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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes-April 26 06 Park & Recreation Commission May 1, 2006 1 City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission April 26, 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; Gary Peterson; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA Motion to approve consent agenda by Foss; second by McDonald. All ayes, motion carried. LETTERS AND REQUESTS None at this time. OLD BUSINESS Recreation Director Keith Windschitl spoke about the solutions for the concerns brought forth during the Public Hearing on the Prestemon ballfield light project. Windschitl th restated the need for another ballfield with lights. The Monday April 24 adult softball game is a perfect example of why the lights are needed. Currently games are scheduled for 6:15 and 7:15 at Prestemon Park, this past Monday was cloudy and the 7:15 games did not get past 5 innings before the game was called due to darkness and unsafe conditions. Prestemon Park is the best field the city operates and has safe fencing for participants. The Recreation Department needs to have the ability to grow our programs to meet the current and future needs of our growing community. We need to provide recreational opportunities that will attract and retain residents. Windschitl addressed the concerns brought forth by residents during the Public Hearing. The police department summarized all the police calls for Prestemon Park area during the last 3 years. Of the nine calls total, none of them were on nights that corresponded with softball league nights. Some of the incidents reported were similar to some of the residents concerns. During the softball managers meeting for the 2006 season these concerns were discussed with the teams in the league. Regarding parking, 39-½ street to the North there are no parking signs. Police will enforce parking regulations. Windschitl encouraged residents to call and report any violations. Softball managers were encouraged to tell their teams to use the parking lot. The softball teams were also informed that the portable restroom would be moved closer to the ballfield for their use. Windschitl recommended that no alcohol permits be given out this year at Prestemon Park on a trial basis. The Parks Department was contacted to better police the litter and Park & Recreation Commission May 1, 2006 2 garbage around the park. The Recreation Director indicated that he wants to work with the residents around Prestemon Park; if there are police issues call 911, or if there are other concerns that the Recreation Department can address, please call him. During the public hearing a handout was distributed by a resident regarding the Zoning Ordinance 9.106C. This ordinance concerns home occupations and does not apply to public parking or traffic for park usage. On behalf of the Recreation Department Windschitl stated the importance of having the ability to better utilize the field throughout the year. Motion by Greenhalgh to move forward with the lights at Prestemon with the understanding that there is no alcohol for one year, also moving the portable restroom up closer to the field so that it is more accessible due to the fact that the City needs the parks and lights and that youth will be scheduled there this summer. Second by Foss, all ayes, motion carried. Question by resident Torkildson on what the one-year statement was about. Greenhalgh responded that it was for no alcohol permits at Prestemon Park for a one-year trial run to see if there are any problems. Windschitl also stated that this is a one-year trial run because we are working with the program to see if this year runs better as opposed to changing a park policy regarding one season. If this trial run works he would not be opposed to eliminating alcohol at Prestemon Park completely. Torkildson asked why other parks could not be lit instead of Prestemon. Windschitl responded that the only th field long enough to play 7 grade baseball and men’s softball is Huset #5 that is lit and leagues are run there. Huset Park has games at 6:15, 7:15, 8:15 and 9:15. Prestemon Park has games at 6:15 and 7:15. This past Monday the 7:15 game was cut short due to dark field conditions. Torkildson asked if there was any truth in expanding and/or lighting fields at Huset Park in the next few years. Windschitl stated that there is a Huset Park master plan, but at this time the City Council has not acted on it. NEW BUSINESS None at this time. REPORTS RECREATION DIRECTOR Windschitl suggested that the next month’s meeting be held at a city park due to the wood floors being worked on in Murzyn Hall and the fumes are overpowering. th Suggestions were made for LaBelle, Sullivan, Keyes and Ramsdell parks. The May 24 meeting will be at Ramsdell Park at 6:30. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER Hansen reported on two requests regarding fencing at Ramsdell Park from residents. One resident is willing to cover the costs of installing a privacy fence and the other resident would like the city to contribute to the cost. Hansen will put together cost estimates of replacing the fencing and how much a resident would need to contribute to upgrade a Park & Recreation Commission May 1, 2006 3 chain link fence to a privacy fence. This issue will be placed on the agenda for the May Park & Recreation Commission Meeting. COMMISSION MEMBERS No reports. Resident Joanne Student commented that even though she does not live adjacent to Prestemon Park she feels that in a city this size all of the residents share in the use and responsibility of the parks. She commended Recreation Director Windschitl for addressing all of the concerns brought forth during the public hearing and doing a wonderful job mediating the unhealthy dialogue by some residents during the public hearing. Student stated that Prestemon Park belongs to all residents and not just the people who live around the park. She feels that the Commission addressed every issue that the residents spoke about during the public hearing. ADJOURNMENT Eileen Evans adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m. _______________________________ Deanna Saefke Recreation Clerk Typist II