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1998-04-14 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 1411998 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, April 14, 1998, in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. The following Commissioners were present: Chair Spicer, Kleinglass, Liberacki, and Linnell, and Libra. Commissioners Norton and Damberg were excused from the meeting. Also present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister, PARKViEW PLAZA RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION Mr. Hollister presented a memorandum from Recreation Programmer Bill Bird and an accompanying letter to Mr. Bird from the Parkview Plaza Residents Association dated February 26, 1998. Mr. Hollister explained that the letter is asking that the City purchase some equipment for use by the Association, and that Staff had felt that it would be best to present this request to the Parks and Recreation Commission before referring it to Council. Mr. Hollister explained that the Parkview Plaza Residents Association is made up entirely of people who live in the new HRA building and is a separate group from the Mendota Heights Seniors Club, even though both groups meet regularly at Parkview Plaza. Mr. Hollister noted that five members of the Parkview Plaza Residents Association were present at the meeting and asked them to introduce themselves to the Commission. The following members of the Parkview Plaza Residents Association introduced themselves to the Commission: Arlene Schrofer, Evelyn Fischer, Sue Dorn, Evelyn Kearney, and Robert Kearney. Chairman Spicer asked someone from the Association to provide some background about the Association and explain the request. Evelyn Fischer said that the residents of Parkview Plaza had formed the Association and collected voluntary dues from residents in order to provide programming and activities for the residents. Ms. Fischer said that the Association was requesting that the City purchase a room partition, a PA system, a TV, a VCR, and a Cable membership for the Association. Ms. Fischer asked that the Parks and Recreation Commission consider their organization's needs and present their request to the City Council. Robert Kearney added that since the Mendota Heights Senior Club also meets regularly in the HRA building, they could also make use of this equipment. Evelyn Fischer said that her Association had done some preliminary research on the cost of this equipment, and that the public address system would be about $250-$300, the VCR would be $250-$300, and the television would be about $2004300. Arlene Schrofer said that one of the reasons the organization needed a public address system was that the HRA building has some residents who are hearing impaired and have difficulty fully participating in programs and activities in the meeting hall of Parkview Plaza due to the odd "L" shape of the room. Chairman Spicer said that the Parks and Recreation Commission wants to help provide recreational activities to all age groups within the community. Chairman Spicer asked for a motion. Commissioner Linnell said that it maybe more appropriate for the management of Parkview Plaza to buy this equipment. Evelyn Fischer said that the public address system could be used to have a candidates forum at the Senior Center in advance of this year's municipal election. Chairman Spicer asked for a motion to recommend that the City purchase this equipment for placement and use at Parkview Plaza, Arlene 5chrofer said that if the Parkview Plaza residents had cable, they could watch the City Council meetings. Commissioner Kleinglass moved to recommend that the City Council appropriate money from the Special Parks Fund for the purchase of the requested equipment, that the City keep ownership and control of said equipment, and that the equipment be available for check-out and use by the Parkview Plaza Residents Association, the Mendota Heights Senior Club, any other local community organization, or the City itself. Commissioner Kleinglass added that the use of the Special Parks Fund for this equipment would be justified because this equipment, like sporting equipment, would be primarily used for recreational purposes, such as Bingo. Commissioner Kleinglass said he would be most comfortable with the City maintaining ownership and control of the equipment with the understanding that the primary use of the equipment is for seniors. Commissioner Li ell said that the equipment should also meet the needs of the Mendota Heights Senior Club. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: 2 Mr. Hollister told the Parl ew Plaza residents that this item would be on the April 21, 1998 Council agenda and suggested that the residents attend the meeting to introduce themselves and to answer any questions the Council may have. Evelyn Schrofer thanked the Commission on behalf of the Parkview Plaza residents. Evelyn Schrofer then announced that next Saturday the Parkview Plaza residents would be having a White Elephant Sale from 11:30 am to 3:30 p.m., complete with "sloppy joes" and potato chips. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Mr. Hollister presented the current Parks and Recreation Capital Improvement Plan. Mr. Hollister said that budget time would begin again in another month, and that he wanted to Parks and Recreation Commission to begin thinking about revising the Capital Improvement Plan, Commissioner Libra moved to recommend that the Council construct two picnic shelters in Friendly Hills Park. Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: Commissioner Linnell moved to recommend that Mr. Kullander do a feasibility study for cross-country ski trails at Valley Park, and that Mr. Kullander look at grooming the entire park for cross-country skiing or only half of the park for cross-country skiing. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion. Commissioner Kleinglass asked why the City couldn't just plow the trails for cross- country skiers. Commissioner Libra said that there is a special machine that keeps snow on Al trails. Chairman Spicer suggested that half of the park be groomed for cross-country ski trails and half be groomed for walkers. Chairman Spicer suggested that the area from Marie to Highway 110 be for skiing and that north of Marie be for walking. Commissioner Linnell said that cutting another corridor specifically for skiers would not be a problem. Mr. Kullander said that the Special Parks Fund could be used to fund the cross-country ski trail construction in Valley Park, but that yearly maintenance costs would be budgeted for in the General Fund. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 ABSTENTIONS: 1 (Kleinglass) APPROVAL OF MARCH 109 1998 PARK AND RECREATION MINUTES Commissioner Linnell moved to approve the March 10, 1998 Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes with corrections. Commissioner Kleinglass seconded the motion. AYES: NAYS: UPDATES Mr. Hollister provided updates on the following items: Second Comprehensive Planning Workshop 4/14/98 Mr. Hollister reminded the Commissioners that the Second Comprehensive Plan Revision Workshop would commence at 7:30 that same evening in the Council Chambers and asked as many Commissioners as possible to attend. Mr. Hollister noted that Planner McMonigal had entered the room. Mr. Hollister said that he had asked Ms. McMonigal to visit the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to inspire Commissioners to attend the Comprehensive Planning Workshop, Commissioner Liberacki provided Ms. McMonigal a more up-to-date list of park space and facilities than the list that existed in the current draft. Recreation Programmer's Update Mr. Hollister reported that the monthly Recreation Programmer's Update was not available because Mr. Bird had the stomach flu. Spring Clean Up Mr. Hollister reminded the Commission that Spring Clean -Up would be on May 9, 1998, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mendota Plaza, and invited Commissioners to volunteer to help at the event or at least come to deposit items. Recycling Information Mr. Hollister announced the Dakota County Eco-Site Open House in Eagan on the corner of Dodd Road and Yankee Doodle Road on April 25, 1998. 0 CommissionersPer-Diem Mr. Hollister reported that the Council had requested that those Commissioners who wished to decline their per -diem payments do so in writing. Mr. Hollister also said that the payments are intended to reimburse individuals for their time and effort on the Commission, and that the City would not be involved in managing or accounting for any special fund pooled from those reimbursements. Commissioner Libra asked whether or not the City would be issuing a 1099 form for the reimbursement for tax purposes. Commissioner Libra said he wanted to know how to report this income for tax purposes. Mr. Hollister said that he would research this issue. Native Plantings Seminar Mr. Hollister announced that the scheduled Native Plantings seminar for April 14, 1998 had been postponed due to the second Comprehensive Planning Workshop, Wentworth Park Shelters Mr. Kullander announced that the City Council had accepted bids for the construction of two shelters in Wentworth Park and had awarded the contract to EnComm Midwest, Parks Report There were no comments on this item. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS Chairman Spicer said that he had received a call from the Sibley baseball coaches, and that the coaches wanted to improve the fenced baseball field, constructed by the City, by adding dugouts. Mr. Kullander suggested that the City investigate splitting the cost with the school district and other user organizations. Chairman Spicer asked Staff to contact the school district about a joint contribution for dugouts. Commissioner Linnell said that if the City offered money for the dugouts, the City should request that the fields be constantly unlocked to accommodate more public use such as pick-up games or casual users. Commissioner Kleinglass asked how important the dugouts were. Chairman Spicer said that dugouts were nice and safe for storage, and were convenient when the weather was sunny, raining, or hot. Chairman Spicer added that no full-sized fenced baseball fields were available at all times. Chairman Spicer said that anyone could use the Sibley ballfields, but that they had to be scheduled in advance. Chairman Spicer asked Mr. Kullander about the parks maps. Chairman Spicer said that W. Kullander should do those items on his priority list. Commissioner Liberacki said that the big signs in some City parks looked faded and that they needed to be stained or painted. Mr. Kullander reported that the summer part-timers had painted the signs a few years ago and that he would inform Parks Leadperson Terry Blum of the Commission's request. ADJOURN Motion made to adjourn by Kleinglass and seconded by Liberacki. AYES: NAYS: The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m. Respec�lly Submitted, Patrick C. Hollister 0