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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 10, 2002 City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission December 10, 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; Matthew Henry; Gary Mayer; Gary Peterson; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer; David Payne; Bill Peterson Members absent: None Also present: David Paterson, Carol Ford, Bill Platt, Randy Schumacher, Asst. Community Development Director APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA: Motion to approve consent agenda by Foss; second by Bill Peterson. All ayes, motion camed. LETTERS AND REQUESTS: REQUEST FEES WAIVED FOR COMMUNITY HOIDAY PARTY Recreation Director, Keith Windshitl stated that this request is made by the Sister Cities International to waive the rental fees of Murzyn Hall so that more wheelchairs could be donated to Wheelchairs for Peace. Motion by Mayer, second by Foss to waive the fees for the Holiday Party. All ayes, motion carried. REQUEST FEES WAIVED FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL BANQUET Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl explained that this banquet is held for our current Columbia Heights firefighters as well as our retired firefighters. This event is the association's annual meeting and banquet. Motion by Bill Peterson, second by Payne to waive all fees for the Columbia Heights Firefighters Association annual banquet. All ayes, motion carded. OLD BUSINESS Commission Members asked about the status of the Murzyn Hall front sign. Recreation Director Keith Windschitl stated that the Lion's Club has committed to donating up to $5000 for the replacement of the front sign. The sign will be discussed at the next meeting. PAGE TWO NEW BUSINESS: STATUS OF PROPERTY LOCATED NORTH OF LOMIANKI PARK Commission Chair Evans stated that the Park and Recreation Commission needs to discuss the status of the property north of Lomianki Park and whether or not this land will be used for future park land. Dave Peterson, 3959 Main St. stated that he would like to see an agreement with the purchaser of the property so that they don't just buy the land and then turn around and re-sell the property for profit. He also questioned the moratorium that the City currently has in place. Randy Schumacher, Asst. Community Development Director stated that the moratorium was put in place due to the fact that the City has hired a planner to evaluate the industrial park and this would prevent any changes while the study is taking place. Dave Peterson recommended that the City wait until February 1 to make the decision because the people he talks to do not want to lose the park. Carol Ford, 3942 Main St. stated this area is used by people to hangout, play soccer, football, golf, or do just what they want to in an open space area. She stated that people come from Minneapolis to use the park. People come to watch the railroad and sunbath in this area. She stated that this area is good for kids to do unstructured activities. This area also has wildlife such as eagles, hawks, pheasants, deer, and geese. Commission Chair Evans asked about parking for this area. Carol Ford stated that people park on the street. Bill Platt, 3942 Main St. questioned the moratorium. Randy Schumacher, Asst. Community Development Director stated the moratorium is needed to allow the City to plan for the redevelopment of the industrial park. He also stated the owner of this business needs to relocate due to his need for additional space. This property is one of the only areas that could be used as industrial development. He has employees in the City and they make $30,000-$60,000 a year. The owner wants to construct a new building and is willing to pay market value of $113,000 for the property. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the park status be eliminated as it is consistent with the City Comprehensive Plan. Jerry Foss indicated that he is concerned with where the money would go from the sale of this property. He would like to see additional money generated for the parks even in the form of a park referendum. He stated that he is really against giving up park land. Bill Peterson indicated that we currently don't have money to upgrade or better the parks so we should sell this property to gain revenue for the parks. Chair Eileen Evans stated that maintenance is expensive and if we do not plan to develop this property as park land it should be sold and the revenue should come back to the parks. Motion by Bill Peterson, second by Henry to remove the park status of the property north of Lomianki, and all revenue generated from the sale of this property be put back into parks. Upon vote: Evans, yes; Foss, no; Greenhalgh, yes; Henry, yes; Mayer, no; Payne, yes; B. Peterson, yes. Five yes - Two no, motion carried. PAGE THREE MURZYN HALL RENTAL RATES FOR 2004 Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl explained the staff recommendation of a 5% rental rate increase for 2004. He stated a 5% increase would help offset some of the Murzyn Hall expenses. Mayor Peterson indicated that Council Member Nawrocki would like to see the resident discount go back to 35%. Motion by Foss, second by Greenhaugh to recommend a 5% increase for 2004 rental rates of Murzyn Hall. All ayes, motion carried. DNR GRANT POSSIBILITIES Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen discussed the various grant possibilities. He indicated that these grants are looking for more regional park use and generally are not for smaller parks. Ball fields and playground equipment may be applied for with these grants as well as land acquisition. Sullivan Park is in need of some major repairs and these rapairs should be put into a grant application. We need to look at the City five-year capital improvement plan and decide what needs we have. The City is moving forward with the Huset Park master plan. Improvements to Huset Park may be in the one million dollar range. Motion by Greenhaugh, second by Bill Peterson to recommend to the City Council to apply for two park grants which are matching grants. All ayes, motion carried. REPORTS Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, informed the Commission of some changes that were made to the scholarship form. Changes were made to update the income level. The Booster Association has donated money each year to cover the scholarships. Each child may use one scholarship per quarter. They are required to pay 25% of the fee if they qualify. He also stated there was an editorial in the Focus Newspaper regarding the park acres in the City of Columbia Heights which was incorrect. Kevin Hansen passed out accurate figures and they indicated the City has a total of 163.466 acres. Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director reminded Commission members of the holiday dinner on December 11, 2002 at Little Jacks. Kevin Hansen informed the Commission of ice problems again this year. He discussed the condition of the Ramsdell hockey rink boards and that they are in terrible shape and need to be removed. Motion by Greenhaugh, second by Foss to remove the hockey rink boards at Ramsdell due to the poor shape they are in. All ayes, motion carried. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director