2014-11-10 Parks and Rec Comm Minutes
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING
November 10, 2014
The November meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on
Monday, November 10, 2014 at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve.
Chair Hinderscheid called to order the parks and recreation commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. The
following commissioners were present: Chair Hinderscheid, Commissioners Ira Kip, Stephanie
Levine, Joel Paper, Jack Evans, Michael Toth and David Miller. Staff present: Recreation Program
Coordinator Sloan Wallgren.
Approval of Agenda
Chair Hinderscheid added Special Parks Fund and Splash Pad to the agenda.
COMMISSIONER KIPP MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA; COMMISSIONER
PAPER SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 7: NAYS 0
Approval of Minutes of October 14, 2014
COMMISSIONER LEVINE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES;
COMMISSIONER MILLER SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 7: NAYS 0
Marie Park Hockey Rink Update
Mr. Wallgren updated the commission on the progress of the new hockey boards at Marie Park.
The boards have been installed and the fencing will be added very soon. Mr. Wallgren informed
the commission that the boards would be painted in the spring, and that if a groups was interested in
painting the boards as part of a community services project they could contact city hall to discuss
the opportunity.
Dog Park Update
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that the city council would be discussing the dog park issue
at the 2015 Goal Setting Workshop in January. After the meeting there should be a clear direction
that the city will be taking.
Recreation Programming Report
Mr. Wallgren updated the commission on new programs that he is working on such as: Skyhawks
sports camps, computer camp, theatre camp and a science program. Currently, registrations are still
being accepted for our gymnastics program, ice-skating lessons and the four December field trips.
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2015 Capital Improvement Plan
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that the city council is in the process of discussing projects
on the 2015 Capital Improvement Plan. The 2015 plan includes rebuilding the warming house at
Marie Park, replacing hockey boards at Wentworth Park and improving the tennis court at Ivy Hills
Park. The cost of the three projects is around $120,000.
Mr. Wallgren also informed the commission that in the future staff is looking to extend the trail on
Dodd Road from Market Street north to Marie Avenue. This project would be possibly scheduled
to take place in the next few years. The commission would like to see this trail built, but the safety
of the residents that walk or bike along Dodd Road. The commission would eventually like to see
the trail extended all the way north to Wentworth Avenue.
The commission discussed adding a Splash Pad to the CIP. They would like to see a Splash Pad
built in the city. Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that the cost of a Splash Pad would be
$300,000 to $400,000 and that he did not know where the funds would come from to build it.
The commission understood that a Splash Pad would likely not be built in 2015, but feels that it is
important to put in the long range CIP for the future.
COMMISSIONER EVANS MADE A MOTION TO ADD A SPLASH PAD AND EXTENDING
THE TRAIL ON DODD ROAD FROM MARKET STREET NORTH TO WENTWORTH
AVENUE TO THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. COMMISSIONER MILLER
SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES: 7 NAYES: 0
Par 3 Report
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that the course closed for the season on November 2, 2014.
The golf course will be working with St. Thomas Academy again to create a cross country ski trail
at the Par 3.
Commissioner Paper asked if we could leave the clubhouse open during the winter for people to
use. Mr. Wallgren said that the clubhouse could remain open, he will put together costs for heat
and labor to have the clubhouse open on the weekends in January through mid-March. The
commission also mentioned that the skis or snowshoes could be rented out in the clubhouse if it
were open during the winter.
Total sales for the month of October were $5,223 are expenses were $10,807. Total sales for the
year through October are $136,068 and expenses are $118,624 resulting in a net revenue of
$17,444.
Special Parks Fund
The commission discussed the current status of the Special Parks Fund. The fund currently has a
balance of $155,000. The commission was concerned that after the projects scheduled for 2015
there would only be $30,000 remaining in the fund. The commission discussed where funds would
come from for future park improvements and projects. Chair Hinderschied suggested that in the
future maybe the commission and council should have joint workshop.
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Announcements
Mr. Wallgren informed everyone that the Mendota Lights at the Village would be held Saturday,
December 6, 2014 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. The event will include hayrides, face painting,
carolers, tree lighting by the mayor and of course Santa will be there.
Mr. Wallgren also congratulated Katy Mulvey and Elena Turbenson from Trinity at Rivers Ridge
High School. The pair qualified for the girl’s high school state tournament as a doubles team. The
Trinity girl’s tennis team practices at the Marie Park tennis courts.
Mr. Wallgren stated that the warming houses and rinks would be open for the season around the
th
12 of December.
Commission Comments
Commissioner Miller thought we had a good discussion and thanked public works for the great job
of keeping our streets in great shape.
Commissioner Levine was excited about future programs and thanked our maintenance staff for
everything they do.
Commissioner Paper thought it was a good meeting
Commissioner Kipp thought it was a good meeting.
Commissioner Toth thanked the residents for all their feedback about the dog park. He encouraged
residents to contact them with any issues, and wanted to ensure everyone that the commission does
listen to all the feedback.
Commissioner Evans thanked staff for the great job at the golf course and also thought it was a
good meeting.
Chair Hinderscheid thanked the residents for the input about the dog park. He also thanked public
works for doing a great job with the recent snow fall.
COMMISSIONER PAPER MADE A MOTION TO ADJOUN THE MEETING; COMMISSIONER
LEVINE SECONDED THE MOTION.
Ayes 7: Nays 0
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by Sloan Wallgren
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