HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 7.11.05Minutes
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City of Falcon Heights, Park and Recreation Commission Meeting
July 11, 2005
7:00 PM
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Meeting Chair: Chuck Long
Minutes By: Lisa Anderson
Present: Patrick Dolan, James Evans, Chuck Long, Greg Hoag, Lisa Anderson, Gene Ozasky, Heather Worthington
Absent: Laura Kuettel, Annie Green, Kimberly Kuhens
Meeting called to order 7:00 PM
Approval of minutes June 13, 2005. There were no minutes to approve. Meeting was cancelled after it had started and continued at the July meeting due to Tornado Warning issued. Minutes
are carried over to the present meeting.
Approval of agenda was made by Dolan and seconded by Evans. Evans brought up a concern regarding no benches under the Curtiss Field Gazebo. City Administrator Heather Worthington, sitting
in on the meeting explained that for that area we are in a no win situation. Benches were not put in due to the fact that it they could entice people to misuse them, graffiti them, or
promote hang outs during non park hours. Hoag reported that there are still benches and trash receptacle to be installed at Curtiss Field. Staff will look at placing some in the Gazebo.
Staff Report
2006 Spring Park Clean Up Day
Hoag opened the discussion per Laura Kuettel regarding having a city event or day designated for park clean up. During a roadside clean up put on by the Lions, they spent a lot of time
near the Curtiss Field area picking up garbage that had been left after the snow melt. Hoag opened the idea up to the commission on making it a city wide event where the neighborhoods
surrounding our parks would hold a day of
clean up to clear up the grounds. Timing for this event would be essentially after the snow melts around mid to late April. Ozasky questioned on if there was a model present or type
of event done somewhere else or what liability issues we would have with picking up trash. Dolan indicated that Roseville has had success using Sentence to Serve people cleaning roadway
and park areas in the spring. Worthington also recommended we turn to our city commissions and service clubs such as the Neighborhood Commission, Environment Commission, The Rotary and
the Lions Club. This topic will have further discussion as more ideas come about
Add a Third City sponsored event
Per Laura Kuettel’s ideas to Greg Hoag, the thought of adding a third city event or expanding a current event to add more variety and opportunities to the residents and public. Spring
Clean up as the third event was offered as an idea. Long then questioned if the city can handle a third event financially and that maybe we should stick to what people know and enjoy
and expand on it. This turned the discussion on expanding the Dead of Winter event, while the Ice Cream Social has potential the Dead of Winter was discussed more. Some ideas were:
Moving up the date to better the chance of having snow, making the treasure hunt a week long event with a new clue each day and making it city wide so people have to look around the
whole city. This topic will continue to be open for discussion.
c. Living by Design
Hoag reported that Mayor Sue Gehrz has brought this program to our attention. It is still in its primary stage but could be a great asset to our city programs. We could potentially receive
funding for our programs or to put on new programs that promote heath and fitness in the community. This would be tobacco settlement money that we could receive in grant form. Mayor
Gehrz has asked us to be thinking of ideas on how we could utilize the money in our programs so when the application process begins we can apply for the money. Some ideas that were
discussed for this were: capital improvements in parks, a ski trail through Community Park or a 5K /Fun Run added on to one of our two city events.
d. Recreation Update
Anderson reported that we are just about finishing up on summer programs. Monday and Wednesday Instructional Sports programs will be extended into the first week of August due to severe
weather cancellations and rain. Ice Cream Social is two weeks away so she has been working on getting supplies, food and staff necessary for the event. We have new entertainment this
year, Will Hale will put on a children’s musical show from 7:00-7:45pm. Lisa has seen many of his shows and thinks it will be a great asset to the social. His music and energy will be
great for the kids. Anderson is also working on some fall programs. Nigel Kojic will be returning to teach Acrylic Painting and Clay Classes for both youth and adults. Also up for fall
is a joint program with the City of Roseville Park and Recreation Department. We will be putting on a Martin Luther King Day Celebration at Brimhall School. The theme
will be “Traveling Around the World”, where kids will spend their non school day learning about other countries, doing fun arts and crafts and playing fun games. Anderson also expressed
needs for any volunteers for the Dunk Tank at the Ice Cream Social or to volunteer to serve ice cream or sell tickets, if anyone is interested they should contact her.
e. Continuation of Goals, Planning, and Budget Discussion, focus to be on Capital Budget ideas
Hoag opened the discussion about any capital improvements recommendations members may have at this time. Ozasky brought up The Grove Park and its current swing’s. The park has one baby
swing and one regular swing and some residents wonder why they couldn’t install more regular swings. Worthington informed us that the safety regulations such as Fall Zones, due to space
limitations at the Grove when the new swings were installed they only had space for the two swing structure. Ozasky then asked about a shelter or pavilion for the park,. Worthington
answered this with a reminder that the city does not own the land of Grove Park and Community Park so that any capital improvements we make is no benefit to us in the long run. Evans
then rehashed the bench situation at Curtiss and what residents have brought to his attention. The problems with the benches are foreseen and are still being discussed whether or not
they will be installed. Other concerns brought up about Curtiss Field were the amount of trash bins and the field situation. Currently Public Works is working on finding a contractor
to fix the field problem and diminish any further drainage problems. To continue this compliment of ideas Long recommended that for the next few months we meet at the parks themselves
and walk around and see what each one has and informally converse on the parks status and amenities. All members agreed that this would be helpful in compiling information for updating
our Park and Recreation Comprehensive Plan. The first park we will meet at next week will be Grove Park, located off of Larpenteur and Coffman Street.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Evans and seconded by Dolan. Meeting ended at 8:15pm
Minutes respectfully submitted by Lisa Anderson. If there are any corrections or additions, please contact Lisa Anderson by phone at 651-792-7616 or by email at lisa.anderson@ci.falcon-heights.mn.us