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1997-06-10 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda Packet BEV/SED AGENDA CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 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. Park Dedication Fee Increase Proposal. 7. Tilsen Highland Heights Landscaping. 8. Updates * Doyle Land Donation Offer * North Kensington Park * EMF * Parks Report * Police Report 9. Open Space Tour (Please bring a mini-van if you have one!) 10. Adjourn Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities are available upon request at least 120 hours in advance. If a notice of less then 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 request. ACTIVITY REPORT - MENDOTA HGTS PARKS Reporting Period: 04/01/97 to 04/30/97 INCIDENTS: Di�TE TIME LOCATION CASE NUMBER ---- ---- -------- ----------- 04/01/97 23:06 MARIE PARK 97000984 DESCRIPTION: PROP DAMAGE TRESPASS MS PRIVATE UNK DATE TIME LOCATION CASE NUMBER ---- ---- -------- ----------- 04/15/97 21 :46 SCENIC OVERLOOK 97001161 DESCRIPTION: MISC PUBLIC-ALL OTHER DATE TIME LOCATION CASE NUMBER 04/16/97 9:52 VALLEY PARK 97001165 DESCRIPTION: FOUND PROPERTY DATE TIME LOCATION CASE NUMBER ---- ---- -------- ----------- 04/20/97 16: 14 MENDAKOTA PARK 97001214 DESCRIPTION: THEFT $200 LESS MS FRM MOTOR VEHICLE OTH PROP T r DATE TIME LOCATION CASE NUMBER ---- ---- -------- ----------- 04/.30/97 23:31 SCENIC OVERLOOK 97001336 DESCRIPTION: CONSUMPTION AGE 18-21 DATE TIME LOCATION CASE NUMBER ---- ---- -------- ----------- 04/09/97 18:08 MENDOTA PARK 97001103 DESCRIPTION: ANIMAL-DOMESTIC/LOOSE DATE TIME LOCATION CASE NUMBER ---- ---- -------- ----------- 04/05/97 13:34 VALLEY PARK 97001040 DESCRIPTION: ANIMAL-DOMESTIC/LOOSE 040 D TE TIME LOCATION CASE NUMBER /97 17:52 KENSINGTON PARK 97001023--- DESCRIPTION: OTHER PARKING COMPLAINTS CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO June 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 Park 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 MEMO June 9, 1997 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager SUBJECT: Landscape Improvements to City Parcel Bounded by Lilac Lane, Caren Road and James Road DISCUSSION• 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 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. i Pat Hollister, Assist. City Admin. City Of'Mendota Heights Park Commission 1101 Victoria Curve -- Mendota Heights, MN 55118 06 March 1997 Dear Mr. Hollister: I am a resident of Mendota Heights and live at 979 Caren Road. T am writing 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 James 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 them 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 naturally would need 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 Comnssion meeting next Tues. 11 March. I would like to request that this issue be included as a agenda item-•. Sincerely, L�, Tom Fahey CC Neighbors: James, Schuster, Skadron, Bergh, Hamann, Todd, Larson, Damberg, Stockton, Frisch. 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I ! + YuaeJan ' , COOMD (JYtlf W •` i i, Jlali M j tr. nr.l N IMHCY® � ij ` � taw r i i r � u'� � UN IMCI , ^-IMM �j Mani tni i ♦�;I 'I r�A ►01Elor _ _ ♦ ; ♦ W INS ♦ a ra<alr � r • �^. it r r � ♦ t1aA • ; �. ` ' + taM GOON CAMMMUS •'+wA r J I 31g7 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: 6 NAYS: 0 . 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 1 3N7 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 Staffs 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: S (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. 2 3Xj Mr. Fahey said that he had talked to the Engineering Department about traffic,road 10 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 (Category 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. 3 � 1q7 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 Resurrection 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. 3 �Ifyi 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 a non-profit organization that runs seminars 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 multi-use,multi- 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. 4 sue Cdhple claim� wrongful, lawn death By Elizabeth Brixey So far, Fireman's has paid the r, Courts reporter Sheldon $21,000, although both Edwin and Ruth Sheldon spent sides agree that wasn't meant to years of love and hundreds of resolve the claim,said the couple's f; hours of weed-pulling to build a lawyer,Frank Tuerkheimer. , dream lawn of prairie grasses and But an extremely conservative ". wildflowers at their Madison estimate of the loss, according to home. the landscape company that as- Tended without environ- sessed the lawn shortly alter the mentally hat•mful pesticides, her- die-off,was$62000. _• • ' bicides or fertilizers,the Sheldon' yard was a joy to them and a haven No one at Fireman's could be ;•,,,.;_ arr ' •;.r...;.,- .., , , .: . •.. - - -•. - watt ,..,;; ;�, �=.' .. for birds and other fauna, reached Wednesday, but Barefoot Edwin and Ruth Sheldon took ears to build u the native prairie lawn at One day last June, a worker for General Manager Curt Winter their Madison home, devoting hundreds of hours to hand ullin weeds Barefoot Grass Lawn Service called the whole