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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />SEPTEMBER 9, 2015 <br />Horwath stated that the LCRA provides great support for recreation <br />programs making them affordable for participants and supporting the <br />community. Horwath felt that the City should have a strong digital media <br />presence in promoting its recreation programming. Maplewood has done <br />this and has seen increased participation. Horwath also stated that <br />recreation is struggling in general in Minnesota and across the country and <br />felt it important to find out what people want. Horwath indicated that <br />there needs to be alternative activities to just sports. <br />Fischer noted that there is the Parks & Recreation Department, the Parks <br />& Recreation Commission and LCRA which may work too independently. <br />He suggested that what is needed is a 3 to 5 year strategic plan for what <br />the Parks & Recreation Department wants to be. Once that is established, <br />then the plan should be revisited to see if the results are hitting the mark. <br />Fischer stated that without a goal things will not happen. Fischer stated <br />that the City needs to get ideas on the table and create a plan and then <br />promote it. Fischer stated that the three organizations need to get together <br />and course correct. Darling stated that she totally agreed. <br />Keis acknowledged that there are lots of informal links and felt these <br />should be formalized. Keis suggested that some joint meetings may be <br />necessary. Bowman reported that the Parks & Recreation Department <br />staff has monthly meetings. McGinnity suggested that perhaps LCRA <br />should have a liaison attend Parks & Recreation Commission meetings. <br />Joriman reported that at LCRA meetings a lot of ideas are brought up, but <br />agreed that the three organizations should be integrated so that plans can <br />be brought forward and implemented. Horwath agreed and indicated that <br />more information needs to be found out about the current needs of the <br />community. Horwath felt that could be done with a survey. He indicated <br />that if participation numbers are changing, then something is changing <br />relative to what demand is. Horwath also suggested that the MN <br />Recreation & Parks Association (MPRA) would have information about <br />new activities as well as what people are participating in. <br />The Director pointed out that there are been parks and recreation survey <br />questions in the past community surveys that Little Canada has done. He <br />also indicated that the Parks & Recreation Department staff does hold <br />monthly meetings and discuss new ideas. Ideas also come from LCRA. <br />The Director indicated that the Parks & Recreation Commission has <br />focused mainly on parks, and noted that recreation was added to <br />Commission responsibilities after the Commission was initially formed. <br />Horwath stated that typically Commissions are more focused on parks and <br />trails. Horwath indicated that the City needs to know what its citizens <br />want and pointed out, as an example, various recreational activities that <br />the Hmong community traditionally participates in. <br />4 <br />