1999-05-11 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AGENDA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
May 111 1999
6:30 p.m. -Large Conference Room
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Apri] 13, 1999 Minutes (Available Tuesday)
4. Play Equipment Safety Issues
5. Capital Improvement Plan Revision (Available Tuesday)
6. Updates
• Specia] Pazk Fund
• Civic Center Ballfield Improvements
• Batting Cage at Mendakota Park
• Friendly Hills Warming House/Rec Center
• Hoffman Homes/Resurrection Cemetery
• Parks Report
• Police Report (Available Tuesday)
7. Adjourn
Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities aze available upon request at least 120 hours
in advance. If a notice of less than 120 hours is received, the City of Mendota Heiehts
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
MEMO
May 6, 1999
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager J
SUBJECT: REPORT OF DANGEROUS PLAY EQUIPMENT
DISCUSSION:
A resident called to report that his daughter was injured by a wood sliver, from the Marie Park
play equipment, that required a trip to the emergency room. His insurance covered all costs
and he did not intend to file a legal claim against the City.
Background:
The City has playground equipment in eleven parks and has participated in the cost of
equipment installed at three school district sites.
Following the 1989 Parks Referendum, the City, in 1990, installed new play equipment at six
existing neighborhood parks: Wentworth, Marie, Rogers Lake, Friendly Hills, Valley and Ivy
Hills. In addition, play equipment was installed in three newly developed parks. Victoria
Highlands (1990), Kensington Park (1992), and Mendakota Park (1991). Approximately
$400,000 from the referendum has been invested in playground equipment since 1990,
maintenance operations have been funded from the General Fund,
The City also
has
two parks,
Hagstrom-King
and Valley View Heights Park that have wood
(only) timber
play
equipment
that are both in
excess of ten years old.
Prior to the referendum six neighborhood parks contained redwood timber play equipment
installed by Earl Anderson in the early 1970's. Those elements that were still serviceable and
met, with modifications, the Consumer Product Safety Guidelines were left and new metal and
plastic elements "blended" into the playground areas. It was one of these wood play
equipment elements where the girl was injured.
Mendota Heights
Parks System
Civic Ceder
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IV M Park
Huth Avenue & Mae Park Deity
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Stakbrift & Cw mrd Way
Merle Park
Bcbx Victoria & tm
Mevdakota Park
Dodd Road & Modakata Drier
Ro en Doe
Wagon Whed Trd
Sl lev Park
Marie & Delaware Av
valley Park
part d vM m Mark Aaenuc
V doda HI hlands
P lode & Dou W Road
Wavtworth
Wentwalh Menue
During a safety audit, hazards are categonzed by their poten-
tial for causing severe injury. The resulting report will help you
determine which hazards require immediate corrective action,
which should be nest on the list, and which are minor enough
to allow corrective action as time and money permit.
How common are safely audits?.
According to a recent survey conducted among parks and
schools for Landscape Structures; safety audits of playgrounds
have yet to receive the attention they deserve. Consider.
■ More than 37% of school officials admitted they'd never
done a safety audit, even though nearly 400% of school play
equipment was over 7 years old.
■ 30% of park agencies had never performed a safety audit,
despite the fact that 46% of their equipment was more than 10
years old.
The survey also made itobvious-that
many playgrounds were unlikely to _
be brought up to current safety stan-
dards without an audit, since only a
small percentage of equipment was
scheduled for replacement in the
nest few years.: Who should conduct a
safety audit?
Ideally, a playground safety audit
should be conducted by a Certified
Playground Safery.Inspector—
meaning a person who has passed
the National Playground Safety
Institute's written examination.
PRIMARY CAUSES
OF PLAYGROUND ACCIDENTS'
_ �smruriu mmpileeby m„dswl smam,es -
nrk monagn attJ cbims ivatigators un�g
tmirus afarcidmt ��y.
Applicants for NPSI certificatlon must. attend atwo-day semi-
narthat involves classroom lectures, discussions, and hands-
on examples of playground safety problems.
During the seminar, attendees receive a book titled Play it
Safe, an Anthology of Playground Safety. The anthology,
published by the National Recreation and Park Association,
contains articles that range from "Playground Safety
Inspections —Protrusions and Entrapments" to. "Risk
Reduction and Control Techniques."
The seminar concludes with an exam on regulations, safety
guidelines, and auditing procedures. Since the NPSI began cer-
tifying inspectors in 1991, several hundred applicants have
become Certified Playground Safety Inspectors. (Quite a few
are employees or sales representatives of Landscape Structures
who use the NPSI training in their design and installation work.)
