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2022-08-10 Parks and Rec Comm Agenda PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Wednesday, August 10, 2022- 6:30 P.M. Mendota Heights City Hall-Council Chambers AGENDA 1.Call to Order 2.Roll Call 3.Pledge of Allegiance 4.Approval of Agenda 5.Approval of Minutes a.July 12, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes 6.Citizen Comment Period (for items not on the agenda) *See guidelines below 7.Introduction of Student Representative 8.Acknowledgement of Reports a.Par 3 Update b.Recreation Update c.Park Improvement Update 9.New Business a.Bike Ped Plan Update b.Wentworth Warming House Options 2022-2023 Season 10.Unfinished Business a.Community Engagement Outreach Update b.Park and Recreation Strategic Planning Update 11.Staff Announcements 12.Student Representative Update 13.Commission Comments and Park Updates 14.Adjourn Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities are available 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 651-452-1850. Guidelines for Citizen Comment Period: The Citizen Comments section of the agenda provides an opportunity for the public to address the commission on items which are not on the agenda. All are welcome to speak. Comments should be directed to the Chair. Comments will be limited to 5 minutes per person and topic; presentations which are longer than five minutes will need to be scheduled with the Recreation Program Coordinator to appear on a future Parks and Recreation commission agenda. Comments should not be repetitious. Citizen comments may not be used to air personal attacks, to air personality grievances, to make political endorsements, or for political campaign purposes. Commissioners will not enter into a dialogue with citizens, nor will any decisions be made at that presentation. Questions from the Commission will be for clarification only. Citizen comments will not be used as a time for problem solving or reacting to the comments made, but rather for hearing the citizen for information only. If appropriate, the Chair may assign staff for follow up to the issues raised. CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS, DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING JULY 12, 2022 The July meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. 1. Call to Order – Chair Bob Klepperich called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. Roll Call – The following Commissioners were present: Chair Bob Klepperich, Commissioners: Jaffrey Blanks, Patrick Cotter, Stephanie Meyer, and Michelle Muller; absent: Commissioner Dan Sherer and Amy Smith. Student Representative: Niko Hess. Staff present: Parks and Recreation Manager, Meredith Lawrence, Assistant City Administrator, Kelly Torkelson, Public Works Director, Ryan Ruzek, and Recreation Program Coordinator, Matt Colwell. 3. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 4. Approval of Agenda Motion Blanks/second Cotter, to approve the agenda AYES 5: NAYS 0 5.a Approval of Minutes from June 14, 2022 Regular Meeting Motion Cotter/second Blanks to approve the minutes of the June 14, 2022 Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting. AYES 5: NAYS 0 6. Citizen Comment Period (for items not on the agenda) None. 7.Acknowledgement of Reports Chair Klepperich read the titles of the three updates (Par 3, Recreation, and Park Improvement Updates) and polled the Commissioners for questions. 7.a Par 3 Update Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence reported that the turf is in good condition and an irrigation audit was completed at the end of June. She commented that there are a few irrigation heads that need to be repaired/replaced. She provided an update on the senior golf passes that have been sold, noting that the program will be reassessed for 2023. She also provided an update on the approved equipment purchases, noting that staff is still awaiting delivery of the equipment but anticipate they will arrive soon. She reported that a Junior Mini PGA event was hosted on July 7th and was a great event. She noted another award the City will be receiving for the rebranding of the Par 3 course. She also provided an overview of the May 2022 Financial Report. Chair Klepperich commented that heat can be as bad as rain in terms of diminished golf rounds, therefore it is a tremendous effort of staff in that the rounds have not been reduced in the heat. 1 7.b Recreation Update Recreation Program Coordinator Matt Colwell provided a summary of summer programing and upcoming events including pickleball lessons, fishing derby, parks celebration, and other recreation programing. Commissioner Muller noted that this is the second year the parks celebration is being held in August rather than June and asked why the date was changed. Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence stated that the change was a result of COVID-19 as things began to open up again and there was not enough time to plan for June in 2021. She noted that there was also direction from the Commission and Council to expand the event. She explained that planning a large event in June is difficult because of staffing constraints and programming, therefore August was chosen as the date. She noted that the date could be reconsidered in the future if desired, but this changed date has been working well and positive feedback has been received. Commissioner Muller commented that the previous date paired well with the mid-season tournament which helped to create a full day event. She noted that it also paired well with the 5K. Ms. Lawrence stated that staff has become more involved in the 5K and therefore it was not feasible for staff to be in two places at once. She noted that the MHAA tournament has also grown, which is a good thing