05/01/1986 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ADVISORY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
MAY 1, 1986
Chairman Martin called the meeting to order at 7:25 P.M. Members present
were: Porter, Alt, Ketcham, Martin, Thurston, Carroll, Kubik, Masin and
Caponi. Commission member Bertz had notified staff she would be unable to
attend. Also present were: Parks and Recreation Director, Ken Vraa;
Landscape Architect/Parks Planner, Steve Sullivan; Planner, Jim Sturm; and
Administrative Assistant, Liz Witt. Parks Superintendent, John VonDeLinde,
joined the Commission on a tour of Fish Lake, Northview Athletic Fields,
Goathill, Walnut Hill and Trapp Farm parks prior to the meeting.
AGENDA
Chairman Martin added garden plots to Other Business. Commission member Masin
moved, Ketcham seconded, the approval of the agenda as amended. The motion
carried. _
MINUTES
April 3, 1986
Commission member Carroll moved, Kubik seconded, the approval of the minutes
as presented. All voted in favor.
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
A. T.S.M. - ADDITION - 3 SINGLE FAMILY LOTS
A previous purchase agreement with Thomas Murr provided for an acquisition to
Trapp Farm Park from Mr. Murr. The agreement also included satisfaction of
any future parks dedication requirements with his remaining land. This
addition has then fulfilled the park dedication responsibilities. This item
is informational and no action was necessary.
B. WINDTREE 7TH AND 8TH ADDITION
This development, located near West Publishing, has already fulfilled its park
dedication requirements and is served by Wescott Station Park. The developers
are responsible for trail construction along Wescott Road. On a motion by
Thurston, seconded by Kubik, the commission recommended a trail along Wescott
Road. The motion carried.
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Adv. Parks & Rec. Comm.
May 1, 1986
C. MAY UPDATE
Planner Sturm stated there is a 192 single family development proposal on 82
acres near Northview School. Federal Land Co. will also be in with more
commercial development near Denmark and Yankee Doodle Road. Opus Corporation
is requesting a waiver of plat and there is activity in Section 36 even though
that part of the City is not sewered.
OLD BUSINESS -
A. FAIRWAY HILLS - PARK PLAN REVIEW, ATHLETIC SITE REVIEW
Parks and Recreation Director Vraa said, that the Council tabled action on the
proposal pending the widening of the roadways to 60 feet! It will be on the
Council's May 6 Agenda. Mr. Vraa asked the Commission to consider a
neighborhood park concept or an athletic field concept. He said, that Staff
had tried many different concepts for the athletic site and felt the best use
of the land was for four (4) soccer fields. Play equipment, a trail, and
perhaps an overlay of a softball field on a soccer field, could be added as a
neighborhood component. He didn't think the site would have lights. He
thought softball fields and lights would be objected to by the neighboring
residents. Director Vraa also felt the separation of youth from adult
recreation, with the soccer fields at this location, would be a benefit.
Parks Director Vraa stated that the neighborhood park would be about seven (7)
acres in size and satisfactorily serve the neighboring residents. The park
would be located so that it could expand into the golf course if, and when
that land is developed. The neighborhood park overlaid on the Fairway Hills
Preliminary Plat, would have a softball/soccer field, play equipment, parking
and a trail.
The athletic site would utilize much of the 15 acre parcel to be purchased
from Laverna Lehmann. To provide for optimum use of parkland, Mr. Vraa
proposes a land swap with Derrick Land Company. By providing for residential
development on part of the Lehmann parcel, utilities would be available to
Mrs. Lehmann's sister's property.
Director Vraa said, the athletic site with soccer fields would complement a
possible three-ball field addition to Northview Athletic Fields. He
suggested, that ten (10) acres could be purchased from Jim Curry. (At $24,000
per acre, the land is zoned R-4.) A road could be constructed behind the
fields and connect to an enlarged parking lot. It would be necessary to add
more restrooms.
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Adv. Parks & Rec. Comm.
May 1, 1986
General discussion followed. Commission member Masin felt that having all
ball fields in one location would decrease maintenance costs. She also said,
the availability of many fields in one location would enhance the site for
':possible tournament use. She went on to say, she liked the four soccer field
layout.
Chairman Martin said, that the ten (10) acre price was very high. He was
concerned with so much traffic on one road (Northview) and it's impact on
Lexington Avenue. Mr. Martin preferred to have information on all three
alternate athletic sites so the Commission could more knowledgeably review and
make _a decision.
Commission member Caponi said, the Commission should carefully review all
sites, but not let cost be the primary factor in the decision making. He did
like the layout of present Northview Park and felt the addition of three (3)
more fields would synergize the complex into a first-rate athletic site. He
liked the visibility of Northview and felt that this proposal was very
reasonable.
Commission member Porter agreed that the purchase price was high, but the
location was excellent. Commission member Alt also liked the central
location. Commission member Ketcham wondered if there was less expensive land
available for soccer fields. Commission member Thurston said, it wasn't
realistic to find a desirable forty (40) acre site. She commented that the
Ohmann site was similar to Rahn Park, being surrounded by single family homes,
and she preferred the soccer alternative for the Ohmann site. Commission
member Carroll wanted to review positives and negatives of each site.