Doing ityoursef
The NPSI program is still fairly new, and many local agencies
(possibly including yours) haven't yet had the time or money
to send any of their staff members to the Institute. Because of
th s, Landscape Structures offers several items to help in con-
ducting a reliable safety audit-.
■ ASafelylnspection Kit. This new,product includes a can-
vas carrying case, head, torso and neck probes, machine -tooled
protrusion gauges and printed instructions. Orderitem 114837
from our Park and Playground Equipment Catalog.
■ A Safety Inspection Panel. This instructional panel helps
demonstrate to your staff the probes and protrusion gauges
that are used to identify hazards on play-
grounds. Order item 116102, An instruc-
tional video is also included
■ `Safety PlusiPorksbops".Educational
seminars for customer groups around the
country..
■ Copies of the CPSC tlancAiook for
Public Playground Safety and AS' I
Standard F1487-95, Standard Consumer
Safety Performance Specifuation for.
Playground Equipment for Public Use.
In addition, there are commercially avail
able publications and videos to help do-it-
rselfets. See the "For more information"
ngs on the back of this brochure.
you
listi
Maintenance inspections
Over a ten-year period, Landscape Structuresrisk manager
anA claims.invesdgafors compiled statistics on the primary
causes of playground injuries. They found that 34% of all
juries were caused by inadequate maintenance of play equip-
ment.
Clearly, awillingtess to spend time and money on mainte-
nance is the fast prerequisite for inducing injuries caused by
wom, broken, corroded or vandalized equipment. But it's
equally vital to develop formal inspection procedures to assure
that problems needing repair aren't overlooked.
PLAY GUIDE'" BULLfiTI N N0 7
We're ready to help.
At Landscape Structures, we have a long history of involvement
in playground safety issues. Our chairman, Steve King, heads
an ASTM task group that sets voluntary standards for play-
ground equipment. For help in designing a safer playground,
or for free resource materials that can help in your planning,
call your local Landscape Structures representative.
FOR MORE EVFOiL�LArnON
These resources are available from your local Landscape
Structures representative:
ASTM F1487-95, Standard Consumer Safety Performance
SpecifrcaCion for Playground EquipmentforPublic Use,
American Society for Testing and Materials.
Hann iodk for Public Playground Safety, U. S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission.
Safety Test Panel and training video, (See page 2.)
Playguide Bulletin series on topics related to playground
design and safety.
WNDSCAPE
S7f;UG7Ut{ES INC
Commitment counts... Excellence shows.
Earl F. Andersen, Inc. -9900 USA
9808 James Circle
Bloomington, MN 55431-2976
(612) 884-7300
FAX (612) 884-5619
AAKI WATC 1-Rnn-RFC-f,n9R
Thcse materials from other sources are also helpful:
Inspecting Playgrounds for Hazards
VHS videocassette, 35 minutes
Information Exchange
P.0. Box 1528
Fair oaks, CA 95628
(910 966-2375
Points About Playgrounds
A Compilation of Significant Information
Compiled and edited by Monty L. Christianson
ISBN 0-929581-69-5
National Recreation & Park Association
2775 South Quincy Street, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22206-2204
Safety Checklist:
71ie Side lnspedion System for Play Equpment
ISBN o-944661-02-5
NUG Communications
1802 Fifth Street
Berkeley CA 0710
(510) 845-0953
ti_
MEMO
April 20, 1999
J: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager
SUBJECT: Special Park Fund Activity 1988 to Present
The amounts shown below were taken from the City of Mendota Heights Annual Report and
General Purpose Financial Statements for the years indicated.
YEAR END
YEAR BEGINNLNG REVENUE EXPENDIT�J 2�ES (12-3
BALANCE (+) INTEREST OTHER BALANCE
1998
$416,831.00
00
$1r500�00'
�, $135 252�00!
T$297 564:00
_,$14'467
1997
$439,208,00
$35,891.00
$27,550.00
$799914.00
$416,831,00
1996
$461,231.00
$21,262.00
$5,250.00
$362860.00
$439,208.00
1995
$421,198,00
$20,937,00
$31,500.00
$127404.00
$461,231.00
1994
$4109987,00
$16,223.00
$22,038.00
$267050.00
$421,198.00
1993
$392,114,00
$172078,00
$13,242.00
$9,947.00
$4109987.00
1992
$3625975.00
$16,045,00
$20v524,00
$6,430.00
$3929114.00
1991
$3483162,00
$14,737,00i
$25368,00
$1,542.00
$362,975.00
1990
$3199605.00
$18,236.00
$197800,00
$8,729.00
$3489162.00
1989
$308,607,00
$21,239.00
$45,645.00
$555226,00
$319,605.00
1988
$145311.00!
