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1997-06-10 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda Packet (3)CITY OF MENDOitA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION June 10,1997 6:30 p.m. -Large Conference Room 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of the May 13, 1997 Minutes 4. Ivy Falls Land Donation Offer 5. St. Thomas Soccer Field Request 6. Pazk Dedication Fee Increase Proposal 7. Updates • Doyle Land Donation Offer • North Kensington Park • EMF • Parks Report • Police Report (Available Tuesday) 8. Open Space Tour (Please bring amini-van if you have one!) 9. Adjourn Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities 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. This may not, however, 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 MAY 135 1997 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, May 13, 1997, in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:40 PM. ' The following Commissioners were present: Norton Libra, Kleinglass, and Linnell. Chair Spicer and Commissioners Liberacki and Damberg were excused from the meeting. Also present were Recreation Programmer Chris Esser and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister, AGENDA Commissioner Kleinglass moved to place the Ivy Hill Park Donation Offer item first on the agenda after approval of the Minutes, since Mr. Oyen was in attendance at the start of the meeting. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 Commissioner Libra moved to approve the April 8, 1997 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes with no corrections. Commissioner Kleingiass seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 IVY FALLS PARK DONATION OFFER Mr. Ralph Oyen of Ivy Hill Townhouse Association presented a letter to the City of Mendota Heights dated May 2, 1997 stating that at the last meeting of the Association, the members voted to offer to quitclaim Lot F immediately east of Ivy Falls Park to the City for park purposes. Mr. Oyen explained that the property was reserved in 1970 through a restrictive covenant for recreational use for people in that development. Mr. Oyen said that the restrictive covenant would end in the year 2000. Mr. Oyen said that when the townhome development was approved by the City, the land was dedicated as open space for density purposes. Mr. Oyen said that as early as 1980 the Association voted 74% in favor of donating it to the City. Mr. Oyen said that many people already assume it is part of the park and use it in that fashion. Mr. Oyen said that Commissioner Libra moved that recommend that Staff review options, get a title report, and bring this item back to the June meeting. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. Commissioner Norton offered a friendly amendment that Staff research the potential suitable uses for this land. Commissioner Libra accepted the amendment. AYES: NAYS: Commissioner Libra suggested that Mr. Oyen talk to the other associations about donating this land. Mr. Oyen said that he had, and that he had received no response. OPEN SPACE TOUR The Commission decided to postpone the Open Space Tour to a future meeting due to the absence of three Commissioners and the inclement weather. DOYLE PARK DONATION OFFER (810 RIDGE PLACE) Mr. Hollister explained that Mr. John Doyle of 810 Ridge Place had asked about the possibility of subdividing his back lot and offering it to the City as an addition to valley Park for a tax deduction. Mr. Hollister continued that Staff has considered placing this item on the May 20, 1997 agenda of the City Council for discussion, and that before the Council meeting, Staff would like any comments from the Parks Commission. Mr. Hollister also mentioned that the City should consider possible neighborhood opposition to this acquisition, and that some neighborhood notification process would have to occur if this transfer were to take place. Mr. Hollister also mentioned the issues of liability and maintenance. On the positive side, Mr. Hollister said that the parcel would be adjacent to an existing park and may allow the City better access to the sewer easement which runs across the back yard. Mr. Hollister concluded that if the City were to acquire part of this parcel, the City may only want that portion up to the sewer easement. Commissioner Libra said that this land was not very useful to the City. Commissioner Norton asked if the City had a permanent easement for the trail. The Commission asked Staff to return to next month meeting with a new proposal reflecting Commissioner Libra's comments. UPDATES Staff provided updates on the following items: PARAC Meetin¢ Mr. Hollister explained that he and Mr. Esser had attended the Annual PARAC meeting at Camp Sacajawea in Lebanon Hills on May 7, 1997. Mr. Hollister said that various Cities in Dakota County had made presentations about developments in Parks and Recreation. Mr. Esser explained that one of the highlights of the meeting was discussion of the new Fort Snelling State Park Master Plan. Mr. Esser continued that he had served on the committee that drafted the plan. Mr. Esser then gave a brief overview of the major points of the Master Plan, Commissioner Norton asked if the plan included paving bike trails. Mr. Esser responded that some bike trails would be paved. Mr. Esser also offered to make a draft of the plan available to the Commission. Mr. Esser also said that the plan has not yet been officially adopted, but that the adoption was expected to happen soon. Wentworth Park Shelters Mr. Hollister explained that Commissioner Libra had asked Staff to provide plans for the Wentworth Park Shelters. Mr. Hollister provided the plans. Making America Walkable Mr. Hollister explained that this information had been provided to the Parks and Recreation Commission by Engineering Technician Guy Kullander. Parks Report There were no comments on this item. Police Report Mr. Hollister explained that the April Police Report was not yet available. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO one 9, 1997 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission and City Administrator FROM: Patrick C. Hollister, Administrative Assistant SUBJECT: Tilsen Highland Heights Landscaping Discussion At the March 11, 1997 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Mr. Tom Fahey of 979 Caren Road submitted the attached letter to the City of Mendota Heights asking for consideration of landscaping for the City -owned property near his house bounded by Lilac Lane, Caren Road and James Road. The area is currently used by the City for storm water retention. Mr. Fahey listed the following potential designs for this land: 1. a wild flower area, possibly with a path around it 2. an area of evergreens 3. neighbor -maintained flower garden areas 4. other Mr. Fahey had also met with Staff on Thursday, March 6, 1997. Mr. Fahey acknowledged that his neighbors have varying opinions about what would be an appropriate look for this site, with some neighbors preferring wildflowers and prairie grasses, and others preferring a more "formal park" look. Please also note that the Engineering Staff is concerned that the storm water retention capacity of this site not be compromised. Please see the following attached materials: 1. Memo from Guy Kullander dated June 9, 1997 on Caren Road Landscaping 2. Letter from Mr. Fahey to the City dated March 6, 1997 3. GIS map of the immediate vicinity 4. Parks and Recreation Commission minutes from March 11, 1997 5. Parks and Recreation Commission minutes from April 8, 1997 6. Newspaper article: "Couple sue, claim wrongful lawn death" 7. "Prairie by Design" by Patricia A. Taylor 8. Memo from Guy Kullander dated June 9, 1997 regarding Ivy Falls Park This is Not a Park The four city -owned lots at the end of Caren Road are not a park. Staff is concerned about the possible precedent set by an investment in an area like this which would essentially serve the function of a passive "mini -park". The City has traditionally discouraged the creation of such mini -parks or tot -lots because of relatively high maintenance costs. High Vs. Low Maintenance While native plantings advocates claim that after a few years such native areas can look after themselves, Staff is concerned about the cost of maintenance of such an area. The City's recent problems with Ivy Falls Park are testament to the fact that such projects can have less -than -desirable results if the weather does not cooperate. The City's park maintenance crew has to struggle to keep up with maintenance of the City's existing parks and other grounds as it is, and adding the Caren Road site to their duties, whether as a formally groomed area or as a prairie restoration area, would place yet another burden upon them. Nor does our parks crew have expertise in the type of maintenance necessary for a prairie restoration area. Enclosed are two articles which discuss the amount of maintenance required for such plantings. The first article, "Couple sue, claim wrongful lawn death" makes reference to the "years of love and hundreds of hours of weed pulling to build a dream lawn of prairie grasses and wildflowers". The second article, "Prairie by Design", states that "..it takes a perennial stand of native forbs and grasses three to five years to become established..." and sites other maintenance problems. Council Input At the March 11, 1997 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Commission passed a motion requesting that Staff investigate the landscaping possibilities on this site, including a path. Staff is hesitant to invest much time or many resources into the design of this area without prior Council input. Staff suspects that the Council may be less enthusiastic about creating a prairie restoration area at this site than the Parks and Recreation Commission in light of the City's recent experience with Ivy Falls Park. Ivy Falls Park was intended to be a pilot project of sorts for this type of landscaping, and so far the results have been less than stellar. (Please see the attached Memo from Guy Kullander dated June 9, 1997 regarding Ivy Falls Park, Prairie Restorations reports that the lack of moisture accounts for most of the problems there.) Recommendation Staff suggests that the Parks and Recreation Commission make a recommendation to the City Council to direct Staff to investigate the possibility of a native plantings restoration area on this site. In their recommendation, the Commission should be as specific as possible about the following parameters which the Commission would like to see incorporated on this site: CAREN ROAD LANDSCAPING POSSIBLE PARAMETERS A) General Landscape Elements 1. Tree Removals 2. Construction of a Pathway 3. Regrading 4. Planting of Native Trees, Grasses, and Wildflowers 5. Fence 6. Signage B) A funding source 1. Special Pazk Fund 2. Storm Water Utility Fund 3. General Fund 4. Special Assessments as part of Tilsen Street Reconstruction 5. Use of neighborhood volunteer labor? 6. Use of community service labor? 7. Other? C) Upper expenditure limit in dollars. D) Other factors: 1. Who should do the design (Staff, Consultant, etc.)? 2. Process for soliciting input from neighbors. Action Required Discuss the attached materials. If the Parks and Recreation Commission feels that Staff time and resources would be well spent on a design and cost estimates for this area, the Commission should pass a motion recommending that Council direct Staff to go forward with this project. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS II � June 9. 1997 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager x� SUBJECT: Landscape Improvements to City Parcel Bounded by Lilac Lane, Caren Road and James Road The Commission has expressed a desire to make improvements to this parcel, originally dedicated to the City for storm water ponding, which would consist of tree removals, construction of a pathway, regrading and planting of native trees, grasses and wildflowers As part of the Tilsen's Street Reconstruction Project all disturbed areas behind the new curb will be restored with topsoil and seed (sod in front of residences). Any additional landscape improvements on the City owned parcel, and their cost must be approved by the City Council. Funding for landscape improvements could come from several sources: Special Park Fund, Storm Water Utility Fund, General Fund or through special assessments which are part of the funding for the Street Reconstruction Project, RECOMMENDATION: The Commission should prepare an overview of the desired landscape improvements, indicating the benefit to the neighborhood, recommend a funding source, neighborhood involvement input, estimated budget, and if a design professional should be engaged by the City. This overview should be presented to the City Council for consideration before proceeding further. Pat Hollister, Assist, City Admin. City Of Mendota Heights Park Commission 