Minutes - Council - 10/24/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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with the Park and Recreation Commission where discussion ensued about having an Ramsey Youth Athletic Association member serve on the Park Commission. She expressed concern about the particular selection process and the comments made by Mr. Droegemueller. Mayor Hardin inquired if the process for choosing a representative for the Commission was done differently than other commissions. Councilmember Beyer reiterated that at the joint meeting, it was discussed that an RYAA member should be a member of the Park Commission. She thought it had been determined that this is what Council would prefer. Councilmember Peterson recollected that the Park and Recreation Commission felt their Commission worked adequately with the RYAA and that no special seat should be given to someone just because they axe a member of the RYAA. Councilmember Beyer thought that everyone agreed that it would be a good idea and would improve the relationship between the two boards. She understood that an RYAA member would be very seriously considered. Dave Baack, 6500 - 179th Lane NW, Ramsey, stated he has been with RYAA for three to four years. He thanked Council for the vast major improvements made at Central Park this past summer. He reported that he has heard a lot of compliments, pertaining to the improvements, even from surrounding cities. Getting back to the Park and Recreation Commission, the RYAA members have felt they would like to have a member on the Commission to get input to them. He feels that the Park and Recreation Commission should serve the needs of the citizens. There are over 1500 kids involved in RYAA. There were 248 new building permits issued in 1994. The families moving here do not appear to be of retirement age; they are families with children. We need to provide them with something to do. We are also building a new school which will bring the Ramsey youth back out to Ramsey. We want the youth represented on the Park and Recreation Commission. He asked that Mr. Droegemueller's application be reconsidered. He's been involved in the youth of Ramsey. Mr. Baack felt that Mr. Droegemueller is very qualified. He suggested maybe it's time for a change on the Commission - the chairperson has had a seat on the Commission for 18 years. He added that the RYAA has nothing against a mil system. Steve Ostmm, 5450 - 149th Lane NW, Ramsey, stated he did not remember seeing anything, when he moved to the City, that said new residents cannot get involved. If, as a Commission, you try to get special interest groups involved, you will get yourself in trouble. He stated that he served 30 years in community activities, including two park and recreation commissions. He felt that since he is not associated with a certain group, he would be able to listen more objectively to the needs of the residents. He added that when he was on park commissions before, the special interest groups were invited to give input at the meetings. He stated that he is looking forward to working with the community and felt he could contribute by representing all the City. Reid Droegemueller apologized to Mr. Ostmm but felt he would not be representing the youth because of his age. He stated that's his (Droegemueller) problem with the Park and Recreation Commission - they do not represent the youth. We need young ideas and good ideas. Budgets are limited and we will have growth problems that should be addressed now. He wants the community to think young and added he does not want the next generation cheated by what we do not have. Every year a survey comes out about what we need in the parks. He fills it out but nothing ever gets changed. He suggested it does not City Council/October 24, 1995 Page 17 of 19