02/05/1981 - Advisory Parks & Recreation CommissionMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE EAGAN ADVISORY PARK RECREATION COMMITTEE
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
FEBRUARY 5, 1981
A regular meeting of the Eagan Advisory Park Recreation Committee
was held on February 5, 1981 at the Eagan City Hall. Those present were Com—
mittee members Martin, McNeely, Thomas, Johnson, Carroll, Pettit, Loken, and
Fedde. Also present were Parks Recreation Director Vraa, City Planner Runkle,
Director of Public Works Colbert and City Administrator Hedges. Committee
members Thurston and Tilley were absent.
MINUTES
In a motion by Carroll, seconded by Johnson, with all members voting
in favor, the minutes of the regular meeting held on January 8, 1981 were
approved.
AGENDA
In a motion by Carroll, seconded by Johnson, with all members voting
in favor, the agenda for the February 5, 1981 Advisory Park Recreation Com—
mittee meeting was approved with the addition of a discussion on the Fourth
of July Association celebration to be moved to Rahn Park to be considered as
an item of Other Business.
ADVISORY PARK COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT OF MIKE FEDDE
The City Administrator administered the oath of office to Mr. Mike
Fedde who was appointed to a three (3) year term as a member of the Advisory
Park Recreation Committee.
ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS
In a motion by Loken, seconded by Carroll, the official meeting
date for the Advisory Parks and Recreation Committee was established for the
first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
There were nominations for Roger Martin and Jean Loken to be elected
as Chairperson of the Committee. A ballot vote was conducted by the City
Administrator and Mr. Roger Martin was declared Chairperson of the Advisory
Parks Recreation Committee for 1981.
There were nominations for Jean Loken and Dick Carroll to be elected
as Vice Chairperson for the Committee. A ballot vote was conducted by the City
Administrator and Jean Loken was declared Vice Chairperson for the Advisory
Parks Recreation Committee for 1981.
A white ballot was cast for Carolyn Thurston who was elected secre—
tary of the Advisory Parks Recreation Committee for 1981.
Advisory Parks Recreation Committee Minutes
February 5, 1981
Page Two
Chairperson Martin recommended the appointment of three (3) subcom-
mittees. The Development Committee will consist of Carroll, Pettit, McNeely,
Thomas and Thurston. The Trails Committee will consist of Johnson, Thomas,
Loken, Thurston and Martin. The Recreation Committee will consist of Thurston,
Tilley and Fedde. Martin stated that he will extablish all other committees
as the need should arise.
TARA COURT
The City Planner discussed the preliminary plat entitled Tara Court
as it is proposed to the Advisory Planning Commission and City Council for a
rezoning and preliminary plat consideration. He stated the rezoning is proposed
for 4.5 acres from Agricultural to Residential Single Family. The City Planner
stated that the staff is recommending a cash donation and further that a crossing
will be located in future years at the intersection of County Road 31 and County
Road 26 to facilitate pedestrian movement from the east side of Pilot Knob Road
to Pilot Knob Park. After discussion on this proposed plat and in a motion
by Pettit, seconded by Loken, with all members voting in favor, a cash donation
in lieu of park land dedication for the proposed Tara Court was approved at
a rate in effect at the time of final platting.
DINEEN ADDITION
The City Planner explained the rezoning and preliminary plat appli-
cations that are proposed before the Advisory Planning Commission and City
Council. He stated that it is the recommendation of the City staff that a cash
donation be approved for this development. He further described on the pre-
liminary plat that a trail access to the South Oaks Park was not possible due
to the terrain. After a brief review and discussion of the proposed preliminary
plat, a motion was made by Loken, seconded by McNeely, with all members voting
in favor that the cash donation in lieu of park land dedication be approved
to satisfy park land dedication requirements for the proposed Dineen Addition.
GALAXIE PARK ADDITION
City Planner Runkle explained the rezoning and preliminary plat
application for the proposed Galaxie Park Addition. He stated that a sidewalk
will connect the Galaxie Park Addition with the Ridgecliffe Additions on the
north side of Covington Lane. Vraa stated that, in addition to a cash donation
in lieu of park land dedication, it was the recommendation of the staff that
a tot lot be included in the development as referenced by the Advisory Planning
Commission at their last regular meeting. After reviewing the proposed platting
of the Galaxie Park Addition, it was the determination of various committee
members that a proximity of this preliminary plat to a sixteen acre park adjacent
to Ridgecliffe Addition and the many acres of Dakota County Parkland adjoining
the Galaxie Park Addition, there was no need for additional park land dedication.
