2019-12-10 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS, DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING
December 10, 2019
The December meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on
Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve.
1. Call to Order – Chair Steve Goldade called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. Roll Call – The following Commissioners were present: Chair Steve Goldade, Commissioners
Patrick Cotter, Pat Hinderschied, Bob Klepperich, Stephanie Meyer, and David Miller Absent: Dan
Sherer and Student Representative Matthew Boland. Staff present: Recreation Program
Coordinator Meredith Lawrence, Assistant City Administrator Cheryl Jacobson and Public Works
Director Ryan Ruzek.
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Approval of Agenda
Motion Klepperich/second Meyer to add Approval of Minutes from November 6, 2019 Workshop
Session to the agenda AYES 6: NAYS 0: ABSENT 1
5.a Approval of Minutes from November 12, 2019 Regular Meeting
Motion Klepperich/second Cotter to approve the minutes of the November 12, 2019 Parks and
Recreation Commission regular meeting. AYES 6: NAYS 0: ABSENT 1
5.b Approval of Minutes from November 6, 2019 Workshop Session
Motion Cotter/second Miller to approve the minutes of the November 6, 2019 Parks and
Recreation Commission workshop session. AYES 6: NAYS 0: ABSENT 1
6. Citizen Comment Period (for items not on the agenda)
Mr. Orrin Kirschbaum, 1392 Cherry Hill Road, stated that on the corner to where he lives is
Wentworth Park. The Commission has done a nice job of renovating it over the years; however,
the tennis courts have been neglected. There are a lot of residents that would love to play tennis.
Two things he cautioned on were:
1. If the tennis courts are rehabilitated, please do not replicate what was done at Ivy Falls
when they put in the plastic pieces.
2. It would nice if the courts could be saved, the fencing is in poor condition, and the courts
have not been done for many years.
Chair Goldade replied that the Commission has been taking tours of the parks and did take note
of the needs of the tennis courts at Wentworth Park.
7. Acknowledgement of Reports
7.a Par 3 Update
Commissioner Hinderscheid reminded everyone that there are options available if a resident does
not play golf.
Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence pointed out that the Par 3 should show a
small operating profit for this year.
7.b Recreation Update
The Recreation Update was included in the Commission packet and included the following topics:
• Winter Break Field Trip Opportunities
o Registration is available online
o Partners with the City of West St. Paul
• Superhero Masquerade Recap
• Gymnastics
• Orbit Earth
• Skating Lessons
• Warming House Update
• Summer Program Planning
Commissioner Hinderscheid asked if the cost of the mower would come out of the cash fund for
the Par 3 or out of the General Fund. Ms. Lawrence replied that the cost will be recommended to
come out of the General Fund. This was included in the 2020 preliminary budget. The City Council
approved the budget at the last Council meeting.
Motion Klepperich/second Miller to acknowledge the Par 3 and Recreation Updates
AYES 6: NAYS 0: ABSENT 1
8. Unfinished Business
8.a Lego League City Shaper Presentation
Mr. Joe Frazier, coach of The Convent of the Visitation First Lego League team, introduced the
team members who then presented their City Shaper Civil Engineering project. Their focus was
on creating an updated version of Rogers Lake that is ADA accessible; this included:
• Recreating the boat launch
o Currently there is a small dirt trail that gets muddy
o Cementing the area (7 ft long x 9 ft wide) at a cost of $1,500
• Replace the existing swing set
o Include the current regular swings and baby swing
o Include an ADA compliant swing with a pull chain and rubber mat
o Total cost would be approximately $5,616
• Add shade to the Rogers Lake Park Playground
o It would be 38 feet in diameter and 10-15 ft tall at a cost of $11,000 - $15,000
o One for the playground and a second one for ADA compliant swing set
o Made out of steel and woven polypropylene mesh
• Improve the fishing dock
o Add a fishing dock bridge with bridge of 50 ft x 6 ft; the fishing area is 20 ft x 10 ft;
cost would be approximately $10,000
o Apply for a grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR)
Partnership Program for Fishing Piers and Shore Fishing Areas
• Adding a Community Center/Cat Space
o 1,600 square feet
o Main room, bathrooms, utility room, storage room, and extra space used for cat
care
o Three ADA compliant bathrooms ranging from $10,000 - $20,000 each
o The utility room would house the furnace ($3,500 - $5,500) and a water heater
($2,500)
o Main room would include spots on the community rack for information on hiking
through trees and a guided nature walk
o Small food stand
o Cabana should be kept for renting for parties
o Total cost would be approximately $125,000
• Adding a place for cats to hang out; playroom including cat trees, cat toys
The Commissioners expressed their appreciation to the team for their presentation and praised
their speaking skills and creativity. They asked questions of each of the presenters on the reasons
or thoughts behind their recommendations, other ideas taken into consideration, details on the
plans identified, and where they got their cost estimates.
8.b Playground Capital Improvement Plan
Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek presented a list of the 11 parks in the city with playground
equipment. This included the year each park was built and the costs of each. The Commission
reviewed the list and made the following recommendations:
• Park partial/full replacements every year, starting with Marie Park in 2020 and ending with
Wentworth, possibly in 2030 – depending on budget
• Budget for Marie Park would be close to $175,000 – high due to things are not getting any
less expensive – for a complete park replacement (as necessary)
Motion Klepperich/second Miller to approve a Capital Improvement Parks Plan where the parks
would be improved on a year-over-year basis with a budget of $175,000, based on 2019 dollars,
to be further homed in at the start of each year
Discussion
Commissioner Hinderscheid noted that it was his belief that when the Commission talked about
this previously it was decided that the Commission would request monies needed specifically. He
was unsure that the City Council would act on a $175,000 budget without specifics on what the
plan was.
