HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 22, 2000 City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
March 22, 2000
The meeting was called to order by Eileen Evans at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present:
Eileen Evans; Pat Cullen; Jerry Foss; Bruce Magnuson; Gary
Mayer; Gary Peterson; Bob Ruettimann; Keith Windschitl,
Recreation Director; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City
Engineer
Members absent: Scott Niemeyer
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ruettimann, second by Foss to approve the consent agenda. All ayes, motion carded.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
REQUEST TO USE MAIN HALL/COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SCHOOL DISTRICT #13
Members reviewed the letter from Liz Bray requesting use of the main hall for a mystery/comedy
dinner theater with the fee being waived. Members discussed the request and noted that we will
need to bring in staff especially for this event. Motion by Ruettimann, second by Foss to
approve the request for use of the main hall on Thursday, May 18 and Friday, May 19, 2000 with
the fee being waived, but that the group should pay for the cost of our staff time. All ayes,
motion carried.
LETTER TO CUB SCOUT PACK #52
Members reviewed the letter sent to Cub Scout Pack #52 regarding their event on Sunday,
February 27, 2000. This is a fee-waived group who used the main hall and disregarded the
decorating rules.
LETTER TO NEW PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION MEMBER PATRICK CULLEN
Members introduced themselves and welcomed Pat Cullen to the Park & Recreation
Commission.
PAGE TWO
OLD BUSINESS
COMPARISON OF USAGE POLICIES FOR NON-PROFIT AND CiVIC GROUPS
Members reviewed the policies used by other community centers for non-profit and civic groups.
Members felt that Fridley Community Center has a good policy for times when staff is not
normally scheduled. The idea was discussed that there should be an opening fee and hourly fee
for staff on Sundays and/or for fimdraisers to cover our costs. Members felt that all non-profit
and civic groups should be charged equally. These groups should be notified in writing of the
policy change. Motion by Ruettimann, second by Foss to enact a policy whereby all fee-waived
groups (including City departments, schools, non-profit, and civic groups) will be charged a $40
opening fee and $15 per hour for each staff working their event. The user will pay for security
and pre-mix at the current rate, if needed. This will apply to any room being used during any
time when Murzyn Hall is not already staffed. Additionally, these groups shall be required to
make their reservations at least two weeks prior to their event. These groups shall be limited to
using long tables on the wood floor. This policy shall go into effect on April 26, 2000 pending
approval by the City Council. All ayes, motion carried.
Reconsidered Motion on 5A - Request to use Main Hall, Columbia Heights School District #13:
Motion by Ruettimann, second by Foss to amend the previous motion to state that the fee will be
waived. All ayes, motion carded.
REVIEW GRANT APPLICATIONS
The Public Works Director/City Engineer reviewed the status of the DNR grant application. The
grant monies would go toward improvements at Prestemon Park, Silver Lake fishing pier and
boat launch, and Ramsdell Park. Members viewed plans for improvements to Ramsdell Park.
The grant application will be hand delivered to the DNR on Friday, March 24, 2000. Members
were advised that the DNR will have more grant monies available next year.
NEW BUSINESS
RE-APPOINTMENT OF BRUCE MAGNUSON TO PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION
Bruce Magnuson has been re-appointed to serve on the Park and Recreation Commission for a
five year term which will end in 2005.
DISCUSSION OF OVERNIGHT RENTALS
The Recreation Director explained a rental that occurred on Friday, March 3, 2000. The renter
told staff that the event was a CD release party that would mn from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 a.m. the
morning of March 4. Staff and security were present during the entire event. Staff found many
cigarette bums in the carpeted area after the event, and staff strongly suspects that the party-goers
PAGE THREE
were using illegal drugs in the building. Staffbelieves that the event was actually a Rave party.
Motion by Magnuson, second by Mayer to prohibit overnight rentals except for City or school
events, effective immediately. All ayes, motion carried. Members requested that Eileen Evans
send a letter to the Police Department requesting that CSO's be more proactive while on duty at
Murzyn Hall. A copy of this letter should also be sent to the City Council.
DISCUSSION OF TABLE SET-UPS FOR FEE-WAIVED GROUPS
Discussion took place under Old Business, Comparison of usage policies for non-profit and civic
groups.
REPORTS
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER
The Public Works Superintendent passed out the skating rink attendance report for this winter.
Rink attendance was up from last season, possibly due to the mild winter. Staff would like to
replace the trash receptacles at the parks. Members viewed a brochure showing an example of
the new trash receptacles. Staff would like to purchase 38 to 40 receptacles for Huset and
Sullivan Parks.
RECREATION DIRECTOR
The Recreation Director reported that we have hired a new Recreation Program Coordinator,
Cindy Willprecht. Cindi is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College and previously worked for
the YMCA. She will mn the Chase Program, summer programs, youth enrichment programs,
and special events. Staff has purchased a new tiller for the garden plots. Public Works will
assist in tilling the garden.
MEMBERS
Commission members inquired about the status of the wading pools. The pools are non-
compliant in regard to the filters; however, some other improvements have been made to the
pools. It will cost approximately $95,000 to bring the pools into compliance with the
Department of Health. The Public Works Director/City Engineer recommends that we continue
to operate the pools and open them this year. Members would like to review the report prepared
by Lauren McClanahan several years ago in regard to the pools before opening them this year.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Ruettimann, second by Magnuson to adjourn. All ayes, motion carried. Meeting
adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
Janice McGhee-Fetzer, Park & Recreation Commission Secretary
MinuteskMar00