Loading...
2018-03-01 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Work Session Thursday March 1, 2018 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. CALL TO ORDER Chair Pat Hinderscheid called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. Commissioners Tupper, Klepperich, Levine, Goldade, and Kipp (arrived at 6:09 p.m.) were also present. Staff in attendance included City Administrator Mark McNeill, Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson, Finance Director Kristen Schabacker, Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek, and Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence. COMMISSION ROLE REFRESHER Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence reviewed with the Commission City Code Chapter 2, the purpose of the commission. This included the powers and duties of the commission. The commission is to advise the City Council on matters pertaining to parks and recreation development and the establishment of written rules and regulations for use, management and operations of parks and recreation facilities. This is then approved by City Council. Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson reviewed Minnesota Statute Chapter 13D, Open Meeting Law, and reminded commissioners’ official business cannot be communicated via email. Chair Hinderschied questioned whether or not the commission needed to follow the Open Meeting Law statute since they are not a decision making body. Staff explained that the commission is appointed by City Council (who complies with the Open Meeting Law statute) and so the Commission must also comply with Open Meeting Law. It was recommended that commissioners refrain from hitting, “reply all” on emails. Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence discussed with commissioners the park assignments that had been assigned in the past. Commissioners reviewed the purpose of the park assignments, which is to visit and report any problems or concerns to staff. Examples of what to look for include: conditions of trails, playground equipment, tripping hazards, ball fields, tennis courts and basketball courts. The commission feels that each park should be checked at a minimum on a monthly basis. The commission will review the available parks and assign them at the March meeting. PARKS FUNDING/BUDGET Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson reviewed with the Commission the land dedication and park dedication funding. The commission was reminded that park dedication fees must be placed in a special, segregated fund. Funds can be used for acquisition, development, and improvement. Funds cannot be used for city operation costs and maintenance costs. Ms. Jacobson provided the commission with a parks projects proposal list that included estimated costs and funding sources. The commission was asked to direct staff on which items had the highest priority. The commission requested that staff conduct a survey in the community to gain insight on what the community would like seen at Mendota Heights parks. Commissioner Goldade left the meeting at 6:41pm. NATURAL RESOURCE PLAN REVIEW Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek explained to the commission that staff is looking for direction on how to proceed with the Natural Resource Plan from 2002. Mr. Ruzek believes it would cost around $150,000 to improve the plan. Leslie Pilgrim, a resident of Mendota Heights voiced her opinion that climate change is coming and will start impacting our Mendota Heights parks. An environmental commission was recommended. The Commission asked Mr. Ruzek to contact the group who made the Natural Resource Plan from 2002 and ask if they could come speak at an upcoming meeting. GREENCORPS PROGRAM DISCUSSION Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek discussed with the commission the request of applying for a Greencorp member. The Greenscorp member would work from September-August, 40 hours a week. The City would not pay their salary, but would need to provide the individual with a work space and a mentor. With the application deadline being March 23, staff did not think they could produce a quality application in time. It was recommended that the commission discuss in the future a Greenscorp member who would begin in Mendota Heights in the fall of 2019. Staff agreed to look into sharing a Greenscorp member with neighboring cities. ADJOURN Chair Hinderscheid adjourned the meeting at 7:18 p.m.