Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Packet - September 27, 2007

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7. Unfinished Business: a.) Developing a Volunteer Coach of the Year award and naming it after Patrick "Homer" Holmes. The YMCA was to check on other Coach of the Year Awards and criteria. Staff has submitted criteria for Mounds View Citizen of the year. The Commission made a motion to direct staff to assemble a plaque recognizing Patrick Holmes and his dedication to the Mounds View community by coaching youth through our Park and Recreation/ YMCA programs. Staff would like the Commission to review and discuss the wording on the plaque and to determine when it should be presented. Staff is looking for direction as to when it should be presented: either as soon as it is available, or at the next Town Hall meeting along with other Citizen awards - scheduled for April 2008. b.) Policy/program for memorials within City Parks. The Commission will develop and consider a written program/paragraph establishing criteria and process for residents wishing to commemorate a memorial for former residents. Such a memorial may include planting a tree, dedicating a bench, etc. The Mounds View Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Commission recommends the following policy for residents wishing to place memorials in city parks: 1. Resident(s) will be allowed to request any city park for their memorial, to be approved by the Commission. 2. Resident(s) will agree to pay for the cost of proposed memorial and installation. 3. Resident(s) will work with city staff to purchase a product similar to existing park equipment so it will compliment or enhance existing park aesthetics. 4. If a tree is requested, resident(s) will work with the city forester to purchase a tree of desirable type for preferred park location. 5. Resident(s) will pay for a plaque, if desired, to attach on or near the memorial. 6. The Mounds View Parks Department will provide for general upkeep of the memorial, as it fits with any regular park maintenance. 7. The City of Mounds View will not pay to replace any memorial that is damaged beyond repair by vandalism or weather -related incidents. However, the resident(s) will be notified if such an incident occurs. 8. The Mounds View Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Commission will make every effort to work with resident(s) to honor the memorial request and make a recommendation to the Mounds View City Council for final approval. c,) Reward system for Park Watch Program — the Commission has directed staff to discuss this proposal with Finance Director to determine funding sources. The Finance Director has indicated that cities can only fund rewards for felony crimes. Given that vandalism does not typically rise to that level, City funds cannot be used for such a program. However, individual citizens could start a crime stoppers fund that could pay out rewards. d.) Lakeside Lions Park Playground Improvement Project — The Lakeside Lions Park Improvement Committee met on June 20, 2007. One of the issues discussed was Lakeside Lions Park Playground Improvement Project. The playground equipment is planned to be replaced. Plans have been created along with a cost estimate of $90,000. This project proposal was included in the June 28, 2007 Commission reports/updates. The Lions have donated $50,000 towards this project. The Spring Lake Park Parks and Recreation Commission indicated that they would be in favor of putting $20,000 towards this project. Does the Mounds View Parks and Recreation Commission want to consider providing $20,000 in matching funds? Before acting on this request, the Commission has requested information pertaining to the availability and projections of the Park Dedication Fund.