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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008 . Farmington Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes from the Regular Meeting on January 9, 2008 Members Present: Charlie Weber, Tim White, Karen Neal and Dawn Johnson (arrived at 6:15 p.m.) Members Absent: None Other's Present: Tim Carey and Randy Distad, Parks and Recreation Director. I. Call To Order Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at 6.00 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Approval of Meeting Agenda. Moved by White and seconded by Weber to approve the meeting agenda. APIF. Motion carried. III. Approval of December 5, 2007 Meeting Minutes. Moved by Neal and seconded by Weber to approve the December 5,2007 meeting minutes. APIF. Motion carried. IV. Presentations None V. Old Business A. Fairhill Development PUD and Preliminary Plat Update Distad informed Commission members that the Fairhill Development PUD and Preliminary Plat public hearing was continued at the December and January meetings due to Newland Communities, Inc. wanting to meet with Seed Family members (the landowners) about the revisions that were made to the PUD in order to make sure that the Seed Family was in agreement with the revised development plan. . B. Draft 2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan Distad summarized the content of the Master Plan and asked ifthere were any comments or revisions that Commission members would like to make. Commission members felt that they wanted more time to review the document before providing comments. Moved by Johnson and seconded by Neal to continue the discussion on the Master Plan to the February 13,2008 meeting. C. Friends of Farmington Committee Report Fitzloff stated that there has not been a committee meeting since before the holidays and that he thought that there was a meeting schedule for January 20, 2008. VI. New Business A. 2008 Draft Work Plan Commission members reviewed the 2008 work plan. Commission members would like to see an item added of having a presentation made about the natural resources projects planned for 2008. Moved by Weber and seconded by White to approve the 2008 work plan. APIF. Motion carried. B. City Council Workshop Date Commission members discussed possible dates that a workshop could be held with the City Council about long term funding for Parks and Recreation that would include trail maintenance and reconstruction and a discussion on a possible referendum. It was suggested that the date of March 10,2008 should be a possible date to look at for a workshop with the City Council. Distad stated that he would look into the possibility of getting together with the City Council on that date and would report back to the Commission at the February meeting. . , C. Marigold Kemp Property I Tim Carey presented information to the Commission about Marigold Kemp's interest in selling two parcels that they own that are abutting to Kuchera's Entrance to Rambling River Park. He said that Marigold Kemp's has no plans for . the parcels and are currently paying taxes on them without any benefit to the company other than to use the two parcels for dumping snow on them from their parking lot. Distad stated that Dakota County and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has identified these two parcels as containing old dump sites. Distad stated that this needs to be investigated more to see what was all dumped on these two parcels. He didn't think that it made much sense for the City to purchase these parcels and then have to spend money cleaning them up. He felt that any issues related to these two parcels being used as a former dump site need to be cleared up before the City would purchase the property. He also stated that in the 1998 Park and Recreation Master Plan, it was identified as a policy to acquire parcels along the Vermillion River in order to provide a buffered corridor for trails and wildlife. He requested direction from the Commission and whether or not the acquisition of these parcels should be pursued further including determining what was dumped on these two parcels. By consensus of the Commission members, direction was given to Distad that they were interested in the two parcels but that staff should continue working with Dakota County, Marigold Kemps and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to determine what was dumped on the parcels and what kind of clean up, if any, needs to be done. VII. Additions to the Agenda There were no additions to the agenda. VIII. Staff Report The following items were presented by staff: 1. Distad informed Commission members that he was on a Minnesota Recreation and Park Association committee that is putting together a board and commission training session. More information will be provided at the next Commission meeting about this training opportunity. Johnson asked if there would be any CEU's provided for this training. Distad said that he would check and let Commission members know at the next meeting. . IX. February 2008 Meeting Agenda Items The following agenda items were identified: l. Council workshop date and discussion 2. 