4. Report from Parks Task Force; Chairperson Kronick and Task Force MembersI
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CITY OF
�BANHASSEN
690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739
TO: Don Ashworth, City Manager
FROM: Jay Kronick, Chair, 1995 Park Task Force
Jane Quilling, Vice - Chair, 1995 Park Task Force
Todd Hoffman, Secretary, 1995 Park Task Force
DATE: August 9, 1995
SUBJ: Preliminary Findings and Recommendations of the 1995 Park Task
Force
The 1995 Park Task Force presented their preliminary findings to the Park &
Recreation Commission on August 8, 1995 (see attached report). Upon completion
of the discussion between the commission and task force, members of the Park &
Recreation Commission took the following action:
"Commissioner Andrews moved, Commissioner Meger seconded to
recommend the 1995 Park Task Force forward their recommendations to the
city council with the following mutually agreed upon amendment:
2b. Delete Highway 101 trail. Add Bluff Creek Trail (Highway 5 to
Lyman Blvd.)
This amendment is in reaction to your memorandum to the Mayor and City
Council regarding Highway 101 (attached).
All commissioners voted in favor and the motion passed."
RECOMDAENDATION
It is the recommendation of the 1995 Park Task Force, as confirmed by the Park
& Recreation Commission, to pursue a referendum to accomplish the following:
1. Regarding the acquisition of open lands:
MEMORANDUM
Mr. Don Ashworth
August 9, 1995
Page 2
To accomplish preservation of the Bluff Creek Corridor, pursue
acquisition of the following parcels:
Parcel 2A
Size: Greater than 40 acres.
Land Owners: Degler, Degler, Peterson, Chaska Investment
Corporation/Wallingford Properties, Jeurissen and
Laurent.
Parcel 2B (a newly identified property)
Size: 8.65 acres
Land Owner: Edwards
To accomplish the preservation of wooded lands, pursue acquisition of
the following parcels:
Parcel 1A
Size: 30 -40 acres
Land Owner: Fox
Parcel 1B
Size: 15 -20 acres
Land Owner: Chaska Investment Corporation/Wallingford Properties
To accomplish the acquisition of land for future community park use,
pursue acquisition of either the combination of Parcel 3C and 3D or
the combination of Parcels 3E and 3F (newly identified properties).
Mr. Don Ashworth
August 9, 1995
Page 3
Parcels 3C and 3D
Size: Approximately 80 acres each.
Land Owner 3C: Peterson
Land Owner 31): Chaska Investment Corporation/Wallingford Prop.
Parcels 3E and 3F
Size Parcel 3E: 67.3 acres
Land Owners: Dean and Lois Degler
Size Parcel 3F: 80 acres
Land Owners: Gayle and Lois Degler
Parcel 3G (newly identified property)
Size: 5 acres
Land Owner: Hanson
2. Regarding the construction of multi - purpose trails:
It is recommended that the following trail segments be pursued:
a. Powers Boulevard north from Santa Vera Drive to the City of
Shorewood.
b. Bluff Creek from State Highway 5 to Lyman Boulevard.
3. Regarding the development of Bandimere Community Park:
It is recommended that this item, at a cost of approximately $1.2
million be included as a stand alone referendum question.
In addition, the following recommendations are being made:
1. The referendum voting day be targeted for Tuesday, October
17, 1995.
2. The city attorney's office be retained to negotiate all purchase
options and purchase agreements.
It is the unanimous opinion of the Task Force that any and all purchase options
be in place prior to the referendum being held.
PARK TASK FORCE BUDGET
If the city council confirms the Task Force findings, it is recommended that a
working budget (printing, publishing, professional services, appraisals, postage)
not to exceed $25,000 be authorized. Dollars currently allocated in Park
Mr. Don Ashworth
August 9, 1995
Page 4
Acquisition and Development and election budgets are capable of absorbing these
costs. This expenditure will not adversely affect work currently programmed
under these budgets.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Report to the Park & Recreation Commission dated August 2, 1995.
2. Memo from Don Ashworth dated August 8, 1995.
3. Project Maps.
4. Referendum Brochure Publicity Outline, First Draft.
c: All landowners listed
1995 Park Task Force Members
Park & Recreation Commission
Manager Comment: Both the City Engineer and myself left the August 7, 1995
meeting with MnDOT (regarding Hwy. 101) believing that 101 would be
reconstructed. The Task Force's recommendation relied upon that information.
Hopefully, the next 60 -90 days will confirm MnDOT's beliefs.
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I MEMORANDUM
CITY OF
�HaNHassEN
690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739
' TO: Park and Recreation Commission
FROM: Jay Kronick, Chair, 1995 Park Task Force
' Jane Quilling, Vice - Chair, 1995 Park Task Force
Todd Hoffman, Secretary, 1995 Park Task Force
' DATE: August 2, 1995
SUBJ: Preliminary Findings and Recommendations of the 1995 Park Task Force
The 1995 Park Task Force received its full compliment of members on June 26, 1995. Since
' that date, three regular meetings of the Task Force has been held. Members also participated
in a tour of potential project and acquisition sites.
' The Task Force, upon completing introductory exercises, has begun to focus on its work.
Background material compiled during the past 12 months has assisted the Task Force. These
materials represent the "referendum" work completed to date by both the Park & Recreation
Commission and City Council. Like the commission and council, the Task Force has focused
their attention on three issues:
1. The acquisition of open lands.
2. The construction of multi - purpose trails.
' 3. The development of Bandimere Community Parkland.
The acquisition of open lands is further defined by the following descriptions:
a. Preservation of the Bluff Creek Corridor.
b. Preservation of wooded lands.
' C. Acquisition of land for use as future community park(s).
The deliberations of the Task Force revolve around a general premise:
' The City must remain an active force in the development of our community.
Park & Recreation Commission
August 2, 1995
Page 2
To that end, the 1995 Park Task Force is proposing to forward the following
preliminary recommendations to the Chanhassen City Council on August 14, 1995.
1. Regarding the acquisition of open lands:
To accomplish preservation of the Bluff Creek Corridor, pursue acquisition of
the following parcels:
Parcel 2A
Size: Greater than 40 acres.
Land Owners: Degler, Degler, Peterson, Chaska Investment
Corporation/Wallingford Properties, Jeurissen and Laurent.
Parcel 213 (a newly identified property)
Size: 8.65 acres
Land Owner: Edwards
To accomplish the preservation of wooded lands, pursue acquisition of the
following parcels:
Parcel 1A
Size: 30 -40 acres
Land Owner: Fox
Parcel 113
Size: 15 -20 acres
Land Owner: Chaska Investment Corporation/Wallingford Properties
To accomplish the acquisition of land for future community park use, pursue
acquisition of either the combination of Parcel 3C and 3D or the combination
of Parcels 3E and 3F (newly identified properties).
Parcels 3C and 3D
Size: Approximately 80 acres each.
Land Owner 3C: Peterson
Land Owner 3D: Chaska Investment Corporation/Wallingford Properties
Parcels 3E and 3F
Size Parcel 3E: 67.3 acres
Land Owners: Dean and Lois Degler
Size Parcel 3F: 80 acres
Land Owners: Gayle and Lois Degler
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Park & Recreation Commission
August 2, 1995
Page 3
Parcel 3G (newly identified property)
Size: 5 acres
Land Owner: Hanson
2. Regarding the construction of multi - purpose trails:
It is recommended that the following trail segments be pursued:
a. Powers Boulevard north from Santa Vera Drive to the City of
Shorewood.
b. Highway 101 north from South Shore Drive to the City of
Shorewood /Minnetonka border.
3. Regarding the development of Bandimere Community Park:
It is recommended that this item, at a cost of approximately $1.2 million be
included as a stand alone referendum question.
In addition, the following recommendations are being made:
1. The referendum voting day be targeted for Tuesday, October 17, 1995.
2. The city attorney's office be retained to negotiate all purchase options
and purchase agreements.
It is the unanimous opinion of the Task Force that any and all purchase options be in place
prior to the referendum being held.
c: All landowners listed
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937 -1900 • FAX (612) 937 -5739 '
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
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FROM: Don Ashworth, City ManagerW
DATE: August 8, 1995
SUBJ: "Years of Cooperative Work Pays Off for 101 Citizens "; or "Eden
Prairie, Chanhassen, Hennepin/Carver Counties, and MnDOT reach
Pact Re: 101 "; or "101 Citizen Voices Finally Heard"
Any one of the above titles would be well dese -ved. Any one of the titles would
acknowledge that city staff, or the Mayor /Council, or our citizens themselves,
played some major role in solving a dilemma that has plagued Chanhassen for
years; i.e. the reconstruction of Highway 101. Ironically, none of the above titles
would be correct. "Being in the Right Place at the Right Time Pays Off Again"
would be a more accurate title.
If none of the titles shown above are correct, then how is it that all of a sudden
101 is going to be rebuilt after years of frustrating debate /cooperative meetings /50
studies? The answer appears to be a combination of a number of events. The
following should be seen as building blocks, and in the absence of one of them the
solution disintegrates:
Commissioner Powers: The state legislature recently gave the State
Transportation Commissioner the power to change the status of highways
from "temporary" to "permanent." As you will probably recall, MnDOT's
reason for not being able to participate in previous solutions was because of
101's "temporary" status, even though it had been there for 100 years. As a
permanent highway, "turn back" dollars may be available to improve the
highway before it is turned back; and
Highway 169 River Crossing and Shakopee Bypass Nearing Completion:
Although verbal agreements had been reached between MnDot and
Hennepin County in regards to Hennepin County's taking over State
Highway 101 north of us and the state building new State Highway 169, the
/a 1
' Mayor and City Council
August 8, 1995
' Page 2
final contracts have not been signed. Similarly, the Shakopee bypass is
nearing completion and, similar to the Hennepin County situation, MnDOT
' has reached agreement with Scott County regarding Scott County's taking
back existing 169 with the state taking responsibility for the new bypass.
Part of the agreement with Hennepin County would have Hennepin County
responsible for maintaining old 101 throughout Hennepin County, including
the southerly tip at Highway 5 which is technically in Carver County.
Hennepin County appears amenable to amending their agreement with
' MnDOT and to enter into a joint powers agreement with Carver County and
Chanhassen so as to have them responsible for reconstructing State
Highway 101 north of Highway 5 to new Crosstown. MnDOT believes a
' construction contract could be let as early as 1996; and
Allowable Uses of "Turn Bacle' Dollars: Previously "turn back funds" could
' only be used where a state highway was moved from one place to another.
For example, that was the source of funds which moved State Highway 5
out of the center of Chanhassen to its present location approximately 600-
' 700 ft. south. The "new rules" allow turn back funds to be used for a
highway turn back without a new replacement highway route being
designated; and
Availability of Turn Bach Funds: Monies available in the turn back fund
are at an all time high as it would apply to reimbursing counties for monies
spent on turn back projects completed by a county. A separate pool of
money exists for cities who carry out turn back projects. However, that
' fund currently has a deficit balance and due to the current demands and
commitments may not regain a positive position for at least 3 -4 years; and
' - Federal Scenic Highway Legislation: A portion of the ISTEA legislation
included a provision to designate certain roadways as "scenic roadways." In
doing so, many of the typical federal/state standards regarding horizontal
' and vertical alignments, minimum design speeds, widths, etc. could be
relaxed. The Carver County Engineer would be very interested in seeing
this designation given to the lower portion of 101 (south of Lyman
Boulevard). That designation would allow for some vertical/horizontal
changes, rebuilding to a 30 -40 year standard, and rebuilding some of the
curves. However, for the most part, the roadway could maintain its scenic
' character. By contrast, the section of 101 from the old railroad trestle to
212 should be rebuilt. Specifically, that section of roadway should be
realigned to the east from its current western curvature and the entire "Y"
' should be redesigned to a single cross - section intersection. The relocation
would "take" the existing trailers /cabins, and since this would no longer be a
Mayor and City Council
August 8, 1995
Page 3
state highway, the city could develop this as a very attractive entrance into
our community, including parking areas for entrance to the Bluff Creek
Corridor or to the pathways leading to Hopkins /Chaska.
As noted above, if one of the above events had not occurred, the Highway 101
dilemma would continue to exist. However, with MnDOT reaching agreement
with both Hennepin and Scott Counties on major pieces of the puzzle, MnDOT
now realizes that it is time to take a look at the final piece of the puzzle —us. By
comparison, we are small potatoes. But without us, the whole plan could fall
apart. [Note: Don't be surprised if the final agreement has extra goodies!]
Hennepin County appears ready to take over the responsibility for the northern
part of the turn back, i.e. Highway 101 from Crosstown to State Highway 5. Since
it is only the "county pool" that has dollars available for turn backs, it would seem
logical that Carver County should be the lead agency in reconstructing Highway
101 from Highway 5 to the Minnesota Valley. That section will probably be
phased over several years, but all of the above events appear to have produced a
means by which all of our Highway 101 problems can be solved.
