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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 28, 2000 City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission June 28, 2000 The meeting was called to order by Eileen Evans at 6:33 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Eileen Evans; Pat Cullen; Jerry Foss;Bob Ruettiman; Gary Mayer; Scott Niemeyer; Gary Peterson; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer Members absent: Brace Magnuson APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Foss, second by Niemeyer to approve the consent agenda. All ayes, motion carded. LETTERS AND REQUESTS REQUEST FOR USE OF MAIN HALL, LABELLE LOUNGE & KITCHEN / JOHN ROCKWELL, HITES FOOTBALL Members reviewed the letter from Mr. Rockwell in which he requests use of the Main Hall, LaBelle Lounge and kitchen for the first annual Columbia Heights Football Alumni Social on Friday, September 15, 2000, with the fee being waived. Members agreed that we should follow the new policy regarding fee-waived usage. Motion by Foss, second by Ruettimann to deny the fee-waived request and allow the usage with the group paying the $40 opening fee and $15 per hour for custodial staff. All ayes, carried. OLD BUSINESS REVIEW PRESTEMON PARK PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT The Public Works Director/City Engineer displayed plans for the playground equipment at Prestemon. The installation of new playground equipment had been delayed pending the results of the DNR grant; however, the DNR program has been cut by the 2000 State legislature, so the city will not receive the grant monies that were applied for by the Public Works Department. Another grant will possibly be available in 2001. Staffhas been receiving calls from residents regarding Prestemon Park. Staff intends to install age-oriented playground equipment. Each section would be separated by concrete walkways. There is $30,000 budgeted in 2000 for the Prestemon project. Parks crews have been building the base and curbing will be done soon. REVIEW PROCESS FOR PUBLIC INPUT ON PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT SELECTION The Public Works Director/City Engineer advised members that he has been receiving input and meeting with individually with the residents near Prestemon Park regarding the playground PAGE TWO equipment project. This method for public comments is time intensive and has not achieved the desired input. Staff proposed one or two alternatives to effectively gather public input. Generally, invite vendors to produce a plan for the particular park, and then invite the neighborhood to select the playground equipment that will be installed. The meeting could be held prior to a Park and Recreation Commission meeting or staff could gather the input to report back to the commission. Members suggested that this be done at park buildings prior to a regular meeting. VOLUNTEER COACH FEE-WAIVED PROPOSAL The Recreation Director explained that we have had a shortage of volunteer coaches, so staff would like to waive their program fees to encourage more participation. Coaches would have the fee waived for their child in a house league or traveling program. The programs that do not qualify are Traveling Basketball, East River Hockey, and Fridley-Heights Soccer programs. Motion by Ruettimann, second by Cullen to adopt the volunteer coach fee-waived proposal in which a maximum of two coaches per team would have their program fee waived providing they pass a background check and complete the season. All ayes, motion carried. MURZYN HALL REAR PARKING LOT The Public Works Director/City Engineer discussed the differences in the two possible repairs of the rear Murzyn Hall parking lot. We can either do a complete reconstruction with concrete out from the rear doorway, new curb and gutter included, or we can mill it and do a 2" overlay which will cost less, but also will not last as long. The price difference is $58,000. The Public Works Director/City Engineer does not recommend paving over the lot as it is now. Members asked why our crews cannot do some of the work. The Public Works Director/City Engineer explained that they don't have enough staffor time to do all the work in-house; however, he will check to see if some of the would could be done in-house. Members also wondered why this project would be paid for out of the Murzyn Hall budget. Keith explained that the two companies he contacted would mill from the building and slope the lot away from the rear doorway to help with drainage. Members discussed whether or not we should spend a large amount of money on this project when there is a chance we could someday build a new community center. The Recreation Director stated that we have $14,000 budgeted for parking lot maintenance, which would pay for the majority of the parking lot repair. Motion by Foss, second by Cullen to repair the upper drive and upper lot with a mill and overlay, with Public Works helping to prepare bid specs and shoot elevations of the lot. All ayes, Ruettimann abstained, motion carded. EVENT WAGON RESERVATION POLICY AND APPLICATION Staff and members viewed the Event Wagon and its contents. Members reviewed the inventory list. The Event Wagon will be dropped off on a Friday and picked up the following Monday. NEW BUSINESS REVIEW OF QUOTES FOR BANDSHELL REMOVAL The Public Works Director/City Engineer advised members that it will cost between $4,000 and $6,000 to remove the bandshell. It is not used very much, needs a lot of repairs, and costs quite a bit for electricity and maintenance. Motion by Foss, second by Niemeyer to recommend to the PAGE THREE City Council that the bandshell be removed. All ayes, motion carried. REPORTS RECREATION DIRECTOR All youth and senior trips are filled. Many have waiting lists. Staff received good comments regarding the fireworks display of June 24, 2000. We received a $100 donation recently from James "Red" Nelson. The carnival people did not donate any money for the fireworks. The Lion's Club has indicated they will donate $1,000 for the fireworks; however, we have not yet received their check. Staffis considering having a $7,000 show next year. The softball tournament held during Jamboree went very well. Staff had to mm away approximately 20 teams due to lack of field space. Park Department crews did an excellent job of maintaining the fields during the toumament. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER Crews have been working on the Prestemon Park playground project. The curbing will be completed on Friday, June 30. The project should be finished by the end of July. Members viewed a brochure on picnic shelters for the parks. Staff recommends we use a common look for all picnic shelters. The senior citizens have requested a picnic shelter in place of the tennis courts in Huset West. The issue of goose control will be discussed at a future work session. Some citizens want the geese managed, and some do not. Population counts are done at Silver Lake, LaBelle, and Clover Pond. MEMBERS Members reported a problem with dogs running loose in the parks. Dog owners have not been cleaning up after their pets. At the May meeting, we did not have a quorum. Members are asked to please contact the Recreation Department if they are unable to attend a meeting. The field sweeper/liner worked very well at the recent softball tournament. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Foss, second by Niemeyer to adjourn. All ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjoumed at 8:00 p.m. Janice McGhee-Fetzer, Park & Recreation Commission Secretary Minutes~JuneO0