at pricing again around the Twin Cities and see where we sit. And that's what this colorful sheet is. It's really small, so that's why I emailed to say bring a laptop if you can. Um, but essentially, these are places that I
researched. Um, ones in purple are similar to what we offer at Casey and ones, um, in yellow are similar to ones things we offer at HY. Um, with Casey, we are low compared to everybody else as
far as our rental fees um go. Uh, deposits seem to be kind of all over the place. Um, and then with housy, we seem to be pretty in line. Um, so based on these,
um, the research that we did, we discussed, um, and we put together proposals. Um, I will say one of the numbers I put in the packet is incorrect. So, I will correct that as we go through here. But, um, what staff is
recommending is for Casey Lake Park, just across the board for residents, non-residents, and deposits, everything gets increased by $50. Um, and again, just to make note, this would take place for 2026 rentals. So, nothing this year.
Um, the idea with this is one to get us more in line with other cities that have similar facilities and get us closer. Um, but also hopefully an increase in deposit makes people take the 10 p.m. situation seriously because that's the major issue is police is getting called
out um more frequently than we would like to kick people out after 10:00. Um, so that is the idea for that increase. Um, for hous not not really. um much of an increase see that we recommended
nothing for the rental fees um which it I accidentally increased I think I showed no I did not mess that one up but the deposits we're recommending going from they're all 150 right now uh we're recommending to go to 200 and I looks like I'm accidentally put that some of
them are 200 right now um again same thing the 10pm has been an issue there um we've also seen an uptick in people parking there, uh, damaging the lawn with tents, volleyball courts, all sorts of stuff. So, kind of this is to
hopefully get people to take our rules more seriously. Um, so with that, I wanted to see if there was any questions, any input, any what you think about our
recommendations. Um, yeah, I think the deposit going to 200 versus 150. It was 150 before at Howy. Yes. Okay. At Howy. Um Casey's deposit is what? Casey's all vary. Um so right now if
you're a resident it's 300. Um and if you're a non-resident it's 350. So we'll be increasing each of those $50 is what we're proposing. Are we recouping when we get damage? is security deposit covering the recouping.
Um, some of it. Um, I will say there was an incident this year with the front door of Casey. That door is thousands of dollars uh for repair. They're still kind of looking at to see what needs to be done with it. But when we try to go back and invoice these folks, they don't
pay it. I mean, they're gone. So, um, most of the time, yes, they're recouping costs for PD to come out and such, but when there's some damage or it's taking our cleaning crew three hours to clean up instead of an hour, sometimes it's close. It's discouraging
because, you know, those of us who've been around long enough remember when it was like, "Oh, wouldn't it be lovely to have a place that residents, you know, people could rent and it just seemed like such a a nice thing, but I
don't want it to be a hardship to the city or to public works. Um, I don't want it to be a hardship." So, what were you going to say, Cassie? What is the number of residents versus non-residents? I knew that you were going to ask me that and I did not bring the number but I do know the ratio is
about 60% residents 40% non now okay as of this year so it's we're definitely seeing a trend of other folks out of that percentage because it might I had the same question um how many of the residents
are abusing uh the buildings rather than the non residents I will say on this list it's 5050 Oh, really? Really? Yes. And when they do this, do we flag them for the next
year and say no for whatever many years we're going to We do. It depends on I usually talk with either my boss or the city manager just based on how egregious it was if we put a flag on their account or not. But that doesn't stop them from renting.
You know, I could rent it and I got a flag, but then my husband rents it under a different name. So it's a little hard is the um what have you uh brainstormed regarding like uh the closing time and stuff like have you thought oh we just move everything 2 hours up and just say
everything ends at 8 in the hopes that in reality things are out of there by 10 you know is that what have you brains what what have been the thoughts we have not so I will say this we have not brainstormed changing the hours
however it has been floated that do we get rid of alcohol use in our parks and don't allow that in our facilities and would that help? Mhm. Um, of course that would require an ornish change so that's a bigger deal because we do allow it in our parks. Um,
but that has been the only discussion and that kind of takes away some of the events like maybe there's a nice Thanksgiving dinner and you know for or or whatever. Somebody wants to rent it
for a family event and they want to serve wine. I don't you know I don't want to take that away either. Sure. I I did find it interesting when I'm doing my research. Um, most cities don't allow it and I found that allow any alcohol any at all.
Interesting. And I found that very interesting. Yeah, I did. Um, liability. Yeah, it absolutely that's what it is. Um, so they encourage folks that want the alcohol to go to private places to rent. Um, which not that that's what we
want either, but just interesting. Okay. So we if we take the alcohol away Mhm. how do we enforce it though? How do we enforce the which came to mind I I just this was an off-the-wall idea too because when I had
to rent uh uh K&J catering I had to pay a police officer offduty police officer to to supervise and if we're having that many what's problem maybe we need to that's true think about that
we do have in our policy I think it is 150 people or more with alcohol you have to get a offduty officer However, to be completely transparent, when that has come up, the police have not had staffing to cover it anyway. Oh, really? Yes.
Oh, so what are we actually asking for a deposit up front? Um, so well, that's two different things. So, the deposits, um, we require the deposit and the rental fee at the same time upfront when you book. Um, but currently it depends on if you're
renting a weekday, a weekend, if you're a resident, non-resident, it's kind of all over the board. Um, for Casey, um, the range of is between 300 and 350 depending on the day and if you're a resident. That's just the deposit. That's just the deposit fee.
