Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 06/12/2014

Home

Motion by Commissioner Barr, seconded by Commissioner Mobry, to recommend to the City Council to ready the subject property for sale, as part of the larger area but not in isolation and to receive sale proceeds for the Park Trust Fund, as well as support the greater development plans set forth by the City's Comprehensive Plan. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Olsen, Commissioners Barr, Mobry, Bennett, Chubb, Fyten, and Trappen. Voting No: None. Absent: 5.03: Acknowledge Community Stewardship Recognition Program Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood presented over the last few years, formalizing the process of encouraging more volunteerism, and acknowledging those that do contribute has been discussed. The Environmental Policy Board had this same goal as part of their 2014 work -plan, and in April, approved the program attached to the packet. The Commission will note that this program is similar to the Lawful Gambling Fund Improvement Program, developed and in use for more than a decade. Staff feels that these two programs will work well independently or together. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated the Environmental Policy Board (EPB) has developed a Community Stewardship recognition program designed to recognize and hopefully encourage citizen, civic, and business activities that result in a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable community. Eligible projects shall have a focus on improving outdoor enjoyment, sustainability and /or conservation of natural resources and can be implemented on public land (with prior City approval) or private land (must demonstrate how the public would benefit from the project). Projects can be nominated for recognition at any time throughout the year with recognition if /when warranted, occurring throughout the year as well. This allows the City to respond and acknowledge efforts and contributions. The nomination process is intended to be quick yet informative and includes three (3) components: qualifying criteria, project narrative (meant to be a simple, brief summary) and responses to certain project considerations. This information will be used first to determine if a project warrants recognition and secondly to determine whether that recognition should be from an advisory board /commission (EPB or Park and Recreation Commission) or from City Council. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reviewed recognition may include a letter of recognition from the Mayor and /or Chairperson of the applicable advisory board /commission, presentation of a plaque or certificate by City Council or the applicable advisory board /commission, and /or highlights of the project and notice of award in an upcoming issue of the Ramsey Resident newsletter and the City's website. Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood stated the EPB has approved this recognition program but wanted to forward it to the Park and Recreation Commission also as they would likely be involved with project recognition at some point as well. The program is expected to go forward for City Council acknowledgment (as part of the consent agenda) on May 13, 2014. Park and Recreation Commission /May 8, 2014 Page 4 of 8