2017-11-14 Parks and Rec Comm Minutes
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS, DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING
November 14, 2017
The November meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday,
November 14, 2017, at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve.
1. Call to Order – Chair Pat Hinderscheid called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. Roll Call – The following Commissioners were present: Chair Pat Hinderscheid, Commissioners Steve
Goldade, Ira Kipp, Bob Klepperich, Stephanie Levine, David Miller, and Nissa Tupper. Staff present:
Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson, Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence, and
Community Development Director Tim Benetti.
3. Approval of Agenda
Chair Hinderscheid added the topic “Playground Safety Inspections” to the agenda. The agenda was
approved as revised. Motion Levine/second Miller.
4. Approval of Minutes from October 10, 2017
Motion Goldade/Second Klepperich to approve the minutes of the October 10, 2017 Parks and
Recreation Commission meeting. AYES 7: NAYS 0
5. Unfinished and New Business
5.b City of Mendota Heights Comprehensive Plan Update
Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson introduced Community Development Director Tim Benetti
and Planning Consultant Phil Carlson from Stantec to give the update on the City of Mendota Heights
Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Carlson began the presentation by noting that every City in the metropolitan area is updating its
Comprehensive Plan, which is due at the end of 2018, as required by State Law every 10 years.
This process for Mendota Heights began last year with an Inventory Analysis; putting together
background information about the City and looking at some of the key statistics and a map analysis.
Commission Members were encouraged to attend the next community open house scheduled for
Wednesday, November 15, 5:00 – 8:00 pm at Friendly Hills Middle School, the third meeting of this type.
The projections for how population, households, and employment were shared:
The population of the City is expected to level off but with slight growth in the next 20 – 25
years
Employment is expected to continue to grow
Number of households is expected to grow modestly; however, the number of people living in a
particular household is expected to decline
Mendota Heights is a well to do, well educated, and well maintained community, which carries
over into many of its public facilities; including Parks
Mr. Carlson shared what has taken place on the Comprehensive Plan over the last several months with
the Planning Commission. One of the results was to shorten the city’s Vision Statement from a page long
to a concise paragraph:
Mendota Heights will be recognized as a quality, family-oriented residential community, with a
vibrant business and industrial base, highly regarded educational and religious institutions, a
spacious, natural feel, and the amenities of a big city.
The commission asked if there was another way for the public to share their vision and expectations
other than the community meetings. Mr. Carlson replied in the affirmative and noted that the public can
still provide input and feedback via the City’s website and via links on the City’s Facebook page and
Twitter.
And with the following Mission Statement:
Our mission is to preserve and enhance the quality of life in the Mendota Heights by providing
quality public safety, infrastructure, and planning for orderly and sustainable growth.
Mr. Carlson reviewed the resulting top issues as discovered through the SWOT Analysis (Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats).
Strengths
Low taxes
Low crime rate
Spacious, natural feel
Overall accessibility / transportation network
Weaknesses
Limited amenities (retail, restaurants, attractions, etc.)
Financially constrained (City budget needs diversity)
Lack of commercial/retail offerings
Airport Noise
Opportunities
Aging population – encourages younger groups to move in
Viking headquarters development (Eagan)
Bourn Lane (city-owned) property – redevelopment site
Selected redevelopment sites
Proximity to Minneapolis, St. Paul and MSP Airport
Threats
Development in adjoining cities (traffic)
Aging infrastructure
Age of housing stock
Increased air traffic
Stagnation – due to maturity of community
Mr. Carlson then reviewed the goals that pertain to Parks and Recreation under various headings:
Land Use (6 goals)
Housing (2 goals)
Parks & Open Space (4 goals)
Transportation (2 goals)
Water Supply (City Staff to provide)
Sanitary Sewer (3 goals)
Surface Water (1 goal)
Economic Development (5 goals)
The Commission asked when a goal is stated, if the assumption was that a ‘goal’ is never really achieved
but something to keep striving for. Mr. Carlson replied that was probably a fair statement and that goals
are aspirational and are more open ended.
He then asked for feedback and comment from the Commission on the four goals listed under the Parks
& Open Space heading:
1. Provide the optimum amount of active and passive open space for the enjoyment of all
Mendota Heights residents
2. Provide a park system that assures high quality of facilities
3. Use the park system as a means to enhance the environment of each neighborhood and the City
as a whole
4. Support the Dakota County 2030 Greenway Corridors Plan/Vision
Suggestions / Feedback Provided
Keep up-to-date on amenities offered, stay up with the times
Cooperative efforts with surrounding communities and their parks/rec programs
Take advantage of any grants available
Add ‘sustainability’ to goal 2; also change ‘facilities’ to a term with a broader definition
(‘amenities’?); missing the word ‘safe’; add ‘pollinator-friendly’ somewhere
Adding a goal of ‘bringing people together’, ‘community-building’ or ‘finding creative ways to
encourage the community to come out an enjoy the park systems within the City’
Providing some source of steady (sustainable) revenue to enable enhancements and to be able
to take care of the parks and trails
‘consider establishment of additional facilities’ – consider is too passive
Add ‘amenities along the trails’ and add destination-type signage and amenities (i.e. places to
lock bicycles to enable bikers to go shopping)
Add ‘find ways to make safe connections for pedestrian and bicycle transportation’
Add ‘be responsible for wildlife in the community and our park systems’
Mr. Carlson, Mr. Benetti, and others will wordsmith the goals and bring it back to the commission for
additional review and comments.
