HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEC Minutes 3-18-241
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Joint Meeting
Parks & Recreation Commission Community Engagement Commission City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue AGENDA March 18, 2024 at 6:30 P.M. A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:34 PM B. ROLL CALL: Jeff Yager_X_ Mike Bradbury_X_ Eric Brenton_X_ Bob Haight__X___ Tom Faust_____ Randi Lundell_X_ Erin Williams_____ Cooley-Kistler_X_ Ebbesen_X_ Lindstrom____Stockford_X_Wang_X_ Leighton_X_ COUNCIL LIAISON:
James Wassenberg_X_
Melanie Leehy _X_
STAFF PRESENT: Kelly Nelson_X _
Elke van der Werff _X_ C. PRESENTATION:
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. January 29, 2024 – Community Engagement Commission Regular Meeting
Cooley-Kistler motions to approve the meeting minutes; approved 5-0 E. AGENDA: 1. Spring Together 2024 Event Nelson explains Spring Together will be on Saturday, May 18 it avoids the Falcon Elementary PTA night. Staff is wondering about the time of the event. They suggest 3-5 PM to avoid the dinner hour. Commissioners agree to that time. Staff will update the flyer to reflect the new time
of the event. Nelson continues to note that summer programming will have a different look this year. It will be an “open gym” night at Curtiss Field and will not require a registration or a fee to allow everyone the ability to participate. It will be on Thursday evenings from 6-8 PM starting June 20th through July 25th. Currently, staff is hiring for summer positions to supervise the summer programming.
Cooley-Kistler suggested reaching out to the U of M to see if students could receive credit for
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staffing the summer programming. Bradbury brings up the idea of having each commissioner volunteer one evening.
Nelson states she is looking into the Good Neighbor grant at the U of M. She has a meeting later this week to get more information. The goal is to use the grant for staffing costs. Nelson will let the commissions know if there is a need for volunteers. The hope is to get the word out about summer programming at Spring Together. Nelson explains last year, the Ramsey County Sherriff, St. Paul Fire, and the Ice cream truck were present at Spring Together. The commissioners discussed the budget last year and how to limit the number of repeat customers. There were 273 pieces of ice cream sold for a total of $1,226.
Councilmember Leehy wonders if anyone from the U of M or the fair is invited to the event. We could potentially have a gardener come in and talk about planting ideas. Cooley-Kistler suggests the bee lady from the U of M.
Staff would like to reach out to apartments again, Stockford and Cooley-Kistler did apartment outreach last year and made meaningful connections.
Lundell brings up the idea of inviting the Horticulture Society. Leehy adds there is a resident on Tatum who works with seeds at the U of M. Stockford agrees he adds the resident focuses on hazelnuts. Van der Werff states the Environment Commission might have contacts to whom they could reach out. Stockford notes the event could be added to the Do Good Roseville and ISD 623 newsletters. The rental management companies will also send emails to all their residents promoting the event, they just need enough notice. Leehy suggests reaching out to the Fit Lab. Nelson will reach out to the Lions. Staff will work on a sign-up sheet to help with setting up, breaking down, and staffing tables
during the event. The City has a tent to set up now and commissioners are asked to bring their tents if they have any. Commissioners and staff discuss what table to set up at the event. The following are suggested: - Community Park progress with a section where residents can provide input for an amenity they would like to see at Curtiss Field.
- Commission Information Table - City/Check-in Table - Environment Commission Table - Summer Programming Table Nelson wonders if the City should get a banner for Spring Together to promote this event, similar to the Ice Cream Social banner. Staff will also look into having a banner at City Hall. Nelson wonders about the cost of the banner. Stockford notes if the banner can be purchased for $120 or less that should be ok. He adds that the Lions have a portable sign they use for their Christmas Tree sale.
Discussion of recommending budget for the event. Commissioners suggest a $1,500 limit and after that point, the budget increase decision is the City Administrator’s responsibility. It would be beneficial if there are other snacks available other than ice cream to also avoid repeat ice cream customers. Staff suggests having small bags of chips available. Ebbessen will connect with
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Old Dutch and see if we can get chips for cost. Other items to consider are bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and a neighborhood map.
Bradbury suggests having music at the event this year like an open mic night but only for music. Yager and Benton will be in charge of getting the supplies needed. The commissioners and Staff discuss the Ice Cream Social. It will be on Thursday, July 18 and the budget will be similar to last year. Ebbessen will reach out to Out on a Limb to see if there will be performers available. Cooley-Kistler wonders about having a dog parade again, if so, it would benefit from more announcements. Staff notes each commission will have their April meetings separately and there will be a joint meeting on May 6. Stockford suggests having an e-mail update of where things are before the
joint meeting and including clarifying questions/and or a checklist. F. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENT
1. Update on 2024 Summer Programming 2. Community Park Update
G. ADJOURNMENT: 8:07 PM Cooley-Kistler motions to adjourn the Community Engagement Commission Meeting; approved 5-0