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2014-03-11 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING March 11, 2014 The March meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, March 11, 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, Joel Paper, Stephanie Levine and Michael Toth. Absent were Commissioners Miller and Kipp. Staff present: Recreation Program Coordinator Sloan Wallgren. Approval of Agenda COMMISSIONER PAPER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA; COMMISSIONER TOTH SECONDED THE MOTION. AYES 5: NAYS 0 Approval of Minutes of February 11, 2014 COMMISSIONER LEVINE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES; COMMISSIONER PAPER SECONDED THE MOTION. AYES 5: NAYS 0 2030 Comprehensive Plan Mr. Wallgren provided the commission with a copy of the Parks and Open Space section of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Wallgren thought that this piece of information was important for the commission to view from time to time. Commissioner Paper stated the Comprehensive Plan identifies duties of the parks commission as evaluating park needs based on existing facilities, available land and budget considerations. Commissioner Levine asked if in the future we could add South St. Paul and West St. Paul to the list of groups that the city works cooperatively with. Chair Hinderscheid ask if Mr. Wallgren has any information about the Foss homestead by Wentworth Park. Mr. Wallgren was not sure where this area was but would look into it. Rogers Lake Water Quality Report Mr. Wallgren provided the commission with a copy of the St. Thomas Academy A.P. Environmental Science Program Chemical Assessment of Rogers Lake. Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that the water quality has Rogers Lake has continued to improve over the last 10 years. The lake is safe to swim in or recreate. MH Parks and Recreation Commission 3-11-2014 Page 1 The commission asked if we could include something in the next issue of the Heights Highlights about what people can do to help keep the lake clean. Mr. Wallgren said that staff could include a list of activities that would help contribute to improving the water quality. Dog Park Update Mr. Wallgren updated the commission on the status of the Dog Park. He stated that the next issue of the Heights Highlights would include an invitation for residents to attend the May meeting and provide input or concerns about certain locations. The commissioners asked if we could include the specific locations they identified at the February meeting. Mr. Wallgren said that he wanted to leave all possible locations open for discussion, but that staff would put the possible Dog Park locations on the website so that residents could further look at them. Commissioner Toth asked if there is funding for this project. Mr. Wallgren replied that the city council has made it a goal to build a dog park, and that the council had options for where the funds would come from. Commissioner Levine asked what the timeline of the project would be. Mr. Wallgren said that the project could possibly be completed by the end of the summer. Recreation Programming Report Mr. Wallgren announced that registration for summer recreation programs began on Monday March 10, 2014. During the first two days we took registrations for over 400 programs, 95% were taken online. Currently, staff is working on booking summer musical acts. The city and the school district are working together to offer a Bike Rodeo at Mendota Elementary on May 31, 2014 from 10:00 to noon. Mr. Wallgren encouraged anyone looking to rental a park shelter of an event this summer to book the event sooner than later, because we are starting to fill out the schedule. Commissioner Paper asked if recreation registrations were up over previous year's first couple of days. Mr. Wallgren said that he believed there was a slight increase. Commissioner Toth asked how softball registration was coming. Mr. Wallgren replied that all of our teams are returning and that we are full for the summer Chair Hinderscheid ask if the city has ever looked into lighting the fields at Mendakota Park. Mr. Wallgren said that previous employees had looked into the costs and that he would see what he could find. Ice Rink Report Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that the warming houses closed for the season on March 9, 2014, and that during the month of February the warming houses were open 22 or the 28 days. Commissioner Toth asked if this year was longer than normal. Mr. Wallgren said that the season usually ends around late February, so we were able to get about and extra 2 weeks of ice this year. MH Parks and Recreation Commission 3-11-2014 Page 2 Par 3 Report Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that there was going to be a "Swing into Spring" event at the Par 3 on May 17, 2014 to kick off the new season. Registration is now under way for all of the 2014 Golf League and Lesson programs. The repair to the clubhouse should be completed in the next couple of weeks, and when completed it will be a beautiful and efficient clubhouse. Staff has been working on several promotional items. We will again work with Groupon later this summer, there is a special currently with Crowd Cut until April 15`, and there will be a direct mailer going out to homes in April, May and June. Announcements Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that the Mendota Heights Athletic Association was still taking registrations for Lacrosse, Softball and In -House Baseball. Commission Comments Commissioners Toth thought it was a good meeting. Commissioner Levine thanked St. Thomas Academy for the Water Quality Report and also thanked the staff for all their hard work maintaining the rinks and trails this winter. Commissioner Paper thanked staff for their work on the rinks this winter; he thought the ice was great. Commissioner Evans really liked to see the thought and work that went into the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. Chair Hinderscheid was glad to see the 2030 Comprehensive Plan. He thanked staff for their work on the roads, trails, and rinks this winter. COMMISSIONER PAPER MADE A MOTION TO ADJOUN THE MEETING; COMMISSIONER TOTH SECONDED THE MOTION. Ayes 5: Nays 0 The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by Sloan Wallgren MH Parks and Recreation Commission 3-11-2014 Page 3