2018-05-09 Joint Council-Parks Rec Commission minutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Joint City Council — Parks Recreation Commission Work Session
Held May 9, 2018
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session of the City Council, City of Mendota
Heights, Minnesota was held at the City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Garlock called the meeting to order at 5:33 pm. Councilmembers Duggan, Miller, Paper,
Petschel were present. Parks and Recreation Commission members present included Chair
Hinderscheid, and Members Miller, Klepperich, Tupper, and Goldade. Commissioner Levine was
absent.
City staff present included Mark McNeill, City Administrator; Ryan Ruzek, Public Works
Director; Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator; Kristen Schabacker, Finance Director;
and Meredith Lawrence, Recreation Program Coordinator.
REVIEW OF PARKS FINANCING
City Administrator McNeill reviewed the finances of the Special Parks Fund, and financing sources
for improvements to the Parks system. He reviewed state law, which restricts the use of dedicated
funds going into the Special Parks fund to improvements or acquisitions. The Special Parks Fund
cannot be used for routine maintenance. He said that it was sometimes a "gray area" as to what
qualifies as an improvement.
Chair Hinderscheid asked about what revenues had come in from new developments in the City;
McNeill reviewed the fees which had come in from the Reserve Apartment building, THE Orchard
Heights plat, and what could be expected from the Swenson development at the site of the old
Mendota Motel. A question was asked about what revenue was anticipated from the Woodspring
Hotel development? Member Klepperich asked about revenues from residential lot splits.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT DISCUSSION
Assistant City Administrator Jacobson reviewed several capital improvements projects being
contemplated by the City, which were described in the April 30th Parks Projects Proposal List:
Marie Park Tennis Courts—She reviewed the pros and cons of a sport court surface, vs. asphalt. She
said that Recreation Coordinator Meredith Lawrence was applying for a grant from the US Tennis
Association. Improvements would be a new surface, and net posts and chain link fence.
Marie Park Basketball Backboards and hoops
Mendakota Park Improvements—Lights for the ballfields were discussed. Councilor Petschel said
that lights were controversial because of the neighbors; member Miller stated that the Commission
has appeared to have no interest in field lighting. The condition of the parking lot in that park was
also discussed. Public Works Director Ruzek said that it is in poor condition, and should be
replaced. Member Tupper asked if any cost sharing had been discussed with MIIAA? The
consensus appeared to be that any revenue generated from charging for fields in the future should go
to field improvements.
Rogers Lake Improvements—Permanent restrooms at this park were discussed; Councilor Petschel
expressed concerns about the cost of maintenance. A water connection for canoes and kayaks
between the two parts of the lake under Wagon Wheel Trail was discussed. Member Kipp said that
having 40% of the lake cut off from users seemed like a waste of resources. He didn't think
pen 'anent restrooms are warranted.
Wentworth Park—Councilor Paper said that it should be a destination park for the northern part of
the City. Chair Hinderscheid commented on the need for improvements for the warming house, rink
lights, and tennis courts. Mr. Ruzek said that the warming house and rink lights are estimated to be
be in the $100,000 range.
Ivy Hills Park—The basketball court there would be expanded, for an estimated cost of $75,000.
Discussion of those present was that the courts did not appear to be getting a lot of use. Member
Goldade said that the courts at Somerset School got more use with a smaller court and adjustable
baskets.
Skate Park at Rogers Lake—It was reported that the repair contract for approximately $10,000 was
moving forward. Ms. Jacobson said that any replacement of the skate park in the future should be
larger.
Friendly Hills—The tennis courts were in need of repair.
Dog Park—Ms. Jacobson said that a shade structure is proposed. Public Works staff has stated that
they think that it is the same 6 to 8 people who use the dog park.
General Projects—Chair Hinderscheid asked about the possibility of pickle ball courts at Henry
Sibley High School. Councilor Duggan suggested adding one bike rack at each park. Councilor
Paper asked about the addition of teeter totters, and how much space is needed for those.
At the conclusion of the review of the Parks Capital Improvements discussion, the members of the
Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Mayor and City Council were asked to rank their top
priorities for those projects. Preferences were directed to be split by those to be funded by the
Special Parks Fund, and by those which would be financed through the general levy.
Following the participants' submittal of their individual rankings, a break was taken at 7:05 PM.
Councilors Duggan and Miller left the meeting at this time.
The meeting reconvened at 7:16 PM.
The results of the voting showed the following results:
May 9, 2018 Joint Council -Parks Rec Work Session page 2
Special Parks Fund:
Project Votes Received Cost
Bike Racks and Repair Kiosks 9 $ 5000
Basketball Hoop Replacement—Marie Park 8 10,000
Friendly Marsh Soccer Field 8 100,000
Dedicated Pickleball Courts 7 60,000
Mendakota Dugouts 5 140,000
Shade Structure at Dog Park 5 10,000
Tables/Umbrellas at Market Square Park 4 10,000
Playground Equipment Improvements 3 265,000
$600,000
Property Tax Levy Funded:
Wentworth Warming House 6 $45,000
Wentworth Rink Light Replacement 5 55,000
Marie Park Tennis Resurfacing 3 50,000
Wentworth Trail Improvements 3 50,000
Wentworth Parking Lot Improvements 2 50,000
$250,000
Administrator McNeill said that this prioritization could be used to determine which projects could
be pursued for installation in 2018 and 2019.
PAR 3 DISCUSSION
M.s Jacobson and Ms. Lawrence reviewed the 2017 Year End report for the Par 3. That report
showed a slight deficit for operations in 2017, but it was noted that there were a couple of larger one-
time expenditures which impacted the year end numbers.
Ms. Lawrence that the Par 3 golf course uses equipment which mechanically are past the time of
recommended replacement. If, for example, any of the mowers currently being used would break
down, a policy decision will need to be made as to the source of funding for replacements, as the
current Par 3 fund balance is insufficient to fund the more expensive of those pieces of machinery.
It was agreed to continue to monitor the Par 3.
ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 pm.
Minutes Taken By:
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
May 9, 2018 Joint Council -Parks Rec Work Session page 3