$32,330,00
$35,136.00
$3085607,00
Note Referendum passed fall 1989
Approximate figures. Final amounts availabe in July/August `
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MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARK SYSTEM
FIVE YEAR 1999-2003 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Expenditures Proposed for 2001
Extend cross country ski tails in Valley Park - Phase III $10,000.00
Sand volleyball court in Mendakota Park $63000400
Enlarge warming house in Wentworth Park $15,000000
(Includes ADA ramps, etc).
Park "You are Here" signage (6 @$400.00) add to parks and $2,400,00
trails where needed
MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARK SYSTEM
FIVE YEAR 1999-2003 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Expenditures Proposed for 2002
Pave Wentworth Park Hockey Rink � $40,000.00
MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARK SYSTEM
FIVE YEAR 1999-2003 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Expenditures Proposed for 2003
1. Double Tennis Courts in Hagstrom-King Park ( $50,000.00
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
MEMO
September 11, 1997
TO: Mayor, City Council, and City Administrator
FROM: Patrick C. Hollister, Administrative Assistant
SUBJECT: Park Dedication Fee Increase Proposal
Discussion
At the August 12, 1997 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the
Commission directed Staff to present to the City Council a revised Park Dedication
Policy. The Parks Commission feels that our current exaction of $750 per residential lot
is low in comparison to that of other comparable cities. Staff presented the park
dedication policies from several other cities in the metro area, and the Commission
arrived at a new draft for Mendota Heights after reviewing these policies.
Please seethe following attached materials:
1. The proposed new Park Dedication Policy, Resolution 97-_
2. The current Park Dedication Policy, Resolution 91-94
3. A comparison of other cities' Park Dedication Fees
Recommendation
At the August 12, 1997 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the
Commission voted 6-0 (with Commissioner Kleinglass absent) to recommend that the
City Council adopt the attached revised Park Dedication Policy.
Action Required
Discuss the attached draft Resolution amending the City's Park Dedication Policy. If the
Council wishes to follow the Parks and Recreation Commission's recommendation, they
may adopt the attached Resolution. Otherwise, provide direction to Staff accordingly.
park, playground, trail, or open space property. This paragraph shall apply to all new
development, redevelopment, lot combinations/revisions meant to facilitate development,
and expansion of commercial, office, or industrial buildings. It shall not apply to
residential lot combinations/redivisions which do not increase the number of single-
family residential lots, conversion of apartments to condominiums, or internal leasehold
improvements.
Subdivision 3
At the City's option, the subdivider shall contribute an amount in cash, in lieu of all or a
portion of the land required under subdivision 1, according to the following fee
guidelines:
Single Family Residential
Townhomes/Duplexes/Condos
Apartments
Office/Industrial Property
Commercial
Subdivision 4
$1000 per dwelling unit
$1000 per dwelling unit
$1000 per dwelling unit
10% of current market value of the unimproved
land as determined by the County Assessor
10% of current market value of the unimproved
land as determined by the County Assessor
Prior to the dedication of the required property, the subdivider shall provide the City with
an acceptable title opinion or title insurance policy addressed to the City which insures
the title and the City's proposed interest in the property. In any dedication of required
land, the subdivider must transfer good and marketable title to the City, free and clear of
any mortgages, liens, encumbrances or assessments, except easements or minor
imperfections of title acceptable to the City. If this land is not formally dedicated to the
City with the final plat, the subdivider shall record all deeds of conveyance of the
property to the City at the same time as the final plat or other appropriate division
documents
Subdivision �
At the City's option, the following properties shall not be accepted for purposes of the
owner's compliance with Subdivisions 1 or 2 of this Resolution:
a) Land dedicated or obtained as easements for stonnwater retention, drainage, roadway
and other utility purposes.
MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARK SYSTEM
FIVE YEAR 1997-2001 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Expenditures Proposed for 2001
SPECIAL PARK
1. Enhance trees and landscape planting in parks
2. Wildflower maintenance
3. Enclosures for port-a-poties
4. Resurface one double tennis court in City Park
5. Seal coat trails
6. Maintenance, replace, improve play equipment in
11 parks $4,000,00
7. Paint/stain Mendakota Buildings
Proposed 2001 Expenditures $4,000.00
MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARK SYSTEN
FIVE YEAR 1997-2001 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Expenditures Proposed for 2000
SPECIAL PARK
1. Enhance trees and landscape planting in parks
2. Wildflower maintenance
3. Enclosures for port-a-poties
4. Resurface 1 double tennis court in City Park
5. Seal coat trails
6. Maintenance, replace, improve play equipment in
11 parks 1 1 $43000600
7. Upgrade play equipment in Valley View Heights Park $10,000,00
Proposed 2000 Expenditures $14,000.00
1
MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARK SYSTEM
FIVE YEAR 1997-2001 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Expenditures Proposed for 1999
3. Enclosures for 2 Port-A-Poties
4. Concrete bleacher pads in 2 parks
5. Resurface 1 double tennis court in City Park
6. Seal coat 8 park parking lots
7. Restripe 8 parking lots and hard courts
8. Seal coat trails in Ivy Park, Mendakota
Park, Friendly Hills Park and
Hagstrom King Park
9. Maintain, replace, improve play equipment in 11 parks
10. Enlarge aglime warning track at Civic Center
Field ( last of 5 fields)
11. Bench along Victoria Trail
12. Basketball hoop at South Kensington Park
13. Upgrade play equipment in Hagstrom King Park
ADA & Safety
SPECIAL
$4,000.00
$500.00
$500,00
$5-8,000
Proposed 1999 Expenditures $14-17,000
MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARK SYSTEM
FIVE YEAR 1997-2001 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Expenditures Proposed for 1998
SPECIAL PARK
1.
Enhance trees and landscape plantings
in two parks
2.
Maintain and expand wildflower
plantings
3.
Enclosures for 2 Port-A-Poties
4.
Concrete bleacher pads at two locations
5.
Resurface 1 double tennis court in city park
6.
Install two horseshoe pits at Rogers Lake Park
$1500,00
7.
Enlarge aglime warning track at Mendakota Park (4 of 5)
8.
Maintenance, replacement, additions to play equipment
in 11 parks
$2,000.00
9.
Enhance tree plantings at Kensington Park
10.
ADA upgrades to Marie Park warming
house
11.
Picnic Shelter(s) in Friendly Hills Park
$252000,00
12.
Trail seal coating and crack repairs
13.
Paint/stain structures at Kensington Park
Proposed 1998 Expenditures
$28,500.00
Commissioner Libra seconded the motion.
AYES: 4
NAYS: 0
FRIENDLY HILLS WARMING HOUSE ATTENDANT
Commissioner Craighead moved to recommend that the City Council fund a summer
Friendly Hills warming house attendant for 12 weeks from Monday through Friday for an
amount not to exceed $2500 out of the General Fund.
Commissioner Libra seconded the motion.
AYES: 4
NAYS: 0
MINUTES
Commissioner Linnell moved to approve the March 9, 1999 minutes with revisions.
Commissioner Libra seconded the motion.
AYES: 4
NAYS: 0
UPDATES
Staff provided updates on the following items:
• Civic Center Ballfield Improvements
• Batting Cage at Mendakota Park
• Hoffman Homes/Resurrection Cemetery
Parks Report
• Police Report
ADJOURN
Motion made to adjourn by Damberg and seconded by Linnell.
AYES: 4
NAYS: 0
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Patrick C. Hollister
2
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
May 26, 1999
TO: Mayor, City Council, and City Ad tr r
FROM: Mary L. Hapka, Recreation Programmer
SUBJECT: Summer programs update
Summer is here and the recreation department is at full speed. The adult softball
leagues consist of Men's and Women's D League and Men's over 30. Unfortunately
there was not enough interest in the Men's C league which typically plays on Monday
evenings. Upon contacting the Men's C league managers from the 1998 season, it
appears that many of the teams were not available on Monday evenings, at least two
teams decided to play in other cities and the remainder of the teams either could not get
enough players or just plainly decided not to play this season.
The weather this season has been less than cooperative with the Tuesday night leagues
already having two rainouts and Men's over 30 having one. Due to a shortage of fields
some of the makeup games will be held on Friday and Sunday evenings.
The soccer and ball fields are greatly utilized during the weekday evenings by several
organizations in addition to the Mendota Heights Adult Softball League. These groups
include the following; Mendota Heights Athletic Association, Visitation Catholic
Association, Sibley Area Fastpitch, St. Thomas Academy, St. Joseph's Catholic
School, Sibley Area Sting, Bethel Baptist Church and Ecolab Employee's Club. All
fields have been coordinated for use by the these groups by this department and are
primarily being used for practice and games during the weekdays with club
tournaments being held on almost every weekend during the months of May, June and
July.
