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Issue 04 - Heights Highlights Winter 1985w no �IA rJ rU PAGE 1 WINTER, 1985 ISSUE 4 KNOW YOUR COUNCIL The Fall issue of Heights Highlites profiled the five candidates for City Council. In this issue we want to "re -introduce" you to the two Council - members who were not up for re-election, Liz Witt and John Hartmann. Their current terms of office run through December 31, 1986, John Hartmann - 560 Miriam Street John is entering the third year of his second term of office, having been elected in 1978 and re-elected in 1982. John's earlier involvement in civic affairs included membership on the Municipal Facilities Task Force, the citizen's group that studied and recommended construction of the water tower and public works garage. John's full-time employment is as a Staff Engineer Research and Development Project Manager with Sperry Corporation. He holds a bachelor's degree in business and economics from the University of Minnesota. He and his wife, Kathy, have resided at their current address for 17 in considers himself a firm supporter of con - Elizabeth Witt - 605 West Marie Avenue First elected to the City Council in 1978 and re-elected in 1982, Liz found that she liked local government so well that she wanted to make a career of it. She earned a bachelor's degree in public administration from Metro State University, and since 1982 has been an administrative assistant with the City of Eagan. She is also an active member in numerous local government professional associations, and a member of the League of Minnesota Cities Board of Directors. Witt moved to Mendota Heights in 1964 "when Marie Avenue was a dead end street and there were cows in the pasture where the high school outdoor track is now located." She has served the community on the Parent Advisory and Community Education Advisory Councils of School tinuing the financial and budget policies that have resulted in a low tax rate and high quality of life for Mendota Heights. He also agrees with Witt that careful control of development through compre- hensive planning will be one of the most sig- nificant responsibilities of the current Council. District 197, the Parks and Recreation Com- mission, and is a leader with 4-H and Girl Scouts. Despite her busy "city life", Liz is also involved with raising three children. Liz sees Mendota Heights as being at an exciting time in its life, with enhanced freeway access new business and residential growth will soon follow. At the same time she feels that the Council has to work hard to harmonize that growth with the exising lifestyle of the community. To her, citizen input such as that provided by the 110/ 149 area task force, is an essential ingredient to the effort of planned growth throughout the community. Liz was recently elected Acting Mayor by her Council colleagues. A FRIEND REMEMBERED Edward F. Kishel, Medota Heights City Engineer for thirty years, suffered a fatal heart attack on February 9th while watching his young grandson play hockey. Ed's love for his family was apparent by his enthusiastic support for his grandchildren's activities and the twinkle always in his eyes when he spoke of his family members. His devotion to Mendota Heights was no less apparent. The mark Ed left on this community and the City's staff is indelible. Largely through Ed Kishel's expertise and efforts, Mendota Heights has evolved from a "rural" township with private sewage and water systems in 1956 to a high quality suburban community affording public utilities, a well-developed street system and sophisticated master plan for future development. During the planning and construc- tion of even the most controversial utility or street extensions, Ed was steadfast in pursuing what he believed to be the best interest of the community. The accomplishments he achieved because of that attitude are far too numerous to recount. With Ed's passing, the Mendota Heights staff members have lost a valued friend and associate. City Clerk Kathleen Swanson, described Ed as "a quality person in all respects, always willing to lend help or support.'' Diane Ward, Engineering Secretary, who worked with Ed for over 5 years, says, "He was more than a supervisor, he was a very special friend. During the spring and summer Ed would bring a variety of flowers, cut from his garden, and place them on my desk. I'll miss the sweet fragrance that use to fill the office. But most of all I'll miss him." Ed so loved Mendota Heights that he chose to make Resurrection Cemetery his final resting place. As Ed made this choice before death, he said "Mendota Heights is my home." City Engineer Ed Kishel and wife Rose. This photo was taken at former City Administrator Orvil Johnson's retirement party last May. COMMERCIAL AREA PLANNING EFFORT PROCEEDS The Summer issue of Heights Highlites reported that a nine -member citizen's task force had been appointed by the City Council to study issues of potential trafficway and commercial improve- ments in the area of the City surrounding the 110/149 intersection. The task force completed its work in early January, and has submitted to the Council the following recommendations: 1. Highway 149 (Dodd Road) should remain on its existing alignment. 