07-23-1997 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES PARKS & RECREATION JULY 3,1997 Christensen moved to suggest to the Council that future applicants for the Commission meet .G% - with the Parks and Recreation Director and the Chair of the Commission or his or her .../..--- � designee for the purposes of defining duties of the Commission and for some initial screening of the applicant, in order to provide the Council with a recommendation as part of the appointment process. Ables seconded the motion. Motion carried S — 0. Johnson asked if it would have to be a face -to -face meeting. Christensen said that he felt it would be a courtesy to the applicant. DiFranco said there is an ordinance that defines the Commission, and it would not take much to provide that to the applicants. Ables asked why new Commission members were not sworn in before Council. She said that this has been her experience on past commissions, and at that time she was given a certificate announcing the appointment. She said she felt it would lend credibility and seriousness to the appointments. The Director asked if the members received a letter announcing the appointment, and Ables replied that they did. Christensen said he liked the idea of the certificate, but thought that a swearing in would not be necessary. Johnson said that it would introduce the new members to the Mayor and Council. Ables moved to suggest to the Council that new Commission members be presented with a certificate at a Council meeting upon their appointment. Motion seconded by Christensen. Motion carried 5 — 0. Johnson said in light of the vacancies, she would kite to postpone or skip the August meeting. The Director suggested rescheduling for August 21g, giving the Council some extra time to fill the Commission vacancies. Bianchi moved to change the August Parks and Recreation Commission meeting from August 7`" to August 21'. Motion seconded by DiFranco. Motion carried S — 0. DiFranco presented a letter of resignation from the Commission due to his busy schedule. He said that in addition to coaching baseball, he is working with the Parks and Recreation Department and the school board on a project. The Director explained that they are working on repairing and enhancing some of the outdoor recreational facilities at the middle school, in conjunction with the current building renovation project. He said that the project came from the need for another full -size baseball field for the travelling baseball program that DiFranco is involved with. The Superintendent of the School District decided to also take a look at the other outdoor facilities that might be needed and come up with an overall plan. Ables said that she would like to thank the Commission for nominating her for the Ramsey County Friends of the Parks and Trails Volunteer of the Year Award. She said she received a plaque and spoke at the ceremony. Ables also said that she was resigning due to relocation out -of- state. She said that she hoped she has served the Commission well in the past three years, and was excited to see some of the recent projects underway, such as the concerts in the park. Johnson thanked Ables on behalf of the Commission for her dedication, contributions and ideas. The Director said he would like to echo those thanks on behalf of the Parks and Recreation Department and the Page 58