Loading...
1992-07-14 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARRS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 14, 1992 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, July 14, 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: Hunter, Huber, Damberg and Katz. Commissioner Spicer had informed the Commission that he would be late. Commissioner Kleinglass was excused. Also present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander, Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder and Ms. Sally Siebell. VERBAL UPDATES Parks Project Manager Kullander stated the City Council, at their previous meeting, had approved bids for Kensington Park and for the purchase of soccer goals. Kullander explained the City Council awarded the low bids for the installation of storm sewer, sanitary sewer, water service, bituminous parking lot and the grading of the site. Kullander stated the total of the three bids was $104,222.50. Kullander stated the City's original engineering estimate was $104,000 for this portion of the project. Kullander informed the Parks and Recreation Commission that the City Council also awarded the soccer goal bid for the amount of $6,603 to Minnesota Playground, Inc. Kullander explained the soccer goals are for Mendakota Park, Friendly Hills Park, Wentworth Park and Ivy Hills Park. Kullander further explained the City Council would be approving additional bids for other Kensington Park construction items at their July 21, 1992 regular meeting. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated the City Council had withheld the final payment to Friedges Landscaping for the construction of Mendakota Park until the grass and turf is better established. Kullander explained a second reseeding operation is scheduled for July 16th. Chair Huber inquired if the fields were ready for softball play. Kullander responded no play has been allowed on the fields, however the fields have matured to a point where play could soon occur. Kullander stated he is aware that softball play is scheduled within the next week and that groups are beginning to reserve the park. Administrative Assistant Batchelder informed the Parks and Recreation Commission that the City Council had authorized staff to advertise for the new Parks Commissioner to fill the vacancy created by Mike July 14, 1992 Page 2 Lundeen's resignation. Batchelder stated it is likely the City Council would be interviewing candidates at their August 4, 1992 meeting and making an appointment that evening. Batchelder described the ongoing work of the Mendakota Park Grand Opening Committee and their attempts to put the Mendota Heights Parks Celebration together for August 8th. Batchelder stated the City Council had also received a report from staff about the enforcement of park ordinances regarding horses on the trails and in the City parks. Batchelder stated that all known horse owners in the City had received a letter advising them of the City's intent to enforce current ordinances, press releases had been sent to the local newspapers and there will be an article in the Heights Highlites detailing the fact that horses are prohibited from the use of City trails. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and himself had toured the Mendakota Park facility in the morning with Matt Blair, former Vikings football player, to discuss his celebrity promotions special events. Batchelder explained that Mr. Blair was interested in having a charity softball tournament at the Mendakota Park facility on June 12, 1993 and was touring the site to consider it for use for his charity tournament. The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed the use of Mendakota Park for special events such as this. Commissioners Hunter and Damberg inquired what would be the benefit for the City to allow these types of special events at Mendakota Park. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated Mr. Blair had shown staff a video of last year's tournament which had donated money to the Second Harvest and the previous year's tournament which had donated money to the D.A.R.E. Program. Kullander stated this year Mr. Blair intends to donate the proceeds from the event to the Cities and Schools Program which would provide scholarships for disadvantaged youth. Kullander stated this tournament invites professional sports teams from around the country to come and play softball against each other to raise money for a specific charity designated for that year. Kullander stated the video showed many children getting autographs from the pro -athletes and that this would provide exposure, public relations and publicity for Mendakota Park and the City. Chair Huber inquired if the Commission has to approve these types of special events. Batchelder stated the recently adopted Park Reservation Policy is really for the use of park facilities and the City has not yet adopted a special event or tournament policy to govern these types of larger, organized activities. July 14, 1992 Page 3 Commissioner Damberg stated she would like to see proceeds from this charity donated locally and would like to inquire of Mr. Blair's program if any of Dakota County's youngsters qualify for the Cities and Schools Scholarships. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Hunter moved approval of the May 12, 1992, Minutes and the June 9, 1992, Joint City Council/Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 ROLE OF THE PARRS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the role of the Parks Commission is being submitted to the Commission after having been adopted one year prior to tonight's meeting. The Commission briefly discussed the role of the Parks Commission and directed staff to carry this item over until the August Agenda in order to give the Commission time to further consider what the "Role of the Commission" document should formally state. MENDOTA SCHOOL PLAYGROUND Parks Project Manager Kullander stated the City had been approached by Carol Kiemele with a plan by the Parent/Teacher Association to install play equipment at Mendota School. Kullander stated the PTA Group had been holding fund raisers over the last couple of years and had raised $15,000 for play equipment at Mendota School. Kullander stated that originally the PTA was asking the City to pay approximately $10,000 for the installation of the $15,000 worth of equipment. Kullander stated the PTA's original proposal was to build five new stations with one play component in each station. Kullander explained that this proposal would not meet current American with Disability Act Standards (ADA) due to the lack of access and the lack of like equipment or similar experience that the Act requires. Kullander