2. South Plaza Drive should be extended north across Highway 110 as a local access road, including a pedestrian and bicycle trail. This would not be an interchange with Highway 110, but a grade separated crossing, given an acceptable financing plan. 3. Safety improvements to the Highway 110/ Highway 149 intersection should be pursued with Mn/DOT (Minnesota Department of Transportation). The Task Force recommends raising the entire intersection to reduce the grades coming into the intersection. This would have the added benefit of allowing South Plaza Drive to be extended as an underpass at 110, improving the visibility of the Central Commercial Area and the access- ibility of the South Plaza Drive extension. 4. Right-of-way for Highway 149 should be expanded from its current 66 feet to 100 feet by dedication and acquisition, from Decorah Lane on the south to the terminus of extended South Plaza Drive on the north. 5. Mn/DOT should release the lands held in the reserved right-of-way for a easterly relocation of Highway 149, with the City to acquire fee title to that portion south of the north property line of the Friendly Hills plat for permanent open space and bike trail. 6. No land should be held or acquired by Mn/DOT for a future interchange at the 110/149 intersection. 7. For any future development in the abandoned right-of-way along the South Plaza Drive That's what you need if you live on some streets in northern Mendota Heights. Heavy rains bring flooding and potholes "bloom" annually like May tulips. Property owners first approached the Council in 1978 regarding surface water problems and deteriorating streets. An engineering feasibility, study for storm sewers and complete street reconstruction of Chippewa, Hiawatha, Fremont, Garden Lane and Ellen Streets, estimated an assessment of $5,000 or $6,000 could be ex- pected per home. The Council discussed the project with residents, who felt that this amount was unacceptably high, and because of the feelings of the residents, the project was dropped. A typical bituminous street without curb and gutter and storm sewers has an expected design life of 7 to 15 years. Most of these streets were built in the early 60's and have required extensive maintenance work the past few years resulting in a large portion of the street maintenance budget being spent in this small area of the City. In the spring of 1984, it became apparent that the streets were in such bad shape that routine City maintenance was simply becoming inade- extension, the land use should be commercial west of the road, and residential east of it. This would apply both north of Highway 110 to Freeway Road, and south of Highway 110. 8. The Council should respond favorably to proposals set before them which will increase the scope and quality of commercial uses in the presently zoned business area, so as to serve as a desirable and viable focal point for community services. 9. The City code should be amended to establish a Business PUD Zoning District. The Task Force further recommends that the Council respond favorably to a proposal for a quality commercial development on the northeast corner of the Mendakota Country Club land under this new zoning classification. This will not only add a quality development to the area, but will help keep the golf course in the community. 10. The feasibility of establishing a tax increment financing district, to finance public improve- ments in the area, should be analyzed. Tax increment funds, together with funding from other sources, should be used to finance the extension of South Plaza Drive and its crossing of Highway 110, and other public improvements in the area. 11. The City should coordinate with Dodge Nature Preserve on the use of the northwest corner of the Center, abutting the extension of South Plaza Drive, in a manner consistent with their interests and those of the City. 12. Encourage the upgrading and expansion of the Mendota Plaza Shopping Center. 13. The old fire station and contiguous com- mercial developments to the south should be redeveloped for a use consistent with the surrounding residential areas, utilizing tax increment financing. The most controversial aspect of the report was recommendation number 9, that the northeast corner of Mendakota Country Club be rezoned to quate and intolerably expensive. The City initiated another study to determine whether a less costly alternative could be found. This study, recommending a two inch bitumi- nous overlay with limited base reconstruction was discussed at the July 17, 1984, City Council meeting. Residents felt the per lot assessment was still too expensive ($15.50 per assessable foot) and requested the City to look into finding state or federal funding assistance to help them with the project. The City has applied to have Chippewa desig- nated as a Municipal State Aid Street, which means State gas tax monies returned to the City could help pay a portion of upgrading that street. The City has also received a grant of $54,000 from the Federal Community Development Block Grant Program to provide interest-free assessment loans for income -eligible households. Now that these other funding sources have been found, the City Council has directed staff to start preparing a feasibility study so that the public hearing can be held and possibly have construction begin this summer. allow for a commercial development. This recom- mendation was made in response to an expre—d interest by Mendakota and developer He Bergerud in constructing a 50,000 to 100,uuo square foot commercial center on the site. Bergerud has developed several similar centers in the Twin Cities, including Victoria Crossings, Hill Plaza, and Park Square Court in St. Paul, and has indicated that a center on the Mendakota property would house "up -scale" shops like those in his other developments. The Task Force adopted recommendation 9 on a 6-3 vote. The majority felt the center would add a quality development to the area, making the 110/ 149 area a more viable commercial center of the community, and would also help keep Menda- kota a viable Country Club. The dissenting mem- bers argued that such a commercial rezoning is inconsistant with the City's existing Comprehen- sive Plan, and the positive benefit of expanding commercial uses in the area had not been suffi- ciently demonstrated. The City Council has received both reports and asked staff to outline the necessary steps to further analyze and consider the proposals. Members of the task force included Council - member Janet Blesener, Councilmember Carl Cummins, Planning Commissioner Bill Burke, Parks Commissioner Dorothy McMonigal, Menda- kota member Lou Brenner, Friendly Hills resident Fred Lambrecht, area businessman Sam Sheppard, and at -large citizens John Roszak and Kevin Howe. WACHTLER/ WENTWORTH Last summer you may have found yourself driving on Wachtler or Wentworth and coming to that ninety degree curve where the two roads merge and suddenly hit that bump in the road or slow down for some workmen or a piece of heavy machinery and you ask yourself, or mutter something to a passenger in the car, "what are they doing now?" The answer is: the City is extending Wachtler Avenue to the south approx- imately 700 feet to the Evergreen Knoll development. The development contains twenty-two lots with future plans of twenty plus more. Storm sewers, watermains, and sanitary sewers have been installed with curb and gutter and bitu- minous street to follow this spring/summer. But, what about the curve. It won't be there. In its place will be a "Tee" intersection, with Wentworth straightened out (east/west) becoming the leg of the tee and Wachtler (north/south) the top of the tee. Stop signs will be installed by Dakota County. 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Jo; Jannsue o4 seq f4!0 aq uol;sanb aqj s,geq,L SIR 'HUNIM S31IIH01H SIHO13H VIOUN3W S 3DVd PAGE 2 MENDOTA HEIGHTS HIGHLITES EMPLOYEE PROFILE SERGEANT DORANCE WICKS First Line supervisors are said to have the toughest job around. They serve as the liaison between management and the employees, and must try to accommodate the needs of both groups. Often, the result is that no one is pleased and the supervisor is left to take the heat from both groups. Sgt. Wicks is the "man in the middle" on the Mendota Heights Police Department. A 15 year veteran of the department, Dorance has been a Sergeant since 1976. His well rounded experience includes a stretch in the Marine Corps, and jobs as a pressman, a security agent for the railroad, and an ambulance attendant. He even served a term as a South St. Paul city councilman. Shorty has studied at Inver Hills Community College and has received hundreds of hours of general and specialized training through the Police Department. He is a graduate of South St. Paul High School (where his 16 year old daughter Natalie and 13 year old son Eric now attend), and a 27 year resident of Dakota County. As the "man in the middle"1k active in all aspects of the department anA4t lice work as well. His operational duties include supervision of the patrol force, investigations, and routine patrol work, while his administrative side must handle scheduling of shifts, vacations and