2030 Park and Recreation Master Plan 3. Friends of Farmington Committee report 4. Tobacco Free Parks update 5. MUSA review 6. Veteran's Memorial update 7. Marigold Kemps property update 8. Sub-Committee representatives 9. Officer Election XI. Adjournment Moved by Weber and seconded by White to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 6:53 p.m. m~ Randy Distad Parks and Recreation Director and Recording Secretary . . Farmington Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes from the Regular Meeting on February 13, 2008 . Members Present: Charlie Weber, Tim White, Dawn Johnson and Karen Neal Members Absent: None Other's Present: Jody Pire and Pat Stieg from Dakota County Department of Health and Randy Distad, Parks and Recreation Director. I. Call To Order Chair Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Election of Officers Current Chair Johnson called for nomination for the Chair position. Johnson was nominated by Weber and seconded by White. Fitzloffwas nominated by Neal and seconded by White. Neal moved and White seconded to close nominations. APIF. Motion carried. Distad called the vote. Voting for Fitzloffwere Commission members Johnson, Fitzloff, Neal and White. Voting for Johnson was Weber. By a 4-1 vote Fitzloffwas elected as the Chair. Chair Fitzloff called for nominations for the Vice-Chair position. Neal was nominated by Fitzloff and seconded by White. Chair Fitzloff called for more nominations and there were none. Moved by Weber and seconded by White to close nominations. APIF. Motion carried. Distad called the vote. Voting for Neal as Vice-Chair were Fitzloff, White, Weber, Neal and Johnson. By a 5-0 vote Neal was elected Vice-Chair of the Commission. III. Approval of Agenda . Moved by Weber and seconded by White to approve the meeting agenda with the following amendment: Tobacco Free Parks Policy to the first item under Old Business. APIF. Motion carried. move the IV. Approval of January 9, 2008 Meeting Minutes. Moved by Fitzloff and seconded by Weber to approve the January 9, 2008 meeting minutes. APIF. Motion carried. v. Presentations None VI. Old Business A. Tobacco Free Parks Policy Distad informed Commission members that the City Council had sent the Tobacco Free Parks Policy back to the Commission for further review and with the direction that the policy should identify areas of parks that should be tobacco free and that tobacco products should be allowed by the adult softball fields. Distad also shared that there were additional policies that were included in Commission packets from other communities that addressed how they handled tobacco free parks around youth activity areas in parks. Jody Pire and Pat Stieg from the Dakota County Department of Health provided additional information on the policies that other communities have created that identify youth activity areas in parks being tobacco free. White said that he could support having trails and softball fields as areas where tobacco products would be allowed. Fitzloffthought that all areas in parks except for softball fields should be tobacco free. Johnson thought that there should not be any exceptions and that all areas of parks and trails should be tobacco free. Neal asked what the signs looked like and what the cost would be for the signs. Pat Stieg showed the Commission members a sample sign and said that if the City adopted a policy that the tobacco free park signs would be provided at no cost by Dakota County. Moved by White and seconded by Neal to keep the same policy language as what was previously drafted but include language that would exclude adult softball fields. Voting in . favor: Fitzloff, White, Weber and Neal. Voting against: Johnson. Distad stated that he would revise the policy and bring it back to the Commission at its March meeting for a final review before it was sent on to the City Council. B. City Council Workshop Discussion Distad said that having a workshop in March to discuss long term financial planning for parks did not work with his . calendar and suggested that the Commission consider requesting either the April workshop date or do it in Mayas it has already been scheduled for a workshop to tour the parks. He suggested that if it were to be done in May then the tour should be postponed to perhaps in the fall, which would allow the City Council and Commission to view the improvements made over the summer. By consensus Commission members directed Distad to inform the City Council that it wishes to meet with the City Council in May to discuss long term financial planning for parks and to postpone the parks tour until the fall. C. Fairhill Development Update Distad shared with the Commission members that the Fairhill PUD was tabled at the last Planning Commission meeting due to a concern with the lot sizes and whether or not the City is tied to the lot sizes if the PUD plan was approved. He stated that the Planning Commission did not voice any concerns with the park and trails planned for the development. He also informed the Commission that staff have been working with the developer on the PUD Agreement and that the negotiations includes language that would make the developer responsible for all improvements to the centrally located community park and the two neighborhood parks and that the City would be responsible for all improvements to the community park in the southwest area of the development. D. Friends of Farmington Committee Report Fitzloff stated that there has not been a large committee meeting since the last Commission meeting but that there has been meetings of smaller groups that have not involved the City or the School District and that he has not been involved with these smaller committee meetings. E. Veteran's Memorial Update Distad shared with Commission members that the Veteran's Memorial Site Selection Committee has recommended three sites for a Veteran's Memorial and provided this recommendation to the veteran's group. The top three sites selected included the current City Hall site, a site just north of City Hall and a site just west of the tennis courts in . Rambling River Park. F. 2030 Park and Recreation Chapter Master Plan Distad asked if there were any further revisions or comments on the plan. There were none. Moved by White and seconded by Johnson to approve the draft 2030 Park and Recreation Master Plan. APIF. G. MUSA Review Committee Johnson provided a summary of a MUSA Committee meeting that occurred in January. She said that the focus for MUSA will be for industrial property north of County 50 and west of Pilot Knob Road. She said that no action was taken on this. VII. New Business A. 2008 Sub Committee Members Commission members will serve on the following sub-committees: Park Master Planning - Fitzloff MUSA Committee - Johnson Veteran's Memorial- Weber Snowmobile Trails - Neal Snow Removal - White B. 2008 Park Master Planning Update Distad informed Commission members that staff has requested approval from the City Council to hire HKGI to develop the master plan for Rambling River Park and the final renderings of Pine Knoll Park and Lake Julia Park. He stated that staff would be responsible like they were last year to develop the master plans for Pine Knoll and Lake Julia . Parks. C. MRP A Board and Commission Training Distad made Commission members that he is on a committee from the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association that . is putting together a symposium for board and commission members that will be provided on April 22nd and will be held in Roseville. He will continue to keep the Commission updated on this training opportunity and asked how many of the Commission members would be interested in attending. All Commission members indicated an interest in attending. Distad stated that if Commission members wanted to car pool to the training that the City does have a large enough vehicle for all members and staff to fit in. VIII. Additions to the Agenda There were no additions to the agenda. . IX. Staff Report The following items were presented by staff: 1. An update was provided that just under $10,000 in recycling profits have been received this year and these profits have been placed in the park improvement fund. 2. Marigold Kemps property research is still being done. MPCA and Dakota County have been contacted but that it will have to wait until spring to complete an on-site tour of the property with Dakota County Environmental Services staff. 3. Distad stated that he is unavailable to make the March lih meeting as he will be in Washington DC at an NRP A event and asked if Commission members wanted to either move the meeting to March 19th or March 5th. Commission members determined that March 5th would be best because March 19th would be during spring break from school. Distad said that he would take care of providing proper notice of the meeting date change. 4. Distad shared with Commission members that staff are asking the City Council to approve at its February 19th meeting an agreement with The Toro Company that would allow Toro to mow City parks and right of ways as part of their mower testing program. 5. Information was provided about an agreement being approved by the City Council at its February 19th meeting to allow the YMCA to rent the arena that would allow the YMCA to provide two summer programs out of the arena. It appears that the YMCA is testing the market in Farmington to see how much interest there is. X. March 2008 Meeting Agenda Items The following agenda items were identified: l. Tobacco free parks policy update 2. City Council workshop agenda topics discussion 3. MRPA board and commission training update 4. Referendum Information XI. Adjournment Moved by Weber and seconded by White to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p.m. 1Z-~~ Randy Distad Parks and Recreation Director and Recording Secretary . . Farmington Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes from the Regular Meeting on March 5, 2008 Members Present: Charlie Weber, Dawn Johnson and Aaron Fitzloff Members Absent: Karen Neal and Tim White Other's Present: Jody Pire and Pat Stieg from Dakota County Department of Health, Mary Jackson, Dakota County Office of Planning, City Council member David Pritzloff and Randy Distad, Parks and Recreation Director. I. Call To Order Chair Fitzloff called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Approval of Agenda Distad noted that the timed agenda was not in order and may have been confusing but the reason for the modified timed agenda was to allow the tobacco free parks policy to go first so that the Dakota County Department of Health staff did not have to wait for this agenda item and that the presentation on the Dakota County Parks Systems Plan would follow the tobacco free parks policy discussion. Moved by Weber and seconded by Johnson to approve the meeting agenda. APIF. Motion carried. III. Approval of February 13, 2008 Meeting Minutes. Moved by Weber and seconded by Johnson to approve the February 13,2008 meeting minutes. APIF. Motion carried. v. Old Business A. Tobacco-Free Parks Policy (this item was moved ahead of presentation due to interested parties being in attendance at the meeting) . Distad pointed out that there was an error in the consistency of the revised policy. The distance from the adult softball fields should state 150 feet wherever this distance is referenced. He also stated that the tobacco free trail part of the policy has now been moved from a stand alone area to now be included in the parks part of the policy and so this means that trails within parks would now be tobacco free but trails not in parks would not be tobacco free. He asked for some feedback on the revisions made to the policy. Johnson stated that she thought that all areas of parks should be tobacco free. Fitzloff stated that he