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1992-11-10 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 101 1992 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, November 10, 1992, in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Huber, Kleinglass, Norton, Damberg. Commissioners Spicer and Katz were excused. Commissioner Hunter arrived late. Also present were Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder, Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Recreation Programmer Michelle Morgan, APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Kleinglass moved to approve the October 13, 1992 Minutes, Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: � 4x"k•1arow�V: n Chair Huber stated he would be turning the meeting over to Commissioner Damberg to conduct this item. Huber stated that his employment with Soo Line makes him not it inappropriate to be involved in discussion of this item. Commissioner Damberg introduced Lynn Moratzka, with the Planning Office of Dakota County, to talk about Dakota County's plans for regional trails system and for Dakota County's plans to acquire the Soo Line Railroad right-of- way for trail purposes through Mendota Heights, Ms. Moratzka described the railroad right-of-way for the Soo Line project. She stated the Soo Line rail bed begins at the Highway 55/I-494 intersection, runs north through Mendota Heights Industrial Park and then follows Highway 13 to the Lilydale Pool and Yacht Club with a total distance of 4 1/2 miles. Is. Moratzka stated this rail right-of-way came under an option for MnDOT to purchase because of the Mendota Interchange Project. She stated the Soo Line Railroad is willing to talk about selling the 4 1/2 mile stretch to MnDOT. Dakota County is urging MnDOT to designate this rail right-of-way for transportation purposes for bicycle trails. Moratzka stated the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) brought Dakota County into the discussions because of their desire for hooking with Dakota County into the Fort Snelling system. Moratzka explained Dakota County Regional Trail Concept which includes a corridor of 150 foot in width running the length of the Minnesota River from Burnsville to Harriet Island. Moratzka also stated Dakota County's Regional Trail Concept is considering the same 150 foot wide corridor along the Mississippi from St. Paul to Hastings. The Regional Trail System would then include community wide bike trails that would connect both the Mississippi and Minnesota River corridors through Dakota County. Moratzka stated each 150 foot wide corridor is a new concept that would include bike paths, recreational paths, ski paths and trails for horses. Ms. Moratzka stated the organizations involved in current discussions are MnDOT, the Metropolitan Council, the DNR, Dakota County and Soo Line Railroad. She stated they are attempting to bring this corridor into reality and that MnDOT is working with agencies to establish a new policy on the use of rail corridors for transportation purposes. Moratzka stated MnDOT does not have any precedent for using rail corridors for transportation purposes. Moratzka stated MnDOT has indicated it would be six month to one year process to work out a purchase agreement with the Soo Line Railroad. Ms. Moratzka stated this rail bed would be a primary link from the Mendota Bridge to Harriet Island Lilydale Regional Park when the Mendota Bridge is finished. Moratzka stated the County Board had directed their staff to look at a plan that would work and that Dakota County staff has been in discussions with the Metropolitan Council for grant money to fund regional trails. Dakota County is investigating purchasing box culverts for the crossing at Highway 13 and the Mendota interchange and then applying at MnDOT for a pay back to install these box culverts during construction of the new highway projects. Moratzka stated MnDOT is willing to install the box culverts during construction if the County will support financially. Moratzka estimated each box culvert would cost $150,000 for what is a 12 foot wide by 15 foot high box culvert. The Commission discussed the involvement of an organIzation called St. Paul Friend's of the Park. Commissioner Kleinglass wondered if there was any opposition to this project. Moratzka stated that as far as she was aware there was no opposition. Moratzka stated the County is currently working with the Cities of Mendota and Mendota Heights to ask for their cooperation in this project and at this time they are not asking either City for any financial help. Moratzka stated the County felt it was appropriate that regional dollars pay for regional trails system. Moratzka stated this bike trail would connect with our bike trail along Mendota Heights Road to the trail over the Mendota Bridge and would also connect to our trail coming out of Valley Park. Moratzka described trail connections from St. Peters Church down into Fort Snelling that would be built with this project and she described how the new bike trail would work coming off the Mendota Bridge. Moratzka stated these trails would eventually connect to Harriet Island, Mendota Bridge, Fort Snelling, Minneapolis trail system, the Minnesota Wildlife Refuge and other Dakota County and municipality trails. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated the City would like to review the plans on all the connections to our bike trails. Commissioner Hunter arrived at 7:40 P.M. Commissioner Kleinglass left at 7:40 P.M. Commissioner Damberg stated that on behalf of the Parks Commission she would like to inform Dakota County that the City supports their endeavors. PARR RESERVATION POLICY/SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT POLICY Recreation Programmer Morgan stated City Council had passed a Park Reservation Policy earlier in 1992 on an interim basis. She stated that the Council desired to have the Parks Commission review the policy after one season of use. Morgan stated the City was also in need of a Softball Tournament Policy and that a resolution was prepared that included the old reservation policy and the new softball tournament policy. Morgan stated the Parks and Recreation Commission had given staff direction on a softball tournament policy to include the following: 1. Rental of Mendakota Park for the weekends should be guided by a consistent policy for all groups. 2. A user fee in the range of $300 to $500. 