as well, therefore there is not capacity to hold two large events at Mendakota. She agreed that it was great when the events worked together, but both events have grown since that time. Commissioner Blanks referenced the fishing derby and asked if there is a timeframe for that. Mr. Colwell replied that event takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. He believed that they just reached capacity for the event filling all 30 spots. Commissioner Meyer asked the age range of those that took pickleball lessons. Mr. Colwell estimated that the age range was between 40 to 60 years of age. Commissioner Meyer asked if those participants would like to see continued ranges of lessons offered. Mr. Colwell stated that he has been talking to the instructors and an idea was brought forward to have a beginner lesson followed by an intermediate lesson. He noted that some participants enjoyed the first session and signed up for the second lesson, knowing it would be the same curriculum. Commissioner Muller asked if there are a certain number of spots reserved for Mendota Heights residents when camps are offered in conjunction with other communities. Ms. Lawrence acknowledged that many of the camps and program offerings are partnered with other cities. She stated that when registration is open each city had the same number of spots open. She noted that once a certain amount of time has passed, the cities will reevaluate and reallocate the open spots to cities with waiting lists. She confirmed that many of the camps filled this summer and staff is planning to reevaluate additional offerings for next year. 2 Commissioner Cotter asked if staff is tracking the increase in programming and revenue. Ms. Lawrence confirmed that she is tracking that information and hopes to provide that information in the annual report. She stated that in her years with the City she has not seen this type of interest in programming. Commissioner Cotter recognized that this was a goal that seems to be coming to fruition and therefore would be interested in those statistics. 7.c Parks Improvement Update Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence provided an update on parks improvement project progress and balance of the special parks fund. Commissioner Cotter commented that it is nice to see some projects being approved/completed that have been on the list for some time. He stated that he likes seeing the balance of the special parks fund but would also like to see the pending expenses in order to see a more accurate balance. Commissioner Meyer noted that field maintenance at Civic Center was previously discussed and asked if that will be completed this year. Ms. Lawrence stated that staff has been attempting to place all the fields on a rotation for field maintenance. She noted that staff hopes to complete Civic Center this fall but is still waiting to see if that can be done. She stated that if funds are available for the project, it would be done this fall and that field would then be taken offline for the duration of that project. Commissioner Meyer asked if there would be an opportunity to partner with West Saint Paul for field maintenance in order to obtain a cost savings. Ms. Lawrence replied that she believes that West Saint Paul uses their own parks staff for that type of maintenance, while Mendota Heights contracts that work out. She noted that staff could look into that opportunity. Commissioner Cotter commented that perhaps it would be cost effective to contract with West Saint Paul to complete the field maintenance in Mendota Heights. Ms. Lawrence stated that they did research contracting with another community to complete maintenance on the golf course, but ultimately the other cities decided that if the staff had time to contract work out, they probably did not need those staff. Student Representative Hess arrived. 8.New Business 8.a Booth at Park Celebration Open House Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence provided an overview of the different events proposed for the park celebration weekend. Chair Klepperich assumed that most Commission members would attend the events, noting that perhaps a booth space could be made available. He welcomed input from the Commission. 3 Commissioner Blanks believed the purpose of having a booth would be to connect to the community and noted that he would be happy to staff the booth and answer questions of residents. Commissioner Meyer commented that in previous celebration events there were typically two Commission members at a time. Chair Klepperich believed that there were shifts as well, which allows the Commission to split up the time sitting and also be able to mingle with the crowd. Commissioner Meyer stated that it would be nice to have the large parks map and noted that people may also be interested in the bike ped plan. Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek agreed that this would be a great venue for public outreach on the bike ped plan. Ms. Lawrence noted that if there were going to be more than three Commission members at the booth at one time, she would need to notice a potential quorum and therefore it would be helpful to know who would be attending. Commissioner Cotter did not believe there would be more than three people at the booth and if it looked like there could be, someone could step away. 8.b Finalize Parks Tour Chair Klepperich stated that the consensus was to hold a parks tour and three potential dates were provided in the packet. He asked the Commission for input, noting that he could be available for any of the three dates. He reviewed the four parks that will be featured on the tour. Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence confirmed that the tour will be scheduled for approximately 5 to 7 p.m. and she will review the park list to ensure they are going in a geographic order. It was the consensus of the Commission to hold the parks tour on August 4th at 5:00 p.m. 8.c Commission Data Practices and Email Update Assistant City Administrator Kelly Torkelson stated that the City is providing email addresses for Commission members in order to separate personal and professional communications to comply with the Data Practices Act. She provided a short presentation on the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and what the City must do to comply. She noted that the Commissioners should use their City email for all Commission business going forward. 9.Unfinished Business 9.a Community Engagement Outreach Update Commissioner Meyer stated that she has been in contact with the dog park group and will work with Chair Klepperich to schedule that date. Commissioner Muller stated that she reached out to the Mendota District wide PTO representative but did not hear back. She stated that she has reached out to the MHAA President. 4 Commissioner Cotter suggested that he and Commissioner Muller work together on MHAA. Commissioner Blanks stated that he previously made contact and has been reaching back out. He noted that a date in September has been chosen for the PTA group and stated that he would reach out to Commissioners Muller and Smith to potentially work together. He stated that he will reach back out to the rotary group as they were very flexible, noting that he would most likely take a City staff member to that meeting. He noted that he will be reaching back out to the Linden group as well. Commissioner Cotter stated that he will reach back out to the CDA building to schedule a date. Chair Klepperich stated that he will not be meeting with the Mendota Heights Foundation at this time, noting that he does not believe that will help the group at this time. 9.b Park and Recreation Strategic Planning Update Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence reviewed the monthly update on the strategic planning calendar. She noted that they have accomplished the goals for 2022. She stated that once the community outreach information is gathered by the Commission, they can discuss that in worksession format to develop additional goals to focus on. Commissioner Meyer stated that she would be interested in the census data as that can help to plan for future parks programming. Ms. Lawrence confirmed that data could be presented to the Commission at a future meeting. 9.c Student Representative Recognition Chair Klepperich recognized the contributions of Student Representative Hess. Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence presented the recognition to Niko Hess for his role of Student Representative to the Commission, who has been a valued member of the Commission since April 2021, and has provided an important youth perspective. She noted that a new Student Representative has been appointed and will begin at the August meeting. She thanked Student Representative Hess for his service. Student Representative Hess commented that he has had a great time working with the Commission and he has learned a lot. He stated that he will be traveling to Germany on a scholarship for ten months and will then attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison to study biomedical engineering. 10.Staff Announcements Parks and Recreation Manager Meredith Lawrence shared the following announcements: •The bike ped plan will come forward to the Commission in August to review •Temporary Wentworth Warming House concepts will also come forward to the Commission in August •Other events can be found on the City’s website 11. Student Representative Update Student Representative Hess commented that he has been doing more biking and has noticed more residents biking as well. He noted that some spots on the path around Rogers Lake are rough for biking. 5 12. Commission Comments and Park Updates Commissioner Cotter •Wished Student Representative Hess well in his endeavors and thanked him for his contributions to the Commission •He will be excited to see a transition to a new warming house at Wentworth Park •It was great to see a ball game at Civic Center and the field improvements will be welcomed •There are a lot of bikers, walkers, and park activity Commissioner Blanks •Expressed appreciation to Student Representative Hess for sharing his thoughts •Mendakota Park has been very busy with baseball •The basketball hoop at Valley Park was quickly repaired by City staff Commissioner Muller •The lacrosse team was practicing at Kensington Park with younger siblings playing at the park •Has enjoyed fishing at Rogers Lake •It is great to see people active in the parks •Awesome ball weekend and it was great to see multiple Commissioners at the field cheering on youth members Commissioner Meyer •Thanks to Student Representative Hess •Marie and Victoria Highlands remain busy •Thanks to City staff for their work on programming •Exciting to have the swing installed at Ivy Chair Klepperich •It appears a tree was removed at Valley View and there were new woodchips installed •Ivy Hills was quiet when he visited but the path to the neighborhood is well underway 13. Adjourn Motion Meyer/Second Blanks to adjourn the meeting at 7:33 PM AYES 5: NAYS 0 Minutes drafted by: Amanda Staple TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 6 DATE: August 10, 2022 TO:Parks & Recreation Commission FROM: Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Introduction of Student Representative The Parks and Recreation Commission Student Representative serves in an advisory capacity and is a communication link for ideas, observations, concerns, satisfactions and questions to the Commission. The Student Representative is a non -voting member of the