2013-09-10 Parks and Rec Comm Minutes
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING
September 10, 2013
The September meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday,
September 10, 2013 at Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve.
Co-Vice Chair Miller called to order the parks and recreation commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. The
following commissioners were present: Co-Vice Chair Miller, Commissioners Mary McGrory-Ussett, Ira
Kipp, Joel Paper, Pat Hinderscheid and Michael Toth. Staff present: Recreation Program Coordinator
Sloan Wallgren.
Approval of Agenda
Commissioner Paper requested that Park Signs and MHAA Soccer be added to the agenda.
Commissioner Toth requested that Off-Leash Dog Areas be added to the agenda.
Approval of Minutes of August 13, 2013
Commissioner McGrory-Ussett made a motion to approve minutes of the August 13, 2013 meeting;
Commissioner Hinderscheid seconded the motion.
Ayes 6: Nays 0
Ivy Hills Park Tennis Courts
Recreation Program Coordinator Sloan Wallgren informed the commission that at their June meeting they
talked about holding an open house in October to discuss the future of the tennis courts at Ivy Hills Park.
Mr. Wallgren asked that the commission hold an open house at 5:45P.M. on October 8, 2013. Letters will
be sent to neighbors around the Ivy Hills Park, and flyers will be placed at tennis courts at other parks in
the city. The open house will also be posted in the next issue of Heights Highlights. Commissioner
Miller asked if the open house time and date could be placed in the city website.
Mendakota Playground
Mr. Wallgren updated the commission on the progress of the Mendakota Playground refurbishing. The
project is in progress and should be finished by October 1, 2013. The entire project is $83,000, which
will leave a balance of $135,000 in the Special Parks Fund.
Recreation Programming Report
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that in the month of August the city sponsored one field trip and
Safety Camp. Currently city staff is reviewing summer programs and planning fall and winter field trips.
Staff is also in the process of hiring winter recreation staff for the ice rinks and warming houses. Revenue
and expenses from summer programs will be provided at the October meeting.
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Par 3 Report
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that the Par 3 has finished all of the Golf Camps and Golf
Leagues. The Par 3 saw an increase in the number of registrations for Golf Camps and Golf Leagues.
Mr. Wallgren also stated that we had success with our Groupon and Daily Deal promotional offers.
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that insurance would cover about 90% of the cost that was
associated with pressure tank explosion in July. He also stated that the course is in great condition and
that we have several events taking place in September.
The course has taken in $124,659 in revenues; expenditures year to date are $95,083. The net result in
revenue over expenditures is $29,576 year to date.
Historical Signs
Commission Paper told the commission that he has contacted the school about doing research on the
history of the parks in Mendota Heights. The school wanted more direction, but would be willing to help.
The commission asked that the research be limited to few paragraphs (roughly 250 words) for each park.
Mr. Wallgren will research the cost of signs, and commissioner Paper will continue to be in contact with
the schools.
MHAA Soccer
Commissioner Paper informed the commission that MHAA has seen then number of participants in the
soccer program double over the last couple of years. He told us that a majority of the participants were
from Mendota Heights. He also thanked Mr. and Mrs. Macke for the great job running the MHAA soccer
program.
Off-Leash Dog Area
Commissioner Miller inquired about the status of the Off-Leash Dog Area. Mr. Wallgren told the
commission that it would be on the City Council agenda in late October or early November. Mr. Wallgren
made it clear that residents’ feedback would be sought before any decisions were made.
Commission Comments
Commissioner Hinderscheid commented that the meeting was productive and thanked Commissioner
Paper for the work he had done on the historical signs. Commissioner Paper thanked staff for doing a
great job at the Par 3 this year. Commissioner McGrory-Ussett liked the historical sign idea and looked
forward to the city working the schools to complete the project. Commissioner Kipp thought we had a
good meeting and would like to see pictures included on the historical signs.
Adjourn
Commissioner Paper made a motion to adjourn; motion was seconded by Commissioner Toth.
Ayes 6: Nays 0
The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by Sloan Wallgren
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