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2005-03-08 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Imo/ F1T•7 i�:�IIIII.� 6:30 p.m. —Council Chambers 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. February 8, 2005 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes 4. Somerset Elementary School Playground Improvements 5. Eco-Lab Redevelopment Concept Plan 6. Updates • Recreation Programmer's Report • Police Report 7. Other Comments 8. Adjourn Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities are available upon request at least 120 hours in advance. If a notice of less than 120 hours is received, the City of Mendota Heights will make every attempt to provide the aids. This may not, however, be possible on short notice. Please contact City Administration at (651) 452-1850 with requests. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 8, 2005 The February 2005 meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, February 8, 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, Stan Linnell, Larry Craighead, and Paul Portz. Commissioners Missie Hickey and Raymond Morris were excused from the meeting. City Staff present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister Mr. Hollister took the minutes. MINUTES Commissioner Portz moved approval of the January 11, 2005 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes with revisions. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: Chair Spicer noted that Ms. Gangelhoff was recovering from surgery and would not be present this evening. Chair Spicer asked Staff if the City had received any comments from residents, either positive or negative, about the extended rink hours Mr. Hollister and Mr. Kullander said that to their knowledge they had not received any comments on the extended rink hours. Chair Spicer commended Ms. Gangelhoff on her winter/spring recreation schedule. ?.CO -LAB REDEVELOPMENT CONCEPT PLAN Mr. Kullander presented a copy of the Eco-Lab Redevelopment Concept Plan submitted to the City by Opus. Mr. Kullander said that the Planning Commission would review this concept plan at their regular meeting on February 22. Chair Spicer said that it appeared that Opus was proposing a total of 131 housing units. Mr. Kullander said that there were two issues that Staff was seeking guidance on from the Parks and Recreation Commission: 1) Easements for Trails. Mr. Kullander said that it was Staff s opinion that the City should require easements for trails as part of the development. Mr. Kullander said that he felt that it would be better to have the trail back further from the road for both safety purposes and tree preservation. 2) Park Dedication. Mr. Kullander said that Staff was suggesting that the City accept the required Park Dedication for the development in the form of cash rather than land, because City plans do not indicate a park in this location and if the City accepted a land dedication it could prove to be more maintenance trouble than public benefit. Chair Spicer agreed that it would be better for the City to take the cash instead of land. Mr. Kullander added that the Eco-Lab site is at the intersection of a state highway and a county road, and that those jurisdictions would have to approve the trails if constructed within the roadway right-of-way. Commissioner Craighead asked if the City could get either MnDOT or Dakota County to pay for the trails. Mr. Kullander said that because of the proximity of this site to the Big Rivers Trail, and the possibility of making a trail connection from the site to the Big Rivers Trail, it may be possible to get grant money from the state, county, or DNR for this trail segment. Commissioner Linnell said that it would be desirable to complete the trail connections to both Wentworth Avenue and Lilydale after this development is completed. Commissioner Linnell said that he would also encourage the developer to provide sidewalks within the development. Commissioner Linnell said that there may not be room to place a "trail rest area" with a small shelter or benches on the site, and that these things would have to be a future consideration. Commissioner Linnell agreed with the idea of requesting MnDOT, County, or DNR funding assistance. Commissioner Libra said that he agreed with taking cash instead of land, and that he also would like to get state or county funds so that the cash dedication is not partially expended by grading for the trail. Commissioner Libra added that Wachtler and Highway 13 is a busy intersection, and therefore he agreed with having the trail "cut the corner" to keep the bikers further from the road. Mr. Kullander remarked that people tend to take the shortest route available anyway, so the trail might as well cut the comer. 