2015-03-10 Parks and Rec Comm Minutes
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING
March 10, 2015
The March meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on
Tuesday, March 10, 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,
Jack Evans, Michael Toth, and Joel Paper and Student Representatives Joe Quehl and Rachel
Farber. Absent: Commissioners Levine and Miller. Staff present: Planner Nolan Wall.
Approval of Agenda
Chair Hinderscheid added Meeting Attendance to the agenda.
COMMISSIONER PAPER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA;
COMMISSIONER EVANS SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 5: NAYS 0
Approval of Minutes of February 10, 2015
COMMISSIONER PAPER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES;
COMMISSIONER EVANS SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 5: NAYS 0
Rogers Lake Water Quality Report Presentation
Planner Nolan Wall summarized the water quality report completed by Saint Thomas Academy
Environmental Science Class. The students have been monitoring the water quality of Rogers
Lake since 2001.
Mr. Wall explained the overall purpose of their testing, what kind of tests they performed with
an explanation of each, the results of the tests, and a comparison of those test results to last
year. An overall rating was then extrapolated into a composite score of all nine chemical tests.
The overall rating for Rogers Lake improved from 78.6 in 2013 to 80.8 in 2014. The water
quality at Rogers Lake has continued to improve each year.
Commissioner Paper asked how Rogers Lake compares to other lakes in the metro area. Mr.
Wall stated that staff will check that out and follow up.
River to River Greenway Draft Master Plan
Mr. Wall presented the River to River Greenway Draft Master Plan complete by Dakota
County. It is an eight mile trail that starts in Lilydale, and goes through Mendota Heights,
West St. Paul, and South St. Paul. The purpose of this plan is to provide a strategic guidance
for future greenway development. It is anticipated this plan will be adopted by the Dakota
County Board of Commissioner in the summer of 2015.
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Dog Park Update
Chair Hinderscheid provided a brief update on the Dog Park.
Meeting Attendance
The commission discussed how many meetings should be attended by the commissioners each
year. The city council suggests that commissioner members attend 2/3 of their appointed
commission meetings. The commission recognized that this is a voluntary position, but
encourage attendance at the meetings to help keep the continuity of the commission.
Announcements
Mr. Wall announced that summer 2015 Park & Recreation Program registration will begin on
March 17, 2015.
Mr. Wall also announced that the Mendota Heights Athletic Association is now accepting
registration for summer youth sports.
Finally, Mr. Wall reminded the commission that they have invited residents to the April 12,
2015 meeting to hear their thoughts and ideas about the possibility of building an archery range
in the city of Mendota Heights.
Commission Comments
Commissioner Kipp reminded residence that Rogers Lake is a shallow lake so please do not dive
into the lake, swimming is ok. He also thought it was a nice meeting and thanked the city council
for all their work to make our city a great place to live.
Commissioner Paper thanked St. Thomas Academy for their reports. He also thanked Mr. Wall
for his work and was very happy that the ice rinks were heavily used this winter.
Commissioner Toth also thanked Mr. Wall and St. Thomas Academy.
Commissioner Evans thanked Mr. Wall and thought that the River to River Greenway was a great
project for our community.
Chair Hinderscheid also thanked Mr. Wall and St. Thomas Academy. Chair Hinderscheid is
excited that Ivy Hills Park tennis courts would be upgraded this spring and that the golf course
would soon we open.
COMMISSIONER PAPER MADE A MOTION TO ADJURN THE MEETING.
COMMISSIONER TOTH SECONED THE MOTION.
AYES 5: NAYS 0
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by Sloan Wallgren
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