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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 28, 1999 City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission July 28, 1999 The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Eileen Evans at 6:31 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Eileen Evans; Jerry Foss; Gary Mayer; Scott Niemeyer; Bob Ruettimann; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director Members absent: Bruce Magnuson; Gary Peterson Also present: Lauren McClanahan, Public Works Superintendent; Christin Clarey; Carrie Dohn APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Foss, second by Ruettimann to approve the consent agenda. All ayes, motion carded. LETTERS AND REQUESTS REQUEST USE OF SENIOR/OSTRANDER ROOM / CHRISTIN CLAREY Christin Clarey and Carrie Dom were present to request use of the Senior/Ostrander Room. They are speech pathologists who serve brain-injured adult clients in the metro area. They would like to start a social club for their clients twice a month on dates when Murzyn Hall staff is already scheduled. They would like to keep the costs down for their clients, many of whom have limited funds available to them. The room would be cleaned up prior to their leaving. They will coordinate their events with Murzyn Hall staff. Motion by Ruettimann, second by Foss to approve use of the Senior/Ostrander Room, with the fee being waived. All ayes, motion carded. REQUEST USE OF SENIOR/OSTRANDER ROOM / ELLEN HANSEN, AL-ANON PROGRAM Members discussed the request from Ellen Hansen, Al-Anon, for use of the Senior/Ostrander Room on November 6, 1999, with the fee being waived. Motion by Ruettimann, second by Niemeyer to allow the group to receive the resident discount if the renter was a Columbia Heights resident. All ayes, motion carded. OLD BUSINESS DNR GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR PARK SYgTIgM IMPROVEMENTS The Public Works Director/City Engineer advised members that the City of Columbia Heights did not receive any grant monies from the DNR for park improvements. Possible reasons for this "-' PAGE TWO are: 1) the focus of park improvements did not have a wide-ranging impact to many people and 2) the public needed an opportunity to comment via a special heating. The city was encouraged to apply again in the future. Perhaps future applications could focus on Huset Park improvements. For future reference, members wanted to know who received funding and for what projects. The Public Works Director/City Engineer indicated that some cities received funding for regional trails. Members suggested that staff talk with the regional representative to get input on future grants that become available. COMMUNITY USE OF CITY 15-PASSENGER VAN Members reviewed the policy that governed use of the city bus. Members felt that the passenger van use should be regulated. Only organized community groups and city staff should be allowed use of the van. Requests for use of the van should be made two to three weeks in advance and should be approved by the Park and Recreation Commission. The van could be used to transport program participants in emergency situations; however, two staff should be on the van during transports of juveniles for liability reasons. We should establish a list of approved volunteer drivers who will have their drivers license and background checks run by the police department. The city will provide insurance for the vehicle. Members felt we need more input from the City Council on this matter. MINNESOTA TWINS MOLITOR FIELDS FOR KIDS GRANT The Recreation Director reported that if we receive grant monies, the signs that must be posted in parks will be provided by the MN Twins, Pepsi, or Northwest Airlines. Staff will apply for the grant. ROOF DAMAGE ON SOUTHWEST CORNER OF MURZYN HALL The Recreation Director reported that we received a bid from Roof Design Partners. This is the company that repaired the outer six feet of the roof. Their bid was $10,000 for the north and west sections. Members asked if there were any hidden costs for items such as plywood or ice shield. Staff will seek bids for the roof repair. Members suggested that staff get the insurance report to see what they recommended. Discussed the possibility of replacing the entire roof. Members suggested that we avoid using fiberglass shingles. COST OF TILE FOR LABELLE LOUNGE The Recreation Director reported that he has received rough estimates from three companies. The cost of tile ranged from $4.50 to $6.50 per square foot installed. Staff determined that the bar, front hallway, and back hallway totaled 3,200 square feet. If tile cost $5.50/sq. ft., the cost of the project would be approximately $20,000. This item has not been budgeted for next year. PAGE THREE RECREATION SURVEY SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS The Recreation Director distributed information from Ingraham and Associates. The City Manager feels staff should use $10,000 from the Back to the Parks fund to pay for architectural planning and a design for the multi-use center. The project is estimated at $4,551,300. This would amount to an annual increase per household of approximately $35 per year. Members felt that persons who responded to the surveys should have an opportunity to attend public meetings to give input on the multi-use center. Since all the parks are in need of upgrading, some members felt we should include park improvements in the bond referendum. The estimated cost of park improvements is $2.5 million for all the parks. Motion by Ruettimann, second by Niemeyer to authorize use of $10,000 from Back to the Parks fund to develop plans for a multi- use center and parks improvements, with input being sought from those who responded to the recreation surveys and from those who have attended meetings on this issue. All ayes, motion carded. NEW BUSINESS PRESTEMON PARK PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT The Public Works Director/City Engineer indicated that staff would like authorization to seek bids for playground equipment for Prestemon Park in 1999. A voluntary resident advisory committee will be involved in the process. Members indicated that equipment is needed for small children as well as older children. USE OF FERTILIZER AND WEED CONTROL IN PARKS AND OTHER PUBLIC LANDS At the June 28 City Council meeting, resident Dee Logan asked that the city stop using all chemicals on lawns at city parks. The Public Works Director/City Engineer reported that the city has steps in this direction, such as using mulching mowers, setting the cutting depth higher to keep moisture in the soil, aerating the soil, etc. However, to stop using chemicals of any kind would have catastrophic results. Staff is willing to try new organic products on a sample area of lawn; however, Ms. Logan did not want any products whatsoever put on lawn areas. Members reviewed the current turf management policies. Motion by Ruettimann, second by Foss to recommend that the Park & Recreation Commission concur and acknowledge the current turf management policies used by the Public Works Department. All ayes, motion carded. DATE FOR 2000 JOINT BUDGET MEETING Members agreed to have the 2000 joint budget meeting with the City Council on Wednesday, October 27, 1999. Staff will check to make sure council members are available on that date. PAGE FOUR COMMUNITY PARTY WAGON The Recreation Director reported that VFW Post #230 has donated $5,500 for a community party wagon. This will be an enclosed 8' X 16' Haulmark trailer with tables, chairs, coolers, and recreation equipment. The trailer could be reserved and delivered to the rental site by city staff. Members reviewed the rental policy used by Lino Lakes for use of their community party wagon. Members and staff will develop a usage policy for the party wagon at the next meeting. INCREASE IN COST OF LION'S BAR DRINKS The Recreation Director advised members that the Lion's Club has increased the price of their bar drinks from $1.50 to $2.00 as of September 1, 1999. He was concerned that this could be a problem for renters who booked the hall earlier and are not aware of the change in price. Members felt the pricing was reasonable. REPORTS RECREATION DIRECTOR The Recreation Director reported that the Mayor is feeling better since his recent surgery. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER The Public Works Director/City Engineer reported that crews who are grading at Prestemon Park found contamination in the soil consisting of petroleum based products. The contamination was reported to the Pollution Control Agency. Soil samples showed a low level of contamination. Park crews have reconstructed the overlook at LaBelle Pond. Staff recommends that trash containers be replaced in the parks and at City Hall. Members were shown photos of the current trash containers and new ones that are available. COMMISSION MEMBERS No report at this time. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Ruettimann, second by Niemeyer to adjourn. All ayes, motion carded. Meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m. Janice McGhee-Fetzer, Park & Recreation Commission Secretary