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Commission reviews 2027 CIP priorities; staff to return with park master plan recommendation
Summary
Staff reviewed the 10‑year CIP and flagged projects proposed for 2027; Director Meredith Lawrence said staff will recommend completing a park master plan and commissioners were asked to prioritize projects by May 22 for the June meeting. Commissioner Jennifer Weichert requested reconsideration of bocce ball for 2027.
Staff reviewed the Parks and Recreation 10‑year Capital Improvement Plan and the projects slated for 2027. Meredith Lawrence told commissioners that staff plans to bring a budget recommendation to complete a park master plan for a Mendota Heights park as part of the 2027 work program.
Why it matters: project prioritization in the 2027 CIP will determine which parks and facilities receive funding and the commission’s formal recommendation to the City Council, affecting the timing of improvements and program offerings.
Commissioners asked questions about proposed projects and were given an opportunity to suggest items not currently in the CIP. Commissioner Jennifer Weichert specifically requested that bocce ball be reconsidered for 2027 after it was denied in 2026. Chair Jaffrey Blanks asked Director Lawrence to distribute the list of 2027 projects and requested that commissioners submit ranked priorities by Friday, May 22; the Commission plans to review the ranked priorities at its June meeting and then make a formal recommendation to the City Council. Commissioners were told to notify Director Lawrence immediately if they wanted additional project estimates completed before the June meeting.
No formal votes or motions were recorded at the session; the discussion ended with staff direction to compile rankings and return with a recommendation to advance projects through the budget process.