In a motion by Carroll, seconded by Martin, with all members voting in favor,
a cash donation in lieu of park land dedication, construction of a tot lot and
a sidewalk on the north side of Covington to provide pedestrian and bicycle
access to the Ridgecliffe Park was approved. Thomas voted no, stating that
the park land is desirable in the Galaxie Park Addition area.
Advisory Parks Recreation Committee Minutes
February 5, 1981
Page Three
BICYCLE TRAILS PLAN
Planning Intern Ulrich presented a draft copy of the Bicycle Trails
Plan. Mr. Ulrich went through the document in detail, covering the support
data as well as providing information on each of the maps included in the report.
Loken specifically questioned why a trail was not shown on County Road 28 between
County Road 31 and Blue Cross Road. She stated that it was the previous opinion
of the City Council and Advisory Park Committee that a trail connection between
the Univac Parcel and Blue Cross Blue Shield be provided on the north side of
County Road 28. Mr. Ulrich stated that this trail segment would be added to
the report. It was also pointed out that the Lexington Trail segment is not
as necessary as the Yankee Doodle Trail connection. There was considerable
discussion regarding funding for trails in the future and, specifically, as
to whether commercial development should finance trails in certain developments.
There was also discussion as to whether the trails should be bituminous on both
sides of a collector street as opposed to bituminous on one side and concrete
sidewalks on the opposite sides. After reviewing the type of trails and funding
of trails, it was the consensus of the committee that a dedication fee for com—
mercial development should be included for bicycle trails. It was also the
consensus of the committee that bituminous trails on both sides of major col—
lectors would be acceptable, however, a sidewalk should be constructed on minor
collectors due to a greater aesthetic appeal in residential neighborhoods.
After further discussion on the Trails Plan and in a motion by Loken, seconded
by Martin, with all members voting in favor, the Bicycle Trails Plan was adopted
in concept and, further, said plan was to be presented to the City Council at
a joint meeting during the month of March. Martin asked that all members review
the document in greater detail and provide their comments, if any, at the March
Park Committee meeting.
CONSULTANT SELECTION PROCESS RIDGECLIFFE PARK
The Director of Parks and Recreation explained the procedure outlined
for selecting a consultant to perform a master plan for layout development of
Ridgecliffe Park. He again reviewed with the committee members the reasons
why a park consultant was approved to develop a layout plan for this park.
Vraa stated that the development agreement for the Ridgecliffe Additions requires
Orrin Thompson to provide grading and seeding of the 16 acre Ridgecliffe Park.
He stated that it has been the previous opinion of the committee and the City
Council that the layout and development plan should be completed so that grading
and seeding can be performed according to a park master plan. Vraa stated that
he would like an Advisory Park Committee member to interview the prospective
consulting firms along with the City Administrator and himself. Martin appointed
Carolyn Thurston who had expressed interest in participating with the interview
process. The development committee was asked by the chairperson to meet as
a subcommittee after City Council action has been taken to accept a consulting
firm to provide input into what elements should be considered as potential
development in the park design.
Advisory Parks Recreation Committee Minutes
February 5, 1981
Page Four
BURR OAK POND
Director of Public Works Colbert stated that the City received a
petition from residents in the Burr Oak Addition adjacent to Chapel Lane
requesting that the City maintain a controlled water elevation at 809.0 for
Burr Oak Pond. He then reported that DNR has indicated that the NOHW for the
north one -half of Burr Oak Pond should be controlled at 806.5 and the south
portion of the pond controlled at 808.0. Colbert stated that the DNR has
indicated that they have no objections to the water level being controlled at
a higher elevation as long as the adjoining property owners agree to the higher
elevation. Since all the property owners have agreed, the only remaining pro-
perty owner that would be affected by the change in water elevation is the City
of Eagan due to the adjoining park property. After further discussion and a
presentation on the proposed NOHW for Burr Oak Pond, a motion was introduced
by Carroll, seconded by Pettit, with all members voting in favor that the NOHW
be established at 809.0 for Burr Oak Pond.
SOFTBALL LEAGUE
Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that he has received
a number of calls from the league director of Eagan's couple softball league
and the director of the over 35 men' s softball league asking if the Department
of Parks and Recreation would be receptive to the department administering their
respective softball programs. Vraa reported that the department is already
assuming jurisdiction for the 40 team Eagan men's league for 1981 and it is
also advertising the creation of a women's over 30 league to be run by the depart-
ment. Vraa stated that he has no objection to assuming the additional responsi-
bility for the administration of the two leagues; however, the Park Department
is assuming more administrative responsibility that could affect implementation
of other programs. Committee members stated that it is difficult to accept
the administration of one or two leagues and not administer all leagues if the
various groups request Park Department involvement. In a motion by Martin,
seconded by Thomas, with all members voting in favor, the Park and Recreation
Department was authorized to assume administration and coordination of the Eagan
Couple Softball League and Over 35 Men's Softball League based on operational
procedures and guidelines as established by the Director of Parks and Recreation.
LAWCON GRANT APPLICATION
Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa stated that LAWCON grant appli-
cations for 1981/1982 funding are in order for consideration on a community
by community basis. He stated that a decision should be made as to whether
an application would be made this year, and, if so, the acquisition or develop-
ment should be recognized at this time to allow adequate processing of the appli-
cation. Vraa recommended the development of the Rahn Park athletic field as
a consideration for LAWCON funding. There was a brief discussion of the type
Advisory Parks Recreation Committee Minutes
February 5, 1981
Page Five
of recreational uses that could be included in this park development. After
further discussion and review of the Park Recreation Department's five year
plan for parks improvement, a motion was made by Loken, seconded by Pettit,
with all members voting in favor, that, "Whereas, the City of Eagan has a five
year plan for Parks Development; and Whereas, the Advisory Committee annually
reviews the five year program for updating its park development; and Whereas,
the development of Rahn Community Park has previously been identified by the
committee and City Council as the highest priority park for improvement; NOW
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Advisory Park and Recreation Committee that
the City of Eagan pursue financial assistance grants from state and federal
agencies for the development of Rahn Community Park."
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
Director of Parks and Recreation Vraa discussed a letter that was
received by the City Administrator from Mr. Ken Ketchum who is organizing the
Fourth of July Celebration for 1981. He reported that the Fourth of July
organization is requesting that Rahn Community Park be used as the site for
their celebration instead of the Cedar Pond location. There was considerable
discussion regarding potential liabilities, the impact on the ball fields and
other facilities owned by the City and adjacent to Rahn Elementary School.
Committee members stated that they were generally in favor of allowing the
festivities to be located at that site, however, requested that the Director
of Parks and Recreation work out the details with Mr. Ketchum to control and
lower the potential maintenance impact on the grounds so there is the least
amount of hardship caused to recreation programs that operate during the remain—
der of the summer months. In a motion by Thomas, seconded by McNeely, with
all members voting in favor, authorization was given to allow the Fourth of
July Celebration to be located at Rahn Community Park providing all the details
are worked out to the desire of the City of Eagan through the Director of Parks
and Recreation.
COMMITTEE OBJECTIVES
Chairperson Martin asked that the various goals and objectives that
have been worked out by a subcommittee be reviewed in detail. Committee member
Loken who is instrumental in drafting many of the goals as a result of the com—
mittee meeting went through a partial listing of the goals and objectives which
included an organized approach to develop the park system and to seek optimum
funding for park acquisition and development. The remaining two goals with
the various objectives outlined were to be discussed at the March 5, 1981 regular
Advisory Park Recreation Committee meeting. Martin asked that priorities
be determined at the March meeting which will then be presented to the City
Council at a joint meeting scheduled for March 19, 1981.
Advisory Parks Recreation Committee Minutes
February 5, 1981
Page Six
MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEES
Pettit stated that he was delighted at the dedication the Park
employees exemplified in their efforts to provide a good quality of ice for
all the hockey rinks and free skating rinks throughout the City. After a brief
discussion and a motion by Pettit, seconded by Loken, with all members voting
in favor, the City Administrator was asked to write a letter of commendation
to the maintenance employees of the Park Department for their dedication to
providing ice for the skating and hockey rinks.
p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:10
Dated: February 5, 1981 TLH
Secretary oVthe Advisory Parks
Recreation Committee