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2001-09-20 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 20, 2001 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Thursday, September 20, 2001, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. The following Commissioners were present: Chair Richard Spicer and Commissioners Stan Linnell, Larry Craighead, Paul Portz, Raymond Morris, and Dave Libra. Commissioner Liberacki was excused from the meeting. City Staff present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. Also present was Councilmember Mary Jeanne Schneeman. Mr. Hollister took the minutes. MINUTES Commissioner Morris moved to approve the August 10, 2001 minutes with revisions. Commissioner Portz seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 PARK DEDICATION FEE INCREASE Mr. Hollister explained that at the August 14, 2001 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Acting Chair Linnell asked Staff to bring back the issue of raising the Park Dedication Fee to the September meeting. Commissioner Linnell moved to recommend that the Council increase the Park Dedication Fee from $750 per lot to $1200 per lot. Commissioner Portz seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 PARK BENCH DONATION PROGRAM Councilmember Schneeman said that she would like to initiate a park bench donation program in which individual residents of Mendota Heights could purchase a park bench for placement along the City trail system, and could even affix a small plaque to the bench memorializing a deceased loved one. The Commission reviewed the various park bench models from the catalogue provided by Mr. Kullander. Councilmember Schneeman said that she and Mr. Kullander would consult with officials of the Minneapolis park system on how their park bench dedication program works. Commissioner Morris moved to approve the park bench donation program in concept, with the caveats that Mr. Kullander return to a future meeting with more details about specific park bench designs, costs, and other considerations, and that the total cost of each bench not exceed $1000. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 REQUEST FOR TRAIL SIGNAGE Mr. Hollister reminded the Council that Mr. John Simplot, 1040 Douglass Road had discussed with the Commission signage on the trails advising bicyclists to be considerate of pedestrians. Mr. Hollister said that the Commission had felt that most people would ignore the signs and that other avenues of education might be more effective, such as police visiting the local schools or even literature at the Mendota Bike Shop. Mr. Hollister showed the Commission the article about this issue that he placed in the most recent Heights Hilites. The Commission agreed that education was more effective in addressing this issue than signs, and asked Staff to discuss with Recreation Programmer Mary Hapka and the Police Department what educational avenues would be most effective. PARKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Mr. Hollister told the Commission that Staff had conveyed to the Council the fact that the Commission had recommended that the Council either postpone the reconstruction of Ivy Park tennis courts to 2003 or 2004 or budget for this project out of the General Fund so as not to displace the Parks Commission's first priority of replacement of wooden play structures. Mr. Hollister said that this issue would be discussed at the upcoming budget workshop. Commissioner Linnell moved to add a line item in the 2002 Capital Improvement Plan for a fence for the Mendakota soccer field for $3000. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 UPDATES Staff provided updates on the following item: ® August Recreation Report ADJOURN Motion made to adjourn by Linnell and seconded by Portz. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.