05122026 Parks and Rec Commission Agenda Packet
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION WORK SESSION MEETING AGENDA
May 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights
1. Call to Order
2. Discussion
a. Cost Recovery/Subsidy Policy Development
b. 2027 Budget Discussion
3. Adjourn
Next Meeting
Tuesday, June 9 at 6:30 PM
Information is available in alternative formats or with the use of auxiliary aids to individuals with
disabilities upon request by calling city hall at 651-452-1850 or by
emailing cityhall@mendotaheightsmn.gov.
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2.a
Parks and Recreation Work Session Memo
MEETING DATE: May 12, 2026
TO: Chair Blanks and Commissioners
FROM: Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation/Assistant Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Cost Recovery/Subsidy Policy Development
ACTION REQUEST:
The Commission will be tasked with participating in an exercise that helps to spark discussion
regarding cost recovery rankings and which services provided should be the most subsidized, if
any.
BACKGROUND:
Goal Number 3 of the 2025 Park System Master Plan states, "Provide high quality recreation
programs and amenities that are well-developed, desired, and delivered to build a strong user
basis." A strategy for that goal is to: "Develop a cost-of-service study for each core program to
be considered to determine the cost to operate effectively and how to fund it through user
fees and earned income as much as possible."
In order to begin developing a Cost Recovery Policy for services provided to the Community,
staff is working to determine the total cost of providing each specific service. In addition, the
Commission and Council will need to determine their priorities and what level of subsidy
should be the standard, if any, when pricing out services.
Staff will present to the Commission regarding cost recovery context and will work with the
Commission to establish category rankings.
ATTACHMENTS:
None
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2.b
Parks and Recreation Work Session Memo
MEETING DATE: May 12, 2026
TO: Chair Blanks and Commissioners
FROM: Meredith Lawrence, Parks and Recreation/Assistant Public Works Director
SUBJECT: 2027 Budget Discussion
ACTION REQUEST:
The Commissioners should review the ten-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) draft for Parks
and the Par 3 Golf Course. Upon review and discussion of the projects, the Commission should
make their 2027 budget recommendations to the City Council for the following budgets:
•Park Capital
•Par 3 Capital
BACKGROUND:
Staff will discuss with the Commission the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) in relation to the
FY2027 budget requests.
The following is the timeline for the FY2027 Budget:
•June 9: PRC will make FY2027 budget recommendations to the City Council;
•June/July: Staff will work on Budget Improvement Packages (BIPs) for desired 2027
projects and work with the Finance Director and City Administrator on financing options
and feasibility;
•August: Staff will meet with the City Council in the budget work session to present parks,
recreation and Par 3 requests;
•September: City Council will set preliminary budget for FY2027;
•December: City Council will approve final budget for FY2027.
It is important to note that just because a project is included in the CIP does not mean it will be
completed and just because a project is not included in the CIP, doesn't mean it is not possible.
The City Council may request community engagement for a project and the City must have
sufficient funding to cover the costs of the project. Some projects on this list may simply not
happen, while other timelines could get moved earlier or pushed back later within the plan.
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When reviewing the CIP, it will become evident that as the CIP gets further into the future it is
more difficult to forecast potential trends and needs within our park system. The Commission
will be asked to focus on the next year for recommendation purposes.
Based on past budgets and in looking at the City’s needs as a whole, not just from a Parks and
Recreation lens, there is a chance the CIP projects proposed in 2027 are not feasible from a
budget standpoint. Thus, the Commission will need to provide direction to staff on prioritizing
projects, in addition to making recommendations on which project timeframes need to be
reconsidered and deferred.
The goal of the Par 3 Golf Course is to be self-sufficient, so staff will address with the
Commission which projects seem attainable based off projected 2026 revenues and expenses.
ATTACHMENTS:
1.Parks CIP 2027 10 Year
2.Par 3 CIP 2027 10 Year
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2.b.1.
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2.b.2.