2002-06-11 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
JUNE 11, 2002
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held
on Tuesday, June 11, 2002 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, Commissioners Stan
Linnell, Larry Craighead, Paul Portz, Dave Libra, and Missie Hickey. Commissioner
Raymond Morris was excused from the meeting. City Staff present were Parks Project
Manager Guy Kullander, Recreation Programmer Teresa Gangelhoff and Administrative
Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. Mr. Hollister took the minutes. This meeting was
televised by NDCTV and replayed the following Friday at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
MINUTES
Commissioner Libra moved to approve the May 14, 2002 minutes with revisions.
Commissioner Craighead seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
PARKS FIVE YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN PROJECTS FOR 2003
Mr. Kullander presented the current five-year parks Capital Improvement Plan. Mr.
Kullander also presented a prioritized list for projects for 2003.
Chair Spicer asked if any Commissioner had any revision they wanted to make to the list.
There were no suggested changes to the list.
Commissioner Craighead moved to adopt Mr. Kullander's proposed priority list.
Commissioner Portz seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
CITY 2003 PARKS AND RECREATION MAINTENANCE BUDGET
Mr. Kullander presented the 2003 Parks and Recreation Management Budget. Mr.
Kullander asked if anyone had any comments.
Commissioner Craighead said that the City's trail system was showing signs of wear in
many places. Commissioner Craighead said that he thought that the trail maintenance
line item should be increased.
Commissioner Craighead moved to recommend that the 2003 budget increase the trail
maintenance line item from $10,000 to $20,000.
Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
TOLLEFSON DEVELOPMENT, ACACIA SITE PUD CONCEPT PLAN
Mr. Hollister presented the current Acacia PUD concept plan. Mr. Hollister explained
that Mr. Matt Weiland of Tollefson Development appeared at the May 28, 2002 meeting
of the Planning Commission and at the June 4, 2002 meeting of the Council to discuss his
revised concept plan for a multi - family housing Planned Unit Development on the Acacia
site at the north end of Pilot Knob Road. Mr. Hollister said that Tollefson Development
has secured a purchase agreement for the Acacia site, although the Garron site was no
longer part of the development. Mr. Hollister said that Tollefson Development is
working with Hoffman Homes to build owner- occupied townhomes on the site. Mr.
Hollister said that Mr. Weiland intended to submit his formal application soon.
The Commissioners agreed to wait to comment on the development until the formal
planning application has been submitted. Mr. Hollister said that he would bring this item
back to the Commission when Tollefson had made their formal application.
DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION PLAN FOR THE MINNESOTA
VALLEY WETLAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
Mr. Hollister said that the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior
is soliciting comments on the Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the Minnesota
Valley Wetland Management District. Mr. Hollister added that comments are due by
July 1, 2002.
Chair Spicer asked if any Commissioner had any comments on the document.
Commissioner Linnell said that he generally approved of the plan and thought the plan
had a strong resource protection component, although the plan has created some
controversy.
The Commission did not have any formal comments on the document as a whole.
CONGRATULATIONS TO TERESA GANGELHOFF
FOR CELEBRATE MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARKS
Mr. Hollister reported that on Saturday, June 1, 2002 Mendota Heights held its annual
Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks event. Mr. Hollister said that this was Recreation
Programmer Teresa Gangelhoff s first year organizing the event. Mr. Hollister said that
she did a superb job, and that the City Council commended her on the success of the
event at their meeting on June 4, 2002.
Ms. Gangelhoff said that she would also like to thank everyone else who contributed to
the event.
The Commissioners congratulated Ms. Gangelhoff on a job well done.
UPDATES
Staff provided updates on the following items:
• Recreation Programmer's Update
• Ongoing Project Updates — Parks Project Manager
• National Park Service Mighty Mississippi Passport Program
• Police Report
OTHER COMMENTS
Chair Spicer asked the Commission what they thought about being televised, and whether
or not they should also televise their July meeting. The Commission discussed the issue
and agreed to allow its July 9, 2002 meeting to be televised.
Commissioner Linnell announced that he had concluded his term on the ISD 197
Community Education Council and asked if any other Commissioner would be willing to
serve on the Community Ed Council.
There were no volunteers.
Chair Spicer asked Staff to place this item on the July Parks Commission agenda.
Commissioner Linnell also mentioned that it appeared that the homeowners on the corner
of Lexington Avenue and Marie Avenue were infringing on the wetland with a dock and
a widened trail. Commissioner Linnell asked if this was consistent with the agreement
that the City had struck with the homeowners a few years ago.
Mr. Hollister said that he was not familiar with the issue, but that he would look into it.
ADJOURN
Motion made to adjourn by Spicer and seconded by Libra.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.