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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 24, 2002 City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission September 24, 2002 The meeting was called to order by Eileen Evans at 6:35 p.m. ROLLCALL Members present: Eileen Evans; Jerry Foss; Tom G-reenhalgh; Gary Mayer; Gary Peterson; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director Members absent: Bill Peterson; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer Also present: Bruce Nawrocki; Kathryn Snyder and her son; Laurie Zagaros and her son APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA: Motion to approve consent agenda by Foss; second by Mayer. All ayes, motion carried. LETTERS AND REQUESTS: REQUEST FOR BIKE AND SKATEBOARD PARK IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS Columbia Heights resident, Kathryn Snyder, residing at 5210-5th St. NE inquired on getting a skate park built in Columbia Heights. Commission Chairperson, Eileen Evans, indicated that there is no money in the budget to fund a skate park and that having a skate park would incur a heavy liability for the City. Kathryn stated that neighborhood kids are skating in their alley or the Snyder Drug parking lot, which is not a safe place for the kids to be skate boarding. Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, informed'her that there is no money allocated in the budget for a park of that nature. Many current structures and playgrounds within Columbia Heights are outdated but there is no money to make any improvements at this time. Prestemon Park is the only park that has had major improvements and those improvements were made possible with grant monies. Columbia Heights resident, Laurie Zagaros, residing at 5205-4th St. NE asked if looking into getting local construction companies to help and if fundraising would be an option. She also asked if the next important issue is liability. Keith indicated that liability for a skate park is a major issue and would be determined by the type of skate park built. If a tier 1 skate park was built, the liability would be minimal and the park would be open at all times without supervision. If a tier 2 skate park was built, the liability is major and the skate park would need to be closed during the nighttime hours and there would need to be onsite supervision. The difference in the two tiers is the heights of the ramps. Commission Member, Tom Greenhalgh, stated that looking into getting community organizations to help defer costs and fundraising would be a good place to start. Mayor PAGE TWO Gary Peterson stated that if the money were raised, the City would look at options of a good location for the skate park within a City Park. OLD BUSINESS: UPDATE HUSET PARK MASTER PLAN Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, reported to the Commission that Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, was out ill so this item will not be discussed in detail. He also stated that in regards to the Huset Park Master Plan, the Industrial Plan would be working in conjunction with the Huset Park Master Plan. The current timeline is to wait for the Industrial Plan, as this plan may impact the park plan. NEW BUSINESS: JPM LEASE AGREEMENT Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, discussed with commission members about adding additional wording that would be beneficial to the JPM lease agreement. The City's insurance company has suggested this additional wording. Additional wording would require all licensed caterers to list the City as additional insured and provide the City with a copy of their insurance. Motion by Greenhalgh, second by Foss to add the additional wording that all caterers must provide the City with a copy of their catering license and a certificate of insurance listing the City of Columbia Heights as additional insured, to be effective the 1st of October 2002. All ayes, motion carded. RECREATION AND MURZYN HALL BUDGET FOR 2003 Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, briefly discussed the recreation and Murzyn Hall budget for 2003. He indicated that the 2003 budget has had minimal increases, which are mostly due to personal services, step increases and utility increases. The budget meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 23, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. in the Gauvitte room. He has suggested that the Park and Recreation Commission meeting take place at 6:00 p.m. instead of 6:30 p.m. on that same day to accommodate the budget meeting. PAGE THREE REPORTS RECREATION DIRECTOR THE BUILDING OF A LIQUOR STORAGE CABINET FOR THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS LION'S CLUB Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, reported that the Columbia Heights Lion's Club is moving forward with building a liquor storage area just south of the LaBelle Lounge. They are planning on starting the building process on Wednesday, October 2, 2002. JPM SIGNAGE Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, indicated that he would be approaching he Columbia Heights Lion's Club for money to purchase a new JPM sign for the front of the building. Commission Member, Jerry Foss, asked if this new sign would be programmable from the inside JPM. Keith stated that it would not be programmable from the inside JPM; it will be an updated version of the current signage. NEI Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, informed the commission members that Harry Wilcox from NEI stated that the roof must have leaked and damaged the gym floor in the large gym. The southwest and northwest comers of the gym floorboards are warped and need some major repair. This is a serious problem now that NEI has determined that the small gym is already unsafe and will not let us use it. Keith also indicated that to be in compliance with the new NEI contract, there must be someone at the front doors during any recreational events to supervise the facility. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m. Tina Foss, Park and Recreation Commission Secretary