1998-05-12 Parks and Rec Comm Minutes CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
• DAKOTA COUNTY,MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
hfAY 12, 1993
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on
Tuesday, May 12, 1998, 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: Chair Spicer,Liberacki, Linnell, and Libra.
Commissioners Kleinglass and Norton arrived late. Commissioner Damberg was excused from the
meeting. Also present were Parks Project Manager Guy Kullander, Recreation Programmer Bill
Bird and Administrative Assistant Patrick C.Hollister.
APPROVAL OF APRIL 14, 1998 PARK AND RECREATION MINUTES
Commissioner Linnell moved to approve the April 14, 1998 Parks and Recreation Commission
Minutes with no corrections. Commissioner Libra seconded the motion.
AYES: 4
NAYS:0
UPDATES
Chair Spicer suggested that the Updates be moved to the top of the agenda to provide time for the
other Commissioners to arrive.
Mr.Hollister provided updates on the following items:
Recreation Programmers Update
ibir. Bird provided an update on summer and fall recreation programs.
Wentvvorth/Friendly Hills Picnic Shelters
Mr. Kullander said that bids have been awarded for both the Wentworth and Friendly Hills picnic
shelters and provided a map of the proposed locations.
Park,,iew Plaza Residents Association
Mr. Hollister reported that members of the Parkniew•Plaza Residents Association had met with the
City Council and had presented their request for funding assistance to provide a PA system, a TV,
and a VCR. Mr. Hollister said that the Council had agreed to help with the PA system and would
keep the TV and VCR in mind the nest time a civic organization offered a donation of money to the
City for an unspecified purpose
1
Spring Clean Up •
Mr. Hollister informed the Commission that Spring Clean-Up had been held on May 9, 1998, from
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mendota Plaza, and that the weather was perfect the turnout was great, and the
whole event was a big success.
Parks Report
There were no comments on this item.
Police Report
There were no comments on this item.
[Commissioner Norton Arrived at this point.]
FRIENDLY HILLS TOT LOT DEVELOPMENT
Ms. Cynthia Hesbjerg introduced herself to the Commission and said that she was interested in
purchasing all or part of the"Tot Lot"in Friendly Hills to build a home.
Chair Spicer asked Mr.Kullander to clarify the City's current position on the future of the"Tot
Lot".
Mr. Kullander said that the"Tot Lot"w•as a contribution to the City from the developer of Friendly
Hills as a recreational amenity for the Friendly Hills neighborhood. Mr.Kullander added that this
donation was made long before the nearby Friendly Hills Park was created. Mr. Kullander said
that the City did not want to encourage"Tot Lots"because they incur relatively high maintenance
costs in proportion to their limited recreational use.
Ms. Hesbjerg said that she had several questions about the possibility of building a house on the
Tot Lot, Ms. Hesbjerg said that she would like to know how many house lots could be created
from the Tot Lot,what the price of the lots would be,and how big a home she could build on a
house lot from the Tot Lot.
Commissioner Liberacki asked what price home Nis. Hesbjerg would like to build on the Tot Lot,
Ms. Hesbjerg anticipated that the house could be worth up to S 150.000.
Chair Spicer asked Mr. Kullander what the previous action w as on this Tot Lot the last time the
question of its sale arose.
Mr. Kullander said that the Parks and Rec cation Commission had recommended in 1989 that the
City divest itself of the Tot Lot and allow home construction. 'vlr Kullander added that the City
Council then held a public hearing on the matter and encountered objections to the sale from
Friendly Hills residents.
Commissioner Norton said that if the City divested itself from the Tot Lot and sold it to a private •
party, the lot would have to be publicly bid.
iMs. Hesbjerg said that she would not like to do all of the work to get these lots sold only to be
outbid by someone else. Ms. Hesbjerg asked whether the Tot Lot could be developed into four or
two lots
Mr. Kullander said that the City would be more likely to approve rivo lots than four lots.
[Commissioner Kleinglass arrived at this point.]
Commissioner Norton moved to recommend that the City Council offer Friendly Hills Tot Lot up
for sale, consistent with the same recommendation made by the Parks and Recreation Commission
in 1989.
Commissioner Libra seconded the motion.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
[Commissioner Linnell left at this point.]
Comrissioner Liberadd said that the potential to divide the Tot Lot into four lots presented a good
opportunity for the City to provide some affordable housing.
PARKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Mr. Hollister and Mr. Kullander worked with the Commission to revise the Parks Capital
Improvement Plan for recommendation to the City Council at the next Parks and Recreation
Commission meeting.
ADJOURN
Motion made to adjourn by Kleinglass and seconded by Chair Spicer.
AYES: 5
NAYS: 0
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Patrick C. Hollister