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, MN 55118 06 March 1947 Dear Mr. Hollister: I am a resident of Mendota Heights and live at 974 Caren Road. e I am wrng regarding the four lots owned by the city across the street from our home. They are bounded on the east by Lilac Lane, on the north by Caren Road and on the west by lames Road. Over the years there has been time and money invested by individual neighbors in the area. The Dambergs have attempted to grow perennial wild flowers across the street from their home. Untimely cutting of the growth by the city has hindered their effort. The Todds and Berghs have planted a couple perennial domesticated flower gardens across the street from Caren Court. They cut the grass around these flower gardens throughout the summer. I have purchased evergreens from the city's boulevard tree program and had their planted across the street from our home. As you can see there is a significant amount of neighbor interest in beautifying the area and I am sure those efforts will continue. I would like to propose that the city invest some money in this Land. Potential ideas include: *Wild flower area *Path around the wild flower area *Area of evergreens *Neighbor maintained flower garden areas remain These ideas mentioned above and other ideas naturallywouldneed to be finalized jointly by the interested local residents and the Park Board. Since the city will be working in the neighborhood this summer on the street project, this would be an opportune time to also do something with this city owned land at the same time that the street work is done. I just learned that there is a Park Commission meeting next Tues. 11 March. I would like to request that this issue be included as a agenda item_ Sincerely, Tom 111 CC Neighbors: James, Schuster, Skadron, Bergh, I-IeAinann, Todd, Larson, Damberg, Stockton, Frisch. HMZk:05 Fn Idcr Tom/rilc Park doc S TILSEN'S HIGHLAND HEIGHTS N ~ 7 �r �ytMCiOiC�'cRVE f9i 0 Oil, • u Enov Im Cw �ytMCiOiC�'cRVE f9i 0 Oil, • u Enov Im Cw CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MARCH 11, 1997 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, March 11, 1997, in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:40 PM. The following Commissioners were present: Spicer, Libra, Kleinglass, Linnell, Damberg, Liberacki. Commissioner Norton was excused from the meeting. Also present were Recreation Programmer Chris Esser and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister, APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 11 PARK AND RECREATION MINUTES Commissioner Kleinglass moved to approve the February 11, 1997 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes with corrections. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: TILSEN'S HIGHLAND HEIGHTS LANDSCAPING Mr. Tom Fahey of 979 Caren Road presented a letter to the Parks and Recreation Commission asking for consideration of landscaping on the City -owned property bounded by Caren Road. Mr. Fahey explained that he had distributed this letter to about a dozen of his neighbors and that conversations with those neighbors had revealed many differing views of what appropriate landscaping would be on this site. Mr. Fahey said that he is interested in building consensus among his neighbors as to what would be appropriate on this site and then approaching the City Council for approval and funding. Mr. Fahey added that his house looks directly upon the site and that currently there are all deciduous trees there, but that some variety of trees would be preferable. Mr. Fahey added that various neighbors on their own initiative had put plantings on the site. Commissioner Damberg said that as a resident of the area, she would like to "recuse" herself from voting on the issue but would like to contribute to the conversation about the area as a resident, not as a Commissioner. Ms. Damberg said a long time ago there were nice trees on the site but that Dutch Elm disease had killed them. Ms. Damberg continued that now there is mostly brush, but it used to be a meadow with wildflowers and monarch butterflies. Ms. Damberg added that just when the flowers begin to bloom, the City's contractor ruthlessly wipes them out. Ms. Damberg said that this site is one of those areas where the City should emphasize wild areas, and that neighbors should be involved in the decision. Ms. Damberg acknowledged that some neighbors would prefer a more formal park approach. Ms. Damberg concluded that landscaping on this site should be done after the roads are done. Mr. Fahey said that with the road project scheduled for this summer, now would be the ideal timing for a decision on this landscaping. Mr. Fahey added that the fence on the site is currently in disrepair. Chairman Spicer said that the Parks and Recreation Commission is a purely advisory body, and that they were at the mercy of the Council's and Staff s priorities and schedules. Commissioner Kleinglass said that Mr. Kullander should research what could be done at this site. Chairman Spicer said that he thought the Council would probably approve whatever the neighbors desired on the site if it didn't interfere with the storm water needs of the site and it didn't cost very much. Chairman Spicer asked for a motion. Commissioner Kleinglass moved to recommend that Staff investigate the landscaping possibilities on this site. Commissioner Liberacki seconded the motion. Commissioner Damberg wished to add an amendment to Commissioner Kleinglass' recommendation that the City also consider a path. The Commissioners Kleinglass and Liberacki accepted this friendly amendment. AYES: 5 (Damberg Recused) NAYS: 0 Commissioner Liberacki asked if someone from the Landscape Architecture program at the University of Minnesota could create the plan for this area. Commissioner Linnell said that the site is probably too small to interest the Landscape Architecture school, but that perhaps a horticulturist from the University would be interested. Commissioner Linnell added that although he himself could contribute some ideas, he didn't have time to create a plan. Mr. Fahey said that he would like to be involved in the planning process for this site. Commissioner Spicer said that nothing would be done without neighbors' input, and that the City would put a plan together, meet with the neighbors, and then send it to the City Council for approval and funding. Mr. Fahey said that he had talked to the Engineering Department about traffic, road