training and, assisting the Chief of Police with policy formu- lation and planning. Adding to this, he is active in the department's very successful "Neighborhood Crime Watch" program. Shorty's release from the rigors of work include regular sessions at the Midway Sports and Health Club, and mini vaca- tions to fish or hunt near his father's home in northern Minnesota. Shorty can look back on the past 15 years and remember some good and not so good times. "Some of the more gratifying times include the life saving situations I took part in and the fact that I was involved in the formation of one of the first Mobile Life Support Systems to operate in the country. I was also very proud of my promotion to Sergeant, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work and associate with some very dedicated professionals within Mendota Heights and the surrounding communities." There are some not so fond memories however, which are hard to forget. "I have been shot at by a robbery suspect, hospitalized due to an accident that occurred during a high speed chase, and narrowly escaped becoming a victim of the West St. Paul apartment explosion which took several lives." "Law enforcement has been a rewarding career for me," Wicks says. "It is always changing, and always challenging, and, if you apply yourself, it is never boring. Sometime in the future I may like to try something else, but for now I am very satisfied doing my best to serve this community." Police Chief Dennis Delmont says of Sgt. Wicks, "He accepts every challenge I give him, and the pride that he takes in his job shows in the final product. His appearance, professional attitude, and willingness to work makes him a very valuable part of our organization. In addition, there is a very interesting side benefit to having him around, and that is his name, Dorance William "Shorty" Wicks. People call the station looking for Shorty, Sgt. Wicks, Dorance, Bill or just the Sergeant. It makes it appear that we have a lot more people than we actually do." Sgt. Wicks says that during the course of his career he has been called other names as well, "but I would just as soon not discuss them. The important thing is that they call me, or the police department. Our jobs are an awful lot easier when we have good communication be- tween the police and the community." ?J ?' V4 A WINTER, 1985 COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS Members of the City's Planning and Park and Recreation Commission are appointed by the City Council to three year terms. Those terms are "staggered" so that two terms on each com- mission expire annually on January 31st. Prior to that date, press releases are published in the City's official newspaper to inform community residents of potential vacancies and to solicit applications from residents who may be interested in ap- pointment to either Commission. Notices of the 1985 vacancies were published in the Sun News- paper in December and January. Responses to the notices were reviewed by the Council, and ap- pointments to both Commissions were made on February 12th. PLANNING COMMISSION Jerry Morson, a resident of the Cherry Hills area, was reappointed to the Planning Commission. Jerry was first appointed to the Commission in July of 1982 to the unexpired term of a member who had resigned. Retired from Donavan Con- struction Company in 1980 after forty years of engineering experience, his construction back- ground provides special insight in the Commis- sion's review process. Dorothy McMonigal, a six year veteran of the Park and Recreation Commission, was also ap- pointed to a three-year term on the Planning Commission. Dorothy has an extensive f ground in community involvement and vL,_ teerism. As member and vice -chairperson of the Park Commission, she has been involved in the review and adoption of the City's Comprehensive Plan, plat review and other planning activities. Dorothy replaces Kathleen Ridder, who did not seek re -appointment. PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION Michael Williams, first appointed in December, 1977, was reappointed to a three-year term on the Park and Recreation Commission. Mike is also a very active member of the Mend -Eagan Athletic Association which administers youth sports activ- ities for Mendota Heights and Eagan. Alan Singer was appointed to serve his first full term on the Park and Recreation Commission. Al, who is an Interpretive Naturalist for the Dodge Nature Center, has just completed an unexpired term to which he was appointed in November, 1983. Being avid animal lovers, AI and his wife Debbie have made their home a haven for orphaned animals. Counted among his recent guests are 3 raccoons, 2 baby skunks and a large assortment of furry and winged creatures. He provides a very special perspective to the Commission. The