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1994-10-11 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda Packet (2)CITY Or MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION October 11,1994 - 6:30 P.M. ** 6:30 o'clock p.m. ** 1. Call to Order. 2. Roll Call. 3. Approval of August 9, 1994 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes. 4. Resignation of Vicki Katz -Commission Chair 5. Request to Flood Park Place Pond 6. Discussion of Ivy Park Landscape Plan * Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager 7. Discussion of Water Resources Education Plan and Chemical Fertilizers on City Grass 8. Discussion of Pazk Vision/Philosophy Statement 9. Discussion of MNRRA Grants 10. Verbal Updates * North Kensington Park Progress and Petition from Residents * Park Improvement Projects * Friendly Hills Archery Range * North Urban Trail * Monthly Parks Report 11. Adjourn. Auxiliary aids for disabled persons are available upon request at least 120 hours in advance. Tf 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 4524850 with requests. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINIITES AUGUST 9, 1994 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, August 9, 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: Spicer, Norton, Damberg, Linnell and Katz. Commissioners Libra and Kleinglass were excused. Also present were Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder, Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Landscape Architect Joni Giese. Commissioner minutes with Commissioner AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 Linnell moved to approve the July 12, 1994 corrections. Damberg seconded the motion. 1.1�1�MY. � ; 4: • � • M� � 5 Parks Project Manager Kullander described a proposal from Earl F. Anderson to install handicap accessible play equipment at Wentworth Park in an amount not to exceed $17,000 as approved by City Council. Kullander described the custom designed play booster system that would be added to the existing system and would be accessible by current ADA standards. Kullander described this play system as including a horizontal ladder and pipe barrier with a new wave slide, driver panel, a transfer module, a slide winder, a clatter bridge and various decking. He stated that a rubberized surface and bucket swing would be added in the swing area. An extension of the playground border, asphalt and trail connection, and additional pea gravel would be added in the new play structure area. Commissioner Spicer inquired if this proposal is within the budget as approved by the City Council. Kullander stated yes it is within the $17,000 cap placed upon this project by the City Council. Commissioner Linnell discussed making another digger piece accessible. The Commission discussed possible placement of an accessible digger and`a new surface that would need to go with it. The Commission decided to discuss this in a future year. Parks and Recreation Commission August 9, 1994 Page 3 Kullander described an upcoming project that is the enlarging the Friendly Hills free skating area. Kullander stated a bulldozer would be used to level the surrounding area so that the free skating area would be doubled in size and that currently he is accepting bids to move and relocate the warming house. Commissioner Spicer inquired if the soccer fields at Kensington Park had worked well this summer. Kullander responded yes: Commissioner Norton reported on her attendance at the Dakota County picnic and stated each City took a few minutes to describe their park system and their recreation programs. Norton stated that the City of Mendota Heights has as much of a commitment to the park system and recreation programs as the other cities that were at the meeting and who reported on their programs. Norton stated there was a discussion about the County's park policy acquisition policies and that there is some concern among other cities as well that Dakota County park acquisition policies are not adequate. Kullander reported the archery range at Friendly Marsh Park had been briefly analyzed by City park staff and felt the concerns can be addressed with the addition of some signage and by mowing the grass in a certain fashion that would create separate shooting aisles to make it a safer, more structured, archery range. Norton asked staff to place on the agenda, for September, a discussion of the use of chemical fertilizers on City owned grass. NSIGBBORHOOD MEETING - NORTH KENSINGTON PARR CONCEPT PLANS Administrative Assistant Batchelder welcomed the