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1992-09-08 Parks and Rec Comm MinutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 81 1992 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, September 8, 1992, in the City Hall Large Conference Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 7:10 o'clock P.M. The following members were present: Norton, Kleinglass, Hunter, Huber. Commissioners Damberg and Katz had informed the Commission that they would be late. Commissioner Spicer was excused. Also present was Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Hunter moved to approve the August 11, 1992 Minutes. Commissioner Kleinglass seconded the motion. AYES: 4 NAYS: 0 NEW COMMISSIONER Chair Huber welcomed the Commissioner Ann Norton. Commission was happy to have forward to working with Ms. made around the table. new Parks and Recreation Chair Huber stated the a new member and was looking Norton. Introductions were Commissioner Damberg arrived at 7:15 o'clock P.M. INTRODIICTION OF PARK VIDEO PRODUCER Administrative Assistant Batchelder introduced Paul Pieper as the producer of the City's park video that is under contract. Batchelder explained the Northern Dakota County Cable Commission had granted the City a $500 grant award for the purpose of producing a video describing the new park system. Batchelder stated the park video would highlight Mendakota Park and the recent community celebration as a background to showcasing the new park facilities in Mendota Heights. Batchelder stated the park video would also function to broadcast to the community information regarding all pieces of the park system and the recreational opportunities that are available within the City of Mendota Heights. Mr. Pieper was present to record footage of the Parks and Recreation Commission in action as part of the video. September 8, 1992 Page 2 Commissioner Katz arrived at 7:20 o°clock P.M. REPORT ON ANNUAL CELEBRATION Administrative Assistant Batchelder reported on the events on August 8th at the community's first annual Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks festivities. Batchelder provided a report that had been presented to the City Council at their August 18th meeting that included an accounting of the funds collected and spent at the celebration. Chair Huber inquired if everybody had been appropriately thanked. Batchelder stated that the success was due to the work of the planning committee and volunteers. Batchelder stated the new Recreation Programmer, that the City is in the process of hiring, will play a major role on next year's planning committee. The Parks Commission made suggestions on how to improve next year's annual event including the provision of more shade and renting a better sound system. The Parks Commission also discussed the tents that had been rented and the fact that the City should consider purchasing tents and these could be made available to people reserving parks as well as for City use during annual events. Commissioner Norton stated the fire trucks were extremely popular with a lot of the children and the City should consider having other City trucks out there for rides including public works type vehicles. Commissioner Damberg commented that she was surprised by the amount of open space at Mendakota Park. Commissioner Katz stated she noticed the tough turf that provides the handicap play surface at the play equipment was getting worn around the edges and it looked like perhaps children had been tearing pieces of the edge off and alerted staff to this problem. ROLE OF THE PARKS CONbSISSION Chair Huber introduced this item as a carry over from the July meeting. Huber stated a year ago the Parks and Recreation Commission adopted "The Role of the Parks and Recreation Commission". Huber stated this document was before the Parks and Recreation Commission for their review and consideration. Chair Huber inquired of the Commission if they desired language in the document to address the new Recreation Programmer. The Commission discussed this item and decided that "with the assistance of the Recreation Programmer" should be included under Item #2. Item #2 states that it is a Parks and Recreation Commission priority to develop the City's recreation programs. Chair Huber described the Parks and September 8, 1992 Page 3 Recreation Commission roles as one of advocacy for parks and recreation programs and advocacy for the parks system in Mendota Heights, Commissioner Katz moved to approve the revised "Role of the Parks and Recreation Commission". Commissioner Hunter seconded the motion. AYES: 6 NAYS: 0 LAND ACQUISITYON Chair Huber explained the City Council had recently approved a Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation for the setting aside of an estimated $200,000 of uncommitted referendum money to be intended for park land purchase. Huber stated the Parks and Recreation Commission had been directed to begin discussing the goals and priorities for park acquisition money. Huber stated the Commission had previously discussed this at the July meeting and following that discussion it had set some preliminary priorities as 1) land that is adjacent to parks; 2) trail extensions or expansions and 3) a single large land track that would be appropriate for park use. Administrative Assistant Batchelder presented an inventory of the current park system including the acreage of the parks and their locations and the goals and standards by which the City's park system has been built upon. Batchelder also stated City staff was currently preparing an update on vacant lands in Mendota Heights for the September 29th City Council/Planning Commission Joint Workshop. Batchelder stated when this inventory on vacant lands becomes available then the Parks and Recreation Commission can use that information to look at each City park and any contiguous or proximate land parcels that might make sense as park land. Batchelder stated this type of review will help the Commission focus on any desirable land parcels and if one are available, to set goals and priorities for future land acquisition. Administrative Assistant Batchelder relayed a message from Commissioner Spicer who had stated the owners of the Par 3 were interested in discussing the future of the Par 3 with the City. The Commission discussed the Par 3 Golf Course. The Commission discussed multiple uses of the Par 3 including cross country skiing and warming house during the winter as well as potential links to Valley September 8, 1992 Page 4 Park. The Commission discussed the various funding sources for future land acquisition. The Commission directed staff to provide the update on vacant lands in Mendota Heights at the next meeting to continue the discussion of the goals and priorities for park land acquisition. VERBAL UPDATES Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated City Council had recently discussed topics to include on the Planning Commission/City Council Joint Workshop agenda. Batchelder stated a few of the topics suggested by the Planning Commission had been rerouted to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Batchelder stated this included pond preservation/fertilizer use and expansion of the trail system. The Commission indicated they would be interested in having information provided to them on non point source pollution, watershed management organizations and possible dissemination of this information for the community regarding fertilizer use and pond preservation. The Commission indicated that expansion of the trail system is an ongoing activity of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Batchelder reported on the progress of the Recreation Programmer recruiting and on the withdrawal of the request to reserve Mendakota Park by the Matt Blair Twin Cities Softball Classic. Batchelder also reported that Council approved the following Parks and Recreation Commission recommendations: 1) resolution supporting Regional Trails/Soo Line Connection; 2) new equipment - lock boxes and air dryers at Mendakota Park; 3) Mendota School play equipment - PTA proposal; and 4) Visitation School request to reserve Roger's Lake Park tennis courts. Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated Mary Anderson Homes recently had made a park dedication payment for Bridgeview Shores 3rd Addition in the amount of $11,400. The Parks Commission discussed the recent vandalism activity in some of the parks and requested that staff keep a summary total of the vandalism that is occurring in the parks and that possible prevention tactics including information in the City newsletter should be done to address this problem. September 8, 1992 Page 5 There being no further business, the Parks and Recreation Commission adjourned their meeting at 8:20 o'clock P.M. Respectfully submitted, Kevin Batchelder Administrative Assistant