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1995-04-11 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda Packet (2)CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION APRIL 11, 1995 - 6*30 P.M. ** 6:30 o'clock p.m. ** 1. Call to Order. 2. Roll Call. 3. Approval of Marchl4, 1994 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes. 4. Preliminary Discussion of Capital Improvements Plan for 1995 - 1999 6:30 to 7:00 o'clock p.m. 5. Ivy Hills Park -Neighborhood Open House - 7:00 o'clock p.m. Jim Hagstrom, Savanna Designs 6. Bridgeview Shores Trail -Neighborhood Open House - 8:00 o'clock p.m. 7. Joint Workshop with City Council 8. Discussion of Park Dedication for a Proposed Subdivision Heaver's Ivy Falls South Addition 9. Updates * City Council Actions on T-Ball Fields and Mendakota Concessions * Invitation to Joint Meeting with Dakota County PARAC * Valley View Heights Request for Basketball Court * Pedal Power Camp * Nomination of Mendota Heights Fire Department * Schedule Trail Stencilling 10. 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 4524850 with requests. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARRS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 14, 1995 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, March 14, 1995, in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:40 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Norton, Liberacki, Damberg, Linnell and Spicer. Commissioners Kleinglass and Libra were excused. Also present were Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder, Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Recreation Programmer Shelli Heinsch. APPROVAL OF MINDTES Commissioner Linnell moved to approve the February 14, 1995 minutes with corrections. Commissioner Liberacki seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 DISCUSS T-BALL FIELDS AT RESURRECTION CEMETERY Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that following the Parka and Recreation Commission's recommendation to place two :-ball fields at the Public Works garage, the City Council instructed staff to contact Catholic Cemeteries, owners of Resurrection Cemetery, to inquire if temporary use of the unused portion of the cemetery could be used as t-ball fields. Batchelder stated that Catholic Cemeteries had responded favorably and that City staff had met with Mendota Heights Athletic Association to discuss their needs for fields. Batchelder stated because the fast track nature of this project the request to fund this proposal proceeded directly to City Council on March 7, 1995. He stated the Council authorized $20,000 from the Special Park Fund to construct four youth fields (ages 5-9) at Resurrection Cemetery. Batchelder stated that staff will be meeting with Catholic Cemeteries to seek approval from their Board on the proposed site plan and the contents of a temporary use agreement. Batchelder stated that Council desired the Parks and Recreation Commission review this project as it proceeds. Batchelder stated that the City Council will consider a site plan and temporary use agreement on March 21, 1995. He stated the intent was to have these fields available for play by Mendota Heights Athletic Association in May. Parks and Recreation Commission March 14, 1995 Page 3 that the evening use by t-ballers was acceptable. Kullander stated that they had also indicated they did not desire any weekend play or practice. Kullander stated the older kids have a longer season and that the t-ball season is finished towards the end of June whereas the 8 and 9 year old age brackets play into July. Commissioner Norton inquired if Resurrection Cemetery has a long term plan where this area may become more of a permanent park plan. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the City Council had retained the service of Jim Hagstrom, of Savannah Design, to produce the landscape design at Ivy Hills Park. Batchelder stated the Parks Commission had requested two plans from Mr. Hagstrom, one plan being a traditional landscaping look and the other plan being a more native grass/wildflower look. He stated Mr. Hagstrom had prepared two concept plans including a mix of traditional landscaping and native grass/wildflowers with alternatives for the Parks and Recreation Commission to pick and choose from. Mr. Jim Hagstrom, of Savannah Design, presented a slide show to provide background on what, where, when and how you design, plant and maintain a native grass/wildflower, natural Landscape design. Mr. Hagstrom showed a slide of a Savannah grass land with oak trees that is native and indigenous to tli� Midwest and the State of Minnesota. Hagstrom highlighted the different types of grasses, flowers and trees in this landscape. Mr. Hagstrom pointed out this is an ecological design that does not need water, pesticide, or fertilizer and it thrives because of its biodiversity. Mr. Hagstrom stated this means that there are quite a few species of plant materials. Mr. Hagstrom showed a slide of a very well