1996-07-09 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
DULY 95 1996
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held
on Tuesday, July 9, 1996, in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 1101 Victoria
Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 PM.
The following members were present: Norton, Kleinglass, Spicer, Damberg, Liberacki,
and Linnell. Libra was excused from the meeting. Also present were Engineering
Technician Guy Kullander, Recreation Programmer Chris Esser, and Administrative Intern
Patrick C. Hollister.
Commissioner Kleinglass moved to approve the June 11, 1996 Minutes with corrections.
Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
MHAA "BIF" Payment Proposal
Mr. Esser presented a letter from Norm Gellerman, Executive Director of the Mendota
Heights Athletic Association proposing arrangements for the rental payment of portable
toilets on public and private fields within the City.
Mr. Kullander elaborated that this issue first came up four or five years ago, when the
MHAA requested that the City install portable toilets in non -City -owned facilities and
send MHAA an invoice for the costs. Mr. Kullander continued that last year a bill for
1995 BIEs was sent to MHAA, to which they objected, and thus this issue is now up for
discussion again.
Mr. Kullander said that the cost of a single portable toilet was about $45/month. Mr.
Kullander added that since the City is currently paying for 16 portable toilets (11 in City
parks and one each at Sibley, St. Thomas, Visitation, Sommerset, and Mendota
Elementary) the cost for a single season for all 16 totaled about $3000/year.
Commissioner Norton moved that the Parks and Recreation Committee recommend that
the Council authorize the following:
1. that iV
A and the
City share the
costs of Lite "Us on
the three private sites of St.
Thomas,
Visitation,
and St. Peter's
Church, and
2. that the City pay the full cost for BIFs at ISD 197 sites and City Parks, and
3. that the MHAA should be required to pay the full cost of any additional BIFs the
MIIAA requests for special events such as tournaments.
Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion
AYES:
NAYS:
VALLEY VIEW CROSS-COUNTRY SKI TRAIL FEASIBILITY REPORT
Mr. Kullander presented two possible scenarios for cross-country ski trails, one at Saint
Thomas and one in Valley Park.
Mr. Kullander explained that St. Thomas has the following views about a future trail on its
grounds:
1. St. Thomas would like the City to help fund the grooming of the trail.
2. Any City resident would be able to use the trail.
3. St. Thomas
would
be fully
insured and would indemnify the City against liability for
that portion
of the
trail on
school grounds.
4. The City would be welcome to advertise the trail as a City trail.
Mr. Kullander then discussed the second scenario, a cross country ski trail in Valley Park
north of Marie Avenue. Mr. Kullander explained that the Par 3 golf course was amenable
to the idea of a ski trail on their property, provided that it did not damage their turf, and
that this trail would connect to trails in Valley Park.
Commissioner Norton said that she would prefer a trail in Valley Park to a trail at St.
Thomas.
Mr. Kullander said that the Valley Park trail would cost about $45,000 for initial creation,
and about $3,000 to $4,000 per year for maintenance. Mr. Kullander reminded the
Commission that although these figures may seem high, this is roughly the same initial and
yearly costs incurred by the City's tennis courts, which probably serve about the same
number of people as would the ski trail. Mr. Kullander said that the cost of any ski trail
would be charged to the Special Park Fund.
Chairman Spicer directed Staff to consult with Commissioner Norton to further develop
the Valley Park Ski Trail concept and report to the Parks Commission in August.
FULL-TIME RECREATION PROGRAMMER POSITION
Commissioner Norton requested that this item be added to the Agenda this evening.
Commissioner Norton explained that she felt the City needed a full-time recreation
programmer in order to adequately serve the needs of our residents. Commissioner
Norton further stated that she felt this had been the consensus on the Parks and Recreation
Commission for quite some time.
Commissioner Norton made a motion that the Parks and Recreation Commission request
that the Council appoint a full-time Recreation Programmer and allocate funds for that
position.
Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
UPDATES
Staff provided updates on the following items for the Parks and Recreation Commission:
• MIIAA Tournament
• Basketball Program Funding
• Wentworth Park Shelter(s)
• Valley View Park Half -Court Basketball
• St. Thomas Ski Course
• Ivy Falls Park
• Kensington Bid
• Victoria Curve Trail
• Mendakota Lights Task Force
• NSP Substation
• Umpire Absence Reimbursement from 1995 Season
• Park Reservation Policy
• New Middle School Soccer Field
• Parks Report
• Police Report
Commissioner Linnell asked Mr. Kullander to determine if an additional ballfield could be
created at Mendota Elementary School, as well as one 90' field with parking at Friendly
Marsh Park,
Chairman Spicer asked Mr. Kullander to examine the possibility of creating ballfielus in
Ramsey County Park in Lillydale, adding that it may be worth it even if they were
occasionally flooded.
Commissioner Linnell expressed regret that the New Middle School Soccer Field had been
reduced in size from the original plans to save more trees at the request of the neighbors
to the school. Mr. Linnell stated he felt this change was a "trade-off to benefit the
neighbors at the expense of the kids."
5-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Mr. Kullander presented a 5-Year Pazks Capital Improvement Plan for Commission
review.
Commissioner Kleinglass moved that the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend
that the Council adopt the 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan as proposed, with the
understanding that the Parks Commission may wish to recommend the additional
allocation of funds for a future ski trail at a later date.
Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion.
AYES:
NAYS:
ADJOITRNMENT
Motion to adjourn made by Linnell and seconded by Kleinglass.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Patrick C. Hollister