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PRM 04/01/2019 CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – APRIL 1, 2019 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Heintz called the Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 6:59 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Pete Borman, Mike Heintz, Shanna Larson, EB Graham, and Ryan Gerhard Members Absent: Dave Kondrick Others Present: Steve Eggert, Councilmember, Luke Cardona, Marketing Manager, Scott Hickok Community Development Director and Deborah Dahl, Director of Community Services and Employee Resources The commissioners and attendees went around the room and introduced themselves, providing a short background of their history on the committee or with the City. Ms. Dahl distributed a contact list of the commissioners that included term dates. 1. APPROVAL OF MARCH 4, 2019 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION made by Ms. Larson to approve the March 4, 2019 meeting minutes of the Park and Recreation Commission, seconded by Ms. Graham. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 2. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR APRIL 1, 2019. Chairperson Heintz called for a motion to adopt the agenda for April 1, 2019. Ms. Larson made a change to the agenda to include Councilmember Eggert’s item. She MOTIONED to approve the agenda to add Mr. Eggert’s item on 4f. Mr. Borman SECONDED the MOTION. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 3. STAFF REPORT a. Program Highlights Ms. Dahl summarized a few of the highlights from the packet, stating that staff is currently into spring activities and scheduling the adult summer leagues and athletics. 1 Meeting Minutes – Fridley Park and Recreation Commission (April 1, 2019) Ms. Dahl stated that the tree sale is very popular and going well, with up to 40 trees reserved so far. Mr. Borman had asked how the decision was reached to determine the kind of trees. Ms. Dahl said she would have staff respond. Mr. Heintz suggested that if we start the program earlier and people are looking for a certain tree (for example a maple tree) then it could be arranged to pre-order. b. Springbrook Report Ms. Dahl said the registration for summer camps at Springbrook are going very well and the new software has been a great tool for staff. Engagement Specialist, Alyssa Kruzel, is diving in at the Nature Center by reaching out to a number of new school contacts for expanding school programs and curriculum. Her efforts are proving to be very fruitful. Though the final results are not in yet, the Spring Spree did very well and felt like the turn out and funds raised were positive. 4. NEW BUSINESS/ACTION ITEMS: a. New Commission Member - Ms. Dahl thanked Ryan Gerhard for expressing an interest and joining the commission. Mr. Gerhard was appointed by Council in April and has an interest in parks and recreation and brings a background of youth wrestling, football and sports. Commission Appreciation Dinner - Mr. Eggert reminded the committee th that the Commission Appreciation Dinner is scheduled for April 15 at 6 p.m. at the Springbrook Nature Center and asked them to attend. b. Marketing and Communications Activities - The city’s Marketing Manager, Luke Cardona, showed the commission some of his plans and activities for marketing, specifically related to Parks and Recreation. He demonstrated some of the tools like POLCO – an on-line survey tool, where seven surveys have been deployed to collect information from residents and businesses about areas of interest. He mentioned three surveys have been focused on parks and recreation (Winterfest, volunteerism, and on- line activity registration). Mr. Cardona discussed efforts in social media (like Facebook) and mentioned how staff have been trained on best practices and techniques to improve the City’s use and branding. The registration software for PerfectMind is another platform for social media that will make promoting programs easier and monitor success. He said the data base of users is a great opportunity for easy promotion. Ms. Dahl mentioned that there are approximately 1500 profiles set up in the set up system that can be marketed to (400 enrolled within the last month). Ms. Larson said she loved getting the e-mail prompt that said we have new programs starting if you’d like to register, check out our programs. 2 Meeting Minutes – Fridley Park and Recreation Commission (April 1, 2019) Mr. Heintz asked if there was a way to discount or give a credit/coupon to prompt someone to register or bring in new subscribers. Mr. Cardona said they are working on a variety of ideas. Mr. Cardona said that he has been working on a basketball court renovation promotion from the Minnesota Timberwolves. He said that nominations are being collected for communities to participate and vote for the best project. He submitted an application today and should know in the next few weeks to see if Fridley will be a finalist. If a finalist, then the City will promote the need/interest and if selected will be a great public relations opportunity. Ms. Dahl said this will be a great public engagement activity as well if awarded. Mr. Cardona showed the new electronic newsletter for Springbrook has th been designed and launched on March 15. The digital newsletter is called Tales to the Trails and is similar to the Fridley 4 U. The template and tool we be used monthly to promote activities in a timely way and can be easily produced by staff on an on-going basis. The next step will be to brand for the City of Fridley Recreation. The