maintained golf course that had very few species of plant material, was maintenance heavy, a very controlled environment, with an ethic of maximum care and attention. Mr. Hagstorm showed a series of slides demonstrating prairie grasses and wildflowers. Mr. Hagstrom stated there was a high diversity of species in a seeded natural prairie grass landscape. Mr. Hagstrom pointed out this may not look neat and cared for as compared to a lawn that is maintenance intensive, environmentally unsound and expensive to operate. Parks and Recreation Commission March 14, 1995 Page 5 geometric shapes. Mr. Hagstrom stated this slide showed a seeded prairie approximately five years after it had been seeded. Mr. Hagstrom showed how a mowed path could be cut along the top of the berm at Ivy Falls Park. Mr. Hagstrom showed a slide of water plantings including cattails and other types of pond plantings that could be used to define the edge of the wetlands at Ivy Park, Mr. Hagstrom stated that certain species of grass and wild plants could be planted along the edge of the pond to make it look inaccessible and to hide some of the concrete structures. Chair Spicer arrived at 7:20 o'clock P.M. Commissioner Damberg inquired if the natural wildflower approach could include plants that attract butterflies including milkweed, blazing stars and cardinal flowers. While Mr. Hagstrom prepared some site plans to be placed on the wall for discussion, the Parks and Recreation Commission invited the Valley View Heights neighborhood into the meeting to discuss their request for a half court basketball. 11�9411.fwy 0. • Chair Spicer stated that at the January meeting the Parks and Recreation Commission met with representatives of the Curley neighborhood to discuss their ideas for improvements to Valley View Heights Park. Spicer stated that specifically they had requested that a half court basketball be placed in the tot lot in this area. Spicer stated there had been some confusion over whether Valley View Heights Park was an "official" City park and that Parks and Recreation Commission had recommended that City Council determine the status of this tot lot and then the Commission would try to determine the appropriate method to address this request. Six residents of Curley neighborhood were present. Mr. Dave Ayers, acting as spokesperson for the Curley neighborhood, stated that staff has looked into the status of Valley View Heights Park and has found a 1989 memo and City Council minutes at which time Curley tot lot had been renamed and designated as Valley View Heights Park. Mr. Ayers stated the reason this is significant is that at the past Commission meeting there had been a discussion whether or not this was indeed a City park. Ayers stated the City has already taken this position, as made apparent by the 1989 minutes from the City Council meeting, that this had been renamed and designated as Valley View Heights Park. AYES: NAYS: Parks and Recreation Commission March 14, 1995 Page 7 Commissioner Norton inquired what impacts would there be from naming this an official park in terms of maintenance and liability. Commissioner Norton inquired if there were other areas in the City that would be subject to the same consideration if this were approved. The Commission felt that this was a unique situation and that the Friendly Hills Tot Lot did not have active uses similar to the Valley View Heights Park. Mr. Ayers stated that their neighborhood feels this is a unique situation also and that they are locked in by highways or busy streets on all sides. Commissioner Norton stated there are other neighborhoods that have less access to parks than the Curley neighborhood. She stated the Mayfield Heights neighborhood has been to the Parks Commission on a number of occasions requesting a trail link because they are much more inaccessible to the park system. Norton stated that she is concerned that this park is being backdoored into the City's system. Commissioner Norton stated the previous agreement with the Homeowner's Association stated they would be responsible for the maintenance of this park in return for the improvements. Commissioner Norton stated that these improvements probably never would have been put onto this lot that the City owned had it not been for this Agreement. Mr. Ayers stated there has been turnover in the neighborhood and there is no longer an active Association. Commissioner Linnell stated that the City probably never should have put improvements onto this lot, but, it is too late now and that it should be considered a park. Commissioner Damberg stated that she remembers voting against the decision to do that. Chair Spicer stated it was probably a bad decision to place improvements in this park but to leave it unattended at this point would be a worse decision. Commissioner Norton stated that having the City maintain this park is a step further than what has been done in the past. The Commission voted on the motion to officially include Valley View Heights Park in the City's park system