11-15-01 PROTSEGO PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 15, 2001 - 7:00 PM
1. Chair Mike Day will call meeting to order.
Mike Day called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Roll Call:
Park & Recreation Commission: Mike Day, Tom Constant, Jim
Gaikowski, Pauline Nelson, Jessica Stockamp, and Terry Long.
Absent: Tom Baillargeon.
Councilmembers: CM Suzanne Ackerman & CM Jerry Struthers.
City Staff: City Administrator Mike Robertson.
City Administrator Robertson introduced newly appointed
member Jessica Stockamp.
Approval of Minutes - Commissioner Constant, seconded by
Commissioner Stockamp, moved to approve the October 10, 2001
minutes as presented. Carried 6-0.
Administrator Robertson Update - Robertson updated
Commissioners on the arrival of park equipment and picnic
tables.
Haunted House Review - Commissioners Day said he thought
that final revenues would be around $2,600, down about 20-
25% from 2000. Speculation on reasons for the lower turnout
were slower economy, cold weather on two nights, and lack of
knowledge of the event.
Commissioners thought the hayride and games worked well.
They discussed also having them on Friday night in an
attempt to draw more people. There was discussion of
recruiting some of the area day care providers to help with
the game room and to provide a means for people to drop
their young children off while going through the haunted
house. Commissioners indicated that Community Recreation
staff had done a good job setting up the games.
Commissioners discussed having some permanent haunted house
signs made which would be put up several weeks before the
event as advertising. Both metal signs and campaign type
signs were discussed as options. Commissioner Stockamp
noted that her neighborhood does not receive the Star News
and was unaware of the event. Administrator Robertson said
he would contact the Star News about getting their paper
into the new housing developments.
Commissioners said that having the Albertville Lionesses and
the Girl Scouts as sponsors of two rooms worked well and
they would continue to seek sponsors for the other room.
Commissioner Constant said constructing the pull up walls
had been a lot of work but that they were all set for next
year. Commissioners also noted that installing the lights
for every room worked well. They had just enough volunteers
to make everything work, but will be recruiting more for
next year to give everyone a break occasionally.
Commissioner Day said he would get the volunteer list to
Administrator Robertson for thank you letters.
School Knoll Park Information Meeting - Commissioners set
Wednesday, January 9, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. for an informational
meeting on the School Knoll park plan. Administrator
Robertson said that several copies of the plans would be set
up and that staff would be available to discuss the plans.
Robertson said he would mail notices to all surrounding
neighborhoods during the week after Christmas.
Otsego Elementary Bike Paths - Administrator Robertson said
that Otsego Elementary is planning to install bike paths
from the school to connect with City bike paths next year.
Snowmobile Training - Administrator Robertson noted that the
Star News will be doing a story to promote the training done
by the Otsego Snowmobile Club.
City Festival - Commissioners and Councilmembers discussed
many possibilities for a City Festival, including a fall
festival with prizes for the biggest pumpkins and a flea
market; a summer festival with kiddie parades or bicycle
parades; and a spring festival with area nurseries selling
trees. Commissioner Day stated that the Park & Recreation
Commission would not have the time to organize any of the
proposed events. He noted that only two commissioners had
more than a years tenure on the commission and that everyone
who quit said they were too busy to put the time in. He
said the Commission would be happy to advise and be a
resource for any new event.
Adjournment - Commissioner Constant, seconded by
Commissioner Nelson, moved to adjourn at 8:04 p.m. Carried
5-0.
Michael Robertson, City Administrator