1980-09-24 Parks and Rec Comm Minutesr�ECEIVCD
SEPP 9 1980
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
Park and Recreation Commission
MINUTES
September 24, 1980
Present: McMonigal, Williams, Bayless, Mills, Selander, Stein
and Gustafson
Absent: Finn
Minutes.
The Minutes from the August 26, 1980 meeting were unanimously
approved.
2. Budget.
Commissioner Mills reported that she and Commissioner Finn
discussed the budget and Dewey Selander's salary with the City Man-
ager. She also reported that she spoke in favor of the budget ap-
proved by the Commission at the most recent City Council meeting.
Commissioner Mills took pictures of the generally poor con-
dition of Mendota Heights parks and presented those pictures to
the City Council. The City Council, while generally acknowledging
that the City's parks are in poor condition, indicated that it
would not approve the Commission's request for additional workers
or for the tractor and accessories. In addition, the City appears
to have cut a substantial portion of the Commission's reforestation
budget.
It was generally agreed that the Commission should be involved
in all decisions to cut its budget. In addition, it was agreed
that the Commission would instr3ct Dick Ploumen of the Public Works
Department as to what park related projects should have priority.
The Commission felt strongly that the highest priority items related
to park maintenance was the framing and filling of the Tot Lots
for safety purposes. It was noted that many of the cement pilings
in the City's Tot Lots are exposed. This creates a substantial safety
hazard. Commissioner Fustafson moved that the Maintenance Depart -
re City Park system to make them sa
The motion
was seconded
by
Commissioner
Bayless.
the
motion was
unanimously
passed.
The Commission then went on to discuss what it felt were the
highest priority projects for the parks. In addition, the Commis-
sion discussed whether there were any ways to cut existing park pro-
grams in order to save money for the City. After this discussion,
it
was
concluded that
the City
park
program
is
currently
operating
at
the
minimum expense
possible
to still
have
an
acceptable
program.
The Commission agreed that it would set priorities for park
work that had to be done by Dick Ploumen's people next year so that
projects which are most important to the upkeep and maintenance
of the parks are given immediate attention. Commissioner Mills
further discussed the importance of having Rudy Literski hire part-
time, temporary workers for park projects next year.
3. Friendly Hills Tot Lot.
The Commission reviewed the conditions and restrictions gov-
erning the Friendly Hills Tot Lot by the City Attorney. Commis-
sioner Stein agreed to call the Dakota County Recorder to ascer-
tain the date of the document and its filing.
The Commission agreed to contemplate possible uses for the
money that would be derived if the lots were sold. It was further
agreed that the City Attorney would be contacted to ascertain
whether any proceeds from the sale of the lots could be used ex-
clusively for park purposes.
4. Access to Wentworth Park.
Commissioner McMonigal reported that a group had started col-
lecting signatures for a petition to present to the City Council
for resolution of this issue. Commissioner Gustafson reported that
he had investigated possible routes into the park from "The Avenues".
Commissioner Mills agreed to ask Jim Danielson to make contact with
Commissioner Gustafson so that the two of them could investigate
possible routes for a pedway into the park. Once this is accom-
plished, the Council and City Attorney could undertake the neces-
sary work to affect safe access to the Park.
The Commission then examined a petition containing the signa-
tures of thirty-four families in the area requesting immediate con-
struction of a pedway into the park. As a result of this petition,
Commissioner Gustafson offered the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Park and Recreation Commission is
in receipt of a petition signed by thirty-four fam-
ilies in the Wentworth Park area requesting immediate
construction of a pedway into the park; and
WHEREAS, the
present lack
of access to
the park
forces children in
the area to
travel along
Dodd
Road in order to
obtain access
to the park;
and
-2-
WHEREAS, the Mendota
Commission strongly feels
to Wentworth Park creates
for residents of the City;
He
Park and Recreation
that said lack of access
a severe safety problem
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Park
and Recreation Commission of the City of Mendota
Heights thatthe City's Director of Public Works
actively investigate the most feasible routes for
the construction of a safe pedway access from The
Avenues to Wentworth Park.
The resolution was seconded by Commissioner McMonigal. The
resolution passed unanimously.
The Commission
asked Commissioner
Stein
to
attach the original
copy of the
petition
to the Commission's
minutes
when they are sent
to the City
offices
for distribution to
the
City
Council,
New Business,
Dewey Selander suggested th
possibility of installing poles
parks. He also suggested that
volleyball leagues next summer f
The Commission enthusiastically
Selander to investigate possible
of poles for volleyball nets,
I
Meeting Adjourned,
at the Commission investigate the
for volleyball nets in the City's
the Commission consider establishing
or the City's recreation program,
supported this idea and asked Mr.
ocations for the installation
tfully submitted,
A. Stein
to ry
-3-
RECEIVED
SEP291980
— We, the undersigned, request the construction of a pedway connecting
the Avenues and Wentworth Park,
/r /
ADDRESS /�
7c3'3�
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7f d e
PH04IE
67c�57-/5�5
7b7Y
7 j3 $
B
6�tlU Zr� U� u� 4 S 5 — 11 3q
We$ the undersignedg request the construction of a pedway connecting
the Avenues and Wentworth Park.
NAME ADDRESS PHONE
Coati 6 Y
, el
/ U,
�VC
,1
j eCoo
�f� hl 1 -AVM- 4S7- 1 "7 d 3
We, the undersigned, request the construction of a pedway connecting
the Avenues and Wentworth Park.
NAME l
tOA
ADDRESS
PHONE
57-3�5 U
J 07, J J