HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Feb 16thMinutes
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City of Falcon Heights, Park and Recreation Commission Meeting
February 16, 2011
6:30PM
City Hall
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Meeting Chair: Melissa Weber-Sanders (absent)
Minutes By: Michelle Tesser
Present members: Serena Jones-White, Matthew Waite, Lonetta Hanson
Youth member: Luke Mielke
Staff: Michelle Tesser
Council Liaison: Keith Gosline
1. Meeting called to order 6:30 PM
2. Approval of Minutes December 12, 2010
Motioned by Jones-White and seconded by Mielke. The commission
unanimously approved the minutes.
3. Staff Report
a. Winter Events- Michelle Tesser
Skating in the Park was unexpectedly a wonderful turnout. The weather was
perfect for ice skating. Our warming house attendants take a tally of visitors
every day. During the event, tallies indicated 80 visitors. We offered free
hot chocolate and Jimmy John’s surprised everyone with sandwiches at
11:30am. The department received a lot of compliments on the event so staff
is definitely going to do it again next year. If you are interested, pictures are
up on Facebook.
Winterfest went smoothly. We received $329.00. Total cost of the event was
approximately $1,100. The park was very busy with the different activities
available. The two new activities snow painting and snowball toss went over
well with the children. Two of our contracted recreation instructors
volunteered at the games and crafts which increased their TKD and art
program registrations. We had only one hiccup, at the Falcon Hunt, a 8 year
old found the falcon and a 12 year old took the falcon from a the 8 year old.
The 12 year old claimed it was a tie. A third party child collaborated the 8
year old’s story. And since the 12 year old won last year, staff made the
decision to award to $50 gift certificate to the 8 year old. The issue was
resolved with no complaints. Next year, staff will chaperone the area children
are digging for the falcon to deter any aggressive behaviors. Thank you to
commissioners: Melissa, Lonetta and Keith for volunteering at the event.
b. Ice Rink/Warming House- Michelle Tesser
The ice rinks and Curtiss Field warming house is closed for the season due
to the nice weather. Warming house staff have been contacted. The
commission discussed the lack of use of the Grove Park pleasure rink. Tim
Pittman has observed little to no ice activity. The commission discussed not
flooding the Grove Park rink next year. This would save 3,000 galloons of
water, $300-$400 dollars. This action will be reviewed in the fall of 2011.
c. Public Works update
Staff is looking at purchasing new equipment: truck, skid loader, riding lawn
mower. Staff is also snow plowing and working on small projects for city hall
and other facilities.
4. Summer/Spring Program Guide
Staff reviewed the 2011 Spring/Summer Program Guide. The commission
was pleased with the new programs. Online registration starts March 1st! The
program guide was approved for print and will go into the city’s spring
newsletter. Commission members inquired about summer recreation staffing.
Tesser has been receiving applications for the recreation leader positions and
summer recreation coordinator position. Hiring will take place in April. Most of
the past recreation leaders expressed interest in retuning this summer.
5. Tennis Courts, USTA grant update
Tesser has been in contacted with Becky Cantellano, the USTA Northern
Director. She recommended Falcon Heights apply for the Adopt A Court grant
that entails the same grant criteria as the national grant Tesser has applied
for. Therefore, last week Tesser sent out an RFP to engineering firms for plan
development and design of a complete demolition and rebuild of our two
tennis courts. Our RFP was sent out via email to 10 engineering firms, four of
which were recommended by USTA. Four firms have contacted me with
interest and additional questions. Our progressive schedule is:
February 22nd Design proposals due
February 23rd Design firm selected
March 18th Final design plans due
April 22nd Construction bids due
(on or around)
April 27th Tentative date for city council contractor selection
August 15th Tentative construction start date
6. New Business
1. New construction of park sign
A new park sign is being constructed by PW dept for Curtiss Field and
Community Park. The signs are made from cedar and plxy glass will display
a map of the Parks system, flyers of events, parks and rec news will be
advertised.
2. Field rentals request were received from NSSA. Tesser sent out the new
fee schedule and application to other field coordinators of associations in early
February.
3. Website revisions were finalized for easier navigation.
4. The city’s facebook name has been changed from Falcon Heights Parks
and Recreation to City of Falcon Heights, please become a member of the
city’s webpage.
7. Adjournment – Adjourned at 8:00pm
Minutes respectfully submitted by Michelle Tesser. If there are any corrections or
additions, please contact Michelle Tesser by phone at 651-792-7617 or by email at
Michelle.tesser@falconheights.org