HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 26, 2003 CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
PARK & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA
KEYES ROOM, JOHN P. MURZYN HALL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2003
6:30 P.M.
The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access
to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs or activities. Upon request, accommodation will
be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all City of Columbia Heights' services,
programs and activities. Auxiliary aids for handicapped persons are available upon request when the
request is made at least 96 hours in advance. Please call the City Council Secretary at 706-3611, to make
arrangements. (TDD/706-3692 for deaf only).
1. ROI J. CALL
CONSENT AGENDA
All items listed with asterisks (****) are considered to be routine by the Park &
Recreation Commission and will be enacted as part of the consent agenda by one motion.
3. (****) APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 26, 2003 MINUTES
4.(****)
APPROVAL PAYMENT OF BILLS
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
There are no letters or requests at this time.
6. OLD BUSINESS
A. SKATE PARK
Mayor, Julienne Wyckoff, will continue the discussion of a possible skate park to
be built in Columbia Heights. Attached is a newspaper article entitled, "Skate Park
still being considered".
NEW BUSINESS
A. PUBLIC HEARING FOR PROPOSED PARK IMPROVEMENTS
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, will discuss park
improvements at Huset Park and Sullivan Park. Attached is a memo regarding
Public Heating for DNR Grant applications.
PAGE TWO
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B. REVIEW OF PARK BENCH REPLACEMENTS AT SUIJIVAN LAKE PARK
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen, will discuss park bench
replacements at Sullivan Lake Park.
REPORTS
A. Recreation Director
B. Public Works Director/City Engineer
C. Commission Members
ADJOURNMENT
P&RCOMM: AGENDA-MAR03
City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
February 26, 2003
Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present:
Eileen Evans; Jerry Foss; Tom Greenhalgh; Matt Henry;
Gary Mayer; Dave Payne; Bill Peterson; Bruce Kelzenberg,
City Council Representative; Kevin Hansen, Public Works
Director/City Engineer; Keith Windschitl, Recreation
Director
Members absent:
Also present:
Julienne Wyckoff, Mayor of Columbia Heights, and Karen
Moeller, Senior Coordinator/Acting Secretary
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA:
Motion to approve consent agenda by Foss; second by Mayer. All ayes, motion carried.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS:
REQUEST FOR "TASTE OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS"
Mayor Julienne Wyckoff submitted a fee-waived request for the "Taste of Columbia
Heights" to be held at Murzyn Hall on Sunday, March 23 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. A brief
discussion was held on the Commission's policy on fees being waived and the concern to
keep it consistent. Motion by Foss to waive the fee for the "Taste of Columbia Heights";
second by Payne. All ayes, motion carried.
REQUEST FOR FUND-RAISER
Todd Barduson, Twin City Co-ops Federal Credit Union, submitted a fee-waived request
for a fund-raiser for a friend who has cancer. Motion by Foss to waive the fee but charge
a $40 opening fee along with a $15 per hour staff fee; second by Peterson. All ayes,
motion carried.
REQUEST FOR APPRECIATION NIGHT
Ran Rittmiller of Ran Production submitted a fee-waived request for the yearly
appreciation night honoring the Columbia Heights Police and Firefighters. It is
scheduled for March 7 from 8:00 - 10:30 p.m. Motion by Peterson to waive the fee;
second by Foss. All ayes, motion carried.
PAGE TWO
OLD BUSINESS:
PARKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer, presented Commission members
with a document showing what has been done to date in park improvements. The park
plan that was designed in 1996 has been the basis for the City's park planning program to
date. A new plan from 2003 to 2007 has been proposed. Kevin indicated the staff had
categorized the projects in priority and it would help if the Commission did the same.
Discussion was held regarding picnic shelters, particularly the Sullivan Park shelter.
Kevin indicated that Medtronic has been approached for monies and seems interested in
pursuing this type of project. Kevin also noted that grant money is needed in order to
follow through on desired projects.
Huset Park was also mentioned as a priority in updating the facilities. This project needs
a great deal of planning and direction from the City Council. A "master plan" needs to be
developed before any action can be taken.
Jerry Foss mentioned a citizen had called him asking about the weeds by the bridge at
Sullivan Park. Kevin indicated this area is heavily regulated by the DNR and this is
considered aquatic vegetation. Any weed cutting has to be approved by the DNR.
Kevin also pointed out that the wading pools need major updates and a decision will have
to be made in the near future as to whether to make the necessary repairs or close them.
Motion by Peterson to approve the 2003 - 2007 parks capital improvement plan; second
by Foss. All ayes, motion carried.
UPDATE OF YOUTH GRANT STATUS AND COORDINATOR POSITION
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, informed the Commission the CHASE grant
would be ending on March 7th. There will be a loss of $65,000. The City will not be
filling the Youth Enrichment Coordinator's position so the hope is that the School
District will pick up some of the programs. Keith mentioned that the intent for the
summer playground programs is to hire a part time coordinator to line these up and
supervise staff.
