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1996-10-08 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 8, 1996 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, October 8, 1996, in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:40 PM. The following members were present: Spicer, Libra, Liberacki, and Kleinglass. Commissioner Linnell arrived late. Commissioners Norton and Damberg were excused from the meeting. Also present were Recreation Programmer Chris Esser and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Kleinglass moved to approve the September 10, 1996 Minutes with no corrections. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: ISD 197 COMMUNITY EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL RECRUITMENT Mr. Max Saucedo, Chair of the ISD 197 Community Education Advisory Council and Chair of the West Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee appeared before the Parks and Recreation Commission to recruit a Commissioner to sit on the Advisory Council. Mr. Saucedo explained that the Advisory Council addresses issues of early childhood and adult education and has a broad spectrum of members from the community. Chairman Spicer asked what kind of a time commitment would be involved for a volunteer. Mr. Saucedo responded that the Council meets the third Tuesday of each month for about 1 %hours at Learning Center South on the corner of Enterprise Drive and Mendota Heights Road. Chairman Spicer remarked that Commissioners Linnell , Norton and Libra maybe the most appropriate candidates for the position, since they still have young children and have demonstrated concern for children's education. Chairman Spicer asked Mr. Saucedo if two Commissioners could fill the seat and rotate so that each Commissioner would only have to attend the meeting once every two months. Mr. Saucedo said that this would be possible. (At this point Commissioner Linnell joined the meeting.) Commissioner Kleinglass moved to nominate Commissioners Libra and Linnell to both fill the seat so that they could alternate meeting attendance. Commissioner Liberacki seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: Mr. Saucedo thanked the Commissioners and informed Commissioners Linnell and Libra that the next meeting of the Advisory Council would be on October 22, 1996 at Learning Center South and that he anticipated the meeting would be short. Chairman Spicer requested that Staff provide the verbal Updates next and save the Parks Reservation Policy Revision for the end of the meeting. UPDATES Administrative Assistant Appointment Mr. Hollister announced that he had been appointed Administrative Assistant by unanimous vote of the City Council on October 1, 1996. Mr. Hollister added that he had enjoyed serving the Parks and Recreation Commission for the past nine months and looked forward to continuing to work for them in the future. The Commission congratulated Mr. Hollister on his appointment. Recycling Mr. Hollister briefly discussed the City's recycling program and distributed literature on recycling. Hagstrom King Tennis Courts Mr. Hollister explained that a Councilmember had requested that he clarify her position on restoring tennis courts for Hagstrom-King in the Capital Improvement Plan; the Councilmember wished it to be understood that she was not necessarily advocating that tennis courts be installed, but rather insisting that they not be removed from the CIP without consultation with the neighborhood, since the neighborhood had been left with the impression that tennis courts would eventually be installed at Hagstrom-King. Chairman Spicer expressed content with placing the tennis courts back into the CIP. 2 Parks Report and Police Report The Commission had no questions on these two items. Big Rivers Trail Commissioner Kleinglass commented that he had biked along the new Big Rivers Trail and feels that it is a tremendous amenity and asset to the community. Mr. Kleinglass continued that it is well integrated with other trails in the region. Mr. Kleinglass commented, however, that the numerous warning signs about snakes along the river portion were perhaps a bit alarmist and may make people nervous. Commissioner Linnell agreed that it is a wonderfixl trail, but added that the transition between Valley Park and the Big Rivers trail should be smoother and more obvious with better signage. Commissioner Liberacki asked Staff to write a letter to Dakota County commending them on their excellent work on the Big Rivers Trail, and to tell them not to widen the trail at Valley Park. Chairman Spicer asked Staff to ask Mr. Kullander about the status of the park signage improvements. PARK RESERVATION POLICY REVISION Mr. Esser presented Staff s proposal for amending the fee and damage deposit provisions in the Parks Reservation Policy. Commissioner Kleinglass moved to recommend that the Council approve Staff's proposed revision of the Park Reservation Policy with some minor changes. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn made by Kleinglass and seconded by Linnell. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 The meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM. Respectfully Submitted Ptrt�tick C. Hollister