2006-11-17 Friday News The Friday News
November 17, 2006
MORE ELECTION NEWS
The final election results are in and, with the exception of Governor Pawlenty, Mendota Heights voted DFL
across the board:
Mendota Heights Results/Federal & State
US SENATE STATE SENATE DIST 39
Fitzgerald 1 225 Jungbauer IR 2689
Kennedy IR 2608 Metzen DFL 3866
Klobuchar DFL 3924
US REP STATE REO DUST 38A
Sium IR 2642 Marver IR 2722
McCollum DFL 3960 Hansen DFL 3763
GOVERNOR
Hutchinson/Reed I 626
Pawlenty/Molnau IR 3469
Hatch/Dutcher DFL 2648
MRPA CONFERENCE
The 2006 Minnesota Recreations and Parks Association Conference was held this week in Plymouth. Assistant
to the Administrator Sedlacek attended the opening day of the conference, which was attended by just over 350
parks and recreation professionals from around the state. The keynote talked about developing opportunities for
kids to be kids, helping them to break away from over-scheduled, over-organized patterns. He also stressed that
allowing kids to play in natural settings will help them to grow up with a better understanding of the
environment. Jake attended break-out sessions on working with Youth Athletic Associations and utilizing
Geographic Information Systems in parks management.
VALLEY PARK TENNIS COURTS
Last Tuesday the Parks and Recreation Commission held an Open House to hear comments for interested
residents regarding closing of the Valley Park tennis courts. A notice informing residents of the Open House
was placed at five City parks (Wentworth, Ivy Hill, Marie, Friendly Hills, and Valley Parks) where tennis courts
are located. In addition a notice was placed in the Heights Highlites, distributed to every household in the City.
Eighteen communications were received prior to the meeting which was attended by twenty adults and eight
children, representing fourteen households. The Commission also received a petition signed by 150 adults and
20 youth. The Commission has asked the City Council to provide maintenance funding so that these courts can
remain open for play.
PARK BENCH DONATION
Terry Blum reports that the parks crew has completed installation of the park bench on Marie Avenue at Lilac
Lane next to Marie Park, donated by Diane Mast. Public Works installed the concrete slab last week, assembled
the bench, and John Boland routed out an area on one of the slats to insert the dedication plague. Ms Mast, a
former resident of Mendota Heights, now lives in St. Paul but frequently returns to walk our trails with friends
who reside in the City.
CITY HALL CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING
Just a reminder that City Hall will be closed this Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Danielson
City Administrator
Attachments: Just the Facts, Pipeline, City Council Meeting Agenda, ARC Commission Meeting Agenda, Pre-
Application MeetingSynopsis, Sun Newpaper Article “Mendota Heights council approves final plan for town
center”, and Pioneer Press Article “Dakota County reserve fund running low.”