realignment, and drainage. Commissioner Libra said that Staff could provide some guidelines and/or recommendations on whether or not this area should be left natural and allowed to "run wild", and whether or not to involve a neighborhood group. Libra added that the private contractor hired by the Public Works department to mow street boulevards cut the brush and the wildflowers, and that the City should have a policy on such matters. Commissioner Liberacki asked what the feeling was among the neighbors about the site. Mr. Fahey said that preferences varied widely. Mr. Fahey added that the Todds and Bergs had done plantings, and that the northeast parcel within Lilydale was a commercial tree farming operation. Mr. Fahey added that he has had three trees planted on the site through the City's Boulevard Tree Program and that two of them had died. Commissioner Liberacki said that this landscaping should be a Public Works responsibility and that the Special Parks Fund should not be used for this purpose. Commissioner Liberacki continued it is important for the City to set a good example by keeping its own property clean and attractive while it reminds residents to keep their yards clean. SIBLEY JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT Mr. Esser presented a copy of the Joint Powers Agreement with ISD 197 to clarify the Commission's concerns regarding the scheduling of the Sibley baseball complex. Commissioner Libra asked if `organized youth programs in Mendota Heights' refer to only City programs. Mr. Esser said that it was his interpretation that MHAA programs were included in this category kCategory 1). Chairman Spicer said that Sting and Fast Pitch would also fall into Category 1. Chairman Spicer added that this applies to organized youth programs, not individual teams. Commissioner Linnell said that MHAA may be doing a blanket reservation of all fields whether they use them each day or not. Chairman Spicer said that baseball uses the Sibley field heavily, but that the other two fields were underused. Commissioner Damberg asked why the West Saint Paul VFW was on the list of organizations using Sibley fields. Commissioner Liberacki said that he disagreed with what he perceived to be the prevailing philosophy among his fellow Commissioners, that anything of natural or scenic value should be publicly owned. Commissioner Liberacki said that due to a combination of environmental regulations and a landowner's own incentives to preserve the beauty of a given site, in general those views which we value in the City would be preserved. Commissioner Liberacki continued that rather than use limited government funds to buy land to prevent trees from being cut down, it would be better to use the funds for park land that was visible, accessible, and usable. Commissioner Linnell said that there should be an overlook at Acacia with a plaque explaining the history of Pilot Knob. Commissioner Linnell said that the Foss land would be good for an extension of the Park and Trail system and could be compatible with Single Family Home construction. Commissioner Libra said that the Resun•ection Cemetery land would be good for a park and picnic area. Commissioner Liberacki said that when Resurrection develops, the City should get the 10% dedication in land and hook up a trail around the lake. Commissioner Norton agreed with Commissioner Liberacki. Commissioner Linnell suggested that at the next meeting the Commission take two cars or a van and do a tour of these sites. Commissioner Linnell offered to talk to Mr. Slowinski to try to get permission to walk his property during the tour. UPDATES Mr. Hollister provided updates on the following items. Caren Road Detention Pond Commissioner Damberg said that the ponding area of Caren Road should be enhanced by replacing some of the plantings. Commissioner Damberg suggested putting up signs saying "Wild Flower Restoration Area." Commissioner Damberg also requested that Mr. Kullander make an on -site visit and talk to the neighbors. Commissioner Linnell offered to come to that meeting if it could be arranged. Commissioner Liberacki suggested that the Caren Road ponding area be included in next month's open space tour. - Commissioner Damberg said that the City should pay more attention to the appearance of its older neighborhoods. Commissioner Libra said that some of the project money for the Tilsen reconstruction should be used to replace trees and put up signage for the wild area at the Caren Road site. North Kensington Park Commissioner Linnell said that he thought he had reached a compromise with Councilmember Smith about North Kensington Park, and that Mr. Kullander would be presenting his revised plan to both of them before bringing it to Council for approval. Commissioner Norton said that she knows of anon -profit organization that runs seminazs for homeowners on the advantages of native plantings in their yards which would reduce the need for fertilizer and pesticides and would be good for water quality, as well as give their yards a more natural appearance. Commissioner Norton said that this approach should also be taken for the public land around City Hall, Wentworth Picnic Shelters Commissioner Libra said that he would like to see specific plans for the Wentworth park shelters. Wentworth Park Warming House Commissioner Libra said that he wanted a Staff review, cost parameters and a capital budget review for warming houses. Commissioner Libra asked staff to identify locations in the City where new warming houses should be built. Commissioner Norton said that Mr. Kullander should build a new multimulti- purpose shelter for summer programs. Commissioner Liberacki said that continuity of architecture was important, and that the new shelter should resemble the existing shelters. Commissioner Liberacki recommended a pre-fab building on a poured slab with garage -type doors around it that could be rolled up for summer programs. Dakota County CIP Commissioner Liberacki said that he was disappointed that in the most recent Dakota County CIP there was no reference to road widening or trails apart from the NURT trail and the Big Rivers Trail. Commissioner Liberacki asked Staff to inquire as to why that was the case. Commissioner Liberacki said that roadways are in the 5-year plan, but not widening shoulders. 0 "°r '.