--- ## author: Vandara Thammavongsa date: D:20260827105216-05'00' --- ## CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS ## Special Meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission ## City Hall ## 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue ## AGENDA September 2, 2026 at 6:30 P.M. ## A. CALL TO ORDER: ## B. ROLL CALL: Tom Faust (Vice-Chair) _____Katie Merriam _____Kia Moua _____ ## Robert Haight_____ Jerry Buckridge_____Naomi Loud - Heinsch_____Chuck Long_____ ## COUNCIL LIAISON: ## Randy Gustafson ____ ## STAFF PRESENT: ## Kelly Nelson_____ ## C. PRESENTATION: ## D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. August 3, 2026 – Parks and Recreation Commission Special Meeting Minutes ## E. AGENDA: 1. Fall/Winter Programming Discussion 6:30 P.M. 2. Election to Fill Existing Commission Vacancies 6:50 P.M. 3. Continued Discussion Regarding the Vision of Future Parkland at Les Bolstad Development ## 7:00 P.M. 4. Staff Direction Regarding Community Park Donation 7:45 P.M. 5. Upcoming Event(s) Discussion 8:00 P.M. ## F. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENT ## G. ADJOURNMENT: ## BLANK PAGE 1 | Page ## CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS ## Regular Meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission ## City Hall ## 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue ## MINUTES August 3, 2026 ## A. CALL TO ORDER: ## B. ROLL CALL: Tom Faust (Vice-Chair) __X___Katie Merriam __X___Kia Moua __X___ ## Robert Haight__X___ Jerry Buckridge__X___Naomi Loud - Heinsch__ea___ (excused absence) ## Chuck Long__X___ ## COUNCIL LIAISON: ## Randy Gustafson __X__ ## STAFF PRESENT: ## Kelly Nelson__X___ ## C. PRESENTATION: ## D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. July 9, 2026 – Parks and Recreation Commission Special Meeting Minutes Long motioned to approve the minutes; approved 6-0 ## E. AGENDA: ## 1. Finalize Park Facility Rental Policy Nelson summarized that there was no consensus during the July 9, 2026 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on the wording selected for noise restrictions and in a few other highlighted areas of the rental policy draft, including whether helium balloons should or should not be allowed. Long questioned whether helium balloons should be banned. Merriam wondered if something like helium balloons could be allowed for now and revisited down the road if it became an issue. Merriam asked what the process would be to alter the rules. Nelson responded that Council could amend the policy at a later date. Gustafson suggested striking “helium balloons” from the list of banned items since the rules state that you must remove all belongings when you leave and this could include balloons stuck in the rafters, in trees, etc. Commissioners recommended adding language to support park users bringing their own grills, if used in an approved area and with prior permission. They supported the proposed changes and recommended it as a final draft. 2 | Page Long motioned to approve the Park Facility Rental Policy as revised; approved 6-0 ## 2. Finalize Community Park Donation Discussion Nelson shared that this topic is being brought back for further discussion to reach a consensus since the workout equipment was initially prioritized for replacement, but commissioners suggested the basketball court was currently more of a priority. During the July 9, 2026 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, Buckridge had said that the workout equipment had been refreshed by Public Works and was less in need of immediate replacement. There was some agreement amongst the commissioners. Faust said that he returned to Community Park to look at the workout equipment more closely since the July meeting and agreed that it was less in need of replacement than it previously had been. Merriam and Faust agreed that the benches on a few pieces of equipment do need additional work and wondered if Public Works would be able to take it on. There may be replacement parts available, which would help extend the life of the equipment. Haight recommended exploring both ideas, to fix up the workout equipment and to resurface the basketball court. Buckridge wondered if the basketball court could be reduced to a half court to reduce costs. Faust reminded the commissioners that repairing the exercise equipment further is a temporary fix and might gain us five years before a full replacement is needed. Buckridge shared that Community Park is becoming a showpiece and the basketball court needs to be addressed. Faust added that having one regulation hoop and one low hoop at Curtiss field sees a lot of use. Haight motioned to obtain a bid to resurface the basketball court; approved 6-0 Merriam made a separate motion to explore refurbishing the existing workout equipment; approved 6-0 ## 3. Vision of Future Park at Les Bolstad Development Haight asked Gustafson to bring the commission up-to-date on the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meetings and what had been previously discussed. Gustafson summarized the initial proposal that Rachel Development had submitted to the University of Minnesota during the Request for Proposals (RFP) process. 