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1993-04-13 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda PacketCITY ,OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION - 6:30 P.M. 4p ( I �, t cgs ** 6:30 o'clock p.m. ** 1. Call to Order. 2. Roll Call. 3. Approval of March 9, 1993 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes. 4. Guidelines for the Dedication of Fields in Parks System * Adoption of Guidelines * Request to Dedicate Park/Field in Mendota Heights after Richard (Jake) Grauman * Mr. Daniel O'Keefe, Korean War Veteran Association 5. Application for ISTEA Funds - Dakota County * Request to Adopt Resolution of Support 6. Verbal Updates. 7. Adjourn. Auxiliary aids for disabled persons 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, however, this may not be possible on short notice. Please contact City Administration at 452- 1850 with requests. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO April 8, 1993 To: Parks and Recreatioi Commission From: Kevin Batchelder,00 inistrative Assistant Subject: New Starting Time for Meetings DISCUSSION At the March Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, it was decided by a unanimous vote to begin the regularly scheduled monthly Commission meetings at 6:30 p.m instead of 7:00 p.m. This memo is to serve as a reminder that the meeting will begin at the new time. Roll Call: 6:30 o'clock p.m. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MARCH 9, 1993 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, March 9, 1993, in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Katz, Norton, Kleinglass, Spicer, Linnell, Damberg and Libra. Also present were Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder and Civil Engineer Klayton Eckles. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Damberg moved to approve the February 9, 1993 Minutes. Commissioner Spicer seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 REQUEST TO DEDICATE FIELD The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed the request to name a field or, park in •the Mendota Heights park system after Mr. Richard (Jake) Grauman. Mr. Daniel O'Keefe, 745 Pontiac Place, on behalf of the Korean War Veteran's Association, had made a request of the City of Mendota Heights to name a field or a park after Richard Grauman who was missing in action in the Korean War. The Commission discussed the need to have a policy on naming fields and parks in Mendota Heights. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated he had contacted the School .District about the possibility of naming the Sibley Park Varsity baseball field in dedication of Richard Grauman. Batchelder stated the Sibley Varsity baseball field would be an appropriate site because the School District encompasses the community of West St. Paul and Mendota Heights. Batchelder stated a lot of parents and children would be visiting the Varsity baseball field in the future and this would be a quite visible site. Commissioner Kleinglass stated he believes the request was also coincidental to the 40th Anniversary of the Korean War and the fact that the Korean War Veteran's Association is holding their annual convention in Bloomington in July. Kleinglass stated there was a possibility that President Clinton would be in town for a dedication ceremony to inter ten M.I.A.'s at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Mr. O'Keefe introduced LeRoy Noack, Chuck Velin and his brother, Gary O'Keefe as friends and neighbors of Richard (Jake) Grauman. Mr. O'Keefe stated all four are Veterans of the Korean War. Mr. O'Keefe stated the worse possible fate for a soldier is to be missing and the second worse possible fate is then to be forgotten. Mr. O'Keefe stated when all of Richard'sfriends and neighbors are gone, he will then be forgotten and that he believes it would be a fine thing for the City to preserve his memory by naming a field after him. Mr. O'Keefe stated that Jake sacrificed his life in service of his Country and that it would be appropriate to dedicate a field in his honor. Commissioner Spicer inquired if there was a Mendota Heights in the 1940's when Jake and his friends went through high school. Mr. Noack responded that at that time Mendota Heights was a township and that everyone north of Highway 110 was in what was considered District 5 schools at that time. Mr. Noack stated that the choice was to attend South St. Paul or Humboldt High School and at that time Sibley School was a junior high. Mr. Noack stated at that time everybody in this area considered themselves West Siders and it was considered to be one community. Mr. Velin stated Jake Grauman is one of two soldiers missing in action from the Korean War that were from Dakota County. He stated it would be nice to name a ballfield after Jake Grauman because he was a recognized athlete in high school and his desire was to run a sporting goods store after the war. Mr. Velin stated it would be a good thing for Mendota Heights and that this dedication ceremony could be tied in with the National Convention that the Korean War Veteran's Association is holding in Bloomington this coming July. Mr. O'Keefe stated the other gentleman missing in action from Dakota County was from southern Dakota County and the request is only for Jake Grauman's dedication.Mr. O'Keefe stated there are still 8,000 soldiers missing in action from the Korean War. The Commission inquired if Humboldt High School or the City of West St. Paul had been approached. Mr. Velin responded they just feel the dedication for Jake Grauman should be somewhere in Dakota County and that Mendota Heights has new park facilities and that Jake's closest friends have resided in Mendota Heights for many years. The Commission briefly discussed the need to have a policy to guide their actions on recommendations for park dedications. Commissioner Spicer stated these gentlemen must really have been friends to come back forty years later to get their friend recognized and have a park dedicated after him. Mr. Velian responded all four of the gentlemen present tonight were good friends of Jake Grauman and he was the kind of guy who never said a bad thing about anybody. He stated that Jake was a true gentlemen and everybody liked Jake. Commissioner Kleinglass moved that the Parks Commission give staff some guidelines on a policy to adopt at the April meeting and that the Parks Commission at the April meeting should make a recommendation that a field be named for Mr. Richard (Jake) Grauman. Commissioner Spicer seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 The Commission directed staff to come back with a brief policy discussing the procedural approach for approving park dedications and directed staff to pursue with the School District the Sibley Varsity baseball field as the first priority for naming a field after Richard (Jake) Grauman and that the second priority would be a softball field. Commissioner Norton stated that part of the policy should include a diversity in the types of contributions made including historical and civic contributions as well as military contributions. Commissioner Libra stated this would be an opportunity to recognize all. Korean Veterans and that this should be a tribute for all missing in action Korean Veterans. IVY FALLS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Civil Engineer Klayton Eckles made a presentation on the Ivy Falls Storm Water Improvement Project for the information of the Parks Commission. Eckles explained the drainage and erosion problems in Ivy Falls Creek and. described the improvement project plans. Eckies stated the park area. currently contains a small .detention pond with temporary storage for water during large rain events. He stated this storage capacity is inadequate and as part of the improvement project need to be enlarged. Eckles stated a detention pond concentrates water during major storm events and then slowly allows the water to drain through a small pipe. He stated this capacity allows the City to plan for catastrophic ten year and 100 year storms'. He stated currently there is a wet pond in this area and the detention area fills up during a one year storm event. He stated the City desires to build its capacity to handle a ten year storm event.so that the water does not flow over Maple Park Drive. Eckies explained the City Engineers have planned to excavate out a small area of the park and build a berm along Maple Park Drive that would hold the water back and allow the water to pool in this area. Eckles stated the size of the permanent water pond area would not change but that the detention area is being enlarged. Commissioner Spicer inquired if this detention area would ) impact the ballfield or the playground equipment. Eckles stated no, but it will be close to the play field and the ballfield, however they would not be disturbed at all during construction or during storm events. Eckies stated the major impact will be the aesthetics due to grading and the loss of trees and vegetation. Eckies stated the plans are to build a dike on the south end of the pond along Maple Park Drive and that this berm will be approximately eight feet tall at the highest location. Eckies stated that this berm would be higher than the road and will block visibility into the park for someone sitting in a vehicle at the corner of Sylvandale and Maple Park Drive. Eckies also stated this berm would be in the area where the current sign is. Eckies stated a portion of the current trail will be removed and replaced with this construction project. Eckies described possibilities for replacing the trail and providing benches and picnic tables along the water's edges. He described his idea to transplant trees to provide shade for the play structure and described how new trees and clusters of vegetation would be planted. Eckies stated a retaining wall will be built in the southwest corner of the park to save some existing mature trees and described the potential for an additional trail in this area. Commissioner Damberg inquired if there would be a safety problem with the play equipment being adjacent to the pond. Eckies responded no, the existing pond is the same as the proposed pond only that there would be increased detention during severe storm events. Eckies stated the landscape pian included the planting of cattails and vegetation to define the edges of the pond keep children and pets away. Eckies stated the pond will have a less severe grade and less severe slopes in the future and that with the plantings along the edge of the pond would be more conducive to wildlife. Eckies stated there have been some delays in this project and he is still looking at a July start with fail construction. Commissioner Norton inquired what the detention area would look like when it is not wet and holding water. Eckies described this as a grassy area that would be landscaped with new trees. He stated there is money in the project budget for trees, trail replacement, berming and landscaping. Commissioner Libra stated the drainage on the nearby ballfield is poor and can this be improved. Eckies responded that the only way to improve the drainage of that ballfield would be to provide drain tile or to regrade the field. Commissioner Libra inquired if staff could take a look at this. Eckies inquired if anyone on the Commission had strong opinions about the improvement project as discussed this evening. Commissioner Katz stated the eight foot berm appears to be the major concern as it blocks visibility into the park from a small portion of Maple Park Drive, Commissioner Linnell stated the new bike trail proposed on the southwest side of the pond is probably too steep down to the street to be safe. He was wondering if the trail could be dead ended into this picnic area. Commissioner Linnell also stated a concern about the height of the berm and its blocking of access and visibility into the park. He inquired if the play equipment would be visible from the street. Eckies responded that he is trying to balance the water volume needs with the access and visibility to the park. Eckies stated a berm could be only 3'8" high to be visible from someone sitting in a car parked along the street. Eckies explained the engineers had looked at having a 6 foot berm instead of an 8 foot berm but thatthis would block as much visibility and would require the detention area to take up more of the existing park and would encroach on the playground equipment area and the ballfield. The Parks Commission discussed the project and its impact on the park and inquired if staff could plan to include more tree plantings; if staff could look into the drainage on the ballfield and to direct Parks Project Manager Kullander to review the aesthetics and landscaping for possible recommendations and that this is an opportunity to improve some of the landscaping and amenities around the pond area. ANNUAL PARK CELEBRATION COMMITTEE Batchelder stated he was beginning to form a volunteer planning committee to steer the plans for this coming year's annual park celebration. He stated a letter would be sent out to last year's participants and volunteers seeking people to staff the steering committee. Commissioner Norton and Commissioner Libra volunteered to be on the planning committee. Batchelder stated he would be contacting City Councilmembers to serve on the steering committee. VERBAL UPDATES Batchelder stated a few City Councilmembers had received phone calls from the Sibley girl's fast pitch team who were concerned that their teams would not be accommodated on the new Mendakota fields. Batchelder stated Recreation Programmer Michelle Morgan had been taking written requests for field reservations and was trying to accommodate all user groups who desire to use those fields. Batchelder stated the Sibley girl's fast pitch team has been preliminarily scheduled to have one field on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Batchelder stated staff had met Mr. Eugene Schway owner of the Par 3 Golf Course to discuss his plans to sell the property. Batchelder stated staff and Mr. Schway discussed the league activity currently at the Par 3 Golf Course, the employment of the current work force and a purchase price. Batchelder stated a leasing option was also discussed with Mr. Schway. Batchelder stated the City staff had asked Mr. Schway to provide five years worth of audited financial reports and to provide the league schedules so staff could analyze the economics of the Par 3 Golf Course. Batchelder stated it was likely that after this analysis had been done, this item would be showing up on a parks agenda. Batchelder stated the Dakota County Board had given County staff the okay to work with MnDOT on providing tunnels on the old Soo Line rail bed for their regional trail system. Batchelder stated he was getting conflicting reports from the County and MnDOT regarding whether these tunnels would be included in the design for the highway project. Batchelder stated the City is still cooperating with Dakota County and the City of Minneapolis to pursue ISTEA Funding for providing this regional trail system on the west side of the City of Mendota Heights. Batchelder stated the Recreation Programmer had put together a nature camp program to be conducted on July 29 and 30 this year at Valley Park. He stated this is a two-day day camp that would operate from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. and would be put on by Mr. Tim Lundahl who is an interpretive naturalist who has worked in the past with the Cities of Burnsville, Lakeville, Eagan, Savage and Apple Valley. Batchelder stated activities will include a plant hike, making leaf print t - shirts, pond studies and other outdoor games. Batchelder stated this is designed for children ages 6-12 and that the program would be funded by user fees. There would need to be a minimum of 15 registrants and a maximum 30 registrants. Batchelder stated that this was one step towards meeting the Parks Commission's desire to have non -athletic recreational programs. Batchelder stated the St. Thomas request for tennis courts was approved by City Council for Roger's Lake Park and Marie Park. Batchelder stated softball registration is keeping Michelle Morgan busy and that the leagues are filling up. Batchelder stated sand volleyball registration begins in April. Batchelder stated that the ice skating rinks were closed on Tuesday, March 2nd and that this provided a season two weeks longer than the normal ice skating season. Batchelder stated a report on ice rink usage would be available at a future meeting. MEETING TIME Commissioner Spicer made a motion that the Parks Commission begin their regular meetings a 6:30 P.M. in order to conclude earlier in the evening. Commissioner Katz seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 COMMISSION COMMENTS Commissioner Linnell stated that if the City is starting to get serious about the acquisition of the Par 3 Golf Course that he had some reservations about this. Linnell stated the golf course should be seriously analyzed to see if it makes economic sense and that there might be other, better park needs for this land. He stated the City should analyze the best area for a golf course and whether the golf course would work. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the Parks Commission adjourned at 8:50 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO April 9, 1993 To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kevin Batchelder, Administrative Ass Subject: Application for ISTEA Funds - Dakota County Request to Adopt Resolution of Support DISCUSSION Dakota County is seeking grant funds through the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiencies Act (ISTEA) to construct an underpass for a regional trail along the old Soo Line Railroad bed. Approximately $300,000 is being sought to construct an underpass where the new frontage road to Mendota will cross the rail bed. (Please see attached map.) Dakota County has requested that the City of Mendota Heights support their application for this ISTEA grant with a formal resolution of support. Lynn. Moratzka, Planner for Dakota County,. has informed me that this is the first of three grant proposals. The first grant will be for the underpass at Highway 110, the second proposal this Fall will be for the removal of the railroad and the construction of a regional trail and the third proposal will be to link the Mendota Heights Road and Pilot Knob Road trails to the Mendota Bridge and Soo Line trail. In May, Dakota County and MnDOT will be holding a public meeting to discuss this regional trail and the underpass. On April 6th the City Council passed a similar resolution of support for the City of Eagan's ISTEA application. (See attached resolution.) If the Commission makes a positive recommendation to City Council to support the Dakota County application, a similar resolution of support will be drafted for Council approval. ACTION REQUIRED Discuss the request for a resolution of support for Dakota County's ISTEA application and make a recommendation to City Council. • _j:!ii... •, _�-.r.'. :' �� :-.......z.'":•-`5-1.,,.";-.0:77"-.,,,,.!/,'" -..`�-•'f, X0:77 ice- : 9=• — ;, •: • r 7t ��./ / - ,,, { ./..'-._::tea :k : = i_ '; fir" —,..(......•1. /•!• . r 1..:...--; \-.:`5#121 V- / •:. _:.1;',‹iry i i • .i • f1•'•• - 1 ^r't - 1........ " • J :ivy.i Resurrection Cemetery fer.� :.70.?:•:::•••• "' -- ,`.;• r ...1.01.,;. 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CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. 93- A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING EFFORTS OF THE CITY OF EAGAN TO DEVELOP TRAILWAY CONNECTIONS INTO THE MINNESOTA RIVER VALLEY TRAILS SYSTEM WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Dakota County and the Cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Bloomington and Eagan have established an informal coalition to jointly pursue the coordinated development of trail connections and linkages through the Minnesota River Valley; and WHEREAS, this network of trails will offer the public enhanced opportunities for trail related recreation including bicycling,_ walking, jogging, nature enjoyment, and other recreation pursuits in and around the Minnesota and Mississippi River Valleys; and WHEREAS, an integrated system of trails will provide citizens with new opportunities to gain direct pedestrian access to significant points of destination in adjoining communities, including the Mall of America, Fort Snelling State Park, Minnehaha Park, Hidden Falls/Crosby Farm Park, Lilydale/Harriet Island Park, Lebanon Hills Regional Park, and the Minnesota Zoo; and WHEREAS, the completion of key trail linkages will afford local commuters with alternative. modes of pedestrian transportation to and from major employers within the Minnesota River Valley area including the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, Veteran's Hospital, Ford Motor Company, Mall of. America, Blue Cross/Blue Shield Corporation and Northwest Airlines, to name a few; and WHEREAS, the City of Eagan has placed its highest priority on trails connections into the Minnesota River Valley thereby promotion the inter -agency trails network concept; and. WHEREAS, the City of Eagan has applied for matching federal ISTEA funds to construct such trails. NOW THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights that the City of Mendota Heights endorses the application by the City of Eagan for ISTEA funds to complete trail connections to the Minnesota River Valley trails system. Adopted by the City Council of the City of Mendota Heights this 6th day of April, 1993. ATTEST: CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS By Kathleen M. Swanson, Charles E. Mertensotto, City Clerk Mayor ro\re GP co DAKOTA COUNTY March 11, 1993 DIVISION OF PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT 14955 GALAXIE AVENUE LOUIS J. BREIMHURST, P.E. DIRECTOR (612)891-7005 FAX (612) 891-7031 APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA 55124-8579 DEPARTMENTS OF - • ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT • HIGHWAYS • PARKS • SURVEY • OFFICE OF PLANNING Mayor Charles E. Mertensotto 2371 Rogers Avenue Mendota Heights MN 55120 Dear Mayor Mertensotto: This letter is to officially notify your City of recent action taken by the Dakota County Board aimed at preserving the Soo Line Corridor in northwest Dakota County for future recreation and transportation use. The Soo Line corridor, shown on the enclosed map, is in the process of being acquired by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) in conjunction with the Mendota Bridge reconstruction and the realignment of TH 13 with TH 55. MnDOT has indicated a willingness to help preserve this segment as a possible regional trail corridor. This corridor is the only feasible trail linkage between Lilydale/Harriet Island Regional Park and Fort Snelling. State Park. The corridor is also the key regional trail link for Minneapolis and St. Paul residents to travel by trail to Lebanon Hills Regional Park, the Minnesota Zoological Garden, and the rest of suburban Dakota County.. Conversely, the corridor is the key regional trail link for Dakota County residents to travel by trail to Minneapolis and St. Paul. The continuity of the corridor, however, would be broken where the MNDOT-designed TH 110 exit ramp comes down into Mendota because MNDOT plans did not provide for a tunnel or bridge under the exit ramp. Without a tunnel under the exit ramp, the trail would have to be routed north across TH 13 into downtown Mendota. Routing back andforth across TH 13 in downtown Mendota is unworkable for a regional trail because of traffic congestion and because of buildings that front very close to the highway right-of-way. To begin actualizing the project, the Dakota County Board .has orderedthe preparation of a cooperation agreement with MNDOT for the construction of a bridge tunnel this summer beneath the TH 110 exit ramp. As shown in the enclosed resolution, the County Board directed that grant funds be sought for the bridge tunnel, and that County staff assist in a public -information meeting on the trail corridor that will be held early this summer. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Page 2 We will keep your City informed about further developments on this project. We hope to have continued support for the regional trail from your City. Should you desire further information about the proposed regional trail corridor, please call John Forrest or Lynn Moratzka at the County Planning Office. Sincerely ‘494010004.0110444•00 Jack Ditmore Deputy Director PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT DIVISION Enclosures jf/keg:N:tunotice CC: VKevin Batchelder, Assistant City Administrator Jack Caroon, MNDOT Design Engineer Barb Schmidt, Director, Parks Brandt Richardson, County Administrator Arne. Stefferud, Metropolitan Council Jim Barton, Metropolitan Council Del Barber, DNR Louis J. Breimhurst, Director, Physical Development Division Neil Franey, Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County 03/12/93 14:01 DAKOTA COUNTY—ADMINISTRATION 002 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DAKOTA COUNTY. MINNESOTA DATE March 9 , 1993 RESOLUTIONNO 93-220 Motion by Commissioner Maher Seconded by Corondsaioner Oat WHEREAS, Dakota County has been working with Mn/DOT and the Cities of Eagan and Mendota Heights in efforts to utilize the 6vo Line Corridor'for future multi-purpose public transportation users; and WHEREAS, said corridor is the only viable trail -linkage between Lilydale Regional Park and Fort Snelling State Park, and is a key trail. linkage between Dakota County and the Counties of Hennepin. and Rainey; and WHEREAS, preservation of the continuity of said corridor is vital to its. future value as a public transportation and recreation corridor. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That a Cooperation Agreement be prepared for County Board consideration wherein Dakota County and Mn/DOT would agree to the construction of a bridge tunnel crossing on the Soo Line Corridor at the intersection of the Highway 110 exit ramp, subject to the stipulation that .funds riot be required to be transferred to Mn/DOT before January 1, 1994; and BE IT k'URTHEI. RESOLVED, That Dakota County work with Mendota heights and other involved government units to apply for an Intermodal surface Transportation and Efficiency Act (ISTEA) grant to help finance the bridge tunnel construction; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That staff notify involved cities of 'these County Board actions; and. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That staff assist Mn/DOT in distributing a soaping document on the &oo Line Corridor. and also assist Mn//DoT in conducting a public informational meeting on said soaping dacument. Harris Maher Rieharda Turner Jansen Loading YES X X X X X State of Minnesota County of Dakota Harris Maher eataglia Richards Turner. Jensen Loading No I, Joan L, Rendall, Clerk to the Board of the County of Dakota. State of Minnesota, du hereby certify that i have compared the foregoing copy of a resolution with the original minutes of the proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners, Dakota County, Minnesota, at their session held on the_.._...__ _ 9th clay of Marf;h 19 93, naw on file in the County Administration Department, arid have found the same to he n true and correct copy thereof. Witness tray hand and official seal of Dakota County this CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO April 9, 1993 To: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Kevin Batchelder, Administrative Assistant Subject: Request to Dedicate Sibley Baseball Field Adoption of Guidelines DISCUSSION At the March meeting, the Commission discussed a request by Mr. Daniel O'Keefe to name a park or a field after Richard (Jake) Grauman, a Korean War veteran missing -in -action. The Commission also discussed the need to have some guidelines for considering these types of requests in the future. The Commission directed staff to propose guidelines based on their direction and to approach Independent School District 197 officials about dedicating the Sibley Park baseball field after Jake Grauman. Please see attached letter from Lois Rockney, Director of Business Affairs at ISD -197, describing the procedure for obtaining school district approval. I have discussed this matter with Mr. O'Keefe and he has submitted a request to the school district for their consideration. Please see attached proposed Guidelines for the Dedication of Park Fields and Facilities. ACTION REQUIRED Discuss the proposed guidelines, make any desired additions or revisions and make a recommendation to City Council. If the Commission so desires, they should also make a recommendation to City Council for the dedication of the Sibley Park baseball field in honor of Richard (Jake) Grauman. IN EXC� O a ..eLl 'i,CiO LOIS ROMNEY Director of Business Affairs April 1, 1993 Mr. Kevin Batchelder City of Mendota Heights 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, Minnesota 55118 Dear Kevin: (612) 681-2384 This letter is to follow up on our telephone conversation of this morning regarding the dedication and naming of a field after a Korean War Veteran named Richard (Jake) Grauman. As I indicated, the District has no specific policy regarding the dedication or naming of fields. The normal procedure would be for the City, or the parties proposing the dedication to the City, to generate a letter to the Superintendent, Dr. Jack Loss, requesting the dedication. The request would be considered by the Finance and Facilities Committee of the School Board and from there, would go on for Board action. If you have any. other questions regarding this process, please contact me. Llook forward to hearing inore about this proposal..,• Sincerely, Lois M. Rockney Director of Business Affairs INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 197 District Offices 1897 Delaware Avenue West St. Paul, Minnesota 55118 (612) 681-2300 FAX (612) 681-9102 Serving West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Eagan. Mendota, Sunfish Lake, Lilydale, and Inver Grove Heights GUIDELINES FOR THE DEDICATION OF PARK FIELDS AND FACILITIES WORKING DRAFT APRIL 13, 1993 PURPOSE The City of Mendota Heights recognizes that it is necessary to adopt guidelines for the proper disposition of requests by individuals or organizations to dedicate or commemorate parks or park facilities in the honor of individuals (or groups). The purpose of these guidelines is to establish the process, procedures and criteria for the consideration of these requests. PROCESS A formal request in writing shall be addressed to the Parks and Recreation Commission. This written request should be accompanied by supporting documents and should be delivered to the Secretary of the Parks and Recreation Commission a minimum of ten days prior to the next regularly scheduled Commission meeting. City Council approval is necessary for the dedication of any parks or park facilities. City Council will consider requests for dedication of park facilities following a recommendation by the Parks and Recreation Commission. In the case of Sibley Park, or any other joint City/School District park or facility, approval by the School District and the City Council is necessary. It is the applicant's responsibility to obtain any approvals required by the School District. POLICY The City's approval of requests for park dedications in honor of individuals (or groups) should only occur after consideration of the criteria as established below. CRITERIA The following criteria is established as the standard under which dedications in honor of individuals (or groups) will be considered for park and park facilities: 1. It is the objective of the City that any dedication in honor of an individual should be based on meritorious service, commitment or contribution to the community, City, State or Country. 2. It is the objective of the dedications should reflect contributions made including social contributions. City that, on the whole, these a diversity in the types of historical, civic, military, or 3. It is the City's objective not to rename City parks which are already well known and identified by such well known names throughout the community. This is in keeping with the City's past practice of naming parks after the neighborhoods or streets where they are located. 4. It is the City's objective to name only those parks or facilities that are as yet unnamed. 5. It is the City's objective for these requests to name individual components of a park. Those individual components may include ballfields, rinks and courts. 6. The Adopt-A.-Park program is an appropriate vehicle for the naming of a trail or park. Trails will not be dedicated except through the Adopt-A.-Park program.