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1993-07-13 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda Packet (2)CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISS JULY 13 1993 - 6:30 P.M. ** 6:30 o'clock p.m. ** 1. Call to Order. 2. Roll Call. 3. Approval of June 8, 1993 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes. 4. Discussion of Kensington Soccer Fields * Sibley Sting * Mend -Eagan Soccer 5. Ivy Park - Pond Construction and Landscaping Plan 6. Bridge and Culvert Project * Valley and Wentworth Parka 7. Capital Improvement Planning for Park System * Discussion of Special Park Funds * Discussion of Anticipated Projects * Discussion of Planning Schedule for CIP 7. Verbal Updates * Mend -Eagan Baseball Brochure * Celebrate Mendota Heights Parka! * Dakota County - Pilot Knob Road Trail Funding * Request by City Council to review Parking in Parks * Burows Farm * Others 8. Adjourn. Auxiliary aide for disabled persona are available upon request at least 120 hours in advance. If a notice of leas than 120 hours is received, the City of Mendota Heights will make every attempt to provide the aids, however, this may not be possible on short notice. Please contact City Administration at 452-1850 with requests. The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, June 8, 1993 in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Norton, Libra, Linnell, Spicer, Damberg and Katz. Commissioner Kleinglass was excused. Also present was Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder, Commissioner Spicer moved to approve the May 11, 1993, Minutes with corrections. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 Commissioner Libra mentioned the soccer groups had been out at Kensington Park to examine the soccer fields and noticed the fence along the west aide by the townhouse and Centex parking was only a five foot (52) fence. Libra asked staff to investigate this matter. Libra stated he was concerned that kicks to clear the ball would be entering the Centex property and possibly causing damage to cars or windows, Commissioner Damberg inquired if the Parks Commission had considered using the concession stand money towards the Park Budget when they had met with the Fire Relief Association in May. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the agreement for the concession stand was a one year term requiring an annual report on the finances and revenues of the concession stand. Commissioner Damberg stated it was her desire that when this agreement is renewed in a year that if money is generated in the park it should be returned to the park, Commissioner Spicer stated Mend -Eagan had a baseball tournament on June 5th and 6th at Mendakota Park and that on their behalf he wanted to thank all the City staff that had been extremely cooperative in helping Mend -Eagan with this tournament including Shelli Morgan and Terry Blum and his crew, Spicer stated with the pinwheel design for the four ballfielda, that when they are being used for baseball a lot Parks and Recreation Commission June 8, 1993 Page 3 Par 3 Golf Course Commissioner Spicer inquired, hypothetically, if in the City's acquisition of the Par 3 Golf Course the City would be using bond sales to pay for this acquisition. Batchelder stated yes that was the assumption staff had made in the calculation of revenues generated and the amount of bonding the City could afford based on these revenues. Batchelder stated if the City decided to use Special Park Fund or Referendum money that is also available. Commissioner Spicer inquired if, hypothetically, the City could conceivably waive the deferred assessments on this property. Batchelder stated the bonding that had been issued for the public improvements in this area had to be satisfied and that the deferred assessments had to be paid if the property is transferred. Commissioner Damberg stated it was her understanding that most people in this neighborhood wanted to keep the golf course as open space and did not want to see it developed. Batchelder explained the revenue calculations and debt service calculations that staff had made regarding purchase of the Par 3 Golf Course. Batchelder informed the Commission that following his letter to Mr. Schway, Mr. Schway had responded with a telephone call saying he would proceed with other options. The Commission discussed the revenue calculations and debt service calculations for the purchase of the Par 3 and discussed the likely pay off of this property in a development scenario and compared the two scenarios. The Commission felt it might be in Mr. Schway's best interest to continue considering working with the City on possible acquisition as compared to what Mr. Schway might be able to receive from a developer. Batchelder stated at the June 1, 1993 City Council meeting Mr. Ronald Smith approached the City regarding the possible purchase, by the City, of the Burrows farm located on Victoria Road between Marie Avenue and Stratford Road. Batchelder stated this home recently suffered a fire and there was a discussion about historical value and the possible interest in preserving this home and rural site in the City. Batchelder stated the Council was interested enough to refer this item to the Parks and