thought the revisions to the policy were fine and liked that the tobacco free trails now only includes trails in parks. Council member Pritzlaff thought that it should be the responsibility of parents to educate kids about tobacco use. He said that kids can get the message at home that it is okay to smoke. He asked if the intent of the policy was to educate kids about tobacco use. Fitzloff said that while the intent of the policy is to establish a more healthy environment in parks he said that one ofthe outcomes of the policy is that kids could become more educated about not using tobacco products. Council member Pritzlaff asked what will happen when someone walks up to someone smoking and asks them to stop and it escalates. He stated that because it is not an ordinance, the Police Department cannot really enforce the tobacco free parks policy. Johnson thought that signs would help educate and provide direction to smokers not to use tobacco in parks. Council member Pritzlaff asked what if the City just put signs up and didn't have a policy. Distad asked Pat Stieg from the Dakota County Public Health Department if any other community installs signs and doesn't have a policy. Stieg said that he is not aware of any. He said that if it becomes a policy, then the Dakota County Public Health Department will provide tobacco free signs at no cost to the City but that they would not provide the signs if a policy or ordinance were not adopted. Pritzlaff asked if we continue to say that you can't do bad things, do we shelter the kids from bad habits and then when they grow up they have to face it? Chair Fitzloff made a motion to approve the revised tobacco free parks policy. The motion died for a lack of a second. Distad said that since not all Commission members were not in attendance that it might be better to table the item since . it doesn't appear that everyone can agree on the policy. Moved by Johnson and seconded by Weber to table the tobacco free parks policy until the April 9, 2008 meeting. APIF. Motion carried. IV. Presentations A. Dakota County's 2030 Parks Systems Plan Presentation by Mary Jackson, Dakota County Department Planning Office . Mary Jackson from the Planning Office at Dakota County presented information about the updated systems plan that Dakota County has worked on for the past year. She reviewed the process for receiving input from the public. She said that more than 1,000 people had given input on the plan. She stated that the theme for the systems plan is "great places, connected places and protected spaces". VI. Old Business B. City Council Workshop Discussion Distad informed Commission members that the City Council is in agreement to forego the parks tour in May and do it in the fall and instead have a discussion on Park and Recreation topics. Distad asked if there were any items that the Commission would like to see on workshop agenda. The following items were identified: 1. Long-term financial plan for parks and trails 2. Veteran's Memorial 3. Shortage of City outdoor athletic fields 4. Aging recreational facilities S. Status of the existing City Hall VII. New Business A. Selection of Playground Equipment Distad gave a brief presentation on the playground proposals submitted for Hill Dee Park, North Creek Park and Farmington Preserve Park. He clarified the minimum criteria to be met. He stated that six vendors submitted proposals. He asked for Commission members to review the plans for each park and then vote on which playground equipment proposal they would like to select for each park. After further review by Commission members a decision was made. Moved by Weber and seconded by Johnson to approve the following vendors being selected to install their playground equipment in the following parks: . Farmington Preserve Park: Midwest Playscape, Inc. Hill Dee Park: Webber Recreational Design, Inc. North Creek Park: Midwest Playscape, Inc. APIF. Motion carried. B. Dakota Electric Association (DEA) Property Discussion Distad informed Commission members that staff have met with a representative from DEA to discuss the parcel that DEA owns at the intersection of Denmark Avenue and CSAH SO. He said that this parcel was the site for a former electrical substation and that the substation has been removed and the parcel is vacant at this time. He stated that this could serve as a gateway into the downtown area of Farmington and that it also offered an opportunity to acquire a parcel of land that abuts Rambling River Park. He said that it would also provide an opportunity for a trail connection to be made from the trail on the north side ofCSAH SO and the Akin Road trail to the trail in Rambling River Park. He asked if Commission members were in favor of continuing to discuss the acquisition of this parcel from DEA. By consensus all Commission members were in support of further exploration of the acquisition of this parcel from DEA. VIII. Additions to the Agenda There were no additions to the agenda. . IX. Staff Report The following items were presented by Parks and Recreation Director Distad: 1. Reminded Commission members about the Board and Commission Symposium that will be offered by the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association and will be held on Tuesday, April 22nd from 6:30-9:00 p.m. in Roseville. He stated that the registration fee will be $10 per attendee and that funding in the Parks and Recreation Department budget will cover the registration fee for attendees. 2. An update was given about the Fairhill Development being tabled at the Planning Commission meeting because Planning Commission members wanted to know if approving the PUD Development concept plan . meant that it could not be changed later. The City Attorney was going to provide information to the Planning Commission about this issue. 