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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 22, 2003 City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission January 22, 2003 Jerry Foss called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Jerry Foss; Tom Greenhalgh; Matt Henry; Dave Payne; Gary Mayer; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Bruce Kelzenberg, City Council Representative Members absent: Eileen Evans; Bill Peterson Also present: Karen Moeller, Senior Coordinator, Acting Secretary APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA: Motion to approve consent agenda by Mayer; second by Payne. All ayes, motion carded. LETTERS AND REQUESTS: Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director, informed the Commission that Gary Peterson and Bobby Williams have requested fees be waived in the use of Murzyn Hall for a Tri-City Hockey fund raiser to be held on February 14th from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Monies raised will be donated to the Th-City Hockey Association. A dinner and Lion's bar will be included in this event. Motion by Mayer to waive the fee for this event; second by Payne. All ayes, motion carried. A letter was received from Lori Schoenike requesting fees be waived for a benefit for her sister who has cancer. They would like to hold it on Saturday, March 15th from 4:00 - 10:00 p.m. Motion by Payne to waive the fee but charge a $40 opening fee along with a $15 per hour staff fee; second by Greenhalgh. All ayes, motion carried. OLD BUSINESS: REPLACEMENT OF MURZYN HALL FRONT SIGN Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director, informed the Commission that the sign in front of Murzyn Hall needs to be replaced for safety reasons. Keith also informed the Commission that the Lion's Club has committed to donating up to $5,000 for the purchase of a new sign. Photos of various signs were passed around and discussion was held as to color and design of the sign. Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer, indicated that discussion had previously been held regarding City signage and that it would be good to have consistency in color and a logo. It was a consensus of the PAGE TWO Commission that the color blue be incorporated into the new sign and that Keith would get price quotes from various sign companies. Motion by Greenhalgh to keep the same kind of design for the new sign as is currently there; to utilize the color blue; and to keep the full name: "J.P. Murzyn Hall" on the sign; second by Payne. All ayes, motion carried. NEW BUSINESS: REVIEW AND UPDATE PARKS FIVE YEAR CIP Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer, presented Commission members with the 5 - year capital improvement plan. It was felt new Commission members would benefit from reviewing this. General discussion took place about what has already been done and Commission members requested that a list be made and brought to the next meeting so they could actually see results. Kevin felt it would be beneficial for the Commission to prioritize projects prior to going before the City Council. Discussion will continue at the February meeting. A question was presented on the purchase of land by Huset Park and the price that was paid. Kevin informed the Commission that $60,000 was for necessary demolition and clean up and $240,00 was for the actual land. REPORTS RECREATION DIRECTOR Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director, informed the Commission that Kelly Mertes, Youth Enrichment Coordinator, has resigned effective January 31, 2003. She has accepted a programming position at the new Rockford Community Center. The status of her position is being looked at with Walt Fehst, City Manager, and Linda Magee, Assistant to the City Manager. It is not clear if this will stay a full time position. Much will depend on the status of the State Grant that is currently a source of funding for programs. Keith pointed out that the department has joined with the Columbia Heights Schools for a 21st Century Grant, which is Federal money. Keith informed the Commission that Sue Wolny, part-time Murzyn Hall custodian, has her Girl Scout Troop collecting ice skates, which will be given to the warming houses to give out if individuals do not have skates. Keith brought forward a request from Opportunity Partners, a non-profit organization, to waive the fee for an Awards Banquet to be held at Murzyn Hall on February 19th. Motion by Greenhalgh to waive all fees for this event; second by Henry. All ayes, motion carried. Keith informed the Commission of the status of the NEI gym. Due to water and mold damage a considerable amount of work had to be done. Keith, Henry Henry, Murzyn PAGE THREE Hall Custodian, and Josh Overmohle, Sports Programmer, have been doing the work. It should be ready to go by January 30th. The final item of business was informing the Commission of the recent increase in drink prices by the Lion's Club. A Murzyn Hall renter had called asking why the increase of which Keith knew nothing about. Keith indicated he has been in contact with Roger Gillespie, Lion' s Club representative, about the lack of communication and will be following up with a letter addressing this issue. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer, informed the Commission that two of the warming house attendants have quit so one of the warming houses needs to be closed for the season. In looking at numbers of skaters it was determined that Gauvette would be the one to close, as numbers were the lowest at this park. The ice will continue to be maintained. Kevin also pointed out that the overall use of the skating rinks was up from last year. COMMISSION MEMBERS Bruce Kelzenberg, Council Representative, mentioned that he was pursuing with interest the possibility of the Columbia Heights Athletic Boosters getting pull-tabs in at BW-3. Dave Payne brought up the idea of having concessions at the ball games at Huset Park as a money making project. Discussion followed on how difficult it might be to staff the concession stand. No action was taken on this. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Karen Moeller, Acting Park and Recreation Commission Secretary