03/13/1986 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ADVISORY
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION, EAGAN, MINNESOTA
MARCH 13, 1986
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Martin at 7 p.m. in the City
conference rooms. Members present were: Ketcham, Bertz, Caponi, Porter,
Carroll, Martin, Masin and Kubik. Members Thurston and Alt had notified staff
they would be unable to attend. Staff members present were Parks & Recreation
Director, Ken Vraa; Landscape Architect/Parks Planner, Steve Sullivan; and
Administrative Assistant, Liz Witt.
Agenda items were those deferred from the March 6, 1986 meeting.
1. Park Dedication
Director, Ken Kraa stated that he had met with other park directors and found
they had little common ground for a single ordinance. He did feel the
discussion input will be helpful to the Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission
as the parks dedication ordinance is updated.
Director Vraa noted that Eagan's present ordinance is unique in that it
provides partial parkland credit for pond areas; for utility easement areas
and for commercial projects which provide for on-site parks/open space. He
felt the City could strengthen its ordinance by directly relating dedication
to impact of development upon the park service district. He thought the City
should take the density of population into account when- establishing the land
percentage. Mr. Vraa reminded the Commission that much of the park policy
regarding dedication is found in the Park System Plan and not in the
Ordinance. He noted that developers are quick to point the lack of
requirements in the Ordinance; therefore, it is necessary to incorporate
policies into the Ordinance, or to make reference to the process which
establishes the dedication.
Mr. Vraa said the Ordinance review process will be lengthy. However,
Commission members have long felt the need to better show the relationship
between the platting review and the need for parks. Comp.liance with state
statutes must be addressed also. Mr. Vraa noted the Council is fully
supportive of the ordinance review.
Director Vraa reviewed how current land dedication is calculated, and
presented alternatives which might better reflect "reasonable 'and equitable"
dedication fees. Chairman Martin suggested the information be put in matrix
form so it would be easier to understand. He felt the selected dedication
process must not be too complicated. Mr. Martin said that Alternate 2 is
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Adv.Parks & Rec.Comm.
Special Meeting
March 13, 1986
more equitable of the two alternates, if the 12 acre/1,000 population standard
is correct. Alternate 2 is:
No. of people x .012 = No. acres due (land dedication)
No. of people x .012 x value of land = cash dedication
There was concern about the fair market value, which is determined at the time
of final plat. The value fluctuates and the price is not the market price.
Some developers sell at a lower price per acre and insert a balloon payment to
get around park dedication. Commission member Bertz noted that if the City
collected on the basis of number of bedrooms, the developer can designate the
rooms as office or den, negating the City's ability to collect on "bedrooms".
Commission member Ketcham thought the ordinance should include the "green
space" recuirement. Commission member Carroll said the ordinance must comply
with state law. He also suggested that before the ordinance is completed, staff
should conduct a comparitive analysis with similar sized communities.
After additional discussion, the Commission agreed that a second meeting would
be required. Chairman Martin volunteered to put together a matrix addressing
alternate calculations, have staff review it, and present it for the April
meeting.
2.e Deerwood frontage road
The Commission reopened discussion of a name for this road segment. There was
some support for the "Conklin Lane" after the man who captured Chief
Blaekhawk. Further discussion led to the consensus that the name might
connote a poor image for the Indians. Two Commission members mentioned that
Blaekhawk Lake was originally called Long Lake and suggested the name Long
Lake Lane. That name will be submitted to the Council, along with two names
generated at the March 6 meeting. ser c.
3. Golf netting/batting cage
Director Vraa said. there is a multi-use frame for golf and batting practice
on the market for approximately $1,200. He noted that Eden Prairie has one
set up, in one of their hockey rinks. Use of the unit would be monitored to
decrease liability impact. Chairman Martin said that he had something
different in mind when he had first requested this. He felt that a batting
cage would be a service and provide a profit. Commission member Porter
suggested the unit be moved from park to park so more residents could use it.
Director Vraa will come back to the Commission with firm cost figures and
budget considerations.-for purchase of the unit(s).
4. Wiring construction estimates
Landscape Architect, Parks Planner, Steve Sullivan distributed estimates for
1986 construction at Blue Cross/Blue Shield,-Quarry, Pilot Knob,
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Special Meeting
March 13, 1986
Meadowlands,, and South Oaks Parks. He stated tfia-t the estimates- will be
submitted to the' March 19 City Council meeting for Council approval to go out
for bids. Sullivan is hopeful the process will result in bids received by
April 11. Parks & Recreation Director Vraa noted that the total figure does
exceed the bond figure by $85,000. He said that most of that difference is
in the cost of development for South Oaks Park. He stated that 1986 will be a
heavy construction period for the entire City and he felt it economically
worthwhile to have just one-contractor for all five parks.
Commission member Ketcham moved, seconded by Carroll to recommend approval of
bid -process for the five parks. The motion carried. .
C. Bur Oak Hi ll s
Director Vraa said that several Commission members attended a special meeting
with the City Council on March 11. Council members were supportive of the
Commission and it's concerns, he council agreed that they would not accept
the proposal as an agenda item without Parks & Recreation Commission
recommendations. Some council members expressed concern about the poor park
facility available- for that park service district currently, and did not want
to approve a potentially worse condition.
Director Vraa said. that staff had had another meeting with Mr. Briggs and Mr.
Merila of Harstad Company earlier in the day. He said the developer does not
yet appear willing to compromise. The developers were asked to prepare a
statement in writing as to their position. The matter will be on the April
agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
Commission member Carroll moved, Kubik seconded, that the meeting be
ad,ourned.
Dated: / j,~/
Advisory Parks & RRe eation Secreatary
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