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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 24, 2002THESE MINUTES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission July 24, 2002 The meeting was called to order by Eileen Evans at 6:33 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Eileen Evans; Jerry Foss; Tom Greenhalgh; Gary Mayer; Bill Peterson; Gary Peterson; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director Members absent: None Also present: Kathy Hofstedt APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA: Motion to approve consent agenda by Foss; second by Mayer. All ayes, motion carried. LETTERS AND REQUESTS: SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL REQUEST PERMISSION TO USE THE CITY VAN Commission Chairperson, Eileen Evans, reported to the Commission that the Sister Cities International have requested permission to use the city van for a two-night visit to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in early November 2002 to attend the Milwaukee Art Museum. She asked the Commission if there is any restrictions on distance the city van is allowed to go. Mayor, Gary Peterson, asked what the longest trip the city van has been used for. Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, stated that there has been no set distance requirement but to date, the longest trip with the city van has been to New Ulm and Duluth. Commission Member, Tom Greenhalgh, asked what benefit would the City have by this group going on the Milwaukee trip. Since it is not a city function, there would be no city benefit. Motion by Foss, second by Greenhalgh to amend the policy allowing the city van be used for city functions only and to stay within Minnesota. All ayes, motion carried. PAGE TWO OLD BUSINESS: THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, reported to the Commission that Three Rivers Park District has purchased the nearly seven acres of the old Salvation Army Camp located on Silver Lake. Three Rivers has hosted several open houses at the old Salvation Army Camp. They are also currently taking input from the community on the development of the park and are looking for input for the park master plan. The Recreation Director will be attending the park planning meetings. PROPERTY SOUTH OF LOMIANKI PARK Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, addressed the Commission regarding the letter that was sent to the City Council concerning the sale of the property south of Lomianki Park. The letter indicated that the consensus of the Park and Recreation Commission was that they would like to see any money generated from the sale of this property to be put back into the parks. NEW BUSINESS: REVIEW OF PROPOSALS FOR THE HUSET PARK MASTER PLAN Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, reported that the Public Works Department sent out 8 original RFP requests with only receiving 3 responses. Staff reviewed the proposals and ranked them. They felt that the least qualified was URS. Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. was considered to be adequately qualified leaving Bonestroo Rosene Anderlik & Associates being the most qualified. Overall, Huset Park has storm problems and Bonestroo is willing to integrate storm water solutions within the overall comprehensive plan. Commission Chairperson, Eileen Evans, asked how much money is left over from the sale of parkland to Medtronic and the purchase of land where the railroad tracks are. Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, stated that of the initial $320,000 to $340,000, there is approximately $180,000 to $190,000 remaining. Motion by Bill Peterson, second by Foss to have City Council proceed forward this year by proposing Bonestroo for the RFP. All ayes, motion carried. REVIEW ST. TIMOTHY'S DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, reviewed with the Commission the 25-unit Townhome Development that will be built on a 2.43 acres adjacent to Sullivan Lake Park and St. Timothy's Lutheran Church noting Park Dedication fees and a new trail connection. $750.00 per unit, approximately $19,000, will be going back to the parks stipulated towards Sullivan Lake Park only. Townhome Builder, Bruce Nedegaard, questioned if the monies going back into the park could be used for an aeration system of PAGE THREE Sullivan Lake. Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, stated that Sullivan Lake functions as a storm water pond and would not be a good candidate for an aeration system. Another park related issue pertains to a bridge request to connect a trail that will surround the townhome project to the existing trail that surrounds Sullivan Lake. REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL SIGNAGE AT SUIJJVAN LAKE PARK Kathy Hofstedt, a Columbia Heights resident residing at 701-50 ½ Ave. NE, stated to the commission her reasons for requesting more signage at Sullivan Lake. She would like to see signage to designate bike/walking trails and for picking up after animals. Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, reported to the Commission that Public Works has received two requests for signage to be put up at Sullivan Lake Park. The requests are to differentiate between the walking and bike trails and to pick up dog feces. In 1998, signage was taken down because it was ineffective and to took away from the park. Commission Members stated that if signs were put up to pick up after your dog, it would promote false expectations because of the potential for tickets that would not be enforced. It has been questioned if the entire trail around the lake could be widened to accommodate for both biking and walking but MN/Dot requires that a combination trail would need to be 10' in width and certain sections of Sullivan Lake would not allow for such width. Motion by Greenhalgh, second by B. Peterson to put up 4 "No Bike" signs in Sullivan Lake Park. All ayes, motion carried. NEI COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY IJF. ASE AGREEMENT Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, reviewed the attached proposed lease agreement for the use of the gymnasium at NEI College of Technology. NEI stated that the small gym is in poor shape and is not fit to be used for any activities due to safety and liability concerns. NEI is also requiring us to staff the building and to monitor the entrance due to some past problems. Commission Member, Jerry Foss, asked how much are we paying to upkeep the floor. Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, stated that we work with the school district to defer costs. In the last year we have replaced some wood floorboards and we put a new backboard up. REPORTS PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, reported that the estimated cost incun'ed by Public Works for the 2002 Columbia Heights Jamboree was over $10,000. Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, informed the Commission that one of Public Works seasonal workers sustained a substantial injury due to a lawn mower accident. PAGE FOUR RECREATION DIRECTOR Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, reported that the 2002 Columbia Heights Jamboree went well and he has received several compliments on the fireworks. Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, stated that on Friday, July 26, 2002, there is going to be a Police/Fire Department appreciation dance. This event has been considered to be a city sanctioned event and will be put on by Ran Productions. The public is welcome. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Tina Foss, Park and Recreation Commission Secretary