Chair Goldade added that this, for him, was saying that whatever the Commission wanted to go
forward on with a suggested budget includes a playground update. So the budget for 2020 would
include Marie Park, and going forward this Commission believed that either a total replacement
or partial replacement of playground equipment was probably, if not #1 on the budgeting every
year, it would be very close to that because they see the value of those amenities in the
community.
AYES 6: NAYS 0: ABSENT 1
8.c Community Engagement Check In
Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence stated that the Commission wanted to work
on Community Engagement to obtain feedback.
Commissioner Cotter explained that he and Chair Goldade scheduled a meeting at The Village
Commons. Information was sent out ahead of time. Unfortunately, there were no takers and no
guests. They decided to try again in January with refreshments.
Commissioner Hinderscheid explained that he and Chair Goldade have set up a meeting with the
Mendota Heights/West St. Paul Rotary Club for January 8 at Southview Country Club. This will
be a breakfast meeting and they will have 30 minutes to make a presentation.
Commissioner Meyer explained that she and Vice-chair Klepperich struck out with Community
Education; however, they are working with some of the Neighborhood Watch folks that have held
meetings at City Hall to talk about security and neighborhood safety. It is possible they have at
least one person interested. They hope to hold some small groups in homes.
They have also been talking with the Mendota PTA; they have a meeting January 21, 2020 and
they hope to get on that agenda.
9. New Business
9.a 2020 Draft Project List
Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence explained that each month she meets with
Chair Goldade and Vice-chair Klepperich to plan the Commission Meeting agenda and Vice-chair
Klepperich mentioned that he would like the Commission to come up with four or five projects that
they would like staff to start working on for 2020.
Commissioner Sherer was not able to attend but did send Ms. Lawrence his suggested list:
• Dugouts for Mendakota Park
• Playground Improvements at Marie Park
• Civic Center Park – Field Lighting
• Friendly Hills Tennis Court Resurfacing
Chair Goldade stated that, based on the previous conversation, Marie Park is already on the draft
2020 Project List and Wentworth Tennis Courts is also on the list from last month.
Suggestions were made by the Commissioners as follows:
Commissioner Hinderscheid:
• Dedicated Pickleball Court
• Splash Pad (with 50% public support/donations) even though this was not recommended
by the City Council
Commissioner Cotter:
• Skate Park at Rogers Lake Resurfacing
• Marie Park
• Wentworth Tennis Courts Resurfacing
• Friendly Hills Tennis Court Resurfacing
Commissioner Meyer:
• Valley Park as a possibility for Pickle Ball Courts
• Par 3 Trail Connection
Commissioner Miller:
• Market Square Park – Shade Structure is questionable
• Stand alone Pickle Ball Facility somewhere
Commissioner Klepperich:
• Dugouts for Mendakota Park
• Wentworth Tennis Courts Resurfacing
• Friendly Hills Tennis Court Resurfacing
• Playground Improvements
Chair Goldade:
• Dugouts for Mendakota Park
Chair Goldade summarized the commission’s priorities as:
• Marie Park
• Wentworth Tennis Courts Resurfacing
• Dugouts for Mendakota Park
• Friendly Hills Tennis Court Resurfacing
• Stand-alone Pickle Ball Courts
Ms. Lawrence reminded the Commission of the continuing work on the Warming House that will
continue in 2020.
9.b Set Meeting Dates for 2020
Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence shared the proposed meeting dates for the
Commission in 2020. Traditionally, these meetings occur on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. The
Commissioners reviewed the dates and had no changes.
10. Staff Announcements
Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence made the following announcements:
• Flooding has and will continue for the rinks
• Unknown when warming houses will be open for the season – progress is being made
• Opening for the Parks and Recreation Commission as Mr. Miller will be completing his
term at the end of January - information can be found on the city's website
• Opening on the Planning Commission – information can be found on the city’s website
11. Student Representative Update
None.
12. Commission Comments and Park Updates
Vice-chair Klepperich:
• Acknowledged that Matthew Boland was given a very nice award at the Finals of the State
Football Tournament representing St. Thomas Academy – he was named their
Outstanding Teammate
• Shout out to the Public Works Crew for all of the work on the streets
Commissioner Meyer – no comments
Commissioner Hinderscheid:
• Complemented the Lego League presentation – they did a wonderful job and he was really
impressed
Commissioner Miller:
• Victoria Highlands Playground – one can no longer see the leftover baseball equipment;
however, it is probably under the snow
• Next month is his last month on the Parks & Recreation Commission; he suggested to the
members of the Mother’s Club that they should apply
Chair Goldade:
• Had a chance to walk Valley Park; lots of changes but it is still a beautiful park
• Has not been to Wentworth Park lately but he is sure the equipment is in and people are
playing on it
• The new fencing is in at the Dog Park for the small dogs
• It is a great time of year to go out and enjoy the weather, even if it is cold
13. Adjourn
Motion Klepperich/Second Meyer to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 PM
AYES 6: NAYS 0: ABSENT 1
Minutes Taken By:
C. Darlene Oehlke
Independent Contractor