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
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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
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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