3. A maintenance fee to cover any time by City staff Involving dragging or chalking of the fields. 4. A damage deposit and proof of insurance. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 ICE RINKS The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the proposed Resolution. The Parks Commission was of a consensus that Roger's Lake Park should be allowed to be reserved. The Commission desired to see the weather refunds kept in the Policy. The Commission reviewed the softball tournament policy. The Commission desired a rate of $350 for a weekend softball tournament at Mendakota Park. The Commission wanted additional language where if a long weekend included a Friday or Monday, that there would be an additional fee at the normal field reservation rate. The Commission added language to the policy stating that City staff reserves the right to require additional damage deposits for extraordinary circumstances. Administrative Assistant Batchelder explained the softball tournament policy was designed to have seasonal City staff prep the fields prior to the weekend tournament, however the softball tournament director would be responsible for any additional dragging or chalking of the fields during the weekend. Batchelder stated this avoids City staff time during the weekend for private softball tournaments. Morgan stated the City had determined the USSSA sanctioning body would be used for league play and for tournament sanctioning. Morgan stated this sanctioning provides for liability policies that cover the City and teams playing in the softball tournament and provides trained umpires. Batchelder stated the City's Park Ordinance includes language about excessive use of alcohol in the parks and that this language had been incorporated into the Park Reservation Policy. Commissioner Norton moved to recommend that City Council approve the proposed Resolution for Softball Tournaments and Park Reservations Policy. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. Chair Huber stated the Parks and Recreation Commission had asked staff to monitor the use of the ice rinks one year ago when it was decided that the Ivy Falls hockey boards would be removed. Huber asked Recreation Programmer Morgan to report on last year's ice rink use. Recreation Programmer Morgan passed out an ice rink attendance spreadsheet for the 1991-1992 ice season. She stated Wentworth Park had a total number of skaters of 1,724, Marie Park had a total of 1,447 skaters, Friendly Hills Park had a total of 1,974 and Ivy Falls Park had a total of 417 skaters. She stated the ice rinks were open from approximately December 21st to February 28th. Morgan stated a new log sheet had been assembled that required the park attendants to take attendance every two hours and this would give staff a look at the peak times of the ice rink. She stated that this would help staff determine which were the most appropriate hours for staffing and it would also log all maintenance needs and accident reports. Morgan stated the City currently had 13 applications for the eight positions to fill for ice rink attendants and that she was intending on doing an extensive orientation and training program that would be followed up with close supervision of the ice rink attendants. Morgan stated they hope to open in mid December. Chair Huber inquired if the ice rinks would be open on New Year's Day as this seems to be one of the most popular days of the year. Morgan stated the rinks would be open on New Year's Day. Commissioner Damberg stated she would like to see the rink attendants do a better job of supervising the free skating areas to make sure that hockey is not being played in the free skating area. Morgan stated that would be enforced this year. FUTURE LAND ACQUISITION Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that at the October Planning Commission meeting staff presented an overview of a vacant lands inventory in order to provide the Parks Commission with some information regarding possible park acquisition sites in Mendota Heights. Batchelder stated the Commission has been examining goals and priorities for use of the remaining Referendum monies that have been earmarked for future land acquisition. Batchelder stated that following the overview of the vacant lands inventory, the Commission directed staff to poll each Commissioner prior to the November meeting to determine which sites the Commission should focus on in a more detailed fashion. Batchelder stated that Parks Project Manager Kullander was present this evening to review the individual sites that scored the highest in the poll among Commissioners and he would be presenting fact sheets and maps based on site features including topography and grading, wetlands, forestry, access, zoning and land value, passive vs. active uses and locational advantages. Parks Project Manager Kullander reviewed each of the following sites, on the basis of the poll, with the Commissioners: 1. Par 3 Golf Course - 6 votes 2. Superblock - 5 votes 3. Olin Site - 4 votes 4. Dodd Road Right -of -Way - 3 votes 5. School District/Friendly Hills - 3 votes 6. Centex Remainder - 3 votes 7. Foss Property - 2 votes Kullander stated the Par 3 Golf Course, in earlier discussions, has always been intended to be operated as a golf course. Kullander stated the Slowinski property next door to the Par 3 Golf Course might be useful as an addition to the Par 3 Golf Course, but was not necessary as an addition to Valley Park. Commissioner Norton stated the City should consider operating the Par 3 Golf Course for cross country skiing in the winter and that trail connections could be made to Valley Park. Commissioner Norton inquired if the State's Trail Pass Program would help fund the grooming of City trails. Kullander stated the Par 3 Golf Course could tie into Valley Park through Bachelor Avenue. Kullander stated the City in the past to groom ski trails in cooperation with the County. Kullander stated he believes the County now has better equipment and the City could contact the County about cooperation on snow grooming equipment. Kullander stated a park could be obtained in the Superblock area, as per the City's Comprehensive Plan, but that it would require many landowners to cooperate in this regard. Kullander stated this park could be obtained through easements or land dedication. Kullander stated any park in this area would consist of passive trails, viewing