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1996-05-14 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 149 1996 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, May 14, 1996, in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 PM. The following members were present: Libra, Kleinglass, Spicer, Norton, Liberacki, Linnell and Damberg. Also present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander, Recreation Programmer Chris Esser, and Administrative Intern Patrick C. Hollister. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Kleinglass moved to approve the April 9, 1996 Minutes. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 UMPIRE ABSENCE REIlVIBURSEMENT Mr. Esser explained that the City still held $4,743 in unpaid umpire fees from last year's softball leagues due to the absence of many umpires at scheduled games. Mr. Kleinglass moved to instruct Staff to return to the Parks and Recreation Commission with an equitable "pro -rated" plan to reimburse all leagues for the frequent absence of umpires last year. Ms. Norton seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 BASKETBALL PROGRAM FUNDING CONSH)ERATION Lou Schatz was present to discuss this request. Ms. Schatz explained that this basketball program is a summer youth program for Middle - School aged kids. Ms. Schatz also said that this program would not compete with any existing basketball program in the community. Ms. Schatz explained that the program consists of three activities: 1. Sibley High School loam -noon 2. The YMCA 1pm4:30pm 3. Sibley Open Gym 6pm-8pm Commissioner Norton said that she hoped that the program would take specific proactive steps to recruit girls. Ms. Schatz assured the Commission that this would be done. Mr. Kleinglass asked if there would be tryouts for this program, or if children of all skill levels would be eligible. Ms. Schatz said that the latter was the case. Mr. Esser added that he was pursuing a state grant which would pay for this program and that the City contribution to this program may be reimbursed. Mr. Kleinglass moved to recommend to the Council that the City fund the summer basketball program for $2000. Mr. Liberacki offered a friendly amendment that alternative means of support, such as grants, be sought for this program and offered to second the amended motion. Mr. Kleinglass accepted this amendment and the second. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 /1 � �a u11lID�'.i-'itT�7H�\1If: Mr. Spicer complemented Mr. Esser on his excellent work in putting these programs together. Several other Commissioners concurred with this complement. Mr. Esser gave a brief overview of the Summer Programs and highlighted those programs which were new, including: • Youth Trips • Performances in the Park • Safety Camp Ms. Damberg asked if the Safety Camp program would emphasize the importance of bike helmets. Mr. Esser responded that it would. Mr. Linnell asked if two hours would be enough time to truly enjoy the "wave pool". Mr. Esser responded that it would be more than enough time. Mr. Esser elaborated that swimming in the wave pool was such a vigorous activity that most kids grew tired after merely an hour. Mr. Linnell also asked if there was as much demand for half -day youth programs as for full -day programs, since most working parents would like to drop their kids off at one location for the whole day. Mr. Esser responded that in his experience with the City of Woodbury, the half -day programs were even more popular than the full -day programs, and since in some ways Woodbury is a similar community to Mendota Heights, he expected the same results in Mendota Heights, MHAA TOURNAMENT REQUEST Mr. Esser explained the request for fields by the MHAA for a series of tournaments. Mr. Esser explained that under the current field reservation policy, fees paid by the MHAA were negotiable. Mr. Esser explained that the MHAA would like the City to rake and chalk the fields between games. Mr. Spicer asked how much that would cost the City in terms of labor. Mr. Kullander responded that using two full-time regular employees would cost about $400 per day, and using one regular employee and one temporary summer employee would cost about $260 per day. Mr. Spicer estimated that the total costs for all the tournaments would be from $3000 to $4500. Mr. Kleinglass moved to direct Staff to give the MHAA the choice of either raking and chalking the fields themselves (without the use of any motorized equipment from the City), or paying the full cost of labor for the City to provide the same services. Ms. Norton seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 WENTWORTH PARK SHELTERS Mr. Kullander explained that the Council had the following concerns about the Park Commission's recommendation for Wentworth Park Shelters: 1. That the proposed16' park shelters were too small and thus not functional 2. That the columns of the park shelters were too wide 3. That the shelters lacked eaves (overhangs) Mr. Kullander explained that the Council had directed Staff to seek bids on designing a 16' x 24' foot shelter. Ms. Damberg moved to direct Staff to resubmit the Parks and Recreation Commission's original recommendation in favor of two 16' x 16' shelters, with more complete documentation. Mr. Liberacki offered a friendly amendment that the Parks and Recreation Commission emphasize the need for architectural consistency in the City's parks. This amendment was accepted. Ms. Norton seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 VALLEY VIEW HEIGHTS PARK HALF COURT BASKETBALL Commissioner Kleinglass moved to recommend funding for the improvements to Valley View Heights Park out of the Special Park Fund. Mr. Libra seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 2 (Norton, Damberg) SUMMER ADVENTURE FUNDING Mr. Hollister explained that the City owed ISD 197 $2,678.01 for last year's Summer Under the Sun program. Ms. Norton moved that the Commission recommend payment of $2,678.01 for last year's program and table discussion of the future of the City's participation in the program until a future Commission meeting when a representative of the Summer Under the Sun program could be present. Mr. Linnell seconded the motion. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING Ms. Norton explained that St. Thomas was looking at creating across -country ski trail this winter. Ms. Norton said that St. Thomas was also investigating the possibility of providing the trail grooming operation and that discussion with Dakota County, the City of St. Paul, and/or Ramsey County was needed to determine the cost and funding. 111a17YIl�y Updates were provided on the following issues: • T-Ball. Mr. Spicer directed Staff to write a letter to the MHAA commending them on their handling of a recent gender equity concern. • St. Thomas Tennis • Bethel Baptist Softball • Dakota County Information Sharing Meeting • Mendakota Lights Task Force • Parks Report • Police Report • Spring Clean -Up ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn made by Kleinglass and seconded by Damberg. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM. Respectfully Sul7nzitted, Pairick C. Hollister GH