audience and introduced the Parks Commissioners and City Councilmembers Smith and Krebsbach. Approximately 25 adult residents and 2 children were present in addition to staff. Batchelder stated the intention of tonight's neighborhood meeting was to have the neighborhood review the concept plans that have been designed by the Parks and Recreation Commission and City Council in concert with the contracted landscape architect. Batchelder stated that hopefully following this input, the Parks and Recreation Commission would be able to make a recommendation to the City Council on the concept plans. Parks and Recreation Commission August 9, 1994 Page 5 Giese demonstrated the circulation routes for pedestrian traffic through the park. Ms. Giese demonstrated her Ground Design Plan which highlighted the swales that would channel water to the pond and use native grasses that would mature at about waist height. She stated these swales areas would support a lot of bird and wildlife and that in between the water swale area will be the open grass areas which will be at an elevated level from the swale areas. Giese stated,a small planting area had been included for the neighborhood as well as a platform and deck/observation area for the pond. Giese described how foot bridges and paths would allow pedestrian access through these grass swale areas. Giese stated that sandstone is being considered to be used for seating and retaining walls throughout the park. Giese stated that sandstone is potentially available from Acacia Park where there is a deposit of sandstone block that is left over from the demolition of the old Ramsey County courthouse. Giese stated it is the City's hope that this sandstone would be provided free of cost and could be used for structures in the park. Giese demonstrated her tree canopy design which had oaks along Mendota Heights Road serving as an enclosure to the park while allowing visibility into the park as well. Giese described trees along the pathway as being Sugar Oaks interspersed with Red Maples to provide shade. Giese stated that Amur Maples would be used along the townhouse border and to help define the boundaries of the park along that edge. She stated this tree canopy plan would allow visual permeability into the park and that views into the park would not be blocked. Giese stated that Amur Maples would also be used to connect South Kensington Park to North Kensington Park in the knoll area at the southern end of North Kensington Park. Giese stated the plans shows a shelter that would allow one picnic table and some benches to be placed in the shade along the trail in the southern portion of Kensington Park. Giese demonstrated some elevation plans of the park and showed what the park would look like from Mendota Heights Road as well as what the park would look like from Stockbridge Avenue. Ms. Giese used a slide show to demonstrate the native grasses that she is proposing in the park and�to show some pictures of the sandstone that she is proposing to use for retaining walls Parks and Recreation Commission August 9, 1994 Page 7 Ms. Giese stated that the oaks and tree species are native to this area and with the proper care should do very well. Residents inquired about the size and scope of the pond and the changes that the pond would undergo with this construction plan. Councilmember Smith stated the shelter is designed to provide sufficient privacy without obstructing any views within the park. A resident inquired if the shelter could be moved away from the single family homes. Commissioner Linnell stated there are other possible locations to place this shelter that would also be near the path but perhaps closer to the US West building. Batchelder inquired if residents would be interested in the garden plot that is shown on the plan or if there was a level of interest in maintaining gardening in this area. A resident stated he would rather see an apple tree than a garden. Commissioner Damberg felt that perhaps wildflowers being established in this area would be less maintenance in the future than a garden area. _ A number of residents stated that they were rather pleased with the design of this park and its natural amenities, with the exception of the shelter. A number of residents were pleased with the possible use of the sandstone block. Following the neighborhood meeting the Parks and Recreation Commission returned to the large conference room to discuss the concept plan. Commissioner Spicer moved to approve the concept plan as presented this evening by Landscape Architect Joni Giese