HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-February-05
City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
February 5, 2005
Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present:
Eileen Evans; Jerry Foss; Tom Greenhalgh; Bruce
Kelzenberg; Gary Mayer; David Payne; Marsha Stroik;
Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Kevin Hansen,
Public Works Director/City Engineer
Also present:
Liz Bray, Kay Stickler
Excused Absent:
Kevin McDonald
Absent:
None
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to approve consent agenda by Payne and second by Greenhalgh. All ayes,
motion carried.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
REQUEST FOR SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM MURAL
Liz Bray discussed the proposal of creating a mural during one of the sunmler youth
recreation programs. The mural would be done by a professional aliist and paid for by
the 21 5t Century grallt. The mural theme would be the history of the City of Columbia
Heights. The COlmnission discussed the location of the mural. COlmnission members
felt it should be painted onto a canvas so that it could be moved around the City. Motion
to approve the mural provided it be done inside a park building or on a canvas and that
the project be paid by the 21 5t Century grant by Greenhalgh, second by Payne. All ayes,
motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR DNR GRANT APPLICATION FOR HUSET PARK
Chairperson, Ilene Evans, informed the Commission of the public hearing for the DNR
grant application for Huset Parle
Public Works Director/City Engineer, Kevin Hansen discussed the improvements that are
to be included in the grant application for Huset Parle The proposed plan has had
community input from the Huset Neighborhood Association and the plan has been very
well received by the community. Proposed redevelopment would better utilize the space
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of Huset Park. Huset Park is the City's largest park at 30 acres. Financing has been the
largest problem for tIns project. The total cost breakdown for this project is $2.5 to $3
million. Some of this project could get done from roadway improvements. These
improvements would be completed with a phased in approach. The first phase of this
project would cost $1.7 million. The date for these improvements to be stmied within
Huset Pm-k would be in 2006. Maximmn grmlt application is $250,000. One of the items
included in the first phase would be a walking trail. Some ofthe big-ticket items would
not be included right away.
Chairperson, Ilene Evans opened up the public hearing for the Huset Park Plan.
Resident, Kay Stickler, Co-Chair of the Huset Neighborhood Association indicated that
the neighborhood group has been very suppOliive of the Huset Pm"k plan. She indicated
that the new plan has many of the amenities that the group has wanted to see in Huset
Parle. Members she has shared the new plan with have been very happy to see it.
Chairperson, Ilene Evans opened up the public hem-ing to the Commission Members.
Commission Member, Marsha Stroik asked why this would not be started until 2006.
Public Works Director/City Engineer stated that some of these improvements would be
done with the roadway improvements that would be done at this time.
Commission Member, Dave Payne, asked about the pm"k bench donation program.
Public Works Director/City Engineer indicated the benches cost about $800 that is
donated by the public. The City puts a plaque on each bench mld does the installation.
Motion to recommend application of the DNR grant for Huset Pm"k and to apply for grant
money in phases stm"ting with phase one in 2005 by Payne, seconded by Greenhalgh. All
ayes, motion cm-ried.
REPORTS
RECREATION DIRECTOR
Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, informed the Commission that we are currently
working on replacing the Clerk Typist II position and the Recreation Coordinator
position.
Recreation Director, Keith Windsclntl, informed the COlmnission that we are working on
the fees for park rental and fees for the neighborhood event wagon. We will continue
working on this and bring a proposal back to the Commission.
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PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER
Public Works Director/City Engineer, informed the Commission that we closed the
warming houses in the parks this year due to budget cuts and a Columbia Heights
resident had opened the warming house at Ostrander Park this year for his hockey team to
use.
COMMISSION MEMBERS
Conunission Member, Tom Greenhalgh asked about getting lights at Prestemon Park
before we lose Huset 5, the only adult field with lights. Recreation Director, Keith
Windschitl indicated that new lights would cost approximately $60,000 to $70,000 to put
on that field. It would be an asset to have this done prior to tearing up Huset Park.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director