09/04/1980 - Advisory Parks & Recreation CommissionMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE EAGAN ADVISORY PARK COMMITTEE
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
SEPTEMBER 4, 1980
A regular meeting of the Eagan Advisory Park Committee was held
on September 4, 1980 at the Eagan City Hall. Those present were: Committee
members Radl, Carroll, Johnson, McNeely, Thurston, Pettit, Martin and Thomas.
Also present were City Administrator Hedges, City Planner Runkle, Director of
Public Works Colbert, Planning Intern Ulrich and Director of Parks and Recreation
Vraa. Committee members Loken and Tilley were absent.
MINUTES
In a motion by Radl, seconded by McNeely, with all members voting
in favor, minutes for the regular meeting held on August 7 and a special meeting
held on August 21, 1980 were approved with no corrections.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
In a motion by Carroll, seconded Thurston„ with all members voting
in favor, the agenda for the September 4, 1980 Advisory Park Committee meeting
was approved.
SOUTH OAKS PARK SOCCER KICK BOARD
Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa reported that property owners
representing the South Oaks Addition were unable to be present at the meeting
to discuss the soccer kickboard which property owners have requested for South
Oaks Park. Since there were no property owners present, a motion was offered
by Carroll, seconded by McNeely, with all members voting in favor, that the
request for a soccer kickboard in South Oaks Park be continued until the regular
meeting scheduled for October.
TENNIS RETURN BOARD RAHN PARK
The Director of Parks and Recreation reported that he has completed
a study, at the request of the Advisory Park Committee, concerning the con-
struction of tennis return boards to be used at the Rahn Tennis Courts. He
reported that other municipalities have reported that tennis return boards are
no longer as popular, due to the fact that the tennis boom has slacked off in
recent years. He also stated that there have been problems with the distruction
of the boards due to high velocity winds in certain municipalities. Director
of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that, more commonly, tennis return boards
are utilized with existing walls of buildings such as schools or park shelters.
McNeely stated that he has supported the use of tennis bang boards, stating
that the need for tennis time is great and, due to topographic reasons, it is
doubtful whether a strong wind would have a serious efffect on the return boards
at Rahn Park. After further discussion on the matter and in a motion by McNeely,
seconded by Johnson, with all members voting in favor, the issue of whether
tennis return boards should be constructed in Rahn Park was continued until
a future meeting to allow McNeely to make further investigation as to whether
tennis return boards should be a priority item for the Park Department.
Advisory Park Committee Minutes
September 4, 1980
Page Two
OFFICIAL PARK NAME EVERGREEN PARK
Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that over sixty letters
went out to residents located in the Evergreen Addition, requesting suggestions
for an official name for the park located in that addition. He stated that
four (4) suggestions were received by the City, all of which indicated that
they preferred the name, "Evergreen Park After further discussion on the
matter and in a motion by Carroll, seconded by Martin, with all members voting
in favor, the neighborhood park located in the Evergreen Addition was officially
named Evergreen Park and recommended as such to the City Council.
TRAIL PLAN POLICY
Planning Intern Kurt Ulrich was present and presented a draft Trail
Planning Policy. He stated that policies were developed as a result of input
received at a special subcommittee meeting held on August 14 concerning trail
plan policy development in which several committee members and staff participated.
Ulrich then reviewed all the policies and rationale as prepared for the Trail
Plan Policies. After a brief discussion on the matter, a motion was made by
Martin, seconded by Thurston, with all members voting in favor that the Trail
Plan Policy be accepted as drafted and presented by the Planning Assistant,
Mr. Ulrich.
C.I.P /BUDGET
Chairman Martin expressed his appreciation to the Director of Parks
and Recreation for presenting the 1981 Budget along with the recommendations
for a five (5) year C.I.P. to various committee members who attended a special
meeting held on August 14, 1980. Chairman Martin discussed briefly the budget
recommendations for 1981 in the Park Department and also highlighted the C.I.P
expectations for five (5) years. There was no action taken on this matter.
SUMMER FALL RECREATION PROGRAMS
Recreational Programmer Peterson appeared and provided a report
on all the summer recreation programs, including Summer in the Park, Eagan Wagon
full O' Fun, Eaganettes, Fun with Dance and Tiny Tots Programs. She also
reported on the participation of the tennis and golf lessons, Evening in the
Park and the Teen Center. Peterson further stated that the scheduling has been
completed for the fall program and presented committee members with a copy of
information to be sent out with the City wide newsletter to be sent out in
several days. There was a discussion concerning the possible increase in fees
to produce money for scholarships for those who demonstrate need to participate
in the Tiny Tots Program. After much discussion on this matter, it was deter—
mined that the registration fee should not be increased. It was noted that
there are approximately 45 tiny tots in a program that presently costs $15 per
person and any increase to underwrite a scholarship may cause people who are
presently participating in the program to no longer enroll their children in
Tiny Tots.
Advisory Park Committee Minutes
September 4, 1980
Page Three
LEIBEL ADDITION
Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that he was notified
by the City Attorney's office that there is an apparent flaw in the legal dis-
cription for the owners of property located at the corner of Gold Trail and
Beau D'Rue Drive, known as the Leibel Addition. He stated that Mr. and Mrs.
Gordon Leibel have sold their property and apparently, during the transaction,
it was determined that a small sliver of land, approximately 7.61 feet wide
by 103.93 feet in length was thought to be the property of the Leibels, however
is property of the City of Eagan as part of the Park System. Vraa stated that
he has reviewed communications from the Attorney's office and has visited the
site to make a personal inspection of the subject parcel. He stated that this
small strip of land encompasses approximately 790 square feet, a portion of
the strip of land is under water, with much of it unsuitable for park purposes.
He further stated that the parcel would be a maintenance burden to the department
and is of no substantial value to the City. Vraa stated that he is recommending
that the small sliver of land be quit claimed to the Leibels for a nominal pay
mant, possibly based on the current residential or commercial per acre value.
After discussion by the Advisory Park Committee and in a motion by Thurston,
seconded by Martin, with all members voting in favor, it was decided that the
Advisory Park Committee recommend to the City Council that the approximately
.086 acres of park land adjacent to Woodhaven Park be sold at a value to be deter-
mined by the City Council, in addition to the buyer paying all legal costs,
and further, after findings, it was determined that the property is surplus
because: (1) The property is a small sliver of land which is not suitable for
appropriate park use, (2) There is no access to Woodhaven Park, (3) A portion
of the property is under water, and (4) The property cannot be maintained by
the Maintenance Department.
HILLTOP ESTATES ASPHALT TRAIL
Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that, as a part of
the original development agreement for Hilltop Estates, the developer was re-
quired to install an asphalt trail. A concern has been raised as to whether
the asphalt trail should be constructed adjacent to two (2) ponds which are
located within the development. He stated that the concern involves the issue
of aesthetics and amount of uprooting required before the asphalt paver can
perform its work in and around the ponds. Vraa stated that an alternative to
asphalt would be crushed and compacted limestone or a wood chip used on the
trail. He further stated that any additional cost savings through using com-
pacted limestone or wood chips would be allocated to the Park Improvement Fund.
There was concern rasied by the Advisory Park Committee and shared by the Direc-
tor of Parks and Recreation that this trail was intended for bicycle, jogging
and other types of uses, and any surface other than asphalt would not be suitable
for the various trail uses as originally proposed in the Hilltop Estates Addition.
If was further noted that this trail is to connect a trail on Pilot Knob Ro-ad
with Patrick Eagan park and will become more heavily used in future years.
Advisory Park Committee Minutes
September 4, 1980
Page Four
In a motion by Carroll, seconded by Pettit, with all members voting in favor,
the trail located in the Hilltop Estates Addition is to remain an asphalt sur—
face trail.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT DAY
The City Administrator reported that the City Council is planning
to recognize Local Government Day as set forth by Governor Quie on October 21,
1980. It is proposed by the City Council that the dedication of the Rahn Thomas
Trail will be the main ceremonial activity on that particular day. He stated
that all members of the Advisory Park Committee are invited and encouraged to
attend Local Government Day. The ceremony will begin at 6:00 p.m. on October
21, 1980 at Thomas Lake Elementary School.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, in a motion by Radl, seconded by
Carroll, with all members voting in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30
p.m.
Dated: September 4, 1980
TLH
Advisory /ark Committee Secretary