Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 04/13/2017

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Commissioner Sis mentioned last year there seemed to be a slight decrease in attendance and Mr. Riverblood stated there were 2 % rainouts in 2016 along with other variables. The attendance has been increasing 30-40% each year previous to 2016 when attendance leveled off. Commissioner Sis asked if the bands are increasing their fees and Mr. Riverblood stated they are similar as previous years and the City is getting a good value for the monies spent. Motion by Commissioner Sis, seconded by Commissioner Fyten, to recommend the City Council allocate $3,000 to the City of Ramsey Foundation for The Draw Summer Event Series. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chair Bennett, Commissioners Sis, Fyten, Bayer, Leistico, Tchuinkwa, Trappen and Troy. Voting No: None. Absent: None. 5.3 Recreation Programming for 2017 Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reviewed one of the City Council's Strategic Imperatives is to "Create a diverse and robust offering of recreation opportunities". To address this goal, City Council has allocated $25,000 within the 2017 General Fund budget for recreation programming. Staff has been engaged in developing programs and opportunities since January. Mr. Riverblood introduced Ms. Tillery Bailey, Park and Recreation Intern. Ms. Bailey provided a summary of the successes to date, the upcoming programs and asked for feedback from the Commission for future recreation programming. Ms. Bailey reviewed Yoga, Mike Lynch Starwatch Party, Art in the Park and the Programming questionnaire. The response received on all programs has been very positive. Ms. Bailey summarized the Upcoming Events: Yoga Flow, ongoing; Intro to Birding; Art in the Park; Movie in the Park; Learn to Garden; Art in the Park; and Kayaking with Anoka County Parks. Other activities in progress are the 12-week summer program, Summer Sports Sampler, U of M Raptor Center program and U of M Monarch Lab. Flyers advertising the upcoming events were shown to the Commission. Commissioner Bayer asked if there are plans to reschedule the StarWatch and Ms. Bailey stated she hopes to offer it again in the fall. Mr. Riverblood stated any people who had signed up received a "rain check" to attend another session in any community. Chair Bennett thanked Ms. Bailey for her work and presentation. Mr. Riverblood suggested if residents have suggestions for programming to contact the Park and Recreation Department. 5.4 Recommend Revisions to the Draft Master Plan Amendment — Mississippi West Regional Park Parks & Assistant Public Works Superintendent Riverblood reviewed the purpose of this case is to provide a recommendation to Ramsey City Council on the Draft Master Plan Amendment for Mississippi West Regional Park. The Master Plan was provided. The Master Plan for the Regional Park was developed in 2010 and approved by the Metropolitan Council in 2011. An Park and Recreation Commission/April 13, 2017 Page 3 of 7