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1994-07-12 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda Packet (2)CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION JULY 12, 1994 - 6:30 P.M. 1. Call to Order. 2. Roll Call. 3. Approval of June 14, 1994 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes. 4. North Kensington Park - Consideration of Concept Designs * Joni Giese, Landscape Architect 5. Request to Restore Archery Range at Friendly Marsh Park 6. Discussion of North Urban Trail 7. Discussion of Wentworth Play Equipment and ADA Upgrades 8. Verbal Updates * Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks! * Monthly Report from Terry Blum * City Council Actions - Capital Improvement Plan 1994 Park Improvements Parking - Friendly Hills Park * Dakota County Picnic Report - Ann Norton * Park Vision/Philosophy Statement - Target Issue 9. Adjourn. Auxiliary aids for disabled persons are available upon request at least 120 hours in advance. If a notice of less 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. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, June 14, 1994, 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: Damberg, Norton, Kleinglass, Libra, Katz and Linnell. Commissioner Spicer was excused. Also present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder. Guests included Mr. Steve Sullivan of Dakota County Parks Department and Mr. Eric Evenson of the Dakota County Office of Planning. Commissioner Kleinglass moved to approve the May 10, 1994 minutes. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 INVITATION FOR JOINT PARKS COMoiITTEE' S PICNIC Administrative Assistant Batchelder informed the Parks Commission that the Commission had received an invitation from Barb Schmidt, Parks Director for Dakota County, to attend a picnic with Dakota County and all the municipalities at SchaarIs Bluff picnic area in Spring Lake Park Reserve located at 127 Street East and Idell Avenue. Batchelder stated the picnic is scheduled for 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, June 21, 1994 and that the County desires to bring together the various parks and recreation commissions throughout Dakota County in a social setting to meet and establish dialogue. Commissioner Norton volunteered to represent the City at this event and the Commission. directed staff to contact Commissioner Spicer to see if he was interested in attending also. Chair Katz introduced Steve Sullivan from Dakota County Parks Department to discuss the 1994 construction proposal and development plans for Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Parks and Recreation Commission June 14, 1994 Page 3 Mr. Sullivan displayed design boards and described the construction plans for the various areas in Lebanon Hills Park. Mr. Sullivap stated that at Jenson Lake they have an existing picnic facility that they would like to enhance with 1994 development. Sullivan stated a large pavilion that would seat 100 people under the roof with a plaza is planned as well as increased parking and trail connections and a canoe dock. Sullivan stated that the County would like to re -vegetate the blue grass areas to native grass species so that there is less maintenance,' better wildlife habitat and enhanced water quality. Mr. Sullivan displayed side elevations of the proposed picnic structure. Sullivan described the development proposal for the Holland Lake picnic area which is off of Cliff Road. Mr. Sullivan stated that Holland Lake is one of the deepest lakes in Dakota County at 75 feet deep and possesses a lot of potential as a fishery. Mr. Sullivan stated that currently Holland Lake is a scenic wetlands in which profuse tubing use is occurring. Mr. Sullivan stated that tubing and swimming uses are not endorsed by the County in this lake and that the County wants it to be a picnic use, not a bathing or tubing use. Mr. Sullivan stated that in 1994 the County intends to replace the bathroom facility, add a small picnic shelter to enhance the picnic use and that there are plans for future parking and trail expansions. Mr. Sullivan stated that the County's beach is located at Schultz Lake. Commissioner Norton inquired how the County intended to control the use of Holland Lake and stated that on -numerous occasions she has seen hundreds of people using it. Mr. Sullivan responded that the County's attorney is currently looking at this issue and the County is considering zoning it as a public water. The County is also considering enforcement issues between the City of Eagan and Dakota County, Mr. Sullivan stated there are many users who love tubing here and the County is very concerned about using correct enforcement procedures and the public relations involved with this situation. Commissioner Norton inquired if this could be made a permitted use. Mr. Sullivan stated no, that at this time the County does not feel that is the best use in a facility that they consider a fishery wildlife facility that has a lot of scenic resources. Mr. Sullivan stated there is a deep shoreline and a lot of liability and risk with this use. Parks and Recreation Commission June 14, 1994 Page 5 Jenson Lake improvements as she is to the future Holland Lake improvements. Commissioner Norton encouraged all the Parks Commissioners to visit Lebanon Hills Regional Park and she stated that this is one of the last remaining natural open space areas that has been preserved in this County. Commissioner Damberg inquired how these regional parka are funded. Mr. Sullivan stated that through a Metropolitan Council grant that comes from State bonding on an annual basis. Mr.