HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes-September 27 06
City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
September 27, 2006
Jerry Foss called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Jerry Foss; Stan Hoium; David Payne; Marsha Stroik; Gary
Peterson; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Kevin
Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Payne, second by McDonald, to approve consent agenda with corrections to
members present. All ayes. Motion carried.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
Recreation Director Windschitl reported to the commission that the Columbia Heights
Sister Cities organization would be hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on October 15,
2006. The request is for the rental fee to be waived or reduced. McDonald asked what
was done for them in previous years. Windschitl stated that they were charged a $40
entry fee and $15 per hour to cover staffing costs. Motion by Payne to charge the
reduced fee rental of $40 entry and $15/hour for Sister Cities fundraiser dinner, second
by Hoium. All ayes, motion carried.
Recreation Director Windschitl reported that request had been received for a fee-waived
rental of the Senior Center on Sunday October 1, 2006 for an Eagle Scout Award
Ceremony. Stroik asked if there would be staff in the building on that day. Windschitl
stated that there is no other rental of Murzyn Hall that day. Motion by Hoium to charge
the $40 entry fee and $15 fee per hour to cover the staff costs, second by Payne. All
ayes, motion carried.
Recreation Director Windschitl reported that request had been received for a fee-waived
rental from the non-profit group Career Solutions to conduct a workshop over a period of
6 weeks. He feels that this service would be a benefit to the community because it helps
displaced homemakers and he would see no problem waiving the rental fee, as this would
be done during our hours of operation. Motion by Hoium to waive the rental fee for
Career Solutions workshops, second by Stroik. All ayes, motion carried.
Recreation Director Windschitl reported that the Columbia Heights Women of Today
sent a donation of $100.00 for their use of Murzyn Hall over the year. Foss
recommended sending a letter of thanks.
Recreation Director Windschitl reported to the commission that a letter of request was
received for a fee-waived rental of Murzyn Hall to host a benefit for resident Chad
Holom’s family who recently passed away. Windschitl recommended working with this
group on an open Friday date for Murzyn Hall. Motion by McDonald to charge the $40
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September 27, 2006
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entry fee and $15 per hour that the group would be in the building, second by Payne. All
ayes, motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
Public Works Director/City Engineer Hansen reported to the commission that the intent
of the proposed fencing policy is to establish where we would use it, have a standard
material, bring in naturalized material when available and if something other than a chain
link fence is requested it must be approved by the Park & Recreation Commission.
Hansen feels that the most important issue is that if any other material is requested other
than the standard chain link fence, it must come before the Commission. Payne stated
that it is a good idea to have a policy that keeps guidelines for the fencing used in the
City. Hoium stated that by having a written policy it does not stop a resident from asking
for any particular type of fencing. Hanson stated that a lot of park boundaries do not
need fences. Motion by Payne to adopt the proposed fencing policy for perimeter or
boundary fencing used in the parks, second by McDonald. All ayes, motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Windschitl reported that the same power point presentation would be used for the annual
budget meeting. The Recreation and Murzyn Hall Budget reflects a minimal increase.
The Murzyn Hall Budget covers the 2007 security officer but the Murzyn Hall renters
pick up the cost. There has been an increase in the number of events held at Murzyn
Hall, which is reflected in higher staffing costs. The annual budget meeting will be held
on October 25, 2006 in the Mathaire/McKenna room. The Park & Recreation
Commission meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. and the Budget meeting with the Council after
the Library Budget meeting which is at 7:00 p.m.
REPORTS
RECREATION DIRECTOR
Windschitl reported that the ballfield lights are up at Prestemon Park but they need
electrical work done.
Discussion was held among the commission regarding the condition of shelters at Silver
Lake Beach and Sullivan Park and of the wood boardwalk area at LaBell Park. Foss
asked Hansen to put together some cost information for a new pavillion or shelter. Payne
asked if there is money in any budget for maintenance of the park buildings.
Windschitl formally thanked the CH Boosters, CH Lion’s Club, TriCity Legion, VFW,
st
CrestView, Kordiak Company, 1 Community Credit Union, and Northeast Bank among
many other organizations for their many contributions and support given to the City of
Columbia Heights.
Windschitl formally thanked the Columbia Heights Activities Fund and Gary Peterson
for the generous donation of the stage, lighting and sound equipment.
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September 27, 2006
3
Regarding the previous request from the community Quilting Quild for space in Murzyn
Hall to conduct their monthly sessions, the majority of the Commission was in favor of
waiving the fee as long as they worked with availability of Murzyn Hall.
Windschitl updated the Commission on the Samaroo concert rental. The rental went very
well, there were no problems with the late rental until 1:30 a.m., the Lion’s Club bar
stayed open until 12:30 a.m. and the renter is looking into holding another event here in
the future.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER
th
A grant application was completed for walking trials on University Avenue from 40
th
Ave. to 45 Ave. on west side of service drive. The results will be sent out in January.
COMMISSION MEMBERS
th
Stroik asked what the status is of the pedestrian bridge over 49 St. and Central Ave.
Hansen replied that it is an MNDot bridge. If any federal funding were received the
bridge would need to be ADA compliant.
Hoium stated that the transformer outside Murzyn Hall makes a lot of noise. Windschitl
replied that Excel Energy has been notified.
Foss commented that the Fall Softball league is only running one night per week; where
is everyone going? He feels that we should find out why they are leaving our program
and asked if the teams were given births to the State Championships. Windschitl replied
that a birth is $140.00, in years past one was given out to a Columbia Heights team that
won the league. Teams were not going so the money was being wasted. This year the
teams were told up front that due to late notice a birth would not be given out and fees
would not increase significantly. If there was any team that desired to go to post season
tournaments they were to let the Rec. Director know and he would get them a birth at
their own cost.
ADJOURNMENT
Jerry Foss adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
_______________________________
Deanna Saefke
Recreation Clerk Typist II