HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 2025/04/24PARKS AND RECREATION AND FORESTRY COMMISSION
6:30 P.M. I APRIL 24111, 2025, 1 MOUNDS VIEW CITY HALL t�
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MEETING MINUTES MOU=N:D
1. CALL TO ORDER at 6:30 PM
2. ROLL CALL: Commissioners: Arel, Qa n*, 696Reag-µ*, Lundberg, Palm, Mills, Wake
Wiesner
Staff: Peterson I Szurek I Thomas I Margo
*To be absent
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion to approve by Palm, 2nd by Wake Wiesner. Motion
Passed 5-0.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -March 27th, 2025: Motion to approve by Wake Wiesner, 2nd by
Mills. Motion Passed 5-0
5. SPECIAL BUSINESS
A. Free library in a park — Presentation — Girl Scout Troop 57936: Would like to install a Little
Free Library at Groveland or Hillview Park with books for the middle school age group. The
troop made a library on a post and gave information about the benefits of access to a Little
Free Library. It will also be posted with the Little Free Library locator. Motion by Wake
Wiesner, 2nd by Lundberg to approve the installation of the Little Free Library at Hillview
Park at the location Public Works thinks would be best, and if possible included the troop in
the installation. Motion Passed 5-0
6. PUBLIC INPUT
Citizens may speak to issues not on tonight's agenda. Before speaking, please give your full
name and address. Please limit your comments to three minutes. No residents present.
7. STAFF REPORTS
A. Parks and Recreation — Thomas & Margo: See attached report. Changing from RevSports
to Dash and partnering with Spring Lake Park and Arden Hills for youth sports programs.
Will run basketball clinics year round. New summer pilot program "Rec on the Go" bringing
programming and equipment to the parks. It will be a drop -in activity, but still asking parents
to sign up so they have an idea of the numbers. M-Th all summer, following the Explore
More schedule for 90 minutes each morning and afternoon. Visiting one MV and one AH
park each day. Current registration is at 114 total residents. MVCC has applied for grants to
help with funding as this is a free program for residents. Ice cream social July 12 at City
Hall Park. Penny Carnival on Friday, August. 15 after the parade at City Hall Park to help
kick off Festival in the Park. Also a bags tournament on Saturday of the Festival.
B. Public Works — Szurek: See attached report. There is a QR code for residents to use to
alleviate questions to Public Works regarding Silverview Pond project.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. National Fitness Campaign — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mn- Peterson: See attached
document regarding answers to our questions that we had last month. Cost would be $155
for court plus $30K for the concrete, after the grant of $50K received from Blue Cross &
Blue Shield for the fitness studio and flat space. Concerns about the cost and the rushed
timing. What might come up later that we would rather have and then cannot afford?
Hopefully the Park System Master Plan created with WSB has upcoming opportunities for
grants for future projects. We have no data from neighboring cities. Parents could use while
kids are at the park, but with the location at City Hall where the old playground was, parents
wouldn't be able to watch their kids play while using the court. Julie Clark has experience
with a couple of courts that get highly used. MVCC Staff thinks it provides a good
opportunity to add an amenity to our parks and a way to get more residents outside being
active in our parks, but there is concern about losing green space. We can pass it through,
and let City Council decide what to do about it. The parks are for everyone and this opens
up a new possibility for residents who are not into "sports" use at the park fields. Motion to
recommend that the fitness court and workout space be considered for City Hall Park
for $185K by Arel, 2nd Mills. Motion Passed 5-0.
B. Capital CIP Commission Priorities Conversation — Peterson: Wait until May meeting after
park tour to include new Commission members.
C. Zip line was taken down 4-15-2025- Szurek: Letters were sent to neighbors to get
feedback. It is scheduled to go back up May 15th. Could wait until after we meet in May to
make a decision. Resident right behind the zip line at Hodges Park, says it has made a
huge difference in the noise level and that kids are laughing and enjoying other elements at
the playground. Resident 5219 Skiba Drive across the parking lot also says she can be
outside on her phone with clients when she "works" from home. The older kids were using it
differently. MVCC staff are trying to visit park buildings during rentals to observe the
appropriate behavior and volume. Direct Staff to wait until after the May meeting to get
feedback from the community —noise decrease appreciation and if there are any
questions about missing the zip line, before we decide whether or not to reinstall.
D. Tree Sale update- 33 trees sold as of 4-21-2025- Take delivery of 100 trees week of April
20th- Szurek
E. Arbor Day April 25th- Public Works Tree Planting at Silver View Park 12PM- Szurek
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. Annual Park Tour: Time, Date and Locations Conversation. 5:30 Meet at Woodcrest, then
move to Silverview, and come back to look at City Hall park before the meeting at
7:00 PM.
10. COMMISSIONER REPORTS: Questions about how the community garden is coming along.
The Garden Club has a plan to start planting May 17th.
11. REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS / OTHER BUSINESS: NONE
12. Next Regular Commission Meeting: May 22nd, 2025
13. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Palm to adjourn at 8:21 PM.