Loading...
1993-01-12 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda Packet (2)CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION JANUARY 12, 1993 - 7:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order. 2. Roll Call. 3. Appointment of Acting Chair 4. Approval of November 10, 1992 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes, 5. Update on Recreation Programs for 1993 a. Softball Leagues b. Volleyball Leagues C. Skating Lessons * Michelle Morgan, Recreation Coordinator 6. Park Video - Screening of Final Draft * Paul Pieper, Park Video Producer 7. Verbal Updates 8. Adjourn. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAROTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA h3:��;��ie��l�7 NOVEMBER 10, 1992 MINUTES 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, Ramberg. 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 MINIITES Commissioner Kleinglass moved to approve the October 13, 1992 Minutes. Commissioner Ramberg seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 DAKOTA COUNTY REGIONAL TRAIL Chair Huber stated he would be turning the meeting over to Commissioner Ramberg 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 Ramberg 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. Ms. 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. 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. PARK RE58RVATION 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. A damage deposit and proof of insurance. 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 ACQIIISITION 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: 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 r Parks Commission has enough irons in the fire at the current time and now that we have the appropriate the Parent-Teacher Association for this event. Parks Project Manager Kullander explained the 2- 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 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS January 7, 1993 To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kevin Batchelder, Administrative Assist Subject: Update on Recreation Programs for 1993 DISCUSSION Michelle Morgan, Recreation Coordinator, will be present on Tuesday evening to discuss upcoming and current recreation programs. This includes the current skating lessons program, as well as, proposed softball and volleyball leagues. I have attached a December`10, 1992 memorandum to City Council in which a skating lessons program was proposed and approved at the December 15th City Council meeting. This program was advertised in the local newspapers, and as of this writing, registrations are still being taken for the various levels of instruction that are offered. The softball leagues are being organized for the coming season and it is staff s intention that advertising and announcements of the program be included in the Heights Highlites. The next edition is scheduled to be released in late January.Therefore, it is important that the Commission discuss the details of the program with staff to provide direction and input. Staff will then have formal league rules for review at the February Commission meeting. A sand volleyball- league is being considered. for one night a week at Roger's Lake Park. The Commission should also provide direction and input on this program. ACTION REQUIRED Acknowledge presentation on recreation programming and provide any appropriate direction and input to staff on the implementation of these new proposals. ICE SKATING LESSONS GOAL• To implement a program of services and activities which effectively meet the recreational and leisure needs of the persons in the community. OBJECTIVES• To have participants learn and practice specific ice skating skills. To provide ice skating lessons for all age and skill levels. . To operate this program on a user fee basis. PROGRAM ACTIVITY STATEMENT: Ice skating lessons will be a new program for the City of Mendota Heights. They will be held on Saturday mornings at Friendly Hills Park from approximately 9:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. starting on either January 9th or January 16th, Renee Sorenson, a Mendota Heights resident, will be the instructor for the program. She has six years experience teaching ice skating. The lessons will be categorized as follows: Tiny Tots with Parents, Beginners, Advanced Beginners, Intermediates, and Beginner Adults. The minimum number of participants per class will be five and the maximum number will be eight. The cost per participant will be $180000 EXPENDITURES VS. REVENUE Expenditures Revenue Proaramminq Instructor's Salary ($15/lesson) X (5 participants) X (5 weeks) _ $75 ($18) _ $90 SUMMARY At a minimum of 5 participants per program, there will be $15.00 in revenue for each of the five categorized lessons. At a maximum of eight participants, there will be $69.00 in revenue for each of the five categorized lessons.