2012-12-11 Parks and Rec Comm Minutes
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING
December 11, 2012
The December meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve.
Chair Levine called to order the parks and recreation commission meeting at 6:32 p.m. The
following commissioners were present: Chair Stephanie Levine, Commissioners Mary McGrory-
Ussett, Joel Paper, David Miller, Mike Toth and Pat Hinderscheid. Staff present: Recreation
Programmer Teresa Gangelhoff, Assistant to the City Administrator Jake Sedlacek, Public
Works Director/City Engineer John Mazzitello and Civil Engineer Michael Albers.
Approval of the Agenda
COMMISSIONER HINDERSCHEID MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA;
COMMISSIONER PAPER SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 6: NAYS 0
Approval of Minutes of November 13, 2012
Mr. Sedlacek noted two changes to the minutes in the agenda packet, both on page one. The first
line of the minutes should read: The September November meeting of the Mendota Heights
Parks and Recreation Commission…”
Under Approval of Minutes, the minutes should read: Commissioner Hinderscheid made a
motion to approve the minutes of the May 8 October 9 meeting;”
COMMISSIONER PAPER MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE MINUTES OF THE
NOVEMBER 13, 2012 MEETING WITH CORRECTIONS; COMMISSIONER TOTH
SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 6: NAYS 0
Presentation of Lifetime Fishing License
Recreation Programmer Teresa Gangelhoff presented a seven year old resident (Timothy F.) with
a lifetime fishing license from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The license is a
prize drawn at random from participants in the 2012 Cliff Timm Memorial Fishing Derby.
Recreation Programmer Update
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Recreation Programmer Teresa Gangelhoff reviewed the report including in the agenda packet,
including upcoming field trips and programs. The outdoor ice skating rinks are anticipated to
open on Saturday, December 22, 2012.
Staff has been receiving field use permits for 2013. Chair Levine noted that the ice rink warming
houses are a great place for birthdays and other gatherings, Ms. Gangelhoff outlined facility
rental procedures for the group.
Mendota Heights Trail Improvement and Maintenance Plan
Michael Albers presented the commission with the first draft of a five-year Trail Improvement
and Maintenance Plan for the city. Modeled after other infrastructure plans, this document will
help to ensure that trails are properly maintained, and that new requests for maintenance and
improvement can be properly evaluated. The plan may also help procuring resources to make
improvements or fill gaps in the trail system. Mr. Albers defined three categories of trail
maintenance – preventative, rehabilitation and construction of new trails.
Mr. Albers reviewed trail segments which will be completed with planned street rehabilitation
projects in the coming years. Mr. Albers also reviewed trail segments which are not yet
prioritized. These latter trail segments were identified by public works staff, the commission is
being asked to suggest priorities for rehabilitation.
The commission sought clarification on funding for the non-prioritized trail segments. Mr.
Mazzitello confirmed that there are no identified funding sources, noting that once the list has
been prioritized, staff can investigate funding opportunities.
Mr. Mazzitello clarified that maps included in the agenda materials did not show all trails
throughout the city; only those which had been identified as in need of maintenance.
The commission discussed the addition of crosswalks on Sibley Memorial Highway; staff will
share those concerns with MnDOT.
Mr. Albers informed the commission that there is not a set time for prioritizing the trail needs,
and encouraged commissioners to think about what sections should be rehabilitated first,
suggesting Spring 2013 as a good time to revisit this discussion.
The commission thanked Mr. Albers and Mr. Mazzitello for the Trail Improvement and
Maintenance Plan, and for attending the commission meeting.
Mendota / Lebanon Hills Greenway
Mr. Sedlacek reported that the county, some years back, defined a new approach to park
planning – connecting parks, trails and other regional resources through a network of
Greenways. City staff has previously participated in greenway planning processes; the current
project is of particular interest to the community.
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Dakota County is currently planning a greenway corridor from The Village at Mendota Heights
to Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan. Mr. Sedlacek provided background on the greenway
process. To date, a technical advisory group has identified potential trail orientations, as well as
historical and natural features in the area. An open house has been scheduled for January 15,
2013 at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. The open house is a chance for
the general public to learn more about and to provide feedback on the plan.
Mr. Sedlacek hoped that the public will participate in the open house, as this is a unique
opportunity to be a part of a regional planning process.
The commission had several questions about pedestrian safety at the intersection of State
Highways 110 and 149. Staff reported that the city has received a Metropolitan Council grant to
improve the intersection for pedestrians, which will be presented to the city council in the near
future. The commission had several ideas for pedestrian safety and traffic flow; staff thanked the
commission for their input.
Par 3 Update
Mr. Sedlacek reported that the Par 3 golf course closed for business on November 3, 2012. The
expense and revenue report through the end of November 2012 showed revenues slightly ahead
of expenditures. The course is anticipated to finish the year with a small net revenue. Staff is
working on program offerings which will be presented in January 2013, and the annual report
which will be presented February 2013. The presentation in January would include an outline of
promotional activities planned for the upcoming year.
Commissioner Paper asked for a clarification on maintenance expenses. Mr. Sedlacek explained
that maintenance services were contracted out to GM Management, who employed staff to
maintain the course and equipment. The expense and revenue report for 2012 shows two lines
related to maintenance expenses – grounds management and grounds wages. The management
contract includes oversight of the course, and supervision of maintenance employees. Grounds
wages reflected the time spent maintaining the course and equipment.
The commission noted that 2011 costs for maintenance were much higher than 2012. Mr.
Sedlacek responded that this year there had been an emphasis on only the necessary maintenance
tasks, and that several projects had not been approved. Maintenance in 2011 also included more
time fighting turf diseases.
Commission Comments
Mr. Sedlacek informed the commission that the regular meeting scheduled for January 8, 2013
would be moved to the Large Conference Room at City Hall, as the Council Chambers would be
occupied by the city council.
The commission expressed gratitude for having engineering staff present the trail improvements
and maintenance plan.
MH Parks and Recreation Commission 12-11-2012 Page 3
Chair Levine noted that the tennis net at Marie Park was used throughout the Thanksgiving
weekend, and hoped that staff would keep tennis nets up later into the year.
Adjourn
COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING;
COMMISSIONER MCGORY-USSETT SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 6: NAYS 0
The meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by Jake Sedlacek
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