I can honestly state that most of the news brought to this office during this past
year has not been good. I wouldn't mind having it disappear entirely. Hopefully,
with news such as I received yesterday, we're on a new course of "good news
days." Yesterday was definitely a good news day.
MEETING CONFIRMATION
August 3, 1995
TO Bob Brown, Metro Division State Aid Engineer
Roger Gustafson, Carver County
Don Ashworth, City of Chanhassen
FROM Mary Alyce Chouinard
State Aid Secretary
582 -1353
DATE August 7, 1995
TIME 1:30 - 2:30 PM
LOCATION Chanhassen City Hall Conference Rm A
690 Coulter Drive 937 -1900 Ext 114
Chanhassen MN 55317
MEETING PURPOSE: Discussion Jurisdictional change TH 101
RECEIVED
CITY OF CH ?.'j"ASSCN
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REFERENDUM ,
BROCHURE
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Purpose: Lay out the proposal in a clear, even - handed manner.
Who's Responsible: The Task Force - - To v, e- CQ u J t 4 o Yi c Crc`up imill
A411-s _�[�Nou' .A_K �JCL"' Ihoup I
Content
Background: City's responsibility to anticipate future needs
Need:
• Acquire land for a future multi -use community park
• Develop a neighborhood park (Bandimere Park)
• Preserve & protect forest/green space
• Develop /expand trail system
Rational:
• Preserve green spaces before overtaken by development —
preserve lifestyle
• Add space for softball and soccer fields
• Safely connect the city for pedestrians, bikers, joggers
• Anticipate future need for community parks due to
population growth
• Projected land purchases outside MUSA, therefore less costly
now (Lake Ann Park is result of 1969, $250,000 referendum)
• Land is becoming less and less available
Proposal:
1. Land Acquisition: (Map of Parcels)
• To preserve the Bluff Creek Corridor: Parcels 2A and 213
• To preserve wooded lands: Parcels 1 A and 1 B
• To have land for a future community park:
Parcels 3C and 3D or parcels 3E and 3F
• To expand existing City Hall Park: Parcel 3G
Trail Construction: (Map of Trails)
' • Powers Boulevard north from Santa Vera Drive
' to city limits
• Bluff Creek from highway 5 to Lyman Blvd.
' • Note: Hennepin County will construct Highway 101 trail
from South Shore Drive to city limits
2. Park Development: Bandimere Park play facilities and
athletic fields
1
Impact on Propertv Taxes:
• Amount and duration of property tax
• No other funding sources
' If Approved /If Defeated:. Exactly what will happen and when
' Pollina Information:. When and where to vote
I Deliver: Week of September 11th
Q & A SHEET
Purpose: To anticipate and answer questions and objections '
(included with brochure)
Who's Responsible: The Task Force - Jaoe- [(:"t-
Sort of Questions:
(Need to think through the possible objections, also the questions
that will allow us to make good arguments in favor of proposal)
• Why do we need more park land?
• Why purchase it at this time?
• Who will be able to use these parks?
• Will there be an entrance fee?
• I've heard that our bond rating is not very good and that we're
over extended; is this a good time to be spending more money?
• As more people move to Chanhassen, will my property tax
obligation stay the same?
• Are we getting the best deal possible on the land?
• Will this increase my property value?
• How will each parcel be used?
• When will the construction of the trails begin and end?
• When will development of Bandimere Park begin and end?
• Etc.
Deliver: Week of September 11th (with the brochure)
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CHANHASSEN VILLAGER FEATURE
Purpose: Gain editorial support and reach more people with
key information
Who's Responsible: Director of Parks, Todd Hoffman Tty Kr6o tCK
Activity: Contact editor about a feature section, supply
information and assistance
When: To run week of September 25th.
L
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"VOTE YES" COMMITTEE I
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Purpose: To be an advocacy group and support center
Who's Responsible: Recruited and organized by Bloc_ 4r-k,
Activities:
• Advocate for passage:
- Speak at local organizations (Rotary Club, Chamber of
Commerce, Lions Club, seniors, neighborhood groups)
- Meet with opinion leaders
- Place newspaper ads in Chanhassen Villager (weeks of
Oct. 2nd and 9th)
- Develop and distribute school flyer
- Create and distribute lawn signs
• Develop /organize support event(s)
• Pre - survey for "Yes" voters (week of Sept. 18th),
then "get them out to vote" (week of Oct. 13th - 17th)
When: Organize immediately
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