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2006-04-11 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL ll, 2006 The Apri12006 meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 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 Paul Portz, Dave Libra, Tom Kraus, and Larry Craighead. Commissioners Raymond Morris and Missie Hickey were excused from the meeting. City Staff present were Operations and Projects Coordinator Guy Kullander, Recreation Programmer Teresa Gangelhoff, and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. Councilmember Duggan was also present. Mr. Hollister took the minutes. MINUTES Cormnissioner Portz moved approval of the March 14, 2006 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes, Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 CHAIR SPICER'S REPORT ON COMMITTEE MEETING TO PLAN 2006 PARK CELEBRATION/SOT" ANNIVERSARY RECOGNITION Chair Spicer acknowledged Mr. Bill Wolston in the audience and invited him speak about the SOa Anniversary Celebration. Mr. Wolston said that he and some other residents are working on compiling a historical overview of Mendota Heights. Mr. Wolston invited the Comrissioners to provide him with their favorite stories about Mendota Heights. Mr. Wolston extended the same request to anyone watching the meeting on television. Mr. Wolston displayed on the screen a publication by the Dakota County Historical Society entitled "Over the Years" which shows a Cargill tanker going under the Mendota Bridge. Chair Spicer thanked Mr. Wolston for his contributions to the celebration. Chair Spicer noted some of the events that will be occurring for the celebration, including a wine and cheese tasting and a dance Friday evening at the Village at Mendota Heights. Chair Spicer said that Saturday there will be a parade in the afternoon, MHAA sports events, and a 5K walk and run. Chair Spicer said that T-shirts will be available for a fee and classic cars will be on display all day and evening. Chair Spicer said that there will be music by Paul Heffron and the Rockin' Holllywoods. Chair Spicer added that there will be neighborhood contests between the City's 16 neighborhoods. Councilmember Duggan said that Saturday will be a full day of activities, including salsa dance lessons. Councilmember Duggan said that sponsoring, volunteering and early registration is encouraged. Councilmember Duggan said that he hoped for at least as large an attendance as is typical at the Halloween bonfire. Councilmember Duggan said that he is always looking for volunteers. Councilmember Duggan thanked Chair Spicer and the Parks and Recreation Commission for their help. Mr. Wolston said that any historical contributions should be submitted by the ls` or 2"d of May. Chair Spicer thanked Mr. Wolston and Councilmember Duggan. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Commissioner Libra nominated Chair Spicer for another term as Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Commissioner Portz seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: Chair Spicer thanked the Commission for re-electing him as Chair. Commissioner Craighead nominated Commissioner Libra to serve as Vice -Chair for 2006. Commissioner Libra respectfully declined the nomination. Commissioner Libra nominated Commissioner Portz to serve as Vice -Chair for 2006. Commissioner Portz seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 Commissioner Portz thanked the Commission for electing him as Vice -Chair. CLASSIC CARS FOR THE 50Tn ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Commissioner Libra said that he wished to add a comment about the classic cars at the anniversary celebration. Commissioner Libra said that there would be about 75 cars mainly from the 1950s, but that any classic cars would be welcome. Commissioner Libra said that anyone who wished to enter their car into the car show should call City Hall at 452-1850. Commissioner Libra said that every participant would receive a "dash plaque", and that there would be additional awards for "chosen" cars. Commissioner Libra said that some cars would be participating in a parade on June 3. Commissioner Libra showed a sample dash plaque. MHAA REQUEST FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS Chair Spicer acknowledged Mr. Teary Blum in the audience. Chair Spicer said that the City had received a letter for Mr. Mike Kuenster asking for improvements to the Mendakota and Civic Center ballfields. Chair Spicer noted that one of the requests was for a maintenance building near the batting cage at Mendakota Park. Chair Spicer asked Mr. Kullander to get a quote and see if MHAA would be willing to share the expense. Chair Spicer also asked Mr. Kullander to work with Mr. Blum to determine an appropriate location for the maintenance building. Commissioner Portz said that he was glad to see MHAA coming forward requesting help, and that the City wanted to support MHAA. Mr. Kullander said that he talked to Mr. Kuenster before the meeting and invited hirn to come to the meeting. Mr. Kullander said that he also suggested, however, that MHAA come up with specific dollar contributions that MHAA would be willing to provide. Mr Kullander said that he anticipated that some of the requests would likely be approved by Council, but that others might be more controversial such as scoreboards. Commissioner Craighead