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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 15, 1988OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS PUBLIC HEARING IMPROVEMENTS TO HUSET PARK AUGUST 15, 1988 The Public Hearing - Improvements to Huset Park was called to order by Mayor Hadtrath at 7~00 PM. 1. Roll Call Paulson, Petkoff, Carlson, Peterson, Hadtrath - Present. Appointment of Secretary Pro-Tem Motion by Paulson, second by Petkoff to appoint Bonnie Jewett as Council Secretary Pro-Tem. All ayes. e Statement of Purpose Mayor Hadtrath stated that the purpose of the Public Hearing was to discuss and review Project #8803: Construction of one baseball field in Huset Park West and construction of four softball fields in Huset Park East. Work would include removal of existing fields and structures, with construction of new fields including grading, irrigation, fencing, lighting system, spectator seating, public buildings, picnic areas, landscaping and miscellaneous associated construction items. 4. Introductions and Presentations Linda Magee, Acting City Manager, introduced the followings John Tiggas, Director of Recreation and Community Education, and Maureen Donlin, Assistant Director of Recreation--Mr. Tiggas and Ms. Donlin reviewed the current needs versus the current facilities. During 1988, 155 game hours per week are needed versus the 100 game hours per week which are now available. Fred Salsbury, Public Works Director, and Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer--Mr. Salsbury presented overheads to illustrate the proposed improvements to Huset Park depicting the plans for three and four softball fields and one baseball field. The hockey rink will be removed~ the skating rink will be increased in size. The picnic area, with a proposed addition of a gazebo, and the playground area will be relocated. One tennis court will be removed; the other will be upgraded. Mr. Salsbury also reviewed with the audience the lighting, seating capacity, parking lots, restrooms, drainage, dust control, tree and iv~ plantings, sodding, shelters, and construction timing of the proposed project. Ce William Elrite, Finance Director--Mr. Elrite reviewed the monies being donated by Tri-City American Legion Baseball ($200,000), Columbia Heights Athletic Boosters ($150,000), VF~ Post 230 ($84,000), and the Columbia Heights Lions Club ($30,000). The City currently has $42,000 budgeted during 1988 for park improvements. The remaining monies needed range from $200,198 (three softball fields) to $278,496 (four softball fields) and would by financed by the City. de Stuart Anderson, Police Chief--Chief Anderson indicated, with the four fields together and the close proximity to the Police Department, he felt the department should not have a problem with securing the park and responding to problems. OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS PUBLIC HEARING - IMPROVEMENTS TO HUSET PARK PAGE 2 MEETING OF AUGUST 15, 1988 be he Re oe Open Mike The following persons voiced their opinion with regard to the proposed improvements to Huset Park: a. Jody Dondelinger, 716 40th Avenue--presented a petition of proposals from her neighborhood with regard to full park facilities, not just directed to softball and baseball. Stephen Kondrick, 3967 Quincy Street--concerned with 3.2 beer in the park, illumination of lights, and safety for children. Lyrunette Thomson, 4024 Jefferson Street--indicated how she and her family has used the park over the years; concerned with adequate parking; was generally opposed to the improvements. Derk Kremer, 4245 Sixth Street--questioned whether businesses and railroad tracks will be eliminated to expand park. John Caproon, 672 40th Avenue--opposed to project; wondered how residents could stop the improvement. Pat Grady, 636 40th Avenue--concerned with addressing all groups, not only special interests; concerned with traffic control; hopes residents and donors can come to a mutual agreement. Larry Gallagher, 4308 Sixth Street--former resident, owes much to the Heights for upbringing. Currently umpires games throughout the State; project is definitely needed somewhere. Hopes for resolution by all. Jack Bartlett, 1300 Lincoln Terrace--Tri-City includes St. Anthony, New Brighton and Columbia Heights; project originally started with thoughts of a baseball field, did not see any plans or costs until tonight's Public Hearing; has only the special interests of residents and of children in mind. Mark Aho, 5056 Fourth Street--coach of ballgames; lights really have improved and also help secure yards. Huset is nice, but not comparable to other fields; softball is offered to many different age groups. George DeBruin, 671 40th Avenue--questioned who would benefit from the fees charged; could item go up for vote by the residents; has the High School been considered. Ron Cadwell, Athletic Director for District 13--Spoke on behalf of the High School; felt that with compromise an excellent facility could be built. Jack Peterson, 21 years as Player and Coach--Team has been very successful even though no adequate field to practice on has been available; feels players deserve an adequate field. Bob Ruettimann, 2115 43rd Avenue--President of Boosters; organization supports many things besides softball and baseball; special interests are for our community, not just one group of people. Kathleen Stickler, 696 40th Avenue--Son is a coach; she is not against the project, but does not want to lose picnic area, hockey rink, or playground area. Also concerned how