2 TOBACCO -FREE PARKS Mr. Kullander explained that the Police Chief had provided him with information on efforts by some cities in Minnesota to ban smoking in their parks. Mr. Hollister said that he had talked to the Police Chief last week, and that the Chief had clarified that he was not asking Mendota Heights to adopt a similar measure, but that he only provided this as an information item. Chair Spicer said that since there was a bill related to this topic currently under consideration in the state legislature, it would be best to wait to see the outcome of that bill before the City took any unilateral action. VERBAL UPDATES Staff provided the following updates: • Police Report OTHER COMMENTS Chair Spicer announced that Commissioner Portz had been hired by Century College as their new Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services. The Commission congratulated Commissioner Portz, ADJOURN Commissioner Linnell moved to adjourn. Commissioner Portz seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: The meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. City of Mendota Heights MVASUR WEAL l Memo to: Parks &Recreation Commission From: Guy Kullander, Operations & Projects Coordinator Subject: Request for City Funding Participation in Planned Playground Upgrades at Somerset Elementary School Presentation: Debi McConnell, Somerset PTA and Mary Bowman, Principal at Somerset Elementary will attend tonight's meeting and wish to discuss their project with the Commission. Background: The Parent Teachers Association at Somerset Elementary School (Ind. School District 197) wishes to upgrade the school's playground areas this summer. They and school administrative staff have conducted several fundraisers during the past several years, obtained substantial commitments from the School District, and are now seeking funding support from local groups and the City. The play equipment proposed for.replacement was installed in the early 1970"s (steel "monkey -bars", geodesic dome, swings, etc) and a second play area (slides, ramps, etc) in the 1990. None of equipment to be removed would meet current ADA and Consumer Product Safety Guidelines. Their improvement plan consists of removal of the two of the existing three play areas and restoration of these sites with turf. Installation of new play components and an asphalt basketball & play courts north of the existing equipment on an existing flat playground area. They also propose to extend the asphalt trail, installed on the west side of the school by the City in 1991, through the playground area to Dodd Rd, Discussion: The City has previously supported playground improvements in 1991 at Mendota Elementary (City contributed funds for handicap components and surfacing which amounted to approximately one-third of costs - $8,000.00), at Friendly Hills Middle School in 2000 ($5,000.00forsite amenities), and at Mendota Elementary in 2001 ($81 000.00 or one-third whichever was less). Recommendation: Allow Ms McConnell and Ms Bowman to present the details of their project and the Commission so desires, make a recommendation to the City Council to provide funding support, from the Special Parks Fund, for this project. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 10, 2001 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights darks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, July 10, 2001, in the Large Conference Room 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, Dave Libra, Lang Craighead, and Paul Portz, Raymond Morris, and Jay Liberacki. City Staff present were Recreation Programmer Mary Hapka and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. Also present was resident Lenny Axelrod. An Hollister took the minutes. MINUTES Commissioner Linnell moved to approve the June 12, 2001 minutes. Commissioner Morris seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: MENDOTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT Mr. Hollister reminded the Commission that at the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on May 8, 2001, Mr. Lenny Axelrod, Mendota Elementary parent, Mr. Steve Goldade, Mendota Elementary Principal, and Mr. Richard Gray of TKDA continued their discussion with the Commission regarding the condition of playground equipment at Mendota Elementary School. Mr. Hollister recounted that Mr. Axelrod had told the Commission that Mendota Elementary had very old playground equipment and that he was searching for various sources of funding to upgrade the equipment and create a "learning center". Mr. Hollister added that Mr. Axelrod had also told the Commission that he was also searching for revenue sources among the school district, the state, and the parent PTA school committee, as well as individual teachers and parents. Mr. Hollister said that Chair Spicer had told Mr. Axelrod that the City's own playground needs had to take priority over assisting the school district with school playgrounds but that in concept he was not adverse to providing assistance to Mendota Elementary for this playground equipment. Mr. Hollister said that Chair Spicer had added that in order to receive his support the equipment would need to meet ADA standards, the City would have to be released from any potential liability, and the City would not contribute more than one third of the cost of the equipment. Mr. Hollister said that Chair Spicer had also advised Mr. Axelrod that he could not speak for the Council and that the Council would have to authorize any contribution to this effort. Mr. Hollister said that Chair Spicer had asked Mr. Axelrod to return to a future Commission meeting when he had a formal commitment from the school district to contribute to the cost of the equipment. Mr. Hollister said that if the Commission wished to recommend to the Council that the City contribute to this project, they should keep in mind that any contribution from the Special Parks Fund towards this project may displace or postpone one of the City's own projects already scheduled on the Parks Capital Improvement Plan. Mr. Axelrod submitted an update on his efforts for discussion with the Parks Commission, including a letter indicating an $8,000 commitment from the school district. Mr. Axelrod gave a brief presentation to the Commission and then answered questions. Commissioner Linnell moved to recommend that the Council authorize a contribution from the Special Parks Fund to the Mendota Elementary Playground equipment, in an amount of $5,000. The other Commissioners persuaded Commissioner Linnell to amend his motion to an amount of $8,000. Commissioner Linnell moved to recommend that the Council authorize a contribution from the Special Parks Fund to the Mendota Elementary Playground equipment, in an amount of the either $8,000 or one-third the total cost of the project, whichever is least. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 UPDATES Staff provided updates on the following items: • June Recreation Report (Available Tuesday) • Hagstrom-King Tennis Court • Police Report Commissioner Craighead asked Staff to provide an update on the Delaware Trail discussions at the August Commission meeting. Chair Spicer asked Staff for a review of the Parks CIP at the August Commission meeting. Page No. 16 July 24, 2001 MENDOTA SCHOOL Council acknowledged a request from Mendota Elementary School PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT Principal Steven Goldade for city financial assistance for upgrading the playground equipment at the Mendota Elementary School. Council also acknowledged an associated report from Assistant Hollister. Mr. Lenny Axelrod, a parent and member of the Mendota Elementary playground committee was also present. Mr. Goldade stated that the school has gathered parents and district staff to come up with a comprehensive plan on what they would like to do to finish the school site over the next one to 20 years. They worked with the architect firm TKDA and came up with an elaborate plan, but he and others are here tonight to talk with Council with one small piece. There is a playground to the north of the building that is used by the students during recess and also by the community. Families come up and play at the playground over the summer months. It has been 8 to 10 years since the playground has been updated, and the group has spent nine months talking about safety, handicapped accessibility and what would be fun for students and community members. They have come up with a plan to purchase about $22,000 worth of playground equipment from Earl F. Anderson Equipment to tie into what already exists. He reviewed the highlights of the proposed playground. This is a joint effort between the district and the PTA, which has done a major part of the fundraising. The total cost will be about $32,000. The school district will fund $8,000. The PTA has donated $26,000, Mayor Mertensotto stated that the school has asked the Parks and Recreation Commission to recommend contributing $8,000 from the Special Park Fund, yet funding already exceeds the playground costs. He asked what that would go for. Mr. Goldade stated that the Pazk Commission stated that they would want the money to go towards equipment. They recommended a third of the equipment cost up to a total contribution of $8,000. Right now, the equipment cost is $22,666. The $2,000 that is left over would be used for new blacktop. Councilmember Dwyer pointed out that the total cost is $32,000 and funding is $34,000. Mr. Goldade stated that the total cost is not $32,000. $6,000 was spent for consultants and that was funded through PTA contributions. In addition, the re will also be new blacktop to the north of the building, costing $5,000. There is $2,000 needed to remove the old equipment, and $1,000 needed for new pea rock.. The school district is paying for those costs. The total cost is $40,000. Page No. 18 July 24, 2001 Councilmember Krebsbach stated that Council needs to know why the school needs $8,000 from the city. Mr. Goldade responded that the students who attend the school are members of the community, and they are also using it after school time. The city contribution would only go towards equipment, since that was the Park Commission condition. Mayor Mertensotto stated that if Council adopts the commission recommendation to spend $8,000 out of the special park fund, the city would require that the money not be paid until the project is complete. Councilmember Dwyer pointed out that the recommendation was $8,000 or one-third of the cost of the equipment, whichever is less. Mr. Goldade stated that the current bid for equipment is $22,666, so the school would be asking for one-third of that. Responding to a question from Councilmember Schneeman, Mr. Goldade stated that Mendota School houses the district's Autism program and another special program called the MMI program, and there are about 25 students in both those programs. The play equipment is geared to those children as well. Councilmember Dwyer moved to authorize an $8,000 expenditure from the Special Park Commission with the condition that the $8,000 be a contribution towards playground equipment for installation at Mendota Elementary and that the school district be entitled to reimbursement from the city upon completion and certification that the project has been completed. Councilmember Schneeman seconded the motion. Ayes: 5 Nays: 0 omerset parents, children and staff are thrilled about plans for a new playground to be built this summer. The playground will