Parks and Recreation

Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes June 3, 2008

PRESENT:               Hiber, Kamrath, Kruzel, Pederson, Ristow, Stark, Willmus

ABSENT:                 Brodt Lenz, Johnson, Kendall (contacted staff prior to meeting)

STAFF:                   Brokke, Anfang

 

1.      INTRODUCTIONS/ROLL CALL/PUBLIC COMMENT

Public comment from Brent Huberty in regards to creating archery facilities in Roseville.

 

Mr. Huberty and his 7 & 9 year old daughters are avid archers.  As the family interest grew in the sport, Huberty thought they would shoot in their own backyard.  Mr. Huberty then learned of a City Ordinance that prohibits archery activities on residential property.  His visit today is to voice an interest in an archery range in a Roseville Park and looking to learn of the process.

Brokke talked about the process. 

·         The process starts by meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission to relay your request/opinion.

·         This is the type of item that should be included in a system wide Master Planning process.

·         Staff are currently recording the various requests residents have for additions to the park system.

Huberty reported that there are archery ranges at Keller Park, at Highway 96 and Lexington in Shoreview, and in Lauderdale.  Huberty also commented that a shooting area could be as simple as hay bales or as sophisticated as a variety of shooting stations.

Commission continued the discussion, including talk on site needs, liability considerations and inquiry into knowing how interested the community might be in a facility of this type.

 

2.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MAY 6, 2008 MEETING

Commission Recommendation:  Minutes for the May 6, 2008 meeting were approved unanimously.

 

3.      DEPARTMENT REVIEW

Jill Anfang briefed the Commission on recent department operations and upcoming and recently hosted programs and events.  This month’s presentation focused on Rosefest.

 

4.      DISCUSS TEMPORARY LEAVE OF CHAIR POSITION

Brokke explained to the Commission that the City Attorney had reviewed the situation and felt there is not a conflict with Bob Willmus serving on the City council in an interim position and continuing on the Parks and Recreation Board.  Mr. Willmus will step back from the commission Chair position while serving as the interim Council Member.

·         Harold Ristow voiced his interest in Bob remaining on the Commission.

·         Gale Pederson and Michelle Kruzel supported Bob continuing on as Commission Chair once his Council responsibilities are finished.

 

 

Commission Recommendation: 

·         Motion by Pederson to appoint Jim Stark as interim Commission Chair through the end of Bob Willmus’ appointment as interim Council Member.  Second by Harold Ristow.  Motion passed unanimously.

·         Motion by Pederson, second by Stark to appoint Jeff Johnson as the Commission interim vice chair.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

5.      JOINT COMMISSION/COUNCIL MEETING DISCUSSION

Commissioners commented on Council’s interest in doing master planning in the near future.  Mr. Willmus asked – how do we implement a completed master plan?

Commissioners recommended patterning the parks and recreation development and maintenance program be patterned after the pavement management program.

·         Create a fund that is used to support Parks and Recreation maintenance needs.

·         It has become evident; PIP will not cover the current park maintenance needs.  We are continuing to fall further and further behind.

 

6.      COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMITTEE UPDATE

Willmus updated the Commission on the activities of the Comprehensive Planning Committee. 

Recent meeting has focused on goals and policies for the land use chapter.  Committee members have been involved in a line-by-line review of the land use chapter.

·         The steering committee is stepping up its meeting schedule with 2 meetings a month in June and July.

·         Committee is making progress with each meeting.

·         Willmus recommended that Jeff Johnson become more involved with the Comp Plan Steering Committee.

Commission Recommendation: 

Motion by Willmus to appoint Jeff Johnson to the Comp Plan Steering Committee while Willmus serves on the Council.  Second by Kruzel.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

7.      PATHWAY COMMITTEE REPORT

Brokke briefed the Commission in Sarah’s absence.  The committee is currently reviewing the 2003 plan.  Committee is looking at proposed pathways and connections, progress and improvements and looking to the future in identifying areas needing potential updates. 

 

8.      CONSIDERATION TO NAME THE CENTRAL PARK AMPHITHEATRE

Gale Pederson informed the commission of the proposal from the Central park Foundation to name the Amphitheatre in honor of Frank Rog, former parks and recreation director and Roseville Mayor.  Frank was instrumental in the creation of Roseville’s park and recreation system.  In addition to support from the Central Park Foundation this naming request is also recommended by FORParks and FORHANC.

Willmus commented on how nice it is that the recipient of the naming is still around and can be recognized for his accomplishments.

Commission Recommendation: 

Motion by Ristow, second by Willmus, to name the Central Park Amphitheatre, the Frank Rog Amphitheatre.  Motion passed unanimously, Pederson abstained from voting.

 

9.      DIRECTOR’S REPORT

·         Master Plan Preparations – staff has been meeting with firms to collect background materials for master planning RFPs.

·         Skating Center staff has submitted a proposal to host the 2010 U.S. Curling Championships.

·         Lonnie met with Ron Tanning at Langton Lake to see his concerns first hand.

·         There is little – to no – room in the 2009 budget for new programs as benefits and energy costs are consuming most increases.  We have requested on additional parks and recreation maintenance position as well as an increase to PIP.  Brokke asked for input from the commission as to whether it is more important to increase PIP or address daily maintenance needs.  PIP improves areas and is valuable to the system, yet the department has struggled to maintain the system with its extremely lean staff.

o        Hiber voiced his interest that we maintain what we have at a high quality – go beyond maintain, really care for what we have.

o        Pederson would hate to see cutbacks in the PIP.

o        Stark recognized the fact that PIP has been a focal point in recent years and he would hate to see a loss or freeze in its funding.

·         Staff are currently working on a 10 year Capital Improvement Program.

 

10.  OTHER

Commissioners wished Bob Willmus luck as interim Council member.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Jill Anfang, Assistant Director