�Sullivan stated that some fishery and wildlife funding was involved in these improvements. Sullivan stated the cost of improvements are as follows: Jenson Lake - $600,000; Holland Lake - $100,000; Camp Sacajawea - $125,000 and the Tamarack Bog - $25,0000 The Commission discussed uses at Lebanon Hills Park including snowmobiling and cross country skiing. Mr. Sullivan stated that Dakota County Parks Commissioner Bob Doffing was very concerned about snowmobiling in the park and is attempting to have that discontinued as a use in the park system. Commissioner Norton asked Mr. Sullivan to continue notifying the City about the development of the Park Policy Plan and the public hearings that are forthcoming. Sullivan stated that all communities will be kept informed and that they have a strong desire to keep the park commissions involved in this process. DAKOTA COUNTY PARK POLICY PLAN Chair Katz introduced Mr. Eric Evenson, of Dakota County Office of Planning, to discuss the park policies that Dakota County has been working on in the recent past. Mr. Evenson stated the first County Park Policy Plan was done in the early 1970's and that it had been updated in 1975 and 1981. He stated the plan has not been updated since 1981. Mr. Evenson stated there are twenty-five policy items in the proposed Park Policy Plan, including future park development. Mr. Evenson displayed the regional parks and trails in the County system. Mr. Evenson stated that the mission of the Dakota County park system is to provide for the protection and preservation of land in its natural state, while providing for outdoor natural resource oriented recreation activities. Mr. Evenson stated that the County does not wish to compete with active use parks that are provided by municipalities or with the larger state parks such as Fort Snelling State Park. Mr. Evenson stated that funding is primarily from the Metropolitan Council through Open Space Grants for acquisition and development of Parks and Recreation Commission June 14, 1994 Page 7 Mr. Evenson stated that the Policy includes language that no outside acquisition would take place until all internal acquisition is complete. Commissioner Norton stated that there might be land available now that could be a missed opportunity if the County only focuses on acquisition in or around the current parks. Chair Katz inquired what still needs to be acquired for the existing parks. Mr. Evenson described the current parks and the incomplete parcels involved in each one. Commissioner Norton inquired if the Dakota County Park Policy has been adopted yet. Mr. Evenson responded no and that it is still a public process and the County Board has recently sent it back for more citizen and municipal input and that there will .be a public review and hearing process. Mr. Evenson stated that written comment should be directed to Dakota County by July 15 and that the County Board would be conducting a public hearing on July 19. Mr. Evenson strongly encouraged any comment from the City of Mendota Heights to the County Board, Commissioner Linnell inquired that if Dakota County is heading towards a natural resource based system they better take a look at what land is available now before it becomes developed. Mr. Evenson stated that many of these parcels, such as Resurrection Cemetery, may not qualify for regional park funding due to their size. Mr. Evenson stated that most 1,000 acre tracts are in the southern portion of Dakota County, Mr. Evenson stated that the County is hearing many requests for community based parks such as Buck Hill or Resurrection Cemetery, Commissioner Linnell stated the prices on the land that the County is currently looking at acquiring will go up but eventually the County will be able to acquire those parcels. Commissioner Linnell encouraged them not to miss opportunities such as the Lake Augusta/Resurrection site which could make a good destination for the regional trail that is being placed just to its west. Commissioner Linnell described the Lake Augusta/Resurrection site as a miniature Lebanon Hills with airplane noise. Mr. Evenson stated that any park they are looking at for Dakota County should have a minimum of 1,000 acres. The Commission thanked Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Evenson for their appearance and their information at tonight's meeting. Parke and Recreation Commission June 14, 1994 Page 9 Commissioner Linnell inquired about the funding for any of the improvements required by Americans with Disability Act. Linnell inquired why staff had placed ADA funding in the Special Parks Fund. Batchelder stated that staff had taken the approach that the General Fund is the appropriate place for items considered to be repair, maintenance or replacement of existing facilities. Batchelder stated the Special Park Fund was considered the appropriate place for any "new" facilities or upgrades. Batchelder stated the Referendum Fund is the appropriate place for any new facilities or upgrades that are related to the intent of the referendum such as improvements to neighborhood parks like the enlargement of the Friendly Hills skating rink. He stated that ADA upgrades or requirements have been categorized as "new" facilities and have therefore been proposed for the Special Park Fund. The Commission discussed the spread of funding from the years 1994 to 1999 in the different fund categories of the General Fund, Special Fund and the Referendum Fund. The Commission discussed the appropriate use of the Special Park Fund. The Commission recalled that early on there were discussions about using the annual interest from the Special Park Fund in order to pay for annual improvements thereby maintaining the bulk of the Special Park Funds. Interest from the fund was estimated to be $20,000 to $25,000 annually. Commissioner Libra stated that development of the tennis court at Hagstrom-King for $35,000 out of, the Referendum should be pushed into the year 1995 from 1994. Libra stated, as he jogs through the City, he sees many tennis courts that are under used or open and does not believe the demand justifies the building of a tennis court at this time at Hagstrom-King. The Parks Commission agreed with Libra and directed staff to move this line item into the 1995 year. Commissioner Kleinglass moved to endorse the proposed Capital Improvements Five Year Plan. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. Commissioner Linnell stated he still has a few other items he would like to consider before action is taken on the motion. Linnell inquired about the t-ball fields at the public works garage in 1994. Parks Project Manager Kullander explained a memo that had been sent on May 17th describing that the City had contacted Mend -Eagan about the need for t-ball fields and that Mend -Eagan had indicated there was no need for additional Parks and Recreation Commission June 14, 1994 Page 11 Parish Courtyard and that in addition to her landscape design skills, Ms. Giese possess public presentation skills and is eager to work with.the Commission and Council. Batchelder stated that the City Council had selected Councilmember Smith to be a member of a committee that would meet with the landscape architect during the concept design work to speed up the approval process. The Parks Commission chose Commissioner Linnell to serve in this capacity for the Commission. Parka Project Manager Kullander stated Public Works Director Danielson had recently been working on the Parks Budget and had included all the 1995 requests in his departmental budget. Kullander stated the archery range at Friendly Marsh Park had been the target of numerous incidence of vandalism this year and that all four targets and support posts were recently destroyed by two or three intentional fires. He stated that replacement of six inch by six inch support posts and four archery bales would cost approximately $750. Kullander stated the City crew will not replace this archery facility again unless specifically directed by Commission due to the cost and the repeated occurrence of vandalism. Commissioner Damberg felt that this facility should not be replaced when it is so blatantly destroyed. Commissioner Linnell stated he would like to see the archery replaced but not if it is not getting heavy use, it does not justify the cost. Kullander stated the new Budget proposed for 1995 would include a new line item for vandalism which is currently paid for out of the maintenance line item. Kullander stated this was done to provide information on the extent of vandalism in the parks system so that these costs would not be hidden in the parks maintenance line item. Administrative Assistant Batchelder described the progress for Celebrate Mendota Heights Parksl and stated that a recent donation letter had been sent out and donations and offers to volunteer were coming forth. Batchelder had recently received a notice and press release from Dakota Soil and Water Conservation District that they had received a grant in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources for a cost sharing program for oak wilt control. Batchelder stated this program will pay.50 percent of the cost for oak wilt suppression work done in 1994 and that this program is available to all landowners in Dakota County communities where an oak wilt suppression program currently