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2000-04-11 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda Packet (2)��y CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA AGENDA PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION April 11, 2000 6:30 p.m. -Large Conference Room 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Mazch 14, 2000 Minutes 4. Pazks Projects for Fiscal Yeaz 2000 5. Upgrade Playground Equipment 6. Updates • Parks Commission Appointment and Reappointments • March Recreation Report • West Saint Paul Newsletter • Spring Clean -Up • Police Report (Available Tuesday) 7. Adjourn Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities aze 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. This may not, however, be possible on short notice. Please contact City Administration at 452-1850 with requests. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION COMIVIISSION MINUTES MARCH 14, 2000 The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, March 14, 2000, 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: Commissioners Lawrence Craighead, Stan Linnell, Ann Connelly, Dave Libra and Jay Liberacki. Chair Richard Spicer was excused from the meeting. City Staff present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander, Recreation Programmer Mary Hapka, and Administrative Assistant Patrick C. Hollister. Mr. Hollister took the minutes. ICE/HOCKEY RINK MAINTENANCE Mr. Mike Stodolka, 1407 Farmdale Road, presented a letter to the Commission outlining his concerns about rink maintenance for next winter. Mr. Stodolka asked if there was some way that the City could better ensure adequate flooding of the rinks. Mr. Stodolka suggested that the City may wish to hire two seasonal workers just to flood the rinks. The Commission directed Staff to return to the October Parks Commission with a plan to improve flooding of the rinks. MENDOTA HEIGHTS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENT FEES Mr. Tim Manning of the Mendota Heights Athletic Association told the Commission that MHAA objected to paying fees for maintenance before, during, and after baseball tournaments at Mendakota Park. Mr. Manning drew a distinction between MHAA "in- house" tournaments that involve local kids and parents and larger regional tournaments such as AAU tournaments which draw from a much larger area outside of Mendota Heights. Commissioner Craighead moved to recommend that the fee policy be amended to exclude MHAA from any tournament fees for the year 2000 and to review the matter aeain for 2001. Commissioner Connelly seconded the motion. AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 PROPOSED SENIOR CENTER AT THOMPSON COUNTY PARK Mr. Kullander told the Commission that discussions were occurring between the City of Wets Saint Paul, the City of South Saint Paul, and Dakota County about the possibility of a jointly run Senior Center at Thompson County Park. Mr. Kullander said that Staff would like input from the Parks and Recreation Commission about whether or not the City of Mendota Heights should also participate in this venture. The Commission agreed that this facility would be too far away from Mendota Heights to be of any real use to the City's senior population. UPDATES Staff provided updates on the following items: • Resignation of Commissioner Damberg • January/February Parks and Recreation Report • Fishing Pier at Rogers Lake Park • Police Report PARKS PROJECTS FOR THE YEAR 2000 Mr. Kullander said that the 1999 Budget included $73,000.00 for Capital Improvements of which approximately $50,000.00 was used. Mr. Kullander added that the 2000 Budget also includes $73,000.00 for Capital Improvements. The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended that the funds budgeted for fiscal year 2000 be used to complete the following three projects. The project descriptions are listed with the highest-ranking priority first. 1. Replace warming house at Wentworth Park The Commission desired to replace the existing small (14'x18') twenty-five plus year old warming house with a larger multiuse structure which is similar in appearance and design to recently constructed park facilities. The Commission determined that a budget of $50,000.00 be established for this project. 