and to recommend that the City Council adopt this plan as its concept plan with the condition that the question of the inclusion of a shelter be reserved to be considered one year after the park is constructed. Commissioner Spicer stated that his motion is based on his conversations with people from the area who do not want to see a shelter located in North Kensington Park. Spicer stated the only conflict at the neighborhood meeting was related to the location of the shelter. Spicer stated this recommendation also relates to the previous representation by the Parks and Recreation Commission that funds could best be applied for providing tennis at the Hagstrom-King Park instead of a small shelter in this location. Spicer stated he feels a shelter is not a good use of the remaining referendum money'in this location. Spicer further stated that this plan includes approximately 100 trees which will provide some level of shelter. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS October 7, 1994 To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kevin Batchelder, Administrative Af Subject: Discussion of Park Vision and Philosophy DISCUSSION As part of the 1993-1994 Target Issues, City Council requested that the Parks and Recreation Commission review and consider the various policies that guide the parks and recreation systems. The Council desired that the Parks and Recreation Commission consider these policies in order to establish a vision, a mission or a philosophy for the both parks and recreation. (Please see attached copy from the High Priority list of Target Issues for 1993- 1994.) Specifically, City Council requested the Commission: 1. Evaluate future capital improvement needs within the park system; and 2. Clarify the purpose and use of various park and recreation funding sources; and 3. Review the current park dedication formula; and 4. Review the need for additional recreational programming. As the Commission is aware, the capital improvement plan was developed and accepted by City Council earlier this year. Part of that discussion involved the appropriate uses of the various funds such as general fund, special park fund, referendum fund, and others. (Please see attached copy.) The Commission should begin discussion of these items in order to provide staff with direction on how to proceed. To facilitate this discussion, copies of the park dedication formula the role of the Parks and Recreation Commission and old goal statements are attached. Staff will be prepared to go into more detail on Tuesday evening. Begin discussion of the City Council Target Issues and provide direction to staff. TARGET ISSUES HIGH PRIORITY (Continued) 4. 5. Ivy Falls Creek Restoration Project - Sxtead assessment roll certification and bid award dates to 1994 Resolve all outstanding easement acquisition issues - Resolve pending assessment challenge from M/M Miller Bid project for Summer/Fall 1994 construction Public Hearing to be held October 5, 1993 to defer assessment roll certification and bid award to 1994. Homeowner's Association easement currently being signed. Miller and Smookler easement being negotiated. Tentative construction start date is Summer 1994. Mayfield Heights Stormwater Project Resolve two outstanding easement acquisition issues Consider award of project in September 1993 for construction during October 1993 Park Vision/ Philosophy - Evaluate future capital improvement needs within the park system Clarify purpose and use of various park and recreation funding sources Review current park dedication formula Review need for additional recreational programs Tax Increment Financing Policy Review the goals and intent of the City's current tax increment district Evaluate the need for additional TIF usage controls and restrictions Prepare for Council con- sideration a revised TIF usage policy Assuming successful easement negotiation, project bids will be before Council for award on September 21, 1993. Project construction would then begin October 1, 1993. Park and Recreation Commission currently evaluating each park for necessary future capital improve- ments. Commission will be asked to clarify use of remaining referendum funds, special park fund, general fund, and user fees relative to future park improvements. Recreation program offerings to be reviewed in 1994. Draft TIF Usage Policy was presented to Council in July 1992 and March 1993, Suggest Council workshop to further discuss goals and intent of policy. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO - June 17, 1994 To: Mayor, City Council and City Administr o From: Kevin Batchelder, Administrative Assi n 3 Subject: Capital Improvements Plan for Parks System Acknowledgement of Final Draft The Parks and Recreation Commission has been involved with discussions of capital improvements, infrastructure, maintenance needs and replacement items in the parks system at each of their monthly meetings since July of 1993. Every park, trail and open space component of the system has been reviewed. The Commission has made recommendations on priorities in the system and funding sources. Based on this year long review of the parks system, a final draft plan was prepared and reviewed by the Commission. The Commission has recommended that City Council acknowledge the Mendota Heights Park System - Five Year Capital Improvement Plan as a working guide and budget document that is intended to recognize the needs of the parks system and ensure its preservation. DISCIISSION The Parks and Recreation Commission's thorough review of the park system involved many details and conflicting priorities. Discussion of appropriate categories for funding (general fund vs. special park funds) improvement projects was a theme throughout the process. Generally, most items that are considered repair, maintenance or replacement of existing facilities have been scheduled to be general fund expenditures. The special park fund has been considered the appropriate place for any "new" facilities or upgrades in the system. The referendum fund has generally been used to designate expenditures for new facilities or upgrades that are related to the original intent of the referendum (ie. - improvements to neighborhood parks such as the enlargement of the Friendly Hills skating rink). Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal mandate that requires the City to review its services and facilities so that they are accessible to all people. ADA upgrades or requirements have been categorized as "new" facilities and have therefore been proposed as Special Park fund expenditures. (Attached you will find Resolution No. 73-18 which established the Special Park fund and discusses its uses in a general fashion.) The Parks and Recreation Commission voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend that City Council acknowledge the proposed Five Year Capital Improvements Plan as a working guide and budget document that is intended to recognize the needs of the parks system and to ensure its preservation. Review the proposed Five Year Capital Improvements Plan for the Parks System. If the Council desires to implement the Parks and Recreation Commission's recommendation, they should pass a motion to acknowledge the proposed Five Year Capital Improvements Plan as a working guide and budget document that is intended to recognize the needs of the parks system and to ensure its preservation. MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARK SYSTEM FIVE YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Expenditures Proposed for 1995 pg 1 1. Switch/relocate warming houses at Ivy and Wentworth Parks. Make ADA improvements such as ramps, railings and pathway. Remove excess poles and lights at Ivy Park. 2. Develop wildflower planting areas in 4 parks Valley, Copperfield Victoria Highlands and Marie Park 3. Install 2 benches near pond in Ivy Park 4. Install concrete bleacher pads in two parks 5. Construct rock landscape wall at berm near south entrance to park 6. Develop, print, distribute and display park & trail maps - 11 locations 7. Construct enclosures for Port - A- Poties in two parks 8. Construct enclosures for Port-A- Potie in Mendakota Park. Upgrade materials to match existing structures 9. Wildflower maintenance & expansion 10. Enhance trees and landscape plantings in two parks per year 11. Resurface tennis court at Rogers Lake Park 12. Replace 3 wood bridges with culverts or steel bridges - safety and ADA issue GENERAL FUND SPECIAL PARK REFERENDUM $1,500.