areas and possibly a small play area with parking for approximately 6 cars. Administrative Assistant Batchelder updated the Parks Commission on the neighborhood meeting held with the City Planner and the residents of the Superblock study area. Batchelder stated the residents had clearly indicated that evening that they did not desire City streets within the interior of their neighborhood and desired to keep the large lot, wooded nature of their neighborhood intact. Batchelder stated the neighborhood asked the Planner and staff to do the Second Phase of the study including the inventory and analysis and come back and present that at another neighborhood meeting. Batchelder stated it was likely this next neighborhood meeting would occur after the holiday season. Kullander discussed the Olin property and stated the City had received the Van property through a dedication last year. Kullander explained the potential of combining the Van property with a potential dedication from Dr. Olin and connecting this to the current City held land including the pond and ballfield. Kullander explained the Dodd Road Right -of -Way and stated it is not known at this time who the underlying fee title owners are. Batchelder explained one of the primary reasons for the current downtown discussions amongst City Councilmembers is the need for pedestrian/trail access across Highway 110. Kullander demonstrated how the southern Dodd Road right-of-way could possibly be added to the existing Friendly Marsh Park. Kullander reviewed the School site located at the corner of Huber Drive and Mendota Heights Road. Kullander stated that reports in the newspaper about the School District's Bond Issue included a mention that athletic fields might be built by the School District at this site. Kullander described the Centex Remainder which includes the rear of the Beale and Kennedy properties immediately east of the City's new soccer fields. Kullander stated there is access from the Centex Subdivision into the back of this property should Beale and Kennedy ever decide to develop. Kullander stated a dedication could be obtained at that time. Kullander reviewed the Foss Property which is immediately west of Wentworth Park. Kullander stated the creek that runs through this property can flow heavily and this property is likely difficult to grade for any active uses. He stated this would be a good addition to Wentworth Park for passive park uses. Administrative Assistant Batchelder recapped the four months of discussions on future land acquisition by the Parks Commission. Batchelder stated the Commission had discussed priorities and goals for park acquisition including: 1. Land that is adjacent to existing parks 2. Possible acquisition of one large site 3. Land that could be used for trail extensions or trail links. Batchelder stated that we had also reviewed vacant lands and many of the sites that the Commission considered most appropriate for park acquisition. Batchelder inquired as to how the Commission desired staff to proceed. Commissioner Hunter felt it wasn't necessary for the Parks Commission to push forward with acquisition of any particular property at this time. Hunter stated the Parks Commission has enough irons in the fire at the current time and now that we have the appropriate information to guide us on park acquisition we should sit back and let things happen. Commissioner Damberg stated this was good information to keep as background material and the Parks Commission could wait and see on future land acquisition. Commissioner Hunter stated he was surprised that more Commissioners did not vote for the western Resurrection Cemetery site. Hunter stated the airport might not always be there and that the Parks Commission should look 20 to 30 years down the road and consider if the land is available cheaply at this time that it might be a good acquisition. The Parks Commission directed Kullander to prepare a detailed sheet for the western Resurrection site. Chair Huber stated the future land acquisition was really an awareness item. Huber stated the Parks Commission had the information necessary to process future land acquisition at such time it should be necessary. Huber stated staff should keep the list alive and haul it out every six months for the Parks Commission to review. Commissioner Damberg stated that approach is good for short term consideration at park land acquisition but that the City should also consider more long range types of future land use plans. She stated, in particular, preserving passive open space areas. Commissioner Hunter plugged the Lake Augusta area in the western Resurrection Cemetery site. VERBAL UPDATES Batchelder stated the park video that is being produced is making good progress and that Paul Pieper, the City's freelance producer, had indicated he had a first copy of a master. Batchelder stated this rough draft video would be reviewed for final touches. Batchelder stated the Somerset Place PUD, being proposed by Jerry Mazzara, had appeared at the previous month's Planning Commission and they continued the public hearing to the November meeting. Batchelder stated the Planning Commission's desire was for a better definition of the wetlands in the area and concerns over private services verses public services. Batchelder stated since that time the Superblock Neighborhood Meeting had been held and that the City was moving forward on efforts to provide information for the neighborhood regarding wetlands and other features in the study area. Chair Huber explained he had attended the grand opening of the new play equipment at Mendota School and it was a enjoyable to get together with the School District and the Parent-Teacher Association for this event. Parks Project Manager Kullander explained the 5- 35E/Highway 13/Victoria Road project had removed the 10 foot strip of old Victoria that had been intended for trails. Kullander stated MnDOT will replace this with a new pedestrian/bicycle trail. Kullander stated that the new bridge would have a sidewalk/trail on the north side of Highway 13 due to the location of commercial businesses on that side. The Commission expressed serious concern with the lack of a sidewalk on the south side of Highway 13 and the danger involved in crossing the highway to reach our trail system. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned their meeting at 9:25 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant