2021.09.14 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

September 14,2021 Page 7 of 9 storm sewer improvement taxing districts. Motion by Councilmember Allen,seconded by Councihnember Axberg to Approve a Resolution Adopting the proposed tax levies for taxes payable in 2022 for Lake Diane and Bicentennial Pond Storm Sewer Improvement Taxing Districts. 5 Ayes,0 Nays-Motion Carried 4.Selection of a name for 4. Selection of a name for the new park/playground located in the Midtown Village the new park/playground Development located in the Midtown Village Development City Manager Massopust indicated Parks and Recreation Director Fink would be presenting this item to the Council. Parks and Recreation Director Fink stated the City has been working to select a name for the new park located in the Midtown Village development. Council approved the new Park and Facility Naming policy in July and directed staff to work with the PREC Commission to select a name. The community was invited to submit name ideas. The City received over 50 name ideas. Those ideas were narrowed down to three that fit the criteria in the City's policy. Those three names were: Schoolhouse Park, Rhubarb Park, and Brightside Park. The Parks and Recreation Department again worked to engage the public in selecting a name from those three options. Results from the engagement effort show that there is a virtual tie between Rhubarb Park and Brightside Park. (Schoolhouse Park, while still popular received significantly less votes than the other two options.) She presented the two remaining names for consideration and selection by the Council. It was noted Rhubarb Park is an homage to the history of rhubarb in the City, in particular in the farming areas near Long Lake Regional Park. Brightside Park is the combination of Bright(from Brighton) and Side from Sunny Side Elementary School. Staff commented further on the park name options and requested the Council select a name for the new playground/park. Councilmember Axberg asked if PREC made a recommendation on the park name. Parks and Recreation Director Fink stated PREC supported both names due to the tie they had to the community and supported the Council making the final decision. Councilmember Abdulle indicated he appreciated both names,but he recommended Brightside be selected for the park name. He explained that rhubarb may be a difficult word for residents that were new to speaking English. Councilmember Dunsworth commented on the discussed that were held at the farmer's market.She stated she originally supported Rhubarb Park because it spoke to the City's history,but noted she has since changed her mind and was supporting Brightside Park because the name needed no explanation. Councilmember Axberg indicated she supported the Rhubarb Park name because there was a tie back to New Brighton's history.She explained she appreciated all of the community engagement that was conducted by staff.She asked if an interpretive sign could be posted at the park.Parks and Recreation Director Fink stated she was not certain there was enough room but would keep working with staff on this. Councilmember Dunsworth reported this was a new area that would have new residents to the City of New Brighton. For this reason,she recommended Brightside Park be selected as the park's name. Councilmember Allen asked if other parks have interpretive signs. Councilmember Dunsworth noted Hansen Park does not have a sign. Councilmember Allen stated this may lead to a larger conversation on all parks having signage. He indicated he supported both park names. Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas commented she was leaning towards Rhubarb Park because it brought historical significance to the space. Motion by Councilmember Dunsworth,seconded by Councilmember Abdulle to name the park located in the Midtown Village Development Brightside Park.