HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes for Feb 1MEETING MINUTES
Monday, Feb 1, 2016
6:30 p.m.
City Hall, 2077 W. Larpenteur Ave.
City of Falcon Heights
Parks & Recreation Commission
1. Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 6:32pm.
Attendance AB=absent
Shawn Hubert Chairperson
Tim Sandvik Staff
AB Tim Pittman Staff
Randy Gustafson Council Liaison
Mary Hannon Jacobson Co-Secretary
Ron Eischen Co-Secretary
AB Dave Thomas
AB Gordon Strom
Ben Reichelt
Walt Dunlap
2. Approval of Jan 11, 2015 meeting minutes
Question about fence around playground structure. Tim S. clarified the fence was
removed in May 2015 as part of demolition before KaBoom! playground rebuild. There
was a misunderstanding that the fence would be returned as part of that rebuild but it
was not in the contract.
The meeting minutes were reviewed and approved.
3. Welcome New Commissioner
Welcome Walt Dunlap! Walt is a Rochester native, and has had long tenures in MN. He
gave the commission a little background/history of himself/his family.
4. Discussion of Recommendation Letter to Council
The commission reviewed the draft recommendation letter and opened it for
discussion.
Mary HJ: No basketball court is our recommendation? Weren’t there more people in
favor of some basketball hoops vs those against? Commission confirmed this is the
recommendation since other nearby parks have basketball hoops (Falcon Heights
Elementary, Chelsea Heights Elementary, etc.) and it was decided to keep the green
space in this park. Mary requested that if this is the recommendation, that we also
stress the importance of the Park Master Plan’s recommendation of creating safe and
accessible pathways connecting the parks. She stressed her concern for the safety and
walkability of Arona St near the Larpenteur intersection. Other commissioners agreed
with this concern as did a resident.
Walt D: Why are there no sidewalks?
Gustafson: It was how this city was designed back in the 30’s/40’s. (<<elaborated more
on history of Falcon Heights>>)
Mary HJ: Didn’t see reference re: Hockey and Pleasure rinks. Will they be
continued/maintained at Curtiss? Tim S: Yes, we will continue with rink and it falls
under the “ongoing practices” terminology of the letter of recommendation.
Resident: Why can’t we rotate rinks 90 degrees so that pleasure rink is closer to the
parking lot?
Tim S: This is possible, but as they are now it gives us a little big bigger of a footprint for
the rinks. This can be discussed/looked at for next year. Also noted this is first year the
rinks are going on top of the Capital Region Watershed project. Found that the ice rinks
melted where the storage covers were placed, so the city is learning this year how to
work with these changes.
Shawn: Use of the warming house/building in summertime. Do we need to clearly
identify the hours the building is and is not accessible? Will bathrooms be available?
Tim S. clarified building will only be available when an event/activity is taking place and
there is supervision. Port-a-potties will be looked into for bathroom use outside these
hours.
Mary HJ: Does “Lighting” fall under the landscaping umbrella in the recommendation?
Tim S: Yes.
Mary HJ: What is our recommendation re: the Gazebo? Lots of comments were seen
about removing it. Commission discussed the Gazebo and decided to exclude it from
the current recommendation and instead address it when/if maintenance is required.
Ben R: Regarding landscaping maintenance: if we go to a volunteer resource, how do we
know people will continue to volunteer their time? Tim S: Public works has concern
about having to maintain a lot of additional landscaping as well. But there are many
groups out there (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Master Gardeners, Community Gardeners,
etc.) that we can reach out to. Mary HJ: Having residents help w/landscaping will also
help build ownership to the park.
Tim S. clarified he will finalize the recommendation document with these changes and
give to Sack (City Administrator). Not sure if he will present this to City Council next
meeting or not. Not sure of exact timeline but it will be a policy item at meeting or
workshop.
Shawn summarized: Looks like we’re comfortable with draft as its written, though add
park connectivity under “Other Considerations”.
Motion made by Ron E. to approve this revised recommendation; Second by Ben R. All
were in favor to recommend plan to City Council.
Walt D: Are residents in that area (of Curtiss Field Park) satisfied w/police presence in
that area? Resident: yes, they have quick response and are there often. Shawn agreed.
Tim S. clarified our contract with St Anthony Police requires 1 Fulltime officer in Falcon
Heights 24 hours/day.
5. Low Waste Events
Tim S: Wants to commission to do some homework and research ways to incorporate
low waste or no waste events. Falcon Height’s next big event is the Ice Cream Social in
August (which will be combined w/Movie Night in the park.) No waste/Zero waste is
not same as low waste (there will be some waste.) But we want to reduce as much as
possible. Tim S requested the commissioners find ideas/resources to make events low
waste and bring them to the next P&R meeting.
6. Programming Updates
Tim S: We are hiring a new summer program coordinator. Previous person has
relocated. This person will work w/Tim in April to hire staff, help w/programming, site
supervisor, etc.
Programming for this summer (2016) is based off of what was successful last
year/summer 2015. Programming will be at Community Park, Curtiss Field, Lauderdale
Park, possibly Falcon Heights Elementary (discussion options with them) and also
returning to CTC (commonwealth terrace.
Winterfest: we had over 100 people. Some skaters, hayrides, Falcon hunt, etc.
Successful! Rented snowshoes from HANC.
7. General Housekeeping
Staff is talking about working w/commissioners on general training. Standing rules,
refresher course, etc.
Tentatively planning on no Park & Rec Commission meeting in March. Confirmation will
come in late February.
8. Other Business
No March meeting at this point, will confirm as date approaches.
9. Meeting Conclusion
Meeting adjourned at 7:37pm.
a. Summary of Decisions Made
i. Approved Recommendation with minor revisions.
ii. Tentatively No March meeting.
b. Summary of Action Items
i. Tim S: Update Recommendation to stress importance of safe and accessible
pathways connecting all four (4) Falcon Heights Parks as outlined in the Parks
Master Plan.
ii. All Commissioners: Research ways on how to host low-waste events
c. Next meeting date: Monday, April 4, 2016
d. Submitted By: Mary Hannon Jacobson