2000-03-14 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
MARCH 14, 2000
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held
on Tuesday, March 14, 2000, 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: Commissioners Lawrence Craighead, Stan
Linnell, Ann Connelly, Dave Libra and Jay Liberacki. Chair Richard Spicer was excused
from the meeting. City Staff present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander,
Recreation Programmer Mary Hapka, and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister.
Mr. Hollister took the minutes.
ICE/HOCKEY RINK MAINTENANCE
Ivir. Mike Stodolka, 1407 Farmdale Road, presented a letter to the Commission outlining
his concerns about rink maintenance for next winter. Mr. Stodolka asked if there was
some way that the City could better ensure adequate flooding of the rinks. Mr. Stodolka
suggested that the City may wish to hire two seasonal workers just to flood the rinks.
The Commission directed Staff to return to the October Parks Commission with a plan to
improve flooding of the rinks.
MENDOTA HEIGHTS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENT FEES
Ivlr. Tim Manning of the Mendota Heights Athletic Association told the Commission that
MHAA objected to paying fees for maintenance before, during, and after baseball
tournaments at Mendakota Park. Mr. Manning drew a distinction between MHAA "in-
house" tournaments that involve local kids and parents and larger regional tournaments
such as AAU tournaments which draw from a much larger area outside of Mendota
Heights.
Commissioner Craighead moved to recommend that the fee policy be amended to exclude
MHAA from any tournament fees for the year 2000 and to review the matter again for
2001.
Commissioner Connelly seconded the motion.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
PROPOSED SENIOR CENTER AT THOMPSON COUNTY PARK
Mr. Kullander told the Commission that discussions were occurring between the City of
Wets Saint Paul, the City of South Saint Paul, and Dakota County about the possibility of
a jointly run Senior Center at Thompson County Park. Mr. Kullander said that Staff
would like input from the Parks and Recreation Commission about whether or not the
City of Mendota Heights should also participate in this venture.
The Commission agreed that this facility would be too far away from Mendota Heights to
be of any real use to the City's senior population.
UPDATES
Staff provided updates on the following items:
• Resignation of Commissioner Damberg
• January/February Parks and Recreation Report
• Fishing Pier at Rogers Lake Park
• Police Report
PARKS PROJECTS FOR THE YEAR 2000
Mr. Kullander said that the 1999 Budget included $73,000.00 for Capital Improvements
of which approximately $50,000.00 was used. Mr. Kullander added that the 2000 Budget
also includes $73,000.00 for Capital Improvements.
The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended that the funds budgeted for fiscal
year 2000 be used to complete the following three projects. The project descriptions are
listed with the highest- ranking priority first.
1. Replace warming house at Wentworth Park
The Commission desired to replace the existing small (14'x18') twenty -five plus year old
warming house with a larger multiuse structure which is similar in appearance and design
to recently constructed park facilities. The Commission determined that a budget of
$50,000.00 be established for this project.
2. Valley Park Cross Country Ski Trail
The Commission's current plan is for a first stage development of a looped trail in the
area north of the current ball field. The loop(s) would include a connection near Bachelor
Avenue to access a cross - country trail on the Par 3 Golf Course. Work required for this
project includes the removal of brush and vegetation to provide a twelve foot wide trail
way and signage. The existing parking lot would be the "jumping off' point for this trail
loop(s). Estimated budget: $5,000.00.
3. You are here signage
Estimated cost: $2,500.00 for enough materials for 15 to 20 signs.
Summary: 1. Replace Wentworth Park Warming House $50,000
2. Cross Country Ski Trail $ 5,000
3. You Are Here Signage $ 2,500
$57,500.00
In addition to the above projects for fiscal year 2000, the Commission discussed the
replacement of older wood timber play equipment that exists in seven parks (Friendly
Hills, Marie, Wentworth, Valley, Rogers Lake, Hagstrom-King and Valley View
Heights). Estimated replacement cost per park: $12 to $15,000.00 each for a total of
$100,000.00. The Commission determined that replacement of the timber play
equipment is a high priority but recognized that using the Special Park Fund for
maintenance expenses would seriously deplete the Special Park Fund and therefore
requested that the City Council to recognize that current park dedication fees from single
family developments can no longer sustain or increase the Special Park Fund.
The Park and Recreation Commission requested that the City Council authorize the use of
Special Park Funds to complete the three projects described above. The Commission
further requested that the City Council consider new funding sources to supplement Park
Dedication Fees to maintain the Special Park Fund and to possibly fund the replacement
of the older timber play equipment components.
ADJOURN
Motion made to adjourn by Libra and seconded by Craighead.
AYES: 7
NAYS: 0
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Patrick C. Hollister