09/05/1985 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ADVISORY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
SEPTEMBER 5, 1985
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Martin at 7:25 P.M. Members
present were Kubik, Martin, Caponi, Fedde, Ketcham, Thurston and Masin.
Members Carroll, Bertz and Alt had notified the Commission they would be
unable to attend. Also present were Parks & Recreation Director Ken Vraa;
Landscape Architect/Parks Planner Steve Sullivan; Assistant Planner Jim Sturm;
Administrative Assistant Liz Witt and Parks Intern Scott Morgan.
AGENDA
Parks & Recreation Director Vraa added 5a & b - Dakota County Trails Plan and
Kehne House; 6c - September 19 meeting with Trapp Farm Park structure
architects; and 71 - playground equipment report. On a motion by Fedde,
seconded by Masin, the agenda was accepted as amended. All voted in favor.
MINUTES OF AUGUST 1, 1985
Commission member Masin moved, Fedde seconded, the minutes be approved as
presented. The motion carried.
MINUTES OF AUGUST 152 1985
On page two, Rahn Ridge, should read "proposed commercial lots," not
government lots. On page 3, pleasure skating - Lexington Park, Chairman
Martin said the minutes should be clarified to indicate there will be pleasure
skating this coming winter and more lights may be added. On a motion by
Fedde, seconded by Kubik, the minutes were approved as corrected. The motion
carried.
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
A. WHISPERING WOODS
Assistant Planner Jim Sturm said that Whispering Woods is a proposal for 15
single family lots on 5.4 acres in the SW corner of the City. There were no
land or trail dedication concerns for the parcel. Commission member Kubik
moved, Fedde seconded, to accept a cash dedication. All voted in favor.
B. WESTBROOK FIRST ADDITION
This proposal was for six (6) lots and is adjacent to Lexington Place South.
The Council had approved the project at the September 3rd meeting. On a
motion by Fedde, seconded by Kubik, the Commission recommended cash dedication
be accepted. The motion carried.
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Adv. Parks & Rec. Comm
September 5, 1985
C. NORWEST SECOND ADDITION
Norwest has 3.88 acres north of their bank which they wish to develop. One
possible tenant might be a medical clinic. The other lot might house an
office or retail. The Planning Commission has several concerns and has
continued the proposal to their September meeting. The Parks Commission
continued the plat to their October agenda.
D. SUNSET TENTH ADDITION
The Planning Commission continued this proposal as they have some concerns
about access. The Parks Commission will consider Sunset Tenth at the October
meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
A. JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT/CITY PARK PURCHASE
The Director of Parks & Recreation reviewed the background of the proposed
school/park site. The selected site for an elementary school is on Wescott
Road just east of the NSP easement. Cost for the 10-acre park parcel will be
$90,000 with probable construction of the school/park to take place within the
next five (5) years. If the school is not constructed, the City would
continue to plan for a park in the area. Commission members agreed that it
would be wise to have a park plan with trails ready to go so that the park and
school are constructed at the same time. There was additional discussion
regarding trails, access to the park, possible joint development of the site,
play equipment location, etc. Members commented and agreed that staff
analysis was excellent. Their concerns shall be included in the agreement or
understanding with the School District.
On a motion by Caponi, seconded by Masin, the Commission recommended the City
pursue the purchase of ten acres with the district and to plan its efforts to
develop the park with the district incorporating staff recommendations. Staff
should also prepare a basic park plan in cooperation with the School District.
The motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
A. DAKOTA COUNTY TRAILS PLAN
Dakota County provided a proposed five-year C.I.P./Trails Plan to the City for
comment and recommendations. Plans for 1986 include:
Nicols Road - Beau D'Rue to Cliff Road
Lone Oak Road - Pilot Knob to Eagandale Blvd
1987 - Pilot Knob Road - Yankee Doodle to Cliff Road
1988 - Cliff Road - Lexington Ave. to the eastern boundary
1989 - Cliff Road - Johnny Cake Road to Pilot Knob Road
1990 - Cliff Road - Pilot Knob Road to Lexington Ave
Pilot Knob Road - From Cliff Road south
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Adv. Parks & Rec. Comm.
September 5, 1985
Commission discussed the 5-year plan at some length and made the following
comments and recommendations:
The City appreciates the opportunity to be heard on the subject of
trails, particularly since they are so heavily used in our community.
Commission would like the County to consider doing the Cliff Road
Trail between Pilot Knob Road and Lexington in 1988, the same year
they construct the Cliff Road segment from Lexington to the east.
Commission went on to say the County should include in its trails
plan, construction of a trail on Yankee Doodle Road between Pilot Knob
Road and Lexington Avenue. Members urged the County to include a
trail on Lexington Avenue from Yankee Doodle south to County Road 30.
(A trail is in place on Lexington Avenue from County Road 30 to
Cliff). This would provide a much needed trails link, particularly
because of the proposed 170-acre Town Centre Development.
The motion was made by Caponi, seconded by Kubik, with all members voting in
favor.
On a related matter, there was discussion of the bike trail along Rahn Road,
specifically south of Diffley to Rahn Park. On a motion by Ketcham, seconded
by Fedde, staff was directed to review the status of the Rahn Road trail. The
motion carried.
B. KEHNE HOUSE
Director Vraa noted that there were only two bids for a new heating system
and that staff is reviewing them now. He stated that the,contractor who is
replacing the windows discovered there is little insulation on the west side
of the house and was now proposing to do this work. Director Vraa said
$55,000 had been allocated for repair and was now slightly over budget.
Carolyn Thurston said she would like to have more information. After further
discussion, Commission member Caponi moved, seconded by Kubik, to direct
Director Vraa to get a cost breakdown from the contractor to discuss the need
with Architect Sjobeck, to determine fuel costs and make a decision based upon
that information and present a recommendation to the Council. The motion
carried.
PARK DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
A. ATHLETIC SITE
Parks & Recreation Director Vraa stated to the Commission there is a good
possibility that the athletic site can be obtained from the Ohmann family. He
explained the review process that staff had gone through. Steve Sullivan
presented several drawings to show how soccer and softball fields could be
placed on a 30 or 40 acre site. Staff noted that the terrain is relatively
flat keeping grading costs to a minimum. The access off Pilot Knob Road and
Cliff Road is very good. The shape of the parcel will allow maximum
development and it is centrally located.
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Adv. Parks & Rec. Comm.
September 5, 1985
Director Vraa presented a matrix analysis of the Ohmann, Peterson and SE
(Barr) properties. He compared the number of fields possible per site, site
utilization, potential for additional compatible facilities, site expansion,
compatibility with adjacent land use, location, access, topography, intrusions
on-site, development costs, acquisition costs, soil, drainage, utilities,
existing vegetation, existing usable structures, unique features and
pedestrian circulation. The Ohmann parcel had more pluses than the other two.
Commission member Kubik expressed appreciation for all the possibilities
presented which greatly assist in decision making. Commission member Caponi
said getting the best acreage should be the top priority and Chairman Martin
felt a recommendation should be made at the meeting. Parks & Recreation
Director Vraa presented preliminary figures, stating it would cost $260,000 to
develop 33 acres of the Ohmann property. He said it would cost $200,000 alone
just to put in an underpass at the Barr location. There was a difference of
$100,000 in grading costs with the Barr site the costlier. The Peterson
parcel had been ruled out as a possible site so cost figures were not
provided. Director Vraa thought the chances of getting a 40-acre parcel fromn
the Ohmanns was good, but not conclusive until the City actually entered a
purchase proposal. He also suggested the City retain an agent to work on
behalf of the City. There was considerable review and discussion by the
Commission on each of the sites, funding costs and the use of an agent.
Commission member Masin moved, seconded by Kubik, to have staff initiate
proceedings to acquire a 40-acre parcel from the Ohmanns. Staff was given
discretion to negotiate based upon Commission discussion at the meeting and to
use an agent. Director Vraa will bring to the Commission an offer price
before final action is taken. All voted in favor.
