05/01/1980 - Advisory Parks & Recreation CommissionMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE EAGAN ADVISORY PARK COMMITTEE
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
MAY 1, 1980
A regular meeting of the Eagan Advisory Park Committee was held
on May 1, 1980, at the Eagan City Hall. Those present were Committee members
Tilley, Radl, Martin, Thurston, McNeely, Loken, Carroll and Thomas. Also present
were City Administrator Hedges, City Planner Runkle and Public Works Director
Colbert. Committee members Johnson and Dandurand.
MINUTES
The minutes of the April 3, 1980, meeting were continued by Chair-
person Martin for consideration at the June 5, 1980 meeting.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Chairman Martin asked that a letter received from Dave Johnson,
a resident on Blackhawk Lake, addressing the effects of the normal high water
level of Blackhawk Lake on Blackhawk Park be addressed as a part of New Business.
With the addition of the Blackhawk Lake item, a motion was made by Thurston,
seconded by Radl, with all members voting in favor, that the agenda be approved
as revised.
LAWCON GRANT
The City Administrator reported that the City Council did approve
a LAWCON application in the amount of $200,000 for the expansion of Rahn Commu-
nity Athletic Park which is for the funding assistance to purchase 20 acres
from St. Paul Properties. He further stated that the source of funding, if
the grant is approved, is $100,000 from LAWCON, $50,000 from LCMR, and a $50,000
commitment by the City of Eagan. The City Administrator also reviewed a proposed
grant application for Phase Two of the Northview Development which includes
the construction and lighting of four tennis courts and lighting two softball
diamonds. The total cost of the application is estimated at $144,000. The
City Administrator explained that grant funds have been frozen for LAWCON funding
and therefore it is doubtful whether both applications would even be accepted
by the State Planning Agency. After further discussion on the matter, and in
a motion by Carroll, seconded by Loken, two (2) applications were approved for
submission to the State Planning Agency for LAWCON funding, consisting of a
$200,000 grant application for the extension of Rahn Community Athletic Park
and Phase Two Development for the construction of lighting of lighting four
tennis courts and lighting two softball diamonds for the Northview Athletic
Field. All members voted in favor.
Advisory Park Committee Minutes
May 1, 1980
Page Two
RIDGE CLIFFE ADDITION
City Planner Runkle reviewed the proposed preliminary plat of the
Ridge Cliffe Addition which is a 144 acre area of land located at the SW's of
Johnny Cake Ridge Road and Cliff Road and proposed for the development of 385
dwelling units by U.S. Homes Corporation. The location of the park as proposed
by the City staff, and reviewed by the Advisory Planning Commission, was pre-
sented. He stated that the location of the park was assigned to allow multi-
purpose park functions for the entire development. The park land proposed for
the Ridge Cliffe Addition is located on the south side of the development and
adjoins the Dakota County Park property and Johnny Cake Ridge Road. The City
Planner also stated that a trail is proposed for construction by the developer
at his cost along the north side of Covington Lane for the entire distance of
the Ridge Cliffe plat. Committee member Carroll stated that the terrain is
such that a small ski hill could be considered at a future date when the park
land is developed. Committee members stated that the park offers both an active
and passive area which is within the guidelines of the neighborhood park concept
for this development. It was agreed upon by Committee members that the sidewalk
on the north side of Covington Lane is to be maintained by the Townhouse Associa-
tion. Committee member Loken stated that additional access to the park land
should be provided between Lots 23 and 24, Block 9, and Lots 6 and 7, Block
8. Committee member Thomas stated that he objected to the area designated for
the proposed park land, stating that the 16 acres is a low land area and could
not see the excavation required to make the area suitable for an active park
land use. He further stated that the County is proposing parking off Johnny
Cake Ridge Road in this area which would interfere with the proposed park land
activities, and further, preferred a flat area for park land development. After
further discussion on the matter, a motion was introduced by Loken, seconded
by Rad1, with Tilley, Radl, Martin, Thurston, McNeely, Loken and Carroll voting
aye and Thomas voting nay, that a recommendation be made to the City Council
to accept the park land dedication as proposed for the preliminary plat entitled
Ridge Cliffe Addition as presented by U.S. Homes Corporation by including a
trail between Lots 23 and 24, Block 9, and Lots 6 and 7, Block 8, and requiring
that the developer perform the necessary grading and provide topsoil for the
park land area as proposed on the preliminary plat.
RECREATION UPDATE FOR SUMMER PROGRAM
The proposed Summer Recreation Program schedule as prepared by the
Recreation Programmer was reviewed by the City Administrator. It was noted
that programs are not planned at Thomas Lake Elementary School due to the busy
schedule of programs at that school. The Advisory Park Committee agreed on
the proposed program and it was its unanimous consensus that the programs be
listed in the City Newsletter as recommended by the Recreation Programmer.
There was no action taken on the matter.
Advisory Park Committee Minutes
May 1, 1980
Page Three
RAHN THOMAS HIGHLAND TRAIL
(SHALE LANE)
The Public Works Director explained the revised 8 foot bituminous
bikeway as proposed for the extension of the Rahn Thomas Highland Trail between
Nicols Road and Rahn Road, south of Shale Lane. He stated that all property
owners affected by the proposed trailway were notified of the meeting. The
bikeway has been moved 85 to 105 feet further south than what was previously
proposed. This new alignment would then be approximately 110 to 130 feet from
the rear property lines of those residents along the south side of Shale Lane
from Nicols Road to Sandstone Drive. Mr. Hinz, a resident on Shale Lane, ap-
peared and stated that neighbors are generally in agreement with the trailway
as proposed by the Public Works Director. In a motion by Carroll, seconded
by Thurston, with all members voting in favor, the plans for the proposed exten-
sion of Rahn Thomas Highland Trail between Nicols Road and Rahn Road were ap-
proved with the understanding that the new alignment for the said bikeway between
Nicols Road and Sandstone Drive would be approximately 110 to 130 feet from
the rear property line of those residents affected. It was also noted that
an easement was secured from Independent School District #191 to allow the trail
to proceed across Rahn Elementary School property as proposed.
NORMAL HIGH WATER FOR BLACKHAWK LAKE
Mr. Dave Johnson appeared to discuss the normal high water level
proposed for Blackhawk Lake and stated that he would like a higher level to
allow boat useage and fish stocking for that lake area. Mr. Johnson stated
that in order to raise the lake there must be a 100% agreement from all lake-
shore owners as to the increased normal high water level. He stated that the
principle developer around the lake, Dunn Curry Real Estate Management, Inc.,
is reluctant to give up any more shoreline depth than the 200 feet already com-
mited to the City. Mr. Johnson asked that the Advisory Park Committee consider
a narrower dedication to secure concurence with the higher lake level. After
staff review, it appears that an additional 20 to 50 feet would be taken by
the higher water level. After discussion on the matter, in a motion by Loken,
seconded by McNeely, with all members voting in favor, the City staff was di-
rected to investigate the feasibility, procedure and proposed use of the shore-
line dedication as presented by Mr. Dave Johnson, a resident of the Blackhawk
Lake area.
TRAIL NORTHSIDE OF YANKEE DOODLE ROAD
Chairman Martin stated that employees of the Univac plant located
on the northeast quadrant of the intersection with Yankee Doodle Road and Pilot
Knob Road would like a trail on the north side of Yankee Doodle Road from the
Univac plant to property owned by the Blue Cross Blue Shield. Committee members
stated that there are no funds available to construct a trail and recommended
that the shoulder of Yankee Doodle Road be paved and designated as a trailway
until a permanent trail can be constructed when Yankee Doodle Road is improved.
City staff was directed to investigate the matter in further detail.
Advisory Park' Committee Minutes
May 1, 1980
Page Four
CUTTING OF TREES ON CITY PROPERTY
Public Works Director Colbert stated that fallen trees are being
removed by unauthorized personnel on City property throughout the community.
It was his recommendation that only authorized park employees remove trees on
City parkland or other public right of way as designated by the Director of
Public Works. In a motion by Thurston, seconded by Carroll, with all members
voting in favor, the cutting and removing of any standing or fallen trees on
parkland or public property be handled by park employees or other authorized
public works employees as designated by the Public Works Director.
p•m•
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00
DATED: MAY 1, 1980 TLH
Advisory Park Committee Secretary