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1999-02-10 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 10, 1998 9/1 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, February 10, 1998, in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. The following Commissioners were present: Spicer, Kleinglass, Liberacki, Norton, Damberg, and Linnell, and Libra. Also present were City Planner Marc Wiegle of MFRA and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. BIRD HOUSES Mr. Hollister presented a memo from Terry Blum asking for a recommendation that the council allocate $500 from the Special Parks Fund for Purple Martin birdhouses. Commissioner Kleinglass moved to recommend that the Council spend $500 for the purchase of Purple Martin birdhouses. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 Mr. Hollister said that he would bring this request to the Council at their March 4, 1998 meeting. APPROVAL OF JANUARY 13,1998 PARK AND RECREATION MINUTES Commissioner Norton moved to approve the January 13, 1998 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes with corrections. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 MENDOTA HEIGHTS SENIOR CLUB Ms. Joann Rice of the new Mendota Heights Senior Club introduced herself to the Commissioners and discussed the origins and current direction of the Senior Club. Ms. Rice said that the Senior Club has met monthly at Parkview Plaza since September of 1997, and currently has a membership of 80 seniors, with roughly 40 attending at any 1 given meeting. Ms. Rice asked the Commissioners for their thoughts on potential cooperation between the Senior Club and the City of Mendota Heights. Chair Spicer said that the Senior Club was a valuable asset to the community. Chair Spicer added that the Parks and Recreation Commission had received requests from seniors for more activities and programming for seniors, but with only a half -time recreation programmer there was a limit to how much the City could provide. Commissioner Kleinglass asked what the eligibility requirements were for membership. Ms. Rice said that there currently were no hard -and -fast rules, but that generally the club was intended for Mendota Heights residents 55 years of age or older. Ms. Rice added that there were some seniors attending from Eagan and Lilydale, and that some people younger than 55 may have joined. Ms. Rice added that 25% of the population of Mendota Heights was age 55 or older. Commissioner Damberg asked what kinds of programs the Senior Club held. Ms. Rice answered that the Senior Club had brought guest speakers to their meetings, including City Administrator Kevin Batchelder. Ms. Rice added that the Club planned to have someone from the Police Department visit next month. Ms. Rice said that other activities included cookie exchanges and playing cards. Chairman Spicer asked if the Senior Club wanted anything from the City of Mendota Heights. Ms. Rice said that the Senior Club was interested in volunteer opportunities to help the City or other organizations within the community. Ms. Rice added that the Senior Club would like $500 of seed money from the City. Chairman Spicer asked for a motion to recommend that the City of Mendota Heights donate $500 seed money to the Mendota Heights Senior Club. Commissioner Norton moved to recommend that the City of Mendota Heights donate $500 seed money to the Mendota Heights Senior Club. Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 Ms. Rice said that before the request went to Council, the Senior Club would like to have an opportunity to meet at the end of February. 2 Mr. Hollister said that it would be possible to place the request on the Council agenda for March 4, 1998. Mr. Hollister asked Ms. Rice to provide a letter introducing the Senior Club and itemizing those uses to which the $500 would be put by February 25, 1998. Ms. Rice agreed to provide the letter. ELECTION OF OFFICERS Chairman Spicer said that since it was February the Commission should elect officers for 1998. Commissioner Damberg made a motion that Chair Spicer be reelected as Chair, Commissioner Linnell be elected as Vice-Chair, and Mr. Hollister be reelected as Secretary. Commissioner Norton seconded the motion AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 EDUCATION ABOUT NATIVE PRAIRIE PLANTINGS Commissioner Norton said that organizations such as Landscape Alternatives and the Saint Paul Energy Consortium would be willing to provide a free seminar on native prairie grasses and wildflower plantings in one's own back yard. Commissioner Norton moved to direct Staff to schedule an educational program this spring for Mendota Heights residents on the merits of native plantings, to be presented by Landscape Alternatives and the Saint Paul Energy Consortium, and to advertise this program in the next issue of Heights Hilites. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Mr. Marc Wiegle of McCombs Frank Roos Associates presented a draft of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) Corridor Plan prepared by McCombs Frank Roos Associates. Mr. Wiegle said that this MNRRA Corridor Plan will be one component of the revised Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Wiegle summarized future trail extension plans by Dakota County and current MnDOT thinking about a trail on the east side of the new 35E bridge. Mr. Wiegle also discussed the timetable for the rest of the year regarding revision of the Comprehensive Plan and opportunities for input from the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Commissioners requested that they be involved in any discussions with either the Planning Commission or the Council that involved significant parcels of land with park acquisition potential. UPDATES Recreation Programmer's Update There were no comments on this item. Sibley Activity Center Proposal Mr. Hollister reported that David Jackson of ISD 197 School Board had discussed the proposed Sibley Activity Center with the Council. Mr. Hollister continued that although some Councilmembers felt that the facility might be a good amenity for the community, they were skeptical about the cost and revenue projects provided to date and were also skeptical about the political feasibility of the school district passing another referendum for such a project at this time. Potential Cost of Sanding and Salting of Trails Mr. Hollister distributed a memo from Mr. Kullander enumerating various costs which would be incurred if the City began to plow, sand, and salt all trails in the City. The Commissioners concurred that this practice would be too costly. Parks Report There were no comments on this item. Police Report There were no comments on this item. ADJOURN Motion made to adjourn by Kleinglass and seconded by Libra. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Patrick C. Hollister 4