2000-11-14 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA CO1UNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
NOVEMBER 14, 2000
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held
on Tuesday, November 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: Chair Spicer and Commissioners Ann
Connelly, Jay Liberacki, Dave Libra, and Lawrence Craighead. Commissioners Stan
Linnell, Raymond Morris were 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.
MINUTES
Commissioner Craighead moved to approve the minutes from the October 10, 2000
meeting.
Commissioner Liberacki seconded the motion.
AYES: 4
NAYS: 0
MENDOTA ELEMENTARY PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
Mr. Lenny Axelrod, resident of Mendota Heights, addressed the Commission regarding
the condition of playground equipment at Mendota Elementary School. Mr. Axelrod said
that he is a ten year resident of Mendota Heights and that he has a five-year old child
attending Mendota Elementary School. Mr. Axelrod said that Mendota Elementary has
very old playground equipment and that he was searching for various sources of funding
to upgrade the equipment and create a "learning center". Mr. Axelrod said that the
playground at Mendota Elementary was not just a school facility, but also a community
facility. Mr. Axelrod said that both the school and the community needs more equipment
for physically challenged kids. Mr. Axelrod said that he is also searching for revenue
sources among the school district, the state, and the parent PTA school committee, as
well as individual teachers and parents.
Chair Spicer recalled an earlier similar request for assistance from the City for
recreational equipment for Friendly Hills Middle School from its previous principal, Liz
Witt. Chair Spicer said that in that case the City did provide funds to match other funds
that the school received from other sources. Chair Spicer said that he had recently made a
successful plea to the Council for an infusion of cash into the Special Parks Fund based in
large part on the need to upgrade the playground equipment within the City's own park
system. Chair Spicer said that therefore the City's own playground needs had to take
priority over assisting the school district with school playgrounds. Chair Spicer said that
nevertheless, in concept he was not averse to providing assistance to Mendota Elementary
for this playground equipment, but that the equipment would need to meet ADA
standards, the City would have to be released from any potential liability, and the City
should not contribute more than one third of the cost of the equipment.
Mr. Axelrod said that the school district would indemnify the City from liability. Mr.
Axelrod also said that they school might even install security cameras for added safety.
Chair Spicer advised Mr. Axelrod that he could not speak for the Council and that the
Council would have to authorize any contribution to this effort.
Commissioner Liberacki asked whether construction would begin in the summer of 2001,
or whether it would be longer- temi.
Mr. Axelrod said that ideally construction would begin next summer, and that he should
have a visual design for the equipment by late spring.
Commissioner Craighead said that to him the tenu "learning center" implies the
involvement of teachers, and asked whether this facility would be part of the school
curriculum.
Mr. Axelrod said that those decisions would be made in conjunction with school and
district staff.
Chair Spicer asked Mr. Axelrod to return to a future Commission meeting when he had a
more defined plan for the facility and had secured other sources of funding besides the
City. Chair Spicer also recommended that Mr. Axelrod talk to Friendly Hills Middle
School about their experience with their new equipment.
Mr. Axelrod said that he would do as Chair Spicer had suggested and thanked the
Commission for their time.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2001 -2005
Mr. Kullander reviewed with the Commission the proposed Special Parks Fund Capital
Improvement Plan for 2001 -2005 from the last Commission meeting. The Commission
then made final revisions to the Capital Improvement Plan.
Commissioner Libra moved to recommend that the Council approve the Capital
Improvement Plan for the years 2001 -2005.
Commissioner Liberacki seconded the motion.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
Mr. Kullander said that he would present the proposed CIP to the Council at a future
meeting.
FRIENDLY HILLS TRAFFIC CALMING
The Commission reviewed the materials provided by Mr. Hollister on the traffic calming
issue in Friendly Hills. The Commission decided that they had no further
recommendations to make to the Council beyond those provided by the Traffic
Consultant.
OTHER ITEMS
Mr. Kullander reported on his discussion with Mr. Blum of the Parks Crew on the
condition of the ISD 197 fields in terms of safety, playability, and maintenance. Mr.
Kullander said that some of the school districts ball fields were in bad condition, but that
the City Parks Crew was already too busy with City fields and that it did not have the
time or resources to help the school district.
Chair Spicer suggested that the Mendota Heights Athletic Association may have funds
from pull tabs to assist the school district and that perhaps the City could at least assist in
providing advice or lending equipment.
UPDATES
Staff provided updates on the following items:
• Spring /Summer 2000 Program Evaluations
• Police Report
ADJOURN
Motion made to adjourn by Liberacki and seconded by Morris.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Patrick C. Hollister