Recreation Commission for discussion. Batchelder stated there are many factors to consider in regards to preserving and maintaining this site including its priority as an open space or park acquisition, its historical Parka and Recreation Commission June 8, 1993 Page 5 Plan and it would probably be possible to bring this information before a future Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. Batchelder stated that one of the options being considered by the neighbors was the possibility of a private nature conservancy where land would be dedicated as open space on a private basis. Batchelder stated some residents in this area had indicated they were not interested in bringing the public into this area with public paths or trails. Commissioner Libra stated he would like to have staff look into the possibility of widened shoulders or a pathway along Wentworth Avenue. Libra stated Wentworth Avenue is very narrow and a lot of people like to walk in this area including walking a loop around the Somerset Golf Course. The Commission directed the Parks Project Manager to take a look at the possibility of trails or widened shoulders along Wentworth Avenue. Review of Land Use Acquisition The Parks Commission was of a consensus that the goals and priorities for future land acquisition would remain as is and directed staff to prepare a fact sheet on the western Resurrection site and to provide their recommendation on the Burrows site to the City Council. DISCUSSION OF PARKING MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD Batchelder stated at the June 1, 1993 City Council meeting the City Council adopted an Ordinance restricting parking along Victoria Curve by the ballfields up to the Synagogue and along Delaware Avenue at Sibley Park. Batchelder stated both actions by the Council were due to heavy use of ballfields. Batchelder described the parking limitations enacted by the City Council. He stated that during the discussion of this topic the Council discussed the parking situation that exists along Mendota Heights Road at Hagstrom-King Park during scheduled play at the ballfield. Batchelder stated the City Council had directed the Parks and Recreation Commission to review this issue. Commissioner Spicer stated Hagstrom-Ring Park did indeed have a small parking lot but that was because, at forty-four feet (44') in width, Mendota Heights Road was available for parking on both aides. The Commission discussed painting crosswalks on Mendota Heights Road in order to provide safe crossings at appropriate places on the road. Commissioner Linnell stated if possible any crosswalks provided at Mendota Heights Road should be done at trail heads or intersections in order to Parks and Recreation Commission June 8, 1993 Page 7 some comparisons on rental versus purchase price. Batchelder stated a 20' by 30' tent costs approximately $100 to rent for a day and that we would be using two tents for the community celebration. Batchelder stated the rental agencies that had been contacted typically sell used tents in the Fall depending upon their condition in a price range of $400 to $600. Batchelder stated a new tent would cost approximately $1,000 to $1,200. The Parks and Recreation Commission and staff felt the tents were too expensive to provide efficiencies to purchase and that the community celebration should continue to rent a tent. The .Commission discussed the community celebration. Commissioner Spicer stated Mend -Eagan would like to try some type of all star game or baseball activity and was instructed to contact Michelle Morgan about fitting in during the softball tournament schedule. Commissioner Libra stated a Mend -Eagan booth involving information and registrations for Fall events might be a good idea. Commissioner Spicer stated Mend -Eagan was talking about combining with west St. Paul and offering new programs. Spicer stated these new sports programs would be considered feeder programs to the high school and included girl's volleyball, youth golf, youth wrestling and youth track and field. Batchelder stated the Parks Commission had asked staff to look at future capital improvements in the parks at the May meeting. Batchelder stated City staff was looking at this and would be discussing this as part of the 1994 Budget process. Batchelder stated equipment requests had already been put in on a five year plan including trucks and mowers, etc. Batchelder stated the capital infrastructure type improvements would include items such as tennis court resurfacing, basketball court resurfacing, bridges and culverts, various trail segments and the possibility of a new tennis court at Hagstrom-King Park. Batchelder stated this item could be brought back again at the July meeting and asked the Commission if they had any ideas.. Commissioner Linnell stated he would like to see Americans with Disability Act (ADA) improvements be included in the capital infrastructure plan. Linnell stated this could include tennis court openings, playground updates and warming shelters. The Commission discussed ADA standards. Parks and Recreation Commission June 8, 1993 Page 9 There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned their meeting at 8:35 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant