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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember MinutesMinutes ______________________________ City of Falcon Heights, Park and Recreation Commission Meeting December 13, 2004 7:00 PM _____________________________ Meeting Chair: Chuck Long Minutes By: Ann Davy Present: Denise Deen, Patrick Dolan, Jim Evans, Chuck Long, Kimberly Kuhens, Laura Kuettel, Ann Davy Meeting called to order 7:00 PM Approval of minutes October 11, 2004 Approval of agenda Staff Report School-use agreement The final school-use agreement between District 623 and the City was presented to the City Council at the last meeting. The Council approved the agreement. The agreement sets the provisions for the city’s use of the school’s play structures and grounds. The School District currently has four copies of the agreement which will most likely be approved on Wednesday. Evans inquired about who came up with the agreement. The City’s attorney, Greg Hoag and the School District worked on the agreement for several weeks. Much of it was taken from previous agreements. Long added that these types of agreements are seen a lot and follow a standard form. Kuettel pointed out that the City Council wanted to make it clear that the Right of Refusal on Pg. 3 of the agreement was stated to assume the City has fifteen days to exercise its right of first refusal in writing if the District enters into an agreement with a Third Party. The City should not have to come up with the money in fifteen days. Kuettel also stated that City Councilmember Talbot added that on Pg. 5 of the agreement, it made sense that the City should be liable for the skating rink because we maintain the rink. Dean asked if the school maintains the playground. The School District does maintain the playground and therefore they should be held liable for any injuries or accidents occurring on the playground. Kuettel asked if there would be lighting for the skating rinks at the school. Greg Hoag worked with Muska Lighting to come up with some options for temporary lighting to be used this year. The cheapest options were between $6000 and $7000. Hoag decided that this was too much to spend on lighting that may only be used this year. Instead, we will wait until next year and put some permanent lighting in if the hockey rink is well-received from the community. The placement of the hockey rink at the school is different from the original drawings. The rink runs parallel to Ruggles rather than parallel to the line of houses on Holton. b. Hockey Rink update The hockey boards are in place at all the rinks. Some of the boards had to be put back up after the strong winds on Sunday, as well as the shelter at the Grove. New lights have been installed at Curtiss Field. Kuettel asked if Curtiss Field was closed during the skating rink season last year, but Dolan stated that it was open during the winter months but closed for the summer recreation season. We have been forced to delay the opening of the rinks due to the warm weather. Kuettel said that it seems the ground is getting harder. Greg Hoag said earlier in the day that the ground was actually softer this week than last week. Maintenance is hoping to start flooding on Wednesday if the temperatures don’t go back up. Lauderdale is flooding today, and Roseville is also planning to start flooding on Wednesday evening. Skating rinks most likely won’t open until after Christmas. c. Recreation Update Some new programs are being offered this winter, including two art classes. Flyers were distributed to the schools two weeks ago. The Little Artist’s Workshop has enough kids registered for it to run. The Create with Clay class has a few kids registered, but needs more. Hopefully, the Little Artist’s Workshop will go well and some of the participants will sign up for the clay class. There is a Babysitter Training class scheduled for spring break. Kuettel asked if those classes have been popular. Davy stated that there were two classes offered in the summer, one in June and one in August, but only the August class ran. One or two more flyers will be distributed prior to the upcoming class to encourage kids to sign up. Open Gym has been doing well so far this season. A $1.00 fee is being charged this year to help cover the cost of facility rental. Kuettel stated that it is expensive to use the facility. Long asked if the cost of the program had affected the attendance. Davy stated that attendance is actually up from last year. Roseville charges $4.00 for open gym so the cost is still much lower than other programs in the area. The Community Playroom at Falcon Heights United Church of Christ has been open since the second week in November. Attendance has been slow so far, but the church staff said that is pretty typical for the first couple months. Once the weather gets colder the attendance should pick up. There was no change in the playroom fees this year. The date for Dead of Winter has been set for Sunday, February 6. The activities will be very much the same as last year. Area businesses are going to be asked to sponsor the event. Dog sled rides may be added, but sponsorships would be needed since there is a limited budget for the event. Deen asked if there would a bonfire. A bonfire will be part of the event and s’mores will be available for purchase. Kuettel inquired about which school received the flyers. Davy stated that Brimhall, Parkview, ECFE @ Parkview, St. Rose, Holy Childhood, Falcon Heights Elementary, and Chelsea Heights receive the flyers. Deen suggested that flyers be brought to the ECFE program and daycare at Fairview. Evans asked about whether there are supposed to be benches in the gazebo at Curtiss Field. He stated that it would be nice to have them available for people who might want to eat lunch in the park. Dolan agreed that benches should be placed in the gazebo. Kuettel suggested that memorial benches be offered for purchase. Long added that he thought benches were in the plans. He suggested that it be looked into once spring comes. Meeting ended at 7:25 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by Ann Davy. If there are any corrections or additions, please contact Ann Davy by phone at 651-917-1287 or by email at ann.davy@ci.falcon-heights.mn.us.