situation tragic. g P 9 showed up at the Sheldons' Ozark "Outside the Sheldons, I don't and avoiding any environmentally harmful chemicals. Trail home and sprayed the lawn think there could be people more with toxic chemicals the couple upset about this than us,"he said. had passionately avoided. Winter said that the first-year Unfortunately for everyone in- employee who mistakenly sprayed . volved, it was the wrong house. the Sheldons'yard was licensed by i Within hours, the Sheldons' cher- the state to apply pesticides but M ished plants and vegetables crum- that he showed a lack of judgment pled.Within days,they died. in this case. The man left the com- Now, as a new growing season parry several weeks later- r` approaches with no settlement in Winter, who has been with " sight, the Sheldons riled a Dane Barefoot 13 years, said that while County lawsuit Wednesday against Ile truly sympathizes with the Barefoot and Fireman's Fund In- Sheldons, he also can see how surance Co,of California. such mistakes happen. "Wildriow- 'lhe stiff seeks financial com- ers to some are weeds to many," pensation for the couple because Ire said. of property damages and emo- Winter agreed a settlement is ` tional distress over losing the g' prairie lawn they began in 1090. overdue. Ile added, though, that a 'r•- r` r �'��; r � g g he thought the $21 y It alleges that Barefoot ne li- g ,(ll)0 ahead 1 f�f• ' gently sprayed the wrong house paid was a sign of good faith: ON tlft � ti p� and failed to stop spraying what "At this point we were relying t" ' was obviously a mature garden on that sign of good faith for spring Last summer, a worker for Barefoot Grass Co. retained to spray pesticides and flower bed. It also alleges that to arrive and the flowers to bloom and fertilizers at a house on the next block Instead sprayed the Sheldons' the Barefoot employee trespassed in order to gel a clear assessment lawn, killing off [heir prairie. Now, the Sheldons are suing Barefoot in Dane oil the Sheldons'property. of the(permanent)damage." County Circuit Court. I rai ri a by Design Installing a front-yard prairie garden in a green-lawn neighborhood PA RiciA A. TAYLOR " ATIVE PLANTS are my life," says Bonnie Harper- Lore,and she means it Ever since she was a little girl walking through the nearby woods and meadows of her rural Wisconsin home, she has been enchanted with the beauty and diversity of regional flora. She has channeled this enchantment into a twenty-year career of working with and promoting native plants.This as included stints as an assistant pro- essorr of landscape architecture at the University of Minnesota,the director of the National Wildflower Research Center's Midwest office, a free-lance landscape designer,and currently as the national roadside vegetation coordinator for the Federal Highway Administra- tion. It was not until 1990, however, that her moment of truth came.She and her husband bought a house on a tree-lined street in a Minneapolis suburb. She had, as she admits, "talked the talk," and now it was time to "walk the walk." In clearer English, that meant Harper-Lore wanted to install a front- yard prairie garden in a green-lawn neighborhood. Above:Harper-Lore's She had been around long enough to prairie garden is unique realize that this approach clashes with among the trout yards Pl? along her street She the widespread belief that areas in front designed it with a strip of of houses should be mowed expanses lawn border to provide of green. While the resulting lawns continuity with the other require a lot of time,money, and pesti- yards. cides, they do have the neighborly Right:In early spring attribute of being predictably neat—an Geum tri8orum is cov- adjective rarely used to describe ered with demure pink flowers.They change prairies. Thus, Harper-Lore's first step into feathery,silver or was to give her neighbors a year's rose seed heads later in advance notice and, in doing so, to the season. PHOTOGRAPHS:BONNIE HARPER-LORE HOET[CULTURLSr Febmu y 1997 21 i describe the concept A Front-Yard Prairie Garden First she reviewed behind this new kind of Advice from Bonnie Harper-Lore the elements of j&urban landscape her design: (1) a g. Start small.Large failures,such as the grasses on her property, stand out The four-foot lawn e explained that grass border pro- she would be creating, prairie setting can be expanded each year and filled with plants that have estab- vides continuity rather than restoring, a lashed success records in the particular site. with the rest of prairie on her quarter- the front yards on acre front yard.There is Know your soil.Harper-Lore had assumed her planting area contained the the street; (2) an important difference sandy loam found on the rest of her property.Only after she had seeded plants inside this green, between the two suitable for such soil did she discover that past construction had unearthed the mowed ribbon approaches. The latter heavy clay that makes up most of the front garden.The mismatch of plants and the prairie com- allows nature free rein soil contributed to many of her initial problems. ponent wraps in the evolution of the around the comer plants and their compo- Use seedlings for instant effect.While this does increase the initial expense, it of the property sition. In a created also guarantees greater initial success.Here again, the benefits of starting small and forms a tran- prairie the designer's are apparent e see As the spread or even reseed,they can be transplanted to sition into the hand is ever present. newly cleared areas. back oak wood- In Harper-Lore's land; and (3) the case,she sketched out a Mulch between plantings.Indeed, effective use of mulch can eliminate weeds use of colorful plan in which wild- in a year or two and prepare the way for wider use of direct seeding. Harper- forbs (wildflow- flower blooms would Lore recommends prairie hay or weed-free straw,both of which decompose into ers) brightens up splash distinctly theSOti the highest-visi- against a background p'T' bility areas in the of native grasses,rather front yard. Each than mixing with them as in a natural The soil was lightly raked(deep tilling of the wildflowers she added was ? setting. In further contrast to a real brings weed seeds to the surface) and matched to the microclimate of the site. ! prairie,plant height would be limited to seeds were broadcast Harper-Lore start- With Harper-Lore leading the way, ! no more than 24 inches so that the land- ed with short grasses:June grass(Kodma the students were put to work planting scape would not clash too dramatically macrantha),with silvery green seed heads thirty different wildflower species as lWthe rest of the neighborhood. in early summer; side-oats grama part of the last component These were en it was time to get to work.In a (Bouteloua curtipendula), featuring fine- not just any wildflower seedlings; they perfect world—the kind that rarely textured foliage and summer flowers were Minnesota natives propagated by exists—Harper-Lore would have tinged with purple;and little bluestem local seed firms.Harper-Lore feels quite allowed herself at least three months for (Schiwchyrium scoparium), chosen for its strongly—"passionate," is an adjective site preparation, performing a cyclical warm red fall stems.Last,as a neighbor- often applied to her—that using plants series of spraying glyphosate (Round- hood pleaser, she scattered four ounces that once grew naturally in an area is Up)on the existing sod and weeds and of yellow coneflower(Rd&ida pinnata),a the most ethical and practical approach then raking off the dead turf.Since this beautiful prairie perennial that flowers to landscaping and gardening.It is ethi- would have created an ugly brown area naturally among grasses. cal because it respects the integrity of for an extended time,she allowed herself Next, using a time-honored instruc- the land and practical because minimal only two weeks for just one clearin& lion option,she called in her students. time and money are required for main- tenance. Two star performers from this initial planting are prairie smoke (Geum triflo- rum) and Ohio spiderwort (Tradescaniia ohiensis). The former is a distinctive early spring plant covered with demure pink flowers that dramatically change into feathery, silver or rose seed heads. Ohio spiderwort has deep blue flowers that start their months-long bloom peri- od shortly afterward. These two plants are especially important in a suburban prairie setting because of their flower- This photograph of Bonnie Harper-Lore's front-yard prairie garden was taken last August,when the Twin Cities was in the midst of a drought. PHOTOGRAPH:PATRICIA TAYLOR ing time—prairies are not known for spring splendor. "Then came the hard part," Harper-Lore relates. Prairie Plants for Front Yards "Patience!"While she had routinely told clients that it 0a kes a perennial stand of native forbs and grasses ree to five years to become established, she had Following is an easy-care selec- Prairie ever fully comprehended how long this was until she tion of plants that Bonnie Coneflower planted her own prairie.What made it particularly dif- Harper-Lore used in her front (Rataida ficult for her was that her front yard represented a yard. "In terms of ease of estab- pinnata) public display of her private credo.She wanted it to be lishment, relatively long bloom, Yellow flow- absolutely wonderful,and it was not and wonderful, colorful splash- ers in mid- One hurdle to early beauty was Harper-Lore's strict es,"she writes,"these are among summer adherence to her stance of using only regional native my favorites." With these plants plants. "There's just one annual native to eastern you can have color and interest Stiff Minnesota," she explains. "It's called partridge pear from spring through fall. Goldenrod(Solidago rigida) (Cassia fasciculata), and its deep yellow flowers are in Yellow flowers late summer bloom from July to frost. While it would have been PERENNIALS into fall absolutely great in my front yard, I could not find a Butterfly commercial source." Weed Golden And then there were the grasses, her major design (Asclepius Alexander component. "For some reason," she admits, "they did tuberosa) (Zizea aurea) not establish themselves as anticipated.I planted at the Bright Yellow flow- standard rate of 7 to 10 pounds per acre in the month orange ers in spring of June,a perfect time for a Midwest prairie planting." flowers in It is the only instance in her years of prairie plantings summer that grasses did not become quickly established. Had and striking they