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2012-02-14 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesPage - 1 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING February 14, 2012 The February 2012 meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. Acting Chair Michael Toth called to order the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. The following Commissioners were present: Acting Chair Michael Toth, Commissioners Mary McGrory-Ussett, Ira Kipp, David Miller, Stephanie Levine and Pat Hinderscheid. Staff present: Assistant to the City Administrator Jake Sedlacek and Recreation Programmer Teresa Gangelhoff. Introduction of New Commission Members Mr. Sedlacek introduced Ira Kipp and Pat Hinderscheid, reporting that the city council had interviewed and appointed both commissioners late in January. The council was felt that both Ira and Pat will be a great addition to the parks and recreation commission. There was a third individual appointed to the commission, who elected not to accept the appointment. For the time being, the commission will be made up of six members. Approval of Minutes Commissioner McGrory-Ussett made motion to approve the January 10, 2012 minutes; Commissioner Levine seconded the motion. AYES 6: NAYS 0 Parks and Recreation Report Ms. Gangelhoff presented the Recreation Programmers Report. Our spring break field trip will be going to Grand Slam – youth should sign up on-line, space is limited; if the program is full they can call to be placed on a waiting list. The Learn to Skate Program is hopeful to have the last session in the upcoming weekend – this year we have endured three cancellations due to weather – two due to warm weather and one due to cold weather. The instructor and participants have managed to make the most of this unpredictable winter. Summer programs are in place and will start June 11, 2012. The Eagan Puppet Wagon will be returning to hold free shows at Market Square Park on Mondays again this year, a very popular program for families. The Fishing Derby will be held Wednesday, June 27, 2012, Safety Camp will be held August 7- 9, 2012, and the Parks Celebration will be Saturday, June 2, 2012. Page - 2 Registration for spring programs will start the week of March 19, 2012. Golf registration for youth leagues and camps will start in-person from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 19, 2012 at City Hall. Registration for all other programs will be available online starting at 7:30 p.m. also on Monday, March 19, 2012. Park permits are available for all parks. Ms. Gangelhoff shared pictures from a unique park permit in 2011 – a wedding held on a softball diamond at Mendakota Park. Apparently, the happy couple met at Mendakota Park playing in an adult softball league. Adult Softball Leagues are filling up, both men’s leagues are full; the women’s league is looking for two more teams. Fees are unchanged for 2012. Staff confirmed that Parks Commissioners are more than welcome to volunteer for the golf registration on March 19 to meet and greet residents and help them move through the registration process. Volunteers are welcome for all recreation programs; contact Teresa if you are interested in helping out. Parks Celebration Planning 2012 will mark the 25th anniversary of the Mendota Heights Park Celebration. The celebration itself will run from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 2, 2012. Mr. Sedlacek presented a list of activities which had been discussed at previous commission meetings. Ms. Gangelhoff has been lining up contracts for contracted services for the event, which will be brought to city council for approval. A second entertainer is being added for 2012, and face- painting has yet to be coordinated. The National Guard has been contacted about bringing their climbing wall, no confirmation has been received. Pilot Knob tours will be conducted by Great river Greening, there will also be an information table at Mendakota Park hosted by Pilot Knob Preservation Association. In a pre-meeting, Greg Boltz provided a background of how he organizes his annual car show, which was very informative. Staff will touch base with Mendota Plaza to share this insight. Information booths at Mendakota Park will include Dakota County Parks, Mendota Heights Engineering. Staff is hopeful to get commitments from the Thompson Park Activity Center and the Dakota County Historical Society. Boltz Tae Kwon Do has also expressed interest in presenting fitness class demonstrations. Mr. Sedlacek outlined the promotions planned for the event which will include press releases, posters, banners and email blasts. The commission reminded staff to include flyers in the schools and encouraged the use of temporary signs along Dodd Road. Staff will send a letter to local businesses requesting their participation in the event. Rogers Lake Skate Park Mr. Sedlacek reported that he heard back from a couple of local skate park enthusiasts who were not interested in attending a commission meeting on Valentine’s Day. Initial feedback from the company which installed the equipment is that it might be cost effective to repair the current half-pipe and extend portions of it. Simply moving the half-pipe to allow for a new orientation of the street-course