1984-04-10 Council minutesPage No. 2003
April 10, 1984
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Special Meeting
Held Tuesday, April 10, 1984
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the special meeting of the City Council,
City of Mendota Heights, was held at 7:30 o'clock P.M. at the City Hall, 750
South Plaza Drive, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
Mayor Lockwood called the meeting to order at 7:30 o'clock P.M. The following
members were present: Mayor Lockwood, Councilmembers Blesener, Hartmann,
Mertensotto and Witt.
KRAJNIAK It was immediately announced that the Council would convene
LITIGATION in a closed door session to continue discussion on pending
litigation regarding the Krajniak storm drainage easement.
In addition to the Mayor and Councilmembers, City Attorney
Tom Hart and City Administrator Kevin Frazell were also
present, as well as Public Works Director Jim Danielson.
JOINT PARK & REC
SESSION
The closed door session was completed at 7:50 o'clock P.M.
At 8:00 o'clock P.M., the Council convened in joint session
with the Park and Recreation Commission. Commission Chair-
person Jim Stein expressed appreciation to the Council for the
joint meeting, and indicated that the purpose for the meeting
was to ascertain Council interest in acquiring two large parcels
in the City for development as community playfields, along
with development of a bike trail system. Those parcels are
the Wachtler property, and the School District #197 property.
The group had some brief discussion about the need and feasibility
of conducting a survey of community need and interest. City
Treasurer Larry Shaughnessy then presented updated cost figures
for acquisition of the two parcels, along with the tax impli-
cations of bond issues of various sizes to fund the acquisitions
and development of the bike trail system.
Councilman Hartmann stated he felt the most important thing was
to lock in a price on the Wachtler property, since it was the
parcel that the City was most in danger of losing to private
development.
Park Commissioner Mary Jeanne Schneeman said that she had talked
to a member of the Wachtler family, Mrs. Eileen Kennedy, who
had told her that the family had no interest in selling at this
time.
Mayor Lockwood said that he thought the City should also look
into the possibility of obtaining a formal first right of refusal
on the School District property, although the School Board has
indicated that they are not intending to sell the property in the
near future.
Councilman Mertensotto said that he thought it would be very
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April 10, 1984
difficult to pass a bond referendum on the general election
ballot in the fall, given the high voter turnout. He also
said he thought it was important to resolve any problems with
the Wachtler family, since it would be difficult to pass a bond
issue if it had a cloud over it that the landowners did not wish
to sell to the City for park development.
It was decided that the most appropriate route would be for Mayor
Lockwood and City Administrator Frazell to make more formal
contact with Mrs. Kennedy, to express the City's interest in
acquiring the property, and pointing out that this site had been
designated as potential park development for a number of years
in the City's Comprehensive Plan.
It was also agreed that the Commission and the Council need
updated cost figures for development of the two parcels once
they are acquired.
The Commission and Council then discussed the need for ballfields
in the community. Park Department representative Terry Blum
said that being a softball player himself, he could
attest that if the fields were available they could probably be
filled up every night.
Councilwoman Blesener said that she felt development of the bike
trail system was top priority, and she hated to see it tied to
acquisition and development of the Wachtler property, in case
the latter becomes difficult to acquire.
City Administrator Frazell indicated that there might be other
possibilities for funding bike trail development, since the
Mendota Heights system probably ranked very well in competition
for state grants, should the state program ever be funded.
Treasurer Shaughnessy also indicated that the Park fund is
estimated to soon have approximately $300,000 in fund balance.
It was agreed that Mayor Lockwood and City Administrator Frazell
would make further contact with the Wachtler family, that the
City engineering department would give updated cost estimates
for development of the Wachtler and School District sites, and
that the groups would then reconvene to consider further steps.
Councilman Mertensotto said he thought a professional needs
assessment would be important in selling the bond issue.
Public Works Director Danielson gave a report on a portion of a
bike trail which had been developed by Mn/DOT in connection with
the I-35E right-of-way. The bike trail currently runs from
Rogers Lake Park along Wagon Wheel Trail up to a vacant lot in
Curley's Addition, between Lexington Avenue and I-35E. The
issue was brought up, because neighbors abutting the vacant
property have recently .asked if and when the City intends to
complete the bike trail.
Public Works Director Danielson said that the extra lot has been
set aside and dedicated to the City as part of the plat for the
Curley's development. He suggested that the City sell the lot
ADJOURN
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
ATTEST:
Page No.2005
April 10, 1984
for development, retaining an easement to complete the bike
trail on through to public streets. The proceeds of the lot
sale could be used for trail development.
The Council and the Commission agreed that this would be a
sensible use of the property, and would provide a good example
in the community of what could be done for bike trails, to
generate more enthusiasm for a parks bond issue. The Commission
and Council also discussed the fact that this bike trail align-
ment might be a potential alternative to expensive development
of a bike trail along Lexington Avenue. Mr. Danielson indicated
that the City engineering department is looking at that option.
The meeting ended by a viewing of a parks bond promotional slide
show program which was prepared by Howard Dahlgren and Associates
for the City of Burnsville.
There being no further business to come before the Council,
Councilwoman Witt moved that the meeting be adjourned.
Councilman Hartmann seconded the motion.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 9:50 o'clock P.M.
120.471-4
Robert G. Lockwood
Mayor
1447
thleen M. Swanson
City Clerk