3. An update was given about an upcoming Veteran's Memorial Committee meeting in March and that he would not be able to attend the meeting and that perhaps Charlie Weber could attend as the selected liaison to the committee. 4. An update was given on the status of the park master plans. Staffwill be meeting with the consultant on April 9th to begin drafting a plan for Rambling River Park and will be meeting with Lee Smick on April 16th to draft a plan for Lake Julia and Pine Knoll Parks. As part of developing the draft, a time line will be developed for the completion and approval of the three park master plans. 5. A report was handed out on the outdoor rink maintenance and operations of the warming house. Attendance figures and maintenance hours were discussed. X. April 2008 Meeting Agenda Items The following agenda items were identified: 1. Tobacco free parks policy update 2. City Council workshop agenda topics discussion 3. City Hall Update XI. Adjournment Moved by Johnson and seconded by Weber to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m. ~lIY S!J:;tuJ , en9.J . Parks and Recreation Director and Recording Secretary . Farmington Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes from the Regular Meeting on April 9, 2008 . Members Present: Charlie Weber, Karen Neal and Aaron Fitzloff Members Absent: Dawn Johnson and Tim White Other's Present: Pat Stieg, Dakota County Department of Health, Jen Collova, Natural Resource Specialist and Randy Distad, Parks and Recreation Director. I. Call To Order Chair Fitzloff called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Approval of Agenda Moved by Weber and seconded by Fitzloffto approve the meeting agenda. APIF. Motion approved. III. Approval of March 5, 2008 Meeting Minutes. Moved by Weber and seconded by Johnson to approve the March 5, 2008 meeting minutes. Voting in favor: Fitzloff and Weber, voting against: None and voting in abstention: Neal. Motion approved. IV. Presentation A. Natural Resources Presentation by Jen Collova, Natural Resource Specialist. Distad introduced Collova and stated that since parks and ponding areas are often abutting one another, he felt that it was important for Commission members to hear about how ponds are planted and maintained. He also stated that the Parks and Recreation Department partners with the Natural Resource Division on a number of programs and that Collova would cover this as part of her presentation. Collova provided background information about what her job responsibilities. She discussed the contract that the City has with a company called Prairie Restroration whose responsibility it is to prepare storm water pond slopes for planting and then they seed the slopes with native plants that include a mix of wildflowers and native grasses. She stated that these sloped areas are then left natural and because . these plants roots go deeper into the soil than other plants, the slopes are stabilized much better. Collova also stated that the native plant communities act as filters for rain water runoff and also provide habitat for birds and other animals. Collova said that part of the maintenance of the native plant communities is the prescribed burns that occur every 3-4 years that result in the plant communities becoming stronger because the burns kills non-native and invasive plants and the seeds from these plants. Collova identified to the Commission the projects that were planned in 2008 and also talked about the programs that her division and the Parks and Recreation Department partner on. V. Old Business A. Tobacco-Free Parks Policy Distad stated that the Commission was not able to reach a decision at the last meeting and so it was tabled to the April 9th meeting. He asked that the Commission take action on it so that it could be forwarded on to the City Council for consideration. He stated that the draft policy that the Commission saw at the March meeting has been revised to reflect the 150 feet of distance from the adult softball fields so that the policy is consistent in its language throughout the policy. Fitzloff and Neal agreed that action should be taken on the policy tonight because this has been something that has been discussed many months and they would both like to see it sent to the City Council for consideration. Moved by Neal and seconded by Fitzloffto recommend approval of the revised Tobacco Free Parks Policy. Voting in favor: Neal and Fitzloff and voting against: Weber. Motion was approved . B. City Council Workshop Agenda The following topics were identified by Commission members to be on the May Ith City Council Workshop: 1. Long-term financial plan for parks, trails and facilities including discussion about how to dedicate funding for future improvements including a discussion on a referendum, recreational facilities shortage and aging recreational facilities 2. Existing city hall discussion including possible reuses of the existing City Hall including a veteran's memorial or a senior center 3. Rescheduling a park tour in the fall of2008 ( l Moved by Weber and seconded by Neal to approve the agenda topics for the May 12th City Council Workshop. APIF. Motion approved. . C. Board and Commission training on April 22nd Distad reminded Commission members about the training that was being provided on April 22nd in Roseville. He said that Neal would not be able to attend, Johnson would meet the group at the training site in Roseville, and the rest of the Commission members would meet at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall to car pool with a City vehicle to the site. VI. New Business A. 2007 Annual Report Distad gave a brief presentation on the 2007 Annual Report. He highlighted the park and trail improvement projects completed in 2007, significant park maintenance work completed, recreation programs offered including number of participants in the programs and the maintenance and improvements that were completed at recreational facilities. B. Review 2008 Work Plan Commission members reviewed the goals and objectives established for 2008 and determined that several goals had already been completed including the completion of the 2030 Park and Recreation Master Plan. Distad stated that several goals have been started but won't be completed for a few months yet. These included the master planning of three parks and the workshop with the City Council. Overall the Commission was please with the progress that has been made so far. Distad also stated that the discussion on recreation programs would be held in May. C. Amend Park Ordinance Prohibiting Golf in City Parks Distad informed the Commission members that this request actually came from several City residents who have called him and informed him about the issues that are occurring in City parks due to people golfing in various parks. He stated that he was informed by residents that cars and homes adjacent to parks are being hit by golf balls and that there have been instances reported where golf balls have nearly hit families and kids not only in the parks but also in private yards adjacent to parks. He stated that in the packet was draft language that revises the ordinance to prohibit golf in . City parks. Moved by Weber and seconded by Neal to approve recommending to the City Council that the City's park regulation ordinance should be amended to state that no person shall hit or strike a golf ball in any City park. APIF. Motion approved. VII. Additions to the Agenda None VIII. Staff Report Distad informed the Commission that the playground equipment that the Commission selected in March has been ordered and the playground equipment in North Creek Park and Farmington Preserve Park will be installed in May and the playground equipment in Hill Dee Park will be installed in mid-August after the summer playground program ends. IX. May 2008 Meeting Agenda Topics The following items were identified by Commission members for the May 2008 meeting: 1. Debriefing/discussion of the May Ith City Council workshop 2. Recreation program discussion 3. Vet's memorial discussion 4. Debriefing on Commission training x. Adjournment Moved by Weber and seconded by Neal to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m. a1Je7:; ~:M ..... .t:: Distad Parks and Recreation Director and Recording Secretary . Farmington Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes from the Regular Meeting on May 14,2008 Members Present: Charlie Weber, Karen Neal, Tim White and Dawn Johnson Members Absent: Aaron Fitzloff Other's Present: Patti Norman, Recreation Supervisor and Randy Distad, Parks and Recreation Director. I. Call To Order Vice Chair Neal called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Quorum was present. II. Approval of Agenda Moved by Weber and seconded by Johnson to approve the amended meeting agenda that moved the discussion on Recreation Programs before Old Business items. APIF. Motion carried. III. Approval of April 9, 2008 Meeting Minutes. Moved by Weber and seconded by Johnson to approve the April 9, 2008 meeting minutes. APIF. Motion carried. IV. Presentation None VI. New Business A. Discussion on Recreation Programs Distad and Norman presented information about upcoming summer programs. Staff also discussed with Commission members about Community Education's interest in taking over Park and Recreation programs that are run in school facilities. It was also mentioned that the YMCA was renting the Schmitz-Maki Arena this summer to provide two . programs. Staff asked the Commission members about how they felt about the potential impact that Community Education and the YMCA may have on Park and Recreation Programs. Johnson said that the three entities should look to see if there are any gaps in programming and that is where the other two organizations should focus their programs on. White said that the Parks and Recreation Department should provide subsidized programs so residents can learn leisure skills and participate in positive activities. Neal stated that the Parks and Recreation Department should continue providing programs that fit with its mission and stand behind its mission. She stated that the Department should continue to provide the programs that are currently provided. Weber felt that the existing City Hall would not only be a valuable asset for running older adult programs out of but also a good facility to run other programs out of it. He felt that old City Hall could be anything that we want it to be. He stated that programs should be offered to all residents even those that can't afford the program. Staff reminded Commission members that the 2030 Park and Recreation Master Plan has a section on Recreation Programs, which is somewhat unique to comprehensive plans and highlighted the policies that were created for recreation programs. Primarily it contains direction to expand recreation programs. Staff asked Commission members if this is the direction that should be followed. Commission members by consensus stated that they would like to have staff continue to run existing programs while looking for other areas that new programs could be offered in such as outdoor recreation, environmental education and outdoor sports. . V. Old