Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission

South St. Paul Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Minutes of October 12, 2021 City Hall The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission meeting was called to order by Josh Regan at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. Members Present: Lori Miller, Mike Lindamood, Cindy Bonawitz, Ron Morgan, Cynthia Callais, Josh Regan Members Absent: Others Present: Joe Kaliszewski, Shannon Young, Mercedes Miklya 1. INTRODUCTIONS – 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Josh Regan and second by Cindy Bonawitz to approve the Minutes of September 14, 2021. 5 Yays. 0 Nays. Motion Passed 3. OLD BUSINESS 3A. Recreation Program Updates/Pools, Seasonal Staffing, Programming Ms. Miklya reviewed expense report from the 2021 Splash Pool season. Ms. Young explains there is an expert coming out to look at Northview and the Splash Pool to estimate the repairs needed to open for the 2022 season. Ms. Miklya updated Youth Football season was successful. The Tackle and Tacklebar teams played on Ettinger Field Sunday October 3rd for the Jamboree Championship games. Steve Doody announced play-by-play action and Mike Running ran the scoreboard and timer. South St. Paul Police Department served refreshments and helped collect football gear at the end of each game. Fall Programming offered for youth was Afton Apple and Ninja Warriors. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough interest with West St. Paul and Mendota Heights, and we weren’t able to fill the bus for either trip. 3B. Future Events Planning – Mercedes Miklya Ms. Miklya noted Breakfast with Santa is December 11th. Mr. Lindamood stated the Lionesses are not planning on doing gifts this year and their Santa is not interested in being Santa due to the Pandemic. 3C. Kaposia Landing Phase 2 Construction Update Ms. Young noted they are looking into picnic tables or benches for the empty concrete slabs around the playground. Ms. Young reported the trees were planted down by the Landing. Mr. Kaliszewski mentioned the solar lights on the left side of the exit flicker, and some are out. Ms. Young is going to follow up with public works. 3D. Doug Woog Arena – Ms. Young reported that Doug Woog Arena hosted a charity hockey game for Neighbors; Dakota County Police vs Metro Fire. The game was successful, Officer Sass reported raising $14,000. Youth tryouts are currently going on and High School Captains practice will be starting soon. Deb Griffith is organizing a Halloween Skate October 24th 2:00-3:30. Ms. Miklya is currently hiring for concession workers for high school games and weekend tournaments. 3E. Wakota Trailhead & Overlook – FLAP Grant 2022 – Ms. Young has no new updates at this time. 3F. Park Assignments/Visit Reports – Ms. Young stated there have been complaints about off leash dogs at Jefferson. The police have been called multiple times. Mr. Kaliszewski has had complaints about there being bags of trash next to trashcans down by the river that are not being picked up by whoever is emptying the trash bins. Ms. Young is going to check into this. Ms. Young updated on the vandalism at Vets portable restroom and enclosure. The water fountain needs to be replaced due to the fire. Soccer is almost finished, and adult softball and baseball are finished for the season. 4. NEW BUSINESS – 4A. Park Updates/Signs- None 4B. Concord Update Mr. Kaliszewski updated that the concrete on Concorded Street turned a “Pink” after it set. They will not be replacing it. Concord Street will reopen with a temporary road for the winter. Concord will then close again in the spring to compete the project to St. Paul city limits by Fall 2022. 4C. Upcoming Events Senior Thanksgiving dinner will not be at the High School this year. The school does not have enough kitchen staff to prepare the meal. Deb is looking for other locations. 5. OTHER BUSINESS – Mr. Kaliszewski is interested in having an open city bowling event at Concord Lanes. 6. ADJOURNMENT – Next Meeting: November 9, 2021, at City Hall