Commission and the position is open to Mendota Heights residents who attend are in high school. On June 21, 2022 the City Council approved the appointment of Meg Murphy to the role of Parks and Recreation Commission Student Representative. Meg’s term will go through this upcoming school year, ending May 31, 2023. The opportunity for reappointment w ill be reviewed in the Spring, prior to the end of the term. Meg will be a Junior at the Convent of the Visitation this fall and is a resident of Mendota H eights. She is actively involved in volunteering for Dorothy Day and in her church community. She participates on her school Debate Team and on the Nordic and Track/Field Teams. In her application Meg wrote, “I strive to promote inclusive and fair opinion s. It’s an honor that students are considered for a non -voting role. I want to learn from the City Commission members and create a forum where my informed voice may be shared. I love my community.” She provided the following : My name is Meg Murphy. I am 16 years old and I attend Visitation School. I have 3 siblings. My family and I live near Friendly Hills pond. This is my first year as a student representative for the Parks and Rec. I am on the Visitation Nordic Skiing and Track team. I’m also on the St. Paul Youth Biking Club. I like to go walking and biking on the Mendota Heights trails! STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Informational Only. ACTION REQUESTED: Informational Only. 7 DATE: August 10, 2022 TO:Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Par 3 Update Turf Conditions The turf during the month of July was in good condition. With the recent drought there are many areas on the course that don’t get water coverage, but the grass will come back when it receives rain. The greens are in good shape. Senior Golf Pass This year the City Council approved the addition of a Senior Golf pass to the City’s fee schedule. The City has sold four passes thus far. This program will be reviewed for 2023. Equipment Acquisition The City Council approved the acquisition of the foll owing pieces of equipment: Aerator, Workman/Topdre sser and Sandpro. Staff has been working with MTI Distributing to take possession of these pieces of equipment. There has been a manuf acturing delay so the estimated arrivals are as follows: •Aerator: Deli vered •Sandpro: October 30 •Workman: October 31 •TopDresser: September 15 MAGC Award for Rebranding The Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course was the recipient of a MAGC (Minnesota Association of Government Communicators) award for the Northern Lights Series. The Course’s rebranding project won the top award for the logo/rebranding category. Financial Update The finance report for June is included in the packet. Staff will review this with the commissioners at the meeting. 8 MONTHLY EXPENDITURE REPORT JUNE 2022 MENDOTA HEIGHTS PAR 3 BUDGET TO ACTUAL REPORT JUNE 2022 (50.00% OF YEAR) June REVENUES June YTD YTD YTD BUDGET 2022 2022 %2021 GREENS, LEAGUE & TOURN FEES $110,000 $31,298 $71,446 64.95%$75,351 RECREATION PROGRAMS $40,000 $1,493 $49,925 124.81%$46,229 CONCESSIONS $19,000 $6,645 $11,875 62.50%$8,576 SUNDRY REVENUE $0 $75 $100 0.00%$1,120 INTEREST $450 $0 $0 0.00%$0 INSURANCE CLAIM $0 $0 $0 0.00%$0 PAR 3 FUND REVENUE TOTAL $169,450 $39,511 $133,346 78.69%$131,276 EXPENDITURES June YTD YTD YTD BUDGET 2022 2022 %2021 CLUBHOUSE SALARIES $34,300 $5,207 $12,603 36.74%$14,723 ADMINISTRATIVE SALARIES $25,807 $1,115 $7,596 29.44%$11,064 FICA/PERA $10,768 $1,097 $3,228 29.98%$3,902 MEDICAL INSURANCE $6,851 $571 $3,425 50.00%$3,326 U/E & W/C INSURANCE $3,100 $0 $3,103 100.09%$3,217 RENTALS $4,750 $1,598 $3,041 64.01%$2,329 UTILITIES $12,555 $1,321 $5,698 45.38%$5,341 PROFESSIONAL FEES - AUDIT $2,900 $1,522 $1,522 52.49%$1,941 PROF FEES - CONSULTING FEES $1,100 $0 $0 0.00%$0 PROF FEES - GROUNDS MGMT $7,050 $0 $0 0.00%$0 PROF FEES - GROUNDS WAGES $22,000 $3,077 $6,133 27.88%$7,951 PROF FEES - TREE MAINTENANCE $1,500 $2,500 $5,300 0.00%$0 ADVERTISING/NEWSLETTER $0 $0 $0 0.00%$0 LIABILITY/AUTO INSURANCE $4,800 $0 $3,885 80.94%$3,997 OPERATING COSTS/SUPPLIES $7,850 $1,332 $3,785 48.21%$5,325 FUEL $1,750 $540 $1,052 60.10%$675 REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE $47,500 $3,221 $20,714 43.61%$25,765 SUNDRY/DUES/MILEAGE/CLOTHING $5,500 $180 $2,382 43.31%$7,096 CONTINGENCY $0 $0 $0 0.00%$0 ONLINE REG & CREDIT CARD FEES $7,475 $1,203 $3,650 48.83%$2,159 PAR 3 EXPENDITURES TOTAL $207,556 $24,485 $87,118 41.97%$98,811 8/3/2022 9 DATE: August 10, 2022 TO:Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Matt Colwell , Recreation Program Coordinator SUBJECT: Recreation Update Adult Men’s Softball After 12 evenings of softball match -ups between 8 teams we held our men’s softball league tournament at Mendakota Park on July 30th. Teams played in the double elimination tournament from 8:00am to 4:30pm while families and fans ch eered them on. Players expressed the reason they keep coming back to the Mendota Heights league is because of the early afternoon game times and the long -standing, friendly rivalries they have with other teams who have been playing in the league for over 30 years. Passport to Thompson Park Activity Center Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation is partnering with Thompson Park Activity Center (TPAC) to hold an event for Me ndota Heights Residents on October 10th from 10:00am-2:00pm. TriDistrict Community Education provides programming for adults 55 and up in Inver Grove Heights, West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Mendota Heights and E agan School Districts. The goal of this event is to expose Mendota Heights Residents to the older adult programming that TriDistrict runs out of Thompson Park Activity Center. Fall Programming As summer programming wraps up, Fall programming registration has started to open up. This Fall we are excited to offer a variety of programs and events : •Bogey with the Red and Blue: August 27th, 10:00am – 12:00pm •Glow Golf: September 10th, 7:30pm •Movie in the Park – The Lego Movie: September 17th, 7:30pm – 9:00pm •Dog Day at Mendota Heights Dog Park: October 15th, 1:00pm – 3:00pm •Trick or Teeing: October 27th, 5:00pm – 7:00pm Women’s Golf League Banquet On Wednesday, August 10th we will be celebrating the end of this summer’s Women’s Golf League with a banquet for our golfers. We will be providing a light meal, handing out prizes and socializing in the clubhouse of the Par 3. This season w e had 120 golfers in our women’s golf league and we are excited to help them celebrate their great season. 