HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-May-05
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City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
May 25, 2005
Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present:
Eileen Evans; Jerry Foss; Tom Greenhalgh; Gary Mayer;
David Payne; Gary Peterson; Marsha Stroik; Keith
Windschitl, Recreation Director; Kevin Hansen, Public
Works Director/City Engineer
Also present:
George Leverentz, Ben Erickson, Joe Sturdevant
Excused Absence:
Kevin McDonald
Absent:
None
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to approve consent agenda by Foss and second by Mayer. All ayes, motion
carried.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF SULLIVAN LAKE PARK OPERATING POLICIES
Resident George Leverentz discussed issues he has concerning Sullivan Lake Park such
as signage, hours and enforcement. He stated that there is real deterioration. He is also
concerned about dogs being allowed to run free without a leash and last year someone
rode around on a golf cart. Last Friday May 20th someone was riding around on a scooter.
He is also concerned about the vandalism that happened at his neighbor's house and
wants to know what the policies are for Sullivan Lake and if there is any enforcement. He
stated that he had received a copy of the Park Facility Use Policy from the Recreation
Director.
Kevin Hanson, Public works Director/City Engineer, stated that there are signs in the
park which remind people to keep dogs on a leash and that they need to pick up after
them.
Commission Member Marsha Stroik asked Mr. Leverentz if there has been any problems
with kids hanging around.
Mr. Leverentz stated that he had not seen many kids hanging around and that he wanted
to get to this meeting so he could discuss the policy issue. There were two reasons one
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being the dogs running loose and two the kids being out of school soon. George wanted
to know the park hours and if he were just to call the police 911 if anything happened.
Commission Member Eileen Evans indicated if there are laws being broke, he should call
the police. She also asked Mr. Leverentz to keep us posted as to what is going on in the
park.
THANK YOU LETTER FROM RESIDENT CHUCK ROSENQUIST
Resident Chuck Rosenquist sent a thank you letter to Recreation Director Keith
Windschitl and the City of Columbia Heights thanking them for giving them permission
to park and board the Casino bus at Murzyn Hall parking lot. Recreation Director Keith
Windschitl stated that it has been very successful so far and that residents are able to park
in the far end of the rear lot.
Commission Member Eileen Evans asked how they are advertising for this. Recreation
Director Keith Windschitl stated that they advertise this on a flier that they distribute and
that we are only listed at a pick-up and drop-off site, not as a sponsor.
REQUEST TO HOLD A WRESTLING FUNDRAISER AS PART OF JAMBOREE
A letter was received from Melissa Koester requesting a wrestling fundraiser for her
daughter who is diagnosed with Retts Syndrome. She would like to hold it on June 24,
2005 during the Jamboree. Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, indicated to Melissa
that the City has taken a tough approach to wrestling in the City, especially where alcohol
is served. The Commission indicated that they felt this type of all-star wrestling is
something we really do not want as a part of Jamboree. Motion to deny request for
wrestling fundraiser as a part of Jamboree by Stroik, second by Payne. All ayes, motion
carried.
REQUEST FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS RESIDENT DISCOUNT FOR AUGUST 19.
2006
A letter from the Class of 1966 requesting the 25% discount was received. Recreation
Director Keith Windschitl indicated that many of the classmates still have close ties to
Columbia Heights. He also noted that we have done this for Columbia Heights classes in
the past. Motion to grant the Class of 1966 the resident discount of 25% by Payne, second
by Greenhalgh. All ayes, motion carried.
REQUEST TO HOLD A YOUTH WRESTLING EXHIBITION AS PART OF
JAMBOREE
Recreation Director Keith Windschitl explained that this wrestling is part of our
Recreation program and they would like to have a demonstration of what the youth
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program is about. Motion to allow the youth wrestling exhibition as a part of Jamboree by
Foss, second by Payne. All ayes, motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
No old business.
NEW BUSINESS
AWARD FIREWORKS PROPOSAL FOR 2005 JAMBOREE
Recreation Director Keith Windschitl explained that we have two proposals for fueworks
from two companies, RES Specialty Pyrotechnics and Melrose North Pyrotechnics. '
Ben Erickson, of 4912 Jefferson St., shoots shows for RES Specialty Pyrotechnics and
explained how he feels RES is the company to contract with because of their 12 years in
the business and that they will give you the best and biggest bang for your money. He
stated that RES has safety as its number one priority, they have 25% more product, and
they go the extra mile to provide a great show.
Joe Sturdevant, of 1043 Polk Place, explained how he has had success with Melrose for
the C.H. Football Homecoming at the High School. He indicated that he has been very ,
satisfied with Melrose and they have been very consistent in the past.
Commission member Gary Mayer stated that he felt we should give the hometown kid a
chance to provide a great show for the City. Motion to select RES Specialty Pyrotechnics
for the 2005 Jamboree fueworks show by Mayer, second by Payne. All ayes, motion
carried.
REPORTS
RECREATION DIRECTOR
Recreation Director Keith Windschitl canceled the City park tour that Recreation
members were going to take due to inclement weather. We will reschedule for next
meeting.
Recreation Director Keith Windschitl wished Commission Member Jerry Foss a Happy
Birthday and invited everyone to have cake and ice cream.
Recreation Director Keith Windschitl announced that Liz Bray is the new Recreation
Coordinator. She will be full time status as of this week.
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PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER
Kevin Hanson, Public Works Director/City Engineer, stated that the basketball hoop at
Keyes had been taken down.
Recreation Director Keith Windschitl stated that he talked with Carrie Day Aspinwall and
. she indicated how dramatic things have improved since it was taken down.
Commission Members discussed if the hoop should be put back up because it was a
temporary solution. Motion by Greenhalgh to put the basketball hoop back up at Keyes
Park, second by Payne. Upon vote: Foss, nay; Greenhalgh, aye; Mayer, nay; Payne, aye;
Stroik, nay; Evans, nay. 4 nays-2 ayes, motion failed.
Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer, discussed the need of burning the
wetland area at Prestemon Park to establish a nice plant area for native grass and flowers.
COMMISSION MEMBERS
Commission Member Greenhalgh asked if we have done anything to get lights at
Prestemon before Huset gets redone and we lose our leagues due to fields being down for
a period of time.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Kevin Hansen indicated that only Huset 3 would be
impacted this year, and that will only move the backstop up fifteen feet.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director