stated the City had asked Earl Anderson Company to design a new layout that would be in compliance with ADA Standards and still provide the same five play components. Kullander stated it would be the School July 14, 1992 Page 4 District's obligation to pay for the portion of the installation costs due to the ADA Standards as they would have to comply with this anyway. Kullander stated the City would also have to modify the new equipment for all of the park play equipment that had been installed in the last couple of years to comply with ADA Standards. Kullander stated the ADA Law requires the City to adopt a plan with an objective for upgrading the equipment by July 26, 1992. Kullander stated that this plan, now being prepared, can be implemented over several years. Kullander stated the Mendota playground is heavily used by the surrounding neighborhood along with the entire City and it makes some sense for the City to consider funding for the installation of this play equipment. Kullander presented the current layout as proposed by Earl Anderson Company and explained that it has been placed on tonight's agenda to consider if the City wants to help out with the funding. Ms. Sally Siebell stated the School District would be asked to pay for the ADA updates. Kullander stated that if the School District is reluctant to sponsor this program, the City's portion could be constructed now and the upgrade for ADA equipment would have to be installed at a later date to comply with the ADA requirements. Commissioner Damberg stated she is concerned that the City is brought into the loop in funding for installation of play equipment at one elementary school and then will be obligated to do the same at all of the school facilities in the City. Kullander stated that Somerset Elementary School is already complete except for the ADA upgrades. Ms. Siebell stated the play equipment is used year round by City residents and also gets heavy use when Mend -Eagan is hosting baseball games at the Mendota play field. Commissioner Damberg inquired if the School District currently has the money to pay their share of the costs. Kullander stated that under the current shared cost proposal the City's share would be $6,924. Ms. Siebell stated the PTA desires to incorporate safety improvements that are needed in addition to the ADA upgrades. She stated that if the School District does not participate they will have to address the ADA upgrades at a later date. She stated the City could go ahead with the installation of the new play components without School District participation for the ADA upgrades. July 14, 199z Page 5 Commissioner Hunter stated he did not think the proposed amount of City funding was a lot of money and that the City would be getting another playground. Commissioner Hunter stated he wanted to avoid a situation where the City is approached every time the School District does not have money for a school project. Commissioner Hunter stated the City is essentially getting a new park playground for $7,000. Commissioner Damberg stated she felt the School District should come forth with a commitment prior to the City being involved in the funding question. Chair Huber stated he agreed with Commissioner Hunter in that this was not a lot of money but that he is reluctant to fund this program. Chair Huber stated the City has provided many parks with new play equipment recently. Chair Huber inquired if this would mean that the City would also have to fund play equipment at the private schools in Mendota Heights. Huber stated the City is currently cooperating with the School District on joint use of facilities but not for the funding of installation at their facilities. Huber stated he felt that if the PTA had gone to the efforts to raise this amount of money that the School District should support them and fill the gap for the necessary installation. Commissioner Katz inquired if the City would be responsible for the maintenance and liability should the City be involved with the installation of this equipment. Commissioner Katz stated she disagrees with Commissioner Hunter and Chair Huber in that $7, 000 is not a small amount. She stated she would prefer to see the School District come forward first with a commitment for play ground installation so that the City could consider cost sharing. Ms. Siebell explained the equipment would be vita Trail equipment that would encourage the physical development of the children in the area. She stated she also agreed the School District needs to commit to the funding of installation first but that they have had a difficult time getting the School District to commit funding for this project. Ms. Siebell stated she would prefer the Parks Commission give the PTA a chance to get School District approval without taking any action tonight and requested that the Parks Commission table further consideration of this item until their August llth meeting in order to give the PTA time to approach the School District. July 14, 1992 Page 6 The Parks and Recreation Commission moved to table the item until August 14, 1992. PART-TIME RECREATION POSITION AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that at last aionth's joint workshop the City Council and Parks Commission had directed staff to design a job description for a permanent part-time recreation position that would be hired in 1992. Batchelder stated the job description was to be reviewed by the Parks Commission for recommendation to the City Council. Batchelder presented a draft job description for a part-time recreation programmer. Commissioner Katz moved to recommend that the City Council approve the draft part-time Recreation Programmer Job Description thereby establishing the new position and to direct staff to begin recruitment. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. Commissioner Spicer arrived at 7:45 o'clock P.M. FUTURE LAND ACQUISITION Chair Huber explained at the joint workshop the City Council and the Parks Commission had decided that the City should reserve all referendum money after the completion of Kensington Park for land acquisition and had directed the Parks Commission to make a formal recommendation on this item. Chair Huber also stated that the Council had asked the Parks Commission to begin considering the goals or objectives for future land acquisition. Chair Huber stated the development of the northern part of Kensington Park should be considered as one of the items committed under the referendum dollars. Commissioner Spicer inquired if the Parks Commission would have contingencies for park improvements if they tie up all the money under land acquisition. Parks Project Manager Kullander responded that park improvements would be judged on whether they became an issue after the initial referendum or included as part of the referendum, i.e., the Americans with Disabilities Act, should that be paid for out of the referendum or out of the City's General Fund. Parks Project Manager AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 July 14, 1992 Page 7 Kullander stated the list of committed items in tonight memo demonstrated all of the items the City is aware of for spending with the exception of an occasional trail request, Commissioner Spicer stated his concerns that the Commission is going to tie their hands for other possible park improvements if the remaining uncommitted dollars are designated for future land acquisition. Commissioner Spicer moved to recommend that the City Council designate $200,000 of the uncommitted referendum funding as land acquisition money to be held in reserve. Commissioner Hunter seconded the motion. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated the typical land purchases that the City could be seeing in the future would be adding to existing parks or possibly buying trail sections or buying one chunk of highly desirable land. The Parks Commission directed staff to report back at the August 11, 1992 meeting on the legal time restraints involved in bonding and spending referendum money. The Parks Commission discussed briefly the goals and objectives for future an acquisition. The Commission discussed land that is adjacent to parks, trail extensions or single -large piece of land that is appropriate for park use. The Commission directed staff to place land acquisition priorities on the August agenda for formal adoption. CITY POLICY ON TOT LOTS AYES: NAYS: 14 Commissioner Spicer moved to recommend that the City Council adopt the Tot Lot Policy as stated. Commissioner Hunter seconded the motion. Commissioner Spicer stated that Sibley Park is a busy area with a lot of athletic games occurring. Commissioner Katz stated the use of these fields seem to be by older kids and that there are not a lot of little children at this site. Commissioner Spicer inquired if July 14, 1992 Page 8 the play equipment was installed that possibly parents would then bring the smaller children to play on the equipment. Commissioner Damberg stated her feeling for this park is that it is an athletic field, not a park. The Parks Commission discussed abuse problems of equipment in this area and space limitations. Commissioner Spicer stated that portion of the City near Sibley Park would appear to need the equipment, but the access to this site is not great. Commissioner Hunter stated there does not seem to be a clamoring for the immediate construction of this play equipment and there is no demonstrated demand from the nearby neighborhoods. Commissioner Spicer recommended the City defer the construction for another year and reserve the $24,000 as ear marked money for Sibley Park play equipment. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 BLEACHERS IN NEIGHBORHOOD PARRS Parks Project Manager Kullander stated the City had been receiving quite a few requests from residents to install bleachers around the softball fields in the neighborhood parks. The Commission discussed which parks required these types of bleachers. Commissioner Spicer moved to add eight bleachers to the Kensington Park bid for installation in the neighborhood parks including Marie, Valley, Wentworth, Victoria Highland, Hagstrum-King, Ivy Hills, Civic Center and Friendly Hills Parks. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: REQUEST FOR PARR ACQUISITION - WENTWORTH PARR Administrative Assistant Batchelder explained the City had received a request from Ms. Mary Jeanne Schneeman to purchase a site immediately west of Wentworth Park. Batchelder explained the current owners, Mr. and Mrs. Foss, do not have this property for sale at this time. Kullander stated should the City acquire this for park development it would need mass grading to bring it into shape. Commissioner Damberg stated it would be nice for July 14° 1992 Page 9 the City to purchase this as open space and leave it natural. Commissioner Damberg stated that it met the acquisition policy of being adjacent to a City property. The Parks Commission directed staff to draft a letter of inquiry to the Foss' stating that the City is currently reviewing land adjacent to City parks for possible options on purchasing. TREE INSPECTION SERVICES Commissioner Katz stated she had asked staff to place this item on the agenda as she was aware there is potential for Oak Wilt problems in the City of Mendota Heights. Commissioner Katz stated she had contacted Dan Gillman at the Department of Agriculture who had sent her a referral list of consultants on Oak Wilt Disease problems. The Commission discussed the use of a forester as a consultant on a contract basis hired by the City for residents to use. Commissioner Katz stated the main purpose of having a forester consultant would be public education. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated in 1989 the City had hired a consultant for tree disease purposes. Batchelder stated the purpose of this consultant was to prepare a report on the extent of Oak Wilt in Mendota Heights and to provide consulting services to residents who had Oak Wilt problems. Batchelder stated this contract was never fulfilled and the City never received a billing for any services provided. Commissioner Katz stated her approach was to provide a benefit to the City that would be the education of the public regarding tree disease and that her intention is not that the City pay to solve individual private property tree disease problems. Commissioner Damberg stated she feels the City should pay to have the entire City surveyed and problem areas identified as far as tree disease goes. Commissioner Katz stated her intention was the individual residents would pay for services but that the City Council would provide resources and consultants on tree diseases. Commissioner Katz stated she felt it is important that the City protect its urban forest and that the main benefit would be education of the public on tree diseases. Chair Huber stated he feels, based on the discussion, that it is the Parks Commission°s intent to support efforts to look at the City providing resources, education and consultant expertise for tree disease July 14, 1992 Page 10 problems. Huber stated whether this meant making experts available, surveying the community or simple providing a referral service is something Council should consider. The Parks Commission directed staff to put this item on the Council's agenda. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned their meeting at 8:50 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant