12/06/1979 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission (2)
'\~LNCCVC d
SUBJECT TO APPROVAL.
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE EAGAN ADVISORY PARK COMMITTEE
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
DECEMBER 6, 1979
A regular meeting of the Eagan Advisory Park Committee. was
held on December 6, 1979, at the Eagan City Hall. Those prsent
were Chairperson Lundsten, Members Thurston, Loken, Thomas,,Dandu-
rand, Carroll and Martin. Also present were Park Director Schmidt,
City Planner Runkle. and City Administrator Hedges. Radl and
O'Neill were absent.
MINUTES. Carroll moved and Martin seconded, with all members
voting~avor, that the minutes of the November 1, 1979, Advisory
Park Committee meeting be approved with no corrections.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA Thurston moved and Carroll seconded,
with a members voting in favor, to adopt the agenda for the Decem-
ber 6, 1979 meeting with the additions, as recommended by Park
Director Schmidt to discuss acquisition of additional land to
expand Rahn Park and plans for Deep Well No. 6 on park property
adjacent to the Univac facility on Coachman Road.
ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT. The City Administrator reported on
action that was to en y the City Council at the November 7, 1979,
November 20, 1979 and December 4, 1979 City Council meetings on
matters that were recommended for consideration by the Advisory
Park Committee and Park Director. He further read a letter of
resignation as submitted by Ginger O'Neill as a member of the
Advisory Park Committee to be effective at this meeting.
PRELIMINARY PLAT UPDATE. Park Director Schmidt stated that
a year en report outlining the status of all park dedication for
final plats recorded in 1979 will be prepared in the Annual Report.
Memebers of the Park Committee recommended that a map be used to
identify park land that 'was added due to acquisition or dedication
in,1979 throughout the City.
WEDGEWOOD ADDITION. Park Director Schmidt stated that the
park dedication suggested by the Park Committee at the last regular
meeting for Wedgewood Addition was reviewed and agreed upon by
the developer, Dunn & Curry Real Estate Management, Inc. A copy
of the letter from Park Director Schmidt outlining the park dedi-
cation requirements with an acceptance by Mr. Rod Hardy, repre-
senting Dunn & Curry Real Estate Management, Inc;., was reviewed
for members of the Advisory Park Committee. In a motion by Thur-
ston,, seconded by Dandurand, all members voting in favor, the park
dedication requirements for Wed.gewood Addition as outlined in the
letter from Park Director Schmidt and as accepted by Dunn & Curry
Real Estate Management, Inc., were approved and recommended to
the City Council for consideration.
WINTER RECREATION PROGRAM. Park and Recreation Director
Schmidt reported on the inter Recreation Programs, rink location
for open skating and hockey and schedules for the skating hours.
PARK COMMITTEE MINUTES
.DECEMBER 6, 1979
PAGE TWO
She further stated that information regarding the Winter Recreation
Program will be included in the City Newsletter, to be mailed out
in mid-December.
HIGH LINE TRAIL. Park Director Schmidt reported that the
Trail Subcommittee met and is recommending the following proposed
uses by segments for the High Line Trail:
Segment A - Lexington to Pilot Knob Road
Recommended: Pedestrian, bicycle, jogging, skate boarding on asphalt
pathway.
Not Recommended: Horses, cross country skiing, motorized vehicles
including mopeds and snowmobiles (snowmobiles can
use Wilderness Run Road).
Segment B - Pilot Knob to Thomas Lake Road
Recommended: Bicycle (with warning signs for steep terrain), pedestrian,
jogging on asphalt pathway.
Snowmobile, horse and.cross country akiing if separate
trails established.
Not Recommended: Motorized vehicles except snowmobiles, skateboarding
(due to multiple use and steep terrain)
Segment C - Thomas Lake Road to Johnny Cake Road
Recommended: Pedestrian, bicycle (with warning signs for steep terrain),
jogging on asphalt pathway.
Snowmobile, horse and cross country skiing if separate
. trails established.
Not Recommended: Motorized vehicles except snowmobiles, skateboarding
(due to multiple use and steep terrain).
Segment D - Johnny Cake Road to Woodgate Lane
Recommended: Pedestrian, bicycle (with warning signs for steep terrain),
jogging on asphalt pathway.
Snowmobile, horse and cross country skiing if separate
trails established.
Not Recommended: Motorized vehicles except snowmobiles, skateboarding
(due to multiple use and steep" terrain).
Segment E - Blackhawk Road to Rahn Road
Recommended:. Bicycle, pedestrian, jogging on asphalt pathway.
Snowmobile, horse and cross<country skiing if separate
trails established.
Not Recommended: Motorized vehicles.
r
y`
PARK COMMITTEE MINUTES
DECEMBER 6, 1979
PAGE THREE
Segment F - Rahn Road to Nichols Road
Recommended: Bicycle, pedestrian, jogging, skateboarding on asphalt
pathway.
Horse and cross country skiing if separate trails
established.
Not Recommended: Motorized vehicles including snowmobiles on account
of the recreation area (sliding hill on school
property).
Possible alternate route could be provided through
Rahn Park and on Rahn Road.
Park Committee Member Thomas asked if the Minnesota Department
of Transportation is planning trail crossings at Cedar Avenue and
Trunk Highway 13 for purposes of connecting trails in the flood
plain and State Park area abutting the Minnesota River. Park Di-
rector Schmidt agreed to research the matter further with the proper
State agencies. There was also. discussion regarding a name for
the High Line Trail. It was decided that additional time would
be given to this matter, realizing that a grand opening for the
trail would not be held until the Spring of 1980. In a motion
by Thomas, seconded by Loken, all members voting in favor, the
proposed use by segment of. the entire High Line Trail as stated
above was approved and is being recommended to the City Council
for consideration.
SALE OF OUTLOT A. Park Director Schmidt reported that action
was recently to en y the City Council to sell parkland that has
been determined to be excess parkland property and is described
as Outlot A in the Drexel Heights Addition. She further reported
that the property is 2/3 of an acre and was sold for $3,300. The
proceeds from the sale of parkland will be earmarked to the Park.
Site Fund and can be used for park acquisition or development in
the future.
PARK CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS REPORT. Park Director Schmidt
state t at the construction contract or development of Northview
Athletic Field, the Well Site Park, Burr Oak Park and South Oaks
Park has been completed.
PATRICK EAGAN PARK EXPANSION. Park Director Schmidt is recom-
mending that the grant agreement for acquisition of 15 acres from
Pat McCarthy for increasing the size of Patrick Eagan Park be re-
duced to ten acres as the City has experienced some difficulty
in obtaining the entire 15 acres. There was no objection expressed
by the Advisory Park Committee and the Park Director was directed
to proceed with the grant agreement to acquire ten instead of fif-
teen acres of property to expand Patrick Eagan Park.
PARK COMMITTEE MINUTES
DECEMBER 6, 1979
PAGE FOUR
PARK SIGNS: Park Director Schmidt presented concept drawings
for par entrance signs. Committee members reviewed the drawings
and were receptive to the proposed signs as presented. The recom-
mendation was made that Park Director Schmidt explore the possi-
bility of using reclaimed wood from Dutch Elm or Oak Wilt diseased
trees to make the signs.
RAHN PARK EXPANSION GRANT. Park Director Schmidt addressed
the present an urture criteria for LAWCON and LCMR grants, stating
that the first five (5) projects that were approved for state
funding were lake access projects. She stated that the Rahn Park
expansion was not approved and further that there is no guarantee
that the Rahn Park Expansion Grant would be approved in 1980 even
though the City was encouraged to reapply to the State Planning
Agency. Park Director Schmidt reported that Zachman Homes, Inc.,
is asking to plat the second phase of their project, but before.
they can complete platting, they feel it is necessary to know
whether the 20 acres of land north of their proposed development
owned by St. Paul Properties will be acquired for the expansion
of Rahn Park by the City or developed into the third phase of their
subdivision expansion. Park Committee members discussed the need:
for the City preserving the 20 acres of property adjacent to Rahn
Park owned by St. Paul Properties for additional expansion of Rahn
Park. City Administrator Hedges stated that funding the park land
acquisition would be a problem for the City unless grant funds
were acquired. He stated that the acquisition would cost the City
approximately $200,000 which is not an acceptable levy unless the
acquisition is approved by a vote of the people. He stated that
there are no other sources of funds to acquire the park land availa-
ble to his knowledge in 1980. After further discussion on the
matter and in a motion by Loken, seconded by Carroll, all members
voting in favor, action was taken to recommend an extension of
time by the City from Zachman Homes, Inc., to determine whether
a method of funding is available to acquire the 20 acres of park
land presently owned by St. Paul Properties, under option by Zach-
man Homes, Inc., and adjacent to Rahn Park for the following rea-
sons: The park land would 1) Expand the present park land allowing
safe and contiguous use for the school and the City, 2) The twenty
acres is the most suitable site for park land expansion in the.
area, 3) Increased housing and population density will create the
need for additional park land, 4) The park land is required to
provide additional open space for programs designated by the Cedar
Athletic. Association, 5) Contiguous park land is more desirable
for a maintenance program, and 6) Acquisition of the 20 acres com-
plies with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan for park and recreation
open space.
w j
PARK COMMITTEE MINUTES
DECEMBER 6, 1979
PAGE FIVE
DEEP WELL NO. 6. Park Director Schmidt stated that a deep
well is panne or construction in 1980 on property that is pre-
sently designated as park land, located adjacent to the Univac
property on Coachman Road north of Yankee Doodle Road. Park Com-
mittee members expressed dissatisfaction that they did not have
the opportunity to review long range land use plans for that pro-
perty before action was taken to approve construction of a deep
well on that site. In a motion by Thomas, seconded by Martin,
with all members voting in favor, it was recommended to the City
Council that future plans and progress of Deep Well No. 6 be delayed
until the Advisory Park Committee has an opportunity to review
the site plans for Deep Well No. 6 and to assess the impact of
the facility on the future use of the park site.
STEVE MORRIS - COMMUNITY CENTER FACILITY. Mr. Steve Morris
appease as an interests resident o tie community to discuss,
the need and a proposal for a multi-purpose community center faci-
lity. He spoke to proposed uses including a studio figure skating
rink , a hockey rink, an olympic sized pool, six racquet ball courts
and four tennis courts. He stated that there is a need in the
community for this type of facility. Mr. Morris indicated that
he has reviewed some preliminary design features for a community
center facility.. He stated -that the building he had
looked into is a steel structure, 330 feet by 260 feet
in size, and would cost an estimated $1,700,000 to
construct. Mr. Dave Wallace, representing the Cedar Athletic Asso-
ciation, appeared and stated that he is supportive of the presenta-
tion and stated that a number of residents in the community have
expressed interest in an outdoor pool which should also be consi-
dered in the study. Committee members stated that satelite swimming
pools have been considered as a part of long range park development
in the community. Mr. Wallace asked that an outdoor pool be consi-
dered for the Rahn Park area if outdoor swimming pools are consi-
dered by 'the City Council in the future. Mr. Morris indicated that
one method of financing a part or all of the community center faci-
lity would be through a fund raising program with private business..
The City Administrator stated that the only funds available by
the City for constructing a part of or all of the facility would
be through a referendum or vote by the people. After a lengthy
discussion, including various important questions by the Advisory
Park Committee, it was suggested by the City Administrator that
representatives of various organizations in support of a community
center facility meet with the City Council and Advisory Park Com-
mittee to discuss the various alternatives available for considering
the development and construction of a community center facility.
There was no action taken on the matter.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned
at 10:30p.m.
DATED: December 6, 1979 TLH
Secretary