North St. Paul City Council — Transcript
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Memorial Bench at Southwood Park
Park Commissioner Assignments
Staff Report on Park Improvements and Maintenance
Autumn Arts Fest and Concerts in the Park Promotion
Future Park Planning and Open Space Plan
Votes (4)
Memorial Bench for Kathy Trundle at Southwood Park
Dissent: None
Moved by Dave Andren [00:06:00] · Seconded by Laura Greenley Karp [00:06:40]
The commission discussed purchasing a plaque for a memorial bench for Kathy Trundle, noting the bench itself was already procured by the city for Southwood Park. The cost of the plaque is $310. There was a debate about the plaque material (brass vs. plastic) and installation method (bolted to the bench vs. embossed in concrete) to ensure durability and consistency with city standards. The need to consult with Daryl, head of the task force, regarding the plaque wording was emphasized.
Park Commissioner Assignment Review and Update
Dissent: None
Moved by Not applicable · Seconded by Not applicable
Commissioners reviewed existing park assignments, aiming to clean up the list and reassign parks for monthly monitoring. It was agreed that parks not owned by the city (Rotary and Veterans Park) would be removed from the assignment list. Assignments were then made based on commissioners' proximity to parks and interest, ensuring each park had a designated commissioner to report on its condition and needs. The goal is for commissioners to serve as liaisons for their assigned parks.
Staff Update on Park Projects and Memorials Program Review
Dissent: None
Moved by Not applicable · Seconded by Not applicable
Sarah provided updates on ongoing park projects. At Casey Lake, a new trash enclosure is being installed, and a stormwater catch basin is being added to address standing water. Howie Park's pickleball courts are nearing completion, awaiting blacktop curing and striping. The final 'snowy' sculpture has been installed at Dorothy Park. Additionally, Sarah announced she is undertaking a comprehensive review of the city's memorials program, aiming to adjust fees to cover costs and potentially simplify the offerings, with findings to be presented in upcoming meetings.
Event Promotion Challenges and Solutions (Autumn Arts Fest, Concerts in the Park)
Dissent: None
Moved by Not applicable · Seconded by Not applicable
Laura and Sue highlighted significant challenges in publicizing city events, particularly the Concerts in the Park, leading to low attendance (e.g., 20 people). They attributed this to a recent transition in city communications staff and a previous policy change limiting the commission's ability to advertise directly. Proposed solutions included utilizing targeted social media advertising (e.g., Facebook boosts for $5-10) and deploying reusable yard signs strategically placed around the city to reach a wider audience.
Notable Quotes (7)
I talked to Daryl he hasn't gotten back me uh and I don't know if they've already raised some funds for some of this uh I mean they were disappointed that they couldn't pick out their own bench and stuff but they're they're willing to abide by um our ruling and the city's ruling so I think it would be good news but I think we had to at least reach out to Daryl who's in charge of the task force over there and get a little bit more feedback.
yeah they've been screwing them in they've been doing the first option to all of them now when I talked to public works that's what they told me when I started to find out what their policy was on the benches and that's what uh Public Works informed me of.
I would like to propose that moving forward to if um each month if there's if you guys could go out like once a month Here sign Parks take a look come back and Report see what's going on.
it just it just means that you bring any topics to us yeah we look at it see if there's any repairs or any issues uh those kind of things.
I have been tasked with looking at our memorials program that we currently have for like we talked about the benches the tables the trees the plaques all of that um and the fees have not been uh what we're charging the public right now is less than they actually cost us.
I feel like it's been really poorly advertised I feel like I shared some stuff on like Jan's playground page that morning and other things and like 10 people who came to that show came from my post like oh I'm so glad you said this we're coming and so 10 of the 20 people came from something I posted that morning it means nobody saw it.
it's low cost like $5 to $10 and it will reach 5,000 people wow now I mean we put it on the sign right like it goes on the sign that so people drive past but see I feel like it's everywhere I I feel like I see it everywhere so I'm surprised that you're saying that people don't know about it.
Ordinances & Resolutions (1)
City plan requiring approval from City Council before detailed park improvement planning for next year.