HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 24, 1999 City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
February 24, 1999
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Eileen Evans at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Eileen Evans; Bruce Magnuson; Gary Mayer; James Nelson; Gary
Peterson; Bob Ruettimann; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director
Members absent: Jerry Foss
Also present: Kristine Bjork, 3932 Ulysses St. N.E., Columbia Heights, MN
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Magnuson, second by Peterson to approve the consent agenda. All ayes, motion
carried.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
SECOND VIOLATION NOTICE FROM FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Recreation Director advised members that we have made all the necessary repairs listed on
the violation notice. A new fire proof door was put on the boiler room today.
REQUEST TO USE LABELLE LOUNGE/JIM GALUSKA, COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HIGH
SCHOOL
Members were given a letter from Jim Galuska, Columbia Heights High School, requesting use
of the LaBelle Lounge on Wednesday, May 5, 1999 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. for a teacher's year-
end party. Motion by Ruettimann, second by Peterson to approve the request for use of the
LaBelle Lounge on Wednesday, May 5, 1999 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. for a teacher's year-end
party, with the fee being waived and with the stipulation that the user pay the standard $250
damage deposit and provide proof of insurance. All ayes, motion carded.
OLD BUSINESS
There is no old business at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
1999 NEIGHBORHOOD PICNICS
Members felt that the Park and Recreation Commission should participate in the neighborhood
PAGE TWO
picnics held by the Police Department. The picnics should be advertised to residents through
mailings or possibly included with water bills. It was agreed that two members should attend the
picnics of their choice.
REPORTS
RECREATION DIRECTOR
The Recreation Director distributed the new spring Heights Happenings city newsletter to
members. The newsletters are mailed and also distributed to children through the schools. The
newsletter was prepared on a web press this time, which negatively affected the quality of the
document. Prior newsletters were produced on a sheet fed press. Staff will speak with the
printer to see if future newsletters could be printed on a sheet fed press. Members were advised
that Julie Dehmer has resigned her position as Youth Program Coordinator. Staff is presently
interviewing for the other Youth Program Coordinator position. It appears that we may be losing
our gym space at NEI. This will impact our programs quite a bit. The Recreation Director,
Mayor Peterson, and James Nelson looked at several community centers in the area last week.
Staff will check with local churches to see if we could use their gym space on a temporary basis.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER
No report at this time.
MEMBERS
Mayor Peterson reported on the tours of community centers in St. Anthony, Crystal, New
Brighton, and Shoreview. Members discussed the importance of organizing community
members to start discussing the need for a new community center in Columbia Heights. Kris
Bjork was present and advised members that she would like to be involved in this process.
Members felt that a steering committee made up of representatives from the Lion's Club,
Boosters, Chamber of Commerce, schools, churches, etc. should be formed. Members felt Jon
Gurban of MRPA should come and speak to the group once it is formed.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Peterson to adjourn, second by Ruettimann. All ayes, motion carried. Meeting
adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Janice McGhee-Fetzer, Park & Recreation Commission Secretary P&RCOMMLMINFEB99