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2020-07-14 Joint Council-Parks Commission MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY STATE OF MINNESOTA Minutes of the Joint City Council — Parks Recreation Commission Work Session Held July 14, 2020 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session of the City Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission, City of Mendota Heights, Minnesota, was held at the Fire Station, 2121 Dodd Road, Mendota Heights, Minnesota. TOUR OF FIRE STATION Members present took a tour of the new Fire Station facilities. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Garlock called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Councilors Duggan, Miller, Paper, and Petschel were also present. Parks and Recreation Commission members present included Cotter, Klepperich, Meyer, and Sherer. City staff present included Mark McNeill, City Administrator; Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director; Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator; Meredith Lawrence, Recreation Program Coordinator; and Lorri Smith, City Clerk. TWO YEAR PROJECT DISCUSSION City Administrator Mark McNeill gave an overview of the Special Parks Fund, stating that the fund currently has a balance of $626,000. An additional amount of $192,000 is anticipated when the development of The Village vacant lots occurs later this year. These funds can be used for acquisition of park property, development of a park, or improvements to our parks. The money cannot be used for operation costs or maintenance costs. Recreation Program Coordinator Meredith Lawrence and Mr. McNeill informed the group that the Par 3 Fund is no longer an enterprise fund. The Par 3 Fund is now classified as a Special Revenue Fund. Councilor Petschel noted that the Par 3 bonds will be paid in full in the year 2023. After that, some or all of this money could go to the Special Parks Fund and be available to help sustain the parks. The Mayor agreed with that statement. Councilor Paper suggested that the City may have to look at another referendum in the future to help maintain the parks. Councilor Duggan stated that the Par 3 funds are all city monies and maybe only a portion should be used for parks. Administrator McNeill said that the use of the amount of property tax levy for parks would be a decision which would be made by the City Council which is in office at that time. The following parks projects were discussed: Wentworth Grant Requirements. The warming house replacement is estimated to cost $169,000, which does not include utilities or concrete costs. The Wentworth parking lot improvements are estimated to cost $90,000. It was noted that the playground was completed in 2019. It is anticipated that the warming house and parking lot will be completed in 2021. If received, the grant will reimburse the city $180,000 for these expenditures. 2. Wentworth Tennis Court Replacement. Public Works Director Ruzek stated that after the Parks tour, it was unanimous that this tennis court should be replaced. The city is hopeful to receive a USTA grant, which is typically $20,000. The project would be completed in 2021, and is estimated to cost $80,000. There was consensus to move this project forward. 3. Replace tennis courts with pickle ball courts at Valley Park, or construct new pickle ball courts at another area. The Valley Park tennis courts could be turned into 2 pickle ball courts at a cost estimated to be $80,000. There was concern about the noise this may cause for the Valley Park neighborhood. Another option being considered is to construct new pickle ball courts at the current skate park, Hagstrom King Park, or at Mendakota Park. Friendly Hills Hockey rink should also be considered to be used for pickle ball courts. This is estimated to cost $120,000. There was consensus to look for other areas for the pickle ball courts due to the noise they may cause at Valley Park. It was noted that the Marie Park pickle balls courts see a lot of use. Meredith Lawrence, Recreation Program Coordinator, noted that the users of the Marie Avenue pickle ball courts would like to see an area dedicated specifically for pickle ball courts. Mayor Garlock stated he would like to see the city expand the pickle ball options. Councilor Petschel recommended that the Friendly Hills hockey rink be striped for pickle ball courts, and to see how much use these courts receive, then to discuss this item again in the future. The Council and Commission members agreed. 4. Basketball court expansion at Hagstrom King. This basketball court would be expand to almost a full court at a cost of $16,000. There was consensus to move this project forward. 5. Mendakota Dugouts. Mr. Ruzek stated he received one quote for $96,000 to construct dugouts at the ballfields in Mendakota Park. There was consensus that Mr. Ruzek should get one more quote, then the Council would be asked to approve proceeding with the project. 6. Playground Replacement at Marie Park. It is proposed to replace this playground equipment estimated to cost $160,000. This project would be completed in 2021. Mr. Ruzek suggested that this be bid out as a whole design bid. This would allow the bidders to be creative, keeping the current equipment if they can fit it into the plan. Commissioner Cotter stressed that the Parks and Recreation Commission needs to have consistency in budgeting, and then a park could be updated every year. Mayor Garlock agreed and suggested that a 10 or 20 year long-term improvement plan be developed. 7. Determine future of Dog Park. Five years ago, the off leash dog area was designated as being an interim use at its current location, near Pilot Knob Hill. The designation is scheduled to expire this year. Since that time, some improvements have been made to improve this use as an off -leash dog park. There was consensus to continue the off leash dog area designation for another five years at its current location. July 14, 2020 Joint City Council -Parks Rec Commission Work Session page 2 of3 & Determine Future of Skate Park. Issues with the skate park were discussed. It was noted that if this is to continue to be used as a skate park, then improvements will be needed. $10,000 has been budgeted this year to make improvements in the park features. For safety purposes, the entire base surface of the park will need to be replaced in the coming years. Councilor Paper stated that he does not think the city should eliminate this park. He suggested the city figure out a better way to maintain it. There was consensus to hold off on spending the $10,000 that was budgeted for this year to improve the features, and to put that money towards the replacement of the base surface in the coming years. FETWORIBIRRI The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 pm. Neil Garlock, Mayor Lord Smith, City Clerk July 14, 2020 Joint City Council -Parks Rec Connnnissio n Work Session page 3 of3