Mr. Carlson concluded by sharing the next steps in the update to the Comprehensive Plan:
January 2018 – Discuss preliminary alternatives in various elements of the plan
March – talk about implementation
May – draft plan
June – Open House and Hearing
August – City Council Adoption
5.a Introduction of Meredith Lawrence, Recreation Program Coordinator
Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson introduced the City’s new Recreation Program Coordinator,
Ms. Meredith Lawrence. Ms. Lawrence gladly stepped up to the plate when Mr. Sloan Wallgren left the
City. She has been on staff for quite a few years and has faithfully attended the Parks & Rec Commission
Meetings and has worked diligently as the Tennis Instructor for several years, which has grown
considerably under her tutelage.
The position had been advertised with 25 eligible applications received; interviews were conducted on
two of the applicants, with Ms. Lawrence being one of them. She was the highest qualified candidate by
far.
The City Council approved her hiring last Tuesday, November 7 with an official start date of Wednesday,
November 8.
5.c Presentation on Playground Equipment – Flagship Recreation
Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson noted that this topic was requested by the Commission and
was on their activity list. She noted that Flagship Recreation works with Landscape Structures. She then
introduced Mr. Brett Altergott who made a presentation on the latest trends in playground equipment:
Nature inspired
Land form
Multi-generational
Destination playgrounds
Literacy in the playground
Fitness
Adventure courses
Material mix
Inclusive planning
This presentation for informational only and no decisions were asked or made of the Commission.
5.d Discussion of 2018 City Fee Schedule and Included Parks and Recreation Fees
Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence introduced and led the discussion on the 2018 City
Fee Schedule and Included Parks and Recreation Fees. Staff requested the Commission review the
current golf and footgolf rates and offer recommendations for the rates in the coming year.
The Commission asked for Ms. Lawrence’s opinion on the current rates and if the City is in line with
other communities or if adjustments need to be made. Ms. Lawrence replied that she did some research
and provided comparison on other 9-hole golf courses; she felt that the City of Mendota Heights rates
were a bit lower than other courses.
Current Weekend & Holiday Rates
Adults = $13/first round and $6/additional round
Seniors = $12/round
Juniors = $12/round (Junior’s do play free on Sunday afternoons after 4:00 pm with a paid adult)
Weekday Rates
Adults = $11/first round and $6/additional rounds
Seniors = $10/round
Juniors = $10/round
Lunch Special = 5 holes for $5 on weekdays
Other 9-hole golf course rates
Ms. Lawrence provided a spreadsheet with rates and fees from approximately nine communities.
Commissioners asked if the length of the holes from the tee would be a factor in the rates. Ms.
Lawrence replied that it could be and noted that Mendota Heights’ course is shorter than others.
However, quite a few people like the course as it is well kept and clean and residents like having a
course that is close to their home.
The commission felt that having the financial results of the golf course for the year would be very helpful
in determining if the rates are sufficient. Ms. Lawrence did note that the course is currently doing OK
financially.
Ms. Jacobson also noted that staff will be reviewing the current financial plan line items to come up with
a new business plan and financial forecast for the golf course (i.e. marketing via social media).
2017 August and September numbers were up from 2016 August and September.
Motion Hinderscheid/Second Goldade to keep the golf course rates the same from 2017 to 2018.
AYES 7: NAYS: 0
Suggestion was made to try to increase the number of rounds purchased via marketing through social
media and/or through partnerships. The Commission stated that it was hard to make a determination
on the fees without the financial information for the year being available.
Ms. Jacobson stated that one of her goals for the Par 3 Golf Course in 2018 is to come up with a
different business plan. She also stated that the golf course is widely and heavily used, the people who
use it enjoy it, and it is a good asset for the City.
5.e Parks, Recreation, and Programming
5.e.i Park Bench Donation Location Review
Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson explained that the City had a park bench donation come in
a few days after the Commission’s last meeting. In order to beat the weather she sent an email to the
commissioners asking if it would be acceptable to forward the donation to the City Council for
acceptance, which they did on November 7, 2017.
The Commission was asked to make an “after the fact” acceptance on the location of the donated park
bench. Mr. Strobel, who had made the donation in memory of his wife Nancy, expressed his desire that
the bench be located in Valley Park at the T-section of the trail on the west side, near the second bridge.
The Parks Department has already worked to get the cement in and the bench has been ordered (4-6
week lead time).
The Commission was asked to provide their thoughts and opinions on the criteria to be followed when a
park bench has been donated to the City.
