1992-10-13 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOT]
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
OCTOBER 13, 1992
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation
Commission was held on Tuesday, October 13, 1992, in the City Hall
Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called
to order at 7:05 o'clock P.M. The following members were present:
Huber, Kleinglass, Spicer, Hunter, Katz, Norton and Damberg. Also
present were Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder and
Recreation Programmer Michelle Morgan.
INTRODUCTION OF
RECREATION PROGRAMMER
Chair Huber introduced Michelle Morgan to the Parks and
Recreation Commission. Huber stated he had served on the
interview panel for the Recreation Programmer position
and that Michelle had been chosen from amongst 52
qualified candidates for the position. Huber stated
Michelle has a strong background in recreation
programming and this opportunity at the City of Mendota
Heights has growth potential for both the City and for
Michelle as a Recreation Programmer. The Parks and
Recreation Commission discussed recreation programming
needs in Mendota Heights.
Ms. Morgan stated she had met with City staff for
orientation and would be starting her poson on Monday,
October 19th. Michelle explained her immediate duties
included devising a softball tournament policy and
programming for the 1993 softball season. Ms. Morgan
stated she would also be working closely with Terry and
Diane to hire, train and supervise the ice rink
attendants.
Commissioner Kleinglass stated he feels it is important
that the City of Mendota Heights also consider passive
recreation programs in addition to athletic recreation
programs. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the
new Recreation Programmer will be encouraged to
participate in SORR which stands for South of the River
Recreators and involves cooperative ventures with Cities
in the area to provide recreation programs. Chair Huber
stated he supports the notion that recreational niches
besides athletic events need to be bolstered in Mendota
Heights. Commissioner Damberg stated she would like to
see the City begin cooperating with Dodge Nature Center
on recreation programming that involves nature and
wildlife including birding, wildflowers and photography.
Commissioner Da erg
1992, Minutes.
Commissioner Hunter
MIk �►'� 7
MAZZARA PLANNED UNIT
DEVELOPMENT PARK DEDICATION
October 13, 1992
Page 2
moved to approve the September 8,
seconded the motion0
Administrative Assistant Batchelder provided a
presentation to the Parks Commission on the proposed
Planned Unit Development by Mr. Jerry Mazzara involving
the subdivision of a ten acre parcel on Wentworth Avenue
in the Superblock into three large single family lots and
one wetlands area outlot. Batchelder stated the
developer was proposing a cash dedication for this
subdivision.
Batchelder also explained the City Council and Planning
Commission, at their joint workshop, had directed staff
to get the City's Planner started on the Superblock
planning process. Batchelder stated the Comprehensive
Land Use Plan in the Superblock area includes a park
designation intended to be implemented at such time as
development occurs in the interior of the Superblock.
The Parks Commission discussed the Comprehensive Land Use
Plan designation of a park in this 270 area and
how that related to the proposed development of this ten
acre parcel. Commissioner Katz stated she was not
willing to rule on a cash dedication at this time until
the City knows if this parcel is involved in the City's
plan for future park land in this area. The Parks
Commission discussed the proposed Wetlands outlot in the
plat and its designation as private, natural open space.
The Parks Commission felt that if a cash dedication was
accepted on this proposed Planned Unit Development that
the developer should be charged for creating three new
lots. The Commission discussed the need for trail access
from Wentworth Avenue to the interior of the Superblock.
Commissioner Spicer
moved
that the Parks and
Recreation
Commission recommend that
the City Council,
if they
approve this Planned
Unit
Development, should
accept the
cash dedication in
the
amount of $2,250
with the
condition that a
trail
easement be provided from
Wentworth Avenue on
this
subdivision.
October 13, 1992
Page 3
Commissioner Hunter seconded the motion.
AYES: 7
NAYS: 0
The Commission discussed the need to have a higher
dedication fee structure for large parcels in excess of
1.5 acres. The Commission also discussed the
appropriateness of the $750 per lot fee for park cash
dedications. Batchelder stated the $750 fee was adopted
in December of 1991, following a recommendation by the
Commission to review fees. He stated the previous fee
was $600 per lot
Commissioner Katz recommended that City Council
reconsider Resolution No. 91-94 to provide a higher
dedication fee for parcels in excess of 1.5 acres and
also to have a lot dedication fee higher than $750.
Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion.
AYES: 7
NAYS: 0
FUTURE LAND ACQUISITIONS
REVIEW OF VACANT LANDS
Administrative Assistant Batchelder provided a
presentation on vacant lands in Mendota Heights that had
been presented to the City Council and Planning
Commission at their joint workshop on September 29, 1992.
Batchelder stated this inventory was of interest to the
Parks and Recreation Commission because they are
currently looking at possible future land acquisitions
and had designated one of their priorities as focusing on
land parcels that are adjacent to existing parks. The
Commission discussed each of the parcels on the
inventory. The Commission directed staff to poll each
Commissioner prior to the November meeting to receive
from each Commissioner the top five choices for the
Commission to focus on in their review of future land
acquisition for City parks. The Commission directed
staff to provide this information for their November
meeting.
VERBAL UPDATES
Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that Lynn
Moratzka from Dakota County Planning office was hosting
a meeting October 19th at Mendota Heights City Hall that
involved representatives from Soo Line Railroad, MnDOT
and the DNR to discuss the Dakota County Regional Trail
October 13, 1992
Page 4
System and the abandonment of the Soo Line Railroad
through Mendota Heights. Batchelder stated that Ms.
loratzka had offered to attend the November Parks and
Recreation Commission meeting to provide an update to the
Commission on the County's desire to acquire this
railroad abandonment for the regional trail system.
Batchelder reported City Council had approved the
Kensington Park bids from last month, s Commission meeting
and the Council had also approved the "Role of the Parks
Commission". Batchelder reported the park video
production was in progress, that a final script had been
produced and that Mr. Paul Pieper, the free lance
producer, is currently working on the voice overs and
matching some of the audio with the video footage he had
taken throughout the City's parks. Batchelder stated the
park video has a December 1st deadline.
Batchelder stated the playground installation at Mendota
School was almost finished and encouraged the Commission
to visit the site.
Commissioner Damberg inquired about the trail that would
be left with the Victoria realignment. Commissioner
Ramberg stated she was concerned with the progress of
Victoria realignment and the trail that had been designed
to be left behind following road construction in that
area. Damberg stated she had observed all of the asphalt
for old Victoria Road had been removed and she was of the
understanding that a ten foot strip would have been left
for a bike trail in that area. Damberg also stated her
concern with the plans for the bridge over I-35E and
whether that would include a sidewalk or a trail
connection. Damberg requested that someone from the
Engineering Department appear on the November meeting to
brief the Parks and Recreation Commission on the Highway
13/I-35E project and the trails that were designed with
that project.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation
Commission adjourned at 8:30 o'clock P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin Batchelder
Administrative Assistant