1980-08-26 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesV
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
�! 1980
Park and Recreation Commission
MINUTES
August 26, 1980
Present: Williams, Finn, Bayless, Gustafson, Selander, Stein,
McMonigal, Literski and Dick Ploumen
Absent: Mills
Minutes.
Commissioner Finn, acting as Chairperson of the meeting, noted an
error in the Minutes of the July 22, 1980 meeting. Under Item 3, Park
Signs, it was noted that Commissioner Gustafson's Motion was to recommend
that $2,000.00 be spent on Park Signs instead of $1,500.00. The Minutes
of the July 22, 1980 meeting were thereafter unanimously approved as
corrected.
Budget.
Dick Ploumen presented to the Commission for discussion a copy of
the proposed 1981 Parks and Recreation Budget. The budget discussion
began with a unanimous expression by the Parks Commission that consultants'
fees allocated in the budget should not be spent until the particular
consultant has presented an outline of the proposed consulting work to
the Parks Commission. The Commission felt strongly that the consultants
should be required to engage in discussions with the Parks Commission
prior to undertaking any work. The consultant should be required to set
forth the scope of the work proposed and to estimate the cost of said
work prior to its being undertaken. Consultants should also be required
to report to the Parks Commission on a periodic basis so that the Commission
can monitor consultants' compliance with budgetary ceilings set by the
Commission. In general, the Commission's permission should be obtained
prior to any of its budget items being spent.
There followed a detailed and lengthly discussion of each budget
item of the 1981 proposed Parks and Recreation Budget. Dick Ploumen
explained each budget item and his reasons for requesting the specific
amounts set forth in the proposed budget. Particular attention was
given by the Commission to the need for a capital expenditure of approximately
$8,000.00 for the purchase of a tractor and attachments which are important
for the upkeep and maintenance of the City's ball diamonds. It was
generally felt by the Commission that the infields of the City's ball
diamonds are currently in bad shape. The primary reason for this is
that the City does not own equipment of a type necessary for this kind
of maintenance. There was also discussion concerning the continuing
need for an extra person to help Rudy Literski in his maintenance of the
City's Parks.
There was then a general discussion with Dewey Selander concerning
his salary and the proposed budget for the recreation program. Research
conducted by Mr. Selander confirmed previous Park Commission research
that the recreation directors of West St. Paul, Eagan and South St. Paul
earn $24,000.00 per year on a full time basis. Mr. Selander reported
that he spends between one -quarter and one-third of his time on his
recreation duties. Based upon the foregoing, the Commission recommended
that Mr. Selander's salary be increased to $7,000.00 per year in order
to put him on a par with the salaries of the recreation directors of
Cities which surround Mendota Heights. The Commission also recommended
that Mr. Selander be paid a mileage allowance of sixteen cents per mile.
Mr. Selander reported that he drives approximately 2,400 miles per year
in connection with his recreation program duties. This would constitute
a budget request of $384.00 for 1981.
Based upon Mr. Selander's report, the Park Commission recommended
the following additions to the proposed 1981 budget: under "Personal
Services" the figure reflecting salaries for the recreation program in
the proposed 1981 budget was changed from $14,350.00 to $13,710.00. The
Commission also agreed with the $1,700.00 figure for recreation programs
set forth under the column entitled "Other Charges". Finally, the
Commission recommended that the 1981 projection under the column entitled
"Commodities" for mileage for the recreation director be changed from
$300.00 to $384.00. Commissioner Williams moved to approve the proposed
1981 projections with the inserted corrections set forth above. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Gustafson. The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Finn moved the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the condition and appearance of the City's baseball diamonds
is a matter of importance to the citizens of Mendota Heights; and
WHEREAS, the proper maintenance of the City's baseball diamonds is
important, not only for the proper promotion of the City's recreation
programs, but also for the safety of those using the City's fields; and
WHEREAS, the City does not currently own the proper type of equipment
for the maintenance of its baseball diamonds in a safe and attractive
manner;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Park and Recreation Commission
of the City of Mendota Heights:
That it is strongly recommended that the City make a capital
expenditure in the approximate amount of $8,000.00 for the purchase of a
tractor and the necessary accessories for the maintenance of the City's
baseball diamonds.
Said resolution was seconded by Commissioner Bayless. The Commission
passed the resolution unanimously.
3. Old Business.
(a) Friendly Hills Tot Lot
The
Commission asked Commissioner
Finn
to
once
again
call
the
City
Attorney
to see whether the above
property
could
be
sold
by the
City.
(b) Wentworth Park Access
The Commission once again asked that the City Manager investigate
the best routes from The Avenues to Wentworth Park and to advise the
Commission at its next meeting what alternative routes are available.
4. New Business.
The Commission received the recommendations of Dick Ploumen
Rudy Literski that the Public Works Department begin the removal
and
of the
infield grass in the City's
the grass be replaced with
baseball diamonds.
aggregate limestone.
They recommended
Commissioner Finn
that
moved
approval of the foregoing
Commissioner Williams.
recommendation. The Motion was seconded
The Motion was passed unanimously.
by
5. Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submit�te�,d,,�
James A. Stein
$e retary