Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMMISSION_MINUTES_1995-12-07 • MOUNDS VIEW PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION STATE OF MINNESOTA RAMSEY COUNTY MINUTES Thursday, December 7, 1995 6 : 30 p.m. , City Hall CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Burmeister called the meeting to order. ROLL CALL: Members present included Chair Burmeister, Commissioners Dentz, Stevenson, Silvis, Long and Director Saarion. Commissioner Starr was absent. MINUTES : Commissioner Silvis made a motion seconded by Commissioner Dentz to approve the minutes of October 26 , 1995 . Motion passed unanimously. • REVIEW 1995 GOALS : Commissioners reviewed 1995 goals as follows: Goal # 1 - Work has begun as a partnership with Ramsey County for the aesthetic improvement of the compost facility. Staffs met with Master Gardeners, who provided a landscaping plan surrounding the compost facility. In addition, Ramsey County has initiated plans to pave the entrance, replace fencing and provide better signage. This partnership continues through 1996 . Goal #2 Improvements to park buildings were accomplished at Groveland and Hillview Parks with the installation of bathrooms, a water source, and new natural gas heaters and new carpet. Ventilation and below building vapor barriers were installed. This project was funded with CDBG funding and Park Improvement Funds. Goal #3 - Pursuing a pedestrian bridge across Highway 10 through grant application and advocacy was a year long process . The City Council has • approved the project. • Goal #4 - Development of a Golf Course Park has not been pursued because of development cf the parcels of land. Ponding for water runoff is a part of the development. It will be more effective to wait until development has concluded • before nature park improvements are planned. Goal #5 - The grant application for a bridge across the storm water ditch at Silver View Park was not awarded. Because the project is costly, this project is on-hold. Goal #6 - No further funding options or plans have been secured for continued paving of park paths at Greenfield and Silver View Parks. Goal #7 - Woodcrest Park skating rink was opened during the 1995 skating season. However, the program was not successful because the quality of ice is so terrible due to peaty soils that emit gases and make ice boils. Also, the park is just too isolated and too dark. Goal #8 - The possibility of partnering with the business community to coordinate use of empty retail space to be used for recreation programming opportunities until it is leased out was mentioned at the Strategic Planning Council/Staff meeting. The City Council was not receptive to this idea. • Goal #9 - A water slide at Lakeside Park continues to be researched. Fundraising ideas are still under discussion. This will be an on-going goal for 1996. Goal #10 - Groveland Park land acquisition is in process. County papers and documentation has delayed the purchasing of the property. Attorneys continue to work on finalizing the sale. The Commission commented that the successful grant awards have provided opportunity to pursue projects during a year when park capital improvement funds are scarce. A few of the goals will continue through 1996 . ARDAN PARK PLAN: Director Saarion reviewed the landscaping and improvement plans that have been suggested by Ramsey County with the Commission. The plans include paving the entrance to the compost facility, lighting, new fencing and signage. Zack Hanson must receive approval for this plan with his Commission and Board. Once approval has been • given, the plans can be presented to the City Council . • FEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMING FOR NEEDS : The City Council requested staff to present opportunities provided for those who are in need. Staff presented a report of activities that are offered currently to assist at-risk youth. In addition, assistance programs were reviewed. Council has requested staff to pursue programs that are geared towards those that live in apartment buildings and manufactured home parks. Staff is working on specialized programs that go to the participant where they live. This information will be shared at a later date. This is certain to be a 1996 goal . REPORT REVIEW: Staff shared a report regarding Recreation Programming as a Crime Prevention tool as prepared by a team of Graduate Students from Hamline College, for Ramsey County. ICE ARENA: Director Saarion added an item - Ice Arena. The Mighty Ducks legislation has awarded the 411 partnership of 4 additional indoor ice sheets to be constructed at the Amateur Athletic Complex in Blaine. The partnerships include initial payment contribution and guaranteed ice time blocks. The Irondale Hockey Association has been looking into this partnership. However, Paul Erickson, Director, called to inform staff that his board is concerned about a sole partnership with associations, preferring a city connection. Whereas there would not be a monetary obligation, cities would provide a facilitation function ensuring that the blocks of time were used and that the arenas have multi-use and not exclusively hockey activity. Staff had not heard from the Irondale Hockey Association other than when staff initiated a call to a hockey community contact and relayed the information presented by Paul Erickson. This is an informational report from the director who has no idea where it will go from here since IHA has not contacted the City. The Commissioners felt that if the IHA pursued the partnership, they would recommend that we continue to look into participation as well . ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Long made a motion to adjourn the • meeting, seconded by Commissioner Dentz . Motion passed unanimously.