fixtures would create a new experience for skaters as well. Page - 3 Staff will contact other vendors of pre-fabricated skate park ramps, to get price lists on what some stand-alone features may cost. Staff hopes to have skaters present for the March parks and recreation commission meeting. Crack-sealing at the skate park will occur as soon as weather permits, the commission expressed a strong desire to have park users provide input on any improvements to the amenities in the skate park. Commissioner Kipp asked if there is a long term plan for the skate park. Staff replied that the ideal skate park keeps evolving. Adding a new feature now and then is desirable, but even the act of re-organizing the layout every now and again creates a new experience for skaters. Given the space available, the city has flexibility to make such changes. The commission asked if the next meeting could include a little time before hand to have an open house on skate park options. The commission also asked staff to look into having a vendor do an inventory of the current amenities at the skate park – evaluating their condition and identifying opportunities for improvements. Civic Center Ball Field At their annual goal setting work shop, the city council asked that the commission consider options for renaming civic center ball field after Mayor Charles Mertensotto, who passed away late in 2011. Parks maintenance staff thought that the field had been renamed Spicer Field, after former parks and recreation chair Richard Spicer. Staff is reviewing past meeting minutes to find out if the field name has already been changed. Chair Toth asked if staff would follow up with city council to see if any other sites might be appropriate for naming after Mr. Mertensotto. Commissioner Levine asked staff to look into options for affixing a sign in a decorative rock for the field. Parks and Recreation Goals: Mr. Sedlacek presented the Draft 2012 Work Plan. The work plan is based upon a format utilized by the airport relations commission, who has found it to be a useful document. Commissioner Miller voiced his concern that the document is useful, but there needs to be better understanding of the funding source for parks and trails improvements. Mr. Miller suggested that the goals might reflect a more active role in seeking out funding opportunities. Commissioner McGrory-Ussett reiterated that every good plan needs to include the means to implement the plan. The commission walked through the drafted goals, providing staff with feedback on issues and action steps. Staff will integrate feedback into the goals document and include the revised document in the March 2012 meeting agenda. Par 3 Update Staff reported that Par 3 expenses for 2011 came in below budget estimates; revenues for 2011 came in far below budget estimates. As such, city council has directed staff to take a very close look at 2011 expenses and hold off on hiring and programming for 2012. Staff as already completed some programming work and reported that there will be more programming at the golf course in 2012 than offered in the past. Junior golf camps have been a great program for the Page - 4 course – the camps are very well received by the public and are a very profitable program for the golf course. One new program for this season is a free Swing Into Summer event – we will have instructors on hand providing golf tips, there will also be free hot dogs and prize drawings. The goal is to ensure that families are aware of the great programing available at the course. The commission asked staff to identify changes from 2011 to 2012 which will be implemented to ensure that the course is profitable. This discussion needs to include consideration of greens fees. Election of Chair and Vice Chair Commissioner Miller nominated Commissioner Levine to serve as Chair for 2012, and accepted the nomination. Commissioner McGrory-Ussett nominated Commissioner Toth was nominated to serve as Vice-Chair for 2012. The commission voted on Commissioner Levine for Chair AYES 6: NAYS 0 The commission voted on Commissioner Toth for Vice Chair AYES 6: NAYS 0 Commission Comments Commissioner Hinderscheid has lived in Mendota Heights since 1986, and is looking forward to learning more about the commission role, and contributing to the community. Commissioner Kipp has lived in Mendota Heights since 1999, and loves the open space the community offers. Commissioner Kipp looks forward to contributing towards the success of the parks and recreation commission. Commissioner Levine welcomed the new commissioners and noted the change in the mission of the commission, as we move from a growing park system to maintaining the system. Commissioner McGrory-Ussett also welcomed the new commissioners, and noted that this will likely be a busy year for the commission. Commissioner Miller welcomed the new commissioners, and remarked that the commission will need to activity seek resources to ensure that recommendations to council can be implemented. Commissioner Toth thanked the commission for the good meeting and the opportunity to chair a meeting. Commissioner Miller made motion to adjourn the meeting; Commissioner McGrory-Ussett seconded the motion. Chair Toth adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m.