2. Valley Park Cross Country Ski Trail The Commission's current plan is for a first stage development of a looped trail in the area north of the current ball field. The loop(s) would include a connection near Bachelor Avenue to access a cross-country trail on the Par 3 Golf Course. Work required for this project includes the removal of brush and vegetation to provide a twelve foot wide trail way and signage. The existing parking lot would be the "jumping off' point for this trail loop(s). Estimated budget: $5,000.00, 3. You are here signage Estimated cost: $2,500.00 for enough materials for 15 to 20 signs. Summary: 1, Replace Wentworth Park Warming House $50,000 2. Cross Country Ski Trail $ 5,000 3. You Are Here Signage $ 2,500 $57,500.00 In addition to the above projects for fiscal year 2000, the Commission discussed the replacement of older wood timber play equipment that exists in seven parks (Friendly Hills, Marie, Wentworth, Valley, Rogers Lake, Hagstrom-King and Valley View Heights). Estimated replacement cost per park: $12 to $15,000.00 each for a total of $100,000.00. The Commission determined that replacement of the timber play equipment is a high priority but recognized that using the Special Park Fund for maintenance expenses would seriously deplete the Special Park Fund and therefore requested that the City Council to recognize that current park dedication fees from single family developments can no longer sustain or increase the Special Park Fund, The Park and Recreation Commission requested that the City Council authorize the use of Special Park Funds to complete the three projects described above. The Commission further requested that the City Council consider new funding sources to supplement Park Dedication Fees to maintain the Special Park Fund and to possibly fund the replacement of the older timber play equipment components. ADJOURN Motion made to adjourn by Libra and seconded by Craighead. AYES: 7 NAYS: 0 The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m. RespectfitZly Submittecl, Patrick C. Hollister CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO April 7, 2000 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Patrick C. Hollister, Administrative Assistant SUBJECT: Council Comments regarding Park Projects for fiscal year 2000 Background At last month's meeting the Parks Commission prioritized a list of projects they wished completed in fiscal year 2000, which was placed on the April 4" Council agenda for discussion (see attached memos). The project list included the following projects: Replace warming house at Wentworth Park Develop cross-country ski trail in Valley Park Purchase lumber and materials to construct and install "You Are Here" signage in City Parks 4. Purchase covered trailer, in lieu of constructing a storage building at Mendakota Park 5. Replacement of wood timber play elements in seven parks In addition to the above projects, the Council was requested to consider other funding sources to "replenish" the Special Park Fund, which has seen modest increases in the fund balance during the past several years. Discussion The Council meeting on Tuesday evening began at 7:00 pm and these two items came up for discussion at 12:15 am. Comments made regarding the storage trailer included concerns that this would be a target of vandalism and would detract from the beauty of the park. The Wentworth warming house replacement received several comments regarding the poor condition of the existing structure and whether or not it would be possible to move the Ivy Park warming house to Wentworth Park or whether or not the existing building could be enlarged. The Valley Park cross country ski trail received one inquiry about the proposed Par 3 Golf trail that was planned for last year but was not developed. No discussion occurred regarding the park signage, replacement of older play equipment, or additional funding for the Special Park Fund. The Mayor instead appointed a committee consisting of Councilmember Krebsbach and Councilmember Huber to discuss the issue of replacing the Wentworth warming house. The committee may also discuss the Parks and Recreation Commission's other funding requests. Councilmember Krebsbach and Councilmember Huber are planning to meet at City Hall at 9:00 am on Friday, April 14 with any interested members of the Parks Commission to discuss options for replacement of the Warming House. Recommendation If any Parks Commissioners are available to meet with the Councilmembers at 9:00 am on Friday, April 14, please indicate this to Staff at the April 11 Commission meeting. This would be an opportunity to talk face-to-face with two Councilmembers regarding the Wentworth warming house and the other budget requests presented to the Council on April 4. CITY OF MENDO I A HEIGHTS MEMO March 29, 2000 Memo to: Mayor, City Council and City Admi istr r, /1, From: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager Subject: Park and Recreation Commission recommendations for projects to be completed in fiscal year 2000 Background: The Park and Recreation Commission are recommending the following projects be completed in fiscal year 2000. Discussions on these projects have occurred at several Commission meetings during the past three years and have been included in Parks Five Year Capital Improvement Plans. ' The 1999 Budget included $73,000.00 for Capital Improvements of which approximately $50,000.00 was used. The 2000 Budget also includes $73,000.00 for Capital Improvements. The Commission has recommended the funds budgeted for fiscal year 2000 is used to complete the following three projects. The project descriptions are listed with the highest-ranking priority first. 