Springbrook Brand Guideline document is being developed and will be useful to keep a consistent look and feel on documents, promotions and the City’s image. Staff will be working on a social media calendar that can be scheduled and intentional and thoughtful about what appears on line. Mr. Heintz said that establishing a good social media presence is important and sets us apart from other cities and getting new residents. Mr. Cardona said that it’s important to stay competitive and provide information about what is happening within the City. Ms. Dahl said that over time, the city will have reports and statistics to track the people who are looking at information. c. Joint Powers Agreement with Anoka County Ms. Dahl summarized the Joint Powers Agreement that is proposed between the City and Anoka County to accommodate the changes in the regional trail due to the redevelopment project at the Civic Campus. She also pointed out where the playground relocation would occur. Mr. Hickok provided an update on the residential development at the civic campus, stating there will be 72 row homes and town homes with Lennar. He said that the Pulte project is almost completely sold out. Commission members had a few questions. No final requests or actions taken. Ms. Dahl mentioned there have been a number of inquiries on Community Gardens, which have been suspended due to the development. She stated that staff is research other options and will continue to explore ideas. She also gave the commission an update on the playground, which is still in the design and conceptual phase. 3 Meeting Minutes – Fridley Park and Recreation Commission (April 1, 2019) Mr. Heintz suggested staff put up a sign for the playground and Ms. Dahl said she would look into it along with an opportunity for a public engagement activity. Ms. Dahl said that it is desirable to have the design of the playground to be compatible with the civic campus. Mr. Hickok explained the bridge is an important feature that is being fine-tuned now. Ms. Dahl said that staff has been working on trails and cross walks and once designs and plans are further along staff will bring those back to the Commission. Mr. Heintz called for a motion to approve the proposed Joint Powers Agreement – Mr. Borman made the MOTION to approve, which was SECONDED by Ms. Larson. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. d. 49’er Days Event Ms. Dahl provided the commission with the schedule and summary of the events, stating the location will be at Commons but moved to the southern end of the park to accommodate the classic car show. Ms. Larson said she liked having the event in the late afternoon. Ms. Dahl said volunteers are needed and encouraged people to become involved. Ms. Dahl mentioned that staff will be obtaining the fire rescue truck which will be repainted and customized for recreation events like 49ers’, city open houses, police events, etc. e. Timberwolves Court Renovation – Discussion took place earlier under Mr. Cardona’s presentation. f. Councilmember Eggert is planning to attend all commission meetings and wanted to attend the Parks Commission, particularly after seeing the priorities of the Council have so much to do with parks. He said he had taken a call from a resident over by Briardale Park about people who are not cleaning up after their dogs and wanted the commission to know. Mr. Eggert felt that there could be better communication to remind people about the need to keep public spaces and parks cleaned and picked up. A number of ideas were suggested to provide containers and bags for depositing waste or putting reminders in the City Newsletter. 4 Meeting Minutes – Fridley Park and Recreation Commission (April 1, 2019) g. Ms. Dahl mentioned the City staff met with Twin City Gateway to explore ideas on how to bring people into the City through tourism, including senior softball, pickle ball, and cricket tournaments, mountain bike trails races, Fat tire bike races, Santa Runs, etc. By working with them the social media promotions with Explore Minnesota. Staff will be working on phone applications for the future and mapping software. h. Mr. Heintz said that several comments have come in to him about Moore Lake Park and asked what is being done and how long will the master plan take. Ms. Dahl said that she will come back to the commission with an update and hope to provide some information and ideas. Other commission members weighed in on similar concerns and interests, including considering offering a kayak rental station or sand soccer field. Ms. Dahl said that Moore Lake is a priority and she and Jeff Jensen can come back with some additional information at the next meeting. Ms. Larson said that as she was researching places to take her kids along with friends for the summer and was disappointed because there were no water features with indoor/shade features in Fridley such as splash pads next to playgrounds. She said she would also like to see an indoor playground in the city. Ms. Dahl said that the feedback is good for staff and they will continue to work on plans to provide a lot of options for residents through this master planning process and the commission’s input is valued. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Larson made a MOTION to ADJOURN THE MEETING ON APRIL 1, 2019 AT 8:59 P.M., SECONDED by Ms. Graham. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED - MEETING ADJOURNED. Respectfully submitted, Deborah Dahl, Director Community Services and Employee Resources 5 Meeting Minutes – Fridley Park and Recreation Commission (April 1, 2019)