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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 11.24.08Minutes ______________________________ City of Falcon Heights, Park and Recreation Commission Meeting November 24, 2008 6:30PM _____________________________ Meeting Chair: Minutes By: Lisa Abernathy Present: Chuck Long, Paul Faust, Gary Kwong, Tim Pittman, Michael Thomas and Melissa Weber-Sanders.. Absent: Paula Mielke and Annie Green Meeting called to order 6:45 PM Approval of minutes October 13, 2008 Meeting. Motion made by Thomas Staff Report Recreation Update- Abernathy reported that Open Gym is up and running and the fall soccer program is completed for this season. Warming house attendant interviews will be in progress this next week and the target date to open rinks, weather permitting is Monday, December 22nd. Public Works Update- Pittman reported that rink boards are up at all parks and the temporary shelter at Falcon Heights Elementary School should be delivered soon. Due to the drainage in ground the layout of the shelter and rinks will be different from previous years but all are easily accessible. Winter/Spring Programming Abernathy is beginning to set programs for late winter and spring. Tae Kwon Do, Yoga and Parent/Child craft classes will continue and two watercolor classes are in the process of being scheduled for spring. Abernathy also reported that depending on if the tennis court grant goes through she may program spring tennis classes. The City is still waiting to hear back from USTA on the status of the grant application. Winterfest Abernathy reported preparations for the 2009 Witnerfest are underway and asked the Commission for any feedback on previous years or activities they would like to see. Abernathy has spoken to Roselawn Stables and they are set to come this year and will not be charging us this year due to the mix up at last year’s event. Along with the hayrides there will be a bonfire, ice skating, hot chocolate, cider and warm goodies to eat. Abernathy has contacted Council Member Beth Mercer-Taylor regarding cross country ski’s and snow shoes but has not heard back from her at this time. If we cannot borrow them from her ski club, Abernathy will be checking with REI, from whom they were borrowed from last year. 1000 Bench Program The Commission reviewed the map of the proposed bench sites that were decided on this past summer and wishes to move forward with the grant. For those benches located near a business, the Commission would like to contact them and see if they would be interested in sponsoring a bench. This would help with the City’s cost of the bench. New Business Lauderdale Reimbursement- Abernathy reported that the City of Lauderdale has approached her regarding a reimbursement plan for their residents when taking a Falcon Height’s program. Years ago, Lauderdale residents could get reimbursed from the City of Lauderdale the difference in cost between the non resident rate and resident rate for a program. The resident would have to take a Falcon Heights receipt to Lauderdale to redeem their refund. The City of Lauderdale would like to start this again with the help of Falcon Heights. The City of Lauderdale does not have comparable programs so many of their residents do participate in Falcon Heights programs. With the Commission’s support Falcon Heights would charge a Lauderdale resident the resident rate and then bill the City of Lauderdale the difference in cost of a non resident and resident rate. Currently that difference is five dollars. Abernathy will keep record of Lauderdale resident’s registrations and then at the end of each month submit it to the City of Lauderdale for reimbursement to Falcon Heights. In talking to the City of Lauderdale, they would be open to Falcon Heights distributing our program flyers at their City Hall and possibly use their Community Park building for programming in the future. Commissioners agreed that this would be a good thing to offer Lauderdale residents being that they have no programs themselves and do currently participate in our programs. Refund/Fee Comparison- Abernathy gave Commissioners a handout comparing program fees with other City’s in the Falcon Heights area. Programs that stood out as being significantly lower than other cities were Fall Soccer, Pee Wee Tennis and Summer Playgrounds. Abernathy reported that in the last few years these fees were comparable and has only gone up $1.00 each year to keep to our goal of not raising prices too dramatically. The programs in question however can be justified to be raised with the added content to the programs and the continuous increase in staff cost each year. In relation to the fees the Commission looked at changing the program registration refund policy. Currently it has taken some time to process a refund when someone wants to cancel out of a program; therefore the Commission is considering charging an administrative fee for program refunds. Abernathy handed out a list with what other communities are currently charging. Long added that for some programs, the number of participants enrolled can make or break the class so this might discourage people to cancel out last minute or at all. Abernathy agreed and noted that it also is a curtsy for those already in the class. If a class has to be cancelled right before it starts due to the numbers, then the other participants are inconvenienced for the short notice of cancellation. The Commission agreed that they would recommend a five dollar administrative fee for any refund and that no refund would be given after the week before the program start date. Abernathy will take this recommendation to City Council. Splash Pads- Abernathy reported she has spoken to three different companies regarding a splash pad structure and its cost. With all of the companies the least expensive direction was a simple water and electricity hook up with minimal “toy” or water spouts/outlets. This would rage from $2,000- $10,000. This is without the cost of the concrete pad. The water would then just drain into the ground. If a water recycling system was wanted then the cost would range from $50,000-$70.000. Kwong asked if there is money currently set aside for this project. Pittman reported that at this time there is not but the research was being done for future reference when there was money or if money wanted to be allocated for a structure. Abernathy also reported that a representative from Weber Recreation may be in town the beginning of December and would be willing to come and talk to herself and Tim and/or possibly the Park Commission. Abernathy will be setting this up with the representative and will report back. Next Park Commission meeting will be Monday, December 8th 6:30pm at City Hall Adjournment Motion made by Kwong and seconded by Weber-Sanders 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.