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1992-04-14 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTI PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 14, 1992 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, April 14, 1992, in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 7:10 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Huber, Spicer, Damberg, Lundeen and Hunter. Commissioner Kleinglass was excused. Commissioner Katz arrived late. Also present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder. Guests were Mike and Diane Dumer, Dick Putnam, Don Jensen and Mary Pat McManus. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Damberg moved approval of the March 10, 1992 Minutes. Commissioner Spicer seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 PARK INVENTORY Administrative Assistant Batchelder provided a presentation to the Park Commission on the current park development in the Southeast Area. Batchelder stated the City Council had received this presentation at a workshop on the basis of a Planning Commission recommendation that the Council analyze park development in the Southeast Area as compared to the Southeast Area Comprehensive Plan adopted in 1985. Batchelder stated that park goals were based on acreage, location and facilities standards. Batchelder stated the City currently has 295 acres of park land and that the goals in the Comprehensive Plan would call for 289 acres of park land based on an estimated build out population of 13,000. Batchelder reviewed the goals and standards with the Parks Commission and described the park system in the Southeast Area. ROTTLUND HOMES PARK DEDICATION Don Jensen, a representative of Rottlund Homes, gave a presentation on the proposed Winterwood Development. Mr. Jensen stated that the PUD proposes two land uses, a day care land use on a one acre parcel on the western corner and an HR-PUD land use for the remaining portion of the property. Mr. Jensen stated that the plan proposed the previous week to the City Council included two green areas, one of roughly .30 acres in the middle of the project and one of roughly .80 acres in the northeast corner where the holding pond is designated. Mr. Jensen stated that the Courtyard Homes are targeting an empty nester market. Mr. Jensen stated that the ponding area is designed to be a dry pond and should be a level green area when not being used during heavy rain events. Commissioner Katz arrived at 7:30 o'clock P.M. Mr. Jensen stated that this site had been a borrow pit for the construction of I-494 and that there were not many natural features. He stated the proposal includes buffering, retaining walls, berming and landscaping to help with the transition. Mr. Jensen discussed the grade changes on the site. Mr. Jensen stated that Rottlund Homes is prepared to offer either a cash or land dedication but at this time had proposed a cash dedication. Mr. Jensen stated that since the City Council meeting the developers are exploring the use of public cul-de-sacs to accommodate some of the Council's requests for revisions. Mr. Jensen stated that they have not yet submitted revised plans to the City Council. Commissioner Damberg inquired about the day care site. Mr. Putnam stated that there are many families with children in the Southeast Area and that there is only one current provider in this area of the City. Mr. Putnam stated that the original proposals for commercial uses at this site also had included day care uses. Mr. Putnam stated that an alternative was to put a twelve unit building in this location. Mr. Putnam stated that should this project be approved he would find a day care provider who would come in and propose this land use for final plan approval under the Conditional Use Permit process. Ms. Diane Dumer, of Lot 2, Mendota Woods, discussed land use and units per acre. Mr. Jensen stated that 49 percent of the proposed PUD is green space. Mr. Jensen stated that the developers had looked at adding extra parking since Council had seen this plan. Commissioner Damberg inquired about the ponding area. Mr. Jensen stated that the area proposed as a storm detention pond is currently a mushy area and is wet at times. Mr. Jensen stated that this would be a dry pond and would be graded to be fairly level and it would certainly be within reason to enhance this pond with design details. Mr. Mike Dumer, of Lot 2, Mendota Woods, stated that once this project is built it cannot go back and that the Parks Commission should not overlook this opportunity to provide park in this area. Mr. Dumer expressed his concern that the City was overlooking an opportunity to provide parks. Ms. Mary Pat McManus, of 2480 Bridgeview Court, stated Bridgeview Shores neighborhood did not have parks that were accessible. Commissioner Spicer stated there are numerous parks in the Southeast Area. Mr. Spicer described Kensington Park as proposed to be built this summer. Parks Project Manager Kullander produced a map of the Kensington Park and described the proposed construction this summer. Commissioner Hunter inquired if the residents in the area were wishing to see a park in this development, particularly in the proposed ponding area. The answer was affirmative, that open space or park in this area would provide for less density in the proposed development. Chair Huber stated that it was the Parks Commission's job to look at the proposed park dedication, either land or cash. Huber stated that the Commission's job was to look at whether roughly an acre of land or the proposed cash dedication was what the City preferred. He stated that this was the advisory recommendation that they needed to make to the City Council and that it was not the Parks Commission's role to be answering land use questions. Commissioner Damberg inquired if the pond will remain in its proposed location. Mr. Jensen stated that, yes, the storm water detention has to remain in this area as it is the lowest area on the site. Ms. McManus stated that she hoped the Parks Commission would recommend the land dedication of an acre as a transitional buffer between the single family and the proposed project. Chair Huber stated to use the park dedication to force a density issue is like comparing apples and oranges. Huber stated that the PUD process should be able to handle the open space question and it is not an