HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes-May 23, 07
City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
May 23, 2007
Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Eileen Evans; Jerry Foss; Tom Greenhalgh; Stan Hoium;
Kevin McDonald; David Payne; Marsha Stroik; Keith
Windschitl, Recreation Director; Kevin Hansen, Public
Works Director/City Engineer; Gary Peterson, Mayor
Also present: Residents from the Sullivan Park neighborhood.
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Foss, second by Payne, to approve consent agenda. Upon vote: all ayes,
motion carried.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
A. Letter of request for long-term rental
Windschitl gave a summary of the request from Harvestime Global Ministries for a long-
term rental of the Senior Center and occasionally other rooms within John P. Murzyn
Hall. Evans asked if the request was made from a Columbia Heights resident. She also
stated that the Senior Center should not be tied up with one continuous rental, but open to
all residents and community organizations in Columbia Heights. Windschitl stated that
the two contact names from Harvestime were not from Columbia Heights and the letter
stated that members came from cities throughout the metro area. Motion by Foss, second
by McDonald to deny the request for a long-term rental of space within JPM.
B. Letter of donation
Windschitl reported that a donation was received from the Christopher Toastmasters in
appreciation for use of space within JPM. A thank you note was sent.
OLD BUSINESS
A. 2007 Parks Capital Improvements: Silver Lake Shelter
Hansen presented a brief history of the facilities and uses at Sullivan Lake Park to the
Commission Members and residents in attendance. Sullivan Park is classified as a
special use park. The lake is passive with a few activities. The plan is to work with what
is already at the park with no expansions. It is the largest City managed picnic shelter.
There is a walking trail and usable tennis courts. In 1996 a facilities survey was
conducted. Items identified for improvements are as follows but not limited to the
following: Playground equipment, poor condition and location. Update with similar
equipment and possibly move north from the current location. Pergolas, currently a
maintenance headache, staff recommend removal. Extend picnic shelter, possibly expand
the seating area when the pergolas are taken down. The current roof is in need of
replacement and the concrete floor needs extensive repairs. Trail improvements
including bringing existing trail up to current codes for ADA compliance where the trail
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needs to be eight feet wide. The south end and ease side of the trail would be the first
focus for improvements. Possibly bring the trail closer to the lake for viewing area,
clearing of vegetation done if needed. Rerouting, but no expansion of existing trail.
Lighting, problems with the current lighting are that the fixtures are very old and the
wiring is aluminum, which is susceptible to breakage. Possibly replace with new fixtures
on existing poles and add more lighting for security. Tennis courts, playable but not in
great shape. Only courts in City parks. There are drainage problems and fencing gaps.
Parking, need to look at current parking, is it adequate? Possibly expand existing parking
area towards street. Landscaping, if pergolas are removed, what needs to be added? As
staff originally identified (without public input). The improvements for 2007 will focus
on the playground, removal of pergolas and looking into shelter maintenance.
Resident concerns and suggestions. The railing is a concern on the south side where the
trail is caving. Reducing growth around the lake. Hansen responded that the DNR
manages the lake and the DNR was invited to the meeting. It is the policy of the DNR
not to remove vegetation around a lake like Sullivan until it reaches 50% of the water
surface area. Resident comments continued. Agree with taking down the pergolas.
Would like to see the playground expanded. Suggested two covered picnic areas. Leave
playground the appropriate size for smaller children. Keep tennis courts. Expand the
playground to have one set for younger children and one set for older school-age
children. Adding mile markers and workout stations to the trail system. Would like to
see cleaning of the lake and shoreline. Pavilion size is good especially with the size of
the current parking lot. Concern with nighttime activities, possibly post a sign of park
hours. At night groups hangout by the bridge. Add security lighting. Would like dog
signs with leash and cleanup rules. The graffiti on benches was taken care of quickly,
thank you. Question as to if the suggested improvements are in the current budget?
Would like improvements on the current bridge. Suggested removal of Biffs. Would a
petition to the DNR asking for the removal of the cattails against the DNR rule of 50%
growth because they feel it is a breeding area for mosquitoes. Love the park, the facilities
are clean and stocked with supplies but the park is too low on parking spaces. The Event
Wagon was a very good idea, thank you for the use. Concern with drainage problems.
Concern with the steep slope going up to the Athletic Club. Will dredging the lake
occur? Would like the bike trail around the entire lake. Complaint about the gap in the
fence around the tennis courts. Question as to who monitors the inlet drain and water for
contamination. Residents would like to see the playground examples. Concern with the
crosswalks being repainted. Regarding the park lighting, when it is too bright residents
cannot see, the light is faded under the pavilion. Suggested removal of the gate and add a
turn around for police to have easier access to patrol the park activities in the evenings.
