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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 26, 2000 City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission April 26, 2000 The meeting was called to order by Eileen Evans at 6:31 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Eileen Evans; Pat Cullen; Jerry Foss; Bruce Magnuson; Gary Mayer; Scott Niemeyer; Gary Peterson; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer Members absent: Bob Ruettiman Also present: Kris Bjork, 3932 Ulysses St. N.E., Columbia Heights APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Ruettimann, second by Foss to approve the consent agenda. All ayes, motion carded. LETTERS ANDREQUESTS REQUEST FOR PAVED HOCKEY RINK AT OSTRANDER PARK/KRISTINE BJORK Kristine Bjork of 3932 Ulysses St. N.E., Columbia Heights, addressed the members with her request that the hockey rink at Ostrander Park be paved for roller bladers and skateboarding. She indicated that the neighborhood kids are playing hockey in the street, and the police have been telling them to get offthe street. She feels it would be beneficial to the kids and the neighborhood to provide them with a paved area for this type of activity. The Public Works Director/City Engineer explained that there are no plans at this time for paving in Ostrander Park due to the settlement problems in the park. The building at Ostrander Park was recently repaired because of settlement problems. Also, according to the survey done in 1996, skateboarding ranked lowest for potential use by the residents. The survey also showed that Ostrander Park is neighborhood park with a small focus. There are paved areas available for use in McKenna, Gauvitte, and Keyes Parks. Staff also feels it is a liability issue and will require resurfacing the area every year. Ms. Bjork expressed her disappointment with this decision. OLD BUSINESS MURZYN HALL POLICY CHANGES The Recreation Director advised members that we have had a few calls regarding the recent Murzyn Hall policy changes. There was some misleading information in the local newspaper. PAGE TWO If any of the groups that would be charged have a concern, they still have the option of requesting that their fee be waived by writing a letter to the Park & Recreation Commission. DNR GRANTS The Public Works Director/City Engineer advised members that the DNR grant applications have been submitted for consideration. There were a total of five grant applications submitted. Members had the opportunity to look at the grant applications and plans for Ramsdell Park. Staff should know the status of the grant applications by the May meeting. NEW BUSINESS FIREWORKS BIDS The Recreation Director reported that letters were sent to two vendors seeking bids for the fireworks display scheduled for Saturday, June 24. We have received $3,000 in donations from community groups for the fireworks display. Bids are due to the Recreation Office by Friday, April 28. BLEACHER COMPLIANCE LEGISLATION The Public Works Director/City Engineer reported that the state legislature has revised the law regarding bleachers. In 1999, all cities were required by law to make safety improvements to bleachers to protect people from falling through them. Recently the legislature lessened the requirements and extended the time deadline to 2002. We have eleven bleachers total and six that can be retrofitted. Five bleachers at Huset Park need to be replaced. We budgeted $20,000; however, that will not be enough to come into compliance. It will cost $8,000 to $9,000 for each new set of bleachers. Staff recommends that we purchase two sets of bleachers this year and three sets next year. The building official will be asked to look at the bleachers. REPORTS RECREATION DIRECTOR Staffwill soon begin seeking bids on the wood floor. The company that worked on the floor last year put down an oil based product, which did not hold up very well. We need a moisture cured process; however, we can't put that over the oil based product. We have budgeted $4,000 for the project. The floor is 3,300 square feet. Members were advised that we may have to move the May meeting to another location, depending on the chemical smell in the building during the refinishing of the wood floor. Members suggested a tour of the parks. Staff has received several requests for overnight rentals since the new policy was adopted. Staff believes this is a good policy and will be helpful. PAGE THR~E A resident wrote to the owner of Medtronic to request a donation for building a community center. The City Manager has been advised of the letter. Staffwill be purchasing a Kromer machine for grooming the softball fields. The Boosters donated $5,000 toward the purchase of the Kromer. It will be stored in the block garage and used at night for ball games and for tournaments. It will have a line sprayer attachment. The Kromer machine is one year old and has a one year warranty. The Recreation Director thanked Janice McGhee-Fetzer for serving as secretary for the Recreation Office and the Park & Recreation Commission. Today is Professional Secretaries Day. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER - The signs at Huset Park have been built and installed by Park Department crews. MEMBERS Members asked if we are doing a park tour this year. It was suggested that we go on a park tour at the May meeting. Members will be notified regarding this next month prior to our meeting. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Foss, second by Niemeyer to adjourn. All ayes, motion carded. Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m. Janice McGhee-Fetzer, Park & Recreation Commission Secretary MinutesXApril00