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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes-March 29 06 Park & Recreation Commission April 18, 2006 1 City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission March 29, 2006 Jerry Foss called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Jerry Foss; Stan Hoium; Kevin McDonald; Tom Greenhalgh; David Payne; Marsha Stroik; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Mayor Gary Peterson; Lauren McClanahan, Superintendent of Public Works Absent: Eileen Evans, Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer PUBLIC HEARING FOR PRESTEMON PARK ATHLETIC FIELD LIGHTING Recreation Director, Keith Windschitl, presented a general statement of the proposed project and how it is to be financed. Currently in the City of Columbia Heights we only have two ballfields with lights. Columbia Heights Recreation needs additional ballfields for both youth and adult programming, especially during the fall of the year when it gets dark early. Prestemon Park ballfield is not used in the fall because it does not have lights. The Recreation Program has added new programs, such as girls’ fastpitch softball, within the last few years. This in turn requires additional need for field space. Prestemon ballfield is one of the best fields in the city. Within the past few years it has received new backstops and fencing that have made it safer for the participants. As a recreation department we want to have the ability to expand our programs and meet the current and future needs of our growing community. It is the goal of our department to provide positive recreational opportunities that will attract and retain residents. With an additional lighted ballfield we would not have to hold late night games on the only field we currently have because we could distribute the game times evenly. Cost for the Prestemon light project is approximately $85,000. Funding of the project would come from the 881 donations account made up in part from Athletic Boosters, Tri-City Legion and other private donations. Jerry Foss Vice-Chair introduced Craig Gallop from Musco Lighting to explain the improvements in lighting technology. Mr. Gallop explained that he is speaking as a lighting technician and not a representative of Musco Lighting. He explained that traditional lighting created a halo effect using glare light; new technology uses spill light, which is measurable. Photo examples were passed around of various light fixtures and of how quickly the light will drop-off into darkness with regards to property lines. A seven- minute tape was shown on a similar city project detailing the before and after effects of the ball field lighting. Resident JoAnne Student reaffirmed with Mr. Gallop that he has attended the public hearing to explain the general differences of lighting and not on behalf of Musco Lighting. Ms. Student also requested an explanation of the bidding process. Mayor Gary Peterson explained that specifications are written for any type of Park & Recreation Commission April 18, 2006 2 project like this and the goal is to receive as many bids as possible. Staff reviews the bids and brings them to the City Council. Usually the low bid is taken, however the bid must be responsible. Resident Ben Erickson commented that his parents live across from the Columbia Heights High School and they noticed a considerable reduction in light spillage when the athletic lighting was replaced. Resident Robert Barnick asked those in attendance if they were concerned with the type of lighting or with installing any lighting at the park. Resident Paul Bona responded that he is concerned with Columbia Heights and the forward progress with Columbia Heights. He was involved when Huset Park was receiving lighting and he wants to see Columbia Heights progress in the athletic programs. He is in favor of athletic field lighting at Prestemon. Barnick responded that he is opposed to lights at the park and asked the commission if this matter is a done deal. Foss replied that it is not. He also indicated that we are holding the Public Hearing to receive input on the project. Windschitl informed the residents that the feasibility report done by the staff contained information regarding the Prestemon Park Project. The Recreation Department is very interested in moving forward with this proposed project. He feels that it is essential to provide programs within our Recreation Department that will attract and retain residents, especially with all the new development that is currently going on in our community. Foss opened the hearing for public discussion. Resident Ben Erickson, 4912 Jefferson St., a parent of young children, grew up in Columbia Heights near a park that was greatly underused. More cost efficient to use the park to the full potential than maintaining it with the current conditions. Lights deter crime. Desires others to respect young families and keep Columbia Heights a competitive city. Resident Dave Torkildson, 3918 Cleveland St., submitted a petition with 31 signatures from 18 different addresses opposing lighting. Traffic and parking is already breaking the zoning 9.106 ordinance with the unlit games. Original master plan was to be a passive park, over the years has upgraded to a non-passive park. By having players from other cities the Columbia Heights