1998-11-10 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
NOVEMBER 10, 1998
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held
on Tuesday, November 10, 1998, in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 1101
Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
The following Commissioners were present: Spicer, Norton, Linnell, Damberg,
Craighead, and Libra. Commissioner Liberacki was excused from the meeting. Also
present were Councilmember-elect Mary Jeane Schneeman, Recreation Programmer Bill
Bird, Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander and Administrative Assistant Patrick C.
Hollister,
FULL TIME RECREATION PROGRAMMER
Chair Spicer asked for a motion to recommend to the new Council that the City hire afull-
time Recreation Facilitator,
Commissioner Damberg moved to recommend to the new Council that the City hire a full-
time Recreation Facilitator.
Commissioner Norton seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
MINUTES
Commissioner Damberg moved to approve the September 8, 1998 minutes with no
corrections.
Commissioner Libra seconded the motion.
AYE5: 6
NAYS: 0
FRIENDLY HILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL RECREATION EQUIPMENT REQTT�'.ST
Liz Wynne, Principal of Friendly Hills Middle School, presented her request for the City to
assist in funding outdoor recreational equipment for the middle school. Ms. Wynne
presented information addressing the Commission's previous concerns about safety,
insurance, and maintenance.
Commissioner Norton moved to recommend that the City approve $5,000 from the
Special Park Fund toward the installation of Phase I equipment under all previous
conditions.
Commissioner Libra seconded the motion
AYES:
NAYS:
HOCKEY WARMING HOUSE REQUEST
Mr. Mike Skidalko, resident of Mendota Heights and hockey parent, asked about the
possibility of improving the Wentworth warming house. The Commission discussed the
fact that the Wentworth warming house had long been considered less than fully adequate
to serve hockey players and pleasure skaters, but that the ice season was usually quite
short anyway.
Chair Spicer asked for a motion.
Commissioner Linnell moved to request that Staff prepare two cost estimates, one for
replacing the Wentworth park shelter with a similar shelter and one for a new shelter for
year-round use.
Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
Commissioner Norton moved to request that Staff get demographic information from the
school district on the population and ages of children, and if possible, the future
recreational needs of the community.
Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
PROPOSED CIVIC CENTER CONVERSION TO BASEBALL FIELD
Scott Miller, Baseball Director for MHAA, requested that the Parks Commission consider
converting the Civic Center ballfield to a baseball -only use.
The Commission discussed the fact that the City does not consider this facility to be a
park. The Commission also discussed the fact that the field is currently being used for
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adult softball and that there may be objections from softball teams if they have to play at
another field.
The Commissioner tabled this issue until January in order to give Staff time to discuss with
MHAA possible cost -sharing arrangements for converting the Civic Center field to
baseball and also to determine the implications for softball of making this conversion..
UPDATES
Staff provided updates on the following items:
• Recreation Programmer's Report
• Cross -Country Skiing at Par 3
• Parks Report
• Police Report
F� 11LIliJ7�1
Motion made to adjourn by Spicer and seconded by Damberg.
AYE5: 6
NAYS: 0
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Patrlck C. Hollister
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