HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.6.24 Park & Rec Minutes - Joint Meeting CEC
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CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Joint Meeting
Parks & Recreation Commission
Community Engagement Commission
City Hall
2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
MINUTES
May 6, 2024 at 6:30 P.M.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:38 PM
B. ROLL CALL:
Jeff Yager_____ Mike Bradbury__X___ Eric Brenton__X___
Bob Haight__X___ Tom Faust__X___ Randi Lundell___X__ Erin Williams_____
Cooley-Kistler__X__ Ebbesen__X__ Lindstrom____Stockford__X__
Wang__X___Leighton____ King _____
COUNCIL LIAISON:
James Wassenberg ___X____
Melanie Leehy ___X____
STAFF PRESENT:
Kelly Nelson___X___ _
Elke van der Werff ___X___ _
C. PRESENTATION: N/A
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. March 18, 2024 – Parks and Recreation Meeting Minutes - Joint Meeting - Community
Engagement Commission
2. April 3, 2024 – Parks and Recreation Meeting Minutes - Joint Meeting - City Council
Workshop
Brenton and Faust motion to approve the Park
minutes; approved 5-0
E. AGENDA:
1. Spring Together 2024 Event
City Staff, Nelson, gives updates on which tasks has been completed and asks Commissioner
Brenton if he was able to find all necessary equipment for open mic portion of event.
Brenton says that he has a PA, speakers and four microphones to bring for open mic. He
recommends having a signup sheet that is first-come, first served.
Leehy asks if Brenton would be able to accommodate someone who brings an MP4 to play
background music, for example.
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Brenton says that will be fine! He says that we will need two outlets, surge protectors and
extension cords.
The commissioners discuss how many tents and tables will be needed at the event and also
discuss what shift they can cover.
The check in tent is where attendees receive their ticket for a free ice cream treat. The Parks
and Rec Commission will have a table to gather feedback for a future Curtiss Field amenity at
and to also promote free programming in the park this summer. CEC will have a table where
attendees can view a neighborhood map and get nametags.
Haight asks if the apartments next to the park were notified.
van der Werff says that she notified apartment owners and asked them to share the
information with residents.
2. Ice Cream Social 2024 Event
Nelson asks the commissioners if she can confirm the Finn Band to perform.
Lundell mentions MN Sings as a way to find a performer.
van der Werff says that maybe talent at Spring Together’s open mic may lead to a performer for
next year’s Ice Cream Social.
Nelson and van der Werff talk about the possible locations for Spring Together. Community Park
remains uncertain due to the demolition and construction timeline. If the event is held there, the
building would not be usable due to not having electricity connected to it at that point. Another
option is at City Hall. The challenge there is parking elsewhere and not having kids near
Larpenteur Ave. A third possibility is to partner with Lauderdale, who will have their own City
celebration the same night and they are also celebrating 75 years as a City.
Stockford says that even if demolition has not yet begun, the construction company may have
equipment parked and areas fenced off. He thinks we should not consider the park as an option
because of the uncertainty.
Bradbury says that this particular year, with both Cities celebrating 75 years and hosting events
the same night, might be a good chance to partner.
Stockford mentions that the commissions discussed partnering with Lauderdale last year but can’t
recall the reason it didn’t move forward.
Nelson says that she recalls that the commissioners were looking ahead to construction at
Community Park and wanted one last year with the existing park building and the existing event
before wanting to discuss partnering up.
Lundell says that this year is unique and would be a good time to test out a joint event.
Leehy suggests checking the City’s insurance policy to make sure we would have coverage if
held on non-Falcon Heights grounds.
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Stockford mentions how Costco is supportive of community events and often makes donations.
Leehy suggests having a treasure hunt.
Commissioners prefer a joint event with Lauderdale. They advise Nelson to schedule a meeting
to discuss this further and then ask to be provided with a meeting summary.
F. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENT
1. Community Park Update
Nelson says that HCM Architects and WSB have a target date of May 10th to provide their
design packages to Kraus-Anderson to prepare the work to go out for bids. Kraus-Anderson
thought they would need about two weeks after that to get things ready on their end.
2. Summer Programming Update
Nelson has received some applications for summer staff. If the City is well-staffed for
programming and if staff is able and willing to take on additional hours, then the City could add
summer programming on Tuesday evenings.
G. ADJOURNMENT: 8:05 P.M.
Cooley-Kistler motions to adjourn the meeting;
Approved 9-0