Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 9.11.07Minutes ______________________________ City of Falcon Heights, Park and Recreation Commission Meeting September 10, 2007 6:30PM _____________________________ Meeting Chair: Gene Ozasky Minutes By: Lisa Abernathy Present: Annie Green, Michael Thomas, Eric Maronde, Tim Pittman. Absent: Pam Harris, Paul Faust, Paula Mielke Guest: Melanie Leehy Meeting called to order 6:30 PM Approval of minutes June 9 and July 9 2007 Meeting. June’s minutes- motion was made by Maronde and seconded by Green. Due to a lack of a quorum at the July 9th an official meeting was not held but the agenda was discussed. Tour and Discuss Curtiss Field Pittman updated the Commission on small projects that Public Works will be working on in the park: Adding a bench and trash receptacle near the gazebo trail area, adding woodchips to landscaping areas and trimming bushes around the park. Pittman also reported that a handicap parking space would be designated with a sign. Staff Report Recreation Update- Abernathy reported that the 2007 Fall/Winter Activity Brochures have gone out to schools and homes in the past few weeks. Fall Soccer will begin this weekend on September 15th. At this time Mini and Super Soccer are full with waiting lists and Extreme Soccer is still open but will run. Abernathy also explained to the Commission that due to the City not running the Community Playroom this year, we will be offering some parent and child craft classes at City Hall. These classes will be for ages 2-5 and be based on holiday themes. Crafter Nancy Gagner will be leading these classes. She teaches many craft classes with other surrounding communities and according to Abernathy has had good turn outs with other cities. Abernathy reported that she and Tim will be working on updating the Community Park and Grove Park signs here soon. They are currently getting bids from different sign shops and will chose the one that fits well with our budget and style. Continue Comprehensive Plan Work Abernathy asked the Commission on behalf of Paula Mielke for particular sections of the new comprehensive plan. Maronde and Green will be submitting the work done to Abernathy or Mielke as they are completed. Trolley Path Discussion Abernathy provided the Commission with documents pertaining to the project she has come across. Pittman reported that after discussing this project with the City’s finance director, Roland Olson the money needed for this project even with the a grant will be more expensive today than it was back in 2003. In 2003 when the project was explored the cost would be about $108,000- DNR would provide a matching grant of $54,000 to the City for this project. Pittman continued that today that figure would be much more and the basically drain the Parks budget. Green asked if there was any interest in this project from community members. Abernathy and Pittman both have not received any inquiries or comments regarding this project. Ozasky suggested approaching the University about them including the project as part of their development of the Bell Museum. The Commission asked if information regarding what the University has planned for that development could be obtained. Abernathy will obtain any information from City Administrator Justin Miller on the Bell Museum development. Volunteer/Donation Recognition Program Abernathy reported that currently when a donation is received they are recognized by a “thank you” letter, announced at a City Council meeting and published in the upcoming newsletter, flyer or in the local paper. Green and Ozasky replied that this is a good way to recognize residents and businesses so to continue with this process as donations and volunteer help is received. New Business Pittman reported that the City will not be putting a hockey rink at Community Park this year but move it to Grove Park. By doing this there will be a hockey rink on both sides of the city as well as the same pleasure ice rinks we have had in the past. Community Park has a low pressure water valve so it is extremely time consuming to flood the hockey rink and in past years the numbers of visitors at Community Park has gone down. Ozasky suggested advertising the addition of a hockey rink at Grove Park to make it more known. Ozasky then asked for a motion that the Commission recommend to City Administrator, Justin Miller that the City move the hockey rink from Community Park to Grove Park for the 2007/2008 Ice Rink Season. Motion was made by Green and seconded by Maronde. Park Signs Ozasky asked about park location signs along the major traffic areas to direct people to the parks. Green added that those might be worth while on busy streets. Pittman suggested we continue the discussion but that this will be something the Commission will have to take to the City Council for approval. Next Park Commission meeting will be Monday, October 8th at Community Park at 6:30pm. Adjournment Motion to adjourn was made by Green and seconded by Maronde 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.