and to maintain it. The Commission discussed the Capital Improvement Plan. Commissioner Norton stated the City has spent many hours on designing the Capital Improvement Plan with detailed examinations of priorities. Mr. Ayers stated their neighborhood seems to have been overlooked when the Capital Improvement Plan was considered. The Commission discussed the Parks and Recreation Commission March 14, 1995 Page 9 that it has been six years since the referendum was approved. Mr. Ayers stated that the neighborhood would like to see something in 1995. The Parks and Recreation Commission directed staff to contact Mr. Ayers and the neighborhood when this item will be discussed as part of the Capital Improvement Plan, Commissioner Norton stated she feels there are other neighborhoods in the City that do not have access to the parks system, particularly the Mayfield Heights neighborhood, where she believes the trail link to this neighborhood was never adequately addressed by the City. Norton stated that there are many young children in this neighborhood and they do not have adequate trail access. CONTINIIATION OF IVY SILLS PARK LANDSCAPE DESIGN Mr. Jim Hagstrom presented a site analysis to the Parks and Recreation Commission including the possibilities with the berm and pond area as well as the constraints in this area. Mr. Hagstrom described the site layout with the berm having steep slopes both on a south facing sunny side and north facing shady side. Hagstrom stated there is a flat open play area north of the pond and he described the locations of the sewer outlets and concrete skimmers. Mr. Hagstrom stated that the whole area at this time is simply grass lawn. Mr. Hagstrom stated that the berm had been seeded half grass, half wildflowers and that there is a wood chip access trail that goes up and over the top of the berm in the southwest corner of the park. Mr. Hagstrom located the evergreen trees that had been tree spaded and replanted along the eastern border of Ivy Hills Park. Mr. Hagstrom showed where a little erosion had occurred in the drainage swale entering the pond. Mr. Hagstrom stated that the top of the ridge on the berm has the possibility of having a loop trail, however he stated the wood chip path that goes up and over the berm is probably too steep and should be removed. Mr. Hagstrom presented his two concept sketches showing where prairie grass and native wildflower areas could be established. Mr. Hagstrom stated that on the north slope of the berm, in the southwest corner of the pond, some trees should be planted to shade the pond as well as having some bushes and shrubs around the concrete skimmers to hide and create a barrier. Mr. Hagstrom stated his concept plan shows approximately 30 percent of the area being naturalized with most of the pond Parks and Recreation Commission March 14, 1995 Page 11 Chair Spicer stated he likes the buffer area between the lawn of the Homeowner's Association of the townhouses labeled the pine area. Chair Spicer stated the space for the Garden Club with the rock retaining wall sounds like a good idea. Commissioner Norton stated she prefers the concept plan that shows the heavier use of native grasses and wildflowers and that this type of low maintenance, natural landscape should be used as much as possible on the steep slopes and around the edge of the pond. She stated the City should be demonstrating more ecologically sound landscaping methods. The Parka and Recreation Commission agreed that most of the pond edge should be prairie grass and native wildflowers with one lawn opening along the north edge of the pond. The Commission agreed that shrub plantings should be used to hide and screen the skimmers and act as a barrier. Commissioner Norton stated that we are trying to educate people about low maintenance landscaping and that she feels a small sign stating this is an environmentally sensitive landscape should be installed. The Commission agreed. Commissioner Liberacki stated that this landscape plan must be integrated with the traditional look of the Ivy Hills neighborhood. Liberacki stated there should be a woody look to this area and he feels that this is how it looked before the pond construction occurred. Commissioner Liberacki stated the other corners at the intersection are also wooded areas. Liberacki stated that he would prefer a backdrop using a woody mix of plant material with some grasses mixed in. Mr. Liberacki stated it may be more appropriate for a woody mix versus a grass mix on the north slope of the berm and that these plant materials would be heartier than wildflowers and native grasses. Commissioner Liberacki stated that this could be referred to as a naturalized landscape plan versus a prairie grass landscape plan. Liberacki stated that he favors fewer grasses and more trees and shrubs. Mr. Hagstrom described what he called the "pitcher's mound" where some manhole covers are, he shows a small prairie garden with bench area. The Parks Commission agreed that using this area as a garden