Loading...
2016-04-12 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Tuesday April 12, 2016 - 6:30 P.M. City Council Chambers 1.Roll Call 2. Approval of Agenda 3. Approval of the March 8, 2016 Minutes 4. Announcements 5. Election of Chair and Vice Chair 6. Results of Ash Tree Survey 7. Pollinator Update 8.Skate Park 9. Mendakota Park Update 10. Winter Event 11. Par 3 Report 12.Commission Comments 13. Adjourn Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities are available at least 120 hours in advance. If a notice of less than 120 hours is received, the City of Mendota Heights will make every attempt to provide the aids. This may not, however, be possible on short notice. Please contact City Administration at 651-452-1850. Meetings can be viewed anytime on-demand at: www.mendota-heights.com. MH Parks and Recreation Commission 3-08-2016 Page 1 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING March 8, 2016 The December meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. Chair Hinderscheid called to order the parks and recreation commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. The following commissioners were present: Chair Hinderschied, Commissioners: Stephanie Levine, Jay Miller, and Michael Toth. Staff present: Recreation Programmer Sloan Wallgren. Approval of Agenda COMMISSIONER LEVINE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA; COMMISSIONER TOTH SECONDED THE MOTION. AYES 4: NAYS 0 Approval of Minutes from January 12, 2015 COMMISSIONER LEVINE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 12, 2016 MEETING; COMMISSIONER MILLER SECONDED THE MOTION. AYES 4: NAYS 0 Announcements Mr. Wallgren announced that registration is now open for summer Parks and Recreation Programs and that the Mendota Heights Youth Athletic Association is still taking registrations for a number of their programs. Review Commission Responsibilities Mr. Wallgren reviewed the responsibilities of the commission and encouraged all member to attend at least 75% of the meetings. Election of Officers COMMISSIONER LEVINE MADE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS ITEM UNTIL THE APRIL, 2016 MEETING SO THAT MORE COMMISSIONER COULD POSSIBLY BE PRESENT. COMMISSIONER TOTH SECONDED THE MOTION. AYES 4: NAYS 0 2015 Park & Recreation Report Mr. Wallgren presented the 2015 Park & Recreation Report. During 2015 many imporvements were made to the parks such as: tennis courts at Ivy Hills Park, tennis backboard at Marie Park, the Off-Leash Dog Area, and canoe rack at Rogers Lake Park, warming house at Marie Park and the hockey boards at Wentworth Park. The commission, council and staff should be very proud of the many wonderful things that took place during 2015. MH Parks and Recreation Commission 3-08-2016 Page 2 Ice Rink Usage Report Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that the rinks were only open for 23 days during February. We did see a small decrease in the total number of users this season, but the average daily attendance was up over years past so that is a great sign. The decrease was due to warm/cold weather. Pollinator Work Plan Update Mr. Wallgren reviewed the work plan that staff has created to become a pollinator friendly city. Mr. Wallgren thanked several volunteers that are residents of Mendota Heights for their help with creating the plan. The first step in the plan is to include article in the Heights Highlights and provide information at the Parks Celebration. Recreation Update Mr. Wallgren updated the commission on the planned summer 2016 events. The commission discussed ways that we could take advantage of Market Square Park and possibly get more youth involved. Some ideas that were discussed included an open-mic night for teens, a street dance and talent show. Commission Comments Commissioner Jay Miller thanked everyone for welcoming him and is excited to be on the commission. Commissioner Levine welcomed everyone and is looking forward to a great year. Commissioner Toth welcomed everyone and thanked everyone for their service to our great community. Chair Hinderscheid welcomed everyone and is glad to see new faces and hear new ideas. COMMISSIONER LEVINE A MOTION TO ADJURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER TOTH SECONED THE MOTION. AYES 4: NAYS 0 The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by Sloan Wallgren DATE: April 12th, 2016 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Sloan Wallgren, Recreation Program Coordinator SUBJECT: Ash Tree Survey Update During the summer of 2015 Mendota Heights hired two interns from the University of Minnesota Forestry Program. The intern worked for six weeks identifying all of the ash trees that are located on right of way or city land. The interns identify 600+ ash trees in the city located on city land. The interns also were able to identify 15 of those trees that are caring the Emerald Ash Borer. Staff is working on a plan to determine which trees will need to be replaced and which ones will not be replaced. The 600+ Ash Trees are located throughout all portions of the city. Also the 15 trees that have the Emerald Ash Borer are located throughout the city. There was not one specific area that contained the Emerald Ash Borer. DATE: April 12, 2016 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Sloan Wallgren, Recreation Program Coordinator SUBJECT: Pollinator Friendly Update Update Attached