2005-05-10 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
MAY 10, 2005
The May 2005 meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was
held on Tuesday, May 10, 2005 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
Dave Libra, Larry Craighead, Raymond Morris, Stan Linnell, and Paul Portz.
Commissioner Missie Hickey was 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.
MINUTES
Commissioner Morris moved approval of the April 12, 2005 Parks and Recreation
Commission Minutes,
Commissioner Portz seconded the motion.
AYES:
NAYS:
RECREATION PROGRAMMER'S REPORT
Ms. Gangelhoff provided an overview of this summer's recreation activities and the June
4, 2005 Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks event.
MENDOTA HEIGHTS' SOTH ANNIVERSARY IN 2006
Mr. Kullander informed the Commission that at the recent City Council goal setting
workshop the Council indicated that they wished for the Parks Commission to take the
lead in the planning for the 50TH Anniversary of the City of Mendota Heights in 2006.
Mr. Kullander added that the Council thought that it might be good to fold the observance
of the anniversary into the annual Parks Celebration.
Chair Spicer asked the other Commissioners if they preferred to observe the anniversary
in conjunction with the Parks Celebration or hold a separate event.
The Commissioners generally agreed that it should be folded into the Parks Celebration,
Chair Spicer
said that it would be nice to combine it
with Mendakota's
Fourth of July
Celebration so that there would be fireworks as part
of the event.
Mr. Kullander said that it would be possible to have fireworks the evening of the Parks
Celebration if funding were available and if Mendakota Country Club would allow the
City to use their property to shoot the fireworks.
Chair Spicer suggested contacting Mendakota Country Club to discuss using their
property for a second fireworks display next year or to ask if they would consider moving
their display to the first Saturday in June.
Mr. Kullander pointed out that in his memo he recommended forming a committee to
meet on a regular basis to plan the anniversary observance next year, rather than trying to
pIan it during regular Parks Commission meetings. Mr. Kullander suggested including
representatives from the Police Department, Fire Department, Dakota County CDA
senior buildings, and major contributors to past Parks Celebrations,
Chair Spicer volunteered to serve on the committee and suggested meeting ahalf--hour
before the Parks Commission meeting. Chair Spicer suggested that the first Committee
meeting could be from 6:00-6:30 pm on June 14, 2005. Chair Spicer also suggested that
Staff research combining the event with Ziggy's Spring Fling or with a car show. Chair
Spicer asked Staff to remind him next month of the committee meeting so he will not
forget.
OPUS REDEVELOPMENT OF ECOLAB SITE
Mr. Hollister reported that OPUS was still showing the trail along Wachtler Avenue and
Highway 13 in accordance with the recommendations of the Parks and Recreation
Commission. Mr. Hollister also said that it appeared to remain the preference of both the
developer and the City thus far to provide the required Park Contribution in the form of
cash rather than land. Mr. Hollister added that in a meeting between City Staff and
OPUS on Monday afternoon, OPUS had indicated that as part of the trail installation
along Wachtler Avenue some storm sewer improvements would have to be made, and
that OPUS may be seeking to have the cost of the trail and the storm sewer improvements
paid for out of the cash park contribution.
OTHER ITEMS
Mr. Kullander reported on the following additional items:
Mr. Kullander said that the Lexington Avenue Trail has been paved and restoration of turf
is underway.
2
Mr. Kullander proposed rearrangement of some of the Parks Commission's previously
identified priorities for playground equipment for 2006. Mr. Kullander said that he would
like to propose that refurbished play equipment from the year's project at Marie Park be
installed at Valley View Heights Park and Mendakota Park next year instead of Victoria
Highlands and Ivy Hills as previously planned.
The Commission indicated that Mr. Kullander was free to make his suggested revisions to
the priority list, but that actual implementation of these projects would have to wait until
the status of the potential influx of cash from the OPUS/EcoLab project is certain.
VERBAL UPDATES
Staff provided the following updates:
• Police Report
ADJOURN
Commissioner Portz moved to adjourn.
Commissioner Craighead seconded the motion.
AYES:
NAYS:
The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.