1977-03-30 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
PARK and RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES, March 30, 1977
Members Present: Witt, Mills, Finn, Lundeen, Johnson, Gustafson, Franzmeier
Members Absent: Murphy, Howe
1 . Minutes of the February 24 meeting were approved.
2. Parkorama. John Larson, Greg Walker and Greg Quehl representing the Parkorama
committee made a request to the Commission for partial funding of the Parkorama.
After considerable discussion, a motion was passed to recommend to the City Council
that $300 be committed to the Parkorama budget for this summer. The committee was
grateful for the recommendation and also suggested that we might consider this when
preparing budgets for 1978, when that time comes.
3. Archer John Larson reported that the archery range was in good condition and also
volunteered to serve as an instructor for a six week archery course for the summer
recreation program.
4. Playground Equipment. Greg Quehl, representing the. Jaycees, indicated that they
would be willing to work with us on the construction of playground equipment this
summer. The Jaycees were responsible for the construction of the playground equip-
ment at Somerset School and indicated that they had two engineers that designed that
playground and they still have the plans for that particular equipment. Considerable
savings could be accomplished with this volunteer labor to construct this equipment.
Johnson indicated that a grant request to CETA had been made for several positions,
including a carpenter and if that grant is awarded, this individual could also help with
that construction. A motion was made and passed that the City Planning Department
begin preliminary design work on playground equipment to be constructed at Friendly
Hills and Wentworth Parks this summer. Johnson will coordinate those plans with the
Jaycees and it is expected that by the next meeting a budget and preliminary design
will be available for the Commission to review.
5. Election of Officers. An unanimous ballot was cast for the Nominating Committee's
slate of officers. The officers for the coming year are Liz Witt, chairman; Jerry Finn,
vice chairman; Gary Gustafson, secretary.
6. Spring/Summer Recreation. Ms. Witt reported that Louie Selander has been working
very hard on the summer recreation program and that the brochure would be available
on May 10. Several new ideas for programs will be forthcoming at that time.
Page two
7. Dodd Road Pedway. Johnson reported that no progress has been made since the last
meeting. Dahlgren is still working on the FAU funds grant and that application is
due in August.
8. Valley Park Trail . Mills and Witt reported that they had made an inspection of the
Trail and find two bridges in need of repair. They also suggested extending the outer
forks at the end of the trail and making that a circle. The center fork at the north end
is also in need of repair and clean-up. Johnson has been in communication with NSP
and they are willing to permit us to mark a trail across their property under the power
lines that would connect up with the Cherry Hills public area, thus permitting access
to the park by trail from the north. Johnson will follow through with that proposal.
9. Toro Parkmaster Lawnmower. A memo was presented from Harvey Franzmeier indicating
that this particular piece of equipment cannot be effectively utilized under the present
program of park maintenance. Since this is a reel type mower and we are not spraying
weeds, it is difficult to keep the parks looking neat whereas a rotary type mower would
more effectively cut the type of turf we have in our parks. There was considerable
discussion regarding the merits of selling this piece of equipment and purchasing a
replacement rotary type equipment. It was agreed that Jerry Murphy would head up
a committee to meet as soon as possible that would include 2 or 3 Commission members
and someone from the Park Maintenance Department, who would then report back to the
Commission in May for a final decision.
10. Kiwanis Project. Orville reported that heihinks that all the funds the Kiwanis Club had
have been allocated, but Gustafson was instructed to contact Richard Buehl to see if
there is still a possibility of obtaining funds from them for construction of playground
equipment.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10 p.m.
Resp ctfu - itte ,
Gary C. Gustafson
Secretary