11/05/1981 - Advisory Parks & Recreation CommissionAGENDA
ADVISORY PARK AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING
EAGAN, MINNESOTA
EAGAN CITY HALL
NOVEMBER 5, 1981
7:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. ADOPT AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER1, 1981
3. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
None
4. OLD BUSINESS
(1) Request of James Plantenberg
(2) Advisory Committee Job Description /Qualifications
(3) Vienna Woods - Park Land
5. NEW BUSINESS
(1) 1st review of R.F.P., Master Parks Guide Plan
6. OTHER. BUSINESS/REPORTS
(1) National Parks and Recreation Conference -
Committee Members Discussion and Report -
Information Sharing.
(2) Review of Committee Objectives and Naming of
Parks - Request from October.
(3) December meeting date - request for date change.
(4) Tree Planting
7. ADJOURNMENT
Roger Martin, Chairperson 454 -8921 (H) 456 -4654 (W) 12 -83
4435 Oak Chase Road
Eagan, Mn 55123
Carolyn Thurston 454 -5843 12 -82
Vice - Chairperson
4454 Oak Chase Way
Eagan, Mn 55123
Michael Thomas 454 -6364 (H) 454 -1464 12 -81
1390 Avalon Avenue
Eagan, Mn 55121
Richard Carroll, Secretary 452 -7597 12 -81
4485 Oak Chase Lane
Eagan, Mn 55123
Steve Johnson 452 -2287 12 -82
4296 Amber Drive
Eagan, Mn 55122
Margaret Tilley 454 -7819 (H) 853 -7681 12 -82
1055 Wescott Road
Eagan, Mn 55123
Douglas McNeely 452 -3475 887 -7300 12 -82
2060 Shale Lane
Eagan, Mn 55122
Mike Fedde 452 -2966 12 -83
1662 Norwood Drive
Eagan, Mn 55122
Sandra Masin 452 -3411 12 -83
1795 Carnelian Lane
Eagan, Mn 55122
Donn Schumaker 452 -5629 12 -81
4367 Andromeda Way
Eagan, Mn 55123
ADVISORY PARKS $ RECREATION COMMITI E MEMBERS EAGAN
TELEPHONE
November 2, 1981
TERM EXPIRES
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TO: ADVISORY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
FROM: KEN VRAA, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION
NOVEMBER 1981
RE: REQUEST OF JAMES PLANTENBERG
At the October meeting of the Advisory Committee Mr. Platenberg
requested the opportunity to purchase a portion of park land
at Oak Chase Park. During the discussion, staff was asked to
determine the legality of allowing a "Road Easement" across
a portion of the park property or for a small turn around.
Attached is a memo from the City attorneys office in regards
to this issue.
Action: To approve or deny a "turn- around" easement at Oak
Chase.
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Ken Vraa, Director of Parks and Recreation
1 OM: David G. Keller
RE: Plantenberg Request for Road Easement
Per your request of October 5, 1981, we have investigated the potential of
granting a road easement for driveway purposes to Mr. Plantenberg across
City Park property.
Mr. Plantenberg has requested to purchase a portion of Park property and
apparently the Park Board has denied the request as it did several years
ago when Arnie Carlson made a similar request. Mr. Plantenberg apparently
has purchased a portion or a parcel of landlock land just south of Oak Chase
Park to which there is an existing road driveway easement.
The problem appears to be that the existing easement may not be wide enough
to accomodate normal traffic and allow for convenient entrance to Mr.
Plantenberg's proposed garage.
The request then seems to be whether the Park Board can grant a small Turn
Around Easement to Mr. Plantenberg across Park property for his residential
use. Minnesota Statute does not provide a ready answer to this question.
The powers of City Council listed under Minnesota Section 412.221 gives no
indication as to whether it may grant an easement over park property. The
powers of the Park Board, as deleniated in Section 412.521 do not include
the power to grant an easement across park property for private use. How-
ever, it does not exclude such power either. Thus, there is some room for
interpretation as to the Park Board's powers. In general, the enabling
statute is usually interpreted to only include power specifically stated as
far as municipalities are concerned. Also, the statute itself appears to
generally limit the powers of the Board to actions considered in the public's
best interest.
In Conclusion, it would appear easier to argue that the Park Board does not
have the authority to grant an Easement for private use across park property.
On the other hand, it can certainly be argued that a small Turn Around Easement
woi1d not be a harm to the public and when balanced against the hardship
imposed against Mr. Plantenberg, would appear to be a reasonable solution to
the problem.
As to the long term effects of such an easement, certainly any forseeable
problems could be mitigated by having a written easement of limited terms
with the proper conditions.
