HomeMy WebLinkAbout1.5. 2026 Park & Rec Minutes1 | Page
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission
City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES January 5, 2026
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:52 PM
B. ROLL CALL: Joe Morseth__X___ Eric Brenton__X___Tom Faust__X__ Bob Haight_____ Wesley Goldberg_____ Jerry Buckridge__X__ VACANT___ COUNCIL LIAISON (UNASSIGNED): James Wassenberg _X___ STAFF PRESENT: Kelly Nelson__X__
C. PRESENTATION: N/A
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. December 1, 2025 – Parks and Recreation Regular Meeting Minutes Faust motions to approve the Park minutes;
approved 4-0
E. AGENDA:
1. 2026 Officer Elections
Morseth would like to be considered for the role of Secretary. Motion carries 4-0 to elect Joe Morseth as Secretary. Brenton nominates Faust as Vice Chairperson and motions to approve him. Motion carries 4-0 to elect Tom Faust as Vice Chairperson. Faust nominates Brenton as Chairperson and motions to approve him. Motion carries 4-0 to elect Eric Brenton as Chairperson.
2. Adopt the Standing Rules Brenton asks if commissioners have any changes they would like to propose and there are none.
Buckridge motions to Adopt the Standing Rules; approved 4-0
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3. 2026 Parks and Rec Commission Goals
At the November 3, 2025 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, commissioners identified
the following commission goals for 2026, which were then discussed further during the December 1, 2025 meeting.
Brenton suggests reordering the goals so that the Community Garden-related goals are together. Nelson will reorder goal #3 and #5 for the final list.
Faust wonders if each commission could share a park idea at upcoming meetings to build out the information/announcements section. Commissioners support this idea but determine it will be a practice rather than added as a goal. Faust also wonders if the commission could look towards fundraising efforts in order to purchase park amenities. Wassenberg identifies exercise equipment as a possibility to solicit donations for.
2026 Parks and Rec Commission Final Goals 1. Hold three annual events (Ice Cream Social, Fall Fest and a TBD event at The Grove).
2. Share annual goals with other commissions to foster collaboration and support common goals. a. Work with Environment Commission for Community Garden expansion
3. Conduct a feasibility study for Community Garden expansion. Implement and monitor a Community Garden Steering Committee
4. Identify partners to help increase programming participation and class offerings. 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. And look ahead to Phase 2 improvements. 7. Assess the current ice-skating season and finalize a plan for 2026-2027 ice skating facilities for all three parks.
Faust motions to Adopt the 2026 Parks and Rec Commission Goals as Final; approved 4-0
4. 2026 Commission Calendar
Nelson says that no Commission action is needed. The calendar is a working document to show known upcoming agenda items to commissioners in advance of meetings. Commissioners
suggest adding a joint meeting with the environment commission to discuss garden plots. And, adding two agenda items so that the commission can plan a Grove Park event and braintstorm fundraising opportunities for park amenities. Wassenberg wonders if upcoming free family events should be added to the event calendar section.
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Nelson will add these to the working calendar and reach out to the Staff Liaison to the Environment Commission.
4. 2026 Parks and Rec Budget
Nelson says that no Commission action is needed. The 2026 budget sections that pertain to parks and rec are simply shared to be transparent with the commission and to aid in planning events and purchasing sports equipment during the year.
Information/Announcement
G. ADJOURNMENT: 8:20 P.M. Buckridge motions to adjourn the meeting; Approved 4-0