HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03-22-04APPROVED
Members Present: Mike Eliason, Mark Jacobs, Eric Johnson, Phil Sterner
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Dan Schultz, Director of Parks and Recreation and Sonja Honl, Recording Secretary
Student Volunteer: Philip Harris
Others Present: Susan Kline, Rosemount Resident; Curt Chatfield, Dakota County Planning Office; Steve Sullivan, Dakota County Parks Director; and David Hemple, Contractor Property Developers
Company (CPDC)
CALL TO ORDER: Jacobs called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA: None.
3. APPROVAL OF THE FEBRUARY 23, 2004 MINUTES: MOTION by Eliason to approve the minutes of February 23, 2004. SECOND by Sterner. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion passed.
4. AUDIENCE INPUT: Susan Kline, 13087 Charleston Way, Rosemount, MN, attended the meeting to express her interest in a disc golf course for the City of Rosemount. She encouraged the
Commission to include disc golf in the park planning for the City and stated that disc golf is a sport all ages can participate in and it would be a great addition to the community.
5. DISCUSSION (Response to Audience Input): Jacobs suggested tying discussion of this item to the Brockway Development discussion.
6. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Park Signs – Schultz brought examples of three sizes of park signs. The smallest signs would be used in mini-parks, to mark trail connections and would also serve as secondary signs
for larger parks. Medium size signs would be used in neighborhood parks, and the largest signs would be used for community parks and playfields. There is still discussion going on
regarding changing the city logo, but Schultz wanted to move forward with putting together a request for proposal (RFP), getting quotes for signs that would include the current city
logo, and having the signs installed this spring. The signs would be made of composite wood, and would have a green background with white lettering. The Commission liked the current
city logo and agreed that using it on the park signs would be fine. Schultz will send RFP’s out and have them returned before the April 26 Commission meeting. MOTION by Johnson to
recommend that we proceed with an RFP for park signs for the City of Rosemount, sending the bids out by next week, and having those bids returned by Friday, April 23, 2004. SECOND
by Sterner. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion passed.
b. Wiklund Property Preservation – Staff is working with the Dakota County Farmland and Natural Areas Program, the DNR Metro Greenway Program, and Aina Wiklund to acquire property owned
by Ms. Wiklund. There are a couple of issues that are currently being addressed regarding the purchase of this property. One is the small strip of land that lies between the Wiklund
property and Bacardi Avenue. Staff has talked to the property owner, Mr. Bester, about purchasing that strip of land and he is willing to sell it. The second issue is the possibility
of the City being a funding partner in this project. The DNR is looking at setting aside possibly $145,000 and the County would set aside approximately $250,000 for the purchase of
the property. Schultz recommended that the City participate, if needed, in funding the Wiklund project up to $100,000. The City will be receiving parks dedication funds in the next
30 days that will be upwards of $500,000 which will cover all of the projects we have planned for this summer and fall, and we have also applied to the DNR for a remediation grant that
provides funding for properties that are within watersheds of closed landfills. The Wiklund property falls in a closed landfill watershed from a landfill in Inver Grove Heights.
Jacobs asked the amount of the DNR grant. Per Schultz, the grant is for
approximately $75,000. MOTION by Johnson to recommend that the City participate, if needed, in funding the Wiklund property purchase up to $100,000. These funds would be used to acquire
adjacent land currently owned by Earl Bester. All funds received from the DNR grant that has been applied for are to be used to replenish City funds used for this purchase. SECOND
by Eliason. Jacobs asked for clarification of the second sentence of the motion. Per Schultz, the motion should be stated that we would put $100,000 toward the Wiklund project to
include the purchase of any land, including the Bester property. FRIENDLY AMENDMENT by Jacobs to change “These funds would be used to acquire adjacent land currently owned by Earl
Bester.” to “These funds could also be used to acquire adjacent land from Earl Bester.” The motion would now read: Motion to recommend that the City participate, if needed, in funding
the Wiklund property purchase up to $100,000. These funds could also be used to acquire adjacent land from Earl Bester. All funds received from the DNR grant that has been applied
for are to be used to replenish City funds used for this purchase. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Dakota County Parks – Future Regional Park – Schultz has been working on this item for the past few months – meeting with Dakota County staff regarding the possibility of developing
a regional park just south of Rosemount. Curt Chatfield, Dakota County Planning Office and Steve Sullivan, Dakota County Parks Director were in attendance to inform the Commission
that the County is looking at developing a new regional park in Empire Township. Chatfield provided the Commissioners with maps and information on a site study for the new county park,
along with a number of photos of the area that is being proposed for development. Chatfield explained that due to the population growth in Dakota County, the County Board has decided
that they need to look at expanding the regional parks. The County has talked with Schultz and other parks directors and City staff in this area to find out what their interests and
expectations are. Chatfield reviewed the site report and maps. The area the County is looking at is located in the middle of Empire Township just south of Rosemount. The County felt
that this was the best of the regional park candidate sites because it has high quality natural resources that would provide a variety of recreational opportunities. They have one
or two landowners who may be interested in selling land and there are no homes to purchase. The northern section of land the County is looking at is adjacent to the University of Minnesota
property and they may be able to coordinate use of trails on the U of M property. Sullivan has talked with representatives from the U of M and felt that the University is moving in
a direction that is compatible with the regional park plan. The southern section of land could be a wildlife management area that could be open to hunting, as well as trout fishing
and canoeing in the Vermillion River. Sterner and Johnson both asked questions about camping facilities. Per Chatfield, this is something they will be looking into. The County plans
to include facilities such as hiking, biking, equestrian trails, bathrooms, picnic shelter, and possibly youth camps or public camping. The County is looking for support from the Commission
for this project. Schultz asked if the Commission would like to move forward with a recommendation to the City Council on this item. MOTION by Sterner in support of the concept of
the Empire Wetlands Natural Area Regional Park to be used for passive recreation. SECOND by Eliason. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion passed. Sullivan thanked Schultz on behalf of the
County Parks Department for his expertise and work on the Spring Lake Park project.
