softball League and it wasn't likely the City could support any Thursday night softball. Commissioner Lundeen stated he did not support the request. Chair John Huber stated this was not unlike the request to rent the concession stand. Huber stated the City really had to have a chance to develop its policies before outside interests were allowed into the program. Huber stated the City does not have a policy on use of the softball fields yet. Huber stated the answer to West Publishing ought to be there is no structure to support their request at this time. Commissioner Lundeen stated the City could not give a three year commitment to West Publishing until there are clear policies on field use. Huber inquired if the Mendakota Park fields would be playable in the Spring. Kullander stated the fields would be available for limited use and could accommodate our present softball leagues, the mens Page 10 league on Thursday night and the kittenball league on Sunday nights. The Commission directed staff to inform West Publishing there would be no accommodation until the City needs are determined first. RECREATION SURVEY/SOFTBALL POLICIES VERBAL UPDATES Administrative Assistant Batchelder handed out summary sheets briefly describing the softball policies of twenty metro area cities. Batchelder stated the City would need to develop policies regarding field use, reservation, league play, tournaments, concession rental, and fees. Batchelder stated the survey shows how other cities are handling their programs. Park brochures from metro area cities were distributed to each Commissioner. Batchelder stated proposed softball policies would be prepared for the December meeting and the Commissioners would have time to study the survey and brochures to begin discussion and establishment of softball policies for the coming season. Batchelder stated the Metropolitan Council had contacted the City about the proposed Harriet Island/Lilydale/Cherokee Park Regional Park that is once again being pushed forward by the City of St. Paul. Batchelder stated St. Paul was seeking funding from the Met Council to build this regional park and the Met Council was asking for comments as part of their public hearing procedures. Batchelder stated plans have been requested so the City can make a formal response, as was done in 1988 when this park was under consideration. Batchelder stated the heavy snow storm that we received last week may have ruined any chance that Centex's contractors would have had to rough grade Kensington Park prior to the onset of winter. Batchelder stated we will have to wait and see on the weather over the next month. He stated this should not delay the construction of Kensington Park, our intention would still be to build the park in 1992, for use in 1993. Kullander stated the Mendota Interchange project - was nearing the point where the State would be letting contracts. He stated there is 1 and 1/2 mile of trails proposed, however, the cost sharing ADJOURN Page 11 is unknown at this point and some trail segments are listed as County trails. Kullander stated the City cost could be as high as $65,000, but this depends on the State and County shares. Batchelder stated he had no contact from the Mayfield Heights neighborhood after informing them the City had exhausted its options to provide a trail link to Douglas/James Road despite his offer to meet with them. The Victoria realignment and its trail were discussed. There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation adjourned their meeting at 9:30 o'clock p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder, Admin. Asst.