HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 5.14.07Minutes
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City of Falcon Heights, Park and Recreation Commission Meeting
May 14, 2007
6:30PM
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Meeting Chair: Gene Ozasky
Minutes By: Lisa Abernathy
Present: Eric Maronde, Pam Harris, Paula Mielke, Paul Faust, and Pam Harris.
Absent: Tim Pittman, Annie Green
Meeting called to order 6:35 PM
Approval of minutes April 9, 2007 Meeting.
Motion was made by Mielke and seconded by Maronde based on the changes Abernathy had reported to the Commission.
Staff Report
Recreation Update- Abernathy reported that the Golf program has been doing well for both youth and adults. The spring youth lessons have been completed so Abernathy has sent out evaluations
to participant to gain feedback on this new program. The adult lessons will continue into the summer as well youth golf camps in July. Abernathy plans to evaluate all classes in hopes
that we can show the U of M that this is a good partnership and how successful it was. Abernathy also reported that the repainting and installation of new playground components at Curtiss
Field Park has been completed and that it turned out very good. Commissioners were encouraged to go check it out. The City of Falcon Heights is now a member of the USTA/MRPA Tennis
in the Parks program. We will be receiving some free tennis equipment as well as marketing tools, program ideas as well as other great resources from USTA. Abernathy also reported that
this is a great resource to use when it comes time to think about resurfacing the tennis courts at Community Park. The organization has grants and aid that we may have access to when
the time comes. Abernathy also reported that she will be looking into programming some adult tennis programs towards the end of the summer.
Front Yard Space at City Hall
In continuation from April’s meeting Abernathy asked if anyone had any further ideas regarding using the space in the front yard of City Hall. Mielke reported that she found out from
her husband that the structure currently in the front yard was to represent Falcon Heights’s history with green houses and its farm roots. Mielke explained that Larpenteur used to be
lined with rows of green houses years ago. Further ideas that were presented were: a mini-golf course where the holes could be designed by certain groups, partnering with the U landscaping
group in possibly extending the U of M fields, making it a Rain Garden educational piece, approaching the U of M about showcasing their gardens, partnering with the National Nursery
Association and create a showcase of some sort, or making it a movie in the park location. Harris brought the issue of drainage to the Commission and to keep that in mind when deciding
on ideas. All commissioners thought something low maintenance would be appropriate for that area.
Comprehensive Plan work
The Commission then began discussing potential goals that would be guiding this new comprehensive plan. Abernathy read the current mission along with some goals she had in mind. The
Commissioners then compiled a list of goals that they felt were essential in the plan. Mielke, Faust and Harris spoke about the idea of also using this as a guide for a potential Park
Commissioner. Not having resource to look at when joining the Commission, Faust thought it would be extremely helpful and resourceful at the same time. Abernathy recommended we include
a section with the roles of the City Staff, the Commissioners as well as their responsibilities. Mielke reported that she had created a Table of Contents that organized the sections
the Commission has discussed keeping from the old plan and new topics that will be added. Abernathy will be working on the mission including some of the broad goals that were discussed.
These goal ideas will be attached to these minutes.
New Business
Paula asked if the City would like to take over ownership of the popcorn machine her PTA group currently has. The PTA only uses it one night a year so if it would be used in City events
than she would be happy to let the City have it.
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn was made by Faust and seconded Mielke
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.