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STAFF REPORT <br />TO:Mayor Fischer and Members of the City Council <br />FROM:Bryce Shearen, Parks & Rec/Community Services Director <br />Laura Linehan, Community Relations Manager <br />DATE:December 20, 2023 <br />RE:2024 Parks & Recreation Commission Appointments <br />2024 Parks & Recreation Commission Chair Appointment <br />ACTION REQUESTED <br />A motion to appoint Shawn Hipp, Maggie DeLong Miller, and Jason Owens to 3-year terms from <br />2024-2026. <br />A motion to appoint a Parks & Recreation Commission Chair for 2024. <br />BACKGROUND <br />The terms of office for Shawn Hipp, Anna Abruzzese, and Maggie DeLong Miller will expire on <br />December 31, 2023. At this time, there are three three-year terms on the Parks & Recreation <br />Commission to fill. <br />The city has received a letter requesting a reappointment from Shawn Hipp and Maggie DeLong <br />Miller. The city additionally received a letter from Commissioner Abruzzese, who opted not to <br />seek another term on the commission. <br />The city received one new application and that applicant was interviewed by a Parks & Recreation <br />Commission Interview Committee consisting of Mayor Tom Fischer, Council Member Amanda <br />Gutierrez, Parks & Rec/Community Services Director Bryce Shearen, and Community Relations <br />Manager Laura Linehan. The interview committee was very impressed with the applicant, Jason <br />Owens. <br />Jason Owens has lived in Little Canada for 17 years and enjoys utilizing the parks, trails, and <br />facilities with his family. Mr. Owens has current experience serving on boards, including the <br />Minnesota Amateur Soccer League. He is interested in becoming more involved in the programs <br />and spaces that helped shape his decision to create a home and family in Little Canada. Mr. Owens <br />expressed his interest in serving on the commission at the recent Cookies with Santa event he <br />attended with his family. <br />Please also note that City Code Chapter 2501, Parks & Recreation Commission, calls for the <br />Mayor to make a recommendation for the Parks & Recreation Commission Chair. Mayor Fischer <br />will make that recommendation at Wednesday’s meeting, with the Council making the actual <br />appointment. The Commission will select its Vice Chair at its first meeting in January.