1995-12-12 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
A(:F a
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
December 12, 1995 - 6:30 p.m.
** 6:30 o'clock p.m. **
1. Call to Order.
2. Roll Call.
3. Approval of November 14,1995 Minutes.
4. Review of Middle School Site Plan.
* Mr. Christopher Gibbs, Project Architect
5. Outdoor Skating Rinks Update.
6. Discuss Trail Plowing Policy.
7. Updates
* Police and Parks Department Reports for November
* Friends of the Parks Tree Program
* Letter of resignation from Recreation Programmer
* North Kensington Park City Council Discussion
8. Adjourn.
Auxiliary aids for disabled persons are available upon request at least 120 hours in
advance. If a notice of less than 120 hours is received, the City of Mendota Heights
will make every attempt to provide the aids, however, this may not be possible on
short notice. Please contact City Administration at 4524850 with requests.
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 14, 1995
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission
was held on Tuesday, November 14, 1995, in the City Hall Large Conference
Room, 1101 Victoria Curve. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 o'clock P.M.
The following members were present: Spicer, Liberacki, Libra, Linnell and
Damberg. Commissioners Norton and Kleinglass were excused. Also present
were Administrative Assistant Kevin Batchelder and Parks Project Manager Guy
Kullander.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Liberacki moved to approve the October 10, 1995 minutes.
Commissioner Linnell seconded the motion.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
VERBAL UPDATES
Administrative Assistant Batchelder stated the monthly Police and Parks
Department reports for October had been included with the packet.
Batchelder stated that City staff was working to identify locations in our
parks in preparation for the Friends of the Parks Tree Program. He stated
that this tree program would be advertised for residents to purchase trees in
our next winter City newsletter. Batchelder stated that these trees would
be available for purchase at group rates for residents for their private yards
or for donation to the City parks. He stated the trees would be ready for
Earth Day which is the fourth Saturday in April.
Batchelder stated that Recreation Programmer Heinsch is looking into cross
country skiing opportunities including development of ski trails, providing
cross country ski lessons, and working on joint programming with local area
schools. Commissioner Liberacki inquired about potential downhill ski trips.
The Commission discussed joint programming for ski trips and looking into
private ski program opportunities.
i7
The Commission discussed the transition of staff duties. Batchelder stated
it had been a pleasure to serve the Parks and Recreation Commission for the
last seven years and described the many accomplishments of the Parks
Commission, especially the implementation of the Park Referendum and the
establishment of a recreation program.
Commissioner Libra moved that the Parks and Recreation Commission adopt
a Resolution commending Assistant Batchelder for his efforts in staffing the
Parks and Recreation Commission for the last seven years.
Commissioner Damberg seconded the motion.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
NORTH KENSINGTON PARK
The Commission inquired about the bids that had been received for North
Kensington Park and desired to discuss what the status of the current
existing design is for North Kensington Park. Kullander stated that he could
only get bidders to bid on individual specific portions of the project and
could not get someone to bid *on the whole project which includes grading,
tree and shrub planting, native grass installation and wildflowers. Kullander
stated that the bids were high for the grading work and that the City
Council had indicated that it may not be necessary to do all of the pond
grading and dredging. Kullander stated that the City Council had also
indicated a desire to scale back on the native grasses in this area and to go
with a more traditional look with tree plantings and an emphasis on the
pond edge.
The Commission felt that the City Council should reconsider whether they
want to disregard the park design that was worked out between the City
and the neighborhood, with a lot of support for this design. The
Commission expressed a concern that Joni Giese had spent a lot of time
creating this design, that the neighborhood had endorsed it, and that the
City had spent money on this design process. Commissioner Damberg felt
that this passive park with native grasses and wildflowers was supported by
the neighbors and that they would accept this more wild look as opposed to
the traditional landscape plan. The Commission discussed the changing
context of this area with the development of the middle school.
The Commission discussed the bids that had been received on this park and
the bidding process that could occur over the winter.
3
57,000 and that under the Capital Improvement Plan two of these shelters
could be installed in Wentworth Park. Kullander stated the other option
would be to look at pre -fabricated shelters kits for picnic shelters.
The Commission felt that the shelters in Mendakota and Kensington were
nice and that Wentworth Park should have a similar level of shelter. The
Commission felt that this would make picnic shelters in the City parks
uniform. The Commission discussed appropriate locations for the picnic
shelters and desired that they be near the pond/play area/trail and that they
should have a grill located in the immediate area. The Commission felt that
it was only necessary to have one shelter and that it should be an elongated
rectangle. The Commission discussed enlarging the existing warming house
with a roof extension and felt that this was not necessary.
The Commission directed staff to put together rough drawings showing one
shelter near the pond/play area/trail that would overlook the pond with one
grill serving this shelter. The Commission directed that this be an
appropriate size picnic shelter for this area and that the intention would be
to use the current design for a uniform look around the parks.
The Commission felt that a neighborhood meeting may not be necessary for
these simple improvements in Wentworth Park and directed staff to bring
the design back for the January meeting. The Commission directed staff to
send a press release announcing that this design would be open for review
at their February meeting.
The Commission discussed the American with Disability Act improvements
in Wentworth Park. Kullander stated if the ADA improvements are made to
the warming house, that this park would be fully accessible. Kullander
stated the play equipment upgrades for ADA had occurred at Wentworth
Park for 1995 and that now the City has three accessible parks including
Wentworth, Kensington and Mendakota.
The Commission discussed the enlargement of the free skating area at
Wentworth Park in an easterly direction with one or more additional lights.
Commissioner Linnell stated there are some nice white pines in the trees by
the tennis court that are being crowded by boxelder trees and he felt that
these boxelder trees should be trimmed in order to help the white pines be
more successful.
TO: Pazks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Shelli Heinsch1 Recreation Programmer
SUBJECT: Middle School Site Plan
At the request of Commissioner Linn
l97 will be presented to the Commission. 7!
Armstrong, Torseth, Skold and Rydeen Inc.
any questions from the Commission,
December U, "YJ
ell, the new middle school site design for ISD No.
[r. Christopher Gibbs, Project Architect for
will be present to discuss the site plan and answer
In the past, the Commission has discussed potential athletic fields and gymnasium space
at the new middle school that could prove beneficial for many user groups. The Commission
should review the site plan with Mr. Gibbs and provide any necessary feedback.
Acknowledge and review the new middle school site plan.
December 6, 1995
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Shelli Heinsch, Recreation Programmer
SUBJECT: Outdoor Ice Rink Update
The City has recently hired five new and six returning part-time seasonal ice rink
attendants. Interviews were held November 21-22 and City Council approved the hirings on
December 5 (please see attached memo). I am confident they will serve the city well. A
training and orientation was given to the rink attendants about job duties, customer service
skills, maintenance and flooding.
The Pazks Department started flooding Marie, Friendly Hills, Wentworth and Ivy Hills
Parks the last week of November and are continuing to flood with the Rink Attendants for as
- long as it stays cold. If the weather cooperates, we could open the rinks as early as the week
before Christmas.
November 29, 1995
TO: Mayor, City Council and Interim City Administrator
11— •1. I1,1 I•
At this time the City of Mendota Heights has completed interviews for the part time
seasonal Ice Rink Attendant positions. In past years the City has hired 10-12 rink attendants to
staff the four outdoor skating rinks including Marie Park, Wentworth Park, Friendly Hills
Park and Ivy Hills Park. The City has selected 11 rink attendants for hire, six of which have
Previously worked for the City of Mendota Heights as a Rink Attendant, they include: Mike
Carlson, Timothy Dolan, Robert Ruiz, Chris Zaun, Michael Hocks and Mark Hetherington.
There are five persons who would be new to the City, they include: Garry Boike, John
Carl III, Donato Bataglia, Darren Heutmaker and Mike Portz.
%Vol I I' I
3. No
equipment or personal possessions
of any patron
or rink attendant will be stored in
the
warning houses. Exceptions are a
radio and the
rink attendant's ice skates.
4. Nn Televisions are allowed in the Warming Flnnses�
5. No profanity will be allowed at the rink sites by any patron or rink attendant.
6. No smoking, tobacco products or alcoholic beverages are allowed in the warming
houses. No alcoholic beverages are allowed on or near the ice rinks.
7. No hockey sticks are allowed on the pleasure skating rinks. This must be enforced to
ensure safety.
8. There is no horseplay on or near the rink allowed.
the Recreation Programmer. The Recreation Programmer will decide whether the rinks
will be opened .n questionable
A bonus will be awarded if you meet the following criteria:
Arrive on time for work.
2. Properly fill out records and reports.
Properly put away equipment at the end of the day.