enhance the lives of Somerset students and children throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. We are writing to ask for the City' of Mendota Heights financial support in making this community resource a reality, bleed gar updated playground equipment If you haven't visited the playground with your children, you may The cost of wonder about our needs. First, except for a new slide, the school playground has not changed for more than 30 years. Because of the age today's and design of the current equipment, the district safety engineer (Dan Anderson) does not recommend retaining any of the older equipment. In playground addition, the equipment is likely to be severely damaged on removal Challenges of the design and equipment of our current playground are: equipment ® Playground equipment is located on two different ground levels making it impossible to keep fall protection materials in place to exceeds the protect our children. It also makes it difficult to properly supervise children. 'v- The height of much of the current equipment is not age - capacity of the appropriate for Somerset children. Today's new playground equipment is not designed at the extreme heights that can be 220 families of found in Somerset's current playground. The height of the current equipment makes any fall of great concern. Somerset. We ® If children should have an accident, emergency access is very difficult. New equipment is designed for that capability. need the Our single basketball hoop is currently on a fairly steep hill, making any game difficult. v The majority of our equipment is made of a metal surface created generosity of more than 30 years ago. Our current equipment is slippery, hard and cold, again increasing the possibility of falls. New equipment our entire has surface finishes that greatly increase safety. community to Need for land improvements to protect Wetlands The playground equipment will be relocated to higher, level ground, to complete this eliminate the current soil erosion and movement of fall protection material into the wetland area. As you will note on the attached map, endeavor. the proposed playground will be moved further from the stream (in excess of 100 feet), creating a larger buffer between the play areas and the wetland property. The ball field on the north side of the school, which is used by community teams, will be retained. Fundsne Sources District 197 is very supportive and has committed significant resources to many aspects of the project, possible now with the passing of the bond referendum. The district is responsible for all ground preparation, including regrading the slope to the stream, leveling the surface area of a new playground, and extending a handicap accessible asphalt path from the parking lot to the bridge connecting the playground to the surrounding neighborhood. The District will also remove the existing equipment and pay for installation of the new equipment and fall protection materials. The District's generous contribution will be approximately 33% of the total project. Somerset's PTA is working to raise funds for the actual equipment in a variety of ways. The PTA has: Committed funds they have saved over several years for this project. Held school fundraisers including a highly successful silent auction and raffle, coffee sales and a coin collection from the students. Applied for and received a $6,000 grant from the Sibley Hockey Boosters. In the process of soliciting support from area businesses. June 13-24 Excavation and equipment removal June 27 -July 8 Equipment installation July ll —15 Installation of asphalt path and fall protection July 18 — 22 Project Completion 0 on Since the playground directly enhances property values of the neighboring residences and will be a positive attraction for City residents, we would like to ask for financial support from the City. Cost Breakdown: Land preparation, grading, access path $25,000 District 197 Basketball court/hoops, asphalt play area District 197 Equipment installation/fall protection District 197 Climbing Wall $ 6,000 Sibley Hockey Boosters Playground Equipment $45,000 Somerset PTA, contributors Total $769000 Somerset requests City funds of $15,000 or 1/3 the tort of the playground equipment (20'/0 of the total project). Attachment: Topographical /and map: p/ayground p/acement �ti�,� ... _ .r ., . �� �� _� ,- ,- - ---� � v � �� � l I �' '� Mendota Elementary IS ak M School City • Mendota Heights 1324 3�7 650 703 P. L�4YAREq- 7970's m 1416 City of Mendota Heights MEMORANDUM March 41h, 2005 Memo to: Parks and Recreation Commission From: Guy Kullander, Operations & Projects Coordinator Subject: Proposed Housing Development on Eco Lab'site Background: Opus NWR Development, L.L.C. met with the Planning Commission on February 22nd and based on comments from that Commission meeting presented a modified "Concept Plan" to the City Council last Tuesday that splits the large condominium building into two buildings and lowered the overall density of proposed housing units from 131 to 120 (see plan dated Feb. 26`', 2005). With comments from the City Council, Planning and Park Commissions Opus will now formalize their plans for this site and submit a formal application to the City for review by Council and both the Planning and Park Commissions. Discussion: Two issues presented to the Council by the developer last Tuesday, that I believe the Park and Recreation Commission