HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 26, 2003 City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
March 26, 2003
The meeting was called to order by Jerry Foss at 6:34 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present:
Jerry Foss; Tom Greenhalgh; Matthew Henry; Bruce
Kelzenberg; Gary Mayer; David Payne; Keith Windschitl,
Recreation Director; Kevin Hansen, Public Works
Director/City Engineer
Members absent:
Eileen Evans; Bill Peterson
A1 so present:
Bobby Williams; Ryan Safranski; Aaron Johnson; T.J.
Edwards; Adam Benson; Mary Benson; Troy Safranski;
Sam McDonough; Tim James; Kevin Kane; Shawn
Carlson; Brandon Saiko; Erik Swoverland; Andrew Zajar;
Austin Zagaros
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to approve consent agenda by Mayer; second by Henry. All ayes, motion carried.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
There are no letters or requests at this time.
OLD BUSINESS
SKATE PARK
Council Member, Bruce Kelzenberg, spoke in place of absent Mayor, Julienne Wyckoff,
regarding the issue of a skate park being built in Columbia Heights. Twelve Central
Middle School and Columbia Heights High School students showed their support in
seeing a skate park built. Members of the Commission discussed several different
options regarding building a skate park in Columbia Heights from raising money,
opening up an account for all funds raised, Internet resources to frequenting other Skate
Parks. The consensus of the Commission is a skate park is a great idea but currently with
the budget crisis, we just don't have the money. Bobby Williams urged the students to
get more people involved in the project and not to take no for an answer. He asked how
many of them brought $1.00 for the Skate Park. Austin Zagaros was the only one with a
$1.00. Bobby Williams said for every $1.00 the students brought he would match with
$100.00. Bobby Williams matched the one-dollar with a hundred dollar bill. Matt Henry
gave the students some information he got about skate park grants from the Internet.
PAGE TWO
Bobby Williams stated that he felt we might have to fund this project with private funds
due to the City's budget situation. Henry questioned the status of Mounds View relating
to the attached article. Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, stated that he spoke with
the Public Works Department and they stated that the Park and Recreation Commission
in Mounds View had put the skate park on hold due to other park priorities such as trails
and building repairs. Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, stated that he
wants to make everyone aware of the additional maintenance involved and with the
budget situation they will have less people to perform maintenance. Commission
Member, Jerry Foss indicated that the Park and Recreation Commission is willing to
work with the youth to get this project done if the funds are available.
NEW BUSINESS
PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED PARK IMPROVEMENTS
PUBLIC HEARING FOR HUSET PARK
Acting Chairperson, Jerry Foss, informed the Commission of the public heating for DNR
grant applications for Huset Park.
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, stated that the DNR grants are
matching, up to a specified dollar amount. Therefore, a limiting factor is the amount of
matching funds the city has available to support the 50/50 match.
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, stated that improvements are
needed for Huset Park.
Acting Chairperson, Jerry Foss, opened the public heating of Huset Park.
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, stated the Public Works
Department is looking at an acquisition and demolition of the Kramer and Davis building
on the comer of Jefferson Street and 39th Avenue, along with finishing off that site for the
expansion of Huset Park. The projected amount for this project is $225,000. There will
be a meeting with the Huset Park Neighborhood Association members in April 2003.
Acting Chairperson, Jerry Foss, open the public heating of Huset Park for comments.
Acting Chairperson, Jerry Foss, closed the public heating.
PAGE THREE
PUBLIC HEARING FOR SULLIVAN LAKE PARK
Acting Chairperson, Jerry Foss, informed the Commission of the public hearing for DNR
grant applications for Sullivan Lake Park.
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, stated that the DNR grants are
matching, up to a specified dollar amount. Therefore, a limiting factor is the amount of
matching funds the city has available to support the 50/50 match.
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, stated that improvements are
needed for Sullivan Lake Park.
Acting Chairperson, Jerry Foss, opened the public heating of Sullivan Lake Park.
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, stated the Public Works
Department is looking at redeveloping the active areas of Sullivan Lake Park by
reconstructing the picnic shelter and playground area.
Acting Chairperson, Jerry Foss, opened the public heating of Sullivan Lake Park for
comments.
Acting Chairperson, Jerry Foss, closed the public hearing.
REVIEW OF PARK BENCH REPLACEMENTS AT SUIJ~IVAN LAKE PARK
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, discussed the need for new park
benches at Sullivan Lake Park. Currently there are two benches out of seven that are not
deteriorating or have vandalism. The Columbia Heights Police Department would like to
see vandal resistant park benches be put in place of the existing park benches. The cost
for new benches would be $500 for materials only. There are eight potential sites for
new park benches. Commission Member, Jerry Foss, asked if there was a way to collect
memorial donations. This issue was discussed at the previous council meeting. Kevin
Hansen asked how this could be advertised. Commission Members suggested advertising
in the local newspaper, to local residents and to Medtronic. Council Member, Bobby
Williams, stated that if there is a way to generate a list of Sullivan Lake residents he will
hand deliver a letter offering them to donate money to the benches as memorials. Kevin
Hansen will keep the Commission informed on any further developments.
PAGE FOUR
REPORTS
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, reported that the Public Works
Department is getting ready for the summer staff. Due to cuts in the budget, they will be
short three staff out of the normal size of fifteen seasonal staff.
RECREATION DIRECTOR
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, informed the Commission that we recently
received a check from NEI to reimburse us for time spent repairing the NEI gym floor.
The check amount was almost $2,800.00.
COMMISSION MEMBERS
Commission Member, Jerry Foss, thanked the Public Works Department for their
outstanding effort in keeping the streets of Columbia Heights plowed in a timely fashion.
Commission Member, Tom Greenhalgh, asked if there was intent to change the utility
billing regarding the Round Up Program. Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, stated
that he has looked into the Round Up Program with several other cities. Lino Lakes said
they have never done the Round Up Program. Roseville has done the Round Up Program
but the current software they have does not accommodate the program.
Council Member, Bruce Kelzenberg, stated that he would like to see 10% of pull-tab
money come back to the City. Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, stated that specific
wording would need to be in place for a resolution or ordinance. The City of Fridley
requires 50% to be given to the Fridley trade area. Brooklyn Center requires a
"significant" amount (90% average over three years) be used for purposes within the City
of Brooklyn Center.
Commission Member, David Payne, asked what the criteria are on selling concessions for
youth sports events. Concessions would allow the Park and Recreation Department to
make money to fund programs for the youth. Commission Member, Jerry Foss, stated
that if it were only pop and candy, no license would be required. An application would
need to be filed with the county and city if there is the sale of food.
Commission Member, Jerry Foss, informed the Commission that the Athletic Director at
Columbia Heights High School indicated $60,000 in budget cuts will need to be made to
the sports programs. This may lead to possible sports programs being cut.
PAGE FIVE
Commission Member, Tom Greenhalgh, informed the Commission that the boys
traveling basketball 7th and 8th graders took first place at the State Tournament. He noted
that even if gym space is limited, Columbia Heights could still compete with other
communities.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Tina Foss, Park and Recreation Commission Secretary