tax payers’ money is going to other cities. Noise is an issue. On 39 ½ people park on both sides of the street and turn around in his driveway. Bathrooms are an issue. Resident Margaret Klimek, 3959 McKinley St., regarding noise, screaming and terrible language. Has called police on parking on both sides of street. Believes with lights there will be extra noise, garbage and dogs. Concerned for her small grandchildren. th Resident Priscilla Barnick, 2300 40 Ave., kids do not play night games so no need for lights, trash in her yard everyday, people stay late no matter what time the games end. P. Barnick is against lighting. Believes that there are problems now and that they will increase with lights. Sees nothing positive for the neighborhood. Why not light more fields at Huset? Windschitl responded that in the Huset Park plan the fields could be down for one to two years and a location will be needed to cover for missing fields during that time. Windschitl also added that if the city has more lit fields to play, earlier games can be spread out and not concentrated at one field causing late games. Park & Recreation Commission April 18, 2006 3 th Resident Robert Barnick, 2300 40 Ave., addressed that lighting will deter crime; according to the lighting proposal it is not the kind of lighting for less crime. Believes the feasibility report does not hold water; a feasibility report goes out and looks at the situation and how the area will be affected, not the measurements of the field. He has confronted players. There is urination. He feels that a feasibility report should include but not be friendly to ball players. The backstop is far away from parking lot, suggested moving backstop to corner. Asked what Fund 881 is. Windschitl responded that it is a donation account that the City uses for donations made to the City. R. Barnick requested a copy of game schedules and list of player’s names. Parking is always a problem. Cost to run lights? Gallop replied about $5 per hour. R. Barnick understand the Huset Park fields not being available while under construction. Asked how much money per team. Windschitl, $385 per team. R. Barnick, how much time to groom the field? Windschitl, depends on the field and conditions, maybe one hour. R. Barnick, overhead and cost is over $38 per hour, believes we do not charge enough to maintain. Said that people knock on his door to use the bathroom, why not open park building for bathrooms. Resident Michael Laabs, 4614 Johnson St., his impression that he is getting from the previous residents is that their main concern is with the adults. Prestemon Park is one of the best fields in Heights and the kids that he coaches love it. If there is lots of trash suggest that cleanup be done more often at the park. Biggest issue for him is that the trail is not lit up, wife is scared to walk alone, feels police are not there often enough. At Huset Park police patrol the area very often. Feels fortunate to live by a park. Asked if kids can be at Prestemon Park more often, it is a great park and field. As a coach feels this is a very safe park. He will address previously mentioned concerns when he is at Prestemon Park. He believes the park will be used more if there are lights, his wife will be there more often. He is in favor of the lights; the improvements will keep kids safe. Resident Bob Surbrook, 4608 Pierce St., many youth athletic home games are not held in Columbia Heights because of the lack of fields with lights. Sees this as a great opportunity to keep kids here for home games. Knows the traffic is a legitimate concern but believes that the benefits will outweigh the negatives. Resident Steve Craig, 3868 Tyler St., hears that residents are mainly concerned with inappropriate adult behavior, asked how lighting would increase problems. Windschitl responded that by having more fields with lights he is able to schedule games less late in the evening. S. Craig, the park usage would be increased on an average of one hour. Considering problems already exist regardless of lighting, he feels the problems would not increase with lights. Police issues should be brought to the Police Department. Resident Debra Getty, 3949 McKinley St., has lived there since the first year of softball at Prestemon Park. Asked if permits are given to drink alcohol? Windschitl responded yes permits are given for 3-2 beer. D. Getty, feels that alcohol permits need to be omitted, agrees with moving the backstop down the field. If parking is to increase more believes something bad will happen. Okay with kids using the fields, her problem is with the adults. Park & Recreation Commission April 18, 2006 4 Resident Aurora Johnston, 3977 Polk St., lives by Ostrander Park and believes that it is a benefit to live near a park. There is a hockey rink, lights and traffic, but it shows that the area is being used and that is what we want. Walks to Prestemon two to three times a week and does not see the problems that have been previously stated. If cars are parking on both sides of the street people are forced to slow down to pass through the area. Columbia Heights needs to expand and residents need to be realistic about living near a park. People are in and out of her driveway all of the time and she has learned to deal with that one downfall. Has not seen the faults at Ostrander Park. She