3 | Page Haight recommended creating a vision statement, and shared his preliminary statement as, “Provide equal access to parks and playgrounds to all residents of the golf course community and to protect as many trees as possible.” Long shared that their preference is for the parkland be city-owned, city-operated, and city- maintained, rather than directing an HOA. Faust shared an example of a modern development in Lino Lakes and the walking paths connecting the parks within the space. Moua said they would want everyone to feel welcome and involved, to make intentional decisions, to include native plants, and to be good stewards of the land. Haight and Faust asked Moua if they could elaborate more on their vision. Moua elaborated that it feels inclusive for the community to gather rather than to have this be their HOA space. Moua asked, “How do you know you’re in Falcon Heights and how do you know this is a community?” Buckridge said his fear is that several pieces of land will be broken off. Haight recommended each commissioner produce a vision statement (at a high-level) for the parkland. ## Information/Announcement Before adjournment, Long raised a point related to the Rental Facility Policy to include a mention of security cameras to renters and to post signage at Community Park, once installed. Commissioners addressed the upcoming canceled September 7 meeting due to the Labor Day holiday and proposed September 2 as an alternate. ## G. ADJOURNMENT: 8:47 P.M. Moua motioned to adjourn the meeting; Approved 6- 0 ## BLANK PAGE ## REQUEST FOR ACTION ## City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________ ## Item 2026 Fall and Winter Programming Discussion ## Description During the August 4, 2025 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, commissioners determined they would like to try holding a card game night at City Hall for families to attend. By determining a date far enough in advance, it could be included in the mailed biannual newsletter to all residents and promoted during the Fall Fest as well. Game night was held on Friday, November 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, with pizza served and 20 adults and 9 children in attendance. Based on the success of and the ease of holding such an event, a second game night was later added and held on Friday, January 16, which hosted just three attendees. The second event likely had multiple contributing factors working against it: not offering pizza, not being included in the mailed newsletter, and whiteout weather conditions. Although the Commission had additional free programming ideas in mind for February and beyond, they were paused. Commissioners should discuss what programming they would like to see offered in the fall/winter so Staff can prepare for it and it can be publicized in the fall biannual newsletter. ## Budget Impact N/A ## Attachment(s) ## Action(s) ## Requested The Commission should discuss how to proceed with fall/winter programming. ## Meeting Date September 2, 2026 ## Agenda Item E1 ## Attachment Submitted By Kelly Nelson, Deputy Clerk / Admin. ## Services Director ## BLANK PAGE ## REQUEST FOR ACTION ## City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________ ## Item Officer Elections ## Description It is customary for the Commission to vote and elect officers at the start of the New Year, which occurred during the January 5, 2026 meeting. But, with the resignations of Eric Brenton, acting Chairperson, and Joe Morseth, acting Secretary, commissioners should now nominate and elect a new Chairperson and Secretary to carry out the duties for the remainder of 2026. Descriptions of all positions are below. While only the Chairperson and Secretary positions are vacant, in case the Vice-Chairperson should be nominated for the Chairperson position, as an example, I’m including descriptions for all positions. Descriptions of these positions are as follows: ## Chairperson Main contact between the commission and staff, conducts the meeting by opens/closes, calls for votes, and helps set the agenda for upcoming meetings. Vice chairperson Fills duties in the Chair’s absence and encouraged to work as a team and communicate needs with staff. ## Secretary Responsible for taking meeting minutes and sends to staff for review and approval at next meeting. ## Budget Impact N/A ## Attachment(s) N/A ## Action(s) ## Requested Staff recommends nominating and electing officers for the remainder of 2026. ## Meeting Date September 2 2026 ## Agenda Item E2 ## Attachment ## Submitted By Kelly Nelson, Administrative Services ## Director/Deputy Clerk ## BLANK PAGE ## REQUEST FOR ACTION ## City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________ Item Continued Discussion Regarding the Vision of Future Parkland at Les Bolstad ## Development ## Description As the City looks ahead to the development of the Les Bolstad Golf Course site, the Parks and Recreation Commission began to outline their basic vision, goals, priorities and wants during the August 3, 2026 meeting so that they may be conveyed to the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) when holding a future meeting to discuss the parks with the developer. Because the development itself is not finalized and many variables are still unknown (i.e. the location, size, and quantity of the devoted parkland with the parcel), the August 3 rd meeting was a high-level discussion intended to become more fine-tuned at detailed as time passes. At the conclusion of the August 