appointment of Mrs. McMonigal to the Planning Commission created the necessity for a third appointment to the Park and Recreation Commission. Robert H. Leffert, a resident o Falls and General Manager of Butwin Sportsv, was appointed to this unexpired term. He has been active in several community organizations including educational advisory committees and is a member of the Metropolitan Transit Commis- sion's Advisory Committee on Transit. WINTER, 1985 MENDOTA HEIGHTS HIGHLITES PAGE 8 Life saving techniques and fire safety were explained to residents during tours of the Fire Hall. On January 27, 1985 a fifteen year dream became a reality. The new Fire Hall located at 2121 Dodd Road, was officially dedicated in ceremonies attended by Mayor Bob Lockwood, City Council members, firefighters, their wives, friends, and about 500 city residents. The new hall had been used since late December by the fire department but the. extra month allowed them time to put the "finishing touches" to the facility. The open house lasted four hours and displays on fire safety, life saving techniques, and depart- ment memorabilia, were presented by the fire- fighters and the Ladies Auxiliary of the fire department. The Mendota Township Board organized the volunteer fire department in 1947 and approved the construction of the fire hall at 2144 Dodd Road. Frank Fischer was the first chief with a contingent of 40 volunteers. Currently the Mendota Heights Volunteer Fire Department has The first "Fireman's Bail" was held in 1949. This annual fund-raising event continues to be a source of pleasure for the community. The smiling faces of Steve Carlson, George Lowe, and Ted Husnik (members of the organizing commit- tee) reveals the success of last years 36th Annual Dance held October 5th. Attendance was terrific. Members of the Ladies Auxiliary participate in the ground breaking ceremonies last May for the new Fire Hall. What remark Marilyn Nelson is responding to is unknown, but all of us got a good laugh at her reaction. Alma Fischer, wife of former Chief Frank Fischer "-who served from 1947-1961), is a founding ember of the Womans Auxiliary first organized ..r 1948 and is still active in the group. Seen here at the Open House, Alma has become the departments historian. Her scrapbooks on the department make fascinating reading and relate a tremendous amount of dedication to the community by members of the department and by the Ladies Auxiliary. 30 active members with authorized vacancies for five additional firefighters. The department is currently ''looking for a few good men." If interested, contact City Hall for an application. New appointees are subject to one years probation period, and can expect to average seven hours per month at drill, instruction, clean-up, and meetings. .. � The Mendota Heights City Council has approved the spending of up to $120,000 towards the design and purchase of a new radio system for the police, fire, and public works departments in the City. Dr. John DuBois, an expert in the field of communications, has proposed the new system which would eliminate major flaws in the existing equipment that create problems in day to day and emergency communications. The entire integrated system for West St. Paul and Mendota Heights police, fire, and public works departments will cost approximately $400,000, and will include new dispatching equipment at the West St. Paul base station, a system of antennas that receive and retransmit signals, and up to date radios for the vehicles. When completed, the consultant claims it will require no major main- tenance or change for 10 to 12 years. Problems with the existing equipment are two- fold according to Mendota Heights Police Chief Early arrivals to the dedication were given a "real-life" demonstration of the volunteer Fire Department in action. Just 20 minutes prior to the ceremonies a fire call came in and a crew jumped into action, roaring out of the Fire Hall amid blaring sirens and the applause of over a hundred residents. Dennis Delmont. "Most of the components of the system are 15 years old or older, and when you combine old equipment with the terrain problems we have, you sometimes find that you can not call or hear people two blocks away. In addition, the equipment we have was either purchased or adapted at different times and we ended up with a system that is made up of several degrees of quality, dependability and compatibility.