Correct. So, roughly to rent housy average with deposit, it's like $2,000. Howy or Casey? I'm sorry, Casey. Um, well, let's say we'll go through like the uh weekend for a resident. It
would be without the alcohol deposit, which was implemented last year, it'd be $700 including a deposit including that. Then you get your deposit back. So, that would be 300 back top line. Mhm. For non-residents, it's a little bit
expensive, which is kind of why we were shocked to see how many people, and it's not just Oakdale, Maplewood, it's Minneapolis, Maple Grove, Still Water. People are coming from everywhere to rent it, which I think is great, but I don't know if that says a larger thing of we're cheaper than everybody else. So,
you know, if they are serving alcohol or having that available, they're they're also being charged another $150. Yep. That's another $150 deposit. And do they get that back if I'm so glad you asked that cuz that's one other thing that I wanted to bring
up today. It's the only other change I'd recommend to the park rental policy. Um right now what the language says is an additional $150 deposit is collected at the time of booking for events planning to have alcohol. This is returned with
the building deposit after inspection of the building. If you do not pay the alcohol deposit at booking and the evidence of alcohol containers is found inside, the $150 will be deducted from your building deposit refund. I like that language, but it doesn't say when we can withhold it.
And the problem is I can tell you no, I don't have I'm not going to have alcohol. And then people are going to have alcohol. Oh, yeah. Yep. Um, so what we had recommended is even something generic to add language in there to all of that and
say this alcohol deposit is subject to be withheld by the city if violations of the park rental policy occur. Um, yeah, I because yeah, it's very unclear right now. So, we actually haven't held any because there's not been any damage from alcohol that we've noticed, but there's
really not a way for us to Yeah. back up holding it right now. But that little language would. But damage from alcohol is different than just simply saying we're having alcohol. So if you're saying we're having alcohol, that's a certain fee, certain extra fee.
So I I I like that language. Okay. Well, I think if they're going to have alcohol at any of their events, that should be tacked on not just as a deposit, but as an additional fee. I think that's
um Okay. Not where it's returned. Oh, added to it. So, let's say for instance, it's for a resident, it's $300 for the weekend. If you're going to serve alcohol and say you're a residence, it would cost you at
least $75 just to have the alcohol, but have a deposit, you would get half of that back if everything was in good shape. Mhm. Because with the alcohol, not just you get more garbage and stuff. You're going
to have more glasses, more cans, more everything. Um, and I think just so they can actually have the alcohol there, whereas other areas around us do not permit it at all, would be worth saying, okay, we we do
want to have alcohol here, you know, and we'll be charged an additional, you know, say 150, but 75 of that will go with the rental. You'd get 75 back if everything was pristine when they left.
Sarah, you might want to Here's a thought, too. If they So, they let's say they're giving paying $200 for the deposit, but not alcohol, and we find alcohol. You might want to put in there some sort of wording that says if they did not put a down payment or deposit
for the alcohol, and we discover alcohol that it will be taken out of their It does say that. It does. It does. Good idea. But yes, it is in there. Correct. Okay, Dave, I have a question. So ultimately, they're going to end up paying with what you're proposing,
they're going to end up paying 450 no matter what upfront. But if there's no damage and every there's no there's no damage to the building, there's no alcohol damage, they would get their
deposit of $150 and $75 for alcohol deposit. if they were going to have alcohol there. Our basic just basic I'm going to go and have a
birthday party for my niece. No alcohol or anything is 300. Mhm. If I know I'm going to have a wedding rehearsal or uh use that as a venue. We know that we're going to have all call. It's going to cost you another 75
for the rental. You see what I'm getting at? But your deposit would be 150. If everything was clean when they were done, they would receive 75 back. I'd say you just have a solid alcohol charge fee. If you're going to serve alcohol, that that's what I'm getting at. You don't get any money back for
anything. You just We're going to charge you, Dave, $100 for having alcohol at your event. Your alcohol deposits there for cleanup. If you don't clean up, you get back. But you're we're going to charge you because somebody else is being charged. Why would we allow that? Well, right now
we're charging 150. They get it back if everything is nice and clean. Yeah, that's like that's a deposit. What I'm saying is go ahead and charge. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Well, that's kind of where I was getting. I didn't want to see it. But if you cleaned up because they might say, you know, I paid extra for this. You know, leave the beer cans over there
and, you know, the couple wine bottles or whatever. But I I agreed. I wouldn't even give them part of that back. It's just a holiday. I'm just say giving a flat for math purposes. $100. Sarah, I'm going to charge you $100 for having alcohol at your event and then
you need to have $150 deposit down because if I have to clean up after you, that's going to help pay for our cleaning crew. Yeah. Yep. Yeah. Something like that. I just wanted to make sure they had the incentive to say, "Yeah, let's pick up all the the beer cans or the cups or whatever rather
than they say, "Oh, I paid an extra hundred to drink here. I don't care if there's a wine bottle underneath the swing set." You know what I mean? I I'd rather see them saying, "Hey, I have to I've already paid this, but I don't want to pay anymore because I left it a
mess." So, we're the exception to the rule regarding alcohols, or are there other parks? I I kind of missed that. Are there other parks in in the area that allow alcohol? Uh, there are um they don't charge extra
for it, but again, out of the ones I researched, I think it might be one of the cities allows it. The rest of them just by ordinance don't allow. Right. And you know the glory is we can change it next year. I mean it's one of those that you can always change it. See what it work does it work out. This worked out. If it
doesn't then you just change it back for next fiscal year. Sarah, you were going to say something. Yeah. I like I like the idea of changing it. I This is what I would propose because I think that's a great idea. I would propose changing the $150 alcohol deposit to just a $100 additional fee.