10 DATE: August 10, 2022 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Park Improvement Update Dugout/Fence Work On April 19 the City Council approved the following: • Installation of two dugouts @ Civic Center Field • Installation of two dugouts @ Victoria Highlands • Installation of two dugouts and adding 1st/3rd baseline fences @ Valley Park • Installation of 3rd baseline fence @ Hagstrom King The total project cost is $56,417. The contractor has this project scheduled for early August. Friendly Hills Park Tennis Court Resurfacing On May 3 the City Council approved a contract with C&H Sport Surface to resurface the two tennis courts at Friendly Hills Park. The total project co st is $12,995. This project was started on August 2. Budget Update Staff submitted the budget requests for park improvement projects and is waiting for the City Council to review the requests at their FY2023 budget workshops, which are scheduled for August 17, August 22, and August 23 (if needed). Wentworth Park Paving Project Work is substantially complete for the paving of the hockey rink, trails and parking lot at Wentworth Park. Staff has received requests for pickleball to be installed at the hockey rink, but no decision has been made on if that will move forward. Special Park Fund Balance Currently the Special Parks Fund is showing a n estimated balance of approximately $780,000 as of July 26, 2022. The following expenses from 2022 thus far are: • Audit: $656.17 • Victoria Highlands Pitching Mound: $5,468.50 • Wentworth Warming House Architect and Prep: $15,748.50 11 • Mendakota Dugouts: $89,860 Total: $111,733.17 Approved expenses but not yet paid: • Mendakota Concrete Work for Dugouts: $8,800 • Dugouts/Fence Work at Hagstrom, Valley, Victoria Highlands, Civic Center: $56,417 Total: $65,217 12 DATE: August 10, 2022 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Ryan Ruzek, Public Works Director SUBJECT: City-Wide Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The city is developing a comprehensive plan for recommendations and improvements to bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The planning process includes evaluating where current trails, sidewalks, and on-street facilities are located and where there are gaps and barriers to bicycle and pedestrian movement throughout the city. Dakota County also owns and maintains regional trails in the city to provide non -motorized connections within and outside the community. The final plan will aim to identify strategies to increase access to and participation in bicycling and walking through out the community, as well as identifying and prioritizing physical improvements that will make the system safer and more connected. The benefits of improving walking and biking capabilities within the community are many. Walking, bicycling, and other non -auto modes of transportation are less expensive; especially with rising gas prices and the cost of vehicle ownership. Additionally, connecting and improving routes expands accessibility for those who may not be able to drive a vehicle, improves overall co mmunity health and wellness, and provides environmental benefits. Phase 1 of the plan was completed the end of April, and included a community survey and use of a social pinpoint map where the public could comment on locations that are barriers for acce ss, identify areas with safety or other concerns, and indicate areas that are working well. Phase 2 will include a summary of the plan’s recommendations that will be available for public review and comment. A State Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) grant is being used to fund the project process, which supports improvements for seniors, children, low -income populations, and those who may be experiencing a health disparity. Strategies and initiatives in the plan will focus on improvements that include e ducation, encouragement, enforcement, evaluation, equity, and engineering. 13 Attached is a Flyer to be distributed and posted on the city social media, Friday News, etc. for engaging the public. The city consultant, HKGi, will be giving the commission a presentation on the plan. Supported by the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership, Minnesota Department of Health and the Dakota County Public Health Department. RECOMMENDATION: The Commission is asked to help solicit public engagement for the plan and provide any comments or recommendations. 