Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 12.18.06Minutes ______________________________ City of Falcon Heights, Park and Recreation Commission Meeting December 18, 2006 6:30PM _____________________________ Meeting Chair: Chuck Long Minutes By: Lisa Abernathy Present: Chuck Long, Lisa Abernathy, Jim Evans, Pat Dolan, Paula Mielke, Eric Maronde, Annie Green, Pam Harris, Gene Ozasky, Tim Pittman Absent: Meeting called to order 6:30 PM Introductions were done to welcome the new Parks and Public Works Director Tim Pittman. Approval of agenda Motion made by Mielke and seconded by Evans Approval of minutes October 9, 2006 Meeting Motion made by Ozasky and seconded by Green Staff Report Recreation Update- Abernathy reported that the Little Artist Workshop will be held next. There are five participants signed up so far. The Create with Clay class is set to begin in early January however there are only two participants signed up so the class may not go due to low enrollment. Abernathy was happy to report that there are some new programs in the works for spring. Falcon Heights has contacted with two Martial Arts instructors who teach around the metro area and are willing to start some classes with us. They will be teaching a Kids Smart: Self-Defense and Safety class, Tae Kwon Do – Little Tigers for three to five year olds, Tae Kwon Do for ages five to Adult and a Women’s Self-Defense class. All these classes will be held at the Community Park Shelter and will begin in late February. Falcon Heights Parks and Recreation has also contracted with the University of Minnesota Golf Course to offer some golf programs this spring through the summer. These classes will be for preschoolers up to adults. Abernathy reported that the Comprehensive Plan Parks Survey will be inserted into the City newsletter that will be going to print later this week. Once it has gone out, Abernathy will be putting the survey online so anyone who wishes to take it online can do so. Long added in that we should have it available at the Dead of Winter event for an additional chance for people to take it. Mielke suggested we have some sort of incentive to take the survey or draw a random completed survey for a small prize. Abernathy presented the Parks Commission with a sample of the butterfly signs that would be posted in Community Park. Greg Hoag, the former Public Works Director had been working with Karen Oberhauser from the University of Minnesota on ways to educate the public on what types of habitats are in our Community Park as well as highlight the Monarch Butterfly observation site in the park. Mielke gave a brief background on her son who has participated in similar projects of raising the butterflies from its larva state. Abernathy reported that these signs are completed and will be installed this spring. Ozasky asked how Open Gym numbers have been. Abernathy reported that they are still pretty consistent with the beginning of the program. We are seeing more participants on the new night (Thursdays) but still have good numbers on its original day (Saturdays). We have not had Open Gym for the past week due to school conflicts, but will continue after the holidays. Ozasky also asked about the weather and how it will affect the opening of the skating rink. Abernathy reported that after speaking with Dave Tretsven, our Senior Public Works Supervisor, based on the weather we are not looking at opening the shelters/rinks until December 29th - weather permitting, possibly later. We are waiting specifically on the weather to move forth with flooding the rinks. Abernathy conducted training for rink attendants prior to the meeting so they are all set to begin when we have the ice to open. Abernathy then highlighted some programs that may be implemented this summer: Critter Camp, Introductory Basketball class, Parent/Child Yoga, continue Tae Kwon Do, and Golf programs with the U of MN. Update on Comprehensive Plan Survey As Abernathy reported above, the survey will be inserted in the next City newsletter, put on the city’s website, and handed out at the Dead of Winter event held in January. The Commission decided they would like to have these surveys back by March 2nd to start formulating the results for later discussion. 6. 2007 Goals and Objectives In planning for the next year, the Commission began discussion on possible goals they would like to achieve in 2007. Evans asked that the Trolley Path Project be revisited, as he has enjoyed walking in that area and would like to see something come of it. Long noted that all the planning has been done, it is just a matter of talking to the University again and begin the process again and get approvals from the residents in the Grove that are near where the path is present. Ozasky asked that another goal be that the City renegotiates its leases for all its parks. With the City only owning one of its parks, he feels we should make efforts in maintaining those leases so we don’t lose any parks. Mielke also added we have a goal of continuing to look at the possibility of having a shelter built on the Falcon Heights Elementary School grounds, as it is a goal from the past that has not yet been achieved. Mielke also recommended incorporating the installation fo new Curtiss Field playground equipment into the possible Curtiss Field event- the Spring Clean Up Day. All goals that were discussed are attached to the minutes along with the 2007 meeting schedule and agendas. The Commission will review these at the January meeting and make any corrections or make approval. Elect New Chair- New Members Park Commissioners thanked Jim Evans and Chuck Long for their duty as Park Commissioners for the past 6 years and wished them luck in their next Commission. Abernathy reported that Eric Maronde will be approved as the Youth Commissioner in January and Michael Thomas has been approved and will be a new Commission member as of January 2007. There was no Commission member who volunteered for the Chair position so this item will be deferred to January’s Agenda. There was discussion of Maronde taking the Chair position, however after Abernathy spoke to the City’s Administrator after the meeting, it is strongly advised that a member with more experience or a longer term be elected to the chair position. Adjournment Motion to adjourn was made by Evans and seconded by all other Commission members. 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.