2003-05-13 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
MAY 13, 2003
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held
on Tuesday, May 13, 2003 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
The following Commissioners were present: Chair Richard Spicer and Commissioners
Stan Linnell, Larry Craighead, Paul Portz, and Missie Hickey. Commissioners Dave
Libra and Raymond Morris were excused from the meeting. City Staff present were
Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander, Recreation Programmer Teresa Gangelhoff, and
Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. Mr. Hollister took the minutes. This
meeting was televised by NDCTV and replayed the following Friday at 1:00 pm and 7:00
pm.
Commissioner Portz moved to approve the April 8, 2003 as written.
Commissioner Craighead seconded the motion.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
BUROW FARM DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Hollister told the Commission that the Council had approved the application by
Daniel Tilsen for seven lots on the Burow Farm on Victoria Road. Mr. Hollister said that
the approval was contingent on the execution of a developer's agreement and that the
question of what form the park dedication should take was still unresolved. Mr. Hollister
added that it appeared that Mr. Tilsen would be applying for a Planned Unit Development
for a 24-unit condominium building on the same property.
Commissioner Portz recalled that the Parks Commission had recommended that the park
dedication go toward a structure in Marie Park. Commissioner Portz said that he visited
Marie Park over the weekend and wondered where an additional structure could fit, since
the park is not very large and it appears that there is not much available vacant land left
within the park. Commissioner Portz said that the park dedication money might be better
used elsewhere.
PAR 3 GOLF COURSE
Mr. Hollister reminded the Commission that Lyman Development had submitted a
Concept Plan for residential development of the Par 3 Golf Course. Mr. Hollister said
that both the Planning Commission and the Council indicated to Lyman that the City was
not interested in changing the Comprehensive Plan designation for the Golf Course to
facilitate residential development. Mr. Hollister added that it appears that Lyman has
abandoned pursuit of this development.
Chair Spicer said that he had lobbied the Council in the past to purchase the property, but
that they had chosen not to.
Commissioner Craighead moved to advise the Council that the PAR 3 property should
remain a golf course in perpetuity, either in private ownership or if necessary as a
municipal golf course.
Commissioner Hickey seconded the motion.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
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Mr. Kullander discussed the planned improvements to the City's playgrounds.
CROSS-COUNTRY SHI TRAIL
Mr. Kullander reminded the Commission that the Cross -County Ski Trail through Valley
Park was on the Parks Capital Improvement Plan for this year.
Chair Spicer suggestedthat asub-committee be formed to visit Valley Park and
determine an appropriate alignment for the cross-country ski trail.
Commissioners Linnell and Craighead volunteered to join Mr. Kullander in visiting
Valley Park and determining an appropriate alignment for the cross-country ski trail.
KENSINGTON FENCE REMOVAL
Mr. Kullander told the Commission that a neighbor to Kensington Park has asked if the
soccer fence could be removed.
Commissioner Linnell said that he would visit the park over the weekend to try to
determine if the fence was necessary.
Chair Spicer asked Mr. Kullander to put this item on the agenda for next month's meeting
so that Commissioner Libra could be present for the discussion. Chair Spicer asked Mr.
Kullander to send Commissioner Libra a copy of this agenda item. Chair Spicer said that
the resident should then be invited to the July Parks Commission meeting to discuss this
item.
Commissioner Craighead asked about the status of the Lexington Avenue Trail.
Mr. Hollister said that the trail would not be built this year, since Engineering occupied
with Town Center. Mr. Hollister said that he would ask City Engineer Marc Mogan to
provide a memo to the Commission at their June meeting on the trail.
SAINT THOMAS ICE ARENA
Commissioner Linnell asked about the park dedication required for the Saint Thomas
Hockey Arena,
Mr. Hollister said that the Council had agreed to waive the Park Dedication requirement
if Saint Thomas Academy could negotiate an agreement with MHAA for ice time.
The Commission asked Ms. Gangelhoff to report on the arrangement reached between
MHAA and Saint Thomas Arena at the next Council meeting.
UPDATES
Staff provided updates on the following items:
• Recreation Programmer's Update
• Rogers Lake Tier I Skateboard Park
• Bader
• Wagenknecht
• Police Report
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Motion made to adjourn by Portz and seconded by Craighead.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.