appropriate use of park land to be forcing density issues. Commissioner Hunter stated he agrees with the Planning Commission that it is preferable to reduce the hard surface in this project and to enhance the green and open space areas. Commissioner Hunter inquired of the other Commissioners if there was a consensus that the Parks Commission should recommend the cash dedication but support the Planning Commission's recommendation that there is not enough open space in this project. Commissioner Lundeen was excused at 8:05 o'clock P.M. Mr. Dumer stated that he understood the Parks Commission's role was to look at the cash or land dedication, however he would like to use this opportunity of a public forum to state he would like some buffer zone between Mendota Woods and the proposed Winterwood Project. Commissioner Spicer stated that he agrees with the residents on the land use issue of more open space, but stated this is outside the realm of park consideration. Commissioner Damberg inquired about the buffer area between Mendota Woods and Winterwood and if the property was landscaped and bermed. Mr. Jensen responded that the Mendota Woods Project was approximately 20 feet higher in grades than the PUD project and that the proposed PUD project had met all the 40 foot setback requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Jensen described the evergreen plantings and the shrub plantings along the eastern border and stated that the Winterwood Project has no proposed parking along the eastern border where Mendota Woods is adjacent. Commissioner Spicer stated that he would prefer to see the open space delivered to the City through the PUD process instead of a park dedication which would require maintenance, insurance and title on the land that was dedicated. Commissioner Spicer moved to accept the cash dedication proposed for Winterwood PUD with the understanding that the Commission to support the Planning Commission's recommendation to see as much green space as possible and that the Parks Commission concurs with the open space concerns. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 ABSTAIN: 1, Katz CENTEX PINE TREES Parks Project Manager Kullander presented the landscape plan for Kensington Park south area. Kullander stated that this plan had been reviewed by Tim Malloy, the City's Planning Consultant, and a copy had been provided to Mr. Dan Blake of Centex Homes for review. Kullander stated that Centex had responded with additional requests - for more screening, particularly in the areas of the proposed parking lot for the park. Kullander stated that of the five requests made by Centex, staff agreed with only two and those were the placement of bushes along the road between the parking lot and some multi family units, and the placement of ivy bushes in some fencing areas. Kullander estimated these additions would cost approximately $2,000. The Parks Commission discussed some of Centex other requests for additional landscaping above and beyond the City's proposed landscape plan and decided that it was not appropriate for the City to spend money on screening for the developer. The Commission felt the City's landscape plan provided an appropriate amount of screening, as well as open green areas. Commissioner Spicer moved that the Parks Commission recommend that the landscape plan be adjusted to include additional bushes screening the parking lot and some ivy along the fences as presented by Guy Kullander. Commissioner Hunter seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 ARNDT SUBDIVISION Administrative Assistant Batchelder described the proposed Arndt Subdivision to the Parks Commission. Batchelder stated that the City Council had recently adopted a new Planning Procedure Policy that all subdivision requests would now be appearing first at the Parks Commission meeting, even if it meant a delay in appearance on the Planning Commission agenda for a developer. Batchelder stated this new policy would become part of the Planning Procedures. Commissioner Spicer stated that parking was a severe problem at Ivy Park and the Commission should examine whether a park dedication in the parking lot vicinity would be an appropriate park use. Chair Huber stated that this subdivision proposal is in an area where the City needs more park land. Huber stated the north end of the City probably has less park provided than any other area in the City. Huber inquired if the Commission should also consider City acquisition of the whole parcel. Commissioner Spicer stated he would prefer to see a land dedication instead of a cash dedication as sports events at Ivy Park have an obvious need for more parking. Chair Huber stated it does not seem appropriate to take a land dedication to just pave it for parking. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated the parking lot in this area was recently improved. Kullander stated the City has plans for a possible storm water pond at the other end of Ivy Park. Commissioner Spicer stated that between May 1st and October 15th this park would be used every night by youth softball, baseball or soccer. Chair Huber stated there is little park space in the north end but however he does not feel any land acquisition should be used for asphalt. Commissioner Spicer moved that the Parks Commission recommend to the Planning Commission and the City Council that land is the desired dedication for the Arndt Subdivision. Spicer stated the park use with a land dedication is unknown at this time, however, the land is considered more valuable than a cash dedication. Spicer stated his motion was based on the possibility Ivy Park may be losing park land to a future storm sewer project and that the north end contains the least amount of park provision in the City. Spicer stated that should a cash dedication be decided upon by the Planning Commission and City Council, there should be a requirement that the developer provide buffering and screening near the Ivy Park parking lot. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: CURLY TRAIL Commissioner Spicer moved that the Parks Commission recommend that City Council wait to construct the new Lexington bike trail as part of the MnDOT improvement project. Commissioner Hunter seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: ADVERTISING PANELS The Parks Commission briefly discussed a request by a local business for advertising panels on the softball field fences or in the City parks. The Parks Commission was unanimous consensus that this was not a desirable use for the parks despite any revenue potential. Commissioner Damberg moved that the Parks Commission recommend to the City Council that advertising panels not be allowed in the City parks. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 RECREATION STAFFING Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that the City Council had discussed the Parks Commission February recommendation to budget for a part time permanent recreation staff person at their recent workshop. At the workshop the City Council had desired to have the Parks Commission consider hiring a seasonal intern to handle the current work load for 1992 recreation demands. Batchelder stated that the softball program was already administered by staff for 1992. Commissioner Spicer stated that he was embarrassed by the lack of recreational activities offered by the City of Mendota Heights. Commissioner Spicer stated without the softball programs run by public works secretary Diane Ward the City would offer absolutely no recreation services to the community. Spicer stated that the City of Mendota Heights relies solely on Mend -Eagan to provide youth recreational activities. Commissioner Damberg stated that the City currently has nobody to promote programs so it was impossible to determine if there was demand for more recreational services at the City. Commissioner Damberg stated that the need for a recreation coordinator or staff person had been pointed out for years. Chair Huber stated the Parks Commission recommendation in February had not been to go out and hire someone and create a $50,000 or $100,000 per year program. Huber stated that many park programs generate revenue that pay for themselves. Commissioner Damberg stated that the City needed someone permanent to have a commitment to the recreation programs and that hiring a seasonal intern would only staff current levels of service. Chair Huber stated that the Parks Commission recommendation had been to use the 1993 budget process Co take a good hard look at the staffing needs for recreation in 1993. Commissioner Spicer agreed and he strongly recommended it be part of the coming year's budget process. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that the City staff was beginning to document the demanded requests for recreation programs that had been received at City Hall. Kullander stated they were many requests for basketball, softball and volleyball programs. Kullander also stated that we are often getting requests to reserve softball and volleyball fields for people who are running their own informal leagues. Kullander stated the City gets numerous requests for softball leagues. CITY COUNCIL PARKS COMMISSION WORKSHOP Commissioner Damberg stated that she desired to have a workshop with the City Council, however, felt the City Council should have offered the workshop prior to their target goal setting session and not afterwards. Chair Huber stated that last year's City Council/Parks Commission workshop had embarrassing attendance by the Parks Commissioners. The Commission was of the consensus that they would like to have a workshop with the City Council and that the ideas for discussion included recreation staffing, recreation programs, future land acquisition and use of unused referendum funds, acquisition of the Par 3 Golf Course and a discussion of what guiding principles should the Parks Commission use in considering cash or land park dedications. VERBAL UPDATES Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that he would be drafting a letter to all of the park adopters in the next week encouraging them to clean up the parks prior to the growth of bushes and undergrowth. The Commission requested that staff try and arrange a visit by a Mendota Garden Club representative to discuss the wild flowers along the trail way projects at the May meeting. Commissioner Katz stated that the City park space at Marie and Lexington Avenue is filthy and needs to be cleaned. Parks Project Manager Kullander described the current bidding process for the Mendakota, Sibley and Kensington Parks. Kullander stated there are a lot of little bids and that it would not occur in one big bid project but that he hoped to save the City an estimated $40,000 by generaling the Kensington project. Kullander stated that all of the bike trails in the City had been swept and that Terry had put new rock on the infields of the softball fields and that these fields had also been rolled. Commissioner Spicer stated that Mend -Eagan intended to be out of the water tower and into the new US West storage facility by May 1st. Kullander stated that Parks Superintendent Terry Blum had reported that the Hagstrom-King field's grass was not in good condition. He stated that Victoria Highlands Park was in good shape and that the park crews would be overseeding and nurturing both of the fields. Commissioner Spicer stated that 1,200 youths in Mendota Heights had signed up for baseball including the T-ball program. Kullander reported that all of the tennis courts in the City were in good shape and that no resurfacing would occur in 1992. Kullander stated that Terry Blum will be considering an extra maintenance worker on a part time seasonal basis this summer just to handle Mendakota Park and that the City had a new full time park person on board for this year. ADJOURN Commissioner Spicer inquired if the City would include in their port-a-pottie bid one port-a-pottie for Mend -Eagan to place at St. Peter field. The Commission discussed a request by Visitation Convent to use Mendakota softball field for their girl's team prior to its opening in July. The Commission decided that it would be more appropriate for the Visitation team to practice at Hagstrom-King and play their games at Civic Center Park. Commissioner Spicer stated he had a request from Mr. Rick Peterson, of the Minnesota Youth Baseball Commission, inquiring if Mendota Heights wants to host the state tournament in August of this year for 12 to 13 year olds. Spicer felt this would be a real benefit for the community and stated that Mr. Peterson would be contacting staff. There being no further business, the Commission adjourned at 9:20 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant