2014-05-13 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING
May 13, 2014
The May meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, May
13, 2014 at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve.
Chair Hinderscheid called to order the parks and recreation commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. The
following commissioners were present: Chair Hinderscheid, Commissioners Jack Evans, Ira Kipp,
David Miller, Stephanie Levine and Michael Toth. Staff present: Recreation Program Coordinator
Sloan Wallgren, City Planner Nolan Wall and Public Works Director John Mazzitello.
Commissioner Paper arrived at the meeting at 7:30p.m.
Approval of Agenda
Chair Hinderscheid add two items for discussion to the agenda. The first item added was funding
for future park projects and the second was flowers in the parks.
COMMISSIONER LEVINE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA; COMMISSIONER
TOTH SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 6: NAYS 0
Approval of Minutes of April 08, 2014
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES; COMMISSIONER
TOTH SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 6: NAYS 0
Announcements
Mr. Wallgren wanted to thank the Mom's Club for cleaning up Wentworth Park on April 22, 2014. Mr.
Wallgren also thanked the Rogers Lake Homeowners Association for cleaning up Roger Lake Park on
April 26, 2014.
Future Dog Park Locations
Mr. Wallgren updated the commission on the five locations that they were considering for a Dog Park.
Mr. Wallgren reviewed each of the five locations. Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that they should
discuss the options and make a recommendation on how they would like the city council to proceed.
Kathy Lindstrom commented that she is a dog owner and would live a Dog Park in the city. She thought
that one acre was too small for a Dog Park and would prefer the Friendly Marsh or Pilot Knob site.
Kathleen Laudergren commented that she felt all the all of the sites beside Pilot Knob were too small. He
felt that a one acre Dog Park would not be worth building.
Joann Pasturnack (retired veterinarian) commented that a one acre would not be suitable. She also would
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like to see parking very close by so that individuals could access the Dog Park easily.
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Amy Votel commented on her concern with the Friendly Marsh site. She stated that the wildlife in the area
would be impacted, there would be increased traffic in the quiet neighborhood and that many people use
the trail to commute.
Bob Mars commented that he was concerned about the wildlife at the Pilot Knob site and also thought that
one acre was too small for a Dog Park.
Mary McGrory-Ussett stated that she toured all five of the potential sites and agreed that one acre was too
small. Her preference would be the Pilot Knob site because of its size and location.
Commissioner Toth asked if the site at Pilot Knob would need to be cleaned up and if the soil would need
to be tested. Mr. Mazzitello stated that the soil would need to be tested and that would be an additional
expense to the city.
Don Machenhopp is not in favor of a Dog Park. He has seen many bad things happen at Dog Parks and
would prefer to see a smaller off -leash area.
Jean West was in favor of using the hockey rinks as an area for dogs to run. She also commented that the
city code use to say that if your dogs were under voice control they could be off -leash.
Sherri Mayer liked the idea of partnering with another local city to build a Dog Park. She has a friend that
lives near Marie Park and has seen that not all people have their dogs under control.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO RECOMMEND TO CITY COUNCIL THAT AT
THIS TIME DUE TO PHYSICAL AND ECONOMICAL REASONS THE PARKS AND RECREATION
COMMISSION DOES NOT FEEL THAT THERE IS A CITY OWNED PROPERTY WITHIN THE
CONFINDS OF THE CITY THAT ARE SUITABLE TO BUILD A DOG PARK. COMMISSIONER
LEVINE SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 7: NAYS 0
COMMISSIONER LEVINE MADE A MOTION THAT CITY COUNCIL CONSIDER ISSULING A
THREE MONTH TRIAL PERIOD FOR USING THE HOCKEY PINS AT MARIE PARK AND
WENTWORTH PARK AS OFF -LEASH DOG AREAS. EACH PARK WOULD HAVE SIGNAGE FOR
OWNER EXPECTATIONS AND RULES, AND THERE WOULD BE AN AREA INSIDE THE
BOARDS TO LEASH AND UNLEASH YOUR DOG. ALL DOG OWNERS USING THE AREA
MUST REGISTER THEIR DOG WITH THE CITY. MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
EVANS.
AYES 6: NAYS 1
The commission also directed staff to obtain more information about the future Lilydale Regional Park
Dog Park.
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Recreation Programming Report
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that there is still room in all of the summer programs. Mr.
Wallgren reminded everyone that he 5k and Parks Celebration are on Saturday June 7, 2014. Staff has
many fun activities planned for the day. The city is working with Mendota Elementary and the local Boy
Scouts troop to offer a Bike Rodeo at Mendota Elementary on Saturday May 31, 2014 from 9:00a.m. to
11:00a.m. Mr. Wallgren announced that there will be live music every Saturday at Market Square Park
from 6:30p.m. to 8:30p.m. starting June 4, 2014 and ending August 20, 2014.
Par 3 Report
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that the golf course was open for 8 days in the month of April.
Sales for the month of April were $1,300. Year to date the golf course has revenue of $21,000 verses
expenses of $24,000.
The clubhouse repairs are finished and the final product looks great. Mr. Wallgren informed the
commission that the current condition of the golf course is fantastic, and that they are looking forward to
a great year.
Park Assignments
Mr. Wallgren commented that in previous years the commission had assigned parks to commission
members to visit during the year and report back to staff with any issues or concerns. The commission
assigned the following parks:
Commissioner Toth: Friendly Hills Park & Friendly Marsh
Commissioner Evans: Hagstrom-King Park & Mendakota Park
Commissioner Levine: Marie Park & Valley Park
Commissioner Miller: Victoria Highlands Park & Sibley Park
Commissioner Paper: Wentworth Park & Kensington Park
Commissioner Kipp: Rogers Lake Park & Valley View Heights Park
Chair Hinderscheid: Ivy Hills Park
Future Funding
The commission discussed the need for future funding for park projects. The commission came to the
conclusion that their roles is not to focus on funding, but rather to focus making recommendations to the
council about programs and facilities.
Flowers
The commission discussed the flower beds that were located in the parks. The commission would like to
see the flower beds kept up. Staff will look into what parks have flower beds and how much it would cost
to maintain them.
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Commission Comments
Commissioners Kipp appreciated the citizens coming out.
Commissioner Evans appreciated the citizens coming out.
Commissioner Miller appreciated the respectfulness of everyone tonight.
Commissioner Levine echoed everyone's comments.
Chair Hinderscheid thanked the public for coming out and appreciated all the comments.
COMMISSIONER PAPER MADE A MOTION TO ADJOUN THE MEETING; COMMISSIONER
LEVINE SECONDED THE MOTION.
Ayes 6: Nays 0
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by Sloan Wallgren
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