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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes10.10.05Minutes ______________________________ City of Falcon Heights, Park and Recreation Commission Meeting October 10, 2005 6:00 PM _____________________________ Meeting Chair: Chuck Long Minutes By: Lisa Anderson Present: Sue Gehrz representing Laura Kuettel , James Evans, Chuck Long, Greg Hoag, Annie Green, Lisa Anderson, Gene Ozasky, Kimberly Kuhens Absent: Pat Dolan Meeting called to order 6:05 PM Evans requested to add the Flooding of Curtiss Field in the agenda under Staff Reports and remove Park Tour Approval of agenda as amended made by Evans seconded by Ozasky. The motion passed. A motion to approve the minutes of the August 8, 2005 meeting with corrections submitted by Kuettel was made by Green and seconded by Evans. The motion passed. Staff Report: Active Living Ramsey County Anderson reported about the Active Living Ramsey County Kick Off meeting that was held Septmeber 29th. There were a lot of different professionals from numerous departments that were represented, people from education, public health, business owners, council members, parks and recreation, transportation and other city officials. The goal for this meeting was to establish a work plan or brainstorm ideas on how the different fields can work together to achieve more active living habits in their residents, members or customers. There were a lot of helpful ideas and discussion that will hopefully help in the future. Mayor Gehrz reported that a survey of Ramsey County residents is currently being done to see what their daily actions or exercise habits are right now. The results will then be analyzed and Active Living will begin planning and setting priorities on what Active Living can do in our communities to promote more walking, biking, or easier access to residents daily needs. Gehrz also reported that Blue Cross Blue Shield has given Ramsey County a Walkable Communities grant that will be used to provide access walk ability workshops that would educated the public on where it is safe to walk and rights as a pedestrian, biker, etc. At this time we are taking preliminary steps needed to start the process in 2006. The hopes are then that the plan is presented to City Councils and the cities or organizations adopt the plan and mold it to the needs of their community. Fall Program Updates Anderson reported that Fall Soccer will be ending this coming Saturday. We had about 30 total participants which is a little low compared to last years enrollment of 57. We plan to have a more strategic plan for distributing the activity brochure earlier than it went out this fall and possibly start the program well after school has started or even before school starts. Clay Creations has had a good turn out, kids are making many unique things such as pots, faces, statues and animals out of clay. We are firing our first batch so they should have that to take home by the end of the program. There is two more weeks left in the session. The Field and Building Use Policy was reviewed at the Council Workshop on October 5th and they were very impressed with the final draft. Hoag updated the commission on what we found in a city ordinance who could use the facilities for free and who could not. This information was proposed to the council to repeal it as a ordinance and make it a policy where we have freedom to be more flexible with its contents. The council supported Hoag in that decision and will be an item on October 26th agenda. Anderson then announced upcoming programs – Community Playroom is scheduled to Start November 3rd and run through March 30th, every Thursday from 9am-noon. Green noted that we might want to try publicizing directly at the Early Childhood Family Education location where parents go to find programs such as this or are more likely to hear about it. Saturday Open Gym held at Falcon Heights Elementary will start November 5 and run through March 25th from 10am-noon. Kimberley Kuhens and Andrea Rothman will be staffing the program. In the works right now is researching and comparing online registration systems. We are looking at two right now, Active.com (RecNet) and SBSI- Eclass. Both have registration and scheduling applications. At this time we are researching the cost and if it would be cost effective for the city. Gehrz mentioned sharing the software or going in on one with another smaller city might be helpful with the cost. This will continue to be looked at and a prospect for the future. Curtiss Field Flooding Hoag reported that the recent rain event was 5.55 inches of rain in a 24 hour period. This amount is just lower than a 100 year storm event, which is 6 inches in a 24 hour period. Hoag noted that the pond was constructed to hold a 10 year rain event (3 inches in a 24 hour period) provided it was completely dry. The pond was approximately 3.75 feet deep just prior to the heavy rain. General discussion was had to weather the pond was functioning as it should. Hoag informed the Commission that Public Works is constantly monitoring the ponds performance to drain. It was also noted that we have had many significant rain events this summer, and the pond has not been dry since the middle of May. Announcements Gehrz reported that the SE Corner Development would be having a grand opening on Tuesday November 15, 2005. All Commissioners are welcome to attend. Hoag asked for the Commissions thoughts about canceling the November Meeting scheduled for November 14. I was the recommendation to cancel the meeting. The December meeting will be a 2006 Goal setting meeting for the Commission and Staff. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Evans and seconded by Kuhens. Meeting ended at 7:45 pm 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.