1. Replace warming house at Wentworth Park The Commission desires to replace the existing small (14'x18') twenty-five plus year old warming house with a larger multiuse structure which is similar in appearance and design to recently constructed park facilities. To proceed with this project requires the following: a. City Council authorizes the hiring of an architect to prepare preliminary design concept drawings. b. Following approval of preliminary concept drawings, authorize preparation of plans and specifications and order advertisement for bids. c. Award contract. The Commission has determined that a budget of $50,000.00 be established for this project. This project was last discussed before the City Council in March 1999, 2. Valley Park Cross Country Ski Trail The Commission has discussed this project for a number of years and it has been included in the Parks Five Year Capital Improvement Plan for the past five years. In 1996 this project was presented to the City Council with an estimated final budget of $40,000 with construction to occur in four stages over a number of years. The Council did not approve the plan, but requested the Commission to revisit the design and to eliminate using the existing bituminous trail or bridges over creeks as part of the cross county ski trail. The current plan is for a first stage development of a looped trail in the area north of the current ball field. The loop(s) would include a connection near Bachelor Avenue to access a cross-country trail on the Par 3 Golf Course. Work required for this project includes the removal of brush and vegetation to provide a twelve foot wide trail way and signage. The existing parking lot would be the "jumping off' point for this trail loop(s). To proceed with this project requires approval from the City Council for staff to prepare a planned route and advertise for bids for the removal of the brush. The cleared trail way will require routine mowing by the City's park maintenance crew. Estimated budget: $ 5,000.00. 3. You are here signage This project has been include in several current updates of the Park Five Year Capital Improvement Plan and entails the purchase of materials to build and then install one or more sign structures in each park. The structure/sign would include a map of the City highlighting parks and trails. The design of the sign will be similar to an existing sign for the Great Rivers Trail, installed by the DNR, near the railroad bridge by the Lilydale Yacht Club. The signs would be assembled and installed by the City's park crew. To proceed with this project requires approval from the City Council to proceed. Estimated cost: $2,500.00 for enough materials for 15 to 20 signs. Summary: 1. Replace Wentworth Park Warming House $50,000 2. Cross Country Ski Trail $ 5,000 3. You Are Here Signage $ 2,500 $ 57,500.00 In addition to the above projects for fiscal year 2000, the Commission has discussedI at several meetings, the replacement of older wood timber play equipment that exists in seven parks (Friendly Hills, Marie, Wentworth, Valley, Rogers Lake, Hagstrom-King and Valley View Heights). These play structures constructed of wood timbers and beams, five of which were installed in the early 1970's, are showing increased deterioration. Split dry wood and heavily worn areas reveal how old these units are. The climbing towers were retained in 1990, when the existing neighborhood park play equipment was upgraded using referendum funds. Each was determined to be sound and was retrofitted with safety features such as slide hoods. In the last two years several complaints have been received. Two include injuries from wood splinters. There are also timber play equipment components in Hagstrom-King and Valley View Heights Parks that should be scheduled for replacement. Replacement can be spread over several years, but should not exceed three years to update all seven parks. Other funds must also be available to upgrade and maintain the play equipment installed in ten parks from 1990 to 1993. Especially at Mendakota Park (1991) which receives very heavy use throughout the year. Estimated replacement cost