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1998-11-11 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION November 11, 1998 6:30 p.m. -Council Chambers Call to Order 2. Roll Call Approval of the September 8, 1998 Minutes 4. Proposed Civic Center Ballfield Conversion to Baseball Field Updates Recreation Report, October/November 1998 Parks Report (Available Tuesday) Police Report (Available Tuesday) 11. 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 452-1850 with requests. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 8, 1998 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, September 8, 1998, in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. The following Commissioners were present: Spicer, Norton, Libra, Craighead, Linnell, and Liberacki. Commissioner Damberg was excused from the meeting. Also present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. FRIENDLY HILLS HOCKEY RINK LIGHT REPLACEMENT Mr. Kullander said that in order to conserve on electrical consumption and control the level of unnecessary spill light at the Friendly Hills Hockey Rink, he recommended that the Commissioner consider replacing the existing twelve 1500 watt flood lights with six to eight metal halide sports lighting fixtures which would be designed to focus the majority of the light output onto the rink area. Mr. Kullander said that his cost estimate was $3000- $4,000, and that the City may qualify for a matching grant from NSP for half of the cost. Mr. Kullander said that the City would install lights that were focused on the play area, not "floodlights'. Commissioner Libra moved to recommend that the City pay for the light replacement from the Special Parks Fund. Comm ssioner Norton seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONER LAWRENCE CRAIGHEAD Chair Spicer said that the Council had appointed Mr. Steven Kleinglass to serve on the Planning Commission and had appointed Mr. Lawrence Craighead to fill out the remainder of Mr. Meinglass' term on the Parks and Recreation Comm ssion. The Commission welcomed Mr. Craighead to the Commission. MINUTES Commissioner Linnell moved to approve the August 11, 1998 minutes with corrections. Ms. Wynne said that the school was working with John Doth, Supervisor of Maintenance and Grounds for the school district regarding safety issues. Ms. Wynne said that the company that manufactures the equipment, Project Adventure, has an excellent safety record. Ms. Wynne said that the kids would be trained on the safety rules and that the rules would be enforced. Commissioner Craighead asked what safety provisions would be taken after school hours. S. Wynne said that some of the equipment could be dismantled after school hours so that it is not an enticement to kids. Chair Spicer said that the City has l mited financial resources and has to spend them carefully. Chair Spicer asked how, if the equipment would be removed after school hours, could this be considered a community facility. Liz Wynne said that she considered this new equipment to be a community facility since it could be used in programs run by District 197 Community Education. Chair Spicer said that over the years he has learned that any initial expenditure for recreational facilities incurs continuing costs for operation, maintenance, enforcement, etc Chair Spicer said that he would not be interested in contributing to the up front cost of purchasing and installing this equipment without a commitment from the school district in wr ting that they would provide for the ongoing costs incurred by this equipment, including maintenance, liability insurance and conformance to ADA standards. Chair Spicer asked the three guests to return to next month's meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission with a commitment along these lines from the school district. FRIENDLY HILLS TOT LOT The following residents were present for this discussion: Roger Grabowski, Tom Bergmann, Paul Chamberlin, Lorry Lastme, Eve Bergmann, Wanda 5hem, and Councilmember Krebsbach. Chair Spicer said that the City was deeded the four lots from the developer of Friendly Hills in the early sixties. Chair Spicer said that the City Council has made a determination that this land in not part of the park system, and that currently the City was only mowing the grass on the property. Chair Spicer said that the City had recently had an inquiry from an individual thinking about building a house on all or part of the property asking whether the City would sell the lots, and that most neighbors to the property have objected to it being sold. Chair Spicer said that Staff, at the Council's request, is currently researching the buildability and marketability of the lots. Councilmember Krebsbach said that she had come to the meeting because she had received a letter from an interested resident about possible improvements that could be made to the lots instead of selling them. Councilmember Krebsbach said that if the City ILI Motion made to adjourn by Norton and seconded by Libra. AYES: NAYS: The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Respec�lly Submitted, Pabick C. Hollister MEMO TO: Park & Recreation Commission FROM: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager ✓J SUBJECT: Civic Center Balincld - Conversion to Baseball Only BACKGROUND The ballfield on the Civic Center site was moved and enlarged prior to constriction of the City Hall in 1987. Special Park Funds have been used on several occasions for improvements at this site. (Fencing, benches, irrigations, etc.) The current field size can be considered small due to the limited outfield fence distance of 265 feet and the close proximity of the backstop fencing to home plate, which is eighteen feet. The outfield fence is located at the edge of a slope into a protected wetland and cannot be extended. The backstop is nine feet from a paved bike/ped trail. Moving or replacing the backstop would allow a maximum shift of location of six feet toward the paved trail. REQUESTED IMPROVEMENT Scott Miller, from MHAA, has requested consideration of converting this field to baseball only with a pitching mound and turf infield. I assume the City would act as the General Contractor and through an invitational bid process hire one or more contractors to perform the work required. City park maintenance workers would advise on some aspects of the improvements but would not perform any of the major work tasks because their routine maintenance responsibilities do not leave time for projects such as this one. WORK TASKS /ESTIMATED COSTS 1. Prepare plans, specifications, bid documents. 