asked about the rationale for replacing the backstop and moving the ballfield fences in. Mr. Kullander said that baseballs tend to go into the pond. Mr. Kullander said that a few years ago MHAA and the City had discussed a domed backstop but that there was a disagreement over the impact it would have on the play of the game. Mr. Kullander said that MHAA wishes to bring in the outfield fence 20 or 30 feet to use strictly for youth baseball. Mr. Kullander said that at one time the City did put fill out there to extend the outfield, but the City received a notice from the DNR because of wetlands. Comrissioner Craighead said that converting the ballfield to youth -only would require input from other users of the ballfield. l;rAy� v�r��u� z�zel ��yut�; `1;7�1717;s Chair Spicer noted that Ms. Gangelhon s report included Safety Camp, Valley Fair, a Light Rail Ride, the Arboretum, Tennis Camp, and Golf Camp. Chair Spicer also noted the Clifford Timm Memorial Fishing Derby on July 12, 2006 at Rogers Lake Park fishing dock. Chair Spicer noted that he and Commissioner Craighead helped with the event last year and that it was aired on TST. Ms. Gangelhoff said that the Fishing Derby will again be aired on IT and that at the 50`h Anniversary, all of the usual events will still occur from 12-3. Ms. Gangelhoff invited the Commissioners to come to the activities. Mr. Kullander provided an overview of current restoration activities on the Pilot Knob site to date. Mr. Kullander said that he and Paul Portz were at the last activity. Mr. Kullander said that the next activity will be on May 27, Saturday morning from 9:00- noon. Mr. Kullander said that refreshments are served, and that last time about 30 people volunteered. Mr. Kullander said that the purpose of the second session is to address the buckthorn along the west boundary line with Acacia Cemetery, Chair Spicer suggested notifying former Commissioner Linnell, since he has always been concerned about this issue. Commissioner Portz said that the restoration activities were a worthwhile endeavor. Commissioner Portz said that the activities enabled him to see the beauty of the site and the view from the site of the surrounding area. Commissioner Portz said that Pilot Knob is a nice asset to the area. Commissioner Portz said that the City's purchase of the land represents a sacrifice of tax base, but that it was for a good cause and that the site will serve the community well. Commissioner Portz said that the site is nice because it is somewhat secluded. Commissioner Portz said that he was aware of the discussions about the land immediately to the east of this site and asked if the City should add more land to the Pilot Knob site. Commissioner Portz also said that the coffee and donuts were good at the workday. NORTH URBAN REGIONAL TRAIL (HURT) Chair Spicer commented that the NURT plans had been changed slightly in the vicinity of Henry Sibley High School because of the wetlands. Mr. Kullander said that the NURT trail plans will be presented by Dakota County to the City Council on April 18th. Mr. Kullander said that the County has to let the contract and construct the trail this year. 0 Commissioner Craighead expressed concern about the 20 or 30 young trees. Commissioner Craighead asked what the tradeoff was for going up the hill. Commissioner Craighead asked if the path could be 5 feet wide instead of 8 feet wide. Mr. Kullander said that the federal funding requires that the trail be a minimum of eight feet wide. Mr. Kullander said that if the slope to the wetland was too steep, a bicyclist could lose control. Mr. Kullander said that the County would have to bench it into the hillside and put in a retaining wall. PROPOSED T-MOBILE ANTENNA TOWER IN WENTWORTH PARK Mr. Kullander showed a drawing of the proposed T-Mobile antennae tower in Wentworth Park. Mr. Kullander said that he had received several phone calls from residents about the tower. Mr. Kullander showed a diagram of the 120-foot tall tower with a crow's nest. Mr. Kullander said that the 120-foot height anticipated that other carriers would also want to be on the pole. If no other carriers wish to be on the pole, T-Mobile could revert to a shorter pole. Chair Spicer said that if the tower is approved for Wentworth Park, he would hope that some proportion of the rental revenue would go to the Special Parks Fund, LILYDALE TENNIS CLUB Mr. Kullander explained that since the Lilydale Tennis Club is about to close, the City has been approached by some members for possible replacement sites in the City of Mendota Heights. Mr. Kullander showed two possible sites on a map. Mr. Hollister explained that currently the 11 acre site the City purchased several years ago frOM Resurrection Cemetery appears to be the preferable site. Mr. Hollister said that the Council authorized the City Administrator to update the appraisal of that site to determine the current value of the land. Mr. Hollister said that a representative of Lifetime Fitness has been in touch with the Lilydale Tennis Club members about the possibility of building a Lifetime Fitness facility with extra tennis courts to accommodate their needs. Mr. Hollister said that Staff would keep the Parks and Recreation Commission informed as the issue progressed. Commissioner Libra moved to adjourn. Commissioner Kraus seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.