1977-09-01 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesMINUTES - City of Mendota Heights - Park & Recreation Commission
September 1, 1977
Members
Present:
Witt,
Mills, Murphy, Lundeen, Gustafson, Howe, Liturski, $elander
Members
Absent:
Finn,
Johnson
1 . Rudy Liturski
reported that the playground equipment that was
purchased for Friendly Hills
Park was near completion and
that they were still planning on
installing the playground
equipment at
Wentworth Park
this year.
2. Rudy
also
reported that
the rainfall
earlier
that week
had
done considerable damage to Marie
Park
and
to the trails.
It was too
early
to
assess the
cost
of repairs to the park.
3. Dick Dwinnell of Howard Dahlgren and Assocs. appeared before the Commission to discuss
the possibility of applying for grants from the Federal Land & Water Commission Fund Act
and the State Legislative Commission Minnesota Resources grants to acquire and develop
outdoor recreation facilities. He presented a detailed memo regarding the eligibility of
different types of projects and indicated the deadline for submitting an application was
5 pm on September 16. After a considerable discussion, the Commission agreed to apply
for grant monies for the following improvements.
a. Improving trails and construction of necessary bridges
b. Trail signs
c. Playground equipment for 2 more parks
d. Land acquisition and development cost of 2 Babe Ruth parks
e. Sand for improving the swimming beach at Rogers Lake
One of the criteria for selection was that
an overall
plan for the development of
the
park
system be accomplished prior to application for grants. It was felt that the planning
that
has been done by the Commission and, in
particular, the trails plan completed a
couple
of
years ago might be sufficient. It was felt
that even though our chances are slim
this
year
with little time to prepare the application,
that it would be good to do it to get
any
comments
back and apply again next year when these
funds are available.
4. Discussion was had regarding the Mendota Company plat at I-35E and through Highway 110.
The property owners have offered to give us 10+acres of land rather than the cash and ease-
ment which was the prior recommendation of the Commission. No action was taken as
Johnson was not there to comment on whether or not precedent had been set regarding land
contiguous to our present trail system, which this property is. Part of the trail plan utilizes
some of this land. Witt was to discuss this with Johnson prior to the next meeting of the
Commission and report back.
Page two
5. Selander reported that an adult volleyball program has been set up beginning the first week
in October. The following is the schedule:
Men's volleyball Tuesday, Mendota School 7-9
Women's volleyball Wednesday, Mendota School 7-9
Couple's volleyball Thursday, Somerset 7-9
6. Discussion was held regarding use of funds in the capital budget. No priorities were
selected nor recommended, but several were discussed and it was the consensus of the
Commission that part of our task should be to develop priorities for our future development.
With the continued expansion of single family residences within the City, additional parks
may be needed and further development of existing parks can be accomplished. The criteria
for obtaining grants from the Federal and State governments require that a definitive plan be
accomplished prior to application for these grants. Thus, it was agreed that development
fund priorities and future planning for parks be a goal to be accomplished by the Commission
in the near future.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary Gustafson,
Secretary