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MEMO TO: ADVISORY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
FROM: KEN VRAA, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION
NOVEMBER 1981
RE: COMMITTEE JOB DESCRIPTION
At the October meeting, the Advisory Committee reviewed the
draft for the Committee Job Description. Revisions were
made as requested by the committee. Consequently, the final
draft is ready for acceptance and recommendation to the City
Council.
Also attached is a "Committee Members Code" which was copied
from a hand out of the National Recreation and Parks Association
Citizen's Board Members Branch. It was felt that this code
is appropriate for review at this time. If accepted by the
committee, it could be incorporated with the other materials
into a packet for perspective applicants /new appointee's to
the Advisory Committee.
Action: To review the submitted materials for recommendation
to the City Council.
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A COMMITTEE MEMBER'S CODE
As a committee member, I believe that the primary purposes
of a committee are to achieve effective and wise guidance of the
department through group thinking and action, to raise the stan-
dards of committee membership and to improve the level of
recreation and park services to the community whieh supports it.
I realize that mine is a community trust, that I represent
all the people and that I have a duty to the community as well
as to my park and recreation department I pledge myself, there-
fore, to cultivate an "educated heart" so that I may be sensitive
to my obligations and relationships in this trusteeship. I sub-
scribe to the code of an ethical person, remembering that ethics
refers to what a person is morally obliged to do or not to do
in a given situation.
I believe that committee service can be an expression of
democratic citizenship, signifying a willingness to accept
community responsibility and the charge to preserve popular
control of American public services. Respecting the dignity
and worth of the individual, I shall base my relations with
people on their qualities as individuals without distinction
as to race or creed or color or economic or social status. I
believe that a person's greatest possession, as well as his
greatest contribution to society, may lie in the ways in which
he differs from me, rather than in the ways in which we are
similar. I shall accept these differences and try to build
a useful relationship upon them.
I uphold the principles of my organization, recognizing
and assuming my responsibility as a committee member to establish
and administer the best possible program and policies for my
park and recreation department. I shall learn its program
and objectives, give to it a fair share of my time and personal
abilities, keep a communitywide perspective knowing that, for
sound community service, my department's work must be coordi-
nated with the total community.
I promise to be loyal to my own organization and a good
neighbor to other agencies. My attitude shall be one of co-
operative open - mindedness and objectivity. In carrying out
my assignments, I shall be professional in realizing that it
is not possible to lay down absolute rules for all situations.
I shall be willing to think things through with the other
committee members, weighing alternatives and exercising good
judgement in choosing among them.
I have faith in the fellowship of common endeavor, be-
lieving that unity is accomplished through the resolution of
differences and not in their suppression. I recognize the
value and the necessity of mutual understanding and teamwork
between the committee and the staff in developing a good
department. I realize that the functions of the committee and
the staff are different but that, with common goals in focus,
and with confidence in and respect for each other, methods of
joint participation will not be difficult to find.
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I shall try to be a good committee member: a believer,
a planner, a doer, an interpreter, a prophet, a reformer, a
builder, a friend, a good citizen.
Desiring to contribute all that I can to the betterment
of my community and its people, I willingly accept this code
for committee members and will be guided by it.
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Qualifications:
1. Resident of the City of Eagan.
2. Willingness and dedication to commit both time and personal energy
to the committee.
3. An interest in both parks and recreation issues.
4. Desire to provide a broad range of parks and recreation service to
citizens of the community.
5. Interest in and knowledge of the community of Eagan.
6. Interest in recreation and parks fulfilling a vital role in the
quality of life for Eagan residents.
7. Willingly seeks input from neighborhoods, organizations, and
individuals.
8. Ability to maintain an objective approach to park and recreation
issues.
Responsibilities:
1. Attend and participate in regular monthly meetings and special
meetings.
2. Attend and participate in appointed study committee which may be
required to conduct the affairs of the Advisory Committee.
3. To make recommendations concerning parks acquisition and development
to council and staff.
4. To review and make recommendations concerning recreation programming.
5. Annually elect officers of the Advisory Committee.
6. Provide input into park site planning.
7. Annually reviews the department budget, providing suggestions to
staff.
8. Performs fact finding tasks for City Council.
Reports To:
ADVISORY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
JOB DESCRIPTION /QUALIFICATIONS
1. City Council
2. Director of Parks and Recreation
November 1981
Performance and Evaluation:
1. Self evaluation by committee.
2. Regular attendance and participation.
3. Knowledge and satisfaction that committee is full - filling a vital
role in the community.
Condition of Work:
1. 3 year terms; appointment by council.
2. No compensation; but a great deal of personal satisfaction to be
offered.
