2013-12-10 Parks and Rec Comm Minutes
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
PARKS AND RECREATION MEETING
December 10, 2013
The December meeting of the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission was held on Tuesday,
December 10, 2013 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, Pat Hinderscheid and Michael Toth. Staff present: Recreation Program
Coordinator Sloan Wallgren.
Approval of Agenda
COMMISSIONER HINDERSCHEID MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA;
COMMISSIONER TOTH SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 6: NAYS 0
Approval of Minutes of November 12, 2013
COMMISSIONER TOTH MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES; COMMISSIONER
PAPER SECONDED THE MOTION.
AYES 6: NAYS 0
Ivy Hills Park Tennis Courts
The commission discussedthe optionsinvolving theTennis Courts at IvyHills Park. Mr. Wallgren
provided to commission with several estimates to improve the tennis courts at IvyHills Park. Two of
the estimates were for making repairsto the court surfacethen installing a sport tile system, bid varied
from$44,000to $53,000. Another bid was included in the packet, which was forreclaimingthe existing
courtand replacing the fencing $70,000. The commission had a longdebate over the number ofcourts
needed in Mendota Heights, and how the commission would address future tennis projects.
COMMISSIONER HINDERSCHEID MADE A MOTION TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE COURTS
AND INSTALL A SPORT TILE SYSTEM, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE JR. TENNIS LINES.
MOTION WAS SECONDED BY COMMISSION PAPER.
AYES 2: NAYS 5 MOTION FAILS
The commission continued to discuss what should happen with the tennis courts. Several commissioners
were concerned that making repairs to a tennis court would not serve a broad range of residents.
Commissioner Miller said that he would like to see the space usable for more activities then just tennis.
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that the space could include basketball hoops and lines for
volleyball, and pickle ball.
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COMMISSIONER MILLER MADE A MOTION FOR CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER MAKING
REPAIRS TO THE TENNIS COURTS AT IVY HILLS PARK, AND INSTALL A MULTIPURPOSE
SPORT TILE SYSTEM. THE SPACE COULD BE USED FOR BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL,
TENNIS, OR PICKELBALL. MOTION WAS SECCONDED BY COMMISSIONER PAPER.
AYES 5: NAYS 2 MOTION PASSES
Recreation Programming Report
Mr. Wallgren provided updates on the status of the ice rinks which are scheduled to open around
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December 17. Mr. Wallgren provided information about an upcoming field trip on December 30, as
well as details about the gymnastics and skating lesson programs. Mr. Wallgren also informed the
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commission that reservation for parks, shelters, and fields will begin being taken on January 2.
A list and description of recreation programs for 2014 was provided. Mr. Wallgren pointed out several
new programs such as co-ed volleyball, co-ed kickball, skateboard camp, and paddle board lessons. The
commission was excited about the new programs, and happy to see the staff is using existing features in
the city to offer new and creative programs.
Chair Levine asked about an all day camp that would include many different activities. Mr. Wallgren
informed her that staff does not have transportation or indoor facilities to accommodate these programs.
Commissioner Kipp wanted to make sure that when people enter the water at Rogers Lake they do not
disturb and of the native plants that are in place. People will have to enter the water from the pier.
Par 3 Report
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that the Par 3 is now closed for the season. There were two golf
events that took place during the month of November at the Par 3. Both events were put on by the
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Cherokee Sirloin Room. On November 2 they had 80 players and on November 30 they had 30
players.
The course has taken in $142,086 in revenues; expenditures year to date are $126,819. The net result in
revenue over expenditures is $15,267 year to date.
Announcements
Mr. Wallgren informed the commission that city staff is collecting holiday lights at city hall for recycling.
Mr. Wallgren also said that there are bins of Toys-for-Tots at the city hall if anyone is interested in
making any donations.
Mr. Wallgren announced that there would be an opening on the parks and recreation commission
beginning in February 2014, and if anyone is interested in joining the commission they should contact
city hall.
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Commission Comments
Commissioners Toth thought that it was a good meeting and the recreation programs were great.
Commissioner Hinderscheid said it was a good meeting with lots of good discussion.
Commissioner Miller said there was a lot of good discussion and that commissioner McGrory-Ussett will
be very hard to replace.
Commissioner Paper thanked staff for all of the work at the Par 3 and on the recreation programs.
Commissioner Kipp was glad everyone shared their opinions and was glad to see paddle boarding lessons
being offered next summer.
Commissioner McGrory-Ussett though we the commission had lots of good discussion.
Chair Levine thanks staff for their work and will be very sad to see commissioner McGrory-Ussett leave
the commission.
COMMISSIONER HINDERSCHEID MADE A MOTION TO ADJOUN THE MEETING; CHAIR
LEVINE SECONDED THE MOTION.
Ayes 7: Nays 0
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by Sloan Wallgren
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