HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 3, 1999 City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
February 3, 1999
The meeting was called to order by Bruce Magnuson at 6:40 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present:
Bruce Magnuson; Gary Mayer; James Nelson; Gary Peterson;
Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Kevin Hansen, Public
Works Director/City Engineer
Members absent: Eileen Evans; Jerry Foss; Bob Ruettimann
Also present: Katia Medvetski, 3966 Cleveland St. N.E., Columbia Heights
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Nelson, second by Mayer to approve the consent agenda. All ayes, motion carried.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
REQUEST TO RENT MURZYN HALL/ST. CHARLES BORROMEO CHURCH
Members discussed the issue in regard to their having more than 500 people and having an open
bar. This group has not caused any problems during their past rentals. Motion by Nelson,
second by Mayer to "grandfather" in the St. Charles Borromeo Church event with the stipulation
that they pay the required deposit for one security officer. All ayes, motion carried.
REQUEST TO USE MURZYN HALL/COLUMBIA HEIGHTS VARSITY WRESTLING
.TEAM
Members reviewed a letter from Mary Eggert who requested the use of Murzyn Hall with the fee
waived on Wednesday, March 10. Their group would like to have a pot luck banquet, which is
in violation of our policy requiting a licensed caterer to serve at main hall events. Motion by
Nelson, second by Peterson to allow the use of Murzyn Hall on Wednesday, Mm'eh 10 for the
Columbia Heights Varsity Wrestling Team awards banquet and to allow this to be a pot luck
event. All ayes, motion carded.
REQUEST DISCOUNT ON RENTAL OF MURZYN HALL/RICK AND GAY JACOBSON
Members reviewed a letter from Rick and Gay Jacobson, 1485 Windemere Circle N.E., Fridley,
MN, in which they requested the resident discount for their daughter's wedding at Murzyn Hall
on Saturday, October 9, 1999. The Jacobsons live near the Columbia Heights border and have
participated in Columbia Heights community activities for the past twenty years. Motion by
Mayer, second by Nelson to approve the 35% resident discount for their rental of Murzyn Hall
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on Saturday, October 9, 1999. All ayes, motion carried. Peterson abstained.
OLD BUSINESS
DISCUSSION ON NEW REQUIREMENT FOR LICENSED CATERERS AT MURZYN
HALL EVENTS
Members discussed the policy requiting licensed caterers and addressed the issues staff had
questions on. Members felt it was akight for users to bring in prepared food, as in the examples
listed in the agenda; however, only licensed caterers may cook in our kitchen. Otherwise, food
may only be wanned up in the kitchen.
FEE-WAIVED USERS AT Mt IRZYN HALL
Members reviewed the list of fee-waived users and agreed that no group on the list should be
removed at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
POOL TABLE IN PRESTEMON ROOM
Members discussed the pool table in the Prestemon Room, which is in very poor condition. Staff
would like to remove the pool table and use the room for meeting space. The CHASE Program
could possibly purchase an air hockey or foos ball table in place of the pool table. Motion by
Peterson, second by Mayer to put the pool table from the Prestemon Room in the city auction.
All ayes, motion carded.
VIOLATION NOTICE RECEIVED FROM FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Recreation Director advised members that we are making progress on the violation notice
received from the Fire Department. We need to remove all door stops from the building. The
pre-school parent's observation room has been cleaned and re-organized.
PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION TERM FOR BOB RUETTIMANN
The City Council will appoint Bob Ruettimann to the Park & Recreation Commission as a
community representative for a two-year term to expire in April, 2001.
DNR GRANT APPLICATIONS
The Public Works Director/City Engineer advised members that there are six different grant
pmgrsms available. They are matching grants or in-kind service grants. The Public Works
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Director/City Engineer reviewed ideas for improvements at Prestemon, Silver Lake Beach, Silver
Lake boat landing, LaBelle, and Huset Parks. A resident of 3966 Cleveland Street N.E. who
identified herself as Katia Medvetski spoke to members on the proposed storm water
improvements at Prestemon Park. Ms. Medvetski has been a resident for the last 4-1/2 years.
