Regular Park & Recreation Board meeting held on August 19, 2024 in Ely, MN. Scroll to bottom for video clip. Approximately 50 minutes into the meeting there was no longer a quorum.
Planning Administrator Scott Kochendorfer will now be attending the Park & Rec meetings.
1:49 – 13:02 minutes into the clip: Discussion about recommending to City Council 1 or 2 new members to previously 1 and now tonight 2 open seats on the Park & Recreation Board. Todd Crego emailed City this morning that he was stepping down. Kristen Anthony and Steve Tobbie were recently and privately interviewed by Park & Rec Chair Morgan Sauls, City Clerk Harold Langowski, and Council Rep Adam Bisbee. Council Member Paul Kess in attendance mentioned that Council might have to officially post the 2nd opening before appointing someone.
Who really should be interviewing applicants, so they represent the diverse voices of the community?? Should there be private or public interviews? Does the City and the Council want diverse viewpoints on the Commissions? What are appropriate questions? Could interviews be conducted via email (in writing) with the same appropriate questions sent to all applicants or could be part of the application? Does the City and the Council want diverse viewpoints on the Commissions? If applicants are to be independent from the City, why is the City Clerk Harold Langowski interviewing candidates instead of City Council members? Morgan Sauls conducts very open, comfortable and welcoming Park & Rec meetings as the Chair, but should the Chair interview and recommend new members of the Board instead of Council Members? Park & Rec members tonight did NOT receive any information about the 2 applicants. They voted based on the Chair’s comments, period. Everyone is trying their best to make up for the absence of established policies and procedures for appointments to commissions as well as established rules for behavior, ethics and conflicts of interest.
13:03 minutes into the clip – Recap of May-July Park & Rec activities.
14:30 minutes Short discussion about creating an attendance policy.
24:25 minutes – Northland College (VCC) wants to rent Whiteside Park on Tuesday, Sept 17th for a community event.
28:50 minutes – Discussion about kayak rental proposal submitted to the City by Rent.fun that would cost $10K-$20K to activate. City would only need to provide space and then receive 50% of generated rental revenue. Board members discussed current plans using donated items or contacting local outfitters to provide service.
38:35 Discussion about Land Use and Comprehensive Plan. Frederica Musgrave asked to speak about planned outdoor stage at Old Train Depot location across from Veterans Memorial. Residents and others don’t want loud noise in the neighborhood or park area. We shouldn’t have an open stage. Not there. We need noise ordinances that include what’s best for birds and not just humans. Also, the Park & Rec meeting packet tonight did not include the Comp Plan paragraphs about their needing to set up goals and objectives to protect open space and the environment. Open space and environment were not included in tonight’s agenda. Please put these topics on next month’s agenda and set up study session with Planning & Zoning.
Board Members brought up Bill Tefft’s previous presentations to the group. Park & Rec would like to meet with Planning & Zoning Commission. Discussions about getting public school, VCC students, and other partners involved in open spaces, etc.
1:03:30 – date on Dog Park. Abby Dare expressed concerns about calling it a dog-friendly area instead of a dog park. Discussion about City involvement.
1:12:00 – Discussion about location of donated benches and shade trees to be provided by the Tree Board.
Update on Pizza Oven for Semers Park – Need to follow up on status.
1:18:00 Discussion about mural artist Kada Goalen wanting to work on Ely projects. Same email was discussed at the April 15, 2024 Park & Rec Board meeting. Did they connect with NLAA as recommended? Not sure why the proposal was discussed again tonight. However, there was a good discussion – once again – about options with local artists and organizations. Video clip of that Park & Rec meeting = https://elyminnesota.com/blog/park-rec-board-mtg-april-15-2024/
Discussion about lease/maintenance agreement options in parks.
Leave a Reply