done so, they would have quickly crowded out seed pods in any annual weeds.As it was,the weeds won. September So,she and her husband got down on their knees and started pulling. Though they were keeping the garden Smooth Aster(Aster laeois) neat for neighborhood appearance, they were not White through lavender flowers in demonstrating that it required low maintenance. And, late summer and fall a vicious circle,the hand weeding only loosened the tl enough for perennial weeds to gain a foothold. Flowering 'owfligh mowing can often discourage this, and Harper- Spurge Lore thinks she should have used this maintenance tool (Euphorbia more often. corollata) To remedy the sparseness of seed-sprouting grasses, Sprays of Harper-Lore bought flats of little bluestem and prairie .white flow_ dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis), an elegant grass with ers summer thick sprays of summer green that mature in beautiful into fall fountains of rich rust-brown in autumn These seedling GROUNDCOVER grasses have settled in without any problems. Prairie Prairie Phlox(Phlox pilosa) And, of course, should Harper-Lore inspect such a Smoke Reddish purple flowers in late creation,she would never be as critical of the results as (Geum spring she initially was of hers.Even that first year,when she trnaorum) wanted—unreasonably, as she inwardly knew—a full- Rose-red grown prairie to appear, color, variety, and all-season flowers GRASSES interest were all there.By the third year her neighbors in spring _ Little Bluestein(Schizachyrium had started asking for a transplant or two to decorate and scoparium) their own monochromatic lawns. And now, it its fifth silver- Blue to green stalks that turn year, Bonnie Harper-Lore has finally "walked the pink seed brilliant red to orange in fall walk." She has a front yard filled with the beauty, plumes color, and foliage form and contrast of her beloved Prairie Dropseed(Sporobolus native plants. 'd§— Wild Lupine(Lupinus perennis) heterolepis) Patricia Taylor of Princeton, New Jersey, is the author of Spy of blue flowers in spring Spraying mounds of emerald green leaves that turn orange- Easy Care Native Plants. She will be a featured speaker at Kansas Gay-feather gold in fall and a rich rust-brown the Specialty Gardens Seminar on April 5 in the Twin (Liatris pycnostachya) in winter Cities. Spikes of purple flower;in mid- m Easy Care Natfoe Plants by Patricia Taylor,copyright 1996 by summer P.T. tricia Taylor.Reprinted by permission of Henry Holt cis Co.Inc.The book can be ordered by calling 1(800)488-5733.It is also available at major bookstores MAINFSOTA 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 Hiltner 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 4. 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 NWWOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY,IVIINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 132 1"7 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 Litmell. 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 APPROVAL OF APRIL 8 PARK AND RECREATION MINUTES Commissioner Libra moved to approve the April 8, 1997 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes with no corrections. Commissioner Meinglass 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 740/9 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 1 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. I Commissioner Libra accepted the amendment. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 3 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. I OPEN SPACE TOUR The Commission decided to postpone the Open Space Tour to a firture 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. 3 The Commission asked Staff to return to next month's meeting with a new proposal reflecting Commissioner Libra's comments. UPDATES Staff provided updates on the following items: PARAC Meetint 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 Fart 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. Malang 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 Reoort Mr.Hollister explained that the April Police Report was not yet available. 5 A �-` 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 Parks 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 35l84ths 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.) If the Parks and Recreation Commission is interested in pursuing this donation,there are several issues which should be considered. 1. What are the benefits to the City of accepting this land if it remains"passive"? 2. What are the benefits to the City of accepting this land if it takes on an active park use,such as a soccer field? 3. What are the limitations on the use of this land in terms of private property covenants and the City's own requirements for approval of this development? 4. If the City is interested in accepting this land,what type of notification/hearing process should the City employ to receive input from the residents of the area? 5. If the City does accept this land, what should the City use it for? Please see the attached documents: 1. A map of the area provided by Mr. Kullander 2. A concept for a youth soccer field provided by Mr. Kullander. 3. Minutes of the regular Village Council meeting held Tuesday, October 19, 1965 • (see Third Order of Business: Ivy Falls Final Plat) 4. 1996 Property Tax Statement for Lot F 5. Quitclaim Deed for Lot F (6/20/84) 6. Explanation of the Covenant from Larkin Hoffman Daly and Lindgren(4/27181) Staff is currently sifting through old documents and compiling more information on the above questions. More information on this land will be available Tuesday evening. Action Required If after reviewing the materials presented in this packet and Tuesday evening,the Commission feels that the Council should consider acquisition of this land, it should make a motion directing Staff to take this issue to the City Council for consideration, accompanied by any recommendations the Commission may have for the Council. Pei • m all w 1 051 - 1� r pry: ��.;..��. NO i E414-22., I q m4 ILI'Hit pal MAN Fp2- Imp TIALLY DEVELOPED AND CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS 1101 Victorld Curve UNDEVELOPED LAND OVER GK I A---l- 0 ONE ACRE IN SIZE Heights, Minnesota 55118 (612) 452-185 11 /96 J1� I •r � VILLAGE OF MI?.NDOTA HEIGHTS MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING 0 HELD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1965 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the Village Council of the Village of Mendota Heights was duly held on Tuesday, October 19, 1965, at the Village Hall, at 8:00 o'clock p.M. Mayor Huber called the meeting to order at 8:00 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Mayor Huber, Trustees Seiberlich and Stringer, and Clark Calkins. Trustee Mertensotto was absent. MINUTES--Meetings held Oct. 5th, 7th, and 12th: Clerk Calkins moved these minutes be approved as mailed to each councilman, prior to the meeting. Trustee Stringer seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes -k, Nays - 0. Trustee Mertensottoa arrived at this time. (8:06) I''IRST ORDER OF BUSINESSS Ivy Hills Water and Sewer- Village Engineer Kishel presented pLikns and specs for sewer and water construction in the new Ivy Hills Addition, for council review. Clerk Calkins moved the plans and spec as preseted be approved, and the Engineer be instructed and authorized to advertise for bids, due November 23rd. Trustee Stringer seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes -5. Nays - 0 Mr. Kishel then presented plans and specs for Storm Sewer construction In Ivy Hills, explaining that the basic plans from firbt bidding were changed only slightly, and the project still has the bame basic type of construction. Mayor Huber moved the Council approve the plans and space an presented, and Engineer be directed and authorized to advertise for bids, seconded by rk Calkins. Vote: Ayes -5, Nays -0. SECOND ORDER OF BUSINESS: Schneider assessment Andrew Schneider, 1549 Dodd Road, requested the Council reconsider his assessment for water, that his large lot was charged frontage on two sides. Following study of this parcel, Trus&e Mertensotto moved the Council defer the assessment of 100 ft along Fourth Ave. , parcel ##26764-A, in the amount of 0750; pending future sale of development of property. Mayor Huber seconded., Vote: Ayes -50 Naya - 0. THIRD ORDER OF BUSINESS: Ivy Hills Firm I Plat Trustee Stringer moved the Council approve and adopt the final plat for Ivy Hills Addition, as presented for Council review by Clapp-Thomseen, including the following special notation (cited on hard shell copy) „that Lot fGf is hereb dedicated for public park purposes forever, also known as Ivy Hills Park" term park being used eynonimously with playgmoundQ( Trustee Ssiberlich seconded this motion. Vote: Ayes - 50 Nays - 0. TRUSTee Stringer then moved the Council adopt the following resolution: RESOLVED, that, pursuant to Section 21.8 of the Zoning Ordinance of the Vi' elage of Mendota Heights, the Village Council of the Village of Mendota He:ig .1 . he m grants to Galaxie Inc. , a Minnesota Corporation, a onditi al Use Permit providing for a "planned development project with more • hen one _, prindi.pal building per lot in an fR' district," to construct an 83 unit Totnhouse complex together withadjacent golf iron course on Lots A, B, Co D, E F. and H. C&kppsa Thomason Ivy Hill, Mendota. Heights, Dakota County, *PVided esota, the plat of which has been approved by this Council on this date, said "planned development projeot+n is constructed in accordance Ylith the detailed plans of "Clapp-Thomsen Ity Hill Townhouses" prepared by 1.rover Dimond Associates, Ine. ; ;Archidecta and Engineers, St. Paul, Minnesota, dhich plans are on file with the Village of Mendota Heights, and y RESOLVED FURTHER, that a variance tot he requirements of the zoning inance is hereby granted authoriesing the construction of Townhouse 4ctures, two-and-one-half stories in height, and ,e' w, , RESOLVED FURTHER, if said detAlled plane shall in any way vary from ' 'the requirements of the Village Building Code, the requirements of the Village Building Code shall be deemed to apply and shall be followed in all respects. Trustee Mertensotto seconded the motion for adoptionl Votes Ayes-5, Nays-0. FOURTH ORDER OF BUSINESS: Re-zoning Hearing property along Hwy 55 Following. a lengthy discussion, this subject was continued until the November 16th meeting, by motion of Trustee Stringer, aeconded by Trustee Mertensotto. Vote: Ayes -5, Nays - 0. (time-8 pm) FIF FIFTH. ORDER OF BUSINESS: Assessment Rolle--Impr 2, Proj. le Impr 3, Prej. 1 Clerk Calkins moved the Council adopt the followin resolationt RESOLVED, that the Village Council adopt Resofullon No. 1, entitled "RESOLUTION ADOPTING AND CONFIRMING ASSESSMENTS FOR IMPROVEMENT NUMBER 3, PROJECT NUMBER 10 (CONSTRUCTIONN OF SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM AND WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM) Mwtrnr }mbar seconded the motion. Vote: Ayes -5, Nays - 0. THOMAS V. NOVAK DAKOTA COUNTY TREASURER-AUDITOR ES NON-HSTD PROPERTY IDE am"TION SCHOOL DIET. Wr8 LOAN CODE PROPERTY 27 178-90 .'650 00 197 L CLASS(ES) 1996 PROPERTY TAX STATEMENT-STATE COPY THIS TE COPY OF THE TAX STATEMENT IS TO BE USED TO CLAIM PROPERTY TAX REFUND NEWS AM PROPERTY TAX REFUND FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE. ESTIMATED MARKET VALUE 50,800 551900 TAXABLE MARKET VALUE 50,800 55,900 T TOTALTAX ON RENTAL N/A .00 N A POU�RyTIONNTHIggOF PROPERTY .�'A X FOR PROPTM r AMOUNT�ii FORM "R�,AAAIFEl1Ci.LE. .00 'E n IVY HILL TOWNHOUSE OWN ASSN 1CHSC(M YOU USE TI�S N°N£wR�THE "afl" AXES D Y 2 SVE EROFF TAX ORRNIWII'ND PA .00 E 575 MAPLE PARK DR YOUR PROPERTY TAX AFTER F R SAINT PAUL MN 55118-1837 6 REWCTIONBYSTATE-PAID AM 1,364.78 1,453.34 f DETACH STATE COPYPERFORA71ON WHEN . f 1996PROPERTY TAX STATEMENT - - THOMAS V. NOVAK PROPERTY CLASS(ES) DAKOTA COUNTY TREASURER-AUDITOR 1590 HIGHWAY 55 WEST,HASTINGS,MN 55033-2392 PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION - SCHOOL DIST. W/s LOAN CODE 27 17850 650 00 197 L NEWIMPROVOAETS _ 70QDHA�O DP PARCEL NO - ,jANt`�5 ppy DEC•11��595 ESTIMATED MARKET VALUE 50,800 55,900 TAXABLE MARKET VALUE 50,800 55,900 CU MAY BE I,w�E FOR ONE OR EVEN TV/O NO tSETHSAWOWTONFM M•1 PRTOSEE FYDURfi91B 9FMA 8FUNDS TO REDUCE YOUR PROPERTY TAX 1:AEiO THESACIlOfTHSSTArEYENT70FDYD DUTHONTDAPRr 1 YTAXREW.PIU!VAUMWINKFDOXSOtiEcxm .Oo USETHSAMOUNTFORTHE 2 SPECW.PRCPERI TAXXFIEFIIW U .00 .•a-QNSQHFMrPR _. .4 Y=PROPETIYXBEFORE 3 oucrlONSYSATEE-P 1A492.70 1,564.41 -AM CREDITS 1 4 TTOORR�� N>�EDTTAX 127.92 111.07 CREDITS PAID BY THE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO REDUCE YOUR PROPERTY TAX XHOr�TEADANDAOROULTwmL .00 .00 AS PROPERTY DESCRIPTION MAY NOT BE A FULL TOTAL TAX ON RENTAL 5ESCRIPTION R IS USED ONLY FOR TAX PURPOSES, PORTION OF PROPERTY B'OTHEN C I E - - .0O .00 CLAPP-THOMSSEN IVY HILL YOUR PROPERTY TAX AFTER . 00 6 AND REDNErsrATEPAroAIat DITS 1,364.78 1,453.34 OUTLOT •• F 7 CouNsv 326.96 342.42 R 8 Cm OR TOWN 239.29 251.84 IVY HILL TOWNHOUSE OWN ASSN D wND010T = - 110.77 127.70 a E 575 MAPLE PARK DR 9eARoIsavOc 632.83 665.70 Y R SAINT PAUL MN 55113-1837 10 A��IUN1°�DI�I 47.46 57.39 TAXWB OLSrRICT3 7.47 8.29 B.OTHER SPE=TAXNO DISTRICTS IVY HILL TOWNHOUSE OWN ASSN C TAX PICREMW .00 .00 N A O.FSLAL DISPARITY .00 .00 A X 575 MAPLE PARK DR NONSUIOa VDIHTAPPH0IA� E P 11 REFT31@DALEI�F9 =-�- = :00 .00 Y SAINT PAUL MN SS118-1837 TOTAL PROPERTY TAXES 12 F ER MFORE SPECIAL AWESSMENTS 1,364.78 1,453.34 SPECULASSESSVENTS IS7 13 ADDED TO THIS 00 .00 PROPEMYTAXEL PRNCPAL P A R 0 YOUR TOTAL PROPERTY TAX AND p F 14 sPEcw.AssEssMENr 11364.78 1,453.34 E 726.67 R E I I �• T S Y • • T • 726.67 lie"TOLE THOMAS V. NOVAK TND KOT:"BR�A`oRr27 PAYABLE THOMAS V. NOVAK TRDEAAKKOT COUNTY PROPERTY IDENTIFICATfONSCH . W!S LOAN CODE MC- PERTY IDENTIFICATION ��• :W!S LOAN CODE HOME- STEAD DIET. STEAD - DIET- -: _ STEAC ?7 17850 650 00 197 L NO 7850 650 00 197 L NO •;�'y• '$:f�'K�,.,,•��-` 5w.d�FAi..L ^4¢ ..�'k!'::T�.`,' v{..__,. .,v_.r;'2 t_. ^';s`f';:._•�.'1�.. _-:,:. . . . .: - �""T,I�i.«a['Y��gp�TC�I.Awaro •!Enn,�.4'r�wuru.A.,c...:iL:.+iMu�.t»in:':_:f:�.>::_ ..r.o...a r..�:: -..C'1 K CarDarattaea•!ar v �.:� r...;3.7i^:_a«:�' . .. --:•:. zE+-Ta+ tiI a •.-�..' ._�, - re. titvMi.l - +>£ �`- -,;�x:'st'•�l'• ,i•`9TATE Qir MINNEiOTA CountyoEOakots•tl; :u. , 664962 fY Li^ 4<• o, . ,. franaftr egteted;Certificate _`'-Ofec[of County Recardbr ; t Rnt L�fi� nliu, to (K]'not iegntrEd ! This Is to ay il rtiut t►A within T' Cwrtl otlf saI k. al ii Tfe. Y;rt?„ -'_ _ lnstrumant a.6'ad for rxn�d}n -, µ ihlao'tia Ha:J ds.an's.^ -•: day sumo Tta. I/rocs:,..to 'F ..'..: -' .- :,'•�'. "'s"".•' � =„��Y'Cowty Auditor Dakota County RcrArds.JAMES b7 1JY1�it' DOLAN Yri�t+r.-_vim'`-'.e `^!;.di'jL':� Deputy _ dRatOrdtf �'�',��'.�`=�s..s:=.���r3'w:�-�"t-s_ss.•-:. :..��.."'-•`_-.. _ Or 1 c•, LL "��, ' STATE DEED�TA�C DUE HEREON. S` _2.20 Deputy / �! 8; -;:-::,;•" ,•`.` - .:.'� frerrvedrorMDrdln`daL) 4' '::y xu FOttY!ILUAELECWMIDERATCON;`_Cla o-Thomssvn Campanv s r`+ ` Yfir� •..:�,c:t.� corporat an [ wdes the kws of 1: V 'c)/innesota--; =sv- ,Grantor,herebyconvsyaandgv(tclaim[to Ivy Hill Townhouse Owners `- 'BtrAsan:':�Ivy Keep-r-Owners Assn." Zvy Kee�t1 Owners Assn. ,Grantee(a). E ° "real jftj".' *Dakota County,\linnesota,described as follows: : { app_Thb asmssen'IVY.aill, according to tha plat thereof or. t '- ;y -4.•ttlgile�with the Dakota•:County Recorder. �n<''�Sttbject.to,Restrietive Covenants-dated December 22, 1970, filed , December 30 197,0,-as Docuaent No. 379831. '�na. 1-'_ :: ..+.__.--.�.i__:�-u'.• .••.. ..�' ...-.-..._ _ ......-•-. __ - __ - ^\�h'..cam' `3�7ii�"vb t -' --:T.re--. •. ,:".. ^• 7d:rar wcSum.l.O.wM.nY.a a�tl - '1=.,.`f�T�:—Z: ."z_r.,.. ''^ ".;tnther with all bereditaintats and appurtenancex belonging thereto. •• - .,'w¢`.•r: - CLAPP-TKO.NS9EN Mif. }Y�.dS5� ,: .:-.. :�.;".;, ; :`�• _— ,�, �_•:4-wig sTAteo':T?sz; .pDEPT.OF = Y:.,. `y�pR: ';'7=-•: :�- innesota _ = y zzC ~ STAMP tv-t i:. •':- =0 2.2 0= gy �l Ce _=.;'ETAX ""miasn = Its lw. - ! - ^:';=-STATE OF MLYA-ESOTA ss• _Y 4---COUNTY OF -Rma aey _- forego-ingsa+acknowledged before me this 4611�AO dsy of June 198 i _ by R. & Mz=ssea and Ward clam 'the - Pmtident and Seeretary - Onasarty a corporation �. of - wdeT the laws at Minnesota ,on behalf otthe corporation TAiC rA�w oa iz�c for oixrn nni os sAxct ��� Q � - %•- a9GRATC er TAanae AGLvoWLxV 1x_. l 1tGA[r iUstic-riC«rA:n T.1 f.Lum..0 r.L the w /.tt.l1.11!A.w.A N m N e.uu.M 1 rrmartt:rnaMx ts,is„ Ivy Hill Townhouse Owners Assn. 1 1106 Ivy Hill Drive --_-- - •-- Mondota Heights, MN i Tela LYlTIt'SILM�A!DRA/TaD lT LYASI[A:aD ADD at3lH , - t UP PE6HEINE9.WOIf f,f;:TC 4, ' SHEPARD ARU QO'ttti.:f _fL I 1,03 F.c ne4rll tL^.:':>. '// ?- r•. L // 1 ST.rAUL,11.1- vi1x 111 l�LL;';�1 l.i Lt:i%' ?L C y, �LC l..t.l: b.aGL _`.Lit �i'1•L�L' JAMES P. LARKIN STEVEN G.LEVIN LARKIMT, I'IOFFMAN, DALY & LINllGREN, LTD. ROBERT L HOFFMAN CMRISTOPHER J. DIETZEN JACK F. DALY PETER A.BECK ATTORNEYS AT L A W D.MEMMETH LI NDGREN RICHARD 1.03AMOND • ANOREW W DANIELSON JOHN R.BEATTIE ♦ WENOELL R.ANOERSON JON S.SWIER2EWSKI GERALD H.FRIEDELL MICHAEL S.MARGULIES ISOO NORTHWESTERN FINANCIAL CENTER ROBERT S.WHIT40CK SAMUEL L.STERN MULLIGAN 7900 XERXES AVENUE SOUTH ALLAN E.IKUL THOM,IS J. ROBERT J.HLIGAN EY ROOERICK 1..FLYNNMAC 21E MINNEAPOLIS. MINNESOTA SSA31 RONALD R FLETCHER MICHAEL D.SCHWARTZ JAMES C.ERICKSON FORREST O.NOWLIN TELEPHONE 16121 83S-3800 COWARD J.ORIsCOLL JAMES P.OUINN JAMES P.MILEY MICHAEL C.JACKMAN GENE N.FULLER MARY E.CURTIN STEPHEN S.SOLOMON DANIEL A.OUINLAN 4324 IDS CENTER 1101 CONNECTICUT AVENUE,N.W. JOSEPH W.ANTHONY JEROME H.KAHNKE DAVID C.SELLERGREN TODO I..REE MAN MINNEAPOLIS,MINNESOTA 96402 WASHINGTON.D.C.20036 JOHNOMN O.FULLMER CATHY E.GORLiN TELEPHONE 16121 835-3800 TELEPHONE 12021 223-9398 ROBERT E.SCYLE JOSEPH Y.GPEEN FRANK I.MARV" ANDREW J.MITCHELL ROBEMT T.MONTAGUE.JR.. JAMES M STROTHER EMBER D.REICHGOTT CHARLES S.MOOELL RICHARD A.FORSCHLER OF COUNSEL LINOA H FISHER JOSEPN GIYIS April 27 1981 TMOMAS P. STOLTMAN LINN J.FIRESTONE P ) ..wcsEN r L.AO.ITTCO 0.1Y IM wCNN)YLVANIIA 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: 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 t0 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 request- that 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. LARKIN, IlorrrlAN, DALY c4c LINDGREN, LTD. Mr. Steve Tollison April 27, 1981 Page Two 3.} Any time Ak ,er December 31. 1990, the Association or any association formed to manage Lot F may by two-thirds vote dedicate Lot F to the public for park pur- poses in which case Galaxie Company shall execute a quit claim deed transferring its interest in the property. In short, if the Association wants the benefit of the vacant land, it must pay the ,price through taxes and insurance premiums. The Association may elect to quit pay- ing taxes and allow the property to become tax-forfeit land. If such occurs, the Association will have no control over who the purchaser may be and will have only limited assurance that the property will not be developed. Please let me know if the Associa.tion desires further information on this matter. Sincerely, Sf THOPvAS F. S T OL T:l AN Thomas P. Stoltman, for LARKIN, HOFFMAN, DALY b LINDGREN, Ltd. jc Enclosure cc: Ms. JoAnne Murj y Mr. Bud Oian✓ i 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 DISCUSSION 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. 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 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 subdivision. It is unclear whether the above language would permit the City of Mendota Heights to collect Park Dedications based upon building permits rather than lots created. Staff is investigating whether or not this would be permitted. Nevertheless, for the sake of discussion, Staff has drafted a revised Park Dedication Policy in line with Commissioner Libra's comments from the previous meeting. Please see the attached portion 462.358 Subd. 2b. of the Minnesota Statutes. Action Required Review the attached proposed Resolution and provide directions to Staff and/or make a recommendation to Council as necessary. i CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. 97- RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION 80-16, 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 receipt of building ermits; 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 pla# tg,-eplatt ng or division^f e?dst ng lots building permits for which a cash contribution is deemed appropriate by the City Council: a. Property owner or developer shall contribute a minimum of$7-58$900 for each residential lot unit created as a result of building permit approval; and b. Cash contributions in the case of commercial/industrial "' pla4s er-leE divisions 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 pla replat o-let divisie building permit or in a manner as outlined in elsewhere in City Ordinances. Adopted by the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights this 17th day of June, 