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $300.00 $500.00 $3,500.00 $12 to 25,000 $6,000.00 $600.00 $2,500.00 $5,500.00 MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARK SYSTEM FIVE YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT Expenditures Proposed for 1996 1. Enhance tree and landscape plantings PLAN GENERAL FUND SPECIAL PARK in two parks $500000 2. Wildflower maintenance $500400 3. Enclosures for Port-A-Poties in two parks $19000,00 4. Concrete bleacher pads in two parks $1,500,00 5. Reroof shelter in Rogers Lake Park $1,500.00 6. Paint/stain structures in Mendakota Park $2 to 4,000 7, Replace 1 of 5 benches in Rogers Lake Park $350,00 8. Resurface tennis court in Ivy Falls Park $39500.00 9. Modify tennis court fence opening to meet ADA at Wentworth Park $500.00 10. Replace wood bridge with bit. walkway in Rogers Lake Park $1,500.00 11. Resurface trail thru Rogers Lake Park $3,000.00 12. Enlarge warning track one per year - 5 total $500600 13. Reshape gravel trails in Friendly Marsh Park and Copperfield Ponds $1,500400 14. Resurface Lexington Ave. trail $2,500.00 15. Construct picnic shelter in Friendly Hills Park $12 to 18,000 Ott Ott amo Proposed 1996 Expenditures ------------- $20 to 22,350 ------------- $12 to 18,000 $0.00 MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARK SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT FIVE YEAR CAPITAL PLAN Expenditures Proposed for 1998 GENERALFUND $500.00 1. Enhance trees and landscape plantings in two parks 2. Maintain and expand wildflower plantings $500.00 3. Enclosures for Port-A-Poties $1,000400 4. Concrete bleacher pads at two locations 1 $11500.00 5. Resurface tennis court at Friendly Hills $3,500,00 Park 6. Install two horseshoe pits at Rogers Lake Park T Enlarge warning track at Mendakota Park 4 of 5 $500600 8. Repair/replace rubberized surface at Mendakota Park $3 to 5,000 9. Restripe parking lot at Kensington Park (every 5 years) $200.00 10. Enhance tree plantings at Kensington Park $500.00 11. ADA upgrades to Marie Park warming house $2,000.00 Proposed 1998 Expenditures $13 to 15,200 SPECIAL PARK REFERENDUM $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $0.00 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS Dakota County, Minnesota NO. 91- 94 RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 80-16, ESTABLISHING A PARR CONTRIBUTION FORMULA WHEREAS, pursuant to Minn. Statute, Section 462.358, Subd. 2, and Mendota Heights Subdivision Ordinance, Section 6, the City Council is authorized to require a park contribution for the platting or replatting of land; and WHEREAS, said park contribution may be either in the form of a cash contribution or a percentage of the gross area of the plat, whichever is deemed most appropriate by the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights; and WHEREAS, said open -space contributions or cash contributions must be used for the purpose of maintaining and protecting open space or developing existing public open space; and WHEREAS, it is deemed advisable that the cash contribution be based on a standard contribution formula. NOW THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights, that Resolution No. 80-16 be amended in its entirety; and BE IT FIIRTHER RESOLVED that the following park contribution formula shall apply to all requests for platting, replatting or division of existing lots for which a cash contribution is deemed appropriate by the City Council: a. Property owner or developer shall contribute a minimum of $750 for each residential lot created as a result of plat, replat or lot division approval, and b. Cash contributions in the case of commercial/industrial plats, replats or lot divisions shall be at least ten (10) percent of fair market value of the gross area created as a result of the plat, replat or lot division; and BE IT xuRTaER RESOLVED that the contribution shall be payable upon approval of the plat, replat or lot division or in a manner as outlined in the Subdivision Ordinance. Adopted by the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights this 17th day of December, 1991. CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS Charles E. Mertensotto, Mayor ATTEST: Kathleen M. Swanson, City Clerk THE ROLE OF THE PARRS AND RECREATION COMMISSION September 9, 1992 1. To provide leadership, study and recommendations to the Citv Council. The month to month role of the Commission -and its purpose. 2. To develop the Citv's recreation programs. The new park facilities will be creating new demands for recreation Drogramminq and the Parks and Recreation Commission Programmer. 3. To advocate for facilities development planning and expansion of the parks. Originally the number one priority of the Commission, the success and implementation of the 1989 Parks Bond Referendum has lessened the intensity of this priority. still an important role of the Commission. However, it is 4. To be responsive to citizen park and recreation needs. An important role of the Commission is to be ambassadors for the City on park and recreation issues and to be liaisons for the Council and residents of Mendota Heights. 