14 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS BIKE PED PLAN 1 WHAT IS A BIKE & PEDESTRIAN PLAN? Currently, Mendota Heights has approximately 28 miles of paved trails and sidewalks and 5 miles of wide shoulders or on-street bicycle facilities. When combined with existing regional trails built and maintained by Dakota County, the City offers a mostly well-connected and accessible trail system. However, some areas of the community lack easy access to trails because highways and arterial roads act as barriers between neighborhoods and nearby trails. In early 2022, the city received a grant through the State Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) from the Minnesota Department of Health and Dakota County in order to develop a plan for bicycling and walking improvements in the community. The master plan will be used to guide decision-making regarding future investments in and prioritization of improvements to the bike and pedestrian system, will provide a foundation for seeking funding assistance for improvements, and aims to result in a more bike-able and walkable Mendota Heights. PLAN PURPOSE AND GOALS • Plan for development of an interconnected pedestrian and bicycle system city-wide • Integrate County Greenways and trails along County Highways into the system • Include the 6E’s: Evaluation, Education, Engineering, Encouragement, Enforcement, and Equity in the plan MENDOTA HEIGHTS MN DRAFT July 2022 Pedestrian Plan&Bike INTERACTIVE MAPPING TOOL: https://hkgi.mysocialpinpoint.com/mendota-heights-phase-2-map/map#/ HELP THE CITY PLAN BY REVIEWING AND COMMENTING ON THE INTERACTIVE MAP. 15 DRAFT 2 SYSTEM COMPONENTS The map on the following page identifies issues, opportunities, and proposed improvements to the bike and ped system in Mendota Heights. Major components of the system are described in the table below. Component Pedestrian Bicycle Facility Examples Dakota County Greenways (off street, bituminous, 10’ wide trail, destination trails) X X Mendota-Lebanon Hills Regional Greenway Minnesota River Regional Greenway (incl. Big Rivers Regional Trail) River to River Greenway Off Street Bituminous Trail (6’-8’ wide paved trail)X X Trail along Mendota Heights Rd Trail along Wagon Wheel Rd Trail along portions of Lexington Ave Wide Shoulders On-Street X Shoulders along Dodd Road Shoulders along Hwy 55 Sidewalks (4-6’ wide concrete walks)X Sidewalks in front of business in The Village at Mendota Heights Southeastern MH, along Field Stone Drive and Watersedge Terrace Grade-separated crossing X X Tunnel under Hwy 62, east of Dodd Rd At-Grade crossing X X Painted markings on street, cross walk, yellow alert signage, flashing lights What are the most important destinations to walk or bike to? (297 Responses) Parks and trails Shopping, dining, and entertainment 67% Schools Residential areas Other Places to work Transit stops or stations Community or civic buildings 9.5% 8% 6% 6% 2% 1% 0.5% Based on the descriptions about how often you walk or bike during warmer months , how would you characterize your attitude towards biking? (297 Responses) What keeps you from walking or biking in Mendota Heights? (258 Responses) (All that applied selected) How important are each of the following to you when planning for the future bicycle and pedestrian network? (297 Responses) I don’t feel safe walking or biking near motorized traffic Trails and sidewalks are too icy or snowy in winter months There are no trails or sidewalks where I want to go I don’t feel safe crossing busy intersections My destinations are too far apart None of the above Other The trails and sidewalks are in poor condition I have too much to carry or transport It’s difficult to find my way around while biking or walking I don’t have any incentives or encouragement to bike or walk Sidewalks and trails are not handicap accessible Safe roads for all roadway users Safe intersection crossings and facilities Having off- road trails for walking and biking separate from motorized vehicles Having scenic and comfortable bike and walk routes near parks and natural corridors Getting to my destination as fast as possible 89% 9% 88% 11%1%2% 77%63% 7% 18%32% 60% 5%5% 33% Very Important Somewhat Important Not Important Strong and Fearless 13% 36%40% 11% Enthusiastic and Confident Interested but Concerned Not Able/ Interested “Other” response themes included: •Issues with trail or sidewalk maintenance •Gaps in the trail, sidewalk, or bikeway network •Safety concerns; coyotes, dogs, traveling with small children, poor lighting, paths close to vehicular traffic, unsafe crossings •Lack of connections or inconvenient routes •ADA accessibility for both adults and childrenPHASE 1 INPUT (APRIL 2022)An online survey was open during the month of April, 2022, and received almost 300 responses. The survey was promoted to Mendota Heights residents and visitors and asked questions about biking and walking in the community. A selection of responses are shown here.16 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS BIKE PED PLAN 3 17 DRAFT 4 PLAN STRATEGIES & ORGANIZATION The following “E” categories are used to identify various types of projects and programs that can be used to implement strategies in the Bike and Pedestrian Plan. ‘E’ CATEGORY DEFINITION RECOMMENDATIONS EDUCATION Teaching people to walk and bike safely; teaching motorized movers to watch for non-motorized movers; informing law enforcement; informing legislators of the importance and value of biking and walking Wayfinding signage; Etiquette signage; Bike Rodeo; Safety Camp ENGINEERING Identification of physical barriers to walking and biking; infrastructure improvements to facilitate walking and biking, such as crossings, trails, sidewalks, on-street facilities, bike parking, etc. Develop crossing improvements, New trails, and sidewalks throughout the community; Develop Safe Routes to Schools; Maintain the ped/bike system ENCOURAGEMENT Programs that get people excited about walking or biking, advertising and promotional campaigns, outreach, events, etc. Develop an online map of ped/bike routes and loops; Provide information about destinations and distances by ped/bike; Folks on Spokes (city program, partnership with WSP and SSP) ENFORCEMENT Law enforcement support for both motorized and non-motorized users; appropriately enforce rules and laws to keep people