HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda for April 10, 2017City of Falcon Heights
Parks & Recreation Commission
AGENDA
City Hall
Monday, April 10, 2017
6:30 p.m.
___ Gordon Strom ___ Mary Hannon Jacobson
___ Dave Thomas ___ Walt Dunlap
___ Ron Eischen ___ Shawn Hubert – Commission Chair
___ Ben Reichelt
___ Council Member Gustafson
___ Staff Tim Pittman
___ Staff Tim Sandvik
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of January 9th, 2017 Minutes
3. Parks Programming
4. Discussion on Special Events – Commission’s desires
5. Update on Rental Policy
6. Infrastructure Updates – Council Updates
7. Update on Recent Grant Submissions
8. Additional Updates, Meeting Schedule
9. Other Business
10. Adjourn
MEETING MINUTES
Monday, January 9, 2017
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 6:30pm.
Attendance (AB=absent)
Shawn Hubert Chairperson
Tim Sandvik Staff
AB Tim Pittman Staff
AB 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 Sept 12, 2016 meeting minutes
The meeting minutes were reviewed and approved.
3. Discussion of Parks Programming
The city is currently working on our offerings for summer programming, which will be
made public towards the end of Feb or early March.
We haven’t hosted programming at Curtiss Field the last few years because of the
construction and now the lack of a shelter. We may offer some sort of opportunity that
doesn’t require a shelter but that can get tricky with the weather; the city is looking at
options.
Programming at the CTC (Commonwealth Terrace Coop – student housing at UMN
campus) is in question. Last year we offered 4 programs and we only had 2 registrants
signup – so we had no programming there last year either. CTC is challenging because of
how marketing/communication is done (the city does not manage/dictate this).
The city will be spending the next 6 weeks on how to manage our summer park and rec
offerings: in house programming vs. special instructors (similar bottom lines) at
Community Park, what will we offer (if anything) at Curtiss Field and CTC, field rentals at
Community Park, etc. The city is currently having discussions with various special
instructors and organizations about what Falcon Heights can offer for field space.
4. Discussion of Special Events – Fall Fete
Our “Fall Fete” event was in mid October. This event was offered to make up for the
cancelled Ice Cream Social in the summer (due to the heat index.) The event offered live
music, jump house, s’mores, bonfire, etc.
The city will not be hosting Winterfest this year.
The city hopes to host a Movie in the Park event this spring… possibly in May since we
still have the movie license from the cancelled event last summer.
The Community Engagement Commission has talked about hosting/co-hosting more
events this year.
Suggestion: What about a Movie in the Park at Curtiss Field? The city is investigating this
and will talk more with the Community Engagement Commission (they are considering
another Pot-Luck type event there this year.)
5. Discussion of Park Rentals
There were many issues last summer (2016) with people not adhering to rules when
renting the park shelters, leaving them a real mess. We also saw a big increase in alcohol
consumption. Marketing has not changed and the rentals are very affordable….not sure
what triggered the change.
The city is currently deciding how to address this issue and looking at how other cities
handle their rentals. Biggest concern is how to remedy the situation without giving
benefit or priority to certain groups or individuals. The city is not accepting park rentals
at this time.
6. Infrastructure Updates
Curtiss Field sidewalks were completed this summer. More infrastructure changes
coming up in 2017 being dictated by MNDOT, including Snelling turn lanes and a
sidewalk from Hoyt to Larpenteur along Snelling for walkability.
Snelling Ave is a state road and therefore MNDOT is responsible for it. Although they
will work with the city of Falcon Heights during the planning and implementation
process, MNDOT has final say/decisions on the changes made to Snelling Ave. MNDOTs
top priority is walkability.
MNDOT is building a sidewalk from Hoyt to Larpenteur along Snelling Ave as a part of
their 2017 project. Until work is completed, tree plantings and landscaping at Curtiss
Field is on hold
7. Update on Recent Grant Submission
The historical grant for Curtiss Field (aviation history) was submitted in October - but we
were declined. The MN Historical Society made some suggestions for improvements and
we will be resubmitting this grant request to them (this grant is part of the Legacy Act of
2008).
Additional Updates
The city is proposing that the Park & Recreation committee change its schedule and
instead meet quarterly instead of monthly.
The proposed Park & Rec Commission dates for 2017 are:
1. January 9th (today)
2. April 3rd
3. June 5th
4. September 11th
5. December 4th
Meetings will still be held at 6:30pm at city hall. All meeting attendees agreed to this
schedule change.
8. New Business
None.
9. Meeting Conclusion
Meeting adjourned at 7:45pm.
a. Summary of Decisions Made
i. The 2017 Schedule for the Parks & Recreation Commission is:
1. January 9th (today)
2. April 3rd
3. June 5th
4. September 11th
5. December 4th
b. Summary of Action Items
i. N/A
c. Next meeting date: April 3, 2017
d. Submitted By: Mary Hannon Jacobson