2007-01-26 Friday News The Friday News
January 26, 2007
PARK COMMISSION – “OPEN HOUSE”
The Parks and Recreation Commission will hold an “Open House” to discuss improvements at
the Civic Center ball field and Hagstrom-King Park on Tuesday, February 13th beginning at 6:30
pm. The Mendota Heights Athletic Association has requested several improvements at both ball
field facilities. The attached letter, seeking input or comments, has been mailed to approximately
100 residents in the vicinity of Hagstrom-King Park, 60 MHAA softball and baseball coaches,
and several coaches at St. Thomas, Visitation, and St. Josephs who have reserved these fields in
prior years.
RUNWAY RECONSTRUCTION – 12R
The middle segment of Runway 12R and Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport is scheduled for
reconstruction starting in Mid-August. The construction is the last phase of updating both the
sub-grade base and concrete for the entire length of 12R. The existing runway has lasted 50
years, without as good a base. This reconstruction is anticipated to last another 50 years or
longer.
The closure of this runway, scheduled to take 50 days, will mean more air traffic on other
runways, including 12L/30R. Our Noise Oversight Committee representative, Ultan Duggan has
talked to MAC staff about utilizing the 12R airspace as a means to alleviate some of the
increased noise that residents living in the 12L flight path would be exposed to. MAC Noise has
recommended that the City send a letter with this request to FAA. Two articles regarding the
project have been attached
PAR 3 REFERENDUM OPEN HOUSE
The City hosted an open house on the Par 3 referendum Wednesday, January 24. Over 30
citizens attended the open house. The Mayor kicked off the meeting by welcoming citizens and
providing some background. John Huber the citizen spoke next, setting a date for a ceremonial
first tee off after a successful referendum for Saturday, April 28, and submitting the first
contribution to the referendum committee.
Jake Sedlacek presented on the basics of the referendum process, the role of the City, and the
role of citizen group(s). Citizens had many questions for staff regarding the referendum,
operations at the course, the potential future use of the property, etc. Around 8pm, the meeting
room was turned over to the citizens. Jake and I offered to serve as liaison to whatever citizen
groups who wished to form that evening. Space was provided for citizens in support of the
referendum, and for citizens against the referendum.
No citizens indicated a wish to meet against the referendum. The pro-referendum group did
meet. They conducted introductions, elected co-chairs (Sally Lorberbaum and Robin Ehrlich),
discussed a meeting schedule and tasks to be completed.
Staff will provide liaison to citizen groups as a means to keep the referendum process moving
forward, and to verify that Mendota Heights voters are provided with accurate information.
Respectfully submitted,
James Danielson
City Administrator
Attachments: Just the Facts, Pipeline, Pre-Application Meeting Synopsis, Hagstrom-King Park
and Civic Center Ball Field Notice, Transportation Forum Notice, SouthWest Review Article
“MH residents to decide fate of Par 3”, Sun Newspaper Article “Mendota Heights to consider
golf course referendum” and “Friendly Hills students get lesson on race from coloring project”,
Pioneer Press Article “Minneapolis-St. Pau International Airport / Projects to reroute airport
noise”, Star Tribune Articles “Runway work to rattle new windows”, “Judge: MAC broke noise
deal” and Friday Fax.