HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 25, 2003 City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
June 25, 2003
The meeting was called to order by Eileen Evans at 6:32 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present:
Eileen Evans; Bruce Kelzenberg; Gary Mayer; David
Payne; Bill Peterson; Keith Windschitl, Recreation
Director;
Members absent:
Jerry Foss; Tom Greenhalgh; Matthew Henry; Kevin
Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to approve consent agenda by Mayer; second by Peterson. All ayes, motion
carried.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
REQUEST FEES WAIVED BY V.F.W. POST 230
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, informed the Commission of the V.F.W. Post 230
requesting fees to be waived for their annual children's Christmas Party due to take place
Sunday, December 7, 2003. Commission member, Gary Mayer, asked if the V.F.W.
rents out their space at no charge. It was indicated that the V.F.W. does charge for
rentals in their facility. Keith indicated that the V.F.W. does donate $1000.00 to the
fireworks. He also stated that we have had many fee-waived events this year and JPM
revenue will be affected. Many events are either fee waived or the $40.00 entry and
$15.00 hourly is charged, which does not cover what we have into these events. They do
not take into consideration the clean up and set up that is involved for these events. We
are only charging these groups for the time they are actually here. If we have an event
the night before we have eight hours staff time for clean up and set up before they even
walk in the door. After their event the clean up still has to be done. In the budget crisis
that we are currently in we need to inform the City Council of the many civic and
community groups that utilize the building. There are nights where we have a staff
person here to cover one meeting that may be going on in the facility by one fee waived
group. As the issue of expenditures verses revenue has come up time and time again, we
need to either start charging these groups or realize that this is a community building and
should be operated for the benefit of the residents. Motion by Mayer, second by Payne to
refuse full rental fees to be waived and to impose the policy of $40 entry fee and $15 per
hour. All ayes, motion carded.
PAGE TWO
REQUEST FEES WAIVED FOR THE TIBETAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION OF
MINNESOTA
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, informed the Commission of the request for fees
to be waived for the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota to be held the weekend
of August 2, 2003. The letter of request is unclear of specific details. Commission
Chairperson, Eileen Evans, noted that parking would be difficult due to a wedding being
held the same weekend. Motion by Peterson, second by Mayer to impose the policy of
$40 entry fee, $15 per hour and no cooking would be allowed to take place and the event
would have to be complete by 5:00 p.m. Upon vote: ayes, Peterson, Mayer; abstained,
Payne.
OLD BUSINESS
"CONCEAL AND CARRY LAW" - WHAT IT MEANS FOR JPM
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, informed the Commission that he has checked
with the City Attorney, Jim Hoeft, and discussed with the City Manager, Walt Fehst, to
see what the options are for prohibiting handguns in JPM. At this point the City can
restrict handguns when rented out for a private function. This would consist of posting
signage at every entrance and verbally inform each guest that handguns would not be
allowed in the facility. Commission Chairperson, Eileen Evans, stated that this would be
costly to have a speaker system installed at each door. Keith stated that there are several
governmental entities testing this law by banning guns at their facilities. Motion by
Peterson, second by Payne to table this issue at this time. All ayes, motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
There is no new business at this time.
REPORTS
RECREATION DIRECTOR
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, informed the Commission that he attended a First
Lutheran congregation meeting. The discussion pertained to the expansion for a high
school regulation gym to be built as part of their expansion. The church is willing to
work with the community to use the new facility for a rental fee.
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, reported the events for the Columbia Heights
Jamboree. The parade will take place on Friday, June 27, 2003; the concert will take
place on Saturday, June 28, 2003; and the fireworks display will take place on Sunday,
June 29, 2003.
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Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, reported that Three Rivers Park District will be
attending the Suly 23, 2003 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. They plan to do a
presentation for the Commission members.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, on behalf of Public Works' Director/City
Engineer, Kevin Hanson, reported that a letter has been sent to Mr. Sowoda addressing
Mr. Sowoda's initial request pertaining to screening he would like installed adjacent to
the City's pool at Ramsdell Park. This issue will be on the July 23, 2003 meeting as
Kevin is researching this matter.
COMMISSION MEMBERS
Council Member, Bruce Kelzenberg, presented Commission Chairperson, Eileen Evans,
with the sales figures for north Lomianki Park. At this time, $117,277.76 has been
distributed into the City Park Capital Development fund.
Meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
Tina Foss, Park and R~reation Commission Secretary