4. Follow procedures for substitutions.
5. Always wear the identifying rink attendant jacket when on duty.
6. Work the entire season or until last written date available.
Your bonus is lost after two warnings or write-ups by the Recreation Programmer or Parks
leadperson. The bonus will be $.25 per hour for all hours worked as a rink attendant through
the winter season. The bonus will be given after the season is completed.
You have been selected as a part-time seasonal employee for the City of Mendota
Heights. We are confident in your abilities to professionally represent the City while
performing your specific job tasks.
It is our goal to provide a positive experience to all patrons who visit our parks. You
may be the only one the patron will see. Therefore, it is very important that you integrate the
following public relations skills into your daily activities.
SAFETY Keep all areas clean and in working order for everyone.
ORGANIZATION Be prepared for large crowds, emergencies, as well as activities.
TEAM WORK Work together as a unit - help each other when needed.
ACCOUNTABILITY Be helpful and courteous to patrons, fellow workers and
supervisors.
CUSTOMF1t SERVICE Treat all patrons with respect, wurtesy and enthusiasm. The
main responsibility of every ice rink attendant is to safeguard the
patrons and to send them home in a happy frame of mind. Each
employee should develop tact, courtesy, willing service, and a
smile to promote the ice rink program.
This information is designed to assist you in your job. Specific guidelines and rules
have been set up to make your job as easy as possible as safe and enjoyable. It is also our
desire for you to have a positive experience this winter. If the Park staff can help you in any
way, please ask.
► Look clean and neat.
► Be friendly -Thank you, Have a nice day, Can I help you?
► Know the correct information - if you don't know the answer, try to find it.
► Know the roles and be fain and consistent when enforcing them.
► Give the patron your attention -eliminate personal distractions.
► Keep the warning house, ice and surrounding areas clean.
Pay-perjod Pay_Dax
December 9 - 22 December 28
December 23 - January 5 January 11
January 6 - 19 January 25
January 20 - February 2 February 8
February 3- 16 February 22
February 17 - March 1 March 7
When opening the warming house at the start of the day, make sure the warming house
looks clean and neat. When shoveling the rinks, make sure the snow is not being pushed up
against the boards or the edge of the rinks. Please fill out the log sheet that will be used for
the day.
When closing the warming house, sweep or clean up any debris in the warming house
or near the ice rinks. Lights should be turned off and the door locked. The log sheet should
be completely filled out. Check outside to make sure that no shovels have been left out.
December 6, 1995
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Shelli Heinsch, Recreation Programmer
SUBJECT: Trails -Snowplowing Policy
Recently, the City received several inquiries regarding the snowplowing of
bicycle/pedestrian trails at Valley Park and Friendly Marsh. As a result of the inquiries, the
Parks Department did plow both of those trails after the significant snowfall on November 27.
Attached is an informal trail plowing policy dated September 6, 1991. The policy
states that all city streets, roads and culdesacs have first priority and are to be completely
plowed before the park maintenance crews are released to plow snow from ice rinks and trails.
A direct conflict with plowing the trails for walkers is that cross country skiers would not be
able to use those trails for skiing. The trails have been left unplowed until the recent
inquiries.
Discuss the trail plowing policy and provide direction to staff for any needed revisions.
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
MEMO
December 7, 1995
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Terry Blum, Parks �eadperson
SUBJECT: November Park Report
The following work was completed within the City parks in the month of
November:
1. Trim Trees.
2. Removed and trimmed trees at bridge sites in Wentworth and Valley
Parks.
3. Hauled gravel to bridge site entryways.
4. Prepared warming houses for skating season.
5. Repaired furnace at Friendly Hills warming house.
6. Tested all lights at rinks.
7. Cleaned off all rinks of snow and started flooding on November 28.
There was no vandalism reported.
ACTIVITY REPORT MENDOTA, HGTS PARK:p
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CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
November 29, 1995
TO: Mayor, City Council and Interim City Administrator
FROM: Shelli Heins ch, Recreation Programmer
SLTBJF,CT: Letter of Resignation
I am announcing my departure from the City of Mendota Heights as I have accepted a
position as the Recreation Program Assistant with the City of Lakeville. My last day of
employment with the City of Mendota Heights is January 1, 1996. The City of Lakeville is a
growing community with many new recreation opportunities. This position was created due to
growing leisure demands in Lakeville.
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