HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 28, 2003 City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
May 28, 2003
The meeting was called to order by Eileen Evans at 6:37 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present:
Eileen Evans; Jerry Foss; Tom Greenhalgh; Matthew
Henry; Bruce Kelzenberg; Bill Peterson; Keith Windschitl,
Recreation Director; Kevin Hansen, Public Works
Director/City Engineer
Members absent:
Gary Mayer; David Payne
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to approve consent agenda by Foss; second by Greenhalgh. All ayes, motion
carried.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
REQUEST DOWN PAYMENT FOR HALL RENTAL BE REFUNDED
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, distributed a letter from the renter, Pat Serie,
requesting a refund for the down payment to secure the rental on August 8, 2003. The
guest list for the Serie wedding has significantly increased beyond the maximum capacity
of JPM. Motion by Foss, second by Bill Peterson to follow the current J-PM policy,
which would allow for down payment to be refunded only in the event dated of August 8,
2003, is re-rented. All ayes, motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
UPDATE ON THE SULLIVAN LAKE BENCHES
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, discussed the list of individuals or
businesses that have expressed an interest in donating park benches at Sullivan Lake
Park. Six out of the eight park benches desired have been donated, all requesting plaques
on the back of the park benches. Once installed a thank you letter will be sent to the
individuals or businesses that have made donations for the park benches.
PAGE TWO
SILVER LAKE BEACH
Commission Chairperson, Eileen Evans, discussed the interest from the Three Rivers
Park District in purchasing or leasing the Silver Lake Beach property, which is adjacent
to the Salvation Army Camp. Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, brought in a map
d~tailing the changes that will be made to the existing Salvation Army Camp and their
desired change to the Silver Lake Beach property. The interest of the Three Rivers Park
District is only in the Silver Lake Beach property itself and not the Columbia Heights
boat landing. They would like to turn the beach into a fishing pier. Public Works
Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, discussed the maintenance work that the Public
Works Department does to upkeep the beach and adjacent Columbia Heights property.
Eileen Evans expressed concern in giving up the property too quickly without knowing
the exact plans the Three Rivers Park District has for the property. Motion by
Greenhalgh, second by Henry to not release the Silver Lake Beach property for lease or
sale until the Three Rivers Park District plans are finalized and for Keith Windschitl to
continue to report back to the Commission of any information he receives pertaining the
plans of the Three Rivers Park District. All ayes, motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
MINNESOTA TWINS GRANT APPLICATION
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, discussed with the Commission Members the
Minnesota Twins Grant application, stating Keyes Park would benefit most from this
grant. The grant is a matching grant with a limit of $5,000. Public Works Director/City
Engineer, Kevin Hansen, stated the Public Works Department would implement
something similar to Prestemon Park for Keyes Park. Motion to by Greenhalgh, second
by B. Peterson to apply for the Minnesota Twins Grant and to push forward with Keyes
Park as the desired park. All ayes, motion carded.
MCKENNA PARK POOL SHELTER MODIFICATIONS
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, discussed with the Commission
Members the McKenna pool shelter modifications. Pictures of the current condition of
the McKenna pool shelter, which was constructed in 1969, were available for
Commission Members to view. Motion by Foss, second by Greenhalgh to tear down the
current McKenna pool shelter and put up a new roof. All ayes, motion carried.
PAGE THREE
"CONCEAL AND CARRY LAW" - WHAT IT MEANS FOR JPM
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, informed the Commission Members of what the
new "Conceal and Carry Law" means for JPM. The new law allows for handguns in
public places. The Recreation Director has contacted the City Attorney. J-PM cannot
p~ohibit handguns from its facility due to it being a public building. Commission
Chairperson, Eileen Evans, asked what the cities liability is if someone were shot on JPM
premises. It is uncertain of the liability at this time.
2003 JAMBOREE FIREWORKS DISPLAY
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, discussed the two bids for fireworks display. The
first proposal is from Melrose Pyrotechnics, Inc. who have done the fireworks display for
the past several years. The second proposal is from Premier Pyrotechnics, Inc. of
Crookston Minnesota. Both proposed a fifteen-minute show totaling $6,000. The City of
Columbia Heights contributes $3,000 towards the fireworks display and Keith Windschitl
sends out for donations for the remaining $3,000. Motion by B. Peterson, second by Foss
to continue to use Melrose Pyrotechnics, Inc. for the 2003 fireworks display. All ayes,
motion carded.
REPORTS
RECREATION DIRECTOR
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, informed the Commission that he is in the process
of working on the budget but does not know where JPM stands at this time. Public
Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, noted that the reductions from the State to
the City of Columbia Heights have been reduced for 2004 from 1.45 million to 1.045
million, which has not officially been voted on. This gives cities the ability to recoup a
portion thru property taxes. Commission Chairperson, Eileen Evans, asked what portion
of property taxes does the City receive. Kevin Hansen stated the 33% goes to the City
while the remaining 67% goes to the County and schools.
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, reported that the hardwood floors at JPM have
been refinished and look nice.
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, reported that he is close to filling the last summer
park position. Most of the summer staff is in place. Summer programs begin June 16.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, reported that the Public Works
Department is having difficulty finding kids for seasonal staffing. They are below 50%
on returns for seasonal staff due to staff graduating college or finding new employment.
PAGE FOUR
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, reported that the Columbia Heights
and Fridley Public Works Departments have both eliminated grass cutting from the
University Avenue Corridor budgets, which ceases upkeep on the corridor. Commission
Chairperson, Eileen Evans asked if the State would cOntinue upkeep on the corridor.
Kevin stated that the State only upkeeps the corridor twice a year.
COMMISSION MEMBERS
Commission Chairperson, Eileen Evans, asked Public Works Director/City Engineer,
Kevin Hansen, if it is too late in the season to burn the grass in the wetlands area. Kevin
Hansen stated that it is too late in the season to burn the grass. The grass will be burned
either late this fall or neet spring.
Commission Member, Jerry Foss, stated that he would like to see the Commission
Members walking through the local parks and communicate any problems to Public
Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen. Commission Chairperson, Eileen Evans,
would like to see the Commission Members picking parks that are closet to their
residence to watch for any problems or needs that the park may incur.
Commission Chairperson, Eileen Evans, asked Public Works Director/City Engineer,
Kevin Hansen, if seeding has been done where the tennis courts had been at Prestemon
Park. Kevin Hansen stated that it has been seeded twice.
Commission Member, Jerry Foss, asked Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, if he was
aware of the injuries sustained to a teenage boy skateboarding in Huset Park adjacent to
J-PM. Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, stated that he has a copy of the police
report. The accident and extent of the injuries are unknown at this time.
Commission Member, Jerry Foss, asked when the wading pools were expected to open.
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, indicated that the wading pools
should be ready by next week.
Commission Chairperson, Eileen Evans, asked where the money from the sale of
Lomianki North is at this time. Council Member, Bruce Kelzenberg, stated that the
money is not in the right account at this time.
Meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
Tina Foss, Park and Recreation Commission Secretary