Keith informed the Commission that there will be monies coming from the 21st Century
Federal Grant in which we are in partnership with the School District. This, too, has been
trimmed to $54,000 annually for the Recreation programs.
PAGE THREE
Also brought up by Keith at this time was the shortage of facilities for both youth and
adult sports. Currently teams are getting bumped from the elementary and Middle
Schools, which takes away both practice and game time. This hurts the quality of the
program and is causing people to look elsewhere for programs. He pointed out that the
ball fields are also in need of fixing up in order to run a quality program and to offer
tournaments.
LION'S CLUB BAR OPERATION
Keith informed the Commission that he had attended the Lion's Club meeting on
February l0th to review the bar policies for receptions and events. The intent is to make
it as customer friendly as possible. New brochures need to be made since the drink prices
went up in cost. These are given to renters and need to be accurate. Keith will continue
working with the Lion's Club in the areas that need to be addressed.
NEW BUSINESS
ROUND-UP FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Mayor Julienne Wyckoff spoke to the Commission about "Round-up for the
Environment", a program where each water user in the City can donate funds for
environmental protection through the City's billing process. This could be a way to bring
in a source of funding for park and environmental improvements. Mayor Wyckoff
indicated that with the upcoming budget cuts, various new and creative funding methods
are going to have to be looked at. It was mentioned that the City's current finance system
is not programmed to handle this type of program, but the Finance Director is willing to
look into it. Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer pointed out
recommendations from the utility rates study will be out in June, and that the citizens
would have to be well informed if this type of program was to take place.
Motion by Foss to direct Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer, to pursue
the "Round-up for the Environment" program and bring information back to the March
Commission meeting; second by Greenhalgh. All ayes, motion carried.
SKATE PARK
Mayor Julienne Wyckoff expressed her interest in providing a skate park in the City and
possible options. Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director, began this topic by showing a
video entitled "Modular Skatepark System". It highlighted various communities,
primarily in California and Texas that had installed skate parks. Keith had brochures
available from several companies he had contacted regarding skate parks. Discussion
was held on the type of skate park (size, surface) and the location. It was determined by
the Commission that at the current time there is no money to pursue this.
PAGE FOUR
Mayor Wyckoff also brought up during this discussion the possibility of developing
walking trails by Lomianki Park. The Commission responded by saying this parkland
had been given up to be developed. No action was taken regarding the trail system.
REPORTS
RECREATION DIRECTOR
Keith informed the Commission Gary Peterson has generated a fund for a new
community center.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER
Kevin reported results from the skating and hockey rinks. Hockey use stayed about the
same as in previous years. General skating was down this year. It was pointed out that
by not flooding rinks it would save approximately $60,000.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Karen Moeller, Acting Park and Recreation Commission Secretary
EXPENSES - MURZYN HALL - FEBRUARY, 2003
DATE VENDOR ITEM COST ACCOUNT
10-Feb Goodin bubbler and cartrige $44.88 2160
1 O-Feb Menards ceiling tile $39.60 2171
1 O-Feb Office Depot calendar book $49.00 2171
1 O-Feb G&K uniforms $24.50 2171
10-Feb Embroidery & more shirts $326.52 2172
26-Feb Excel energy electricity $925.61 3810
28-Jul State of MN consumption license $150.00 4390
26-Feb State of MN sales tax $72.92 4395
TOTAL $1,633.03
I
I
MEMO
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Parks and Recreation Commission
Kevin Hansen, Director of Public Works
March 19, 2003 for Commission meeting of March 26, 2003.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR DNR GRANT APPLICATIONS
As part of the application process under the DNR Grant Program, a separate public hearing is required to
consider the projects proposed for funding. A public hearing notice was placed in the Focus Newspaper for
public notice of the time, date, and purpose of the public hearing. A hearing procedure is attached for
information. The proposed projects to be considered for grant funding are:
1)
Huset Park:
a) Land and Building Acquistion
b) Building Demolition
c) Site Grading
2)
Sullivan Lake Park:
a) Picnic Shelter Reconstruction
b) Playground area Reconstruction
Staff will provide a project overview and cost summary at the hearing. It would then be appropriate for the
Commission to provide a recommendation on proceeding with each project.
As a reminder, 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. Although, the city's 50
percent match can be of in-kind services, Parks Department available time and personnel factors need to be
considered. The City Council may also need to provide additional funds in the 2003 or 2004 Parks Capital
Improvement Program for matching amounts if grant awards are made.
Attachments: Public Hearing Procedure
h/Public Works/kevinh/parks/P& R_mtg/3 _26_03/DNR_Grant~-Headng.doc