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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 6.9.08Minutes ______________________________ City of Falcon Heights, Park and Recreation Commission Meeting June 9, 2008 6:30PM _____________________________ Meeting Chair: Annie Green- Michael Thomas filled in for Green in her absence. Minutes By: Lisa Abernathy Present: Michael Thomas, Melissa Weber-Sanders, Chuck Long, Paula Mielke, Paul Faust, and Gary Kwong Absent: Annie Green, Eric Maronde, and Tim Pittman. Meeting called to order 6:35 PM Approval of minutes May 12, 2008 Meeting. Motion made by Weber-Sanders Staff Report Recreation Update- Abernathy reported that summer programs will begin next week. There are a seven to eight classes that will be canceled due to low enrollment numbers. Abernathy also reported she is looking into some fall programming prospects such as toddler music and movement classes, marketing the new rugby program and then working on more content for the fall event in October. Public Works Update- no report. Ice Cream Social Abernathy reported that plans will be under way after the start of summer programs. So far the entertainment has been chosen and contacted. This year Daddy Squeeze will be performing. This will be a good change from Kidsdance who has been used the past two years. Dan Newton or Daddy Squeeze was a participant in our yoga program. Abernathy then asked if there were event ideas that we could add in this year. Faust volunteered his radar gun if he is in town to possibly use instead of the speed machine. Kwong recommended a demonstration from the rugby instructor to showcase our new program. Mielke suggested looking into the blow up castles or moon walks as they might bring people in. Abernathy said she would look into the cost and the details on the proper insurance that is required. Mielke also suggested setting up a volleyball net for anyone to participate in. As well as thinking of something to use the tennis courts for. The space is usually not used so something unique in there might be a good addition. Falcon Heights School Analysis Mielke asked that the City explore approaching the elementary school in regards to having some bike racks installed up at the school. The outdoor area is used as a park during the non school hours so therefore there should be a bike rack for visitors to lock up their bikes when using the fields, playgrounds or anything outside of the school. Mielke also reported that if the school sees that many visitors do ride bikes to the school location anyways it might help to change their minds in allowing kids to ride their bikes to school. Abernathy will be discussing this with City Administrator Justin Miller about approaching the school regarding the bike rack. Weber-Sanders and Kwong both commented that this would be a great way to show the City is committed to finding alternatives to traveling by vehicles and promoting physical fitness. 2009 Budget Abernathy reported that they will be starting the 2009 budget in the next few months. Mielke named a few items that the Commission had discussed budgeting for during the park tours that were: Grove Park: picnic tables and possibly a type of outdoor lighting. Community Park: possible upgrades to the kitchen. Curtiss Field: a bench near the gazebo. Abernathy will be reporting these items to Pittman to include or consider for next years budget. New Business Dogs in the Parks- After some discussion on land parcels the Commission came up with questions regarding each space that Abernathy will be taking back to the City. Questions related to if the land is leased through the university if we would be violating any rules on the lease, clarify if the Garden Park off of Questwood is City owned or university owned and if we could put a fence on the land parcel off of Lindig. Weber-Sanders recommended instead of having a park just for dogs that we start small and try allowing dogs in the current parks for set times. Meilke added to that suggestion that the Commission discuss times when dogs would be allowed to be in the parks on leash and try it out to see how it is perceived or used. Abernathy will get questions answered and report back as well as see what the City thought of the trial run of allowing dogs in the park during certain times of the day. Next Park Commission meeting will be Monday, July 21st at 6:30pm. Adjournment Motion made by Mielke 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.