6. Reports
6.a Parks and Recreation Commission Activity Report
Chair Hinderscheid had handed out the report but deferred review and discussion of it until the
December 2017 meeting.
6.b Par 3 Update
Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence provided the following updates:
Course closed on October 31 and will re-open next Spring, date dependent on weather
Irrigation system was blown out
The foot golf holes were covered to protect from the winter months
Golf course carts were returned as the lease was up
Staff is currently working to clean the clubhouse and prepare for the upcoming season
Staff is looking into new technology to replace the current antiquated cash register that dates
back to 2000; making giving data and financial information to the Commission much easier and
more accurate
Course use dropped significantly in October due to the cold weather
6.c Recreation Updates
Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence provided the following updates:
Park staff installed an additional bench along the trail on the west side of Rogers Lake as a result
of the previous park bench donation
Work continues on the warming house at Friendly Hills; it has been built and the exterior work is
complete, a few things inside still need to be done, the footings for the lights has been poured,
and the poles will be installed within the next week
Engineering staff is currently working on the details, scope, and work plan for the grant for the
USTA; funds to be used replacement of the courts at Marie Park slotted for the Spring of 2018
Twelve youngsters (maximum allowed) went on a field trip during the MEA Fall Break, went to
Bunker Park Stables in Andover; in collaboration with West St. Paul and South St. Paul. They
rode horses, went on hayrides, and even learned how to care for a horse.
Registration is now open for the winter break field trips – December 27 Bowling and watch the
movie “Ferdinand”; December 28 Tubing at Taylors Falls. Each field trip is $25/day, registration
can be found on the City’s website or at City Hall.
Still some spots left in gymnastics (offered in December, January, and February in collaboration
with West St. Paul) at Henry Sibley on Saturday mornings.
Skating registration is now open for January and February, Saturday mornings at Friendly Hills
Park (Small’s and Tall’s, Beginner, and Intermediate Fun Style/Free Style)
Royal Ball coming up in February – event that West St. Paul and South St. Paul and Mendota
th
Heights are going to collaborate on; super exciting. Boys and girls 4 grade and under are
welcome to come, with a parent, in a prince or princess costume from 3:00 – 5:00 pm to enjoy a
royal time. Registration to open on December 1, 2017.
6.d Natural Resources Update
Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence provided the following updates:
Solar panels were installed at the Par 3 Maintenance Building; lights were added to the building
to prevent vandalism and to keep the solar panels safe. They worked with the residents in the
area to ensure the correct wattage was used so as to not disturb anyone living in the area.
Street sweeping started this week and will continue through the week
7. Announcements and Commission Comments
Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence noted that the City is still taking applications for a
Skating Instructor, Rink Attendants, and Rink Flooders.
Commissioner Steve Goldade asked for more information on what is happening at Market Square Park
on December 2, 2017. Ms. Lawrence replied that the tree lighting ceremony, by Mayor Garlock, will take
place at Market Square Park, there will be activities for the kids, holiday music, and a fun time for
everyone.
Commissioner Goldade also complimented City Staff for a wonderful grand opening of the pedestrian
tunnel under Highway 110. He is also impressed by the park bench program. He put in a plug to ensure
the City continues encourage cooperation between the City and the school district in regards different
amenities and programming.
Commissioner Ira Kipp welcomed Meredith Lawrence. He noted that he would like for the Park Board
and/or the City Council look seriously at the previous Turner’s gymnasium, which he feels would be a
real improvement to the City.
Commissioner Bob Klepperich noted that he had the opportunity to attend the Planning Commission
meeting and heard the entire long-range plan, which went on for quite a while. Mr. Carlson did a great
job of condensing the information this evening. He also welcomed Meredith Lawrence to the staff.
Commissioner David Miller also welcomed Meredith Lawrence to the team. He made a couple of
suggestions: 1) when the agenda is as full as this one was there needs to be limitations on the number of
agenda items or limit the amount of time spent on one item; 2) communicate to the accounting
department that they should provide information ahead of time if they want some financial input from
the Commission.
Commissioner Stephanie Levine welcomed Meredith Lawrence and commended her and Ms. Jacobson
for all of their hard work. She reiterated to the public that they should come to Friendly Hills Middle
School tomorrow to provide their input on the long-range plan. She also noted that the commissioners
have not been to too many school board meetings if they think this one was long.
Commissioner Nissa Tupper welcomed Meredith Lawrence and expressed appreciation for her energy
and her background. She also enjoyed the Comprehensive Plan presentation and discussion and is
looking forward to how it evolves and seeing the full feedback from the community.
Chair Hinderscheid felt that the Commission covered a lot of ground and he expressed his appreciation
for everyone’s patience on a rather lengthy meeting. He also welcomed Meredith and expressed his
appreciation to Cheryl for filling in the gap between Sloan leaving and Meredith coming on board.
He was also really impressed with all of the comments and input expressed in regards to the
Comprehensive Plan.
8. Adjourn
Motion Miller/Second Tupper to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 PM. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0