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1995-07-11 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 119 1995 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, July 11, 1995, in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Kleinglass, Damberg, Linnell. Also present was Parks Project Manger Guy Kullander. Dennis Delmont, Police Chief was also present. There being no quorum the commission decided to talk to Kay Fredrickson of Curley Valley View Addition who wanted to talk to the Commission. DISCUSSION OF BASKETBALL COURT N CURLEYS TOT LOT Kay Fredrickson said she was representing a group of people from Curley Valley View Addition who were excited and in support of a basketball court in Valley View Park (formerly Curleys tot lot). Commissioner Linnell responded that the commission was reviewing the basketball court, but just when it was going to be done needed to be decided. Park Projects Manager Kullander recommended maybe doing it next summer when street reconstruction could be going on in the area, and it could keep the cost down if done at the same time. The commission assured her that the basketball court was receiving serious consideration and to maintain contact with the commission. DISCUSSION OF VANDALISM IN THE PARKS Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander introduced Police Chief Dennis Delmont. Chief Delmont passed out a synopsis of calls relating to police calls to the parks (attached). Chief Delmont said he thought there wasn't a serious problem with crime in the parks. In the yearly synopsis the overall picture is 14 calls in one year. There have been a cluster of calls at Mendakota Park and Valley Park. These calls have been mainly for vandalism and five individuals had been charged with vandalism and property damage related to graffiti at Marie Park. Commissioner Damberg said she was at a seminar in another part of town and overheard people talking about Valley Park that people were lighting fires and throwing burning logs onto dried grass and that some people fear encountering these type of individuals in the parks. Police Chief Delmont responded that the biggest criminal type of activity in the city is vandalism. The police department has responded to eight police calls regarding vandalism. There was a fifth degree assault in January between a rink attendant and a skater. He also stated that people don't call the police and the police department can't do anything unless called. The Police Department has arrested a couple of people who were having a beer party in a park. The officer saw a large amount of cars in the park's parking lot and checked it out. There were about 20 teens in the park drinking beer and nobody called the police to complain. Chief Delmont stated that the police department do patrol the parks, but not on a regular basis. The squad cars can drive on the trails, but he does not like that to be done because you can't see who is walking or rollerblading around a curve or over a hill. Officers are directed not to drive on the trails when in use unless responding to a police call. Chief Delmont recommended putting up signage saying "If you see something suspicious call the Police Department at this number", he would try to get an copy of Mat the St. Paul Parks Department uses for signage. He also suggested getting the citizens involved. Maybe talk to the reporter at the Sun Newspaper and put something in the City newsletter to make people aware of how nice the parks and trails are and if they see or hear anything suspicious to call the police. He went on to say active parks have less criminal activity than passive parks. Commissioner Damberg stated she was concerned about the dollar amounts being used to fix vandalized items in the parks. Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander responded that it had cost $100 per event to replace the damaged fountains at Kensington and N[endakota Parks. He went on to say that the reason why this hasn't happened in the past is because we had no fountains in parks until the buildings were constructed in the past few years. Chief Delmont said he would try to keep the Commission updated with criminal activities with a monthly report to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Commissioner Linnell asked Chief Delmont why we have a skate boarding ordinance. Chief Delmont responded it wasp°t a bad ordinance to have and he would never want to see skateboards on city streets. He went on to say the ordinance was written when skate boarding was the big thing. People came to the City Council and asked that an ordinance be created addressing the safety issues of skateboarding. There still being no quorum the Commission decided to go on to the verbal updates. Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander reported that the cut stones from Acacia Cemetery have been moved to Ivy Park and Kensington Park. He will be getting bids 2 soon to place the stones for retaining walls, steps and benches. He also stated they were going ahead with port a poties enclosures in two parks. Also bleacher pads are going to be installed at Kensington Park. He went on to report that they were going to close one of Kensington soccer fields, dig out low points and reseed after the sting soccer season ends in late July. Commissioner Damberg asked when the Five Year 1996-2000 Capital Improvement Plan was due. Parks Project Manager Kullander responded the budget was being worked on now and that the 1996 improvements listed in the draft five year plan included in the agenda packet would be submitted. He suggested that the 1995 project to switch two warming houses, estimated to cost about $6000, be moved to 1996. Since the Commission, in the 1995-1995 five year plan, proposed to construct a shelter and other improvements in Wentworth Park it seemed appropriate that replacing or enlarging the warming house should be done at the same time. He also said that residents, that will attend the open house for comments on the picnic shelter location and improvements, may also have concerns regarding the skating rinks and warming house. The Commissioners present all agreed this was an appropriate suggestion. Parks Project Manager Kullander reported that bids to raise the backstops at Mendakota Park would be in on July 13 and presented to Council on July 18. He thought the cost would be $8 to $10,000. Funds would come from the Special Park Fund for this improvement. Commissioner Damberg said she thought $8,000 was expensive. Parks Project Manager Kullander then explained that the extended back stops will stop balls going into the upper deck where foul balls have hit spectators. The existing 16 foot high backstop will be extended ten feet. Commissioner Damberg said she would not be able to attend the August meeting as she will be out of town. There being no quorum, the commission adjourned at 7:15 P.M. Commissioner Libra arrived at 7:25 P.M. The meeting was not continued due to lack of a quorum. Commissioner Kleinglass had to leave for another engagement. Respectfully Submitted, Nancy Bauer Administrative Secretary