Sponsor: Parks & Recreation
Title
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Appointments to the Parks and Recreation Commission
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Recommendation
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Appoint Jordan Nelson (incumbent) and Tamara Mattison to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a term beginning July 12, 2022 and ending June 1, 2025.
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Background and Rationale
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The Parks and Recreation Commission serves as an advisory group to the Parks and Recreation department leadership. Members of the Parks and Recreation Commission serve as valuable community liaisons, and provide insights on park projects, policy, racial equity and community engagement efforts. Feedback and ideas are incorporated into development projects and help connect park staff to community. Members' familiarity with the county’s parks and recreation system offers a deep and rich conversation about the direction of the department. The Parks and Recreation Commission has a total of nine seats.
There are currently two vacancies on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Recruitment throughout the county’s open appointment process resulted in four applications. On June 8, 2022, the applications were forwarded to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners for review. Additionally, the commissioners held interviews with each applicant, which gave the commissioners the opportunity to engage with and learn more about each applicant beyond just the review of the online applications. On June 16, 2022, three commissioners interviewed the applicants for final recommendation.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
In addition to the usual recruitment for advisory committee vacancies through GovDelivery and word of mouth by advisory committee members, staff, and the Ramsey County Board, the vacancies and application was promoted through an email listserv reaching numerous diverse organizations and networks. This extended promotion process is a step towards better outreach to more racially diverse and underrepresented voices that are often missed. Furthermore, the application for these vacancies were updated to focus more on the lived experiences and knowledge and skills a resident may bring along with an optional section to insert demographics to ensure we are reaching new and diverse candidates.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Participation by and input from community members appointed to advisory groups helps to shape and improve programs and services for the community, share information and increase the level of understanding through discussion, dialogue and engagement.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☒ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
In 2022, Ramsey County began offering compensation for residents serving on formal advisory boards. Members of the Parks and Recreation Commission had an opportunity to opt-in for a monthly $25 gift card attendance compensation. Advisory board compensation comes from the Community Engagement Fund.
Last Previous Action
On May 25, 2021, the Ramsey County Board appointed Michael Berger, Brian Tempas, Savannah Lane, Snowdon Herr and Gregory Williams to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a term beginning June 2, 2021 and ending June 1, 2024 (Resolution B2021-118).
Attachments
1. Parks and Recreation Commission Membership Roster