B. PARKS CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Steve Sullivan stated that $406,000 has been paid out thus far for the spring
construction project. A hockey rink is about to go into Goat Hill Park.
Lighting bids for Goat Hill and Ridgecliff will be in shortly with
construction to be completed by November 28, 1985. There is a new play
structure at South Oaks Park. Fifty (50) benches have come in and are being
distributed. Parking lots will be put in at Rahn and Ridgecliff Parks.
C. SEPTEMBER 19 MEETING WITH ARCHITECTS
Director Vraa reminded the Commission that the second September meeting will
have the architects for the Trapp Farm Park structure on the agenda. Meeting
time is 7:00 P.M.
OTHER BUSINESS
A. PLANNED PLAY EQUIPMENT TOUR - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1985
Director Vraa asked that Commission members be present at a park of their
choice to hand out information sheets and answer any questions the attendees
might have. Commission member Masin will take Peridot Path, Carolyn - Oak
Chase, Mike Fedde - Ridgecliff, with other members to give their preference to
staff if they can attend.
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Adv. Parks & Rec. Comm
September 5, 1985
B. SUMMER PROGRAM REPORT
Because the hour was getting late and some members had already departed,
Commission accepted the report as presented.
C. .COMPOSTING PROGRAM
Director. Vraa .said -the Council had, approved -the composting pro.gram.. _ He said
the'creiis will turn'the compost mare' thi"s year as that gives abetter final
product.
D. PICNIC REMINDER
The annual Parks Department picnic will be held at Blackhawk Park on Friday,
September 6, at 6:30 P.M.
E. STORM WATER RUN-OFF - TRAPP FARM PARK
Director Vraa distributed a letter from Assistant City Engineer Rich Hefti
which stated the,-cost to correct the run-off problem will be almost .$16,000.
Mr. Hefti did-not`think that the developer would take responsibility for all
of the costs even though his development caused the problem. He thought the
City would have to pick up any cost the developer did not assume.
It was the consensus of the Commission that the City should not pick up any of
the costs. The problem was caused by bad engineering design, inadequate
review and inspection. Further, the run-off necessitates restoration work on
the Schwanz Lake beach and the developer should be responsible for that cost
also. The Commission requested a response to their concerns.
F.' BLACKHAWK PARK - LAWCON/L.C.M.R.
The City was notified that it placed fifth in ranking, but there was only
enough monies to go to the first three applicants. Director Vraa noted that
the point spread was very close. He felt Eagan would have done better if they
had had defined development plans. He said the City can resubmit next year.
He also noted that the entire Blackhawk Park P.U.D. park dedication will be
reviewed at the time of the annual planned development review near the end of
the year. No action was taken by the Commission. Staff was requested to
place the item on an agenda for further consideration after discussion with
LAWCON/L.C.M.R. staff.
G. DEDICATION DATE FOR BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD PARK
The dedication date is being arranged, probably in late September or early
October. The ceremony will be brief and probably take place on a weekday
afternoon.
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Adv. Parks & Rec. Comm.
September 5, 1985
H. PARK SITE FUND
Director Vraa reviewed the status of the park site fund. He stated that the
Commission will have to fund some development projects and acquisition from
the fund. Chairman Martin requested that the Commission consider how they
would like to approach this issue, indicating that future income and probable
expense must be considered. The matter is to be on the November agenda. A
subcommittee, perhaps the Special Issues Committee, will set a meeting date to
discuss possible project/allocation.
I. PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT REPORT - SCOTT MORGAN
Intern Morgan included a report on play equipment usage in the Commission
packet. He reviewed the park user count, how often people frequent parks, how
to get to parks, distance to the park and comments on the new equipment at Oak
Chase and Ridgecliff Parks. Mr. Morgan commented that many park users were
not aware of other parks in Eagan or what amenities they offered. Commission
member Caponi thought there should be more public information available on the
parks, more stories in the newspaper, etc. Commission member Ketcham
suggested taking the chuckwagon to various locations and distributing maps and
information sheets to the general public.
ADJOURNMENT
The time of adjournment was 10:50 P.M.
dated visory Parks ecrtation Secre ry
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