5. To recommend disbursement of park funds. Originally the number seven priority, this item is now a higher priority. With the implementation of the referendum and the monitoring of the Special Park Fund there are increased demands in this area. 6. To set policy for park maintenance. 7. To monitor park facilities. 8. To implement park programs determined by Council. 9. To promote the use of nark facilities. The Commission shall, in performing the aforementioned duties and responsibilities, exhibit the initiative in formulating policies which will be responsive to the anticipated need and objectives of the community. SECTION 4. MEETINGS The Commission shall hold at least one meeting each month at a time regularly esta- blished and approved by the Village Council and shall hold such special meetings as may be necessary for the conduct of its business. The Commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of business and shall keep a record of its resolutions, transactions and findings, which record shall be.maintained as a public record. The Commission shall submit to the Village Council a true and correct copy of all of its minutes, recommen- dations and other reports. SECTION 5. COMPENSATION The member of the Parks and Recreation Commission shall serve without compensation but shall have the right to be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. SECTION 6. VACANCIES Any of the following may cause the office of a member to become vacated: 6.1 Death; 6.2 Disability or failure to serve, as shown by failure to attend four regularly scheduled meetings in any one calendar year; 6.3 Removal of residence from the Village, or 6.4 Resignation in writing. Vacancies shall be filled as soon as possible for the unexpired portion of the term by the Mayor with the consent of the majority of the members of the Village Council. 1985 BARTON-ASHMAN GOAL STATEMENT THE OVERALL GOAL FOR PARK AND RECREATION PLANNING SHOULD BE TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF RECREATION SPACE, TO OFFER AN AMPLE CHOICE AMONG RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, AND TO ASSURE PEOPLE THAT THE QUALITY OF FACILITIES 'WfiLL MATCH THEIR DESIRES AND STANDARDS OF LIVING. 1. To provide a variety of facilities for both active and passive recreation. 2. To provide"a park system to serve all community residents, regardless of age, sex or economic group. 3. To use the park system as a means to enhance the environment of each neighborhood and the city as a whole. MENDOTA HEIGHTS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OUTDOOR ••N; THEY ENABLE HISTORICAND SCENIC THE COMMUNITY TO BE PRESERVEDO AND THEY PERMIT PROPERTY WHICH 4AY BE POORLY A1 • • FOR URBAN PURPOSES BY VIRT/ OF SLOPES1 '••' DRAINAGE TO BE PROTECTED FROM ELARMFUL KTHE FIRST OF / • • MOST 1ACCEPTEDs ALL TYPES OF PEOPLEINDIVIDUAL 1:1 • •1/ / Y 1••:1 THE BACKYARD AND THE ELEMENTARY AND NEIGHBORHOOD PARK* " *a* YOUNG ADULTS REQUIRE LARGER PARKS FOR SPECIALIZEDADULTS • SENIOR CITIZENS ARE MOREDIVERSE WITH BOTH ORGANIZED ]NORGANIZED USES IN SMALL OR PEOPLE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT A PARK WHICH HAS OqOT BEEN■ 1' ' • :it BUT IS INTENDED FOR PASSIVE USE IN ITS qATURAL NATIONALIF APPLY STANDARD •' 1 1 1SQUARE• �AN1 ` • •SHOULD • ' / • PURPOSES* '(BASED • / • '/ • /• POPULATION ESTI14ATED IMPORTANT14,590) IT IS • • :1' •STANDARD AND THE 1' • • •1 STANDARDS •• NOT DIFFERENTIATE PARK / WHICH IS USEABLE FOR ACTIVE ATHLETIC FERSUS PARK. LAND WHICH MAY BE STEEP SLOPEDs WETLANDS,OR ISEABLEONLY • ' PASSIVE RECREATIONAL Table 1 City of Mendota Heights SE Area Scoping Study Park Acreage PARKS ric Center 11.0 Hwy 13 (Ivy Falls) 4.0 pperfield 1 24.4 Marie & Lexington 8.2 pperiield 2 5.0 Caren Road 1.6 endly Hills 16.5 ;ndl y Marsh 33.8 waY0mmmm lstrom4Qng Park 9.4 Park 9.0 1e Park 5.6 rSneffing CIPAL ACRES idakota 19.7 "— lers Lake 37.4 ey/City Park 11.2 Center 15g,2 ey Park 86.7 tate Park 611.0 y View Heights 0.4 al Park 343.0 na Highlands 5.6 tworth Park 1 ><:0.4ssir.::.«.-r-.:>.:.„,<_.,.,�;<<z, Open 8.8 �" 65 s flo mE o�m��fSa 1,1 3 5s."�zS�� one^=o S a^Mn� a m =Sam: m o as m o is as m J m EL Jc ma7.�o$� 3—'<.�mmJ o o<In<3a Ins m QS*Mra' mm m O Oa mp d4 �.°-. no m m o �c3<m 5 m d. mo c .S» O 3nva c m^-n nab m c 3 a o P N � m m ° n c o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 £ ° v < w n -miu C m c � a °Dcmic� m m m O V ^ J m � no o m :T 0 C ° n W 35m� 3& 0 �_•,oyo So^ J A �,o�=madam J n3�� no �v^ n00 ^° o ^.3 3 3m J c m n £ vo ^e(io ,o�iw' n soomn.- nJ �J 3 a 'rn:= 3�Qf p � M � J m o n•-am o- n: O aG 00m� J aQR0 0 m ^ n am o m v _ o a £ m 3 0