07/07/1988 - Advisory Parks & Recreation Commission
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF
THE ADVISORY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
JULY 7, 1988
A regular meeting of the Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission was
called to order at 7:35 P.M. on Thursday, July 7, 1988 with the following
Commission Members present: Dick Carroll, Michele Swanson,Wayne Sames, Sandy
Masin,George Kubik, JoAnne Alt and Bob Porter. Staff present included
Director of Parks and Recreation, Ken Vraa; Landscape Architect/Parks Planner,
Steve Sullivan; Parks Superintendent, John VonDeLinde; Recreation Supervisor,
Dorothy Peterson and Parks Secretary, Cherryl Mesko.
AGENDA
Chairman Carroll requested that updates on Blackhawk Park-South Access,
Small Lakes Management Grant Program, Sitko traveling concession approval, and
portable stage be added under "New Business". With these additions, Bob
Porter moved, Wayne Sames seconded, with all members voting in favor to accept
the agenda as amended.
MINUTES FROM JUNE 2, 1988 MEETING
Dick Carroll moved, JoAnne -Alt seconded, with all members voting in
favor to accept the minutes of the June 2, 1988 meeting as presented.
CONSENT AGENDA
The following consent agenda items were presented for approval. On a
motion by George Kubik, seconded by Bob Porter, with all members voting in
favor, the Commission approved recommendation to the City Council of the
following items:
1. BOULDER CREST WEST ADDITION - That this plat be subject to a cash
parkland dedication and an eight (8) foot wide bituminous trail be
placed along the south side of Cliff Road.
2. ALL SAINTS LUTHERAN CHURCH ADDITION - That parkland dedication be
waived for the church land use. Any future change in land use
will be subject to a cash parkland dedication. The developer
install a five (5) foot wide sidewalk along the east side of
Lexington Road.
3. TOWN CENTRE 70 TENTH ADDITION - That this plat be subject to a
cash parkland dedication.
Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of July 7, 1988 Meeting
Page 2
RAHN/CLIFF - 2ND ADDITION
Parks Planner, Steve Sullivan reviewed for the Commission the background
of the proposed development noting that it's southern property line is
directly adjacent to the northerly unimproved section of Vienna Woods Park.
The development is proposing to use the ponding area, referenced as AP-44,
within Vienna Woods Park for storm water retention. Since the existing
ponding basin will not provide adequate storage for this proposal it would
result in the improvement of an easterly basin area within the park. The
existing improved basin area offers no additional volume without severely
disrupting the park layout. The second, unimproved, basin can be improved by
grading, thus provide adequate storage capacity for the watershed area. This
would include raising the high water level in both basins one foot which would
have no significant impact to the park. The basin could be engineered as a
dry pond, wetland or wet pond depending upon what the Commission's
recommendations are.
Member Kubik asked what the Comprehensive Storm Sewer Guide Plan called
for regarding this area. Steve Sullivan responded by stating that the Guide
called for this area to drain into AP-44. Chairman Carroll noted that on page
63 of the packet the master storm sewer plan was shown. He also noted that it
seems as though the parkland becomes the area for accumulating storm sewer
run-off. The impervious portion of the development has no green space
resulting in the run-off from parking lots going directly into AP-44. Mr.
Carroll stated that this run-off should be caught and filtered before it runs
into the ponding area and expressed his concern about the City accepting the
storm water run-off from a parking lot area without it first being filtered.
Sandy Masin asked if the run-off can be filtered before it goes into the
improved ponding area. Steve Sullivan responded by stating that environmental
manholes can filter sedimentation however there would need to be some research
done to see if it was feasible to filter gasoline or oil out.
Bob Porter reminded the Commission of the LeMay Lake problem and noted
that they should seriously be looking at the possibility of assessing the
developers for the cost of filtering the run-off before it enters the storm
water ponding area. Dick Carroll stated that the Parks Commission should
stand up for the principal of keeping the parks in good shape and that
developers of commercial property should provide clean run-off to pond
property. Further, they should foot the bill for providing filtration so that
chemicals do not permeate the soils and affect the wildlife.
Wayne Sames asked if it was known from the beginning that the
possibility existed for the storm sewer run-off to accumulate in this area.
Steve Sullivan noted that it had been part of the storm sewer master plan for
some time, however, it wasn't known what the exact storage area would be. Mr.
Sames then asked if the City could require the developer to perhaps provide a
holding pond on their property before the run-off is allowed to enter the park
ponding areas. Mr.Sullivan suggested the use of environmental manholes to
mitigate the flow of unfiltered run-off into the ponding areas.
Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes for July 7, 1988 Meeting
Page 3
George Kubik expressed his concern for water quality. He stated that
this should be a requirement of developers; that the water entering our storm
sewer ponding areas should be clean and free of contaminants such as gasoline
and oil. Bob Porter suggested formulating an overall standard policy
regarding acceptable run-off into parks and residential areas. Sandy Masin
noted that as the caretakers of park property for the City of Eagan if we are
not careful to make sure the water quality is protected, who will do it for
the City.
George Kubik moved to direct Staff to provide a draft of policy
regarding runoff into parkland for all classes of developers which is to be
reviewed by the Commission at the August meeting. Sandy Masin seconded the
motion with all members voting in favor.
Dick Carroll moved, George Kubik seconded with all members voting in
favor to insist on filtration prior to water run-off coming into park
property. The developer to do grading and stockpile along the right-of-way of
35E and the normal cash parkland dedication would be required for Rahncliff
2nd Addition.
EAGAN PARK REPRESENTATIVES
Mel Bailey, Parks Intern, brought the Commission up to date on the park
representative program. To date there are 14 members who have volunteered to
represent their neighborhood park. A meeting will be scheduled the end of
July or the first of August to bring the representatives together and review
the purpose of this program.
George Kubik suggested showing some slides of the individual parks
noting what the plans are for each one. Dick Carroll added that a schedule of
park development would be beneficial to the representatives. When questioned
how much time would be involved in the meetings, Mel Bailey responded that the
plan was to have them very informal and at 6 month intervals approximately.
Dick Carroll noted that he would be attending the meeting scheduled for
Monday, July 25th, and asked for other volunteers from the Commission to
attend. Michele Swanson agreed to participate and George Kubik stated he,
too, would try to be there. Chairman Carroll thanked Mel Bailey for the work
in getting this program up and operational suggesting that everyone try to
attend if they can.
BLACKHAWK PARK - SOUTH ACCESS
Steve Sullivan noted for the Commission that additional design work was
being done and that trees that would be saved had been identified. Dick
Carroll asked if there were further negotiations and Director Vraa stated that
a meeting was being scheduled with all parties involved in the access issue.
Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of July 7, 1988 Meeting
Page 4
SMALL LAKES MANAGEMENT GRANT PROGRAM
John VonDeLinde has submitted the grant applications for the three
lakes the Commission recommended. The applications will be reviewed and
Superintendent VonDeLinde hopes to have a response to the Commission either in
August or September.
TRAVEL CONCESSIONS - MR. SITKO
Recreation Supervisor Dorothy Peterson shared with the Commission that
everything had gone smoothly with the approval of Mr. Sitko's request for a
traveling concession. The Council approved the request with some minor
modifications in the Commission's recommendations. The license has been
issued and Mr. Sitko can begin his business shortly. Supervisor Peterson
noted that Mr. Sitko had been very complimentary of the Commission, Council
and Staff for their handling of his request.
PORTABLE STAGE
Director Vraa stated that Lakeville and Eagan will split the cost of a
portable stage. He will continue working with Burnsville as well as other
neighboring communities to see if they want to participate. Based on only two
communities splitting the cost, the cost per community is approximately $4,000
- $4,200 each.
FACILITIES REPLACEMENT PROGRAM
Kathy Dybiec was introduced to the Commission by Parks Superintendent
John VonDeLinde. Kathy has been an intern for the Parks Department since
March and has been involved in such projects as completing a detailed
inventory of the buildings, participating in the Arbor Day and tree sale
events, completing research for the focus groups for the community center,
being involved with the Trust Fund project, just to mention a few. Her
assistance to the Parks Department has been invaluable.
Kathy outlined for the Commission the purpose of the Long Range
Replacement Program which is to serve as a general guideline for replacing
park facilities and components which represent a "capital" investment of a
relatively permanent nature. Kathy noted that some of the facilities that are
covered in this report include park lighting, backstops, hockey rinks and
fencing, park buildings, play structures, and irrigation systems. Kathy's
research included talking with vendors and staff involved with original
installation of these items and is based on replacement with an equal product.
She also noted that this was only a guideline for future replacement of
several park features.
Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of July 7, 1988 Meeting
Page 5
In preparing this report Kathy noted that this program should be
considered a necessary element of the City's efforts to retain the integrity
of parks facilities including their functional, safety and aesthetic
characteristics. Kathy thanked Parks Staff for their assistance in helping
her research this information.
Chairman Carroll thanked Kathy for an excellent report and expressed the
Commission's appreciation for the detailed replacement program that will be
very beneficial to the City for years to come.
BERRY RIDGE PATCH PARK
Director Vraa reviewed Berry Ridge Patch Park and the situation that
exists regarding the trail along Mooney Lake for the Commission. Because
Mooney Lake did not have a controlled outlet it rose above the established
normal elevation necessitating the installation of a lift station to bring the
lake level back to it's planned level. During the high water levels of Mooney
Lake the 5 foot bituminous trail was flooded as were a significant number of
trees. Now that the water level is back to it's established normal elevation
the damaged trail and many dead trees and stumps are exposed. At a meeting
with the neighbors they expressed their concerns with the area indicating they
would like to have the pond elevation increased and the trail abandoned.
Tom Colbert, Director of Public Works, addressed the Commission
regarding the review that was performed to determine if an increase in the
pond elevations - normal and high - could be done. There were three
alternatives presented for consideration.
Alternative #1 proposed to raise the normal water elevation from 859.4
to 860.6. This alternative places the normal water level .9 feet below the
lowest section of trail, therefore trail flooding will likely occur more often
with higher frequency storms. This alternative allows for the improvement of
the existing derelict trail.
Alternative #2 proposed to raise the normal water level from 859.4 to
863.3. This alternative will continuously inundate the existing shoreline
trail section leaving it impassable. This flooding removes a link along the
Berry Ridge Road pedestrian way to Patrick Eagan Park. A boulevard trail
would need to be placed north of the Berry Ridge Road along the single family
homes connecting the interrupted trail link.
Alternative #3 proposed to keep the control high water level and normal
water level as prescribed by the Comprehensive Storm Sewer Plan. The dead
trees/stumps would need to be removed and the trail would need to be removed
and replaced.
Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of July 7, 1988 Meeting
Page 6
Member Sames stated that since the trail was there before most of the
homeowners were, the elimination of the trail was not the answer. He felt
that the access to Patrick Eagan Park, as well as the importance of all the
trail links, should not be compromised.
Tom Colbert noted that there was concern by the neighbors regarding
water quality. Specifically the concern was for the algae on the pond which
is more typically found in August rather than this early in the summer. Mr.
Colbert stated that the pond is going through ecological shock and it will
take some time for it to self-heal. The residents are unsure this will occur
and have expressed that opinion.
JoAnne Alt has visited the property, talked with some of the neighbors
and felt that perhaps the water level should be elevated one foot but that
the trail should remain. Michele Swanson, after having walked the trail as
far as possible noted that the trail connection needs to be there and didn't
feel the trail would interfere with the view from the homes.
George Kubik stated the trail and the 859.4 water level should be kept
with perhaps some plantings to enhance the trail. Wayne Sames noted that with
the continued growth of the City and anticipated use of the trails that this
will be a vital link to Patrick Eagan Park and he supports keeping the trail
link.
Another option discussed by Mr. Vraa included the draining of Mooney
Lake to enable equipment to drive onto the lake bed to remove the stumps and
dead trees that remain from the flooding. The time frame for this kind of
project is unknown but Member Kubik requested that Staff review the time frame
to determine if this would be a viable option.
George Kubik moved, JoAnne Alt seconded, with all members voting in
favor to recommend Alternative #3 and that Staff communicate to the neighbors
the reasons for this recommendation at their July 14, 1988 meeting
RAHN STORM SEWER UPDATE
Tom Colbert advised the Commission. that the storm sewer project at Rahn
Park would be under construction within the next six weeks. Per the
Commission's recommendation, there has been an allocation of $15,500 for tree
replacement. Member Sames suggested that pictures be taken before and after
the project's completion.
Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of July 7, 1988 Meeting
Page 7
PARK DEVELOPMENT
Director Vraa stated that the bid opening for Contract 88-7 for Ohmann,
Winkler/Jackson and Bridleridge Parks would be Monday, July 11, 1988.
Director Vraa suggested that the Commission begin thinking about the
possibility of working with a construction management company in building the
proposed Community Center. He suggested that the City may require someone
with expertise in construction for a project of this size. A management
company would be able to provide the City with an on-site construction
superintendent as well as a time line for the subcontractors to follow. The
change order process may become a little more complex but the overall
construction supervision could be handled by people who are very knowledgeable
in this business. Again, this was for Commission consideration only so that
construction can continue in a timely and orderly fashion given the approval
of the bond referendum for the community center. Mr. Vraa suggested that the
Commission come up with questions and concerns regarding this issue that can
be addressed at a later date.
HAPPENINGS
George Kubik asked how the grading was going at Heine Pond. Mr.
Sullivan responded by stating that it was 80 - 90% complete.
Mr. Kubik encouraged continued participation and support of the Dakota,
Inc. program of helping with our parks maintenance.
Member Carroll asked for an update on the condition of the trees in our
parks that have been affected by the drought. John VonDeLinde responded by
stating that the watering of the trees and plantings continues on a daily
basis. There are two scheduled routes with tankers out every day watering the
plantings from the last three years which seem to be affected the most. That
amounts to over 3,000 plantings being watered. Ken Vraa noted that because of
the drought the Parks Department is not proceeding with landscaping as was
originally planned for this summer.
Ken Vraa advised the Commission that playground equipment at Woodland
School was being installed and that the Trapp Farm Park equipment will be
planned after, the Northview.-tennis court contract is let this fall.
Bridleridge residents want a meeting with Staff to see if they can accelerate
the process for getting their playground equipment in their park.
George Kubik shared with the Commission that he had received many
unsolicited compliments on both the parks maintenance and the recreation
programs that the City of Eagan provides.
Advisory Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes of July 7,1988 Meeting
Page 8
Dick Carroll noted that the Commission will need to research and rename
some of the parks that have not been officially named to date.
With no further business to conduct, George Kubik moved, JoAnne Alt
seconded, with all members voting in favor to adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 P.M.
A note to the record indicates that the date for the Commission's annual
picnic has been set for Friday, September 9, 1988.
DATE SECRETARY