HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 3, 2025 Park & Rec Meeting Minutes1 | Page
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission
City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES February 3, 2025 at 6:30 P.M.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:36 PM
B. ROLL CALL:
Mike Bradbury__X___ Eric Brenton__X___Tom Faust__X__ Bob Haight__X___ Wesley Goldberg__X___ Erin Williams__X___ COUNCIL LIAISON: James Wassenberg __X__ STAFF PRESENT: Kelly Nelson__X__ C. PRESENTATION: N/A
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. February 3, 2025 – Parks and Recreation Regular Meeting Minutes
Williams motions to approve the Park minutes; approved 6-0
E. AGENDA:
1. 2025 Officer Elections Bradbury nominates Brenton as Chairperson and motions to approve him. Haight seconds the motion. Motion carries 6-0 to elect Eric Brenton as Chairperson. Faust would like to be considered for Vice Chairperson. Haight motions to approve Tom Faust
to be elected as Vice Chairperson. Motion carries 6-0 to elect Tom Faust as Vice Chairperson. Williams would like to be considered for Secretary. Wesley motions to approve Erin Williams
to be elected as Secretary. Motion carries 6-0 to elect Erin Williams as Secretary. 2. Adopt the Standing Rules
Bradbury asks about point number 3 under Purpose & Duties, which says that the Parks
Commission may submit an annual recreation budget to City Council, but wonders if that is done. Faust suggests adding a mention about community outreach/building. Bradbury suggests revising the Purpose & Duties into two parts. Commissioners suggest slight revisions to Purpose & Duties.
Bradbury motions to Adopt the Standing Rules as amended;
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approved 6-0
3. 2025 Parks and Rec Budget
No decisions are needed; this is merely informative. Nelson shares the 2025 budget sections that pertain to Parks and Recreation such as the budget for City events and rec equipment.
4. 2025 Commission Goals
Commissioners review the current draft of their 2025 goals and propose changes. 2025 Goals are finalized to read:
1. Hold three annual events (Spring Together, Ice Cream Social and Fall Fest) and grow their attendance.
2. Share annual goals with other commissions to foster collaboration and support common goals. 3. Assess the current ice-skating season and finalize a plan for 2025-2026 ice skating facilities
for all three parks in April. 4. Identify partners for outsourcing programming and track participation. 5. Make recommendations for amenities and improvements of all parks through annual park
audits. 6. Support the completion of a new picnic shelter with concessions and outdoor restrooms and a playground area at Community Park. 7. Conduct feasibility study for Community Garden expansion. 5. 2025 Commission Calendar
Commissioners suggest minor edits to the working agenda calendar, proposing a joint meeting with the Commission Engagement Commission in March or April so that the two commissions may discuss the 2025 City events.
6. Programming Discussion Commissioners continue discussions about summer programming and encourage Staff to establish partnerships with community agencies to promote their existing summer camps and activities in place of the City offering its own summer programming. Nelson mentions that as a part of a free winter programming activity from City Hall, it will likely be a tie-in event to welcome St. Anthony Village Police Department as our police agency after their March 1 start.
7. Community Garden
Commissioners discuss the current criteria used to assign garden plots and how the demand far outweighs the supply. Turnover is low and it’s slow to get through the wait list.
Goldberg suggests adding an expiration date on new applications for two years. After that, you must reapply.
Williams suggests adding new garden plots where the current playground is at Community Park. Haight suggests charging rent.
Brenton wonders what it would cost to add water access at City Hall to add plots there.
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Commissioners discuss raising the price of garden plots, discussing whether the current rate even covers the cost of water.
Nelson will inquire about pricing to add a water source to service the current playground area at Community Park, should that be identified as a suitable area for future garden expansion, and at
City Hall. Information/Announcement
G. ADJOURNMENT: 8:41 P.M. Haight motions to adjourn the meeting; Approved 6-0