should be aware of, are the proposed location of the pedestrian/bike trail and removal of existing vegetation (trees) on the site. At last months meeting the Commission recommended future trail construction along Wachtler Ave. (east side) and Sibley Memorial Highway (north side). The developer proposes trail construction along the west side of the project site extending southerly into the Park Place area and westerly along Highway 13. One rational for this location was to save removal of trees along Wachtler (see attached Trail Map). The second issue is the loss of trees. Because bedrock is only a few feet below existing ground level the developer proposes to bring dirt (fill material) onto the site and raise the overall ground level six to eight feet. Raising the site will allow easier installation of sewer, water and other utilities and allows development of "walk -out" townhouse units. The down side is that all existing trees in the fill area(s) will have to be removed (see map illustrating "fill area"). Action Required: None. This memo is for information only. When the developer submits their planning application to the City a formal presentation, by the developer, will be placed on the Park's agenda. !� I� 11 Nnrlli II 25 ill 1011 F'1 Fcbruaq 26, 2005 Scale: I ' = 60' rp'iF Imm,and l'lonmm� 6m 07J Bloodgoal Sharp BUSleC Itl am am Fa I I" `'.Slain hl`r Concept Site Plan 82U/84U Sibley Memorial Highway Mew n ltic NWR nevelooment. L.L.C. N Existing Conditions 820/840 Sibley Memorial Highway Opus NWR Development, L.L.C. Iaiivary zz, zoos Scale: 1" = 60' EA� emiuMe Wd n.1111�. mD ®y Bloodgood Sharp Buster :r CONCEPT PLAN Econ Lab / ODUS I Concept Plan, presented _ � -��_..� by Developer proposes WA area On on site to develop walk-oi. couple of feet below exist<ng Conditions" map ites where tree/vegetation ill occur. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMORANDUM Date: March 4, 2005 To: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION From: TERESA GANGELHOFF RE: JANUARY 2005 PARKS AND RECREATION REPORT Celebrate Mendota Heights Look for the Park Celebration to be held next June 4 h. If you would like to sponsor an event or donate time please contact Teresa. Youth Trips Two trips are planned during spring break. The first trip is on Tuesday, March 22 to Grand Slam and then to Roller skating and the second trip Thursday, March 24 to Camp Snoopy, Skating Lessons Skating lessons held at Friendly Hills on Saturday's finished on February 12 with 22 children participating. Ice Rinks Rinks closed on Saturday, February 12 at noon. Please see attached memo for rink usage report. Tennis A pre-school program is now in place. The rest of the program is in place to run the same as last year except we will run the lessons according to ability with more advanced youth in a in- house tennis program along with their lesson. I hope to add one more part-time High School assistant for a 1-7 ratio during lesson time which will be covered by a fee increase. Lessons had to be switched to Visitation courts instead of Henry Sibley as they are under repair this summer. Softball All 3 leagues are filled for this upcoming season. Men's D (8 teams) and Women's D (6 teams) on Tuesday nights and Men's Over 30 (8 teams) on Thursday nights Golf Plans are to run the same program as last year at the Par 3 this summer. No Saturday or lessons or leagues. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS lElfJlJWUW9I!191yJ 2005 Summer Events planned: April 1: Sign up start for Golf and Tennis May 3: Adult Softball Leagues Start June 4, 2005 Park Celebration (please let Teresa know if you are interested in volunteering or making a donation to this event) June 4: Teddy Bear Band Mendakota Park (Summer Performances in the Park) June 4: Alphabits (Summer Performances in the Park) June 15: Splatter Sisters Performance at Pre -School Trucks and Travel Show (working with ECFE program on this) at Henry Sibley High School Parking lot. (Summer Performance in the Parks) Thursday Youth Trips start up June 16 June 13: Projected date to start Tennis Program (goal 205 kids in 2005!) End of June? Imagination Station starts at Friendly Hills and Marie Parks (6 weeks) on Monday afternoon. July 13: Fishing Derby -Rogers Lake July 13: Kevin Hall Magic Show at Rogers Lake -following fishing derby. (Summer Performance in the Parks) Friday, July 29: Tennis Party for all participants at Visitation High School July 30: Adult Softball League (all) playoffs and championship tournament August 16, 17 and 18: Safety Camp August 24: Paul Heffron Band (Summer Performance in the Parks) along with Thompson Park Root beer floats at Mendakota Park Pavilion August 25: Final youth trip to Valleyfair. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS Iu I DILrito] TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Teresa Gangelhoff —Recreation Programmer SUBJECT: Ice Rink Usage through from 2001/2002 to 2004/2005 seasons DISCUSSION: Here is what I have records of since the season of 2001/02 (my first season here) to this past season 2004/05, For 2001/02 the rinks were only open 27 days compared to the next two years when the rinks were opened at least 60 or more days. The first season the counts were taken every two hours and the next two seasons the counts were taken every hour. The first season the ice was in very poor condition due to weather and Terry from Public Works commenting that this was the worst he has seen in all his years working here The rinks opened on January 5tn They were open 22 of the 27 days. They were open 8 days in February. The rinks officially closed on February I Itn Adding up the logs of skaters we had: 634 skaters in 30 days used Marie Park 591 skaters in 30 days used Friendly Hills 447 skaters in 30 days used Wentworth Counts were taken every 2 hours,. The 2002/03 season The rinks opened on December 27th, 2002 and officially closed on March 2, 2003. We were open a total of 60 days and closed down 6 days due to poor weather/ice conditions. We tried to stay open as much as possible as kids want to at least play boot hockey when the ice is to bumpy to skate. This was not a very good year for skating and Terry and his crew did their best trying to keep the ice in good skating condition. The weather did not always cooperate. This years numbers were up from last year but last year the weather was even warmer and we were closed more often.: Counts were taken every hour. MARIE:1464 total in 60 days WENTWORTH: 898 total in 60 days FRIENDLY HILLS: 881 total in 60 days The 2003/04 season had higher usage as the weather cooperated and made for great ice conditions and skating. The rinks opened on December 17, 2003 and officially closed on February 201h. We were open a total of 62 days. We closed 4 days because of below 0 temperatures. We may have been open only 2 days longer this year but the ice conditions were very poor last year. This year the weather remained at a temperature that kept the ice in great condition. Terry and his crew did a fantastic job keeping the ice rinks in great shape. I feel that this and cooperating weather had attracted more skaters this season. We also had several groups come in for skating parties and 2 youth hockey groups came several Tuesdays and Thursdays for hockey practice from 6.7 at Friendly Hills and Marie.. We also had 32 children every Saturday with their parents attending skating lessons at Friendly Hills. Counts taken every hour. 1985 skaters in 62 days used Marie Park 1763 skaters in 62 days used Friendly Hills 1687 skaters in 62 days used Wentworth For this past season of 2004/OS we opened December 26 and closed February 12. We were open a total of 32 days (with 6 of these days we had to close early) We had to many warm ups that made poor ice conditions. We did have 3 hockey teams using Marie and Wentworth most Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also, a few parties and several girl scout groups. Mayor skate on January 22 increased the numbers at Friendly Hills along with our weekly Saturday skating lessons where we held 4 full classes that went on for 4 weeks in January/February. We closed for good at noon (needing to get in the last lesson on February 12 we were open in the a.m.) Friendly Hills had to close a few days in January because of a gas line problem that was fixed by Excel Energy. Here is the rink usage this season with counts taken every hour: Friendly Hills 839 total 29 days Marie Park 1446 total 32 days Wentworth 792 total 32 days ACTION REQUIRED: An average season would run the first week before Christmas around December 18 and run through February and sometimes the first week of March. We could operate 80 days total if weather and ice conditions were good. This season (04/05) only 32 of those possible 80 days were open for use. I would like to suggest keeping open all three parks again next season if possible. As I mentioned in my last rink memo our rinks are well staffed and we are open hours that fit the school schedules. (We had a trial staying open until 10:00 pm at Marie but we were only open one Friday after that decision was made so we would have to try it again next season to see if it is used during the extended hours) As I also mentioned in my last memo rink attendants are required to go out and take counts hourly and check on the skaters (except for the first season I was here O1/02 counts were every 2 hours). Most of our attendants like to stay out on the ice with the kids and also help the kids with skate lacing. We have a separate flood crew that Terry hires and they work after hours. If rinks are closed it is only because of poor ice/weather conditions and the gas line problem at Friendly Hills in 2005. Any time we close the information is always on the hotline number that is posted at rinks and in the Heights Highlites. Each rink has a big sign posted on the outside with rink hours and numbers to call for further information. As I have said before as supervisor over the rinks I feel that the rinks are put to good use and that use depends on the weather. The parks crew does a great job keeping the rinks clean and in working order. I feel that we should continue to support these three rinks. Kids need exercise and activity more than anything these days. If we take one or more of these rinks out many of these kids will not have access to skating in their neighborhood and we will take away from providing them with after school physical activity. MENDOTA HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT INCIDENT SUMMARIES - PARKS GN: 05000340 OFFENSE/INCIDENT: Found Property DATE: 02/04/2005 09:15:01 Lambert, B 2234 LOCATION: Wentworth Park 03-01-2005 SYNOPSIS: City employee reported finding property lying in snowbank inside Wentworth Park. Message was left with property owner's secretary. Property placed at MHPD for safekeeping. Follow-up pending.