Other recreation programs offered this summer include Performances In The Park, The
Imagination Station, Youth Day Trips, Summer Golf Leagues and Safety Camp. The
Performances In The Park will be held on Wednesday evenings at either Rogers Lake
Park Pavilion or Mendakota Park. As there appeared to be a great turnout for these
programs in 1998, two more performances have been added for this season bringing the
grand total to six. (Please see attached for performance schedule)
The Imagination Station is a new program. The
Imagination
Station is a traveling
variety show that will be
making appearances at
both Wentworth and Mendakota Parks
this summer. The shows
are free of charge and
will include;
choreographed
performances, puppet shows, songs and dances. The performances last approximately
thirty minutes and are designed to entertain families with young children.
The popular Youth Day Trips will run once a week from June - August. The trips
consist of trips to water parks, a theater presentation, a trip to the beach and the zoo,
exploration of Crystal Caves and much more.
The women's and junior golf leagues are receiving good response with the women's
league starting the week of May 24 and Juniors starting in June. Golf lessons have also
received a favorable response and will be offered throughout the summer months.
Last but not least the traditional Safety Camp is being offered this year and will be held
at Kaposia Park in South St. Paul (my old stomping grounds). This program is a safety
awareness program designed for children entering 3rd and 4th grade in the fall of 1999.
The program is held in August and the registrations have already been streaming in at a
good pace.
PERFORMANCES IN THE PARK
The Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a series of FREE
performances in the park! This summer's performances offer a wide variety of
entertainment for people of all ages. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Glass containers
are prohibited in Mendota Heights parks. Children must be accompanied by an adult
throughout the entire performance. Shows will last approximately one hour. In the
case of inclement weather all shows will move to the Sibley High School Auditorium.
Wednesday, June 16 - 7:00 p.m.
"The Paul Heffron Music"
Rogers Lake Park Pavilion
This father and son duo perform a variety of old time hits and some modem music with
a "Big Band" sound. Paul Heffron plays the keyboard and is the lead singer for their
musical arrangements. Harvey Heffron (Paul's father) plays the trombone and has
seven decades of musical experience. Harvey was with Lawrence Welk in the 1930's
as a trombonist and arranger. Harvey was with Jules Herman Orchestra at the Prom
Ballroom in the 1950's and with Harry Blons at the St. Paul Hotel in the 1960's. This
performance is bound to bring back many musical memories.
Wednesday, June 30 - 7:00 p.m.
Mendakota Park Pavilion
"Kit and Kaboodle"
Kit and Kaboodle are a crowd pleasing duo, performing music and comedy for family
audiences. This talented twosome transform familiar children's songs into hilarious
comedy routines people of all ages can enjoy. Andy LaCasse ("Kit") and Russ Rogers
("Kaboodle") deliver music and humor with harmony and style.
Wednesday, July 14 - 7:00 p.m.
Roger's Lake Pavon
"Urban Renewal Blugrass"
St. Paul based Urban Renewal Bluegrass performs a combination of traditional and
contemporary bluegrass. In addition to bluegrass a touch of jazz, pop and country
filters into some of their numbers. As a result, even audience members who have never
heard bluegrass before will hear familiar songs at the performance.
Wednesday, July 21 - 7:00 p.m.
iVlendakota Park Pavilion
"Bob The Beachcomber"
Let's go surfing! Join us at the Mendakota Park Pavilion for a performance that kids
and their parents can enjoy together. Bob The Beachcomber takes a little Raffi, a
whole lotta rock & roll, some country music, a couple of sing -along songs, the best of
Disney, and the greatest hits of the Beach Boys to make an hour of family fun you
won't soon forget. Remember, anytime is a great time to beach party with Bob!
Wednesday, July
blendakota Park Pavilion
"The Wonderful World of Woody"
Sing, dance and laugh with Woody as he and his guitar strum up children's music. If
your kids are into the music of Raft and Barney your kids will enjoy this performance.
Besides his musical talents, Woody will juggle and perform magic. Woody loves
audience participation so don't be afraid to let loose. (The ideal audience for this
performance includes children preschool age through 3rd grade and their parents.)
Wednesday, August it - 7:00 p.m.
Rogers Lake Park Pavilion
'LeRoy's River Minstrels"
Take a stroll down memory lane with over 150 years of golden oldies you love and
remember. LeRoy's River Minstrels is much more than a Dixieland Band. The
performance will include music from the Roaring `20s, the Big Band Era and popular
folk music and show tunes. So bring your family and friends for a fun filled evening in
the park.