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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 27, 1998 City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission May 27, 1998 The meeting was called to order by Eileen Evans at 6:10 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Eileen Evans; Jerry Foss (6:14); Bruce Magnuson; Gary Mayer; James Nelson (6:33); Gary Peterson; Bob Ruettimann (6:30); Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer Members absem: None Also present: Dave Dvorak; Tim Lund, Park Foreman APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Magnuson, second by Peterson to approve the consent agenda. All ayes, motion carried. LETTERS AND REOUESTS REQUEST TO BORROW FOLDING CHAIRS/KATHY FRIEDMAN (PRE-SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR Members discussed the request from Kathy Friedman to borrow 50 folding chairs for a private party at her residence on Saturday, June 13, 1998. Motion by Magnuson, second by Peterson to allow Kathy Friedman to borrow up to 50 of our older folding chairs with the stipulation that the City of Columbia Heights be released from any liability during the usage. All ayes, motion carried. OLD BUSINESS BIDS FOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY/SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 1998 The Recreation Director advised members that two bids were received for the fireworks display. One bid was from RES, who did last year's fireworks show at the Homecoming game, and the other bid was from Ben Erickson of Ben Erickson. The bid from RES met all six criteria. The bid from Ben Erickson did not include music choreographed to the fu'eworks display. Motion by Foss, second by Magnuson to accept the bid from RES because they met all six criteria. All ayes, motion carried. PAGE TWO NEW BUSINESS REOUEST TO START BASEBALL ASSOCIATION/DAVE DVORAK Resident Dave Dvorak, 3935 Van Buren St., Columbia Heights, spoke to members regarding his wish to start a baseball association. He and other House League Baseball parents have formed a group and want to start the baseball association. The purpose of the baseball association would be to raise money to repair the parks. Mr. Dvorak indicated that the baseball fields are in very poor condition and need more upkeep. His group would like to run a concession stand at Huset Park on weekday evenings to raise money for field upkeep. The Park Department does not maintain fields on evenings and weekends. Mr. Dvorak suggested that his group could purchase a small tractor with a drag to maintain fields after games. Members advised Mr. Dvorak to check with the City regarding any licensing requirements for selling concessions. He will work with Marti Madsen on this issue. Staff feels it is important to have good equipment and trained people to maintain the fields or they could be damaged. O.S.H.A. COMPLAINT FROM JPM EMPLOYEE The Recreation Director advised members of an O.S.H.A. complaint that was filed by a/PM employee on May 8, 1998. The employee reported being overcome by fumes while refinishing the wood floor in the main hall The complaint is under investigation. REPORTS PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER The Public Works Director/City Engineer reported that a citywide bike trail map is being planned after input from the Minnesota Design Team's visit. The bike trail will attach to all city parks and to the Mississippi trail corridor. Staff will do a cost analysis to see how much can be accomplished this year. Staff is also planning improvements to the pedestrian overpass on 49~ and Central. Improvements to the fencing and painting will be done in 1998. The Public Works Director/City Engineer suggested that neighborhood signing start on a trial basis with the Reservoir and Huset neighborhood groups. Final engineering reports from the storm water issue of last summer will be given to the City Council. Staff may do some storm water ponding at McKenna and Prestemon Parks. Don Jolly will be consulted on this issue. The DNR will put aeration in Silver Lake this summer. The Lion's Club have asked permission to move their beer wagon closer to the street for the Conoco party on Sunday, May 31, 1998. They would like it on the north side of the Jefferson Building. Staff will check with Chief Tom Johnson regarding control/safety precautions. PAGE THREE RECREATION DIRECTOR The Recreation Director reports he has received donations for the upcoming fireworks display from the Columbia Heights Boosters and First Community Credit Union. Members suggested staff also contact Tri-City, Wallaby's, and the City of Hilltop for donations. Jon Gurban of MRPA has agreed to speak with members at an upcoming meeting. The first neighborhood meeting with the police department is scheduled for June 10, 1998. The Adopt-A-Park program could be tied in with this event. There is a squirrel problem in JPM. Squirrels are getting into the building through a small hole near the Senior Center. The drainage pipes that were installed have helped keep water out of the building during heavy rainstorms. The roof is in need of immediate repair. Motion by Nelson, second by Foss to request the City to take immediate action to receive bids to repair the roof in order to protect and maintain Murzyn Hall. All ayes, motion carried. A letter will be sent to the City Council regarding this issue. MEMBERS Members complimented the Public Works Department on their work after