So, it's not deposit, just a fee. Um, but the still the incentive is you're still wanting to get your rental deposit back, right? So, there's still that there, which is substantial. Yes. Um, which then I could see making an argument for not necessarily increasing
the rental fees. I maybe still increase the deposit. I still think that's a discussion to have. But if we go a $100 uh fee for alcohol, I would then propose not to increase the rental fees at Casey. Okay. So, just to keep it
I I would like what I'd like to see and I'd say this to council right now as well. I'd like to see the deposit fees increased. Yeah, I think Yeah, especially with if we're not covering costs and you know, for example, that thousand door, I think that door has been like that for a little bit because we have talked about that. Y
um if we're not covering those costs and if it's taking our cleaners over a couple hours to do it and I don't I'd have to look at our bills to see what the hourly fee is for that then we're clearly not making out for any of that and we really should be. So I would I
would and I would still bring it up in council to increase those deposit fees. Okay. So what if Okay, the first thing that we for sure want to change is the wording that you brought up. Yep. About I can do that some sort of like being able to withhold
it. Yes. Whatever you said. Yep. Okay. The other two things that we're talking about is adding a flat $100 additional fee for any of um our rentals if they're
going to have alcohol there. Mhm. And then the second thing that Cassidy just brought up was increasing the deposit fees. So what if what if we still
you said that you weren't sure we should increase the fees if we're adding the alcohol charge. I think I think that starts to become a big jump in one year personally if we do that and rental fees. I think we could revisit it for next year just to get us
again more in line with other cities. Yeah. So, what if tonight we move forward with the new wording that allows us to recoup that funding if needed and a flat $100 additional fee for alcohol.
Okay. And then we pay attention to the data between now and the next time we would have this conversation to see if any changes have been increase the deposits. I think we should increase the deposits from like 150 to 200 cuz then be good
and you get your money back. Yes. I wouldn't increase the rental fee but the rental deposit I would Oh, I misunderstood. Sorry. Yeah. I had initially recommended the rental fee increase, but I wouldn't do that if we're doing alcohol. Doing alcohol. So, the issue is not so much people
renting it. It's people that are renting it and wrecking things. Either that or Yeah. Just in there too late. So, you hate to penalize the people that are residents and they're doing the right thing. Just raise it all up and they'll takes one to ruin it for everyone. The idea. So what?
Hold on. Let can you let So the idea for the higher deposit is just more accountability. They're just going to that's going to attract a a person who's more accountable and going, "Well, sure. Okay, that 300 seems like a lot of money, but I know I'm going to get it
back because I know I'm going to care for the facility." You know, we want to attract that person. Um, so, uh, were we recommending the deposit go up to 200? Is that what 200 for housy? And then for Casey, we
would re what I was recommending is a $50 increase for their deposits. Again, it varies if it's a weekday or weekend. Um, but essentially go from 300 to 350. Yeah, I think that I I like the idea of the raise on the deposit because because
that's not saying you're going to pay us more. it is if you mess up the building. But okay. Um yeah, I like that. And when they do the deposit, it gets into our pockets, right? And then we have it gets returned to them if everything Well, yeah, but it gets into our pockets
so they can't say, "Nope, I'm going to change my credit card." Pay it up front. And we, just so you guys know, we give all of our refunds back via check. So it takes a little while, but good. Yeah. So we do have it. I like wonder if we should also consider
now that we're um proposing implementing an alcohol fee if there should be a deduction if alcohol is found and they did not pay in that is in there if they it's in the wording are we okay so that would be continue
yeah so what I'll do is I'll adjust it because it's pretty specific to the $150 fee but what I'll say is if you don't pay it $100 will be deducted from your deposit refund. I wonder evidence. I wonder if it should be more than just the alcohol fee.
Oh, I see. Feel like a penalty on penalty for lying. Or maybe it is 150. Well, that's I think that's where we increase our fees. I mean, because then you're getting But I think what she's saying is if you everyone would just chance it. Yeah.
They'd be like, "No, we're not having alcohol. Maybe they won't catch us and then maybe we won't have to pay." And it's $100 either way. Yeah. Yeah. But if we catch you using alcohol, then you have to pay more than the $100 fee. So, do you take and then then I'd want to go back and say when do you charge?
We take it from the deposit. So, we Yeah. So, if we then we just Oh, take it. Yes. Okay. Now, I'm following you. Sorry. So, like I think we're talking about there's a lot of moving parts here. Can I can I summarize? Yes, please. Okay. So, new wording we're moving forward with. That's
allowing us to withdraw for alcohol-related damage. Yes, that's good. We don't need to talk about that. We're doing that. $100 additional fee for alcohol. Mhm. That's good. We don't need to talk about it. Moving forward with it.
Increasing deposit fees to $50. Two. But so 200 for housy and then resident at Casey 350 uh non-resident 400. Yes. Yes. Okay. So now now that we all agree on that, the part that we're talking
about is specifically if you do not pay the alcohol fee and you rent the facility and we find that you had alcohol, are we going to just withdraw or
withhold $100 from your deposit or from your overall fee? Or are we gonna charge a higher rate because you were dishonest? They don't get their deposit back. The I would just say you don't get your deposit back. Forfeit your deposit. Any of it?
You don't get nothing back. You lied to us. Yeah. Let's say you forfeit it. Then that's easy enough for enforcement. Yep. And we aren't creating a very intricate uh process. And language just needs to be clear. So
I make sure all language is clear. It doesn't matter if it's a beer bottle. It's I mean any alcohol. So what I'll do for that is when people register um it'll I'll make it a prompt that they have to agree to. Nice. Yes.
