2012-05-08 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesMH Parks and Recreation Commission 5-8-2012 Page - 1
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING
May 8, 2012
The May meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on
Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve.
Chair Levine called to order the parks and recreation commission meeting at 6:32 p.m. The
following commissioners were present: Chair Stephanie Levine, Commissioners Mary McGrory-
Ussett, Ira Kipp, David Miller, Pat Hinderscheid and Mike Toth. Staff present: Assistant to the
City Administrator Jake Sedlacek and Recreation Programmer Teresa Gangelhoff.
Approval of Minutes
COMMISSIONER HINDERSCHEID MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE APRIL
MINUTES, COMMISSIONER MILLER SECONDED THE MOTION.
Commissioner McGrory-Ussett noted a correction to the agenda, which had stated that the
commission would approve minutes from March 13, 2012. The correct date, as reflected on the
included minutes was April 10, 2012.
AYES 6: NAYS 0
Parks and Recreation Report
Ms. Gangelhoff presented the Recreation Programmer’s Report.
Rogers Lake Play Equipment
Staff recommended replacing the recalled Slalom Glider play feature with the New EVOS Poly
Slide offered by Landscape Structures, Inc. (LSI), and take the $2,000 credit for play elements
from LSI which can be used towards LSI products, anywhere in our park system.
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION DIRECTING STAFF TO REQUEST A NEW
EVOS POLY SLIDE WITH THE $2,000 CREDIT TO BE DETERMINED LATER,
COMMISSIONER HINDERSCHEID SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 6: NAYS 0
Rogers Lake Skate Park
Mr. Sedlacek updated the commission that the asphalt surface in the skate park had been
repaired; staff is continuing to search for competitive bids to resurface the half-pipe.
MH Parks and Recreation Commission 5-8-2012 Page - 2
Commissioners will continue to seek feedback on the skate park for potential improvements. No
commission action necessary
Capital Improvement Plan
Mr. Sedlacek introduced the topic as a follow up to discussions on capital improvements. The
commission had previously identified the Rogers Lake Skate Park and the Mendakota
Playground for improvement. Mr. Sedlacek introduced Grant DesRoches from Flagship
Recreation who was prepared to present findings on potential upgrades to the play structure at
Mendakota Park.
Mr. DesRoches provided findings in three categories, Hazards, Broken and Non-Conforming.
Mr. DesRoches also suggested updates to the structure to enhance the play experience. The cost
for all suggested improvements as a retrofit to the existing playground was $70,000. Mr.
DesRoches estimated full replacement of the play structure at $120,000. The commission will
use this feedback for future discussion.
The commission then held a discussion of playground safety inspections; staff was did not know
the status of past inspections of the playground system.
COMMISSIONER MCGRORY-USSETT MADE A MOTION THAT THE CITY CONDUCT
NPSI LEVEL INSPECTIONS OF ALL PARKS STARTING IN MAY OF 2012, AND
FOLLOWING UP AS RECOMMENDED IN NPSI STANDARDS. COMMISSIONER KIPP
SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 6: NAYS 0
Parks Celebration Planning
The 25th Anniversary for the Mendota Heights Parks Celebration will be held Saturday, June 2,
2012. Publicity includes flyers to all schools, the city web page, Facebook, stories in local
papers and on www.patch.com. Parks and recreation commissioners are encouraged to volunteer
at the event. No commission action was necessary.
Par 3 Update
Mr. Sedlacek reviewed the Par 3 Report. Recreation revenues have come in lower than
anticipated; other course revenues have been strong compared to 2011.
Commissioners sought clarification on the nature of the equipment maintenance. Mr. Sedlacek
noted that the Par 3 equipment has been replaced recently with “lightly used” machines. No
commission action was necessary.
MH Parks and Recreation Commission 5-8-2012 Page - 3
Lexington Avenue Trail Update
Mr. Sedlacek provided a summary of city council discussion on the trail gap between Wagon
Wheel Trail and Tom Thumb Boulevard. City council has directed staff to improve signage at
trail points on Wagon Wheel Trail and Lexington Avenue to bypass the trail gap.
The commission discussed other trail concerns such as the gap on Victoria Road between the top
of the hill and Highway 13. Mr. Sedlacek reported that the city engineer would be willing to
attend a parks and recreation commission in the future meeting to discuss the trail system as a
whole. No commission action was necessary
Commission Park Visits
The commission picked parks for extra visits to check out the park as well as introducing
themselves to residents to collect feedback. Commissioners should email their observations to
Mr. Sedlacek, who will either act upon issues which need to be corrected, or compile the
comments for consideration on a regular basis. The parks were selected as follows:
Mary McGrory-Ussett: Valley Park, Valley View Heights Park.
Ira Kipp: Rogers Lake Park, Rogers Lake S-Curve, Rogers Lake Skate Park
Stephanie Levine: Marie Park, Kensington Park
David Miller: Victoria Highlands, Mendakota Park
Pat Hinderscheid: Ivy Falls Park, Wentworth Park
Mike Toth: Hagstrom-King, Friendly Hills Park
Commission Comments
Commissioner Kipp asked that future agendas be formatted to include an opportunity for new
items to be introduced.
Commissioner Hinderscheid asked that a future meeting dedicate some time to discuss the
different funding sources for parks and recreation maintenance and improvements.
Commissioner Toth asked for an update on Rogers Lake. Mr. Sedlacek stated that the upcoming
city council agenda would feature two items regarding Rogers Lake. Students from St. Thomas
Academy would be present their annual report on water quality, and representatives from the
Rogers Lake Homeowner’s Association would be making a request for city participation in a
weed treatment for the lake.
Mr. Sedlacek reported that the Spring Clean Up was a huge success, with over 40,000 tons of
materials being diverted from landfills. Thanks go out to volunteers who made it possible, and to
the residents who participated.
MH Parks and Recreation Commission 5-8-2012 Page - 4
Adjourn
COMMISSIONER MCGRORY-USSETT MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE
MEETING, COMMISSIONER MILLER SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 6: NAYS 0
The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by Jake Sedlacek