2014-02-11 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING
February 11, 2014
The February meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday,
February 11, 2014 at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve.
Chair Levine called to order the parks and recreation commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. The following
commissioners were present: Chair Stephanie Levine, Commissioners Jack Evans, Ira Kipp, Joel Paper,
Pat Hinderscheid and Michael Toth. Staff present: Recreation Program Coordinator Sloan Wallgren and
City Planner Nolan Wall
Election of Officers
CHAIR LEVINE MADE A MOTION TO NOMINATE COMMISSIONER HINDERSCHEID AS THE
NEW COMMISSION CHAIR. COMMISSIONER PAPER SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 6: NAYS 0
CHAIR LEVINE MADE A MOTION TO NOMINATE COMMISSIONER PAPER AS THE VICE
CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION. COMMISSIONER HINDERSCHEID SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 6: NAYS 0
Review Rules of Order
Mr. Wallgren briefly reviewed the Rules of Order for the commission. He pointed out that there needs to
be four commissioners at a meeting for there to be a quorum. He also informed the commissioners that
they needed to notify city hall before the meeting in order for an absence to be excused.
Approval of Agenda
Commissioner Levine added Student Representative to the agenda.
CHAIR HINDERSCHEID MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA;
COMMISSIONER PAPER SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 6: NAYS 0
Approval of Minutes of January 14, 2014
COMMISSIONER TOTH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES; COMMISSIONER
PAPER SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 6: NAYS 0
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Dog Park Location
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that one of the goals for the city council for 2014 was to build a
Dog Park. Mr. Wallgren presented five locations that staff had chosen as possibilities for a future Dog
Park Site. The commission discussed the pros and cons of each site. Some concerns of the commission
were: location near kids' activities, environmental concerns, traffic concerns, accessibility and future land
uses.
The commission did select the Sibley Memorial Highway site and the Friendly March site as top choices,
but the commission felt that before they moved forward they would like to hear input from citizens. The
commission agreed that they would like something put in the April issue of the Heights Highlights asking
for citizen input at the May 13, 2014 commission meeting.
Recreation Programming Report
Mr. Wallgren announced that registration for summer programs would begin March 10, 2014. A list of
programs will be in the next issue of the Heights Highlights. He informed the commission that staff
would continue to maintain ice rinks and staff warming houses as long as weather permits.
Mr. Wallgren presented the field trips that have been booked for the summer. He also informed the
commission that he is working with Community Education to hopefully offer some new programs.
Commissioner Levine said she would still like to see some way that the city could offer full day camps or
programs for youth.
Ice Rink Report
Commissioner Paper asked why the warming houses closed at 8:OOP.M. Mr. Wallgren said that was what
was in place when he arrived, but we could examine attendance at the end of the season and see if
changes could be made.
Commissioner Toth asked if we had a policy for closing warming houses during cold temperatures. Mr.
Wallgren said that when temperatures fall below 0 degrees we close the warming houses. There is a
Warming House Hotline posted at all warming houses and on the city website that gets updated when we
close warming houses.
Par 3 Annual Report
Mr. Wallgren provide the commission with the 2013 Par 3 Annual Report. He pointed out that revenues
exceed expenditure for the year by $10,000. Mr. Wallgren also informed the commission that there was
now $25,000 in the Golf Course Fund, and that a goal for 2014 was to have $40,000 in this fund at the
end of the year.
Commissioner Evans asked what contributed to the decrease in expenses. Mr. Wallgren informed the
commission that the biggest reductions were in Grounds Wages and Consulting Fees. These two areas
decreased because of a late opening date and a more active role by staff.
MH Parks and Recreation Commission 2-11-2014 Page 2
Student Representative
The commission talked about adding a Student Representative to the commission. Staff stated that the
position would be a non-voting member, but could provide valuable feedback.
COMMISSIONER LEVINE MADE A MOTION THAT THE CITY COUNCIL CONSIDER
CREATING A SPACE ON THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION FOR A STUDENT
REPRESENTIVE. COMMISSIONER PAPER SECONDED THE MOTION
AYES 6: NAYS 0
Announcements
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that the Mendota Heights Athletic Association held their annual
meeting in January, at that time the membership voted to change the association colors and mascot. The
colors of the Mendota Heights Athletic Association are now red and vegas gold and their mascot is now
the Warriors.
Mr. Wallgren also informed the commission that MHAA is now taking registrations for T -Ball,
Girls Softball, In -House Baseball and Lacrosse.
Commission Comments
Commissioners Toth welcomed Commissioner Evans to the group and congratulated Chair Hinderscheid
on his new role.
Commissioner Levine welcomed Commissioner Evans to the group and congratulated Chair Hinderscheid
and Commissioner Paper on their new roles.
Commissioner Paper welcomed Commissioner Evans to the group. He also thanked City Planner Wall
for attending the meeting.
Commissioner Kipp welcomed Commissioner Evans to the group and congratulated Chair Hinderscheid
and Commissioner Paper on their new roles.
Commissioner Evans enjoyed the meeting and looks forward to serving on the commission.
Chair Hinderscheid welcomed Commissioner Evans to the group. He also thanked Commissioner Levine
for serving as chair of the commission.
COMMISSIONER PAPER MADE A MOTION TO ADJOUN THE MEETING; COMMISSIONER
LEVINE SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 6: NAYS 0
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by Sloan Wallgren
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