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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 23, 2003 City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission April 23, 2003 The meeting was called to order by Eileen Evans at 6:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Eileen Evans; 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: Bill Peterson APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA Motion to approve consent agenda by Foss; second by Greenhalgh. All ayes, motion cmTied. LETTERS AND REQUESTS REQUEST FEES WAIVED BY SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL Commission Chairperson, Eileen Evans, informed the Commission of the Sister Cities International request for fees to be waived for a spaghetti supper to be held on Sunday, June 1, 2003. Motion by Foss, second by Henry to charge a $40 entry fee and $15 per hour. All ayes, motion carded. Co remission Chairperson, Eileen Evans, read the request from the Columbia Heights Community Prayer Breakfast committee requesting fees waived for the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast to be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2003. Motion by Mayer, second by Payne to waive all hall rental fees. All ayes, motion carried. OLD BUSINESS MATT TOWNSEND, HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR, WILL BE PRESENT TO DISCUSS LACK OF GYM SPACE Matt Townsend, Columbia Heights Activities Director, addressed the issue of lack of gym space throughout the city of Columbia Heights. His concerns are that the up and coming youth trying out for varsity level sports will not have the skills necessary to compete at that level. The lack of time for practices may deter potential new residents from coming to the community and that there will be a loss of feeder programs. He would like to brainstorm to see how it may be possible to get a facility for our youth with gym space. PAGE TWO Commissiori Chairperson, Eileen Evans, stated that she understands the situation and made mention to the referendums that have failed in the past. She also believes that the school needs to be involved and present this issue to the parents. The Commission Members inquired on where the new facility would be built and where the finances would be generated. Eileen asked what happened to Lomianki Park South property. Bruce Kelzenberg said nothing has happened with South Lomianki. Jerry Foss asked about the sale of North Lomianki if the money has been designated to parks as the Park and Recreation Commission had recommended. Bruce Kelzenberg stated that he felt the proceeds from the sale of North Lomianki would be put back into parks but they have not designated as of yet. It was decided that a committee would need to be formed involving the Columbia Heights School District, the community, and Columbia Heights Recreation. Commission Members Jerry Foss; David Payne; and Tom Greenhalgh volunteered to be on the new committee. Motion by Greenhalgh, second by Payne to have the Columbia Heights Activities Director, Matt Townsend and the Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl form an active new committee to look at the possibilities of creating a facility with additional gym space. All ayes, motion carried. NEW BUSINESS UPDATE ON COLUMBIA HEIGHTS JAMBOREE Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, informed the Commission that the Columbia Heights Jamboree has several changes this year. The Jamboree will be running from Wednesday, June 25, 2003 through Sunday, June 29, 2003. The changes are as follows: Friday, June 27, 2003 will be the parade following the old route; Saturday, June 28, 2003 will be the Columbia Heights Charity concert headlining SHeDAISY; Sunday, June 29, 2003 will be the fireworks display. Beer gardens will run until the fireworks begin at dusk. REPORTS RECREATION DIRECTOR Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, informed the Commission on the research he has done concerning pull-tab operations. The City of Blaine requires 10% of the net profits be given back to the City from any pull tab operations in Blaine. Commission Member, Jerry Foss, stated that the money has to be designated and cannot be put into a City's general fund. Commission Chairperson, Eileen Evans, asked if the Commission could make a recommendation to the Council to have money dedicated towards building a Community Center. The information was given to Council Member, Bruce Kelzenberg. PAGE THREE Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, informed the Commission of the many fee waived events that have been held at JPM this year and this would significantly impact JPM revenue this year. He also indicated there are fee reduced groups which book several dates that could be rented for full price. It should be noted that JPM is a facility which serves many civic groups in the community. Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, reporting for Mayor, Julienne Wyckoff, regarding the Planning Committee for additional gym space at First Lutheran Church in Columbia Heights. Keith Windschitl will be active on the committee and will report any progress as it is made. Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, stated that Mayor, Julienne Wyckoff, would like to see a concession stand be put in at Silver Lake Beach to help raise money for a skate park in Columbia Heights. The Recreation Director will research this matter. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, informed the Commission that out of the eight park benches for Sullivan Lake Park they have one that has been donated. The plan is to mail letters out to residents and businesses within a three-block radius of the park in hopes of further donations of the park benches. Kevin Hansen will report any progress as it is made. Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, reported that the Public Works Department is getting the wading pools ready for the community. They plan on opening the wading pools Memorial Day. COMMISSION MEMBERS Commission Member, Jerry Foss, reported to the Commission that Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, sent a request to the Columbia Heights Athletic Boosters on yearly funding. The Columbia Heights Athletic Boosters will be donating $25,000 to the Recreation Department for the youth this year. Commission Member, David Payne, inquired about the JPM signage that has been previously discussed and is to be replaced and paid for by the Columbia Heights Lion's Club. Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, stated that he is working with the Columbia Heights Lion's Club to have the sign purchased directly by the Lion's Club to save tax on the purchase due to the fact that the Lion's are tax exempt. PAGE FOUR Commission Member, David Payne, noted that there are a lot of communities that have baseball teams with sponsors and inquired if it would be a possibility of getting sponsors for the Columbia Heights baseball teams. Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, informed David Payne that local businesses are consistently approached for donations. Sponsors may be something that we will have to look at in the future due to budget cuts. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Tina Foss, Park and Recreation Commission Secretary