HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 28, 2001 City of Columbia Heights NOT
Park and Recreation Commission
Februa~ 28, 2001
The meeting was called to order by Eileen Evans at 6:33 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present:
Eileen Evans; Jerry Foss; Bruce Magnuson; Roger Peterson; Bob
Ruettimann; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director;
Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Members absent:
Gary Mayer; Scott Niemeyer; Gary Peterson;
Also present:
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Foss, second by Magnuson to approve the consent agenda. All ayes, motion carried.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WOMEN OF TODAY
Columbia Heights Women of Today submitted a letter of request to waive the fees for a Silly
Supper for 6th, 7th, and 8~ grade students, to be held on Friday, March 16, 2001. Commission
Member, Eileen Evans, feels that the $40.00 entry fee and $15.00 per hour policy that has
already been previously established should be enforced so to not set a precedence for weekend
rentals. Motion by R. Peterson, second by Ruettimann to waive hall rental fee of $550.00 and
follow the Murzyn Hall policy of $40.00 entry fee and $15.00 per hour. All ayes, motion carried.
THE ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN COMMUNICATIONS
The Association for Women in Communications, based out of Eagan, submitted a letter of
request to waive the fees for a silent auction to be held on Wednesday, April 4, 2001.
Commission Members felt this organization does not meet the policy qualifications requiring that
at least 50% of an organization's members must reside in Columbia Heights. Motion by Foss,
second by Ruettimann to deny the request for fees waived. All ayes, motion carded.
PAGE TWO
POLISH AMERICAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE OF MINNESOTA
The Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota, located in Northeast Minneapolis,
submitted a letter of request to receive non-profit rates of $40.00 entry fee and $15.00 per hour
for a Paczki Ball, to be held on Saturday, February 9, 2002. Recreation Director, Keith
Windschitl, stated that approximately 10% of the membership resides in Columbia Heights, and
Bernie Szymczak is an active member of this organization. Members felt that this organization
does not meet the criteria due to the fact that 50% of the membership does not reside in
Columbia Heights. Motion by Evans, second by Foss to deny the request for non-profit rates.
All ayes, motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
There is no old business at this time
NEW BUSINESS
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS SCHOOL DISTRICT USE OF MURZYN HALL AND RECREATION
DEPARTMENT USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, explained to the Park and Recreation Members the
Facility Report which was requested by Commission Member, Bob Ruettimann. The report
contains statistics of the Columbia Heights School District use of Murzyn Hall in 2000 and the
Recreation Department use of School Facilities for the past year. The Columbia Heights schools
were able to use Murzyn Hall on all of the requested dates at no cost to them, with the exception
of the Football banquet which was charged in accordance to the new policy. The schools use of
Murzyn Hall was 1229.50 hours in 2000. He also stated the Recreation Department, in the past
year, had been turned down for using the schools facilities on many occasions. The Recreation
Department used the school facilities 570 hours during the past year. Motion by Ruettimann,
second by Foss to submit a letter directing to the City Manager and the Mayor to request a
meeting with Community Education, Superintendent, Athletic Director, Chair from the Park and
Recreation Commission, the City Manager, and the Mayor to discuss both parties concerns of the
facilities. All ayes, motion carded.
CONSIDER ORDERING BLEACHERS FOR REMAINING PARKS
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen,' addressed the current bleacher needs for
Columbia Heights parks. He stated that of the eleven sets of bleachers in Columbia Heights
parks, only four need to be replaced this year. Motion by Ruettiman, second by Magnuson to
make a recommendation to obtain authorization to order the four bleachers for Huset Park in the
amount of $11,756.92 to be put on the next City Council Meeting. All ayes, motion carried.
PAGE THREE
BACK TO THE PARKS BUDGET FOR 2001
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, addressed the possible use of monies budgeted for the
Back to the Parks Budget for 2001. The City Manager cut the $10,000 budgeted in the Back to
the Parks Budget. The City Council put the money back in for a possible skate Park.
Commission Member, Bob Ruettimann, stated that the Back to the Parks Budget was never
intended for park facilities. The money that the community would raise for gazebos, park
benches, walking paths, etc. would be matched dollar for dollar by the Back to the Parks Budget.
The thought was that people would take an oxvnership of the parks.
REPORTS
RECREATION DIRECTOR
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, spoke with Red Nelson who is on the Met Council and
serves on the Park and Open Spaces Commission. Red Nelson has been urging Hennepin
County Parks to purchase the Salvation Army Camp and turn it into a nature park along with
saving Silver Lake. Several options were mentioned regarding Silver Lake Beach ifHennepin
County does purchase the Salvation Army Camp.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, reported that the attendance was up at the
skate rinks this winter along with it being the longest open season in three to four years. The
skate rinks will close for the winter season on March 4, 2001.
COMMISSION MEMBERS
Commission Member, Jerry Foss, inquired whether or not the Council waived the fees for the
Taste of Columbia Heights. Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, stated that the fee has been
waived by the City Council.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Foss, second by Magnuson to adjourn. All ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned
at 7:42 p.m.
Tina Foss, Park and Recreation Commission Secretary