Yep. Exactly. And it'll say if it will say if we find if you have not paid the alcohol deposit and we find that alcohol was used at the event, you're in violation of our policy and we are withholding your deposit. Perfect. Can do that. Great.
Easy. Okay. So, I don't know. But just to be safe, I feel like we should just vote on this since it's a recommen. You Okay. You would like to make that motion? Yes. Okay. Go ahead.
Well, we just discussed my motion. My motion is to raise the deposit fees by $50. Mhm. My to also include uh a $100 fee for
alcohol use. And if uh any violations of the alcohol policies are found, you will uh forfeit your entire deposit and adjust the wording. Yes, that's and adjust the wording.
I second the motion. Okay. That's required. Okay. Any discussion? All those in favor? I. All those opposed. Okay. Awesome. So, what the next steps with that is I will put together um a
recommendation to go to council in October. Um and then the goal is to have this in place so that when uh rentals open on December 1st of 2026, it's all good to go and we're done. We did not address the timing element,
the lateness. Um, so is there anything you'd like us to consider right now regarding that? Not that I'm recommending, but I'm open to hearing if you have ideas or thoughts about the time of the park facility.
Okay. I have a a question on the timing when someone does rent, let's say, housing and their time is they have to be out, let's say 8:00. Mhm. If they're running 10 minutes over, are we keeping their deposits?
Yes. Um, here's why. Our cleaning staff arrives at both of the locations at 10:00 and if they're not able to get in to do cleaning, we're paying them to just sit there. So, they call PD out. Okay. Um, so that yeah, we we end up keeping
the deposit. I I've had two residents ask me about housy and what they were they were not happy because they they lost their deposits. Okay. And I said I'll I'll check on it. But then, you know, working with like
public schools, you know, there's a time. If it says this time, it's that time. So, I wanted them see if we are our cleaning crews there. Let's say it's 8:00, they have to be out. Are our cleaning crews there at 8 o'clock or do
they come in say at 9 or 10? They are there right at that's part of the responsibility is to be there right at 10 or closing time to ensure that the renter is out of the facility. So then my other question is the cleaning staff that clean those facilities are
they public employees or are they uh contracted out? They're contracted out. Okay. Yep. So that makes sense. I I wanted to get clarification on that cuz the one had quite a heated discussion with me and okay I said oh and I tried to use that
analogy hey you know working with the public it's that's why we have times you know just like with you know community you know so I was trying to be but I said let me check into it cuz they were they were mad they lost the the entire deposit and I said okay I can see your
point where yeah you're only 10 minutes late but you Oh, the bigger issue is if PD gets called out. Sorry to interrupt. No, you're because that costs quite a bit more. Um, so, and that's what's been happening is PD's having to come out and help escort
them out. So, it does end up increasing a fee. Is there language when someone reserves uh the rental saying like if you're a minute late, you will Okay. Yep. There's a prompt they have to agree to um and then there's a flag before they rent it. It's in the park rental
policy. We talk to them on the phone like our basic we try to hammer it. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I mean if it's really stressed then Okay. There also sometimes when it happens to somebody in the moment it feels like it shouldn't be a big deal
that they're there 10 minutes late. But when you take a step above and you see that it's a pervasive pattern um and that it is causing a lot of issues, it unfortunately does mean that we do need to be really strict about the 10 p.m. policy because other people have ruined
it for other people. So yes. No, I get it. I Yeah. No, I know. Just also saying that publicly. I'll say on the flip side too, just again for your guys's knowledge, on the flip side for housy, we still give keys out for access there. They're working on
updating that, but and not currently. Um, and we keep the deposit. They don't pick up the key either because if they have to call on call staff to let them in, that's a minimum three-hour overtime to pay our own call to come in. And that while it feels kind of weird, it's also that's a lot of
money that we're spending to have somebody come unlock the door for you. Mhm. So, are we looking at putting some kind of a code pad on there where you know that can be ran from here
where we can set the code and then you know 810 their code won't even open the door anymore. Yep. There's uh there's kind of two things in play there. One, there hasn't been internet there. They're working on putting fiber in now. Okay. Um that should help with that. Also, the
city is switching to a new access system. We're getting it all new here at city hall. Um, so eventually it will roll out to the parks, too. So, uh, they're working on it. Um, hopefully that comes in the near future. Yeah, because I at the school district at a
couple of the sites back in the day, we had it um they weren't tied to the internet, but there they were electronic and you had to have a badge and we could program the badge when we passed it out
after a day or whatever it was, they could not get access. Sure. So, there's a lot of different systems out there. Mhm. Um but yeah, if we get where we have Wi-Fi out there, they can then just shut it down. Yeah. So, and that'll give us an opportunity to
get cameras there, too, and that'll be perfect. Great. So, yes. Okay. Okay. Shall we talk about grant opportunities? Sure. You ran the meeting. What did you say? Grant opportunities.
