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MAY 8, 2017 RAMBLING RIVER CENTER
ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
1. Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by Chair Schmidtke at 9:31am. Quorum was present.
Members Present: Roger Wood, Kay Bennett, Fred Schmidtke, Marjorie Koski, Pennie Page and
Blanche Reichert
Members Absent: Marilyn Briesacher
Others Present: Administrative Support Technician Shelley Beard and Parks & Recreation
Director Randy Distad
2. Approve Agenda
Motion made by Reichert to approve May 8, 2017 meeting agenda and seconded by Koski. APIF.
Motion carried.
3. Approve Minutes
Motion made by Bennett to approve April 10, 2017 meeting minutes and seconded by Reichert. APIF.
Motion carried.
4. Presentation
None
5. Business Items
A. 2017 Arts and Crafts Fundraising Event
Administrative Support Technician Shelley Beard attended the meeting to provide input on the
evaluation of the event. The following were the comments/feedback shared about the event:
Vendors had to be turned away because there was not enough space for them
Bennett was recognized for her work on recruiting vendors
Tables were organized well allowing for lots of space
Vendors seemed to like the lunch
Customers who came to garage first did not realize there were more vendors in other parts of the
building and was suggested to increase signage directing people to other parts of the building
Recommendation was made to hold the arts and crafts sale at the Arena next year
Hauling tables was an issue
A list was created showing who not to ask back next year due to no sales generated
Suggestion next year to charge vendor a fee and then charge extra for a table because many
vendors brought and used their own tables
Include in vendor letter next year that lunch will be available for purchase
Reduce amount of food for sale and see about purchasing sandwiches at Family Fresh
Try to increase advertising, but do not advertise on the radio as it didn’t seem to generate
additional traffic and the ads purchased weren’t heard on the radio
Put boulevard signs out further to capture wider audience
Suggestion to have the sale from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Put subcommittee together for planning well in advance of the event
Have name badges for volunteers and provide more training to them
Have more larger A frame type signs, so they don’t blow over like the H signs did in the
boulevards
B. Prioritize Future Building Capital Improvements and Equipment/Furniture Purchases
Advisory Board reviewed the current list of possible projects. After some discussion, Page moved and
Koski seconded to recommend to staff members the following projects as the highest priorities to
complete:
Order new blinds in the Banquet Room that are lighter color to match the sound panels
Add a new row of lights in the Banquet Room to provide more light
Remove existing B2 Administration sign and replace with a welcome sign at the Oak Street
entrance area.
APIF. Motion carried.
C. Rambling River Center Plaza Design
Director Distad reviewed the two concepts that were developed by consultants after public input was
given on the design of a plaza adjacent to the Rambling River Center. He asked the Advisory Board to
review the two concepts and then approve a recommendation on which concept plan was preferred by
the Advisory Board. Moved by Reichert and seconded by Bennett to recommend approval of concept B.
APIF. Motion carried.
6. Discussion Items
A. Dementia Friendly Community
Page provided background information about what it means to be a dementia friendly community. She
suggested that a sub-committee and a coordinator be formed for this effort. She shared there are 42
other communities in Minnesota who are designated as dementia friendly communities. Page said she
would develop a framework to have the Advisory Board approve at a future meeting.
B. Work Plan Review
Director Distad reviewed the updated work plan and identified the items that were completed since the
last Advisory Board meeting. Distad also suggested that Advisory Board members should start thinking
about items to include in the 2018 work plan.
C. 2040 Comprehensive Plan
Director Distad informed the Advisory Board the city has hired Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc. to assist
the city with writing its 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The park and recreation chapter in the
comprehensive plan will still be updated by Park and Recreation staff members, the Park and
Recreation Commission and the Rambling River Center Advisory Board.
7. Staff Report
Staff provided an update on the following items:
Reminder June 12, 2017 meeting cancellation
Reminder that all non-members of the Rambling River Center must pay the daily admission fee
Rambling River Center fundraising events during Dew Days includes Kiss the Pig Contest and
Bike Auction and will work with the Police Department to see if access to the bikes can be moved
up some to allow the Train Club more time to assess the condition of bikes and make the
necessary repairs of the bikes
The coat room will now be partly used to store tables, but will still accommodate some coats to
be hung in the room during larger events and programs
8. Commission Roundtable
Koski – Visited Frisco, Texas senior center, which is a brand new 34,000 square foot building. Shared
she feels the Rambling River Center compares well with their center. She will share the newsletter she
brought back from the center with Missie.
Page – Asked about the Rambling River Center being nominated for the city of excellence award. Asked
why the Rambling River Center does not have congregate dining or meals on wheels programs. She was
informed the Rambling River Center does not have a commercial kitchen so is unable to offer these
programs and that Meals on Wheels is now offered through the Farmington Lutheran Church. Shared
she will be participating in a bike ride on May 17 and is planning on having the riders make a stop at
the Rambling River Center and she will show them the building.
Wood – Did not have anything to share.
Reichert – Suggested to other Advisory Board members to try this fall of offering the café idea at the
Rambling River Center that was shown in the plaza concept. She thought it could be offered in the area
of where the puzzle table and chairs are in the Empire Room and could first start out as a one day a
week café.
Schmidtke – Thanked everyone for volunteering to help with the arts and crafts sale.
Bennett – Feels the Rambling River Center compares favorably with other senior centers and that the
fees for programs are low compared to other senior centers she has visited. She would like to showcase
in the Empire Room old aprons. She recognized Betty Steege for the work she has done with creating
lap robes.
9. Agenda Items for July 10, 2017 Meeting
A. Dew Days fundraising event financial results
B. 2017 Work Plan review
C. 2040 Comprehensive Plan update
D. Dementia Friendly Community
E. Waffle Breakfast/Silent Auction/Bake Sale fundraising event
F. Café idea
10. 10. Adjourn
Motion by Bennett and seconded by Koski to adjourn the meeting. APIF. Meeting was adjourned at
11:10 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Randy Distad
Parks and Recreation Director and Recording Secretary