b. Brockway Preliminary Plat – PUD – Schultz reviewed the preliminary plat and two maps identifying the areas being looked at for public parks. The plat proposes 606 units on 113
acres and includes a mix of single family and multiple family units. The area should be served by a neighborhood park, which typically serves 300 to 650 households. Based on the Parks
Master Plan, we’d be looking at approximately four to 10 acres. This depends on the proposed amenities and the location of the park. Based on the parks dedication formula, we collect
1/25 of an acre per unit. In this case, this equals 24.24 acres of park dedication. The current plan identifies Outlot K, where the ball field is located, and Outlot S, which is being
looked at for passive recreation use. These two outlots combined equal 13.74 acres of parks dedication. We would be collecting cash dedication on 10.5 acres, which would come to $630,000
(10.5 acres x $60,000). Schultz reviewed maps of the preliminary plat and advised the Commission of a number of concerns regarding the current plat, including the pipeline easement,
the infiltration basin, adequate
public parking, parks dedication, and trails. Schultz recommended revising the plan so it will work better as a neighborhood park and looking at including bocce ball courts, horseshoe
pits, a picnic shelter, etc. Schultz does not support the current public park design as submitted with the preliminary plat.
Dave Hemple, Project Manager, Contractors Property Development Company (CPCD), 3030 Center Pointe Drive Suite 800, Roseville, MN 55113, addressed the Commission. CPDC is working with
City engineers to revise the plan so it meets with City approval. Their attorney is working on getting more information regarding the pipeline easement and what can be built on it.
Hemple handed out copies of a summary of CPDC’s comments and concerns regarding the project. The summary explained what CPDC would like to see happen as far as parks dedication and
addressed some of the concerns with the preliminary plat that were listed in the Executive Summary. CPDC is open to working with the City to create a park plan that fits the needs
of the City and the new residents of the development. Hemple was attending the meeting to get feedback from the Commission regarding the preliminary plat, and to ask for any latitude
the City could grant them on this project. Due to delays and timing issues, Hemple stated that to require up front fees would be very burdensome to CPDC’s construction loans and financial
situation. They are open to dedicating the entire parkland with the initial final plat, but asked for latitude on fees. CPDC had an issue with the amount of parks dedication being
assessed and also felt they should receive parks dedication credit for part of the pipeline easement. Schultz explained how our parks dedication is computed and that we typically do
not give credit for pipeline easements.
The Commission discussed the amenities they would like to see included, as well as the concerns from the Executive Summary regarding parking issues, parks dedication, and giving credit
for the pipeline easement, etc. Hemple stated that CPDC wasn’t happy with the current plan either, and they are willing to work with the City to include the amenities the Commission
would like to see in the park. Sterner had a comprehensive list of amenities that should be considered: archery; horseshoe pit; bocce ball; full court basketball; two tennis courts;
disc golf; mini golf; shuffleboard; tournament croquet; playground area; open grass for kickball, soccer, etc.; putting area; and walking trails. The Commission was against changing
the parks dedication formula for this project and they were not comfortable with park amenities being used in lieu of all of the parks dedication fees. It was the consensus of the
Commission that the current guidelines for parks dedication should not be changed. Hemple would like to bring back a revised plan with amenities and still give the City some parks
dedication. He stressed that this development is different from others as it is a redevelopment district area, and that the cost of the project has gone up so there is a lot more cost
involved for them. The Commission decided to table this issue until CPDC comes back with a revised plan. MOTION by Eliason to table the item. SECOND by Johnson. Ayes: 4 Nays:
0 Motion passed.
c. Shannon Park – Proposed Batting Cage – Schultz was contacted by representatives from the Rosemount Area Athletic Association’s (RAAA) traveling softball team about the possibility
of building a batting cage for softball players at Shannon Park. The location they had chosen, between fields 3 and 4, would infringe on the soccer and football fields that use the
outfields of softball fields 4 and 5. There is also a water main running between these two fields. If they could relocate the batting cage to a spot that doesn’t impact the other
facilities and doesn’t create safety issues for park users, Schultz would support building it. RAAA would pay for the building and maintenance of the batting cage. Because the batting
cage can’t be built on the location RAAA was looking at, there was no issue to discuss.
d. Director’s Report – The Park Improvement Fund balance as of February 29, 2004 was $251,224.93. This will be increasing as two final plats are coming in soon.
The Facilities Task Force met on March 18. Schultz expects a lot of good ideas from the group. Another meeting will be scheduled in April.
Athletic Complex – The City Council is 100% in support of this project. Schultz is currently talking to landowners in eastern Rosemount who may be interested in selling their property.
Skate Park - Eliason asked about finding a permanent location for the skate park. Per Schultz, the area north of the hockey rink and the parking lot at Schwarz Pond Park are both being
looked at as possible permanent locations. Schultz will bring back more information on this to the next meeting.
Resignation of Commissioner – Steve Wilson resigned after last month’s meeting. He will be moving to Farmington. Leslie Defries will be taking over his two-year term as of April 1,
2004.
Reappointment of Commissioners - Eliason and Sterner were reappointed to three-year terms beginning April 1, 2004.
8. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Eliason to adjourn the meeting. SECOND by Johnson. Ayes: 4 Nays: 0 Motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 10:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Sonja Honl,
Recording Secretary