Grant opportunities. Do you want me to start with that, Laura? And then yeah, I can just chime in, I guess. Sure. So, um, as you know, we have some great things that the parks commission has been planning to do here in the coming future, particularly 2026, but in
the near years. Um, and a way that is going to be able to help the city fund these is to get grants. Um, and so what I have put together in here with Laura's help is um kind of a a step-by-step
process on how to research grants. Um, and there's a lot of helpful links that I've included and organizations that Laura found as well that can really help drive research. But what the ask is going to be is for commissioners to take
on projects that are coming up particularly 2026 and 2027 is what I would look at heavily and research grants with particular projects. Uh, so for example, um, if Laura was to take ownership of the playground at Mcnite
and her focus is over the next however long to continue to research grants and if you find opportunities that you think the city would match well with that looks like it could work for us and would be a good opportunity, we bring those back to the commission, discuss
it, see what we all think about it. Um, and then that would go back to staff for myself and um, my boss Ken Roberts to look at it and apply for those, bring it to council, get their thoughts um, and kind of get the ball rolling. But this initial step is researching and seeing
what's out there um, and available to the city. And so that is what we're talking about today. Laura, do you have any um, anything on top of that? No, we just um we know that not everybody like sometimes our jobs overlap with grants
and finding grants and stuff, but also others don't. And so we I just wanted to like make sure that all of us put our brains together and we um are able to like I don't that it's just clear that we've
like created a process for everybody. Um and there's supports in there if you don't know what to do. And also it can be really overwhelming to just like go on a grant website and there's a million grants and they're not the most like stimulating read. So um the idea that
Sarah had was then to like okay let's make it really specific. So um you can just always keep your eye open for you know a skateboard or a skate park grant. Um, and the hope is that this is going to take this off of the city's plate
because they don't they don't have enough staff already. We don't we're not going to add this massive like search for grants portion to um their plates. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. I think that's great. And what I would just ask from my perspective is if you
find grants um and we want to bring them back to the commission to try to get those to me like a week before the meeting so I can get them in the packet. I know that that's sometimes not reasonable and we might have to just adjust on the fly, but if you're able to, and this is ongoing, by the way, so it's not like
next month we're asking for this. It's an ongoing search. um if you can get those to me um and kind of what you're thinking a week before the meeting, we can certainly discuss them. And I appreciate that you are trying to simplify the process or define the
process because I honestly didn't know where to start, what to do. I remember going online and just being overwhelmed and shutting down. Yep. Um, so if I had, you know, like I and I'm very busy with a lot of different things, so I can't promise a lot of time, but if you said, "Hey,
Ingred, every once every two weeks, will you go on this one site and look for, you know, Yeah, I could do that. I I if it's kind of laid out for me, if it's if it's pretty if it's if it's a task. Sure. And where I don't have to do a lot of the
research. Yeah. Well, I'll do the research, but not all the like how to, you know what I'm saying? You don't have to write anything. And yeah, it's just So, for example, if you wanted to take something like the Mcnite baseball
fields and you are like, I'm going to look on the Minnesota Twins Community Fund. Yeah. Right. Once every two weeks opportunity. I can do that. I love that. That's very specific. Yeah. Yes. The only other ask I would say is if you see something that when you're reading
the grant and it's glaringly obvious it won't work for us. A lot of them will say government entities do not qualify. Let's just move on from that. Or you know some of them have certain stipulations that you know you might see that's glaring. You might not know either and that's totally fine. We can
sort that out on our end. But um that'd be the only thing to pay attention to. Do you know um if the Timberwolves uh have grants? Yeah. Sorry, I apologize. Please finish. No. Uh I was just going to say if the Timberwolves have grants like that that
we could apply for. Every professional sports team has a phil philanthropic arm. Arm. That's a big vocap point. Yeah. Um, and it usually has to do with some sort of community project uh that boosts
that sport. Okay. So, Mhm. I would be happy to um, you know, I have a Yeah, I would love to. Uh, I I remember during our last community development personnel
um when I brought up the the thing about grants and he said, "No, that your department was going to do that." Yep. So now you're we write them, right? We cannot write a grant. Correct. And that's what the should have
been all along too was we we write them, but anybody can research the grants and Well, yeah. when I kind of asked that and he said, "No, you guys, that department was going to handle that." Sure. So, that was kind of taken off the plate. But if you remember last January
or February, I brought this whole thing up um prior to him leaving. So, yeah, I'm I'll start looking at grants that would be out there that I can forward. Hey, look at this, you know. Yeah. Is there particular projects that
you all are interested in that you'd like to be, for lack of a better word, assigned to that that's your focus is I want to look at the things that could apply for the active playground at Casey that we have on the CIP for next year. Is there projects you're all
Do you think we should divvy it up to like one per person sort of situation? That's either that or if there's like a big project like the one at Mcnite, maybe there's two people that can try to communicate, but um yes, that was my thought was one per person.
Okay. Um just to There's seven commissioners. Yes. Okay. And then there's eight projects. Okay. So, we can do that and then we'll just have we'll need to make space for a but I sorry and I agree with you about the bigger project. It might make sense to
have two people on that. Sure. So, if we're looking at this list of projects, it's on page 22. So, we have Mcnite Mini Pitch. Yep. Uh Mcnite skateboard, BMX, Mcnite
Ballfields, Mcnite Greenspace and Event Space, Third Street Park, Downtown Park, Casey Lake Ninja course, and Northwood Park reutilization. Does anybody feel passionately Oh, Ingred, I do. I feel passionately about the Casey Lake Park ninja course.
Okay. I'm going in park. I'm going in hot. I'd like Northwood. That's your Oh, okay. Yeah, that's fine. Okay, that's stole it right now. Sorry, I just stole it from me. And then you stole it from me.
Sarah really feels passionately about that one, too. Okay. Night, too. But I Well, it's my park. Um, and I I've got some serious stuff coming up for the next two months. So, um, I can work on McNight.
What specifically at Mcnite would you like to work on? Weren't we thinking about Here was for one thought I had. Weren't we thinking about a dog park over there? No. No, that's kind of gone. Okay. Then I would have to look through the They're right here.
