1998-08-11 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
AUGUST 11, 1998
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held
on Tuesday, August 11, 1998, in the Large Conference Room at City Hall, 1101 Victoria
Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.
The following Commissioners were present: Spicer, Liberacki2 Linnell7 Damberg and
Norton. Also present were Recreation Programmer Bill Bird, Parks Project Manager Guy
Kullander and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister.
MINUTES
Commissioner Damberg moved to approve the July 14, 1998 minutes with no corrections.
Commissioner Norton seconded the motion.
AYES: 4
NAYS: 0
ABSTAIN: 1(Liberacki)
UPDATES
Chair
Spicer suggested that Staff provide
the Updates first in
order to provide time for
more
Commissioners to arrive.
Staff provided updates on the following items:
• Recreation Programmer's Report
• Batting Cage Request
• Friendly Hills In -Line Skate Hockey Rink
• Friendly Hills Park Light Replacement
• Mile Markers on Trails
• Comprehensive Plan
• Parks Report
• Police Report
SOMMERSET 19 LAND SALE OFFER
Mr. Howard Guthmann and Mr. Ralph Sonday of the Sommerset 19 Homeowners
Association were in attendance at the meeting.
Mr. Guthmann said that the Sommerset 19 Homeowners Association would be interested
in selling excess land to the City for its assessed value.
Chair Spicer said that the Special Parks Fund is a minted financial resource and that the
City would probably not be willing to by the land for its assessed value of $26,000. Chair
Spicer said that he could support a recommendation to the City Council to purchase the
land for a nominal amount, perhaps less than $5000. Chair Spicer said that the
Association would still get the benefit of removing it as a tax burden, and that it may even
be considered a tax-deductible donation. Chair Spicer asked Mr. Guthmann and Mr.
Sonday to return to the Sommerset 19 Association and ask them if they would be
interested in this.
Mr. Guthmann and Mr. Sonday agreed to discuss this with the Sommerset 19 Association.
[17:1t1YN:�K�1�J�Y 11•_Z�11
Mr. Hollister presented the draft Dakota County Parks Capital Improvement Plan to the
Parks and Recreation Commission. Mr. Hollister said that Dakota County was looking for
preliminary comments from communities within the Dakota about the CIP.
The Parks and Recreation Commission said that they did not have any comments at this
time.
FRIENDLY HILLS TOT LOT VACATION
Mr. Hollister reported that the City Council held a public hearing at their regular meeting
on August 4, 1998 to discuss the release of four city -owned lots in the Friendly Hills
neighborhood for the purpose of single-family residential development. Mr. Hollister
explained that the four lots are known as Lots 3, 4, 10, and 11, Friendly Hills Re -
Arrangement and are located between Keokuk Lane and Apache Lane. Mr. Hollister said
that several Friendly Hills Residents appeared at the public hearing and that most were
opposed to vacating the lots. Mr. Hollister said that the Council directed Staff to relay
their comments to the Parks and Recreation Commission and to conduct further research
on these lots. Mr. Hollister then summarized the comments made by the residents at the
public hearing. Mr. Hollister said that after the public hearing, the Council also directed
Staff to conduct research on several issues, including costs and benefits of selling vs.
maintaining the lots, marketability of the lots, water table and soils issues, and possible
means of covenanting the lots to make sure that the new homes fit the neighborhood. Mr.
Hollister said that Staff is currently researching the above issues.
I999-2004 PARKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
The Commission also did further work on revising the Parks Capital Improvement Plan.
ADJOURN
Motion made to adjourn by Spicer and seconded by Damberg.
AYES:
NAYS:
The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Patrick C. Hollister