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1995-08-03 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda Packet (2)CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION August 3, 1995 - 6:30 P.M. ** 6:30 o'clock p.m. ** 1. Call to Order. 2. Roll Call. 3. Approval of June 13, 1995 Minutes. Approval of July 11, 1995 Minutes. 4. Continued Discussion of Capital Improvements Plan for 1996 Establish Five Year CIP for 1996 - 2000 5. Discuss Pond at Lexington and Marie 6. Consider Request for Reservation of Tennis Courts -Convent of the Visitation 7. Updates * Backstops at Mendakota Park * Ivy Falls Park * North Kensington Park * Trail Stencilling - Rained Out * Fields at Mendota Plaza * Others. 9. Adjourn. Auxiliary aids for disabled persons are available upon request at least 120 hours in advance. )f 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 MINUTES JUNE 13, 1995 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, June 13, 1995, 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, Kleinglass, Libra, Damberg, Liberacki, Norton and Linnell. Also present were Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder and Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander. Guests were Steve Shimek, Volunteer Horticulturalist, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Johnson and Ms. Susan Linnell. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Damberg moved approval of the May 9, 1995 minutes. Commissioner Kleinglass seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 DISCUSSION OF PRIVATE IMPROVEMENTS ON PUBLIC PARK LAND Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder stated that fhe Parks and Recreation Commission had asked staff to investigate private improvements consisting of trail construction and removal of vegetation on City property leading to the pond at the corner of Marie Avenue and Lexington Avenue. Batchelder stated that Parks Project Manager Kullander had looked at the plat maps and determined that the trail is approximately 80' to 100' into the park land which is controlled by the City. He stated that the Code Enforcement Office had sent a notice to the homeowner, Mr. Mike Johnson, of 1085 Bwana Court, informing him that the path was on public property and was possibly in violation of the Wetlands Ordinance. Mr: Johnson's response to the letter from the Code Enforcement Office had been to request an appearance on the Parks and Recreation Commission agenda to discuss this situation. Batchelder stated there are two issues involved in the location of this private ,,, trail. He stated that the trail encroaches onto City property, which is an it 1 wetlands property. Mr. Johnson stated that it is his desire to keep this area wild and that he has planted many wildflowers and other vegetation in this area. Mr. Johnson stated that he is scared that a child could approach the pond in the area of mud left behind by the City crews and that this is more of a dangerous situation than his path. Johnson stated that he is irritated that the path has-been there for five years and that only now when he has added new wood chips has the City contacted him to say that this path is not allowed. .. Commissioner Norton stated that she raised this issue at the last Parks and Recreation Commission meeting due to her concern that private improvements had been made on City property. Mr. Johnson stated that he did not realize it was City property. Commissioner Damberg inquired if it was correct that Mr. Johnson had stated a City inspector had approved this wood chip path. Mr. Johnson stated that Public Works Director Jim Danielson had visited his rear yard at the time he was removing vegetation to construct this trail. Johnson stated the inspector had informed him that it was necessary to keep this area natural. Mr. Johnson stated that he felt wood chips were the most natural pathway material. Chair Spicer stated that what is at issue here is really a legal question regarding wetlands and wetlands permit. Spicer stated it that is the Planning Commission's prerogative and requires an application for a Wetlands Permit. Mr. Johnson inquired what is it that the City wants him to do. Chair Spicer inquired of the Parks and Recreation Commission what they wanted to do about this issue. Spicer stated there are a lot of alternatives for recommendations but he believes there should be two issues that are addressed. Chair Spicer stated the first issue is the use of park or -open space property, controlled by the City, for use as a private pathway. Spicer stated the second issue is a Wetlands Permit issue and is the Planning Commission's prerogative. Commissioner Norton stated she feels there is another issue, that being a liability issue involved in neighborhood children using this path down to a pond on City property. Chair Spicer stated that this may be an attractive nuisance to the area with the children feeding the ducks. Mr. Johnson complained about the dredging of the pond and stated that this project had killed many turtles in this area. inquired if the City was going to be an obstructionist in this improvement process. Mr. Johnson stated that he could have had 300 people attend this meeting to support him and stated that he cleans up trash around this pond every summer. Chair Spicer stated that there is a motion on the