Well, the first would you I would say skateboards. Yeah. Let's start with skateboards because there's a guy downtown. Yep. That was interested. So, and he might be able to help you find some. Yep. Yep. You might be able to There's a
skateboard shop downtown. Oh, is that what you're talking about? That's guy downtown. I thought you meant that you just saw someone on the street and you were going to go find him. Yeah, we're down a couple more. Hey, you got any money in your pocket?
Come on. Yeah. One other good resource for skateboards is um Minneapolis uh Parks and Wreck. They have a huge skateboard initiative and they have like a they work with um a local guy who also does uh like skateboard art courses that
he's super involved, but on their website there's a bunch of stuff about it. So, and I believe that was grant funded some of the work that they've done. So, that's another good one I'm actually looking at right now. Oh, perfect. I sent you guys a bunch of websites, too. All you got to do is look it up.
You're gonna get boatloaded. So, I just sent you guys an email full of it. Okay. So, Dave, do you wanna Do you want to step out of this for Well, for a while I I've got some health issues y that um are going to kind of limit to
what I can do at least for the next two months. Okay. So, how about we how about you don't But I I do have a question. While we're looking at this list, I thought I was under the impression that they were going to kind of cancel Third Street Park because of the putting
a retaining wall. I thought I heard something about that. That was the You're not wrong about the retaining wall, but that was if they were going to develop it for housing um for a park. There's still an opportunity without putting the
retaining wall in. Okay. Well, then I'll I'll try to see what I can find for, you know, natural play and stuff. Okay. I'll I'll keep on Third Street at this time looking for grants. Um, perfect. So, and I'll start there. So,
all right. Where would I got one question, Laura, where would if if I'm going to go to the skateboard guy and go, "Hey, where's we need some funding for maybe a skateboard area?" That would mean we'd be proceeding at some point and want some
area of Mcnite redevelopment. Okay. That's why it feels sometimes a little bit like we're putting the cart before the horse, but we have to know that we're getting funding in order to go to council and say we need additional funding to finish
this project. So, um it feels a little awkward, but it's just the process we have to we might be able to peacemail meal it in over the course of several years. Yeah. you just want to know if he knows anyone who's has money out there, grants that
we can get uh and put towards it. Um, we don't actually have a set plan now for the skateboard park itself, right? Not yet. So, what uh and I'll talk about this too, the survey is complete. We're just waiting for the results for there.
So, we're kind of moving forward with that. Um, and then the next step would be to get engineered plans for that, which costs some money, too. Again, that's something that we can also look for grants for is getting engineered plans for McNight as well, really. Um, so something to look into, but that
would be the next step. Is council Cassidy, is council in favor of skate parks because I know it's been a touchy issue in the past. Yeah. Okay. To my knowledge, they are. Okay, good. Um, but what I will say is I wouldn't
plan for that three third street park. So, I would wipe that because it's going there'll eventually be a student built house right there. So, but we could still put a park behind it just community garden. You're thinking of putting it up on the
corner is the way I understood it and leaving that which is really heavily wooded uh as a park area. Or do you think that's not going to happen with the house there? I can't answer that. Okay. Okay. I don't know.
Okay. Well, I I wouldn't feel comfortable saying yes or no to that one. Okay. So, along those lines, didn't we discuss last meeting about potentially doing a land survey for the Third Street Parks that we can kind of lay claim to what remains? Yes. And I brought that to the city
manager. That doesn't really like lay claim to it. Um it's just city land. It's not necessarily designated park land. Um, but certainly something we can add to the CIP to have interest in for the future. Okay. All right. Well, it's not going to hurt us to look for grants,
right? I think so we can still we can still look and then Yeah, because the my understanding the consensus from this committee is we want more of a natural play area there. Yep. And um which I'm sure there will be some
grants out there. Yes. Um because it's a low budget kind of thing. I mean, it's, you know what I mean? It's not like putting a brand new playground in there because a lot of this stuff is either like concrete logs or just boulders and some of that we
could get donated. Um, the other part would be, you know, maybe working out some as asphalt trails and then some natural trails. Um, and I know we don't have a complete design for that, but we
do have enough from uh HDA to at least say, "Hey, you know, we can contact these people, see if they're going to work with the city to start with, and then present that to um Sarah and Terron, right?" Yeah, I can.
Yeah, Ken. So, I mean, that's what they're looking for us to say, "Hey, these people are interested." Yep. Go ahead and write it up. So, and but you're not sure at all if we're going to develop that as a park at all right now. I wouldn't count on it. But again,
cuz that's the way I kind of read it. That's why I brought it up. And yeah, no, I hear you. So, what I would say is that corner area that's develop that's for development. Yeah. I I heard that through the grapevine two months ago. They were planning on putting a house there. And I
said, 'Well, it still leaves us the rest of that area. And if we aren't So, Cassidy, do you know being on council, are they just looking at that one area or are they looking at the the
wooded area all as well? I don't I can't answer that because I don't think that lot's deep enough to put a house there. I can I can speak to that a little bit. That was where the concern was with the um retaining wall because the grading is so bad there that they would have to put a retaining wall and that wasn't going
to be an expense that the city was willing to take on. Of course, things can always change, but that is the last that I had heard that that was they kind of moved on from that idea um because of that retaining as as far as developing it as a park
as a as homes. that was considered as homes even years ago. Um, but because of the grading issue, right, it's off the table, but the park is still I I haven't heard like yes, the park is still a go, but they haven't said about that wooded area either.
So, it sounds like it's still worth reviewing. Yeah, I I think it's worth my time to do some research. Absolutely. Um, so do we want to see what might be out there? So, do we want to divvy up the rest of the ones? Well, Laura, what did you take? Did you take anything?
