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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 18, 2003 City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission December 18, 2003 The meeting was called to order by Eileen Evans at 6:28 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Also present: Excused Absent: Absent: Eileen Evans; Jerry Foss; Tom Greenhalgh; Bruce Kelzenberg; Gary Mayer; Kevin McDonald; David Payne; Marsha Stroik; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer Chris Bieringer; Jim Mailand None None APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA Motion to approve consent agenda by Foss; second by Mayer. All ayes, motion carried. LETTERS AND REQUESTS There are no letters or requests at this time. OLD BUSINESS HUSET PARK MASTER PLAN PRESENTATION BY BONESTROO ROSENE ANDERLIK & ASSOCIATES Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, reviewed the Huset Park Master Plan and discussed looking at alternatives with the park planning consultant. Bonestroo representatives Chris Bieringer and Jim Mailand were present to address the different facets of the Huset Park Master Plan. Director of Park & Recreation Group for Bonestroo, Jim Mailand, discussed the history of the Huset Park Master Plan. Information Packets including a plat map, natural buffers, changes in parking and water options, were handed out to Commission Members. The water features presented to the Commission were the splash pad feature and the shallow water feature. Kevin Hansen noted that the current three wading pools in Columbia Heights do not meet State codes and of the possibility of future closure of the wading pools. One scenario to address this would be to focus on one water feature at a larger park. PAGE TWO Commission Chairperson, Eileen Evans, expressed concerns regarding daycare providers whom may not live close enough to walk children to the new water feature if all three wading pools were to close. -Jim Mailand informed the Commission that Jefferson Street NE would be changed into a parkway that would not allow for street parking. This change would be safer for children. The road would be reduced to 28' wide and there would be a curvature in the road to accommodate the wagon wheel ball fields. The wagon wheel ball fields include two men's softball fields, a t-ball field and a little league field. A building that would hold concessions, storage and restrooms would be placed in the center of the wagon wheel ball fields. Commission Member, Marsha Stroik, questioned the lighting of the fields and how it would be determined which field would be lit. Jim Mailand stated that the light poles could be positioned to light more than one field. The entrance to JPM would be relocated and parking layout would be changed. Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, expressed concerns on parking regarding the Senior Center and Preschool, both yielding high traffic and need for sufficient parking in close proximity to the back entrance. The parking issue will be reviewed and modifications will be brought to the Commission at a later date. The elimination of the north entrance off of Mill Street was put before the Commission. Elimination of this entrance would allow for a landscaped plaza and other amenities on the west side of JPM. At the next meeting there will be two entrance options, eliminating the entrance all together or moving the entrance to a different location. Commission Members will make their suggestions when the new plans are created. Discussion continued on the best location (in the City) for a skate park and Kevin Hansen asked what other feature could be put in place of the designated skate park location. Several options, including open space, were discussed and different options will be presented at a later date, with the removal of the skating park at Huest. Commission Member, Jerry Foss, asked about the timetable that would be used for grant purposes for the Huset Park Master Plan. Kevin Hansen stated that a joint meeting would need to be held the week prior to the regular January 2004 Park and Recreation Commission meeting, along with presenting the Huset Park Master Plan to the City Council at the first workshop in February 2004. Once that is completed, the grant could be applied for. He noted that due to lack of available funding, the park would be built in phases over a several year time span. PAGE THREE Senior Project Manager, Chris Bieringer, asked the Commission on their thoughts of developing playground space for youth over 5th grade. Kevin Hansen stated that they plan to keep the playground space pre-kindergarten on one side of the trail and kindergarten through 5th grade on the other side of the trail. Motion by Greenhalgh, r~cond by Foss to move the Park and Recreation Commission Meeting to Tuesday, January 20, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. to hold a joint Public meeting with the Huset Park Neighborhood Group. 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 the City Council voted 4-1 in favor of JPM being a non-smoking facility beginning in 2005. COMMISSION MEMBERS Commission Member, Jerry Foss, wished the Commission Members a Merry Christmas. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Tina Foss, Park and Recreation Commission Secretary