1980-06-24 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
Park and Recreation Commission
MINUTES
June 24, 1980
Present: Mills, McMonigal, Finn, Bayless, Literski.
Absent: Stein, Williams, Gustafson, Selander,
1. Minutes of May meeting approved.
2. Park Signs: Rudy Literski and Jim Danielson reported that arrangements
have been made with West St. Paul to cut signs and route out lettering.
Danielson presented a rough drawing of what the signs might look like.
Several commission members felt that a more in-depth look at sign. designs
should be taken. A motion was made to authorize Chairperson Mills to
spend up to $50 with an artist to come up with some new ideas and to
prepare sketches for review by the commission. It was reiterated that
the design should be as vandal -proof as possible.
3. Rogers Lake Park: Chairperson Mills reviewed the plans to install new
play equipment at Rogers Lake Park, to move the swings, and to remove
the "fort". It was agreed that no action should be taken to remove the
path from the parking lot to the tennis courts, as suggested by Mr. Uban
at the previous meeting.
4. Park Publicity:
Chairperson Mills reviewd the
forum for park related matters.
fact
No
that the City newsletter
action was taken.
would be a good
5. Wentworth Park Access: A request was made that the City provide access
to Wentworth Park from the north at either Second or Third Avenue. Fourth
Avenue was also mentioned as a possibility by McMonigal. She reported
that landowners near that access were ameanable if they could be relieved
of personal injury liability. No action was taken, pending a review of
available City property for access.
6. Trees in Valley Park: A request was made that the trees around the pond
on the south end of Valley Park be thinned to improve the view. Since it
was felt that such thinning would benefit only a limited number of property
owners and that that would be a benefit in their eyes only, the request
was denied.
7. Shade Trees
Tot Lot was
at Friendly Hills Tot Lot: The subject of the Friendly Hills
again raised. After a great deal of discussion concerning the
equipment on
the Friendly.
the Tot Lot,
Hills Park,
the need for
it was decided
shade trees, and the
to review the legal
proximity to
status of the
Tot Lot for
future sale
possibilities.
No other action was
taken.
8. Budget:
Chairperson Mills reported that we would be working on the parks budget for
the next .year at our August meeting. It was the concensus of those present
that we expend extra effort to determine our needs and to make up a realistic
budget to present to the City Council.
Park and Recreation Commission Minutes June 24, 1980 Page Two
9. Wachtler Park: A motion was made that the following recommendation be made
to the City Council:
"We strongly recommend, as we have recommended in the past, that the City
Council give utmost consideration to the purchase of the Wachtler property
as a park. This acquisition has been priority number one in all studies
relative to our long-range park plans. We feel that it is essential that
the City Council lend its credability and support in establishing the
methodology to see this project through to reality."
It was also resolved that commission members be present at the Council
meeting when the recommendation is received.
10. Maintenance Report - Literski: Literski reported thatthe weeds are heavy
just outside the beach at Rogers Lake and that a heavy wind could move
them in. There is apparently nothing that can be done now. There have
been no recent complaints about swimmer's itch.
Literski recommended that we consider the purchase of a small tractor and
roto tiller to turn upthein-fields of our ball fields to soften them and
to keep the weeds down. He says we are receiving numerous complaints about
the condition of .our ballfields. Since that purchase ($4,000) would be a
major expense and not in the budget, it was deferred to next year's budget.
It was reported that considerable storm damage was done to the bridge supports
in Valley Park. The bridges in Wentworth Park are high at both ends, making
it difficult for handicapped and elderly people to use. The beaver that is
doing considerable damage in Valley Park is to be trapped.
11. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas J..Bayless
Acting Secretary