the most recent heavy rainstorm. Branches were removed promptly and the streets were swept. Staff also was complimented on the excellent job they did with the City Open House. Over 400 people were in attendance. COMPREHENSIVE PARK PLAN Staff stressed the importance of prioritizing items for the 1999 CIP. The Public Works Director/City Engineer will bring the proposed budget to members for their input on prioritizing. SRF will be able to attend the next Park Board meeting. Members viewed a video tape prepared by Commission Member Foss of Gauvitte, Edgemoor, and Lomianki Parks. At Gauvitte Park, members noted the parking lot is quite small. During baseball games, it is difficult to get in and out of the parking lot. The roof on the building appears to be in good shape. A few more picnic tables are necessary. Gauvitte Park has a new play structure. There is a cement wall by the fencing along the property line of a nearby resident. Members are unsure who the wall belongs to, but it is in bad shape. The basketball court overlay is not level, and water collects on it. There is a retaining wall near a hill that is in bad shape. Staff could possibly remove it, grade the hill, and seed in that area. Next year's CIP should look at both the cement wall and the retaining wall for improvements. Edgemoor Park has a new play structure which is used very frequently by citizens. Lomianki Park has an old, metal play structure. This park receives low usage. The baseball field and tennis courts have not been used much and are in very poor condition. There is a walking path around the park and lots of open space. PAGE FOUR Council Member Ruettimann reports that Sullivan Park is not a youth oriented park; it is used primarily by Sullivan Shore residents and Medtronic employees. There is overgrowth on the bike paths. The signs need to be painted. The park building has been vandali?ed quite a bit in the past. The first police department/neighborhood meeting will be held at Sullivan Park. Members suggested that staff be present to hand out a small questionnaire to those in attendance asking what facilities they would like to see added and removed. The tennis courts are in bad shape. The questionnaire could ask citizens if the tennis courts were improved, would they use them and help pay for them. Other questions to ask would be if they would serve as an advisory group member and if they would support a referendum to improve the parks. Ramsdell and Hilltop Parks were both empty when they were viewed by Commission Member Magnuson. Kordiak Park, however, was full of people. Both Ramsdell and Hilltop Parks need picnic areas. The volleyball court at Ramsdell is not being maintained as it should be by the High School. Ramsdell Park has only one bench at the playground. At Hilltop Park there is a playground, but nothing else. The neighbors have said they would like to have a building at the park and a soccer field. There is no picnic area at all. The bulletin board has not been put up yet at Hilltop Park. Ostrander Park was viewed by Council Member Peterson. The concrete is tearing away from the building on one side. He observed lots of kids using the new play structure. Council Member Peterson also toured LaBelle Park. There is one dead tree near the play structure. The area by the sculpture needs to be cleaned up, as does the exit on the southwest comer. The timbers are wearing, but some have been replaced. The hill on the east side is still having an erosion problem and the landscaping fabric is exposed. Other than these items, the park looks pretty good. Commission Member Nelson toured Keyes Park. This park has a level playing field, but needs bleachers on the north side of the field. There is an erosion problem on the south side which could be improved with some ground cover and a picnic area. This is a good site for a concert because it is a natural amphitheater. Keyes Park has a premiere sliding hill A pull rope to assist children in climbing the hill would be beneficial. The upper edge could be used more with some improvements. Commission Chairperson Eileen Evans toured Prestemon Park. Lights are needed on the ballfields, as well as bathrooms and a water fountain. The water has not been turned on for a long time. The tennis courts are in bad condition, but there is not much interest in using them. The basketball courts are used, but nearby residents do not want lights at the court. A picnic area would be a nice feature to add. She has never seen any children playing on the play structure. The park has a good walking path which senior citizens use quite a bit. Silver Lake was also viewed by Chairperson Evans. The lake access needs to be dredged so boats can get into the lake. The DNR is planning to put in a fishing pier. If the beach area had a snack PAGE FIVE bar open, more people would use the beach. The picnic shelter is in bad condition. There is a drainage problem on the east side. Neighbors would like the park closed and locked at 10:00 p.m. The Public Works Director/City Engineer will send a memo with the dates of the police meetings at each park. Members should try to attend. Staff will try to put together a questionnaire and get name badges for members. Members wondered if our paver would work to fix the tennis courts. Motion by Ruettimann, second by Foss to adjourn. All ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Janice McGhee-Fetzer, Park & Recreation Commission Secretary P&RCO~MAY98