Business A. Discuss City Council Workshop Distad asked for feedback from Commission members on how they felt the workshop went. The following comments were made by Commission members: . White thought that it was okay and was glad to see that there is good support for Parks and Recreation by the City Council. . Neal thought that the May workshop date should be a standing date that the two groups get together to discuss Parks and Recreation and try and do a park tour a different date. . Weber said that the budget discussion was interesting and wasn't surprised by the decision to not go to a referendum this fall. . Johnson said it was very beneficial for her to hear the City Council willing to discus funding issues for parks and trails and being willing to identify funding sources for parks and trails. She agreed with Neal about having this workshop annually in May, which would help with communication about a possible referendum in 2010. . B. Review Board and Commission Training Distad asked for feedback from Commission members who attended the workshop. The following thoughts were provided by Commission members: . Johnson stated that she liked the training and would like the next training to be on how to run a successful referendum campaign. She also liked the training on the legislative process and what bills were passed that affected parks and recreation . Weber felt that the first presenters got too wrapped up in their own Departments and didn't really address the issue of how to work effectively with City Councils. He would like to see this at the next training but would like to see a better presentation that would include some specific examples of how a good relationship between Council and Commission looks in other communities. . Distad stated that Fitzloff share with him that he thought the evening was a bit long and that it should have been kept more on schedule and not run over. . Johnson would like to see some break out sessions that would have specialized topics such as how to run meetings for those that are either a chair of a commission or for those that have an interest in becoming a chair. . Weber also agreed that the symposium ran long and it would have been nice to stay on schedule. He felt that the first presentation should have included a commission member who served in an advisory capacity as the Minneapolis Park Board members presented her information from a policy making position rather than as an advisory position. He thought this would have provided a better perspective as most boards and commissions in Minnesota are advisory and not policy making. VI. New Business B. Tamarack Cell Tower Distad gave a brief presentation on the information contained within the packet about T-Mobile's interest in . constructing a cell tower in Tamarack Park. He asked how Commission members felt about a cell tower in this park. Johnson said that she didn't have any issue with the cell tower in Tamarack Park because there aren't a lot of neighbors who live right next to where the tower would be installed. White said that he supports it as long as the money paid to lease this land in the park would go into the park improvement fund. Neal stated that she agreed with White that any money received for leasing the land should go into the park improvement fund. Moved by White and seconded by Weber to recommend approval for the installation of a cell tower in Tamarack Park on the condition that the money received for the lease of the park land be deposited into the park improvement fund. APIF. Motion carried. C 185th Street Bridge, Trail and Roundabout Project Distad went over the information and pictures that were included in the packet. He explained that the trail was originally proposed to only go under the bridge but not connect with any existing trails or with the new trail on the north side of 195th Street but that staff pushed for the connection to be made. As a result the trail will actually connect to the trail that currently dead ends in the Mystic Meadows development and will also connect to the 195th Street trail so that there will now be an additional looped trail connection with the City's existing trails. Neal asked what the timeline was for completion. Distad stated that if the Fairhill Final Plat and PUD Agreement and 195th Street bids were approved by the City Council in June then construction will start this summer with an anticipated completion date of summer of 2009. D. Rambling River Days Update Distad reviewed the draft schedule for Rambling River Days and informed the Commission members that this years celebration will have many different events including two bands and a beer garden. He also informed the Commission that the Parks and Recreation Department will be facilitating eight events for Rambling River Days, will be providing the Schmitz-Maki Arena for the craft sale and will be providing a lot of the support needed for setting up the arena . grounds for the celebration. White said that he was appreciative ofthe Department providing support and facilitating eight events for the celebration. He said that if the Department needs any volunteer help with the celebration that he can be contacted to help. VII. Additions to the Agenda None . VIII. Staff Report Distad provided an update on the following items: IX. June 2008 Meeting Agenda Topics The following items were identified by Commission members for the June 2008 meeting agenda: 1. Referendum discussion 2. Update on golf ordinance 3. Update on cell tower 4. Trail maintenance and pavement management plan x. Adjournment Moved by White and seconded by Weber to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m. . .