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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-11-28 Parks Minutes MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD PARK COMMISSION MEETING Wednesday, November 28, 2007 Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road BEast 1. The Parks Commission Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Fischer at 8:30p.m. 2. Roll Call Present Commissioner Craig Brannon Commissioner Donald Christianson Commissioner Peter Fischer, Chairperson Commissioner Bruce Roman Commissioner Kim Schmidt Commissioner GaolyYang Commissioner Julie Binko Absent Commissioner Michele Gran 3. Approval of Agenda Commissioner Christianson made a motion to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Commission Brannon.1 Abstention - All others - Ayes 4. Approval of October 17, 2007 Meeting Minutes: Commissioner Fischer recommended that minutes be cleaned up. Commissioner Brannon made a motion to table the minutes from the October 17, 2007 meeting. Commissioner Roman seconded the motion. AII- ayes with one abstention. 5. Visitor Presentations No Visitor Presentation 6. Commission Presentations: Commissioner Fischer recommended this agenda item be postponed until the end of the meeting because of time constraints. 7. Staff Presentations . Nature Center Update - Mr. Konewko gave staff report. . Natural Preserves/Open Space Update - Mr. Konewko gave staff report. . Joy Park Master Plan - Mr. Konewko asked to postpone this agenda item to the next meeting. . Community Center/Recreation Program Update - Pauline Staples gave the staff report and distributed an update of the activities at the Community Center. Key points included: o Total MCC members as of today 7200. o Ms. Staples announced current membership specials. a Bridal Expo - The City is hoping for 40 to 45 vendors at $150 per booth. This is the second year we have done this event. a 50th Anniversary Dinner and Dance a There are 90 different Fitness classes a month. Commissioner Peterson stated she would like to see more senior programs. a New program - Kids Fun Club - Child care program available in the evening a 2008 19 confirmed wedding bookings a Ms. Staples is now the marketing person. a Commissioner Fischer questioned the fee structure for recreation programs. Pauline recommended talking to Doug Taubman about recreation programs. a Commissioner Peterson asked if there are senior events at the Community Center. Commissioner Fischer requested that Ms. Staples send a list of senior activities for 2008 to the Commission. . Follow-up with on-going discussions with NESA - Hazelwood Park soccer fields a Mr. Konewko gave staff report. We will partner with NESA for resources for developing a maintenance program for the soccer fields. a Other parks are in need of maintenance plans also. a Jim Larson, of MMA will also be brought into the discussion. . Gladstone Update Mr. Konewko stated there is no update. The test results should be back in a couple weeks. A draft report may be ready by the next Parks Commission Meeting. Nature Center - A series of exploratory borings was also done at the Nature Center. . Upcoming discussions Mr. Konewko stated that there are three upcoming discussions that the Commission will need to address. He suggested that the items be on January's agenda. 1. Marshland proposal 2. Pleasantview Park - Council has asked Parks Commission to visit this issue. 3. Legacy Tot Lot - Brought back for discussion 8. Unfinished Business Comprehensive Park/Trails/Open Space Planning Discussion . Discussion took place on the length of the Parks, Trails, and Open Space Plan Task Force meeting. Tonight's meeting when longer than the scheduled time. It was suggested that the Task Force complete its meetings by 8:00 p.m. so that the Parks Commission meetings are not delayed. Commissioner Peterson proposed that we do at least one more meeting under the current schedule with the Parks Commission meeting following the Task Force meeting. If the Task Force goes longer than 8:00 p.m. an alternative meeting plan will need to be addressed. Suggestions included having the Task Force meet on a different evening or possibly having more than one Parks Commission meeting each month. The Parks Commission will have an increase in workload in the next couple of months and more meetings may be necessary. . Mr. Konewko asked if there were any more comments about the Trails, Parks and Open Space Plan Task Force Meeting. . Discussion took place on the Task Force Meeting. . Mr. Konewko invited all Commissioners to participate in the Task Force. . Mr. Konewko stated that the City needs to do a better job communicating with its citizens and what is being done. Commissioner Peterson also stated we need to do a better job of getting the information to citizens. . Diversity was discussed and how to get a wider variety of people involved in City processes. It was suggested that the schools may offer an opportunity to get information out to a diverse group. . Commissioner Yang commented that we need to reach out to all citizens. By addressing the various groups' issues and concerns would be one way to get those groups involved in the process. . A recommendation was made to re-form the Human Relations Commission. . Staff is now evaluating each park. The staff is looking at infrastructure, landscaping, and native vegetation. . Questions were asked about how the City disseminates information. Is it available in other languages and if so where is it available. . Mr. Konewko will add diversity as an agenda item to future Parks Commission's Agendas. Joy Park Master Plan - The City Council has approved resources for this project. The Parks Commission will need to start work on this. 9. New Business: 10. Adjourn - Next meeting will be December 19th at 8p.m. A motion was made to adjourn meeting and seconded. All-ayes