1998-09-08 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
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SEPTEMBER 8, 1998
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held
on Tuesday, September 8, 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: Spicer, Norton, Libra, Craighead, Linnell,
and Liberacki. Commissioner Damberg was excused from the meeting. Also present
were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Administrative Assistant Patrick C.
Hollister,
FRIENDLY HILLS HOCKEY RINK LIGHT REPLACEMENT
Mr. Kullander said that in order to conserve on electrical consumption and control the
level of unnecessary spill light at the Friendly Hills Hockey Rink, he recommended that the
Commissioner consider replacing the existing twelve 1500 watt flood lights with six to
Night metal halide sports lighting fixtures which would be designed to focus the majority of
the light output onto the rink area. Mr. Kullander said that his cost estimate was $3000-
$4,000, and that the City may qualify for a matching grant from NSP for half of the cost.
Mr. Kullander said that the City would install lights that were focused on the play area,
not "floodlights".
Conunissioner Libra moved to recommend that the City pay for the light replacement frcm
the Special Parks Fund.
Commissioner Norton seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONER LAWRENCE CRAIGHEAID
Chair Spicer said that the Council had appointed Mr. Steven Kleinglass to serve on the
Planning Commission and had appointed Mr. Lawrence Craighead to fill out the remainder
of Mr. Kleinglass7 term on the Parks and Recreation Commission.
The Commission welcomed Mr. Craighead to the Commission.
MINUTES
Commissioner Linnell moved to approve the August 11, 1998 minutes with correctiens.
Commissioner Norton seconded the motion.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
ABSTAIN: 1 (Liberacki)
FRIENDLY HILLS PLAYGROUND EQUH'MENT DONATION REQUEST
Ms.
Janet Schnakler and Ms. Beth Sevenich of the
Friendly
Hills Middle School PTA and
Ms.
Liz Wynne, Principal of Friendly Hills Middle
School were present for this discussion.
Ms. Sevenich introduced Ms. Schnakler, Ms. Wynne, and herself and said that they were
present at the meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission to ask the City to make a
$30,000 financial contribution for some new playground equipment at Friendly Hills
Middle School. Ms. Sevenich said that the new playground equipment was intended to
serve the needs of older children, ages 7 to 14 years old, and would include handicapped
accessible elements. Ms. Sevenich said that the new Friendly Hills Middle School
playground equipment should be thought of as a community facility. Ms. Sevenick said
that the various parks in Mendota Heights have very little playground facilities for older
children. Ms. Sevenich said that in addition to City funding, they were also looking for
financial support though a community -wide pledge drive, through the business community,
and through other community organizations.
Ms. Wynne said that the other parks in Mendota Heights serve younger kids, and that in
addition to recreation, this new equipment was intended to serve the functions of fitness,
problem solving, and team -building.
Commissioner Norton asked why this item was not in the original referendum for Friendly
Hills Middle School,
Ms. Wynne said that it was in the original referendum, but that it was later cut out of the
budget due to cost over -runs.
Commissioner Norton said that the school district should make a contribution to this
equipmentI
Ms. Wynne said that the school district had other priorities. Ms. Wynne said that this
project could be built in phases and that she did not want to wait for a school district
contribution.
Commissioner Craighead asked about the safety of rope -climbing equipment and what
provisions the school intended to make for adult supervision.
decided to hold onto these lots instead of selling them, some improvements could be
considered such as the addition of park benches and possibly a walking trail.
Councilmember Krebsbach said that there may be a problem with the water table and that
City Staff was researching the buildability of the lots.
The residents in attendance then discussed various scenarios, including officially
incorporating the land into the City's park system, adding benches, creating an ice skating
rink, holding an open air garage sale, and/or creating a community garden. Several
residents also said that the rocks left over from the Friendly Hills street reconstruction
project should be removed and the turf restored to its former condition.
Commissioner Craighead moved to direct Staff to investigate the removal of rocks from
the Tot Lot and the restoration of grass on the property. Commissioner Craighead further
moved to advise the Council that the decision on whether or not to sell the lots is up to
them and that the Council should decide on this before March 1, 1999. Commissioner
Craighead further moved that if the Council decides not to sell the lots, the lots should be
improved as an open space facility in a low -maintenance manner, such as the replanting of
grass and the planting of a few perimeter trees.
Commissioner Libra seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
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Commissioner Linnell introduced Mr. AI Singer of the DNR Metro Greenways program.
Commissioner Linnell said that he had asked Mr. Singer to come to the Commission
meeting to give a presentation on potential grants for greenspace acquisition.
Mr. Singer introduced himself and said that the Metro Greenways program has three
goals: to protect high value natural areas, to connect fragmented natural areas, and to
provide opportunities for the public to learn about Minnesota's natural heritage. Mr.
Singer said that up to $400,000 would be available to Metro area communities for the
acquisition of greenspace, but that the details of the program were not yet available
because they had not been finalized.
UPDATES
Staff provided updates on the following items:
• Recreation Programmer's Report
• Parks Report
• Police Report
ADJOURN
Motion made to adjourn by Norton and seconded by Libra.
AYES:
NAYS:
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Patrick C. Hollister