2015-01-13 Parks and Rec Comm Minutes
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING
January 13, 2015
The January meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on
Tuesday, January 13, 2015 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: Ira Kip,
Stephanie Levine and Joel Paper. Staff present: Recreation Program Coordinator Sloan
Wallgren.
Approval of Agenda
COMMISSIONER LEVINE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA;
COMMISSIONER PAPER SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 4: NAYS 0
Approval of Minutes of December 9, 2014
COMMISSIONER LEVINE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES;
COMMISSIONER PAPER SECONDED THE MOTION.
2015 Student Representative
Mr. Wallgren updated the commission on the status of the student representative for the
upcoming year. There were two individuals that applied for the position. The mayor and city
council will be interviewing both candidates on February 3, 2015. It is our intention that the
student would be present at the February 10, 2015 meeting.
Minnesota DNR Archery Grant
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that the deadline to apply for the DNR Archery Grant
funds is August 31, 2015. If the commission still wishes to get feedback from residents on
whether or not there is interest in building an archery range, we should solicit feedback in the
next issue of the Heights Highlights. If we advertised that we are looking for residents input in
the February issue of the Heights Highlights we could invite residents to the April 14, 2015
meeting to discuss the topic.
Mr. Wallgren also said that if residents could not attend the April meeting, that they could call
him or email him and he would forward those comments along to the commission.
The commission discussed their interest in an archery range and came to the conclusion that
they would still like to invite residents to the April meeting to determine if there is an interest.
COMMISSIONER PAPER MADE A MOTION TO SOLICITE RESIDENT INPUT ABOUT
BUILDING AN ARCHERY RANGE INTOWN IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE HEIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS. RESIDENTS WILL BE INVITED TO THE APRIL 14, 2015 MEETING TO
DISCUSS THE TOPIC. COMMISSIONER KIPP SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 4: NAYS 0
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Cross Country Ski Trail
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that a cross country ski trail has been groomed out at
the Par 3. There is a 1 and 2 mile loop for both classical and free styles skiing. Staff will
continue to groom the trail every 7-10 days depending on weather conditions.
The clubhouse at the Par 3 will remain open on weekends from 10:00-3:00 for people to use
the restrooms, change boots, or purchase a snack or beverage.
Staff is excited about using the Par 3 for additional winter recreation opportunities. Mr.
Wallgren presented examples of fat tire bikes and snowshoes that could be rented out and used
at the Par 3.
COMMISSIONER LEVINE MADE A MOTION FOR STAFF TO OFFER FAT TIRE BIKES
AND SNOWSHOES FOR RENT AT THE PAR 3. COMMISSION PAPER SECONDED
THE MOTION.
AYES 4: NAYS 0
Kensington Park Activity
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that he received several emails regarding the amount
of traffic and parked cars near Kensington Park due to the large number of people using the
park for soccer. The park is used in the spring and summer buy adult groups all day Sunday,
and by the Mendota Heights Athletic Association Monday-Saturday during the fall.
The emails indicated concern over speeding, overflow parking on streets and the ability for
emergency vehicles to maneuver the streets.
The commission discussed several solutions such as: adding additional parking, limiting the
times to the groups, limiting parking on the streets and finding additional fields for the teams.
The commission understand the concerns from the neighbors in the Kensington Park area will
continue to discuss the situation in the future.
Recreation Programming Report
Staff offered three field trips over winter break. We had over 120 participants for the three
trips. Staff has organized two more trips over spring break. On March 30, 2015 we will be
going bowling and swimming in South St. Paul and on March 31, 2015 we will be going to
Skyzone and the Cinema Café.
Mr. Wallgren updated the commission on the new programs that he was working on such as:
Teen Tuesday Field trips, Senior Programming, Theater Camp, Science Camp and a variety of
sports camps.
The commissioners were excited to hear that staff is working with the school district to utilize
facilities in the city.
Commission Paper was glad that we working to offer programming for older adults in our
community.
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Par 3 Report
The golf course is working to bring new user groups out to the course. Staff is working to
continue to increasing the number of leagues and lesson programs that are offered. The course
th
is planning on hosting a Spring Golf Swap on May 9.
Staff noticed some damaged to the golf course caused by moles. Staff will fix the damaged
areas in the spring.
Total sales for the month of December were $1,336 are expenses were $7,461. Total sales for
the year were $138,322 and expenses were $133,139 resulting in a net revenue of $5,183. Mr.
Wallgren informed the commission that the Par 3 Fund now had a balance for roughly
$33,000.00, and reminded the commission that the goal has always been for the fund to have a
balance of $40,000.00.
Announcements
Mr. Wallgren informed everyone that we are recycling Christmas tights at city hall.
Mr. Wallgren also noted that we are still taking applications for a student representative to
serve on the parks and recreation commission, applications are being accepted until December
29, 2014.
Mr. Wallgren updated the commission that the name of the North Urban Regional Trail
(NURT) has been renamed the River to River Greenway.
Commission Comments
Commissioner Levine thanked staff for their work and looked forward to seeing some of the
new programs implemented.
Commissioner Paper thanked staff for their work and is happy to hear that we are working to
offer some senior programming.
Commissioner Kipp though it was a very informative meeting.
Chair Hinderscheid thanked staff for their work and looked forward to our next meeting.
COMMISSIONER PAPER MADE A MOTION TO ADJOUN THE MEETING;
COMMISSIONER LEVINE SECONDED THE MOTION.
Ayes 4: Nays 0
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by Sloan Wallgren
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