HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 25, 1997 City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
June 25, 1997
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairman Dick Petkoff.
Members present: Eileen Evans; Jerry Foss; Brace Magnuson; James Nelson; Dick Petkoff;
Bob Ruettimann; Ed Brandeen, Imerim Recreation Director; Mark Winson,
Public Works Director/City Engineer
Members absent: Gary Peterson
Also present: Karen Moeller, Senior Citizen Coordinator
CONSENT AGENDA
The following items were on the consent agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Move to approve the minutes of the May 28, 1997 meeting.
APPROVAL PAYMENT OF BILLS
Move to approve payment of bills as listed from the proper funds.
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Foss, second by Evans to approve the consent agenda. All ayes, motion carded.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
REQUEST FOR REDUCED RENTAL RATE AND WAIVING OF INSURANCE
REQUIREMENT/COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1968 REUNION
Members reviewed the letters of request from Mrs. Donna Robertson, Columbia Heights High
School Class of 1968 Reunion. Motion by Ruettimann, second by Evans to allow the rental at a
35% reduction in the rental rote, but to deny the request for waiving of the insurance requirement
as a protection of the city's liability risk. All ayes, motion carded.
ROLL CALL
PAGE TWO
REOUEST USE OF MURZYN HALL ON VETERAN'S DAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1997/
DIANE CREESE, PRE-SCHOOL DIRECTOR, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS COMMUNITY
EDUCATION
Members reviewed the letter of request from Diane Creese regarding use of Murzyn Hall on
Veteran's Day. Motion by Evans, second by Ruettimann to follow the established policy
regarding holidays and deny the request for use on Veteran's Day. All ayes, motion carried.
REQUEST FOR RE-NAMING OF PARK/MAYOR JOSEPH STURDEVANT
Members discussed the request for re-naming of a park in honor of slain Off. Curt RamsdelL
Motion by Petkoff, second by Foss to re-name either Mathaire Park or Edgemoor Park in honor
of Off. Curt Ramsdell with Mathaire Park being considered as the first priority for re-naming, and
Edgemoor Park being considered as the second priority for re-naming with the final decision to be
determined by the City Council. All ayes, motion carried.
REOUEST FOR USE OF MURZYN HALL FOR TEEN LOCK-IN ON JULY 9, 1997/JULIE
DEHMER, RECREATION PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Members reviewed a letter from Julie Dehmer, Recreation Program Coordinator, requesting use
of Murzyn Hall for a teen lock-in on Wednesday, July 9, 1997. The hours for the usage would be
from 7:00 p.m. on July 9, 1997 to 7:00 a.m. on July 10, 1997. The building will be staffed by
Julie Dehrner and her playground leaders. Motion by Foss, second by Evans to grant Julie
Dehmer use of the main hall, LaBelle Lounge, kitchen, Prestemon Room, Mathaire/McKenna
Room, Youth Lounge, and Edgemoor Room for a teen lock-in on July 9, 1997. All ayes, motion
carried.
USE OF HUSET PRESS BOXES BY NON-CITY EMPLOYEES
Members reviewed and discussed a memo from Marti Madsen, Recreation Intern, requesting
clarification regarding the use of Huset Park press box by non-city employees. Motion by
Ruettimann, second by Foss that use of the Huset Park press box be restricted to no more than
two adults who have a connection to the Columbia Heights home team using the field at that time,
and with a further prohibition of alcohol from the press box, and with overall supervision by the
facility supervisor of athletic fields. All ayes, motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
BASKETBALL AT PRESTEMON PARK
The Public Works Director/City Engineer updated members on this issue. Signs have been putup
as directed, and the police department will attempt to enforce them. The city attorney is
researching the amount of force of law the commission has with enforcement issues.
PAGE THREE
NEW BUSINESS
BIKE RACK AT MURZYN HALL
Karen Moeller, Senior Citizen Coordinator, advised members of the need for a bike rack at
Murzyn Hall for youth who participate in our programs. A bike rack will be installed behind
Murzyn Hall by the Public Works Department.
REQUEST FOR WAX ON THE WOOD FLOOR IN MAIN HALL, MURZYN HALL
Karen Moeller, Senior Citizen Coordinator, advised members of a request from two senior
citizens for wax to be applied to the wood floor in the main hall of Murzyn Hall. The request was
made after they had attended the senior dance. Members determined that the request would be
denied due to the liability risk involved with applying wax to the floor.
REQUEST USE OF ALCOHOL IN SENIOR/OSTRANDER ROOM
Karen Moeller, Senior Citizen Coordinator, requested direction from members regarding several
recent requests for use of alcohol in the Senior/Ostrander Room. Members also discussed the
issue of allowing BYOB events in Murzyn Hall Motion by Evans, second by Nelson to restrict
serving and consumption of alcoholic beverages to the LaBelle Lounge, and to make the
necessary changes to the JPM Management Plan and rental policy to prohibit BYOB events;
however, open bars are permitted only in the LaBelle Lounge if the alcoholic beverages are
provided by the ren~r.~tnd served free of charge from behind the bar in the LaBelle Lounge. All
ayes, motion carriea.
GAS LIGHTS AT WARGO COURT
Members reviewed the memo from the Public Works Director/City Engineer regarding a request
from Century 21 Lighting to allow them to install gas lights at Wargo Court. Two gas lights
would be installed and maintained by Century 21 Lighting. Public Works crews may assist with
trenching the line, and the city would pay for the gas. Motion by Magnuson, second by Evans to
allow two gas lights to be installed and maintained at Wargo Court by Century 21 Lighting.
Ruettimann abstained. All ayes, motion carried.
PRESTEMON TENNIS COURTS
Members reviewed the memo from the Public Works Director/City Engineer regarding the tennis
courts at Prestemon Park which are in need of repair. Members discussed the issue and possible
solutions. Members felt a mail survey of residents in the area should be sent out to get their input
on this matter. Staff will bring the issue and recommendations to the City Council for their
decision.
PAGE FOUR
REPORTS
INTERIM RECREATION DIRECTOR
Members were advised that 11 candidates were interviewed for the Recreation Director's
position. Four finalists will be interviewed within the next two weeks. Chairman Dick Petkoff
will participate in the final interviews, and staff will have an opportunity to meet the candidates.
Members discussed Silver Lake Beach and gave their input regarding possible re-opening of the
beach. Members received a list of recommendations made by the Interim Recreation Director
which will be given to the city manager via his exit memo. Members reviewed the Recreation
Department's activity report for the month of June. Members reviewed items to be listed in the
1998 budget.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
Members were advised of several complaints received by the Public Works Superintendent
regarding the pathway around LaBelle Park not being handicap accessible. It is anticipated that
the pathway will be completed at a future time. Staff reports recent vandalism in several of the
park buildings. Members agreed that the park buildings should be opened only for Recreation
Department programs and permit users and should remain locked at all other times. The parks
are equipped with port-a-potties for those time when the buildings are locked. Staff feels that
park building keys have possibly been duplicated or never returned, which is contributing to the
extensive vandalism. The buildings should all be updated with a new lock system.
COMMISSION MEMBERS
No report at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn by Foss, second by Evans. All ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at
8:07 p.m.
Janice McGhee-Fetzer, Park and Recreation Commission Secretary