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�...� Job Description /Qualifications
November 1981
Page 2
Duties of Chair- person
1. To preside over regularly scheduled and special committee meetings.
2. To call special meeting of the Advisory Committee when required to
conduct the responsibilities of the committee.
3. To act as spokes person for the committee.
4. With the Director of Parks and Recreation; establish a tentitive
agenda for monthly meetings.
5. Assign members to special study committees.
6. Advise and consult with individual members concerning their partici-
pation on the committee.
Duties of the Vice- Chair - person
1. In the absence of the chair - person, conduct meeting of the
Advisory Committee.
2. To perform assigned task as might be requested from the chair - person
Duties of the Director of Parks and Recreation
1. To assist in the development of the agenda and preparation of
packet material.
2. To act as a liaison to the City Council for the recommendations made
by the committee.
3. Provide direction and input to the committee concerning parks dedi-
cation and recreational programming.
4. To perform fundamental research in the study of parks and recreation
issues.
5. To attend meetings of the Advisory Committee and study committee.
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EAGAN ADVISORY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
The Advisory Parks and Recreation Committee is an appointed committee of
the City Council of volunteer citizens. The purpose of the committee is to
advise and make recommendations to the City Council concerning both parks and
recreation issues. In addition the committee provides input to City staff, in
affect, acts as an advisory board on community interests concerning recreation
and parks.
Organization: The committee consist of 10 members who are appointed by the
City Council for 3 year terms.
Chairman, vice - chairman and secretary are elected annually by the committee
members at an "organizational meeting" in January. Study committees are also
organized at this time. Meetings are held monthly, or at the call of the
chair- person.
Members Role: The Advisory Committee's work covers a broad
which must be acted upon in a timely manner. To accomplish
attendance and participation by members. Occasionally, the
or "study groups" becomes necessary to look into or work on
Assignment to these groups is voluntary.
Because regular participation is important to the functioning of the committee,
the City Council in January of 1974 passed a motion that three consecutive
absences by a member should then be replaced on the committee. If members
find that commitments prohibit regular attendance or causes a period of
extended absences, they should seriously consider resigning the committee.
Perhaps the most significant responsibility the members have is to keep an
open mind to parks issues. Listening, learning and discussion of issues are
important aspects of committee work. Decision making should be based on in-
formation gathered and what can be seen as working towards the betterment of
the City and parks and recreation system. Maintaining objectivity in the face
of special interest groups is often difficult, but essential to a balanced
approach to parks. Both long term objectives and short term benefits should
be considered on all issues.
range of issues
this work regular
formation of "task"
more complex issues.
The Advisory Committee acts as a group; disagreement and divergent views are
expected and desirable. However, these views are not to be represented to
outside organizations /committee as being representative of the views of
the Advisory Committee or City. Members need to be certain that they do not
express personal views and interests as that of the City or Parks and
Recreation Department.
Responsibility /Authority: The committee does not have statutory powers, as
do "Park Boards'. It is a creation of the City Council with the responsibility
of parks and recreation. The committee reviews residential development for
recommendation of parks dedication; annually reviews the budget, provides
input regarding programming, hears citizens requests and investigates issues
for recommendation. In addition to the general responsibility of parks and
recreation, the committee will perform "special" responsibilities as well.
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Page 2
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As an example, the Advisory Committee provided input and reviewed the City
wide Bicycle Trails Plan, the needs for a Master Parks Plan, and reviewed
plans for park development.
Staff: The City employs a professional administrator for the Parks and
Recreation Department whose responsibility includes the day to day direction
and operation of the department. Directly responsible to the City Administrator
and City Council, the director prepares the operational budget, purchase
major equipment items, oversees the forestry department, and weed control
program, plans parks maintenance and development activities, as well as give
direction to the effective operation of recreational programming, etc.
As the position relates to the Advisory Committee, the director prepares the
committee's agenda and support information concerning agenda items. Items
require committee action, informational items on parks and programs are pre-
sented by the director and communicated to the appropriate parties.
The City Administrator and City Planner are often at meetings of the Advisory
Committee and will comment on council directives, as well as background in-
formation pertaining to City development.
For Your Information:
Park Dedication: The City has enacted an ordinance under Minnesota Laws, which
grants a community the authority to receive land for park purposes from
residential developers. This dedication is set at l00 of the land to be
developed. In instances in which suitable land for park purposes is not
available, or the amount of land is not sufficient to support a park, a cash
dedication is taken. The amount of the cash dedication is based on the type
of residential unit. The committee annually reviews the fees for possible
adjustment. The cash collected goes into the "park site acquisition and
development" fund for purchase and /or development of parks throughout the
community.
Comp Plan: Required by the Metropolitan Council the City prepared a
"Comprehensive Guide Plan" for the City. One segment of the plan includes
parks. Neighborhood service areas were defined to help determine what park
needs might be for each portion of the City.
C.I.P. or Capital Improvement Program: The department has prepared a C.I.P.
document which lists each park area and improvement to each park for a five
year period. (This list does not include facilities) The five year program
would cost (if funds were available) in excess of three (3) million dollars.
P.U.D.: A planned unit development is an agreement between a City and developer/
land owner to develop the land included in the agreement according to a specific
criteria; including residential densities, park land, commercial area, with a
proposed time frame for development. P.U.D.'s run for a period of 5 to 15 years.
Master Parks Plan: A Master Parks Plan is a document or intensive study of
the park and recreation system to determine existing deficiencies in land
and type of facilities the City needs to provide its citizens. The study
seeks to focus -in on a specific park needs, prioritize those needs via -vis
the rest of the park system needs, as well as provide direction for the
department.
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NOVEMBER 1981
MEMO TO: ADVISORY PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
FROM: KEN VRAA, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION
RE: PARKS LAND DEDICATION - VIENNA WOODS
Background: At the time of the Mission Hills P.U.D. in 1977-
78, a determination as to type of park dedication requirements
was not resolved. Because of the uncertainties of the 35 -E
right -of -way alignment through this P.D., an exact location
for a park could not be established. Subsequently, an agree-
ment was signed with the City, developer and owner of the
land which placed a cash dedication in an escrow account.
The City was given three years from the date of the agreement
to then determine whether to keep the cash or to locate and
accept 22 acres of park land. If the City did not take
action to acquire the park land, the cash would revert to the
City. A decision must be made by February 20, 1982 on this
issue as specified within the agreement.
Issues: The Advisory Committee should make a recommendation
to the Council if it wishes to acquire park land or to accept
the cash dedication in lieu of land. If a decision is to
acquire park property, a general site location should be
recommended.
Discussion: Vienna Woods is in park service area 31 -E. This
is a relatively isolated area bounded by Highway 35 -E on the
east, Cedar Avenue and Cliff Road. This area is expected to
have approximately 200 dwelling units with a projected popu-
lation of seven hundred. Neighborhood parks are generally
located /developed to serve larger populations than this. Be-
cause the isolation of this neighborhood from a "walking distance"
park, staff is of the opinion that land dedication should be
seriously considered despite the fact that the park acreage
does not meet desirable park size standards.
Members of the development committee reviewed the site recently
and looked at two potential park sites. A preferred site is
being indicated on the attachment for park.
The topography of the entire site slopes gently from south to
north and is generally without trees. The street, known as
Vienna Lane, is to eventually be extended further to the east
and then proceed north into an adjacent land parcel. The
development committee reviewed two potential areas for the
21 acre park site. These are graphically represented on the
attachment as the "preferred site" and "alternate site."
The preferred location was selected because it is adjacent to
NhDOT property which was acquired for ponding purposes. This
parcel is approximately 5 to 51/2 acres in size and contains a
small pond of less than 12 acres in size. The pond is shown
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Parks Land Dedication - Vienna Woods
November 1981
Page 2
at a 909 elevation with a potential elevation of 917, as de-
termined by the consulting engineering firm. Elevations have
also been shown at four locations for your reference. It appears
as if this pond will have some type of controlled outlet to
for control of pond elevation.
Staff has reviewed the possibility of utilizing, or incorporat-
ing the MnDOT parcel for parks purposes. It would appear that
this indeed probable, if the City desires to do so. An agree-
ment with MnDOT would be required, with the City to "maintain
the pond and the immediate area" around the pond in order for
the City to obtain the land. MnDOT would retain drainage ease-
ment for storm water run off from 35 -E. With the 21 acre
dedication and MnDOT parcel, it's conceivable that a park of
71/2 to 8 acres in size could be established. If the City is to
acquire the MnDOT property a resolution would be required by
the City Council requesting MnDOT to allow the City to utilize
it for park purposes. This should be done at the earliest
opportunity as MnDOT has informed staff that a contract for
fencing of this parcel has been let. A change order to ex-
clude this parcel could be initiated if early contact is made.
The second parcel is slightly higher in elevation than the
first. Like the first parcel, the topography slopes from
south to north but with steep slopes toward 35 -E. This
second site is a desirable alternative for the 22 acre
dedication, but it does not have the advantage of being
"expandable" by being able to acquire or to use adjacent
MnDOT property.
Action: To approve or disapprove a recommendation to the
City Council to acquire parks dedication in Vienna Woods;
and to authorize staff to negotiate park site boundaries
within the Mission Hills P.U.D. Further, a recommendation
to the City Council to proceed with a request to MnDOT for
the acquisition of the adjacent parcel for the park purposes
should be requested.
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