safe Work with law enforcement officers to ensure drivers and bicyclists follow the rules of the road or issue penalties; Dog walkers need to control their dogs while walking on trails and other facilities EQUITY Traffic codes and rules that treat non-motorized movers as equal users of the transportation system; equal access to facilities and destinations for all movement types Review rules within the community and access to ensure that community members of all ages and abilities are able to access bike and ped facilities EXPERIENCE Making transportation an experience by design for both motor and non-motor vehicles. Focus on safety, views, destinations, etc. Promotion of outdoor recreation; Greenway goals; Understand that MH is a dark community, which impacts safety (law enforcement recently made reflecting sashes for cyclists and walkers) ETHICS Values-based decision-making process that is centered on ethics, empathy, and equity Elected officials should value biking and walking facilities on an equal level with motorized facilities EVALUATION Determine if the system is providing valuable and accessible facilities; evaluate the number of users of the ped/bike system Currently evaluating the system with surveys/engagement; Metrics (do complaints go down?); Look at Strava numbers for usership of trails; Evaluate StreetLight data regarding biking and walking ECONOMICS AND COST Bicycling and walking are less expensive than driving, take up less space on roads, and require less area to park at destinations HEALTH AND COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE Bicycling and walking allow people to experience the outdoors, see others’ faces, promotes community engagement and connections, and encourages active living and healthy lifestyles SUSTAINABILITY Bikes and feet create less wear and tear on roads and trails than motor vehicles; long-term this costs taxpayers less money for maintenance and repair ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND RECREATION Trails offer access to a variety of urban and natural environments; destination trails bring people into communities for leisure and recreation opportunities and enhance the local economy IMPORTANCE AND VALUE OF A CONNECTED BICYCLE & PEDESTRIAN SYSTEM 18 DATE: August 10, 2022 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Wentworth Warming House Options 2022-2023 Season INTRODUCTION At the August 10 meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission is asked to make a recommendation to the City Council in regards to next steps for the 2022-2023 warming house season. BACKGROUND Each year the City floods ice skating rinks at the following parks: Marie, Friendly Hills, and Wentworth. The warming houses at Marie and Friendly Hills have been renovated in the last 10 years, but the Wentworth warming house has not been replaced. It is in rough shape and staff believes is needs to be removed from the park for aesthetics and s afety purposes. Over the past four years the City has been working to replace the warming house at Wentworth Park. Most recently the City Council requested a replacement of the warming house to be considered with expansion including restrooms, additional storage and other amenities. The lowest bid came in at $534,600, which was more than the engineer’s estimate of $360,000. The budget for this building was set at $250,000. The City Council rejected the bids for the project and asked staff to go back to the drawing board. Options moving forward may be to re -bid the project in early 2023 with the same scope or discuss changes to the scope of the project. Ultimately the existing warming house will not be replaced for the upcoming warming house season. DISCUSSION The Commission has discussed the desire to look into options for a temporary warming house to be utilized for the upcoming season. This would include demolition of the existing warming house (and costs associated with moving the 100-amp panel to the existing light p ole) and utilizing a temporary office trailer for the season. Many of the costs will be necessary if a new structure is built in the coming years. BUDGET IMPACT: The costs associated with a temporary office trailer are estimated as: 19 • Move Electrical 100-Amp Panel to Existing Light Pole/Move Existing Pipes to New Panel =$10,000 • Existing Warming House Demolition: $2,500 • Disconnect Gas from Existing Warming House : $0 • Office Trailer Lease for 10x25 foot Structure: $1,000 • Rubber Matting: $250 Staff is esti mating the total project cost for temporary installation of a trailer on December 19 through March 3 to be $13,750. Funding for this would come from the Park Maintenance fund . Staff is in the process of finalizing the costs, with the anticipation final costs would be available for the City Council to make a decision on next steps at their August 16 meeting. RECOMMENDATION: Based on the condition of the existing warming house, staff is recommending that the City move forward with demolition of the existing building and lease a temporary office trailer for the 2022- 2023 warming house season, with the hope that a new building will be installed at Wentworth for the 2023-2024 season. ACTION REQUESTED: The Commission is asked to make a recommendation to the City Council in rega rds to the next steps for the 2022-2023 warming house season at Wentworth Park. 20 DATE: August 10, 2022 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Community Engagement Outreach Update BACKGROUND INFORMATION: At the June meeting the Commissioners approved an engagement tool kit to fulfill the following objectives in regards to community engagement: •Provide visibility for parks and recreation offerings •Introduce community members to Commissioners and provide information ab out the Commission and its