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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.15.06 Work Session Minutes JOINT COUNCIL/PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION WORKSHOP MINUTES February 15, 2006 Mayor Soderberg and Chair Oswald called the workshop to order at 5:03 p.m. Present: Council: Soderberg, Fogarty, Pritzlaff Parks and Recreation Commission: Oswald, Hanson, Higgins, Neal MOTION by Fogarty, second by Pritzlaffto approve the agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Community Center Presentation The Community Center Committee looked at seven sites. Two sites were within the Newland Communities property, one in Mystic Meadows which has been identified as a future adult softball complex, ten acres on the Meadowview Elementary site, the Don Peterson property which was part of a Town and Country development, the Jim Allen property adjacent to the Fire Station along Denmark Avenue, and the County Fairgrounds. The committee decided on a site in the Newland Communities property consisting of 55 acres. A community survey was conducted to determine what activities should be included in the Community Center. The Committee looked at ten different partners. It was decided to partner with Newland Communities and Dakota County. Representatives from Bonestroo presented the site plan. Because of the alignment of Diamond Path, the park was split in two and created an unsafe situation and small pieces. There was also a concern with the alignment ofDeerbrooke Path and it was determined that was not needed as a collector so it was made as more of a park road. They grouped soccer fields and youth baseball so there was not the need to cross over from field to field. The park was also moved more towards the wetlands and the river. This site will accommodate the first and second phases and also future expansion. The land is very flat and low with a high water table. To accommodate a facility of this type, there will be a series of ponds created in order to elevate the site and to manage the storm water. There is the ability to create a lot of paths leading to the wetlands which could be used as an educational tool. Some of the practice fields could be built into the wetlands. There is room to expand the parking for future phases. There is the potential to connect to the North Creek greenway and to the trail system. The creek along the east side will be re-meandered and the street to the south is 195th Street. Council agreed this site was the best location. The site contains enough room for five adult soccer fields or 10 youth soccer fields. There is also room for little league softball fields. The recreational facility needs study showed there was a need for an adult athletic complex and a youth ~thletic complex. This fulfills the need for the youth complex. The area for an adult complex has been identified further to the south. Next Bonestroo presented the details of the plan. The Community Center includes a vestibule which overlooks the pool facility to the left, an outdoor deck, a lap pool, a control desk, party rooms, locker rooms, a senior room, a babysitting room, office, game room, teen center, CouncilJParks and Rec Commission Workshop February 15, 2006 Page 2 concessions, storage, a gym, a weight facility, and a climbing wall. There will be an elevator and stairway leading to the second floor which contains a 10ft. wide running track which is wide enough for three lanes around the perimeter, a cardiovascular room, and an aerobics room. Phase one will not include the lap pool, the multi-purpose area, and the indoor play area. The total cost for phase one is $16 million and phase two would be $3.6 million. In phase one the weight room is the multi-purpose room. Phase two would contain a multi-purpose room with a separate entrance and would be located off the senior room and the babysitting room. The budget numbers were obtained from a data base of information and adjusted for costs in the region and applied to each space. The budget will be discussed at the February 21,2006 Council meeting, the tax impact, the referendum, and how this will fit into the debt plan. This will also be discussed at the goal-setting workshop and how it will fit in with other projects. Comprehensive Plan's Park. Trails. Facilities and Recreation Proerams Chapter The Park and Rec Commission has come up with a framework to update the master plan for parks, trails, facilities and recreation programs. The Commission asked for input from the Council on the framework and whether staff should do the work or use a consultant. Staff recommended having a consultant help develop the benchmarks as far as what the City would like, work with stakeholder groups, and do a survey. Staff would do an RFP to determine what the cost would be. Council agreed the Comprehensive Plan needs to be updated and agreed with using a consultant. Park. Trail. Sidewalk and Open Space Plannin2 Philosophy in Future Developments Mayor Soderberg stated trails or sidewalks are fine with him just so there is a passageway for pedestrians offthe street. Ifit can be a part of the trail system, he has no objection. Any trail or sidewalk in front of a home is the responsibility of the homeowner to clean. As far as a trail being in the front or back of a home, having a trail around a storm water retention pond that is dry most of the year is not that aesthetic. He would lean more towards the front ofthe house. Councilmember Fogarty likes the trail in the back of her house as it leads to the trail system and to the parks. Councilmember Pritzlaff noted in Mystic Meadows the ponds were man-made and the trail just goes around the large pond and there is no access to it. In that situation, he would not care for trails in the back. The Park and Rec Commission noted it needs to be determined if ponds are serving the whole community or just the neighborhood. The Commission met with Lakeville and they take a strip of land around the pond for park dedication and install a trail with lights behind the homes. Mayor Soderberg noted if that were in place before the home was built, the owner would be aware of it before purchasing the lot. Staff is looking at the right-of-way obtained from developers. Right now when the trail is placed in the boulevard there is not enough space between the curb and the trail to install boulevard trees. Staff is looking a creating a wider right-of-way for more space to plant trees. This is another way of creating a greenway. The Commission would like to create short and long loops of trails. Mayor Soderberg asked if the Commission was looking for a policy decision on whether to take advantage of these man-made natural resources. Staff replied the issue is whether Council wants to require the developer to put it on the pond property (which would be City property) and we would not have to take land dedication for that. It would go on an existing outlot that is part of the park dedication. Or if Council does not want a trail by the pond and wants to take park CouncillParks and Rec Commission Workshop February 15, 2006 Page 3 dedication it would require an additional strip of land that would go against the requirements. By taking it as part ofthe pond lot, we are getting more trails without giving up park land dedication. The trail would define the boundary as the edge ofthe property. A discussion on the trail philosophy will be included in the goal-setting retreat. Lone-Term Capital. Operatine and Maintenance Fundine for Parks. Trails and Recreational Facilities Council had approved the budget for park improvements for 2006 and there had to be cuts because the park improvement fund balance is not as high as anticipated. The Commission wanted to discuss if there was any other funding sources beyond development and the liquor store profit transfers. The issue the Commission faces is we are funding both new and existing parks out of the same fund when the funding source is coming from new development and the liquor store transfers. Mayor Soderberg noted this also raises the issue of how to fund improvements once the City is built out. There would have to be a levy and user fees of some sort. Staff asked if when existing parks are re-developed is there a different funding source. Development should pay for its own parks and trails, but this is not addressed with existing parks. Mayor Soderberg stated he would not be opposed to looking at revising the park dedication fees and suggested the Park and Rec Commission start this process. Adding to the general levy is tough. During the budget process staff will also look at fees and other revenue sources. Councilmember Pritzlaff agreed with a small increase for park dedication fees but not as much as a third. He felt it would not be fair to future developers. He asked if we can do an assessment when parks are re-developed. Acting City Administrator Roland noted that is not allowed by statutes and does not fall under 429. Ifthe project involves the proximity around the park, such as a street project, then the park improvements could be funded through a 429 process. The concern would be with a re-development, costs are assessed at 35% rather than 100%. PRAC's Purpose Council was provided with the Commission's Mission Statement, Vision Statement, and 2006 Work Plan. Mayor Soderberg appreciated the work by the Commission and has seen great strides in improvement. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Pritzlaffto adjourn at 6:35 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, /? .-L# r Jv?~ (~-->-~.t:dL.- Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant