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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes-February 22 06 Park & Recreation Commission March 22, 2006 1 City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission February 22, 2006 Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Eileen Evans; Jerry Foss; Stan Hoium; Kevin McDonald; Tom Greenhalgh; David Payne; Marsha Stroik; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer Absent: Gary Peterson Also present: Tom Sherohman APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA Motion to approve consent agenda by Foss; second by Greenhalgh. All ayes, motion carried. LETTERS AND REQUESTS Request from the Columbia Heights High School “Heights High Alumni Get-Together” Committee for rental fees to be waived on Murzyn Hall for their class reunion on Sunday April 30, 2006. Tom Sherohman attended the meeting to discuss the details of the reunion. He stated that all the proceeds from this event would benefit scholarship funds for Columbia Heights High School. Recreation Director Windschitl stated that we would need to clean up from the event the previous evening and typically we charge a $40.00 entry fee and $15.00 per hour of rental on these types of events. Commission member McDonald asked how much money was raised in previous years for scholarships. Sherohman replied that this will be the first time for this particular event and they are expecting between 200 and 400 people. This particular alumni get-together is taking place of the former Columbia Heights “Old Timers” event. McDonald suggested that we should to charge something to cover the labor cost for the day. Windschitl added that this is a Columbia Heights sponsored event and recommended the $40.00 - $15.00 per hour charge. Sherohman stated that their alumni council agreed that the $40/$15 charge was fair. Motion by McDonald to charge a $40.00 entry fee and $15.00 per hour of usage in order to cover labor costs, second by Payne. All ayes, motion carried. OLD BUSINESS Public Works Director/City Engineer Hansen informed the commission that the City Council established March 22, 2006 as the public hearing date for the ball field lights at Prestemon Park. Commission member Hoium asked how the public was informed of the thth meeting. Hansen said residents between 40 St. and 38St.; and between Cleveland Ave. and McKinley St. would be notified of the public hearing. Windschitl stated that Park & Recreation Commission March 22, 2006 2 Prestemon Park is one of the best fields in the City, but we are not able to use it often due to darkness. Adding lights to this field would allow the Recreation Department to enhance the existing programs and also allow us to create new programs both for youth and adults. Youth games would happen on weeknights between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The adult leagues would run based on numbers of teams, but the last game would start between 9:00 and 9:15 p.m., these are 1-hour games and are not played on all weeknights. Evans asked how the lights would be turned on and off. Windschitl responded that it would be done by a key or remote, which is typically controlled by the umpire of the game. Hansen also commented that it would be a positive addition to include lighting for the walking trail and even the area in and around the playground. The commission discussed the availability of the members on March 22; many members could not be present at that date. Motion by Foss to hold the public hearing for th community input on March 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the Senior Center at Murzyn Hall, second by Greenhalgh. All ayes, motion carried. NEW BUSINESS Hansen discussed the neighborhood and citizen involvement in the Sullivan Lake Park planning process. Items of discussion included having an ADA accessible trail, which would need to be 8-feet wide to accommodate all users, the playground and shelter areas. Hansen suggested putting together some sketches for the park improvements and having a public hearing sometime in April or May. McDonald commented that many people use Sullivan Park for picnics and it would be nice to have more sheltered picnic areas and a better playground area. Hansen indicated staff would work on putting together preliminary improvement plans and report back to the commission. REPORTS RECREATION DIRECTOR Windschitl informed the Commission that the Anoka County Parks Department has asked for City Council support and a resolution to be passed so they can apply for a grant that will including upgrades at Kordiak Park for trails and park facilities. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER Hansen reported to the commission that the City Manager Walt Fehst contacted the Anoka County Commissioner Jim Kordiak. Anoka County has indicated they will “grandfather” the City of Columbia Heights to open the park wading pools this year by conducting minor modifications on the pools before opening them this year. Greenhalgh commented that by opening the wading pools this year will allow us time to finish other park projects before deciding how to handle the condition of the wading pools for future use. Park & Recreation Commission March 22, 2006 3 COMMISSION MEMBERS Commission member Stroik asked if the Jamboree was being held as usual. Windschitl commented that the Lion’s Club is looking for a larger beer tent area; there will be a carnival and men’s softball tournament. Holding a car show is in question at this point, but the parade will still be on Friday and the fireworks on Saturday. Depending on where the beer tent is located the fireworks show may need to be modified. Commission member Foss inquired on the outcome from the joint City Council and the School Board meeting regarding gym space needs. Windschitl responded that everyone appeared to be in support of addtitional gym space in Columbia Heights. The School District was asked to help fund the research for added gym space and they were uncertain at that time if they could commit to that funding. Three major points of concern are: the possible locations, the number of gyms and who would be a partner in the construction and running of a new facility. Foss commented that the School Board previously said they would support more gym space in the city if the referendum passed. The City Council has budgeted money for this project so this gym space issue will move forward and the Mayor has made it a priority. ADJOURNMENT Eileen Evans adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m. _______________________________ Deanna Saefke Recreation Clerk Typist II