1996-01-09 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
JANUARY 9, 1996
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission
was held on Tuesday, December 9, 1996, in the City Hall Large Conference Room,
1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 o'clock P.M. The
following members were present: Spicer, Kleinglass, Damberg, Liberacki, Norton,
Libra and Linnell. Also present were Interim City Administrator Kevin Batchelder,
Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Parks Leadperson Terry Blum.
Commissioner Kleinglass moved to approve the December 12, 1995 minutes
with corrections.
Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion.
AYES: 7
NAYS: 0
Parks Project Manager Kullander introduced Parks Leadperson Terry Blum to
the Commission. Chair Spicer stated that the minutes should reflect the
wonderful job that the Parks Crew have been doing with the ice rinks this
winter as well as their general overall maintenance of the City park system
and the trails. Commissioner Kleinglass stated that the Parks Crews have
been very responsive on a recent request from the Commission to plow the
trail along Victoria Curve by Walsh Lane. The Commission was pleased
with the performance that had been done on the City trails over the winter
and also with the ice rinks.
Parks Leadperson Terry Blum provided an update on park activities for the
month of December including snow removal, hockey and ice rink
maintenance including flooding, and the opening of the ice rinks including
hooking up phones and bringing in satellites. Blum stated this was the
earliest the ice rinks had been open since 1983.
Commissioner Linnell inquired about lights at the Wentworth Park ice rink to
cover the bigger area that had been provided for open skating. Kullander
stated that these improvements would be a part of the general
improvements that the Commission will be discussing for Wentworth Park.
Commissioner Norton inquired if gym space is available at St. Thomas
Academy and Visitation Convent for the potential expansion of City leagues
for volleyball and basketball. The Commission directed staff to make
inquiries about the availability of these gym areas.
VERBAL UPDATES
Interim City Administrator Batchelder stated there was no police report for
the month of December. He stated that City staff will be advertising the
Friends of the Parks tree program in the upcoming quarterly newsletter for
the City which is due to be released in early February.
Kullander provided an update on the Cooperative Agreement for the Dodd
Road trail and stated the Agreement had been sent to MnDOT for their
review and approval. He estimated that we should know about State
funding of this project by March. Kullander also stated that MnDOT had
encouraged the City to apply for ISTEA funds and the City had done so.
Kullander stated that when we know about the funding, the Parks and
Recreation Commission would then get involved with specific design
reviews. Chair Spicer inquired about the timing of construction if this
project is funded and Kullander responded that it could occur in 1996 if it is
only being funded with State money through a cooperative agreement with
MnDOT, however if we also get ISTEA funding it may take a lot longer to
put the project together and it might be 1997.
Kullander provided an update on the following items:
1. Park Bridges
Five wooden bridges removed and replaced with culverts (3) or
prefabricated steel bridge (2).
Turf restoration
and
patching or
installation of eight foot (8')
wide
bituminous path
will
take place
in late spring (May).
Project came in under budget. Memo to Council on January 16th for
determination of funding source.
2. North Kensington Park
Grading plan is being revised. Council has approved prairie grass
concept of original design. Rebid of grading and landscape work to
be in March.
Revised plan to be presented to Parks and Recreation Commission at
February meeting.
3. Wentworth Park Shelter
Layout and plan will be presented to Parks and Recreation
Commission at the February meeting for review.
Work is in progress. Plan to be presented to Parks and Recreation
Commission in February/March for review and recommendation to
Council.
5. Cross Country Ski Trail in Valley Park
Feasibility report to be prepared for review by Parks and Recreation
Commission in June, 1996.
Trees, shrubs, etc., installed last fall. Touch up edging and mulch
areas in spring. Wildflower plantings scheduled for early spring.
Preliminary work has begun. Draft maps for Parks and Recreation
Commission review expected in March or April depending on other
work loads or priorities.
Commissioner Damberg stated that people are again doing a poor job of
picking after their pets along City trails and it is a particular problem in the
winter as the trail is the only place where pets and people walk. She
suggested that City staff again put a "pooper scooper" article in the
February newsletter.
3
There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission
moved to adjourn its meeting at 7:30 o'clock P.M. in order to attend a joint
workshop with the City Council.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin Batchelder
Interim City Administrator
0