04-07-2016 Parks & Rec minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION April 7, 2016 PARKS AND RECREATION MISSION STATEMENT felt was pertinent to the Commission was park surveillance cameras and problem hotspots focus by the sheriff department. He explained there was a break in at Pioneer Park and the Director and Bill Dircks, the Public Works Director, were working to install cameras in the vicinity. In addition to the task, the City Administrator addressed the goal of creating a Comprehensive Sign Plan to coordinate park history signs, update Welcome to Little Canada signs, and implement better signage for trail locations. Chair Miller explained he would also like to see the use of QR codes or physical signs that can link mobile phones to a website which would provide more information on the subject of the sign. The City Administrator agreed it would be a good idea and noted that the Veterans Memorial Park is planning interpretive signage and testing out QR codes. The City Administrator also shared the goals which the council has asked staff to create action plans for, the list is as follows. • Create an integrated communication plan by updating the website, working on social media presence, and improving resident communications. • Investigate the feasibility of a housing rehab loan program to maintain the housing stock. • Improve the process for maintenance of vacant commercial properties. • Implement business retention and expansion programs with the help of the fire marshal to survey business owners to see their needs are being met. • Evaluate options for organized collection contract renewal as it is up this year. • Investigate the process for fire department regionalization. With the increasing need for fire departments to respond to medical calls, and the rising cost of equipment, the City needs to evaluate sustainable plans to better meet the needs of the community. • Conduct a community survey. • Look into becoming a Greenstep City by increasing the environmental friendliness of the community. The City Administrator noted workshops have been set up to discuss most of these topics and these goals should be well under way by July. The City Administrator also reported the Council and Staff are investigating opportunities to make parks like Pioneer and Spooner, Wi-Fi hotspots. Chair Miller reported the Commission is working on finalizing the Parks and Recreation Mission Statement. He explained the document contained lots of information and notes from Councilman Fischer. Chair Miller decided to let the Commission contemplate the mission statement for one more month in order to consider the wording. He explained the mission statement would carry a lot of weight in the future for the Commission and wanted everyone to be sure they were comfortable with the document.