Dave Sellegren of Derrick Land Company was present. He said, he had not seen
the athletic site proposal in connection with the Ohmann parcel. He asked,
the Commission to defer a decision until the developer had time to review.
Commission members agreed to honor Mr. Sellegren's request. There was
consensus to have Staff prepare a matrix of features for all the athletic
sites being proposed: Ohmann/Northview, Peterson and Barr. Issues to be
included are: size, cost, topography, grading costs, maintenance costs,
number and type of facilities able to accommodate, parking requirements,
access, lighting, potential traffic problems, driving distance, possibility
for expansion and impact on neighborhood.
The Commission agreed to hold a meeting at 5 P.M., May 15, prior to the County
bikeway meeting. Staff was directed to send out a reminder notice and
information packet. Box lunches are to be provided.
Adv. Parks & Rec.Comm.
May 1, 1986
B. COUNTY BIKEWAY MEETING - MAY 15, 1986
Director Vraa said, the Commission letter regarding the trails will be sent to
the papers for publication the week before the meeting. He asked Commission
members to encourage people to come to the meeting. He will bring copies of
the bikeway plan to the May 15 special meeting on an athletic site.
C. FOUR OAKS COURT - ELIMINATION OF PROPOSED TOT LOT -
Director Vraa stated that he had not received any information from the Four
Oaks Association. The item was deferred to the June meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
A. BID TABULATION - 86-01 SPRING PARK CONSTRUCTION
The contract estimate was $370,000 and the low bid, from Central Landscaping,
was $313,753.81. Director Vraa indicated he is pleased with previous work
done by Central Landscaping, and that their bid is $57,000 below estimate.
The City Council will take action on May 6, 1986.
B. BID TABULATION -86-09 PARK SHELTER BUILDING
Parks Planner, Steve Sullivan distributed the bid sheets to the Commission.
He pointed out that A.L.M. Construction had the low bid of $374,840, which was
approximately $56,000 under the architect's estimate. Add-ons which include a
fireplace, and a hot water heater, plus improvements in the concession part of
the Northview building, were included to bring the total bid package to
$382,838. Director Vraa said, that A.L.M. Construction passed the reference
check and the contract will be on the Council's May 6 Agenda for award.
PARKS DEVELOPMENT
A. UPDATE
Parks Planner, Steve Sullivan stated the lights are at Goat Hill Park's
ballfield, and People's Electric should get them in within the month. Black
dirt has been distributed at Cinnamon Ridge and O'Leary Parks. The trail at
Rahn and Ridgecliff will be completed this month.
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Adv. Parks & Rec. Comm.
May 1, 1986.
OTHER BUSINESS
A. TRAPP FARM PARK - FALL EVENT
Director Vraa proposed that an "Open House" be held at Trapp Farm Park, when
the shelter buildings are completed. He said, that a theater artist might be
retained to integrate the summer program into a theater presentation at the
amphitheater. He would like the Recreation Committee to meet and discuss the
possibilities for a fall event. The Committee set 4 p.m. on May 8th for the
meeting.
B. 1987 - BUDGET PREPARATION
Director Vraa noted that budget preparation had been moved up a month this
year. If anyone has items for consideration, he or she should contact Ken
Vraa.
C. BUR OAK HILL - COUNCIL ACTION
Director Vraa stated that the Council passed the Bur Oak Hill proposal with a
two-lot, 180' park access. He indicated that the Council was supportive of
this action. _
D. WILLMUS PARK - UPDATE
Director Vraa said, that representatives of the Willmus property were in to
discuss development on their remaining property. They wondered what would be
expected in terms of parks-dedication. Director Vraa indicated, that there
was still some park dedication owing to the City from previous development.
E. HORSE ARENA
Earlier in the year the Commission had been asked to consider providing a
horse arena within it's parks system. Director Vraa said, he had talked with
other communities and learned there are maintenance considerations of a larger
magnitude than originally thought. In Minnetonka, the maintenance crew had to
spread a 4" sand base. Commission members questioned what such a base would
do to hockey rink maintenance. There was a general consensus that the space
at Goat Hill Park was not adequate for a horse arena. Staff will do more
research and come back to the Commission at a later date.
F. GARDEN PLOTS
Director Vraa said, that he was not able to find a suitable location for
garden plots. He regrets that a suitable location, one that provides parking,
suitable soils, water, etc., were not readily available.
G. MATERIAL FOR LIGHT POLES
Director Vraa said, he has reviewed information on wood, steel, and concrete
light poles for use in parking lots. He is impressed with the variety and
durability of concrete, and asked if any of the Commission members were aware
of their use for visual inspections.
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Adv. Parks & Rec. Comm.
May 1, 1986
ADJOURNMENT
Commission member Kubik moved, seconded by Carroll, that the meeting be
adjourned. Time of adjournment was 9:55.
Dated:
-Ad isory Parks Recreation Secretary
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