- Delmont compared the problem to a home stereo system, "If you have an excellent tape deck and poor speakers, the sound comes out poor. There is no averaging or compromising." Delmont concluded by saying, "The Mendota Heights City Council is very responsive to the life threatening possibilities created by the present system, and has taken the steps to mitigate the problem. We only hope that the West St. Paul Council will join us in enabling these necessary improvements. WINTER, 1985 MENDOTA HEIGHTS HIGHLITES PAGE 4 You recently received your 1985 property taxes from the County Auditor. We wanted to let you know that while the total tax bill is up slightly, the City portion rate is actually down a few dollars. People frequently have the misconception that most of their taxes go to the City. In reality, the City collects only about 16 percent, with the remainder going to School District 197, Dakota County and the metropolitan agencies. Why is City Treasurer and Financial Advisor Larry Shaughnessy smiling? "As an employee and a resident (30 years) of Mendota Heights I'm always happy to see the City share of property taxes go down. It proves we're doing our job." According to "Community Profiles," a May, 1984 publication of the Metropolitan Council, the number of households in Mendota Heights grew by almost 50 percent from 1970 to 1982, when there were 2,468 units. The majority (88.3%) were single family homes, and almost all (97%) owner -occupied. While the number of households increased, the average number of persons living in each house- hold during this same period dropped from 3.97 to 3.29; consequently, the net population increase was only 14.5 percent to 7,520 people in 1983. The median value of an owner -occupied home in 1980 was $87,700, but today has soared to something close to $130,000. The majority of Mendota Heights homes were built in the 1950's or 1970's. It is obvious that Mendota Heights is a family community, since the most households are classi- fied as "Married Couple Family" and a sizable majority of residents are in one of two age brackets, 35-54 or 6-18. :11ATAf Boys and Girls T -Ball registration will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, March 27, 28, from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. at the City Offices, 750 South Plaza Drive. The registration fee is $10.00 per person. The Recreation Department will be im- plementing some changes in this years program. Boys and girls who have completed Kindergarten, ages 5 and 6 will play together on teams. If a boy or girl turn 7 before June 15th they will play with the 7 and 8 year olds. 7 and 8 year old boys will play on Monday and Wednesday. 7 and 8 year old girls will play on Tuesday and Thursday. 5 and 6 year olds on Monday and Wednesday. This year we will also be experimenting with two different playing times. We are accepting registrations for playing times at either 1:30 - 2:45 P.M. or 4:30 - 5:45 P.M. However, if there is a lack of participants at one of the times we will combine and play at the time most requested. Hopefully, with the two age groups the teams formed will be closer in abilities. There are also plans to use some slow pitch balls to the 7 and 8 year olds which will prepare them for next years competition. Play will be from June 17th through July 26th. N P1 Last summer, a little after 6:00 in the evening, a loaded semi -truck ran the signal light on Highway 110 at Dodd Road striking broadside a pickup truck which was proceeding through the inter- section. In the pickup was a member of the City Staff, Mary Ann DeLaRosa and her husband Frank. Both were seriously injured but have since re- turned to work. Councilman Chuck Mertensotto was in the car ahead of Mary Ann and witnessed the accident. At the next City Council meeting Chuck reported the incident with a recommenda- tion that the Council should do something to slow traffic speeds on Highway 110. This dangerous intersection had been discussed by the Council many times before. Over the years the highway department had been approached several times about safety at this intersection but lack of an acceptable design, or lack of available funds, or more recently "wait until the freeways are done and the problem will go away" have been the stumbling blocks to resolving the problem. The Council unanimously agreed to try again and a letter was sent to the Minnesota Department of In 1983, the Park and Recreation Commission began a detailed study of bike and hiking trail needs in Mendota Heights. As a result of that study a "Backbone Trail" system, that would extend through the middle of the City, starting at the north entrance of Valley Park and connect in the south at Eagan and 1-494 was developed and approved in late 1983 by the City Council. Both the State and County were approached for funding to defray some of the cost but none was approved, therefore construction did not begin in 1984. Determined not to be delayed further, the Park and Recreation Commission and the City Council agreed to spend up to $100,000 of the City's Special Park Improvement Fund to construct a portion of the "Backbone" Trail. The eight foot bituminous path will begin at Mendota Heights Road and then