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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 9.14.09Minutes ______________________________ City of Falcon Heights, Park and Recreation Commission Meeting September 14, 2009 6:30PM _____________________________ Meeting Chair: Annie Green Minutes By: Lisa Abernathy Present: Gary Kwong, Melissa Weber-Sanders, Tim Pittman, Chuck Long and Serena Jones-White, Michael Thomas Absent: Paul Faust Guest: Manley Olson Meeting called to order 6:30 PM Approval of minutes July 13, 2009 Meeting. Thomas moved motion to approve. Staff Report Recreation Update- Abernathy reported that overall summer programs went really well and we had many good program evaluations returned to us. Yoga and Tae Kwon Do classes have begun for fall and Fall Soccer will begin this upcoming weekend. The parent/child craft class for September was canceled due to zero participants. The time change this class is offered may be the reason but Abernathy is hopeful that October’s class has some participants since it is a holiday themed class. Weber-Sanders noted that the Falcon Heights Day at the Game is being held during the MEA break so that could affect turn out for the soccer clinic and game. Abernathy will check on changing the date. If it is not changed then we’ll just hope for the best. Abernathy also reported to the Commission that the Falcon Heights/Lauderdale Family 5K that was held in August went really well. There was a total of 72 run/walkers who came out to the event. About 20 of those were day of registrations. Both cities would like to do this next summer. Abernathy noted the upcoming Touch-A-Truck event being held Saturday, October 3rd in correlation with the fire department’s open house. The event will be the same as last year- a variety of trucks for kids to climb on, fire demonstrations, face paining and popcorn and juice. This year we will be charging a dollar for the popcorn and juice (50 cents each). Kwong asked if volunteers were needed. Abernathy welcomed any volunteers if anyone was interested. Public Works Update- No report. Review of the Dogs in the Park Trial Abernathy reported the feed back she received from park users during the period of the dogs in the park trail. Both individuals who gave feed back, one a resident and one not, both expressed their gratitude for allowing dogs in the parks and how much they enjoy being able to bring them there. A guest to the meeting Manley Olson expressed how impressed he was with how the trial went. When the trial was presented, he had his doubts that this would be successful as in the past many park goers who have been at the park against the code have not been responsible in picking up after one’s dog. Manley noted that many people he spoke to in the park were not aware of the old rule. Weber-Sanders recommended if the rules are changed the Commission consider placing a bag dispenser in the park in an effort to bring awareness to picking up after ones dog. The Commission discussed a plan on making a recommendation to the Council on changing the City code to allow leashed dogs in the public parks under the Commissions set guidelines or rules. Abernathy will be composing a recommendation for a change in the ordinance and bring it back to the Commission in October for approval. As it is approved, it will be presented to the City Council. Winter and Spring Programming Abernathy reported to the Commission that this spring she will be on maternity leave so if they had any ideas regarding spring programs or events to please let her know so she can plan ahead. The Commission discussed a potential spring bike safety event but wanted more ideas of what the event would all entail. Abernathy will be asking other cities/professionals who may hold this type of event and report back to the Commission. 6. Bench Grant Abernathy reported the Commission that she has revised the bench grant letter being sent to local businesses to reflect the correct cost of sponsoring a bench in the community. She believes the deadline for the grant has been extended due to a lack of grant applications but will confirm with the county and mail the letters out to the local businesses and wait to see if anyone comes forth. New Business Open Gym- Abernathy reported past Commissioner Paula Mielke stopped in to express her concern for the Open Gym program being cut this fall. Abernathy reported Mielke’s recommendations to the Commission- getting volunteers, increasing the fee, or a shorter time period for the program. Mielke is concerned that as winter approaches families will be seeking indoor activities and be surprised to see there is no open gym. After discussion the Commission concluded that volunteers for Saturday mornings may be difficult to find and maintain as well as increasing the fee would not make up for the cost of the building rental and the budget can’t cover that cost alone. Abernathy will be notifying the public through the website and other outlets about the cut of the open gym program mid October. Next Park Commission meeting will be Monday, October 12 at Falcon Heights City Hall. Adjournment – Kwong made a motion to Adjourn. Meeting ended at 8:00pm Minutes respectfully submitted by Lisa Abernathy. If there are any corrections or additions, please contact Lisa Abernathy by phone at 651-792-7616 or by email at lisa.abernathy@falconheights.org.