believes that Prestemon Park is not being used to it’s full potential. th Resident Paul Bona, 612 40 Ave., he understands the concerns and has also learned to contend with issues that come with living near a park. As a coach he feels there is a need for more fields with lighting. Keith and the Recreation Department do a tremendous job with what they have. There are not enough fields or games for kids and the city is not inviting for kids athletics. Asks for residents to support people trying to build Columbia Heights for kids. We need to do something for the kids in this community. Foss closed the public hearing and asked for any discussion from the Commission. Commission Member McDonald feels that this issue needs more discussion. Foss replied that his personal feelings are to table the motion until next meeting and take the time to look into the concerns of the public. Motion by Greenhalgh to table the Prestemon Park athletic field lighting project until the April Park and Recreation Commission Meeting to look into the concerns mentioned during the public hearing; second by Hoium. All ayes, motion carried. APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA Motion to approve consent agenda by Greenhalgh; second by Payne. All ayes, motion carried. LETTERS AND REQUESTS None at this time OLD BUSINESS Recreation Director reported to the Commission that Council Member Nawrocki requested with him to revisit the request from the Columbia Heights High Alumni Committee on the subject of waiving the fee for the Alumni Get-Together on April 30, 2006. Nawrocki feels that the fee should be waived, now that the event will be a fundraiser for the Peace Clock. Mayor Peterson indicated the costs for this event are being defrayed through the Activities Fund. Foss commented that when Tom Sherohman attended the February Park and Recreation Commission meeting he was very appreciative of the reduced price for $40 entry fee and $15 per hour charge. Motion by Park & Recreation Commission April 18, 2006 5 Payne to keep the charges of $40 for entry fee and $15 per hour charge to cover labor costs, second by Hoium. All ayes, motion carried. NEW BUSINESS Windschitl stated that RES Specialty Pyrotechnics and Melrose North Pyrotechnics, Inc. have submitted proposals for the fireworks show to be held on Saturday June 24, 2006. Last year the cost for the show was $6000.00 of which the City covered $3000.00 and the other $3000.00 is covered from donations that the Recreation Director receives from local organizations. Melrose conducted the fireworks show 5 to 6 years ago and they currently do the Columbia Heights Homecoming show. RES Specialty Pyrotechnics has been used for the last 3 to 4 years. Payne asked what would happen in the case of rain. Irv Haman the Director of Business Development from RES said that they would then carry over the show to the next evening and the setup would be monitored until the next show. Stroik asked if the both days were to be rained out, would the fireworks be able to be used for Homecoming, and also what is the length of the show. Haman responded that they could re-work the show to another time and the contract is set up for a minimum show length of 15 minutes, last year’s show was 18.29 minutes. Foss responded that last years show was fabulous. Payne said he would like to see the gas fireworks again. Ben Erickson a resident of Columbia Heights and employee of RES commented that he has worked the fireworks show for the Jamboree for both of the biding companies and he is very proud of the work from RES. Motion by Stroik to hire RES for the 2006 Jamboree Fireworks show, second by Payne. All ayes, motion carried. REPORTS RECREATION DIRECTOR Windschitl extended congratulations to the Park and Recreation Chair Evans, and Commission Members McDonald, Payne and Stroik on their reappointment to the Park and Recreation Commission by the Columbia Heights Mayor and City Council. He also invited all Commission Members to the Annual Columbia Heights Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday April 6, 2006 and passed out flyers regarding the event. PUBLIC WORKS SUPERINTENDENT Public Works Superintendent McClanahan informed the Commission that field 3 at Huset st Park has been delayed from the original startup date of April 1 because of the weather. The fencing work has started. Stroik suggested using Prestemon Park for the High School girl’s game next week if Huset Park Field is not ready. COMMISSION MEMBERS Mayor Peterson reported that the City Council approved hiring a facilitator regarding additional gym space in Columbia Heights. The scheduled meeting with the School Board for Monday April 3, 2006 was canceled. The Council would like to narrow down Park & Recreation Commission April 18, 2006 6 an area for additional gym space in the next six months. Foss asked if there has been any discussion from the YMCA. Peterson said that there has not been any further discussion. He also informed the Commission that Community Development Director Bob Streetar has applied for a 4 million dollar grant to help with the cost of additional gym space. ADJOURNMENT Jerry Foss thanked the Commission for their hard work and dedication to Columbia Heights and adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m. _______________________________ Deanna Saefke Recreation Clerk Typist II