1983-03-22 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES
March 44, 1983
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Park and Recreation Commission was
called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Bayless. Members present were Knittig,
Bayless, Williams, McMonigal, Stein, Literski and Doffing. Schneeman's absence was
excused. Also present was Orville Johnson, City Manager.
TRACTOR Tom Bayless reported that the Roads and Bridges Department has
finally acquired a tractor which may be used for park purposes,
such as for the grooming of ball fields.
WOOD DUCK HOUSES Rudy Literski reported that six wood duck houses have been placed
in the following locations: Ivy Falls Park, Friendly Hills Park,
Marie Park, Wentworth Park and Wetlands at Lexington and Marie.
FRIENDLY HILLS The Commission reviewed the status of the Friendly Hills Tot
TOT LOT Lot. This was prompted by a letter dated March 16, 1983 from
several citizens in the Friendly Hills area. The citizens re-
quested that the park equipment located at that location be
repaired and that the park be maintained. The Commission re-
viewed a 1980 letter from City Attorney Sherman Winthrop regard-
ing the conditions under which that property can be abandoned for
park purposes. It was acknowledged by all members of the Commis-
sion that the City has no obligation to maintain that property
since it is not owned by the City of Mendota Heights, but rather
by the citizens in the Friendly Hills area. Rudy Literski reported
that he has had great difficulty in maintaining the Tot Lot over
the last two or three years. The Commission then discussed the
possibility of recommending that all park and recreation equipment
be removed from the Tot Lot and that the City staff be instructed
to cease any maintenance work at that area. However, it was
moved by Williams and seconded by McMonigal that the individuals
writing the letter be invited to the next Commission meeting to
discuss the situation at the Tot Lot. This motion passed unani-
mously. Dorothy McMonigal agreed to contact the individuals
signing the letter and invite them to our next meeting.
PARK SURVEY Prior to the April meeting each member of the Commission agreed
to conduct a park survey at the park to which they were assigned
for the purpose of determining the maintenance and clean-up
needs of the City's parks.
ART IN THE PARK The Commission agreed that the concept of having an art program
in the City's parks during the summer was a good idea and merits
further discussion and planning. Commission representatives will
continue discussions with Cathy DeCourcy to see if more concrete
plans can be developed.
DALGLISH SUB Tom Bayless reported that Mr. Herb Dalglish is in the
DIVISON process of subdividing his property. Mr. Dalglish would like to
make a contribution to the Mendota Heights Parks of something in
lieu of a cash contribution. Bayless reported that Dalglish
works for a nursery and is willing to make contributions amount-
ing to $600.00 in the form of trees and/or shrubs. Upon motion
by Stein, which was seconded by McMonigal, the Commission unani-
mously voted to authorize Jim Danielson and Tom Bayless to deter-
mine the type of trees and/or shrubs which would be appropriate
as Mr. Dalglish's contribution and where said trees and shrubs
should be.located.
DOWNTOWN MENDOTA
Tom Bayless reported that Howard Dahlgren made a presentation to
HEIGHTS
the last City Council meeting concerning future plans for a
"downtown" area for Mendota Heights to be located in and around
Mendota Plaza. Bayless reported that many of these plans involved
the rerouting of Highway 149. He indicated that he would keep
the Commission appraised of further developments on this issue.
VOLKERT RUBBISH
Tom Bayless reported that Mr. Vokert offered at the last City
PACKER
Council meeting the use of his rubbish packer for the annual
city-wide park clean-up day. The Commission agreed that it would
keep Mr. Volkert's offer in mind in connection with future dis-
cussions concerning the organization and planning of a park
clean-up day.
COUNCIL MEETING
Dorothy McMonigal will attend the next City Council meeting as
the representative of the Park and Recreation Commission.
TENNIS TOURNAMENT
Mike Williams discussed the possibility of organizing a junior
tennis tournament for the City's park system. He reported that
it was probably too late to organize a sanctioned tournament for
the summer of 1983. However, the Commission agreed that this was
the sort of activity that should be studied for the future. Mike
Williams also reported that an unsanctioned tournament could
still be organized possibly for late summer, 1983. The Commis -
Sion decided to discuss the possibility of organizing such a
tournament with Dewey Selander at the next Commission meeting.
COUNCIL MINUTES
Orville Johnson stated that he would provide members of the
Commission with copies of City Council minutes at its regular
meetings for those who are interested.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission will be
held April 12, 1983 at 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURN
It was moved and seconded to adjourn the Commission meeting
into a meeting of the Trails Committee.
Submitted by Jim Stein,
Interim Secretary
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CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES OF TRAILS COMMITTEE
March 22, 1983
The first regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Park and Recreation
Commission -Trails Committee was called to order at 8:23 p.m. by Chairman
Bob Doffing. Members present were Knittig, Bayless, Williams, McMonigal,
Stein, Doffing and Grayden Page.
Tom Bayless began the meeting by describing the history of the
Trails Committee and referred to its 1974 report. He indicated the City
Council has asked the Park and Recreation Committee to update and revise
the 1974 Trails Plan.
The members of the Committee agreed that several actions must be
taken prior to beginning a full-fledged updating of the existing Trails
Plan. First, it was agreed that Jim Stein would contact Orville Johnson
to determine whether park funds could be used in the construction of
bike trails. He would also ask Mr. Johnson for information concerning
possible grants and state aids that could be used for the construction
of trails. He will also contact Barb Schmitt at Dakota County concern-
ing alternative funding possibilities. Second, Mike Williams made the
point that it was important for us to determine whether the citizens of
Mendota Heights are actually interested in using park money to construct
bike trails. He suggested that we look into the possibility of conducting
a phone survey to determine the interest of the citizens in this pro-
ject. He agreed to look into the various costs involved in having a
survey performed by a professional survey company. Finally, the members
of the Committee agreed that it was important to involve other non -Park
Commission members in the process. Therefore, it was agreed to adjourn
the meeting until April 14, 1983 at 7:00 p.m., at which time an effort
would be made to have other citizens become a part of the Trails Committee.
Submitted by Jim Stein,
Interim Secretary