1988-05-11 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
MINUTES, MAY 11, 1988
The regular meeting o£ the Mendota Heights Park and
Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, May 11, 1988,
at City Hall. Chairman Stein called the meeting to order at
7:00 P.M. The following members were present: Stein, Owens,
Leffert, Damberg, Lachenmayer, Katz. Huber was absent. Also
present was Public Works Director Jim Danielson.
APPROVAL OF Minutes of the April 12 meeting were
MINUTES approved.
CURLEY'S TOT LOT Discussion of proposal by Dr. Pilney and
group regarding construction of tot lot
on City owned lot in Curley's Addition.
Some concerns voiced regarding
consistency of equipment among
playgrounds, possible problems of
supervision and inspection of labor since
area residents would be doing the
construction, "developer agreement" type
contract might be necessary.
Dave Ayers (resident) stated that there
is great enthusiasm on the part of the
neighborhood for the project so there is
little danger that this would not be
completed. Also, the planning and
grading is being done by Kurth
Construction who are experienced in such
projects.
It is the sense of the commission that
since this is an unusual situation, that
there exists a long history of broken
promises by the City to build a play area
on this City owned lot, that it is
appropriate to recommend that the project
receive commission approval.
Commissioner Damberg moved that up to
$14,000 from the Park Fund be spent for
acquisition of materials and equipment as
per the plan presented by Dr. Pilney, Mr.
Ayers, and Mr. Schneeman, for a play area
in Curley's Addition. The motion was
seconded and passed with Commissioner
Owens abstaining (since he is not
familiar enough with the issue and the
facts).
POTENTIAL Commissioner Owens described some
IMPROVEMENTS PER suggested improvements in the parks
OWEN'S LETTER including:
1. a skating and hockey rink in the
southeast area of the city.
metal storage boxes for ball fields.
3. chain link fencing for hockey rink at
Friendly Hills,
Commissioner Owens moved that chain link
fence be installed around the end boards
at Friendly Hills rink. The motion was
seconded and discussed. Commission
approved the concept but felt more
information (i.e., cost) would be needed
for approval.
PARKS BEAUTIFICATION Commissioner Damberg expressed concern
about the safety of playground
equipment and whether the condition has
been well inspected. P.W. Director
Danielson said sand will be added and
that equipment is checked periodically.
The City has approved the hiring of a
landscape architect for park
beautification.
PARKS BOND There is now approximately $400,000 in
REFERENDUM the Park Fund. There will be little
AFTERMATH further donation as there is very little
developable land left in the City and the
donations have come mainly from
developers in lieu of land dedication.
There are four new parks to be
constructed; Victoria, Bream (Perkegwin),
Southeast and King.
As per the Centex agreement,
approximately 20 acres will be donated
for a park in the southeast area, and
Chair Stein feels the City should acquire
additional open space in that area.
It was recommended that Commissioners be
provided with an updated map of the City
parks, and also that Commissioners do a
walk through some of the areas yet to be
developed.
Commissioner Lachenmayer volunteered to
contact Dick Putnam for a tour of the
southeast property. She will make the
arrangement.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS Commissioners were reminded of the June 4
teambuilding workshop and are urged to
think about priorities and
recommendations.
ADJOURN There being no further business to come
before the Commission, the meeting was
adjourned at 8:40 P.M.
Vicki Katz
Recording Secretary