} N 4 p R 2 aIN 17 IN r+y INN If dIN N 4 I IN - IN 11 d FT N J :; k IN IN I- ww &fir NN IN,.x- f m t ArairiP by UPS R 1 di A�F14 40 a ing time —prairies are not known for spring splendor. "Then came the hard part," Harper -Lore relates. --"Patience!" While she had routinely told clients that it ekes a perennial stand of native forbs and grasses three to five years to become established, she had never fully comprehended how long this was until she planted her own prairie. What made it particularly dif- ficult for her was that her front yard represented a public display of her private credo. She wanted it to be absolutely wonderful, and it was not. One hurdle to early beauty was Harper -Lore's strict adherence to her stance of using only regional native plants. "There's just one annual native to eastern Minnesota," she explains. "It's called partridge pear (Cassia fasciculata), and its deep yellow flowers are in bloom from July to frost. While it would have been absolutely great in my front yard, I could not find a commercial source." And then there were the grasses, her major design component. "For some reason," she admits, "they did not establish themselves as anticipated. I planted at the standard rate of 7 to 10 pounds per acre in the month of June, a perfect time for a Midwest prairie planting." It is the only instance in her years of prairie plantings that grasses did not become quickly established. Had they done so, they would have quickly crowded out any annual weeds. As it was, the weeds won. So, she and her husband got down on their knees and started pulling. Though they were keeping the garden neat for neighborhood appearance, they were not iemonstrating that it required low maintenance. And, i a vicious circle, the hand weeding only loosened the soil enough for perennial weeds to gain a foothold. High mowing can often discourage this, and Harper - Lore thinks she should have used this maintenance tool more often. To remedy the sparseness of seed -sprouting grasses, Harper -Lore bought flats of little bluestem and prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis), an elegant grass with thick sprays of summer green that mature in beautiful fountains of rich rust -brown in autumn. These seedling grasses have settled in without any problems. And, of course, should Harper -Lore inspect such a creation, she would never be as critical of the results as she initially was of hers. Even that first year, when she wanted —unreasonably, as she inwardly knew —a full- grown prairie to appear, color, variety, and all -season interest were all there. By the third year her neighbors had started asking for a transplant or two to decorate their own monochromatic lawns. And now, it its fifth year, Bonnie Harper -Lore has finally "walked the walk." She has a front yard filled with the beauty, color, and foliage form and contrast of her beloved native plants. !� Patricia Taylor of Princeton, New Jersey, is the author of Easy Care Native Plants. She will be a featured speaker at the Specialty Gardens Seminar on April 5 in the Twin ties. irom Easy Care Native Plants by Patricia Taylor, copyright 1996 by Patricia Taylor. Reprinted by permission of Henry Halt & Co. Inc. The book can be ordered by calling 1(800)488-5233. It is also available at major bookstores. Prairie Plants for Front Yards Following is an easy -care selec- tion of plants that Bonnie Harper -Lore used in her front yard. "In terms of ease of estab- lishment, relatively long bloom, and wonderful, colorful splash- es;' she writes, "these are among my favorites." With these plants you can have color and interest from spring through fall. PERENNIALS Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) Br ght orange flowers in summer and striking seed pods in September Smooth Aster (Aster /nem's) White through lavender flowers in late summer and fall Flowering Spurge (Euphorbia corollata) Sprays of wMte flow -summer nto fall Prairie Smoke (Geum MflaMM) Rose -red flowers n spring and silver- p nk seed plumes Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis) Spires of blue flowers in spring Kansas Gay -feather (Liatris pycnostachya) Spikes of purple flowers in In summer Prairie Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) Yellow flow- ers n mid- summer Stiff Gol Yell denrod (Solidago rigida) ow flowers late summer into fall Golden Alexander (Zizea aurea) Yellow flow- ers in spring GROUNDCOVER Prairie Phlox (Phlox pilosa) Reddish purple flowers in late spring GRASSES Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) Blue to green stalks that turn brilliant red to orange in fall Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) Spraying mounds of emerald green leaves that turn orange - in fall and a rich rust -brown n winter P.T. iWrMESOTA HORTICULTURIST February 1997 23 Monday, June 9th Memo to: Jim Danielson From: Guy Kullander Subject: Ivy Hills Park -Native Plantings (grasses & wildflowers) I talked with Mike xiltner of Prairie Restorations. He visited the park last Friday and reports the following: 1. flowers are coming up nicely 2. grasses are showing signs of germination, but should be better 3* weeds are not a major item, but could become one if not addressed soon 4e lack of moisture is the cause for the lack of plant development. I told him I would contact him on Tuesday to arrange a meeting with him, you and myself. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO June 6, 1997 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Patrick C. Hollister, Administrative Assistant SUBJECT: Park Dedication Fee Increase Discussion At the May 13, 1997 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Staff presented a Park Inventory and summarized the current Park Dedication Policy. Staff also proposed a Resolution that would increase the fee for residential lots from $750 to $900, assuming an average of 3% inflation rate for each year from 1991 to 1997. Commissioner Libra said that rather than merely adjust the fee for inflation the City should rewrite the fee policy so that the fee was due at the time of building permit issuance and was charged on a per unit basis, rather than collecting the fee at the time of subdivision on a per lot basis. Commissioner Libra felt that this would be the best way for the City to ensure that it collected the proper amount from the construction of housing units such as apartments, townhomes and duplexes. The Commission asked Staff to return to next month's meeting with a new proposal reflecting Commissioner Libra's comments. Statutory Authority Section 462.358 Subd. 2b of the 1996 Minnesota Statutes reads in part as follows: In addition, the