Pk 05-09-2023 Work SessionCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission Work Session
May 9, 2023
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a work session of the Parks and Recreation Commission, City of
Mendota Heights, Minnesota was held at 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Jaffrey Blanks called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. Commissioners Michelle Muller, Michael
Toth, Tica Hanson and Jo Schifsky were also present. Commissioners Stephanie Meyer and Dan Sherer
were absent.
City staff present included Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation Manager, Ryan Ruzek, Public
Works Director and Kelly Torkelson, Assistant City Administrator.
QR CODE SIGNAGE WITHIN PARKS DISCUSSION
Parks and Recreation Manager Lawrence briefly reviewed the item with the commissioners and
provided a summary of the last discussion of this item at the April Commission meeting. Assistant City
Administrator Torkelson provided an overview of the website and showed the commissioners the new
maintenance form that staff had designed at their request. The commissioners reviewed the various
Parks and Recreation website pages and discussed which page they would want the QR code to go to.
The Commissioners determined although they desired park specific signs and website information, they
would move forward with universal signage and information as part of the 2023 trial program. The
Commissioners asked Parks and Recreation Manager Lawrence to get quotes on the costs for the signs
in order for them to determine the sign locations at the June meeting. Assistant City Administrator
Torkelson agreed to prepare a final sign design for the commission to review at their June meeting as
well.
REVIEW OF PARKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP)
Parks and Recreation Manager Lawrence introduced the City’s newly designed Parks Capital
Improvement Plan/Asset Management Plan. The Commissioners discussed its purpose and the different
funding options in relation to the projects. Staff presented to the commissioners a description of the
proposed FY2024 projects and advised the commissioners they will need to likely cut or push off some
of the projects as there are budget constraints. In addition, the Commissioners will be asked to approve
their FY2024 budget requests at their June meeting. The Commissioners reviewed the FY2024 projects
and discussed which projects were of most importance. Chair Blanks asked Parks and Recreation
Manager Lawrence to prepare an exercise for the commissioners to each provide staff with their
prioritized list of the FY2024 projects prior to the June meeting.
The commission adjourned the meeting at 9:04pm.
Minutes Taken By:
Meredith Lawrence
Parks and Recreation Manager