2. Remove sod beyond agline baseline 250 3. Sprinkler system modifications 3,000 4. Remove agline infield 750 5. Install underground electric service I,000 6. Install pitching mound 500 7. Install 6" topsoil for infield 1.500 8. Install sod infield 3,000 9. Spread agline, adjustments, etc. I,000 10. Survey, inspection, etc. I,000 Estimated Project Cost = S 13500 Recreation Report October/November 1998 TO: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION/—� FROM: BILL BIRD, RECREATION PROGRAMME DATE: NOVEMBER 2, 1998 Mendota Heights Senior Club: On Wednesday, September 23, 1998 the senior club held their "Fall Kickoff" meeting. There were door prizes given away, including a Mendota Heights Senior Club T-shirt. The meeting focused on introducing new members and discussing upcoming plans for speakers, entertainment and special events. On Wednesday, October 28, 1948 the held a meeting featuring the Silvertones from West St. Paul. Many old time tunes were sung and several Silvertones members showcased their musical talents by playing the banjo, accordion and xylophone. We were all sad to learn that Corene Weisner had passed away a couple of days before. Corene was very active in the Parkview Plaza community, with volunteering and playing golf in the Mendota Heights Women's league. There is no doubt that she is missed already. On Wednesday, November 25, 1998 the club will feature Hary Bartz, from Neighbors. Hary will visit the meeting and talk about the Neighbors program. The seniors will also be gathering canned food for a donation to Neighbors. Programs: The Fall Heights Highlights features many traditional programs and activities, as well as several new recreational oppormn ties. Due to our close proximity to Fort Snelling State Park and the new Thomas C. Savage Visitor Center I have arranged some programming with Paul Kurvers, Center Director. I have also talked with Amy Tollas, Youth Program Director at Dist. 197, and included several programs in the newsletter which may be of interest to Mendota Heights youth. Meetings Attended September 23, 1998: October 6, 1998 October 85 1998 October 13, 1998 October 27, 1998 October 3-6, 1998 Working On... -Ice rink reservations. Mendota Heights Senior Club at Parkview Plaza. Minnesota Recreation and Park Assoclatlon(MRPA) State Conference planning at Mendota Heights City Hall. Pulse Project at Learning Center, Dist. 197. MRPA State Conference planning at Bandana Square, St. Paul. MN. MRPA State Conference planning at Mendota Heights City Hall. MRPA State Conference at Bandana Square, St. Paul, N. -Late Winter/Spring programs. -Planning for the 1999 Mendota Heights Senior Club. -Cross country ski trail at Par 3. -Ice Rink Attendant hiring process. MISCELLANEOUS: I am in search of Viking vs. Packer tickets for November 22, 1998. If anyone has tickets they are unable to use or are looking to sell their tickets please contact me at City Hall. The purpose of this letter is to ask some questions about the facilities and equipment located in the Parks in Mendota Heights. It has come to my attention that the recent construction of 4 mushroom shaped rain shelters is not a prudent use of public money. These shelters are in essence a nice addition to any park, however, are they really the most sensible priority? Last year I worked at Wentworth Park as a part time rink attendant during the winter months. I did this not to take a job from a younger person, but to ensure that the Park would be opened for skating . There were several nights that I would go to the park and it would not be open. Apparently, there has been a problem of park staff not showing up. I felt qualified to do this because I was a St. Paul Parks and Recreation Director for 8 years before I moved to Mendota Heights. It is quite obvious to those who use the parks during the skating season that the warming house facilities are NOT adequate for the amount of people that use them for both hockey and general skating. The $14,000 plus spent on each mushroom structure should have been put to better use. They do look somewhat pleasing to the eye but serve no real useful function. I cannot believe that there is a need for these structures that surpasses the need for bigger warming houses The volume of people served by a warming house will greatly outnumber summer picnicers. I am asking the Parks Division to consider enlarging the warming facilities at all three main park locations. The money spent on these upgrades will benefit the area immensely. Thank you, Mike Stodolka TO: FROM: MEMO Park & Recreation Commission Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager SUBJECT: Civic Center Ballfield -Conversion to Baseball Only BACKGROUND The Ballfield on the Civic Center site was moved and enlarged prior to construction of the City Hall in 1987. Special Park Funds have been used on several occasions for improvements at this site. (Fencing, benches, irrigations, etc.) The current field size can be considered small due to the limited outfield fence distance of 265 feet and the close proximity of the backstop fencing to home plate, which is eighteen feet. The outfield fence is located at the edge of a slope into a protected wetland and cannot be extended. The backstop is nine feet from a paved bike/ped trail. Moving or replacing the backstop would allow a maximum shift of location of six feet toward the paved trail. REQUESTED IlVIPROVEMENT Scott Miller, from M)-IAA, has requested consideration of converting this field to baseball only with a pitching mound and turf infield. I assume the City would act as the General Contractor and through an invitational bid process hire one or more contractors to perform the work required. City park maintenance workers would advise on some aspects of the improvements but would not perform any of the major work tasks because their routine maintenance responsibilities do not leave time for projects such as this one. WORK TASKS / ESTIMATED COSTS 1. Prepare plans, specifications,. bid documents. 2. Remove sod beyond agline baseline 250 3. Sprinkler system modifications 31000 4. Remove agline infield 750 5. Install underground electric service 1,000 6. Install pitching mound 500 7. Install 6" topsoil for infield t,500 8. Install sod infield 31000 9. Spread agline, adjustments, etc. 12000 10. Survey, inspection, etc. 1,000 Estimated Project Cost = $ 13,500 Spring construction would be risky so this project would be scheduled following next summer's play, August/September time frame. RECOMMENDATION If the Commission desires to proceed with this project, they should also consider replacing or relocating the backstop at the same time. Replacement cost is about $6,000. Relocation would be several thousand and difficult due to the age of the fencing. If approved, a recommendation and budget should be presented to City Council with active support by MHAA at that meeting.