is a good idea. The Parks Commission wanted to minimize the use of stones for retaining walls due to their expense. Chair Spicer indicated that the less lawn and turf to mow, the better. Parks and Recreation Commission March 14, 1995 Page 13 leagues to seniors, women and juniors. Ms. Heinsch stated that the Mendota Heights Par 3 has been very cooperative and will help with any of the administrative details of running this league and keeping scores. Heinsch described the volleyball leagues for this upcoming summer, the nature camp and the fact that a concert in the park with Trisha and the Toons was scheduled for July S. Heinsch stated there were ongoing meetings about some environmental activity programming. Chair Spicer stated the survey done by staff indicated that moat Cities of comparable size in the metro area have one or more full time park and recreation staff people. Spicer stated if the City intended to add more recreational programming, that we are going to need additional supervision and staffing levels. Chair Spicer stated he thinks it is time for the City to have some recreation staff on a full time basis. The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed staffing Levels at different cities and in Mendota Heights. Commissioner Norton moved to recommend that City Council direct staff to begin examination and analysis of a full time position in the recreation department that would enable the City to increase the recreational programming activities in Mendota Heights. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 Chair Spicer stated that he thinks recreation programming could increase through joint programs with neighboring cities. Heinsch stated that currently the winter time activities are the most difficult to program because the City is very limited with gymnasium space and court time or finding indoor space for recreational activities. Commissioner Linnell stated that the City should be first in line to discuss gymnasium space and meeting space with the school district as they are planning their new middle school at the Friendly Hills site. Commissioner Damberg stated that staff should begin talks with ISD No. 197 about using the middle school for recreational programming. Commissioner Norton stated she would like see the City program some type of cross country skiing at the Par 3 in the winter and perhaps this could be done in conjunction with the local school. Norton stated she would like to see more programming that uses the trail system including nature walks for adults with a naturalist. Parks and Recreation Commission March 14, 1995 Page 15 Commission direct staff to do two things: 1) limited advertising for a private operator and 2) contact booster groups in the City such as Sibley Sting, Mendota Heights Athletic Association, the Band Club, St. Thomas, Visitation and St. Josephs, etc., to see what interest level there is in operating this concession stand and that this could be brought back before the Parks Commission at their next meeting for further discussion. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN i / I( v The Parks and Recreation Commission tabled discussion of the Capital Improvement Plan until their April meeting. The Commission directed staff to make this item number 1 on the April agenda so that the Commission can adequately discuss plans in preparation for the 1996 Budget. Commissioner Linnell stated that it appears that Wentworth Park is getting a large share of Capital Improvements for 1995 including possible bridges or culverts, a picnic shelter and some other improvements. Linnell inquired if we should invite the neighborhood in when the Parks and Recreation Commission discuses these improvements. The Parks and Recreation Commission was informed that neighbors in Bridgeview Shores had appeared at the March 7 City Council meeting in opposition of a trail segment that had been included as part of the Mendota Heights/Dodd Road signal project. Batchelder stated that the City Council had desired that the Parks and Recreation Commission consider this item and that notice be provided to the neighborhood for an open house meeting to discuss this trail segment. He stated that this item had been scheduled for April 11, 1995 meeting of the Parks Commission. He stated that the neighbors will be contacted by letter to attend this meeting. The Parks and Recreation Commission provided direction for staff on the order of the agenda to discuss the Capital Improvement Plan, the open house for the Ivy Hills Park discussion and the open house for the Bridgeview Shores trail. Batchelder distributed copies of the approved revised park reservation policy. The Commission discussed the fact that the Mendota Heights Athletic Association had been getting signatures on a petition during their signups for baseball and softball and that they would be petitioning the City to have youth baseball play available at Mendakota Park. The Commission discussed the use of netting and softball versus baseball at Mendakota Park.