2015-09-08 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesMH Parks and Recreation Commission 9-8-2015 Page 1
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING
September 8, 2015
The September meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on
Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve.
Vice-Chair Paper called to order the parks and recreation commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. The
following commissioners were present: Vice-Chair Paper, Commissioners: Ira Kip, Stephanie
Levine, Michael Toth, David Miller, and Student Representatives Joe Quehl and Rachel
Farber. Staff present: Recreation Programmer Sloan Wallgren.
Approval of Agenda
Commissioner Levine aske to have the issue of becoming a pollinator friendly city be added to
the agenda.
COMMISSIONER LEVINE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA;
COMMISSIONER MILLER SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 5: NAYS 0
Approval of Minutes from August 11, 2015
COMMISSIONER LEVINE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE
August 11, 2015 MEETING; COMMISSIONER TOTH SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 5: NAYS 0
Kensington Park Activity
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that he had received several emails and phone calls
from neighbors in the Kensington Park area. The neighbors were concerned with traffic and
the number of cars parked on the street from the users of the soccer fields. Mr. Wallgren
informed the commission that the Mendota Heights Athletic Association began their soccer
program on August 10, 2015 and the program will conclude on October 10, 2015. The
association uses the fields Monday through Thursday from 6:00PM to 7:30PM and on
Saturdays from 8:00AM to 4:00PM.
Mrs. Claire Hayes lives right next to the park and spoke of her concerns for the safety of kids
in the neighborhood and those walking on the streets to and from their cars. Mrs. Hayes would
like to see a capacity for users of the fields.
The commission discussed this topic to great length and agreed that they were concerned with
the crowded streets and traffic. The commission asked staff to work with the Mendota Heights
Athletic Association for next year to spread the program around to smaller parks in the city to
help reduce the traffic issues.
MH Parks and Recreation Commission 9-8-2015 Page 2
Park Bench Donation
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that Mr. Roland Flynn would like to donate a park
bench in honor of his late wife. He wishes to have the bench located along our trail system
somewhere near his home. Mr. Wallgren stated that Mr. Flynn has submitted a Park Bench
Donation Application along with a check for $1,000.00. Staff will work with Mr. Flynn to find
an agreeable location for the bench to be placed.
Recreational Fires at Hockey Rinks
Mr. Wallgren said that he has received several requests for there to be outdoor fire places at the
hockey rinks for people to use during the winter months. The commission discussed the idea
and thought it would be a great idea. Mr. Wallgren said that he still needs to talk with the Fire
Inspector and Fire Chief to see if this would be possible. In the meantime he will do some
research and find some options if this moves forward.
Pollinator Friendly City
Commissioner Levine presented the idea of the city becoming a pollinator friendly city. She
encouraged the city council to become a pollinator friendly city, and if we did we would be the
first in ones in Dakota County. Being a pollinator friendly city would mean that we would
encourage people not to use insecticides or pesticides and encourage residents to plant
pollinator friendly planting when they are putting in new plants. Mr. Wallgren said that he
would look into this and work with the Public Works Director to see if this would be possible.
Par 3 Report
Mr. Wallgren presented the golf course report for the month of July. The course is having a
great year financially and the course conditions are excellent. Footgolf still continues to bring
new customers to our course and city. Net revenue for the year after July was a profit of
$28,137.00. Mr. Wallgren stated that there were a few small maintenance projects that staff
would work on this fall to improve the course for next season.
Commission Comments
Commissioner Kipp thanked the residents form the Kensington neighborhood for attending.
Commissioner Levine encouraged people to use pollinator friendly practices at home.
Commissioner Miller also thanked the residents from the Kensington neighborhood for attending
the meeting.
Commissioner Toth thought it was a good meeting and also thanked the residents for attending
tonight’s meeting.
Vice-Chair Paper was glad to see the golf course doing great and was glad to see that MHAA has
great participation and thanked the residents for attending and sharing their concerns.
COMMISSIONER PAPER TOTH A MOTION TO ADJURN THE MEETING.
COMMISSIONER MILLER SECONED THE MOTION.
AYES 5: NAYS 0
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by Sloan Wallgren