2011-01-05 P & R Minutes Approved

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Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes 01-05-11 they have the time commitment necessary to make it work. Chairperson Branch stated he felt the idea is this group of young people would be established as a way of tapping into that part of our community for their help and as part of their education. Committee Member Seeley felt the idea has merit, but not sure the committee has enough information and does not want to rush into making a commitment. Chairperson Branch had an idea to ask a young person who was involved in the race last year to be part of his 8K Run Committee as part of a trial program and if it works then possibly expand on the idea if the opportunity arises. The committee was in favor of this proposal. Music in the Parks – Scheduling of Bands The various options available for this year were discussed. The committee is looking to make this a quality program and perhaps diversify some into different types of music. Ms. Stephan provided information from a group called The Riverside Swing Band, Trisha & The Toonies and also correspondence from Ms. Kathi LaValle listing the availability of the BBB Jazz Orchestra, the 7 Cats, the BBB Combo and the Centennial Community Band. Ms. Stephan and Chairperson Branch were impressed with the music from the Riverside Swing Band who was willing to perform for $400 using the City’s PA system, but this music is similar to Ms. LaValle’s bands and the committee would rather keep the music local. Ms. LaValle has been such a huge contributor to the Music in the Parks Program since its inception. Ms. Stephan had been looking for some ideas for a children’s band such as the Teddy Bear Band, which was quite expensive. It was suggested by the City Clerk that if Trisha & the Toonies were asked to play, their normal cost was $750, but if they did a recycling program or a partial recycling program a portion of that could be charged to SCORE Funds (Anoka County Recycling Program) reducing the committee’s cost. While the committee generally liked the idea of a performance geared towards families with children, they were not in favor of Trisha & the Toonies doing a recycling program. Committee Member Peterson will do some further research into children’s bands and Ms. Stephan will ask Ms. LaValle if she has any contacts. Ms. Stephan will also ask Ms. LaValle which of the dates would work for any of the bands she is involved with giving them first choice for two if they would be willing to come back and play another year. Ms. rd Stephan will also contact Mr. Lee to determine if he is willing to come back for the 3 season and if he is willing to mentor the teen bands once again. The 6 week schedule for Music in the Parks would continue on Tuesday nights beginning the week thst following the 4 of July, skipping the 1 Tuesday in August which is National Night Out and conflicted with the music program in 2010. In 2010 two events were rained out, but the committee was fortunate enough to be able to reschedule. The committee will formulate an actual bad weather plan and use th Tuesday, August 30 as a back up date, but were also discussing if the band is unable to come back and play on an alternate date is the committee obligated to pay them? This should be laid out in advance and discussed with each band once the committee has more information as to what is done by other cities/events/bands in this situation. The committee also discussed if the $1,500 allocated towards the YMCA Park Program is not spent on a YMCA project, it could possibly re-allocate those funds to Music and Movies in the Parks. The committee briefly discussed having a Movie in the Park Night both in May and in September and will add this item to the February Agenda for further discussion. 4 of 7