head north along the west edge of Roger's Lake, through Roger's Lake Park, across Wagon Wheel Trail, up through Curley's Addition, then separated but alongside Lexington Avenue to connect with the existing trail on Marie Avenue. Construction of this segment should be completed in August. There are some existing off street bike trails constructed during recent roadway improvement projects on Marie Avenue and Huber Drive plus the County has a signed trail along the shoulder of Delaware Avenue from Annapolis to Highway 1' More segments will be built by the City and NA integrated with the County bike trails, will result l a network that will provide safe access to City recreation facilities, connections to the metro regional bike system and provide safe routes for bicycle travel along heavily traveled roadways. Transportation (Mn/DOT) strongly requesting that the speed on Trunk Highway 110 be reduced from 55 mph to 45 mph. Recently a reply from Mn/DOT indicating that they had completed a traffic study on the intersection and the speed limit would be lowered and signed at 50 mph. The new Lexington Heights Apartments con- structed along Lexington Avenue also caused the Council concern for speed related traffic problems. With cars from 225 apartment units trying to enter this narrow two-lane road, Council was concerned that the existing 50 mph speed limit would create a serious traffic hazard. Although the City felt the Lexington Avenue speed limit should be 30 mph throughout Mendota Heights, Mn/DOT determined that 40 mph would be the appropriate maximum south of Marie Avenue. From: City Of Mendota Heights 750 Plaza Drive South Bulk Rate Mendota Heights, Mn. 55120 U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 61P - St. Paul, Mn. 5! POSTAL PATRON MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN 55118 AND 55120 WINTER, 1985 MENDOTA HEIGHTS HIGHLITES Park & Recreation Survey The City of Mendota Heights would like your help. The following survey is being distributed to all city residents to determine the park and recreation program needs for this community. Please complete the following survey with your family and return the 1. Have you or any other member of your household used the city parks in the past year? ❑ No ❑ 1-5 Times ❑ 6-10 Times ❑ More than 10 times 2. Name of park nearest your residence. 3. Number of members in household by age group: ❑ under 5 ❑ 6-9 ❑ 10-13 ❑ 14-18 ❑ 18-35 ❑ 35-50 ❑ Over 50 4. How many years have you resided in Mendota Heights? ❑ 1 year ❑ 2-5 years ❑ 6-10 years ❑ Over 10 years 5. Which of the following recreation programs have you or.any member of your household participated in during the past year. City Park & Recreation Programs Mend Eagan Programs ❑ T Ball - Girls ❑ Hockey ❑ T Ball - Boys ❑ Softball - Girls ❑ Volleyball ❑ Baseball - Boys ❑ Art in the Park ❑ Soccer ❑ Seniors Club ❑ Football ❑ Tennis 6. Do you or any member of your household participate in recreational activities offered by other communities or organizations? Yes ❑ No ❑ Activity: Community: 7. Should the City of Mendota Heights offer additional recreation programs? Yes No El If so, what programs are needed? 8. Do you participate in any recreational activity within the City on state, school, City or private property which has not been covered by the previous questions? (i.e., slow pitch softball, cross country skiing, etc.) Yes ❑ No ❑ Activity: Location: PAGE 3 questionnaire to the City offices by March 15th. Your answers and opinions will be used to improve this important aspect of City services. Thank you for your cooperation PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION 9. Do you or any member of your household participate in recreational activities sponsored by neighboring communities? (i.e., swimming, softball, etc.) Yes No Activity: Community: 10. Below are potential areas of improvement for our City Park facilities. Please rank the following improvements in order of their importance to you. (Ranking: 1 -Very Important, 2 -Somewhat Important, 3 -Not Important.) 1 2 3 Archery 1 2 3 Nature Study Areas 1 2 3 Adult Softball Fields 1 2 3 Outdoor Basketball Court 1 2 3 Baseball Fields 1 2 3 Bicycle/Walking Trails 1 2 3 Cross -Country Ski Trails 1 2 3 Football/Soccer Fields 1 2 3 Horseshoe Courts 1 2 3 More Neighborhood Parks 1 2 3 More Park Shelters 1 2 3 Swimming (Beach or Pool) 1 2 3 Outdoor Volleyball Courts 1 2 3 Picnic Areas 1 2 3 Playground Equipment 1 2 3 Pre -School Playground Area 1 2 3 Permanent Restroom Facilities 1 2 3 Self -guided Nature Trails 1 2 3 Outdoor Ampitheatre 1 2 3 Lighting for Ball Fields 1 2 3 Lighting for Tennis Courts 1 2 3 Other 1 2 3 Other 11. ❑ 1 am satisfied with the existing park facilities and recreational programs offered and see no need for expanding them. 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