1997. ATTEST: CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS By By Kathleen M. Swanson, City Clerk Charles E. Mertensotto, Mayor E32 833 HOUSING,REDEVELOPbtEn PLANNING,ZONING 462MB cility constructed or installed according to the specifications of the municipality.Sections 471.345 J .atial and 574.26 do not apply to improvements made by a subdivider or a subdivider's contractor. iority The regulations may permit the municipality to condition its approval on compliance e and with other requirements reasonably related to the provisions of the regulations and to execute sntial are _development contracts embodying the terms and conditions of approval.The municipality K the - may enforce such agreements and conditions by appropriate legal and equitable remedies. trued _ 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 �. 1973 and similar utilities and improvements. '981 In addition,the regulations may require that a reasonable portion of any proposed sub- c division be dedicated to the public or preserved for conservation purposes or for public use as l 568 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 1 )IA- 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- i nicipality used only for the purposes for which the money was obtained,(c)in establishing j the reasonable portion to be dedicated,the regulations may consider the open space,park, ; wel- recreational,or common areas and facilities which the applicant proposes to reserve for the ricul- subdivision,and(d) the municipality reasonably determines that it will need to acquire that of all portion of land for the purposes stated in this paragraph as a result of approval of the subdivi- Morm sion. i ?Hty Subd.3. [Repealed, 1980 c 566 s 351 and Subd.3a.Platting.The regulations may require that any subdivision creating parcels, kin tracts,or lots,shall be platted The regulations shall require that all subdivisions which create n. 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 don and additional to those in that chapter. t in a Subd.3b.Review procedures.The regulations shall include provisions regarding the icon- 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 mmnay 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 governing body of the municipality un- less otherwise provided by law or charter The regulations shall require that a public hearing vater, shall be held on all subdivision applications prior to preliminary approval,unless otherwise dl re- provided by law or charter.The hearing shall be held following publication of notice of the nd its time and place thereof in the official newspaper at least ten days before the day of the hearing. npre- At the hearing,all persons interested shall be given an opportunity to make presentations.A areas subdivision application shall be preliminarily approved or disapproved within I20 days fol- cdon lowing delivery of an application completed in compliance with the municipal ordinance by ict or the applicant to the municipality,unless an extension of the review period has been agreed to ht foi by the applicant.When a division or subdivision to which the regulations of the municipality sur- do not apply is presented to the city,the clerk of the municipality shall within ten days certify fisting that the subdivision regulations of the municipality do not apply to the particular division. U41, If the municipality or the responsible agency of the municipality fails to preliminarily 'r any approve or disapprove an application within the review period, the application shall be deemed preliminarily approved,and upon demand the municipality shall execute a certffi- ttruc' care to that effect.Following preliminary approval the applicant may request final approval milar 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 i ll regulations and all conditions and requirements upon which the preliminary approval is ex- pressly conditioned either through performance or the execution of appropriate agreements i 0 Volume 98 Number 812 HOA ner February 1997 i REVISED THINKING ON EMFs Electromagnetic fields (EMFs)from power lines, household appliances and electronic equipment have been blamed for cancer and other ills. But a recently completed con- gressionally ordered study concludes that EMFs do not pose a health threat. The National Research Council (NRC),the principal operating arm of the National Academy of Sciences, reviewed 500 previous studies, both statistical and biologi- cal. Among the conclusions in its study, completed last November, is that a 1979 study linking EMFs to cancer was flawed. The NRC also reported finding no evi- dence that EMFs are dangerous even at a level 100,000 times greater than that found in most homes. What's more, according to the study, EMFs might actually speed the body's healing process after a bone is broken.—Alan J. Kearney 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 • MEMO June 6, 1997 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission and City Administrator FROM: Patrick C. Hollister,Administrative Assistant SUBJECT: Potential Park/Open Space Tour Discussion At the April 8, 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 10, 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 ithe 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 " O c m --