is the pollinator work plan. The first step has been successful by including articles in the Heights Highlights about pollinator friendly practices. The next step is to have a presence at the Parks Celebration on June 4th. Individuals will be in attendance to provide information on native plants, pollinator friendly practices and sustainable living. Work Plan for Pollinator Friendly Activities City of Mendota Heights, MN 1. Mission - Promote pollinator friendly activities and practices through public engagement and education - Partner with U of MN Master Gardeners-Dakota County for expertise and educational materials 2. Potential Short Term Goals (first year) - Master Gardeners to engage public at Mendota Heights annual Park Celebration (June 4, 2016) o Master Gardeners answer questions, provide education/guidance on pollinators, native species, wetlands, and landscape management o Master Gardeners provide materials identifying pollinator types, pesticides/insecticides to avoid, invasive plant lists, etc. o City to promote the Pollinator Designation and activities already completed  Pilot Knob Restoration  Victoria Road Pilot Project  Current Park Management Policy  Annual invasive species removal - Victoria Road Showcase/Education day o Master Gardeners to show the native plantings along Victoria, how the area contributes to pollinator habitat, water management, reduced maintenance, and to share possible steps for homeowners - Preserve and protect existing native plantings while identifying opportunities for additional native plantings o City to identify areas within upcoming projects (street, erosion control, streambank stabilization, Park restoration, etc.) o Investigate possibilities with MnDOT of native plantings in conjunction with Highway 110 & 149 projects - Educational workshops for City employees o Introduce best management practices for developed and undeveloped public land o Master Gardeners to present Introductory Workshop on pollinators & practices in late June 2016 o City Staff to attend the University of Minnesota Pollinator Summit in August 2016 - Resident Workshop at City Hall (early 2017) o Master Gardeners to present workshop on sustainable landscaping, pollinator friendly plantings, and native plantings o Offer Blue Thumb Workshop through SWCD of Dakota County 3. Potential Long Term Goals (summer 2017 and beyond) - Develop projects/events between the Master Gardeners and the City o Buckthorn Bash o Native Planting on City Hall grounds o Re-establish native garden at Victoria Highlands Park o Par-3 grounds improvements - Provide articles for each Heights Highlights edition - Incorporate pollinator friendly activities into future capital projects where applicable - Update City Natural Resource Master Plan when appropriate DATE: April 12, 2016 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Sloan Wallgren, Recreation Program Coordinator SUBJECT: Winter Event Background The idea of hosting a winter event has been brought to staff. Typically, we have not hosted a winter event in the past. The event could involve hockey, ice skating, sledding, a snow obstacle course (if we have snow), music/entertainment, bon fire, snacks and beverages and many more possibilities. A good date for the event could be Saturday January 28th, this is the weekend before the Super Bowl. One possible location could be Friendly Hills Park. The park has a hockey rink, skating rink, warming house, hills for sledding and a large open area to host activities. There is also plenty of parking all around the park. Budget In the past there has not been any money budgeted for a winter event. We would have to discuss possible costs that would be associated with the event and either include that money in our 2017 budget or fundraise money to offset the costs of the event. Discussion If the commission agrees that this is something they would like to see take place in 2017 we should begin discussion and planning. The commission would be expected to be involved in the planning, fundraising and conducting the event. DATE: April 12th, 2016 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Sloan Wallgren, Recreation Program Coordinator SUBJECT: Spring Par 3 Update Update The golf course opened for business on Friday, April 1st. Staff has contracted with JK Management to oversee the turf quality and maintenances practices at the golf course. During the month of March there was a lot of tree trimming that was done. We removed a few dead trees for safety reasons, and trimmed trees all around the property time to hopefully improve playability and turf quality. During the month of March we also installed some patio block around the clubhouse and sign near Dodd Road. The work definitely gives the area a nice clean look and should be well received by customers at the golf course. Staff has worked with Dakota County to receive some grant money to increase our recycling efforts. With the money received staff purchased recycling baskets, lids & labels and brackets to mount the baskets. We have placed five of the containers on the golf course and two around the clubhouse. Finally, staff is looking into purchasing some new rental clubs for the golf course and push carts. We are planning to purchase both adult and junior rental clubs as well as adult and junior push carts. The addition of the new equipment will be big upgrade from the current equipment.