regulations may require that a reasonable portion of any proposed subdivision be dedicated to the public or preserved for conservation purposes or for public use as parks, recreational facilities as defined and outlined in section 471.191, playgrounds, trails, wetlands, or open space; provided that (a) the municipality may choose to accept an equivalent amount in cash from the applicant for part or all of the portion required to be dedicated to such public uses or purposes based on the fair market value of the land no later than at the time of final approval, (b) any cash payments received shall be placed in a special fund by the municipality used only for the purposes for which the money was obtained, (c) in establishing the reasonable portion to be dedicated, the regulations may consider the open space, park, recreational, or common areas and facilities which the applicant proposes to reserve for the subdivision, and (d) the municipality CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. 97- RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 80-169 ESTABLISHING A PARK CONTRIBUTION FORMULA WHEREAS, pursuant to Minnesota 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 „la#ing or ~e„'a"i„g of leaa receipt of building permits; 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, which ever 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 FURTHER RESOLVED that the following park contribution formula shall apply to all requests for „' .:„rt ~e„„g ~ aa.,: " ~ c em..,...,.'ats building eD rmits for which a cash contribution is deemed appropriate by the City Council: a. Property owner or developer shall contribute a minimum of � $900 for each residential let unit created as a result of building permit approval; and b. Cash contributions in the case of commercial/industrial ^'a*s, -e„'a*s or lot di�isiens building permits shall be at least ten percent of fair market value of the gross area created as a result of the plat, replat, or lot division; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the contribution shall be payable upon approval of the „'�', ~�„'�' �~'„' a:..:..a„„ building permit or in a manner as outlined i� he Subdivision Ordin .„,.o elsewhere in City Ordinances. 833 HOUSING, ItEDEVELOPNIIIV'$ PLANNING,.ZONING 462358 constructed or installed according to the spec: itications of the municipality. Sections 471.345 and 574.26 do not apply to improvements made by a subdivider or a subdivider's contractor. The regulations may permit the municipality to condition its approval on compliance with other requirements reasonably related to the provisions of the regulations and to execute development contracts embodying the terms and conditions of approval. The municipality may enforce such agreements and conditions by appropriate legal and equitable remedies. Subd. 2b. Dedication. The regulations may require that a reasonable portion of any pro- posed subdivision be dedicated to the public or preserved for public use as streets, roads, sewers, electric, gas, and water facilities, storm water drainage and holding areas or ponds and similar utilities and improvements. In addition, the regulations may require that a reasonable portion of any proposed sub- division be dedicated to the public or preserved for conservation purposes or for public use as parks, recreational facilities as defined and outlined in section 471.191, playgrounds, trails, wetlands, or open space; provided that (a) the municipality may choose to accept an equiva- lent amount in cash from the applicant for part or all of the portion required to be dedicated to such public uses or purposes based on the fair market value of the land no later than at the time of final approval, (b) any cash payments received shall be placed in a special fund by the mu- nicipality used only for the purposes for which the money was obtained, (c) in establishing the reasonable portion to be dedicated, the regulations may consider the open space, park, recreational, or common areas and facilities which the applicant proposes to reserve for the subdivision, and (d) the municipality reasonably determines that it will need to acquire that portion of land for the purposes stated in this paragraph as a result of approval of the subdivi- sion. Subd. 3. [Repealed, 1980 c 566 s 35] Subd. 3a. Platting. The regulations may require that any subdivision creating parcels, tracts, or lots, shall be platted. The regulations shall require that all subdivisions which create five or more lots or parcels which are 2-1/2 acres or less in size shall be platted. The regula- tions shall not conflict with the provisions of chapter 505 but may address subjects similar and additional to those in that chapter. Subd. 3b. Review procedures. The regulations shall include provisions regarding the content of applications for proposed subdivisions, the preliminary and final review and ap- proval or disapproval of applications, and the coordination of such reviews with affected political subdivisions and state agencies. The regulations may provide for the consolidation of the preliminary and final review and approval or disapproval of subdivisions. Preliminary or final approval may be granted or denied for parts of subdivision applications. The regula- tions may delegate the authority to review proposals to the planning commission, but final approval or disapproval shall be the decision of the goveming body of the municipality un- less otherwise provided by law or charter. The regulations shall require that a public hearing shall be held on all subdivision applications prior to preliminary approval, unless otherwise provided by law or charter. The hearing shall be held following publication of notice of the time and place thereof in the official newspaper at least ten days before the day of the hearing. At the hearing, all persons interested shall be given an opportunity to make presentations. A subdivision application shall be preliminarily approved or disapproved within 120 days fol- lowing delivery of an application completed in compliance with the municipal ordinance by the applicant to the municipality, unless an extension of the review period has been agreed to by the applicant. When a division or subdivision to which the regulations of the municipality do not apply is presented to the city, the clerk of the municipality shall within ten days certify that the subdivision regulations of the municipality do not apply to the particular division. If the