value of her property may be affected. A1 Kremer, 4128 Arthur Street--75 years in Columbia Heights; though he may still be paying taxes on areas to be eliminated; how is City improving park if areas, such as hockey, are being removed. Barb Kondrick, 3967 Quincy Street NE--Felt improvements were needed, but not all directed to softball. Playground is too close to the railroad tracks. Include the neighbors on the Task Force Committee. Bud Kibler, 3974 Quincy Street NE--Feels enough area is already used for softball; 28 acres in park - isn't there enough room for everyone. OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS PUBLIC HEARING - IMPROVEMENTS TO HUSET PARK PAGE 3 MEETING OF AUGUST 15, 1988 r. Charles Newham, 678 40th Avenue--When purchased home, area was a mosquito swamp and junk. Park is nice= why is all the emphasis on baseball. s. Carol Jackson, 583 37th Avenue--Feels compromise would be Ereat, but not feasible; can't make improvements on all areas. t. Paul Bona, 612 40th Avenue--Indicated several of the Boosters no lonEer have children involved, but are still very active. Improvements seem like a step in the riEht direction. Compromise and work toEether for betterment of all involved. u. David Eide, 3935 Quincy Street--Concerned with traffic on his deadend street; didn't realize the City was footing part of the improvement. v. Curt Dockter, 4336 Reservoir Boulevard--Indicated it would be nice to have a complex in a field as Fridley does, but City is an enclosed community. Understand situation; but without improvements, community will become a slum. w. KinE Wilson, Secretary and Gambling ManaEer for the Boosters, presented a petition of favor from the Tri-City orEanization--Expressed deliEht in the fact that havinE Eroups come toEether and sponsor a major improvement as this is a first state-wide; special supports comes as a result of residents involved in community. A majority of Tri-City players come from Columbia Heights. Staff Response to questions Raised a. HKA is considering redevelopinE the area south of the park. This is a different issue, completely separate from Huset Park improvements. b. The picnic area will be enlarged, with the possible addition of a Eazebo. c. The hockey rink is beinE eliminated due to the poor usage compared to other hockey rinks within the City. d. The warminE house will remain and the free-skatinE ice rink will be enlarEed. e. Quincy Street and surrounding areas will experience more traffic. The 20 mph siEn posted adjacent to the park is an advisory sign; the actual speed limit enforcable by the Police Department is 30 mph. The Council recessed at 8:25 PM and reconvened at 8:35 PM. f. A rink count is performed by countinE the number on the rink once per hour, adding the numbers, and dividinE such by the hours the rink is open. Even though the weather was not Eood for rink usage last year, the count is performed the same way per park; therefore, althouEh the numbers were probably lower than normal, ~uset Park was still lower than the other City parks. g. Improvements in liEhting should eliminate much of the illumination currently experienced. h. Fees collected ($50) from tournaments are used for the upkeep and lininE of the field, use of the building and lights, if needed. i. The Athletic Director of the HiEh School indicated it would be impossible to improve the HiEh School site to a regulation field due to the confiEuration of the ballfields. j. Various civic Eroups are offering funds for softball and baseball fields. Without these funds, the City would be unable to make such major improvements to Huset Park. OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS PUBLIC HEARING - IMPROVEMENTS TO HUSET PARK PAGE 4 MEETING OF AUGUST 15, 1988 k. N0n-intoxicatinE malt liquor (3.2 beer) is allowed at Huset Park from 8 AM - 11 PM on Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays presently. This is controlled by the City Council. 1. A fence is proposed to be at the bottom of the hill, therefore, slidinE would be eliminated from the site. m. By City Charter, the City Council may not call for a referendum, whereby the project would be put to a vote by the residents. A referendum may be called only if 20% of the voters petition for referendum. The Council then must change its action or the matter will be put on the ballot. n. A task force meeting has not been held since neighboring residents were informed they would be invited to participate. Council Discussion & Council Action Each Councilmember expressed their concern for the continued growth of the City and their commitment to the citizens of Columbia Heights. The Council does understand the concerns of the residents and has tried to address each item. Much gratitude and thanks were expressed towards the civic organi- zations who have, for many years, committed themselves to the betterment of the community and youth of Columbia Heights. Motion by Peterson, second by Petkoff to proceed with Project #8803, Four Softball Fields and One Baseball Field, with funding contributed by the City not to exceed $200,000. Roll Call Vote--All Ayes. Residents having concerns or interested in serving on the task force committee should contact Fred Salsbury, Public Works Director, or one of the Councilmembers. There are many areas that will need input from residents as the project progresses and volunteer assistance would be appreciated. Adjournment Motion by Paulson, second by Carlson to adjourn the meeting at 9:38 PM. All Ayes. Bonnie Jeweti,~cil Secretary Pro-Tem Dale V. Hadtrath, Mayor