2012-10-09 Parks and Rec Comm Minutes
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING
October 9, 2012
The September meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on
Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve.
Chair Levine called to order the parks and recreation commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. The
following commissioners were present: Chair Stephanie Levine, Commissioners Mary McGrory-
Ussett, Ira Kipp, Joel Paper, David Miller, Mike Toth and Pat Hinderscheid. Staff present:
Assistant to the City Administrator Jake Sedlacek.
Approval of the Agenda
COMMISSIONER LEVINE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA;
COMMISSIONER HINDERSCHEID SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 7: NAYS 0
Introduction of New Commissioner
Chair Levine introduced new Parks and Recreation Commissioner Joel Paper. Commissioner
Paper reported that he is a lifetime resident of Mendota Heights, he and his family are frequent
users of the parks system. His family is also active in youth athletics. Commissioner Paper is
excited to be a part of the commission and to contribute to the community.
Approval of Minutes of September 11, 2012
COMMISSIONER MCGRORY-USSETT MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES OF
THE MAY 8, 2012 MEETING; COMMISSIONER TOTH SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 7: NAYS 0
Recreation Programmer Update
Mr. Sedlacek recognized Recreation Programmer Teresa Gangelhoff for the many hours put in
this summer for programs; Ms. Gangelhoff will be back of the November meeting. Reviewing
the programmer’s report, Mr. Sedlacek noted that the fall field trip was full, residents may call
city hall to be placed on a waiting list.
Recreation Program Review
Mr. Sedlacek explained the agenda materials showing expenses and revenues for recreation
programs offered in 2012. The chart did not include staff costs for Recreation Programmer
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Teresa Gangelhoff, or parks maintenance costs. The commission had questions about specific
expenses and revenues. Mr. Sedlacek reminded the commission that the materials were a first
draft, and that staff would respond to questions with further detail at the November meeting.
The commission was pleased with the initial report, and would like to find out more about how
programs are selected and evaluated. Commissioners Levine and Paper expressed their interest
in meeting with staff to discuss program evaluation. Staff was asked to define what other
recreation offerings are available to Mendota Heights residents, so that we might be able to
consider what gaps there are in services, and what overlap might exist in current programming.
Mr. Sedlacek reported that the President of Mendota Heights Athletic Association will be
attending the November commission meeting, with a report on their programs. The report will
include basic information such as financials, and participation rates. Commissioners are
encouraged to forward any questions they have to staff prior to the meeting, so MHAA
representatives can be prepared.
Par 3 Update
Mr. Sedlacek provided the September 2012 update for the Par 3 golf course. Through the end of
September the golf course has a positive cash balance of approximately $5,500. Mr. Sedlacek
reviewed the financial reports from the agenda materials, noting that revenues and expenses are
all in line with projections for the year.
Business at the golf course has slowed considerably; cooler temperatures are likely to limit the
number of rounds to be played in October. Clubhouse hours have been limited, and the course
will close when weather conditions are poor.
Mr. Sedlacek thanked Clubhouse Manager Jennifer Zweber for her work in the 2012 season – the
clubhouse manager is a part-time temporary position, averaging 20 hours a week during the golf
season. There is no certainty that Ms. Zweber will return in 2013, so Mr. Sedlacek is working
with her to document ideas, changes and suggestions Ms. Zweber has made during the year. The
commission asked if the city had considered expanding the responsibilities of the clubhouse
manager position to eliminate concern over turnover in the position. Mr. Sedlacek responded
that staff is not opposed to considering alternatives; the current staffing structure has benefits,
such as greater flexibility for filling the schedule.
Planning for 2013 includes improved communication and advertising for youth programs, but
will also include a clearer timeline for hiring, to ensure that we maximize spring business
opportunities.
Parks Maintenance Update
Mr. Sedlacek thanked the commissioners for taking the time to visit parks and to share their
observations for maintenance/improvements. The central observation made by staff after
reviewing the feedback was that response to all of the maintenance/improvement observations
would require additional resources than our current staff has.
MH Parks and Recreation Commission 10-09-2012 Page 2
Mr. Sedlacek ran through a list of comments that had been received over the course of the
summer – all of which had been shared with our parks maintenance staff. In the future, staff will
provide more timely responses that concerns had been heard and/or addressed.
Issues impacting safety in the parks were all addressed by maintenance staff in a timely manner.
However, a number of observations relating to aesthetics were not able to be completed due to
limitations on staff time. Upon hearing the list of issues, the commission discussed how to
prioritize observations and relaying the highest priority items to parks maintenance staff in a
timely manner.
The commission directed staff to maintain an ongoing list of observations from commissioners,
for discussion purposes. Starting with the November meeting, staff will present the list of
observations, the commission will review the list, and discuss priorities for attention.
Commission Comments
Commissioner Toth asked staff to respond to his concern about a large lilac bush at the corner of
Lexington and Wagon Wheel Trail, which limits visibility for drivers on Wagon Wheel Trail
who are turning onto Lexington. Mr. Sedlacek stated that staff had studied the issue – the lilacs
do appear to be within the Dakota County Right of Way. Staff also determined that the lilacs
could be considered a safety issue. Mr. Sedlacek reported that vegetation impacting sight lines is
a common issue; if any citizen made a request, staff can contact Dakota County to work with the
property owner on the matter. The commission felt strongly that Dakota County should be asked
to remove the lilacs within the right of way.
Several commissioners welcomed Mr. Paper to the commission and wished him well.
Commissioner Hinderscheid complimented our parks maintenance staff on the bleacher pad and
bench recently added to Ivy Falls Park.
Commissioner Paper expressed his pleasure to serve on the commission, and shared his view that
Mendota Heights has a wonderful parks system.
Commissioner Levine asked staff to keep tennis nets up for as long as possible, as our
community tennis players will play until the snow flies.
Adjourn
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING;
COMMISSIONER MCGRORY-USSETT SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 7: NAYS 0
The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by Jake Sedlacek
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