municipality or the responsible agency of the municipality fails to preliminarily approve or disapprove an application within the review period, the application shall be deemed preliminarily approved, and upon demand the municipality shall execute a certifi- cate to that effect. Following preliminary approval the applicant may request final approval by the municipality, and upon such request the municipality shall certify final approval with- in 60 days if the applicant has complied with all conditions and requirements of applicable regulations and all conditions and requirements upon which the preliminary approval is ex- pressly conditioned either through performance or the execution of appropriate agreements CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMORANDUM TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Chris Esser, Recreation Programmer RE: St. Thomas Soccer Field Request DATE: June 5, 1997 Jack Zahr from St. Thomas Academy has requested the use of the Kensington soccer fields for the junior varsity team to practice on this fall. His request is to use the soccer fields at Kensington Park, Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The team will start practicing approximately August 18 and continue through October 3. The Mendota Heights Athletic Association has already supplied me with preliminary fall schedules and these requested dates and times will not conflict with their schedule. Staff s concern is that the extra user group of St. Thomas Academy will greatly impact the condition of the fields and cause accelerated deterioration. ACTION REQUIRED Recommend approval or denial of the St. Thomas request for the use of Kensington soccer fields for their fall season. ACTIVITY REPORT - MENDOTA HGTS PARKS Reporting Period: 04/01/97 to 04/30/97 INS )ENTS: DATE TIME LOCATION CASE NUMBER 04/01/97 23:06 MARIE PARK 97000964 DESCRIPTION: PROP DAMAGE TRESPASS MS PRIVATE UNK DATE TIME LOCATION 04/15/97 21:46 SCENIC OVERLOOK DESCRIPTION: MISC PUBLIC -ALL OTHER DATE TIME 04/16/97 9:52 DESCRIPTION DATE TIME 04 O/97 16:14 DESCRIPTION DATE TIME 04/30/97 23:31 DESCRIPTION LOCATION VALLEY PARK FOUND PROPERTY CASE NUMBER 97001161 CASE NUMBER 97001165 LOCATION CASE NUMBER ------------------- MENDAKOTA PARK. 97001214 THEFT $200 LESS MS FRM MOTOR VEHICLE OTH PROP LOCATION SCENIC OVERLOOK CONSUMPTION AGE 18-21 DATE TIME LOCATION 04/09/97 18:08 MENDOTA PARK DESCRIPTION: ANIMAL-DOMESTIC/LOOSE DATE TIME LOCATION 04/05/97 13:34 VALLEY PARK DESCRIPTION: ANIMAL-DOMESTIC/LOOSE iE TIME LOCATION ? 04/03/97 17:52 KENSINGTON PARK DESCRIPTION: OTHER PARKING COMPLAINTS CASE NUMBER 97001336 CASE NUMBER 97001103 CASE NUMBER 97001040 CASE NUMBER 97001023 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO June 6, 1997 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Terry Blum, Parks Leadperson SUBJECT: Parks Report for May 1. Plant donated trees at Wentworth and Hagstrom-King Parks. 2. Install extra base anchors at Mendakota for John Norton's (MHAA) 13 year old baseball teams. 3. Finish sweeping parks, City Hall and Fire Hall. 4. Aerate ballfields and soccer field at Mendakota Park and top dress all fields at Mendakota Park. 5. Fertilize ball and soccer fields and apply crabgrass prevention. 6. Install soccer net at Kensington and Mendakota Parks, 7. Haul wood chips to Kensington Park. 8. Prep fields for MHAA In -House tournament. 9. General maintenance (cutting grass, dragging ballfields daily, striping fields, etc.) TB: kkb CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS 1f-%I �U C17 June 6, 1997 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission and City Administrator FROM: Patrick C. Hollister, Administrative Assistant SUBJECT: Potential Pazk/Open Space Tour Discussion At the Apri18, 1997 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Commission asked Staff to schedule a tour of the "short list" sites for potential park/open space acquisition for the May 13, 1997 meeting. At the meeting on May 13, the Commission decided to postpone the Open Space Tour to a future meeting due to the absence of three Commissioners and the inclement weather. Staff has placed the Open Space Tour on the agenda for June 1 Q 1997 in anticipation of better weather. Staff requests that those Commissioners who have a mini -van or similar vehicle bring it to the June 10 meeting if possible. The following sites are scheduled for the Open Space Tour in the following order. (Please see attached map.) 1. Resurrection Cemetery "Break Off' Area 2. Acacia Area TIF Acquired Property 3. Acacia property north of Acacia Boulevard 4. Tousignant Property off Mendota Heights Road 5. Visitation Convent Property 6. Doyle (810 Ridge Place) 7. Foss Homestead by Wentworth Park 8. Slowinski Property 9. (Caren Road Site) Staff estimates that the above tour will traverse 13.5 miles and take at least 1.5 hours, assuming that only 5 minutes of discussion occurs at each venue. Please note that Staff has neither sought nor received permission from any landowner to walk on their property. Action Required Assuming the weather is hospitable, take the above tour and discuss these parcels. =I� Fo zz cm wlwzt FFM RV IF IT VAX r � - IFF IF IFFIF.. y.rI IF CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO June 6, 1997 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission and City Administrator FROM: Patrick C. Hollister, Administrative Assistant SUBJECT: Ivy Falls Land Donation Offer Discussion At the May 13, 1997 meeting of the Pazks and Recreation Commission, Mr. Ralph Oyen of Ivy Hill Townhouse Association presented a letter to the City of Mendota Heights dated May 2, 1997 stating that at the last meeting of the Association, the members voted to offer to quitclaim Lot F immediately east of Ivy Falls Park to the City for park purposes. The property was reserved in 1970 through a restrictive covenant for recreational use for people in that development. The restrictive covenant will end in the year 2000. When the townhome development was approved by the City, Lot G was dedicated to the City as Ivy Hill Park and Lot F was dedicated as recreational open space (i.e., a golf course) for density purposes. According to Mr. Oyen, all four Associations were supposed to jointly own Lot F, but officially the Ivy Hill Townhouse Association owns the land. The Ivy Hill Townhouse Association currently pays 35/84ths of the taxes for this land, and the other three Associations reimburse the Ivy Hill Townhouse Association for their share. According to Mr. Oyen, the condominium association has mixed emotions about donating this land. Mr. Oyen says that some of his neighbors might object to an active use such as a soccer facility on the land but that the majority of the neighbors would not object. At the May 13, 1997 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Commission passed a motion requesting that Staff pursue this title report and find out which Associations may be required to join in the deed, research the potential suitable uses for this land, and bring this item back to the June meeting. Engineering Technician Guy Kullander feels that the land is too small for a youth ballfield, but could accommodate a soccer field (please see the attached map.) Ivy Park is illustrated in the light shading and the darker shading is the "open Space" are of the townhomes property. Acquiring this "open" area for the park could allow the construction of a youth soccer or softball field. The existing park is 9 acres, and the open space is 2.7 acres. DRG 1i 8 CITY OF MEiVDOTA HE3GtlTS PARTIALLY DEVELOPED AND 1101 Victoria Curve UNDEVELOPED LAND OVER GK Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55118 • (612) 452-1850 oNE ACRE IN SIZE 11 /96 �'Pa'$<=� �t{s`��r - "'! �� fix.: z:".� .� :�; V.a r ,� �. �.:r ,��.l,�r. ws s� v; , e � ... i • L � � .�. �0 � � �� •- •- _ �'� 'l' . � � � .- • I. 1996 PROPERTY TAX STATEMENT �"HOI1lIAS Ve NOVAS ' DAKOTA COUNTY TREASURER -AUDITOR 1590 HIGHWAY 55 WEST, HASTINGS, MN 55033-2392 PROPERTY IOENTIFiCAT10N -- SCHOOL 01ST. W5 L 27 17850 650 00 197 L 2N0 HALFIPMiaDUE NOV TS NO J:L•1'.'R:IiA::.L`.L3�'11y.TN JAN. 2. 1995 OR DEC. : CCU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR ONE OR EVEN TWO NO �ENNDS TO REDUCE YOUR PROPERTY TA%.,,,.,,,.,,�,,,,,,,,,--,,,.,.-,--,,.,,.... ,,,,..,,, �:S PROPERTY DESCRIPTION MAY NOT BE A FULL :ESCAIPTION. IT IS USED ONLY FOP TAX PURPOSES. "CLAPP-THOMSSEN IVY HILL OUTLOT F 'P IVY HILL TOWNHOUSE OWN ASSN R O :O P N 575 MAPLE PARK DR 50,800 55,900 N/A . 00 usE T Nis AMouNT oN FORM ri+ Pa ra 1 sEF rc rovRE euc reEe .00 Ci�lEcl(E�D.rWROWEOREIJN�0UET1ri�Es oAN�TAPESHOiEWI�. 2 SPECIALSPROPERP%�NX FEFUNO ON SONEOULE I OF FORM A41 PR OO • YOUR PROPERtt TAX AFTER 6 DEDUCTION SY STATE�PAID AIDS 1,364.78 1,453.34 PROPERTY CLASSES) NEW IMPROVEMENTS - ESTIMATED MARKET VALUE Cj O, 8Q0 55,900 TA%ABLE MARKET VAWE 50,800 55,900 USE MSAMdMFCN FCiAI LLt Ri TO SEErc TpINEEUGBfE FORA •.. 1. � 6CHEO®.. O O YPW Q�A4�TOSYgUSIrT AlAAPENDT5T14 . USETHIS AMOUNT FOR TKE 2 SPECIAL PROPERTY F pM 1-t • OO PR ' YOUR PRCPEAiYTpX BEFOFlE $ QED �EYsrATE-PAmaos 1,492.70.I 1,564.41 4 YOUR NOPERT SOA% 127 • 92 111 • O7 TO REDUCE CREDfiS PAID 8Y THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO REDUCE YOUR PROPERTY TAX 0. KCAIESTEADANO AGRX;ULTURAL - OO OO TOTAL TAX ON RENTAL PORTION OF PPOPERTY 5 B.007H�CRE7111S _:_ __ - - . OO • OO YWPPROPERtt TAX AFTER 6pNDUPOrtBYSTATE�PAIDA10.5 1,364.78 1,453.34 .OD _, E E R R Y SAINT PAUL MN 55118-1837 'N T 'A A X M E A v o ''F R IVY HILL TOWNHOUSE OWN ASSN 575 MAPLE PARK DR SAINT PAUL MN 55118-1837 `' ATO � THOMAS V. NOVAK TREASURER AUOrtOR • • , • � • • _ � •' • •. , PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION (..5 ois�r L I Wrs I LOAN CODE I sow 27 17850 650 00 197 L NO 7 couNry 326.96 342.42 BcrtYORTowN 239.29 251.84 S(]1001.DST111CT . .�_ 130.77 127.70 9 AIXCFSSLEVYPEFEREHDA TAX .. eRDue+D+GSDaaTAz .... _ 632.83 _ _ .._._ 665.70 10 47.46 57.39 AMEDiOPOUTANSPECi�A1RICT5 TAXING DISTRICTS 7 47 8 29 B� TAXING , . OISTPIC:SECUL • OO .O O C. TA%INCPEMENi D. FlSLAL OISPANRY . O O . O O 11 EFiE �s��� - .00 .00 12SEFORESPECIALASSESSMEMS 1,364.78 1,453.34 SPECULASSE55MEM5 13 INiEPESi AoosoTowls PROPERTY TPX BILL PRINCIPAL .00 .00 145PEC1ALASSESSMEM TAxaHD 1,364.78 1,453.34 � � s 726.67 � � �' � - 726.67 o- o �. � — --------------------------------------------------- PATo LE THOMAS V. NOVAK TREASURER-AUDROR ��PROPEATY IDEN7IFCATION ��� �WS �'.- LOAN CODE.' NETEAc I 27 17850 650 00 197 L NO LARri:v _IIOFFMAN, DALY L�4 LiNDGREN, Le m. ATTORNEYS AT LAW SOO NORTHWESTERN FINANCIAL CENTER 7900 XERXES AVENUE SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS. MINNESOTA SS431 TELEPHONE 16121 53S-3600 a]2a 10S CENTER MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA SS402 TELEPHONE 16121835-3900 April 27, 1981 1101 CONNECiIC UT AVENUE, W. WASHINGTON, O. C.20036 T ELEPHONE(202) 223-9396 Mr. Steve Tollison COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT COMPANY 6400 Flying Cloud Drive Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344 Re: Ivy Hill Association Our File No. 9913-00 Dear Steve: CRT B. WHITLOCK SAMUEL4.STERN CRT T. MONTAGUK, JR.Y MILES S. M60ELL HARD A. FORSCHLER OF COUNSCL HAS P. STOLTMAN LINN J. FIRESTONE I enclose for your file a copy of the recorded set of Restrictive Covenants affecting Ivy Hills and adjacent property. As we discussed at the meeting last week, Lot F has been dedicated for private recreational use for the benefit of the Ivy Hill Town Houses residents (and any other additional re- sidential units erected on the land described in paragraph 1) for a period of thirty years. In exchange for the right to use Lot F for recreational purposes, the individual unit owner must bear the cost of real estate taxes and liability insurance for the thirty year period. Other than negotiating -a direct purchase of the property from Galaxie Company,. there does not appear to be a way for the Association to acquire title to Lot F. In fact, it appears that title can change hands prior to the year 2000 only if one of the following occurs. 1.) Lot F is "sold" to the State of Minnesota for non-payment of real estate taxes. In such case, the State may hold a tax -forfeited land sale in- volving the parcel and, if offered for sale, any purchaser may submit a bid on the property. It is unlikely that Galaxie Company would permit the property to be forfeited to the State and would probably elect to seek an appropriate order of court requiring the Association to make real estate tax payments. 2.) The Covenants provide that if the owners of 35 additional units requestthat 'a new association be formed to govern the recreational area and if the parties cannot agree upon the method of management, the association or the owners of the additional units may "cause Lot F to be dedicated" to Mendota Heights for public park purposes and, if so dedicated, Galaxie Company shall sign a quit claim deed conveying Lot F for park purposes.