per park: $12 to $15,000.00 each. Total of $100,000.00. The Commission has determined that replacement of the timber play equipment is a high priority but recognize that using the Special Park Fund for maintenance expenses would seriously deplete the Special Park Fund and therefore look to the City Council to recognize that current park dedication fees from single family developments can no longer sustain or increase the Special Park Fund. Recommendation The Park and Recreation Commission requests the City Council authorize the use of Special Park Funds to complete the three projects described above. The Commission further requests the City Council consider new funding sources to supplement Park Dedication Fees to maintain the Special Park Fund and to possibly fund the replacement of the older timber play equipment components. Action Required If the City Council accepts the Commission recommendations for: 1. Replace Wentworth warming house $50,000 2. Cross country ski trail $ 51000 3. You are here signage $ 2,500 t they should direct staff to take the necessary steps to advance these projects so that they can be completed in fiscal year 2000. Also, if the City Council so desires to address the replacement of the timber play components, at this time, they should provide direction to staff on now to proceed. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO March 15, 2000 To: Mayor, City Council and City Administrator From: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager Subject: Need for storage facility at Mendakota Park Background: The development of Mendakota Park in 1991 provided a center hub concession building which included two toilets and a small mechanical room intended for control systems of the building electrical and mechanical systems as well as the park electrical and sprinkler control equipment. Minimal space is available in this room for the tools and supplies necessary for general park maintenance use. Major events scheduled during weekends at the park have resulted in several stressful situations over the need for storage space at the park. Terry Blum, Park Leadperson requested the Park and Recreation Commission discuss the possibility of constructing a storage building at the park large enough to park the Cushman Utility Cart and accessories plus accommodate bags of chalk, turface, tools and other small equipment items. A building 10 feet by 20 feet would fill these requirements. The Commission discussed the merits of constructing a permanent building, which could cost up to $20,000.00, and decided that a more flexible option would be for the City to purchase an enclosed trailer, approximately 7 feet high, by 8 feet wide, by 16 or 20 feet long. The equipment and Cushman utility cart could be loaded into the trailer on Friday and parked at the park for use over the weekend by the seasonal part-time employees working during special events or tournaments. The trailer could be used at other events such as soccer tournaments at Kensington Park and would be available to the Police or Fire Departments for use as a secure mobile storage unit. Recommendation: The Park and Recreation Commission recommends that the City Council purchase a covered utility trailer that can be used by all City Departments. They further recommend that funds from the Equipment Reserve Fund or the General Fund be used to purchase the trailer, which is estimated to cost $5,000.00 Action Required: If the City Council wishes to accept the recommendation from the Park and Recreation Commission to purchase a covered trailer they should direct staff to seek competitive bids for consideration. The Council may also wish, at this time, to designate the funding source for this piece of equipment. City of Mendota Heights Memo April 5, 2000 Memo to: Park and Recreation Commission From: Guy Kullander, Parks Project Manager 4C Subject: Report of injuries at Marie Park from wood slivers from play equipment Background I received a phone call from Ms Harriet Gleeman, 999 Douglas Court, that her daughter, on several occasions, had received wood slivers while playing on the timber play equipment located at Marie Park. She also reported that several other neighbors' children had received injuries from wood splinters. She inquired when the City would be replacing the older wood timber elements at the park. I informed her that this subject had been discussed by the Commission on several occasions and that a recommendation regarding replacement of the older play equipment elements would be considered by the City Council on April 4" and again by the Commission on April 11`h. I further assured her that I would contact her following the April 111" Commission meeting to