3, 2026 commission meeting, commissioners were asked to create a mission statement to be shared with fellow commissioners during this September 2, 2026 meeting to continue to finetune the commission’s vision and to create a finalized mission statement to share with the CAC. And, be ready to begin discussing at a high level the commission’s bullet- pointed “musts” and “must nots” for the parkland. Staff has an initial meeting with representatives from Bolton and Menk scheduled for September 1, 2026, prior to their informed discussion meeting with the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) on September 16. Staff will come to the Parks and Rec Commission with more clarification of what is needed to be provided to the CAC and may amend this meeting agenda packet to better instruct and/or provide documents to help further discussion. ## Budget Impact TBD ## Attachment(s) ## Action(s) ## Requested Staff recommends that commission members share their drafted mission statements to foster further discussion and to identify their vision for the future parkland within the Les Bolstad development. ## Meeting Date September 2, 2026 ## Agenda Item E3 ## Attachment Submitted By Kelly Nelson, Deputy Clerk / Admin. ## Services Director ## BLANK PAGE ## REQUEST FOR ACTION ## City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________ Item Final Determination of Community Park Improvements and Friends of the Park ## Donation ## Description During the May 4, 2026 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting and at the recommendation of Commission Vice Chair Faust, the commission brainstormed park donations, both in general and as a means to present ideas to the Lions Club, which annually donates money to the Friends of the Park fund after the conclusion of their holiday tree sales, and who have also verbally committed a donation for Community Park. Commissioners initially supported presenting the idea of replacing the workout circuit around the perimeter of Community Park to the Lions to gauge initial feedback. Then, during the July 9, 2026 meeting, as Commissioners shared their audit findings, the overall consensus was that the basketball court is in a further state of disrepair than the workout circuit and should be prioritized. Furthermore, some Commissioners favored redoing the exercise equipment so that it was all installed in one central area. Staff was directed to obtain quotes for exercise equipment, but no final decision was made as to what project the Commission favored. Continuing the conversation from July 9, Commissioners were asked during the August 3 rd meeting to discuss whether they favored repaving the basketball court and earmarking the donation for that project. Commissioners directed Staff to obtain a quote to resurface the basketball court and to consult with Public Works about replacing the incline/sit up benches, specifically, that are part of the existing workout circuit. Staff obtained quotes to resurface the basketball court and to replace the workout benches. The commission should now discuss and reach a consensus on their replacement priority/priorities so that it can be presented to the Lions for their consideration during an upcoming meeting. ## Budget Impact TBD ## Meeting Date September 2, 2026 ## Agenda Item E4 ## Attachment See Below ## Submitted By Kelly Nelson, Administrative Services ## Director / Deputy Clerk ## Attachment(s) ## Action(s) ## Requested Staff encourages commission members to make a final determination of their renovation priorities so that it may be presented to the Lions for their consideration and/or budgeted for. ## REPLACEMENT ESTIMATE - Gametime: •Body Curl Station $2,617 •Sit-Up Station$2,134 •Log Hop Station $2,086 this item may not need replacement •Bench Dip Station $2,388 •Assisted Chin Up $3,023 Is this the same thing? $7,139 to $12,248, depending on included components ## Basketball Court Resurfacing •Quote is for bituminous (like Grove Park) of the same size as the current Community Park basketball court, 100’ x 50’/5,000 square feet. $27,500 And, just as an FYI, when the City utilized SportCourtin 2023 to paint lines on both Curtiss and The Grove, it was approx. $2,500 for both courts. ## BLANK PAGE ## REQUEST FOR ACTION ## City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________ ## Item Fall Event Discussion ## Description Ice Cream Social was scheduled to be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on July 16 at City Hall due to ongoing construction at Community Park, but extreme heat and unhealthy air quality from wildfires canceled the event. Fall Fest is scheduled from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on October 10 at Falcon Heights Elementary. In addition, the Community Park playground is al so estimated to be completed at the end of September or ear ly October. Commissioners should recommend what event(s) to hold, since many will overlap or be held within a similar timeframe, and suggest any time/date changes, as applicable, as well as the activities offered onsite. ## Budget Impact TBD ## Attachment(s) ## Action(s) ## Requested Staff recommends commission members discuss the upcoming City’s remaining 2026 events. ## Meeting Date September 2, 2026 ## Agenda Item E5 ## Attachment ## Submitted By Kelly Nelson, Administrative Services ## Director / Deputy Clerk