She indicated that she has observed this to be a growing neighborhood. She has observed
extensive use of the tennis courts, basketball courts, and tot lot. Ms. Medvetski handed out to
members some questions and comments on the proposed storm water improvements at
Prestemon Park. She asked about alternatives to the wetland, such as purchasing the vacant bank
site and using that area instead. She would like to see upgrades to the tot lot, tennis courts, and
basketball courts. She suggested making a "junior" basketball court and adding one or two
courts to the existing basketball courts. Ms. Medvetski suggested having one parking lot for the
entire park. She would like to see the addition of a skating rink and thought the warming house
should be either used or moved offthe property. She also would like to see a picnic area and
more benches available at Prestemon Park. Ms. Medvetski voiced her concerns about an open
water area with the number of small children who use the park; she felt it was a safety issue.
The Public Works Director/City Engineer indicated that if any grant monies were received, they
would be spent on the entire park system. Prestemon Park is scheduled for new playground
equipment. Additionally, he recommends the storm water retention pond, a walk/bike path, and
more lighting at Prestemon Park. There are no plans at this time to repair the tennis court
because park surveys indicated there was low usage of the tennis courts and they are very costly
to repair ($25,000 to $30,000 per court, without fencing). The Public Works Director/City
Engineer will have more park surveys distributed to neighbors in the area to get additional input.
Members reviewed a list of proposed improvements for the DNR grant monies. For Silver Lake
Beach, the Public Works Director/City Engineer recommends correcting the erosion problem,
aeration system, picnic shelter, bike route trail, and security lighting. The boat landing will be
reconstructed and a retaining wall built.
For LaBelle Park, the Public Works Director/City Engineer recommended that the pathway be
widened to 10 feet, install additional lighting, and reconstruct the fountain area (pump is broken).
The dock and scenic overlook are in poor condition and will be costly to repair.
The Public Works Director/City Engineer recommends that we focus on Huset Park. He feels we
should repair the wading pool and install new playground equipment on Huset west. The
ballfields and irrigation system could be done at a later date. The tennis courts are in poor
condition and are seldom used. The Recreation Director indicated that the senior citizens would
use a picnic shelter and bocce ball courts, possibly where the tennis courts are now.
The twelve items listed by the Public Works Director/City Engineer will cost approximately
$400,000.
REPORTS
RECREATION DIRECTOR
The Recreation Director advised members that there was a break-in at Murzyn Hall, but nothing
was taken and the suspect was not apprehended. The Lion's Club will be allowed to use partial
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canisters of pre-mix for smaller groups. We did not receive any grant monies for a new
community center. Staffwas advised that the grant was awarded to cities with a lower poverty
level than Columbia Heights. Members were advised that we need more gym space in order to
mn our programs.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER
The Pubhc Works Director/City Engineer indicated staff attended a meeting with the Huset Park
Neighborhood Association. They offered to landscape in fi'ont of Murzyn Hall this spring. Their
concerns were to keep the hedges trimmed, paint the picnic shelter, and install screen fence
around the porta-potty. Park roof replacements will be completed in 1-1/2 weeks. There will be
a Canada goose round-up at LaBelle Park. The goslings will be relocated to Canada. LaBelle
Pond will be treated with chemicals to help with the odor problem. Since it is a storm water
pond, it will not be aerated.
MEMBERS
Gary Peterson discussed the need for a community center. We also need to upgrade all the parks.
Staff should attempt to get cost estimates and advise the City Council. We also need to examine
a space plan for City Hall. Staff will check with New Brighton and St. Anthony on their
buildings and get the name of their architect.
Motion to adjourn by Magnuson, second by Nelson. All ayes. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Janice McGhee-Fetzer, Park & Recreation Commission Secretary
P&RCOMMX3,IIN-JAN99