update her on the status of any plans to replace the wood timber elements at Marie Park. The Commission has discussed the need to replace older elements on several occasions during the past year and have given this a high priority. There are seven parks with wood timber play elements. Five were installed in the early 1970's and received safety upgrades in 1990 and two were installed in the mid 1980's. Discussion I have estimated that removal and replacement with like equipment at each of the seven parks containing wood timber elements would cost approximately $12,000 to'$15,000 per park. Alternates to replacing the wood timber elements now are: 1 . Do nothing (not a prudent option) 2. Direct the parks maintenance crew to attempt repairs by sanding or replacing deteriorated timbers now with removal scheduled at a future date. Complaints have only been received for injuries on the Marie Park equipment. 3. Remove the oldest wood elements in five parks, which also contain metal and plastic equipment installed in 1990, and schedule replacement units at a future date. Item #3 continued Repair and maintain at a higher level the remaining wood timber play elements installed in the mid 1980's and schedule replacement at a future date. (Hagstom-King and Valley View Heights Parks) Funding for park maintenance items, from the General Fund, must be recommended during the Budget process, which begins in June for fiscal year 2001. The amount included in the 2000 Budget for play equipment repair or replacement is $1,000.000 The majority of the play equipment installed since 1990 has been funded from the 1989 Parks Referendum. Referendum improvements include: 1. Ivy Park -complete replacement with new $ 20,000 2.a Wentworth -partial removals plus upgrades $ 20,000 3. Valley -partial removals plus upgrades $ 20,000 4. Roger's Lake -partial removals plus upgrades $ 20,000 5. Friendly Hills -partial removals plus upgrades $ 20,000 6. Marie -partial removals plus upgrades $ 20,000 7. Victoria -Highlands -new park $ 35r000 8. Mendakota-new park (large area+ADA) $115,000 9. Kensington -new park (ADA accessible) $ 65,000 Special Park Funds were used for: 2.b Wentworth-ADA upgrade plus equipment $ 18,000 10. Valley View Heights -timber unit 1985 $ 81000 Park land and play elements donated by developer 11. Hagstrom-King-mid 1980's est. value $ 9,000 The City Council has previously funded maintenance items, replacement of hockey rink boards, from the Special Park Fund. The Commission may want to consider use of the Special Park Fund to replace and update play elements in fiscal year 2000 or future years. I recommend that the Commission establish a Play Equipment Replacement Plan that outlines what improvements they wish to be made and further establish a time line for implementing the replacement plan. The issue of how to fund the improvements should also be addressed. at Mendota Heights Parks System 0& Center Lexingm & Trunk Highway 110 Friendly HIDs Pueblo Lane & Apache Friendly Marsh Cheyenne Lane Hagstrom Ring Mendota He' tr Road. East of Huber Drive ivy Hms Park Butler Avenue & Maple Park Drive Kelmarle n Stockbridge & Concord Way Marie Park Between Victoria & Le3dotm Mendakota Park Dodd Road & Mmdakota Driae Rogers Lake Wagon Wheel Trail Spq Park Marie & Delaware Avenue VAHey Park East of 1-35E on Marie Avenue Victoria Highlands Victoria & Douglas Road�� Wentworth Awlue Weutmrth AXNAPOUS STREET IYT HILLS rwwtn FM EERBUN ANU anatt" ttMai somaraat aunt" MIR WENTWORTH WENTWORTH AVENUE �� VICTORIA NIOHLAMOB Per S OtR fawn P`AE0 tip vnaw .a M`aNESu uo MARIE VALLEY MMIE AVENUE . SIRLET ATHLETIC OA a m COMPLEX owes" S Ya17 Pw San" l I" plat NIEh LOTT CENTER tl" OMlna a Schaal FIELD dhllw Oa11111%w NIORWAY Ila MndsSato at" Cann n o Fin Hall o.aav a..... e..�.. O Ac VALLEY TI M �W FRIENDLY RnONTS0 �6 MARSH3 MENOAKOTA N — RORERS LAKE ��� NOSEe tfA\`IE WAOOR WHEEL TR. �y 4�f RORERS LAKE^ LAKE ORWE HAOSTROM KING AtFRIENDLY HILLStt t, contactcontacta Attlan" Aaaiml If tha naNalM1a 'I MENDOTA HEIGHTS ROAD / CONCORD WAT KENSINGTON I I INTERSTATE NIONWAY AEI CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS MEMO April 5, 2000 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Mary• L. Hapka, Recreation Programmer SUBJECT: March Recreation Report Youth Trips Finalized plans and reservations for youth summer trips. Youth trips will be held on Thursdays throughout the summer months. The spring youth trips were a success. Mendota Heights youth were provided with the opportunity to visit the following location during their spring break. • New Minnesota Science Museum & Maplewood Community Center — 5 participants. • Chuck E. Cheese & Minnesota Zoo — 9 participants • Camp Snoopy — 10 participants. The children had a wonderful time and it was great to see the increase in participation. Adult Softball Leagues Registration for the adult softball leagues concluded on Friday, March 17. The Men's D and Over 30 leagues are full with at least four new teams participating in the Men's D Tuesday night league. The Women's D league will have seven teams participating this season. Although advertised the Men's C league will not run this year due to lack of interest. I will possibly offer a Monday night Co-Rec league for the 2001 season in replacement of the Men's C League. The softball leagues managers meeting was held on Monday, April . Golf Program Promotions Several news releases have been sent to the Sun Current and Southwest Review newspapers advertising our summer golf leagues and lessons. Flyers were also mailed out to all of last year's participants. Our Women's Wednesday night golf is almost full and several registrations have been received for our other golf leagues. I will be sending flyers to the elementary and middle schools regarding the golf programs. I will also be stopping in at Parkview Plaza to promote the 55+ golf league. Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks We will have several new participants for this year's parks celebration including the Mendota Heights Athletic Association, The Sibley Area Sting Soccer Club, and a demo performance by Boltz's Tae Kwon Doe studio. A local boy scouts troop will also be participating. The celebration will be held from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 3. Hopefully, incorporating these community groups will increase awareness and participation in this year's celebration. Please start saying a prayer for good weather, thanks! Sixth Annual Spring Clean -Up Day Saturday, May 6, 8*00a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mendota Plaza Shopping Center Highway 110 and Dodd Road (Enter and Exit from Plaza Drive) Take advantage of the city-wide spring clean-up day to clean out the garage, storage areas, and tidy up the home and yard. The collection site will again be located at Mendota Plaza (Highway 110 and Dodd Road). You should enter and exit the Mendota Plaza from South Plaza Drive. The City—wide Spring Clean up is limited to Mendota Heights Residents Only! Identification will be required. No contractors or commercial debris will be accepted. Only cars, pick-ups and small trailers will be allowed to unload items. No Yard waste or Household Hazardous waste will be accepted. Commercial, industrial and institutional customers are not eligible. For further information call (651)452-1850. Each spring, Mendota Heights designates one day when residents can discard items otherwise difficult to dispose of. Below is a list of items accepted and also not accepted at the collection site. Spring Clean -Up Week applies to those who pay an annual residential garbage fee. F704 a -5 ACCEPTED MATERIALS (Charges to be applied per item) Car Tires.................................$3.00 (must be removed from rim) Furniture .................................. (v3.00 Mattresses ................................ $3.00 Scrap Meta1.............Volume Based Fee (remove all non-metal components) H ome Remodeling Debris and Miscellaneous Junk....Volume Based Fee (Lumber, Sheetrock, concrete, etc.) MATERIALS NOT ACCEPTED Household Hazardous Waste (motor oil, batteries, paint, household cleaners, etc.) Dakota County Eco-site (651)905-4520 rbside Recyclables Cu (cans, newspaper, plastic bottles, glass containers, etc.) Call your normal garbage hauler for disposal information Yard Waste (grass clippings, leaves, branches, etc.) Call your normal garbage hauler for disposal information Home Electronics (computers, TVs, stereos, etc.) tLIPC (651)681-8099 �I o y U 3 n� by 7� N . Fog al 0 3 � A N wit �J ©11�Gil) I e"s x Mendota Heights Appliance Collection Day Monday, May 151h, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. In conjunction with Spring Clean -Up, the city will again hold an appliance collection day. Old appliances can be picked up from your driveway! Put your appliances out the night before and they will be picked up by JR's Appliance. Call JR's by noon on Friday May 12`h for prices and to schedule your appliance pick-up. Dial JR's at 454-9215 and ask for operator 33. On pick—up day, Make your check payable to `JR's Appliance' and place it inside your appliance. Acceptable appliances: air conditioners, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, dryers, freezers, furnaces, garbage disposals, heat pumps, humidifiers, microwaves, refrigerators, stoves, trash compactors, washers and water heaters *Items will not be picked up unless you