I have not taken anything yet. Um, I do think we should assign Sarah to the downtown park because that would be silly not to do that. I agree. Um, okay. So, we have Ben. Mhm. And me. I feel like Ben would like either the
ball fields or the mini pitch. Yeah. I'd vote mini pitch for him. Okay. Unless someone else feels differently. I'm going on fives. You can always speak up too. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. Yep. We're not going to force them. No, I plan on sending an email tomorrow
letting them know and this is what you were volunteered for, but it's not permanent. It's just people like you and they think that you're interested in this. Yes. Um I can do the ball fields for sure. Uh I can also do green space and event
space if Okay, that works. And then of course if you're looking for grants and you are working on the third street park and you see a skateboard grant, you are allowed to afford the skateboard grant even if it isn't yours.
Um don't feel like you can only right do one thing. Do the one thing. Yeah. Exactly. Step up. Think outside the box. If you see a grant for, you know, $1,000 regarding something and you're like, "Ah, we could use that in any of the parks." Yep. Then bring it over to Sarah and say, "We should do this." Yeah.
Can we take private donations? Like there there's people out there that are philanthropists. We can. We can't solicit for it. Okay. If they just on their own will. Okay. That answers my question then. Yeah. If they want to donate it for a
certain cause, they can do so. They got to come to me. My other They got to come to the city that we can't go to them. My other question is I know sometimes with donations um like naming rights can be questions. Is that something that we ever
That would be something that council would Yeah. And Jack and then question sounds good. Yeah. Which I can I'll find that out. I just because that could come up in some of these. I'm thinking like the twins, you know, if we get a grant with them
for the ball fields, there's some sort of something. I don't know, but I just want to put that out there. That's something council would want to discuss too if that came up at some point. Naming rights. Yeah. I think at the end of it, it comes down to how much money. I mean, we could
throw out a big name and you know, we'll use one of the local, we'll use Burwalds for example. If Burwald decided, you know what, I want to bring I'm going to build a brand new park for the city. Yeah. Um, and he wants it named Burwald Park,
then, you know, I can't see why they would turn it down because he just donated all that money to build a park. So, um, I don't think that's an issue. Okay, sounds good. Well, it's kind of remind me though of the XL Center, which is now Grand Casino.
Grand Casino Stadium. Is it officially now? Which one? Grand Center is now Grand Casino Stadium. There they have a naming rate for so long. It's like 10 years or 15 years or whatever. So, I mean, that'd be something to look into, too. So, okay. Okay,
my lovely, wonderful humans, I would like to be done talking about grant opportunities. Is there anything else that we absolutely need to talk about? Okay. Um, yes, yes, yes. Oh, God, I almost forgot. Uh, Sarah and Laura, thank you
so much for putting this together. It is very simple and easy to read and uh it will be very I will appreciate it every time I do this. Great work. Appreciate it. Well done. Thank you. Thank you, Sarah. Yeah. Regarding Southwood. Yep. Which trees are they removing? Cuz some
of the ones along 10 dead ones cuz some of the ones along the border are starting to die out. Can we Can we pause this your commissioner report so that we can stay on agenda? Absolutely.
Okay. Thank you. All right. Sarah, reports from staff. All right. Right. I'll keep mine short and sweet. So, I mentioned before the survey of Mcnite was happening Wednesday, Thursday, Friday of last week. So, now they're just compiling all their info and going to get it over to
us. So, we'll have that official information. I'm hoping for next meeting I can bring that. Not that we're going to necessarily be able to read it all, but at least we'll have it. Um, so that's moving forward. Um the other projects for this year, so Polar Park,
as we know, is going to be a spring 2026 installation at this point. Um we have confirmed with the uh contractor everything that we needed. So um or with the uh creator of the playground. So that is moving forward. Um the windcreen
at Howy uh for the pickle ball courts, we have them. However, public works is recommending not installing them this year because they're going to have to uninstall them right away for the winter. So, I think we're just gonna do it in spring. Um,
same with the Gaga ball pits. Um, I they said they would recommend they have the parts, but they would recommend what not putting them out right now because now we're kind of past that season. Yep. So, if everybody's okay here with that for spring, um the ball field reutilization
at Casey is all done. So, um it's all green space now. Grass is growing. Um they have removed the concrete pads from where the shelters were. So, the next step is Ron is looking into soccer goals. Um so, that'll be spring also, but he's going to do some research now.
Awesome. Um and then Southwood, this might answer your question, maybe not. Um, so they are still working, public works and our horiculturalists are working to meet with prairie restorations and Minnesota native landscapes to talk over the plan
that we talked about last week. Um, which include tree removal. I can reforward you the plan. It has the trees exactly pointed out that are going to be removed, but they're all along the path. Um, so they're dead ones that could fall and hurt somebody and they're really good if you know someone like talk about rod.
Absolutely. They're really good about Yeah. But they don't want to go in there till winter because they usually lay plywood and they'll come through my yard and that's fine and they sure. So yeah, that's kind of where we're sitting with that. Um but they were um they're excited to move forward
with the plan that we presented last month. Um and then the we had the autumn arts festival a couple weeks ago. If you weren't able to go, it was wonderful. Um but I promoted the heck out of the park passport program. So hopefully that continues to see people. I am going to
ask a favor though. We are really short staffed right now due to some things happening. So I can't bring these out to the parks, but I have printed them and laminated them. If you guys are willing to put them at every park, absolutely.
That would be amazing. Yep. Um and then yeah, we're going to just keep promoting it and seeing how it does. Um, so far, okay, so far, to be honest, we've only had four people do it completely, but I've had about eight to 10 people come in and be like, "Is this the type of picture you're looking for?"