Hansen replied to the concerns and suggestions: The original intent is not to expand the
playground area to keep inline with a generally passive park. Seasonal staff will be
working fulltime within the next few weeks and they will be cleaning around the
shoreline of the lake. Regarding signage in the park, roughly four years ago many signs
were removed from the park because of concerns from residents regarding sign
proliferation. There is money in the current budget for 2007 Park improvements. The
Biffs will not be removed because they are used within the park, but they could be moved
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if needed. Hansen said that he would be in contact with the DNR regarding the removal
of vegetation around the lake and the concern for mosquitoes. Evan stated that the
Metropolitan Council takes care of mosquito issues as well. Hansen stated that the City
does not own a large enough area of land around the lake to continue a walking and bike
trail around the whole lake. There is enough room for an eight-foot path but not for a
ten-foot path needed for pedestrians and bicycles. The fencing around the tennis courts is
scheduled to be pushed down to the ground to fill the gap. Regarding the monitoring of
water quality, the City does not conduct any testing unless there is a direct complaint.
The City does have an ordinance regarding dogs on leashes. Hansen stated that he would
have drawings for new playground equipment within one month at the CH Library. The
target age group for the equipment will include 2-5 years of age. There are other areas
within the park for older children like the tennis courts and bike path. Sullivan Lake is on
a water quality-monitoring program through the state of Minnesota with samples take
seven to twelve times per year. Crosswalk painting needs to be addressed to the Traffic
Commission.
Hansen concluded the open forum meeting thanking the residents for their input. He
informed the residents that the improvements would focus on the main issues like the
playground, pergolas and shelter. Other improvements would be taken into consideration
and conducted if the budget allows.
Hansen informed the Commission that the shelter needs a new roof. Standardized roofs
are metal or repairs could be made to the existing roof and shingles replaced. Evans
asked if metal roofs bend. Hansen replied that this particular roof would not because
there is a solid structure under the metal. Peterson stated that one negative aspect is when
the snow starts to melt and falls off the roof creating a slow melting pile. Hansen
recommended that the metal roof could be the CH blue color and it would be raised
vertically by two-feet. Payne asked about the life span of a metal roof. Hansen stated
25-years and would be more vandal resistant. Evans asked how the roof would be raised.
Hansen replied that the roof would be taken off, beams lifted and replaced.
Motion by Payne, second by Greenhalgh, to make improvements at Sullivan Lake Park
consisting of replacing the existing roof with a metal roof on the shelter, to remove the
pergolas, replace the existing playground equipment possibly in a new location, explore
the existing lighting to replace and/or add new lighting for security purposes, and to
repair the tennis courts and move the location if necessary. The Commission would like
Hansen to reply at the next meeting with playground designs for the available budget,
what the roof will cost, cost of moving the tennis courts and the cost for additional
parking.
B. Recreation City Van
Windschitl reminded Commission Members that Karen Moeller, Senior Coordinator,
recently spoke regarding the safety of the old van. He would like to thank Gary Peterson
and the Activity Fund for this great benefit to the City. Our senior citizens now have a
railing and short steps for easier access. Various groups within the City use the van.
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Peterson stated that this City van looks like new, drives well and seats 13 people plus a
driver. It was purchased through the Activity Fund and City Manager Fehst suggested
for the City to contribute half. The City Council approved the purchase. Payne asked if
it is wheelchair accessible. Windschitl replied that it does not and that many of the senior
programs and trips require a lot of walking. The Columbia Heights Athletic Boosters is
helping fund the new tires for the van. Evans asked if the van would be available for
private use. Windschitl replied that it would be for official City business only.
NEW BUSINESS
None at this time.
REPORTS
Recreation Director
Windschitl reported that summer athletic programs are underway. All fields are being
used most evenings. Many times there are no extra fields for teams to hold additional
practices. Peterson suggested putting additional fields at the NEI lot. Windschitl stated
th
that there has been such a demand for T-Ball that a 6 team is being formed. He has also
been attending the ACAC meetings.
Public Works Director/City Engineer
Hansen reported that the Public Works Department is ¾ staffed. Sixteen seasonal
employees will be on staff full-time by June 4.
Commission Members
Evans reported that there are dogs in Silver Lake everyday. Dogs should not be
swimming at a public beach. She walks to the park and would like to post a sign for dogs
to be on leashes and to stay off of the beach and out of the lake.
McDonald stated that he does not want to see basketball courts removed from City parks.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Eileen Evans adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
______________________________
Deanna Saefke
Recreation Clerk Typist II