table as it relates to the Parks Commission duties regarding a private path on City park property. Commissioner Libra inquired if any fill had occurred in this area other than the placement of wood chips. Commissioner Norton stated that she is also upset about the dredging, but, it will be restored after final grading has been done on this project. Commissioner Norton stated that dredging is not the issue before the Parks and Recreation Commission but that the path is the issue the Commission should be addressing. Norton stated that in her opinion, the path is not a natural state for the wetlands area and that it should not be on public property. Commissioner Libra stated the fifteen feet around City streets is boulevard, however, that is being maintained and mowed by all of the property owners whose front yards go out to the City streets. Commissioner Linnell stated that is a right-of-way vs. an ownership issue. Libra stated that wild natural growth around a pond area does not necessarily look more beautiful than landscaping improvements that could be made by hbmeowners. Libra stated that Copperfield has restrictions around the porid and that they may prove detrimental as the natural growth takes over and restricts everybody's ability to view the pond or access the pond. Batchelder stated that the City's Wetlands Ordinance does not prohibit people from doing landscape projects around wetlands areas, it only requires that they seek a permit in order to do so. Chair Spicer called the vote and asked that the motion be reread. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that Commission Damberg had moved that the path can be maintained until such time as the Wetlands Permit can be sought and obtained. Commissioner Liberacki had seconded the motion. AYES: 5 uzif NAYS: 2, NORTON, LINNELL 5 City's Park Budget or from the Public Works Budget because it was their storm water project that necessitated the need for this. Commissioner Linnell stated that his motion intended that any funding for landscape restoration come from the Storm Water Utility Fund. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 INTRODUCTION OF VOLUNTEER HORTICULTURALIST Chair Spicer introduced Mr. Steven Shimek, of Mendota Heights, who had recently been appointed by the City Council as the City's Volunteer Horticulturalist. Mr. Shimek described his involvement regarding tree inspection and certified landscapers at the time the trees were installed at Mendakota Park. Following this, Mr. Shimek offered his services to the City Council who had accepted him as a Volunteer Horticulturalist. Mr. Shimek stated that he has worked with City staff on providing better tree specifications for our Boulevard Tree Planting Program and other projects that the City is involved in that require tree installation. Shimek stated that he is a Horticultural Consultant and works for the State of Minnesota as a Forester. Mr. Shimek stated that he is a member of the State Shade Tree Advisory Commission and is involved with of the Tree City USA program. Mr. Shimek stated that he had received twelve or thirteen calls since the growing season has begun and that he is concerned that the City is using him to do individual tree inspections for homeowners. Mr. Shimek stated he was under the impression that his volunteer horticultural position was to help the City with tree management issues and policies and that if - homeowners need tree inspections that there are referral businesses that can do that for them. Mr. Shimek discussed how he can help the Parks and Recreation Commission by providing assistance on project bidding and grant money that may be available on a cost share basis for future park projects. Commissioner Liberacki stated he feels this new position is a valuable resource to help the City to deal with forestry issues and policies, however, he agrees with Mr. Shimek that we should not be wasting his time with individual tree forestry advice. Mr. Liberacki stated that he feels that the 7 Batchelder stated that the City Council had also directed staff to begin working with the Mendota Heights Athletic Association and the softball groups to discuss possible baseball use at Mendakota Park and whether the reservation system could be adjusted to allow Mendota Heights youth to play baseball at these fields. Chair Spicer stated that he has had phone calls from Mendota Heights Athletic Association representatives about this issue and that he feels if play is to be expanded at Mendakota Park, perhaps the City should look into installing lights at the park in order to extend the use of those fields. Commissioner Norton was excused at 8:00 o'clock P.M. The Parks and Recreation Commission was of the consensus to schedule trail stenciling for Sunday, June 25th at 10:00 A.M. and directed staff to provide stencils and paint. Commissioner Liberacki volunteered his little red wagon to carry the paint and supplies as the Parks Commission walks the trails and stencils the distance markers. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated that the bids are being prepared for Ivy Hills Park and North Kensington Park. He described the changes in the plan to the Ivy Hills Park Landscape Plan by Mr. Hagstrom at the request of City Council. Parks Project Manager Kullander stated that City Council had approved bidding out the stone work for these two parks separate from the landscape improvements. Batchelder stated that City. Council had forwarded the Parks and Recreation Commission comments on the Dakota County Capital Improvements Plan to Dakota County. Kullander stated that City Council has approved a tennis court resurfacing bid including the patching and sealing of other courts. Kullander stated that Ivy Hills Park and the Mendakota Park basketball courts would receive resurfacing this year. Kullander stated the plan was to resurface Valley Park next year, as -per the Capital Improvements Plan. Commissioner Linnell stated that he is concerned that the adjustments made to the Ivy Hills Park Landscape Plan included too many trees and that this has the potential of harming the wildflower and prairie plantings. Kullander stated that the trees could be put into the bid as add alternates and City Council can determine whether these should be installed at the time bids are received. Commissioner Linnell stated that the Community Education Department has contacted him about their desire to have a member of the City's Parks and 9 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 119 1995 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, July 11, 1995, in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Kleinglass, Damberg, Linnell. Also present was Parks Project Manger Guy Kullander. Dennis Delmont, Police Chief was also present. There being no quorum the commission decided to talk to Kay Fredrickson of Curley Valley View Addition who wanted to talk to the Commission. DISCUSSION OF BASKETBALL COURT IN CURLEYS TOT LOT Kay Fredrickson said she was representing a group of people from Curley Valley View Addition who were excited and in support of a basketball court in Valley View Park (formerly Curleys tot lot). Commissioner Linnell responded that the commission was reviewing the basketball court, but just when it was going to be done needed to be decided. Park Projects Manager Kuffander recommended maybe doing it next summer when street reconstruction could be going on in the area, and it could keep the cost down if done at the same time. The commission assured her that the basketball court was receiving serious consideration and to maintain contact with the commission. DISCUSSION OF VANDALISM IN THE PARKS Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander introduced Police Chief Dennis Dehnont. Chief Delmont passed out a synopsis of calls relating to police calls to the parks (attached). Chief Delmont said he thought there wasn't a serious problem with crime in the parks. In the yearly synopsis the overall picture is 14 calls in one year. There have been a cluster of calls at Mendakota Park and Valley Park. These calls have been mainly for vandalism and five individuals had been charged with vandalism and property damage related to graffiti at Marie Park. Commissioner Damberg said she was at a seminar in another part of town and overheard people talking about Valley Park that people were lighting fires and throwing bunting logs onto dried grass and that some people fear encountering these type of individuals in the parks. soon to place the stones for retaining walls, steps and benches. He also stated they were going ahead with port a poties enclosures in two parks. Also bleacher pads are going to be installed at Kensington Park. He went on to report that they were going to close one of Kensington soccer fields, dig out low points and reseed after the sting soccer season ends in late July. Commissioner Damberg asked when the Five Year 1996-2000 Capital Improvement Plan was due. Parks Project Manager Kullander responded the budget was being worked on now and that the 1996 improvements listed in the draft five year plan included in the agenda packet would be submitted. He suggested that the 1995 project to switch two warming houses, estimated to cost about $6000, be moved to 1996. Since the Commission, in the 1995-1995 five year plan, proposed to construct a shelter and other improvements in Wentworth Park it seemed appropriate that replacing or enlarging the warming house should be done at the same time. He also said that residents, that will attend the open house for comments on the picnic shelter location and improvements, may also have concerns regarding the skating rinks and warming house. The Commissioners present all agreed this was an appropriate suggestion. Parks Project Manager Kulhmder reported that bids to raise the backstops at Mendakota Park would be in on July 13 and presented to Council on July 18. He thought the cost would be $8 to $10,000, Funds would come from the Special Park Fund for this improvement. Commissioner Damberg said she thought $8,000 was expensive. Parks Project Manager Kullander then explained that the extended back stops will stop balls going into the upper deck where foul balls have hit spectators. The existing 16 foot high backstop will be extended ten feet. Commissioner Damberg said she would not be able to attend the August meeting as she will be out of town. There being no quornm, the commission adjourned at 7:15 P.M. Commissioner Libra arrived at T.25 P.M. The meeting was not continued due to lack of a quorum. Commissioner Kieinglass had to leave for another engagement. Respectfully Submitted, Nancy Bauer Administrative Secretary