Arts, Parks, and Recreation Committee

ARTS, PARKS, & RECREATION COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS April 18th, 2024 The Amery Arts, Parks, and Rec. Committee met on April 18, 2024, at the Amery City Center. The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. Present: Members Tommy Dusek, Colleen Adams, Joyce Schaefer, Denise Johnson and Mike Manor. Others Present: Clerk-Treasurer, Taylor Larson; Public Works Director, Jeff Mahoney, and Everett and Nancy Anderson – Ruby Mae’s Treasurers, and Pat Seidl – Garden Club 1. Introduction of Mike Manor as New Member – Mike was appointed to fill a vacancy at the council meeting on April 3,2024. 2. Approval of Minutes from March 5th, 2024 – The minutes were reviewed by the committee. Motion by Manor; seconded by Adams; to approve the minutes as presented. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion Carried. 3. Mural on the South Exterior Wall of Ruby Mae’s Treasurers – Everett and Nancy Anderson who own Ruby Mae’s Treasurers (111 Keller Ave N) would like to replace the mural on the side of their building that was removed in the fall of 2023 because it was falling apart. They presented a proposed design that would be on vinyl and would incorporate the former mural as well as other aspects of Amery. Motion by Schaefer, seconded by Dusek; to forward the mural recommendation on to the City Council. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. 4. Schumacher Park Update from Garden Club: Pat Seidl with the Garden Club spoke to the committee. The garden club has been losing members each year and has not been able to get new members. They have been maintaining Schumacher Park for many years, but they plan to disband after this year. The Garden Club would like to use the remaining funds they have to plant more perennial flowers in Schumacher Park and then would like to turn maintenance over to the City. Jeff agreed that the City Crew could take over the maintenance of the park in the future. 5. Parks Update – Public Works Director, Jeff Mahoney was present to discuss some things that have been happening in the parks. a. Picnic tables have been repaired and are ready for the season. b. Some of the docks are already in and others need repairs before they can go into the water. The dock at the Birch St boat landing was destroyed in a car accident, and Jeff is working with insurance to get it replaced. c. Monarch doesn’t plan to pave the Pickleball Courts until late June because the blacktop they use needs hot weather. d. Pickleball would like to use the Tennis Courts this summer while the Pickleball Courts are out of service. i. The committee has concerns about Pickleball taking over the Tennis Courts so Tennis players can’t play. The committee feels that Tennis should have priority at the courts. They also feel if Pickleball is going to utilize the courts they should use them in the same direction (North/South) Tennis currently does with taped down lines and adjusting the net 1  height as needed to allow Tennis players to take turns with Pickleball players. The committee felt the Pickleball group should have come to them first before going to council. e. Flowers have been ordered for the downtown area. Dragonfly has already planted the inserts for the poles and Bergmann’s will do the pots when it is warm enough for flowers to live outside. Jeff will also check into the price of additional inserts to be switched back and forth with Dragonfly to make spring planting easier. Additional pole pots can not be added because not all light poles are big enough to support them. Jeff will also check how many big planters we have, to get them on as many corners as possible. 6. Committee Goals – The committee has accomplished many of their goals for the year. They are planning on doing park needs surveys again when the weather is nicer. When they go to North Park, they will consider pieces of equipment that could be ordered for the future. Motion by Adams; seconded by Johnson; to adjourn at 5:04 p.m. Ayes – 5 Nays – 0 Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Taylor Larson Clerk-Treasurer April 23rd, 2024 2