role/relation to the City Council •Solicit ideas and feedback for new parks and recreation offerings •Identify common themes and specific requests for improvements that might be a good discussion topic at future parks and recreatio n commission meetings •Provide opportunities for residents to get involved in the community •Explain the budget constraints in relation to parks and recreation The Commission identified the fo llowing community groups and assigned a commissioner to be accountable for completion of the engagement: •Mendota Heights/West Saint Paul Rotary: Jaffrey •Mendota Heights Foundation: Bob •Linden Apartments: Jaffrey •CDA Building: Patrick •Mendota Heights Apartments: Amy •Tennis Users: Amy •Pickleball Players: Amy •Dog Park Users: Steph •MHAA Softball: Amy •MHAA Soccer: Patrick •MHAA Football: Patrick •MHAA Lacrosse: Michelle •Heritage PTA: Steph •Somerset PTA: Jaffrey •Mendota PTA: Michelle •Friendly Hills PTA: Michelle 21 • Garlough PTA: Jaffrey • High School Students: Michelle • Master Gardeners: Steph • MOM’s Club (informal group): Dan • ECFE Groups: Dan ***A reminder that the Commission will be engaging the community at the Parks Celebration Open House on Saturday, August 13 from 12:00pm -3:00pm at Mendakota Park*** DISCUSSION: The commissioners present should update one another on the progress they have made to meet with their assigned group. Commissioners who have held their engagement sessions should share the results with the commission during the meeting. REQUESTED ACTION: Informational only. Once all engagement sessions have been completed, staff will work to compile the results in order to conduct commission goal setting for 2023. 22 DATE: August 10, 2022 TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Park and Recreation Strategic Planning Update BACKGROUND INFORMATION: In June , 2021 the Parks and Recreation Commission participated in 12 hours of strategic planning with Hue Life, the City’s consultant. At the strategic planning sessions members of the Commission and City Council discussed goals for the future of Parks and Recreation in Mendota Heights. Included is the planning calendar that staff is utilizing to ensure progress. Each month staff will provide an update on the strategic planning calendar. RECOMMENDATION: Informational Only. 23 STRATEGIC PLANNING CALENDAR 2021-2022 Prioritizing Needs, Securing Funding, and Executing the Pla n Building a Connected Community Attracting and Retaining Qualified Employees and Volunteers What Who When 2021 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Beyond Update Relationship w/Mendota Heights Foundation City Administrator, Parks and Recreation Manager The Foundation presented to the City Council on January 18. A link of the meeting presentation was provided to commissioners in order to better understand the Foundation’s mission, vision, and goals. Establish Natural Resources Commission Public Works Director, Natural Resource Coordinator The City Council appointed the members of the Natural Resource Commission on April 19. The Commission is up and running and is meeting monthly. Prioritize wants and needs Parks and Recreation Manager, Commissioners , City Council Joint work session was conducted on February 17 to review the strategic plan and prioritize wants and needs. Another work session took place on April 25 to review the Park Improvement Project List. At the June meeting the PRC made a 2023 budget recommendation to the Council based on the commission ’s priorities. Research Parks Referendum City Administrator, Parks and Recreation Manager Staff is working to research details for a parks referendum. Staff is scheduling meetings with cities that have conducted recent referendums for park improvement projects . City Council will need to determine if this is moved forward. Commit to allocating Par 3 expiring funding to Parks and Rec City Council This will be discussed during budget development meetings in August. Community engagement list of meetings Parks and Recreation Manager, Commissioners A list of groups for community engagement has been identified. Commissioners have started contacting group leaders to find a time to meet. The Commission has established a toolkit for the engagement sessions and meetings have begun. Bike and pedestrian plan initiated with consultant Public Works Director Staff was successful in receiving a grant and the City Council approved a professional services contract for the plan with HKGi in February. Work is underway for the project. An update will be provided at the August meeting. Website remodel -secure funding, hire contractor Assistant City Administrator The City Council approved a contract on July 11 with CivicPlus to construct the City’s new website. The website is proposed to be completed by the end of Q4. Demographics -obtain data and start analyzing Parks and Recreation Manager Staff has updated 2022 -2026 CIP and Asset Management plan s as well as researched future demographic projections as part of the next phase of strategic planning. A demographics presentation will be presented at a future meeting. Programming-develop calendar of events and funding Recreation Program Coordinator Funding was approved in the 2022 budget along with additional staff to carry out this initiative. New events and programming have been added for 2022. Staff is beginning to plan for 2023. Establish volunteer program Assistant City Administrator The City Council approved a volunteer program on April 19. The City Council will be getting an update on the program at their August 16 meeting. Add staff to address additional programming needs/wants City Administrator The City Council approved the hiring of a new Recreation Program Coordinator on April 5. The new employee began employment with the City on April 18. 24