call JR's and a check is attached to the appliance. February 2000 Dear Mendota Heights Pazk Commission and Terry Blum, I am writing this letter in an attempt to better the overall operation of winter outdoor skating in Mendota Heights. I have worked part time during the winter for the Mendota Heights Park system for 3 years now and have observed the operation from the inside. I believe there is room for improvement. As we know, the 1999-2000 skating season was held during another rather mild winter. This resulted in another late start for flooding and opening of the rinks. It was not until the cold weather arrived in January that the rinks became operational. There is nothing we can do to change mother nature. Once the weather did cooperate the rinks were still not flooded properly and for sure not often enough to sustain good skating ice. What I feel we can change is the rink maintenence management system that is now in operation. Hopefully this will be accomplished with minimal increases in costs knowing this is paramount in the administation's eyes. At the present time, the public along with Mendota Heights youth hockey players are not getting good outdoor skating conditions. You may ask why? After observing, it's apparently is too much to ask these seasonal workers to manually scrape, shovel and flood these rinks in addition to supervising them. To work your shift and then flood is apparently asking to much. It is a substantial amount of manual work if you don't get help. I have done it numerous times and it possibly is asking too much for some. My proposal is to allow Terry Blum, the Parks Maintenence Supervisor, to hire an additional two part time seasonal worker positions for the main purpose of flooding the rinks. These positions would be scheduled and supervised under Terry Blum. Each rink could then be flooded just after Terry's crew swept them. They could work a flexible schedule to flood at the most opportune times. This could happen possibly three times per week at each site weather permitting. If you look around many other municipalities use city crews to flood their rinks. I don't think budgeting for these two would be a tremendous burden to the city. You might be able to also use them for both flooding and rink attendants or in other capacities. I have discussed this with Mary Hapka and I hope the Park Commission will consider my proposal. If you have any questions regarding this issue, I would be happy to talk with any of you. It is the end of the season and a good time to review this. My phone number is 450-1299. (Sincerely, Mike Stodolka cc: Mary Hapka Wi#A OV( ax loaf Aj Al $ wilt January 13, 2000 Park and Recreation Commission MY TO DO LIST FOR FEBRUARY 8T" MEETING 1. Concept drawings and cost estimate for safety netting in Hub area at Mendakota Park. (Use original drawings and update estimate) 2. Balance of Special Park Fund and possible infusion of funds from City Council. (Talk to Larry & Kevin) 3. List of projects for 2000 construction. (Get from Patrick or minutes) 4. Coordinate with Terry regarding ski trails at Par 3 Golf in 2001. Select routes and signage. Have Terry talk to Par 3. Make ski tail improvements in Valley Park : from Bachelor to Parking lot. 5. Memo regarding upgrading of older wood playground equipment. Remove old and replace with new. Cost estimate on per park basis. (Valley, Wentworth, Friendly Hills, Marie, Hagstrom-King, and Valley View Heights-Curley's). Let commission determine year(s) to do total upgrade. 6. Replace boards at Marie Park. Talk to Terry about moving rink??? Are lights ok??? 7. Prepare plan and cost estimate for replacing warming house at Wentworth. Wood construction. Similar, but larger than existing at Friendly Hills and Marie which are 14'x28'. 8. Delay paving Wentworth or Marie rinks with asphalt. No requests. Low usage at Friendly. 9. Look into grant from Met Council for management of vegetation in City. What is deadline for applications??? Use consultant to prepare plan??? How much for consultant??? What other grants available??? Ask Judd to check DNR web site. 10. Mary to contact Sch Dist 197. Safety improvements (fencing & players is benches) for Mendota and Somerset schools. Also look into forming a �3�i group to investigate how the City, School Dist and MHAA can work ` Jy �r� l together to improve Friendly Hills Middle School ball fields. Fund from three sources??? 0 11 Check on status of DNR fishing pier for Rogers Lake. Bit trail required from parking to pier. Est. $6 to $9,000. 12. Design "You Are Here" signs and coordinate installation this summer in 1"4�% Z four to eight locations. Pattern after DNR info sign by Lilydale trail. V k C� (� s ) \ "U (�f� f-�'J#k key 'At