Yes. So, they're working on it. I know it's spreading. Yeah. Um, but if you have other ideas to mention it, I know you guys are pretty good about talking to the community, too, about this program, so keep doing it. Those flyers, do they just go on a kiosk at a park?
Yep. and a kiosk. Um if if there's a shelter, I'd recommend there should be um someplace where they can just get attached onto the shelter or um whatever you think would get the most visibility. I trust you all. Okay. Um and if you need zip ties to do it,
let me know. I can get them from public works. I just this is what I had time for for so right now. So that's all I got. Gotcha. Okay. Okay. Uh let's do reports from commissioners. Um Rachel, do you feel ready to start?
Sure. Um and this is we have combined it. Yeah, it's whatever whatever you need to tell us. Okay. Um within the scope of park. Um Laura, for the park passport, do you
think if we got flyers at schools, would that be allowed in handy? Yes. Sarah, do you think we could print out additional copies non- laminated that we could distribute to places or is there somebody that I could send it to? Send it to me.
Send it to you then. Groovy. Groovy. Well, will you put both Rachel and I on it? Yep. And then we'll handle it. Yep. Good. Excellent. Um, also, okay, uh, Autumn's Arts Festival seemed really
good. We had a ton of volunteers. It was very well attended for the two hours that I was there. Um, I think a there was a lot of people, a lot of activity, a lot of movement. It seemed like the perfect size. I think people were having a good time.
I think that worked really well. Um, the parade was really fun. I'm glad we were at the beginning. The sprint that was Yes, the sprint. The parade was great. Yeah. Um, I don't really have anything actual
physical park related, so I will be done. All good updates. Thank you, Ingred. I have nothing for Silverlake or or um Dorothy. Okay. Any other like event or anything? Uh, I I thought the eight autumn arts
festival was also uh well attended and really there were a lot of moving parts to that. Really was fun to see that all come together. Um, I thought it was nice. It was easy to visit the vendors in the parking lot. Wondering if we had a lot of um people
complaining that they couldn't park, but that's not a huge parking lot. So, um uh I think it's was probably a really good trade-off. Um because I thought I I thought the vendors were probably happy to be on level ground and it was just easy to walk as a
it was easier to navigate fewer as well. Yeah. Yes. Yeah. So that was a good good call I think. Um and uh the parade was exciting. Um and I'm glad we were in the front. Oh yeah, we were
raindrops keep we ran the whole way. Yeah. Trying to keep up with the track. But it was fun. Um, okay. I have I actually want to touch on the parking piece. Sarah, I would like to make a
recommendation that uh the Shaun's Way, which is right across the street, has parking onesided only in the future. Is that the north entrance of Casey? Oh, good lord. You'd have to.
It's across the street's way. It's lit. It's literally it's the culde-sac right right where you come in. But people were parking on both sides which meant if you're coming out as a resident or even if you parked there you're coming out and someone's going
in, someone's going to have to back. Okay. So I would like to make that recommendation that in the future um for both those parking there but also those really that live there. I'm surprised there hasn't been any com uh conversation around it, but um parking
one side only for that because it is hot parking. I mean um Ava sent a little survey afterwards and she always does this. Um like any feedback, any way we can improve? Did you happen to fill I forgot to fill that
out, so I'm going to go do that. Um yeah, I haven't filled it out. I've seen some of the results so far, but I haven't filled it out. Okay. I I need to fill that out. Yeah, be great. So, that would be a good place to mention the Yeah. Yeah. I have nothing more.
Um, I think that the Autumn Arts Fest was great. Um, I don't think it was perfect. I don't know if we're striving for perfect. I know the last minute pivot was hard and I just want to like acknowledge that there was a ton of work that went into that. Um, and so I don't
I don't want to say that all of that work was not worth it. Um, I think that setup is still a little bit flawed. Uh, and going forward, I know that the arts commission does a lot of work on that, too. Um, I don't know if it's possible for us to ever have
some sort of like combined style meeting or an opportunity for all of us in the arts fest to talk together because there's I feel like we have good insight to add and I know that Ava kind of ends up as like the conduit between the two in that situation, but I don't think that's setting her up for
success. I think we need to all or like a committee or something all need to be in the same room to talk to each other. um bring historical knowledge and also just kind of like think creatively about what it's going to look like. Um so if we could put some sort of like
note that uh I feel like it would be important to have that be a team effort. Uh that's that's what I have. Okay, Ingred, if you don't mind,
is there a note on Silver at the Silver Lake on the tennis courts about keeping bikes off? Because I'm noticing kids are riding around on their bikes. Really? Recently? Yes. Yes. FYI, we do have a sign right on the
I think so, but I'm not positive. So, and I'm afraid what they're doing is they may be skidding and stuff and I don't Yeah. Yeah. Um, we'll take a look and if there's not, I'll I'll send that to public works next and then I'll talk to Ron about the other tree issues if they're not marked.
Okay. I'll send the He's really good about it. I can just notify him and he goes, "Yeah, I'll come out in the winter and yeah, they usually do it in the winter anyway, so the grounds froze." I'll send you the list of the ones or the map now. So, because maybe we're thinking about the same trees anyway. And then, David, I'll uh try to hold on
the fort with Southwood. Well, you're I know you're busy. You're going to be busy. I understand. I got you. Okay. All right, Dave. That's it. Yeah, I got nothing to report either. Okay. All right. Well,
everyone's favorite um line item uh motion. I make the motion to adjurnn. Second. All those in favor? I. All those opposed. Great. Good job.