1999-02-09 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AGENDA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
February 9,1999
6:30 p.m. -Large Conference Room
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of the January 12, 1999 Minutes
4. Election of Officers for I999
5. hnprovements/Maintenance to Marie Hockey Riuk
6. Updates .
• Re -Appointment of Commissioners
• Recreation Programmer Search
• Cross -Country Skiing
• Skating Rink Conditions
• Recycling/Spring Clean Up
• Parks Report (Available Tuesday)
• Police Report (Available Tuesday)
7. 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 452-1850 with requests.
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
JANUARY 12,1999 '
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held
on Tuesday, January 12, 1999, 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: Spicer, Liberacki, Linnell, Craighead,
Damberg. Commissioners Norton and Libra were excused from the meeting. Also
present were Recreation Programmer Bill Bird and Administrative Assistant Patrick C.
Hollister. Also present was MHAA Commissioner Scott Miller,
MINUTES
Commissioner Linell moved to approve the December 8, 1998 minutes with no
corrections.
Commissioner Liberacki seconded the motion.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMER
Commissioner Damberg moved to recommend to the City Council that the new
Recreation Programmer be recruited to work full-time.
Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion.
AYES:
NAYS:
Mr. Miller said that if the City did not make the ne�v recreation programmer full-time,
there may be an opportunity for that individual to work one -quarter time for MHAA,
since MHAA may be looking for additional help.
Chairman Spicer said that although Mr. Miner's idea had appeal, working for both
MHAA and the City may be perceived as a conflict of interest, and that in any event it
would be preferable for the new employee to work full-time for the City.
CONGRATULATIONS, THANK YOU, AND FAREWELL TO BILL BIRD
Chair Spicer acknowledged that Bill Bird had taken a full-time position with the City of
Apple Valley and that he would be leaving the employ of the City of Mendota Heights,
Commissioner Damberg moved to
direct Staff to draft a
letter for
Chairman Spicer's
signature to Bill Bird commending
him on a fine job for
the City
of Mendota Heights.
Commissioner Craighead seconded the motion.
AYES:
NAYS:
The Commissioners thanked Mr. Bird for an excellent job and wished him good luck at
the City of Apple Valley,
SCOTT MILLER, MHAA: BASEBALL IMPROVEMENT REQUESTS
Chairman Spicer acknowledged a memo from Guy Kullander regarding five baseball
improvement requests from Scott Miller of MHAA: a batting cage at Mendakota Park,
having the Civic Center designated as baseball only, safety nets at Mendakota Park, a
summer recreation intern for Friendly Hills Park, and multiple use at Mendakota Park
ballfields. Chairman Spicer said that in regards to the Mendakota Park safety nets, the
Staff had performed a long study on this issue, and the Commission had recommended
safety nets, but that the Council decided to extend the backstops instead. Regarding the
multiple use of Mendakota Ballfields, Chairman Spicer said that the City had decided that
the ballfields would be for baseball and softball use only, and that the outfield areas
would not be converted to soccer or football fields.
Mr. Miller said that regarding the batting cage, MHAA would be willing to contribute
toward the cost of construction.
Chairnian Spicer said that he liked the batting cage idea. Chairman Spicer added that the
City tried to pursue all park construction on ahigh-quality basis, and so the cage would
have to have visual appeal, which would add to the cost. Chairman Spicer said that this
expense would most likely come out of the Special Parks Fund, and that the Commission
would need to know that dollar amount.
Mr. Miller also said that MHAA would like the Civic Center ballfield to be designated as
baseball
-only, with a mound added and a grass infield.
Chairman Spicer said that that would mean eliminating Thursday night for men's softball,
but that it might be justified due to the increasing member of kids in Mendota Heights.
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
MEMO
February 5, 1999
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Patrick C. Hollister, Administrative Assistant
SUBJECT: Election of Parks and Recreation Officers for 1999
Discussion
Every
year
in February each Commission is required to
elect
or re-elect their Chair, Vice
Chair,
and
Secretary. Current office -holders may stand
for re-election if they wish.
Action Requested
Elect the Chair, Vice -Chair and Secretary for the Parks and Recreation Commission for
1999.
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
f► I�lu[�7
February 5, 1999
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Patrick C. Hollister, Administrative Assistant
SUBJECT: Possible Paving of Marie Hockey Rink in Summer of 1999
Discussion
This winter is the first winter in which the Friendly Hills Hockey Rink has been paved.
The Friendly Hills rink was paved during the summer of 1998 and was used for in -line
skate hockey by many kids. The decision to pave Friendly Hills Rink was based partly
on testimony from other cities that paving a rink, rather than making the ice more
vulnerable to melting, actually helps preserve the condition of the ice. This winter has
demonstrated that this is indeed true. While the hockey rinks at Wentworth and Marie
have suffered from "mushrooms" (frost heaves), the Friendly Hills hockey rink has seen
little of this phenomenon, providing for a smoother skating surface.
Since the Marie hockey boards are scheduled to be replaced this summer, Staff feels that
it may be appropriate to pave Marie hockey rink concurrent with the board replacement.
Staff will provide more detailed costs estimates and information about how this would fit
into the CIP Tuesday evening.
Action Requested
Discuss the possibility of paving Marie hockey rink concurrent with the boazd
replacement this summer. If the Commission feels that this would be a good idea, the
Commission may wish to ask Staff to provide a more detailed plans for the March Parks
Commission meeting and an eventual recommendation to Council on this issue.