HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes-July 25, 07
City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
July 25, 2007
Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Eileen Evans; Stan Hoium; David Payne; Marsha Stroik;
Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Kevin Hansen,
Public Works Director/City Engineer; Gary Peterson,
Mayor
Also present: Scott Lewandowski
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Stroik, second by Hoium, to approve consent agenda. Upon vote: all ayes,
motion carried.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
Addition: Scott Lewandowski the groom from the June 2, 2007 rental in John P. Murzyn
Hall was present to discuss his rental.
Lewandowski stated that the event went very well. When he arrived at approximately
4:00 p.m. he felt that the air inside the hall was hot, humid, muggy and uncomfortable.
He also noted that the weather conditions were rainy and humid. He stated that he was
told the air conditioning was out and that Honeywell had been called and there was no
estimated time of arrival. Overall he was disappointed in the lack of cooling and what he
was told by JPM staff.
Evans asked if a print out was available from Honeywell on the air temperature readout
for that particular day. Windschitl replied that he made a call to Honeywell, the
following Monday and they never received an alarm that the temperature of JPM was
above the set point of 76 degrees. He also contacted CSO Roddy who was on duty that
evening, he said that he never felt the temperature was above normal in the main hall.
Other guests at the reception were spoken with in regards to the temperature. The JPM
staff never saw the temperature over 73 degrees. Windschitl stated that if a JPM staff
person told the Lewandowski family that Honeywell was called, they did not admit that
to him. Honeywell was never called. There was a breaker that was tripped and reset at
approximately 4:30 p.m. He also talked with technicians from Honeywell and they stated
on a humid day with 250 people in the main hall a temperature of 73 degrees is optimal
considering the load.
Prior to the event the family was allowed to drop items off the day before the rental.
Windschitl stated that the father, Joe Lewandowski, requested to drop off several things
the day of the event before the rental time started. He indicated that staff complied with
this request, but that the actual time in the building was much longer than requested. In
addition, staff helped to decorate when the decorator was falling behind schedule. There
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was a resident and future renter of JPM who happened to stop by and he was asked by the
decorator to assist her with decorating. Windschitl indicated that after all of his
investigation into this matter he does not feel that there is just cause to give any
additional compensation.
Lewandowski replied that in his opinion it was the afternoon staff person that was the
problem and would like admittance that she was wrong and that his family was
mistreated. Peterson replied that if Mr. Lewandowski felt he was mistreated, he would
apologize on behalf of the City. Peterson has been around JPM for over 35 years and has
always been impressed by the staff at JPM. Lewandowski thanked the Mayor and
Commission Members.
A. Letter of request for a reduced rental rate of JPM
A letter of request was received for a reduced rental rate of JPM from the Anoka County
Historical Society. They are working with the Columbia Heights Historical Society to
host a Civil War Christmas in December. Windschitl contacted the program manager and
was able to move the request from a Saturday to a Sunday in December. He recommends
the $40 entry fee and $15 per hour; the weekend fee for non-profit groups.
Motion by Hoium, second by Payne, to offer the $40/$15 rental fee for JPM to the Anoka
County Historical Society on Sunday December 2, 2007. Upon vote: all ayes, motion
carried.
B. Addition: Request for a reduced fee rental of JPM
A letter of request was received from Seek the Son Ministries, Incorporated to hold a
benefit concert and dinner at JPM on Thursday, October 25, 2007. Payne asked how long
the concert would be. Windschitl replied that the impression was that it would be music
throughout dinner and for a short time afterwards. He commented that nonprofit groups
have been offered the $40 entry fee and $15 per hour rate or the fee is waived. This
group falls into the $40/$15.
Motion by Payne, second by Hoium, to offer the reduced $40/$15 fee with the concert
ending by 10:00 p.m. Upon vote: all ayes, motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
A. 2007 Parks Capital Improvements: Silver Lake Park & Sullivan Lake Park, Park Plans
Evans reported that while walking at Sullivan Lake a resident commented to her to leave
the walking path the way it is and not to change it. She stated that the trail is heavily
used between 7 and 8 o’clock.
Hansen reported that Brauer & Associates, Ltd. was hired for the park planning designs.
He reviewed the bullet points of the park planning and potential improvements.
Currently at Sullivan Lake the activity is concentrated at the narrowest part of the park
where parking, the shelter and trail is located. Concept #1 shows a new spatial
orientation with a new shelter with a view shed of the lake. Both plans add parking
which meets the Commission members and public concerns. Concept #1 leaves a lot
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st
width between parking and the first resident along 51 Ave. New shelter estimated cost
is between $75,000-$100,000 and the trail cost estimated at $20,000. The park planner
said that the current layout is not inviting and confusing with the access drive. If the
drive is removed the City can still have access to the park building and police can drive
on an 8-foot wide surface. He stated that with either the boardwalk or a pier overlook
some vegetation would need to be removed. One of the main question is what to do with
the shelter. Stroik asked about the difference between shelters. Hansen replied that the
estimated cost for a new shelter would be between $75,000-$100,000 and fixing the
existing shelter will vary depending on the extent of work. Evans stated that the concrete
footings have cracked. Stroik asked about the longevity of the two shelters. Hansen
responded that there would be longer life out of a new shelter and have more flexibility
with choices and future additions. All concrete would be removed for a new shelter.
Stroik would like to see more parking now instead of adding later if needed and would
like to see more multi-aged playground equipment. Hansen replied that the main focus
would be for 2-5 years of age with some features for older ages.
The Commission took a tour of Sullivan Lake Park. Comments and observations during
the tour; the beams under the shelter are probably okay to use, put grass in place of the
current playground, in order to repair any board in the shelter roof the whole roof would
need to be removed, if the shelter is salvageable to we fix it or start new. Commission
Members agreed to remove the service road, leave the lot open between the parking lot
st
and the first resident on 51 Ave., and install a retaining wall between the parking lot and
tennis courts and to install the trail system from Concept #1 with the park layout of
Concept #2. Hansen stated that he will place the park concepts on the City website and at
the library for public comment.
Motion by Stroik, second by Payne, to get the plans drawn up and submitted for Sullivan
Lake Park, based upon the planning recommendations. The Commission also asked if an
analysis of the existing shelter could be performed to determine if it should be salvaged
or torn down. If the shelter meets code salvage within replacement costs, if not up to
code build a new shelter. Upon vote: all ayes, motion carried.
Evans commented that the playground needs to get done. Hansen replied that he will
have the shelter analyzed for future viability and contact the Commission Members.
Hansen reviewed the park concepts for Silver Lake Beach Park. He stated that the park
concepts need to be a plan that can be built upon but the parking needs to be replaced
regardless of which concept is chosen. Evans commented that there is 180 feet of sand
that is not needed. Hansen stated that the playground concepts plan for more area than
what currently exists. The replacement of the picnic shelter has been authorized for this
current year. Funding from the Rice Creek Watershed District may be available for the
infiltration areas. Comments received from residents include building a new shelter and
new volleyball area. Payne asked creating a new trail system at the park could be done
by the City’s machine. Hansen replied that yes it could be done. Stroik asked about the
cost difference between the two concept plans. Hansen replied that there was not much
difference between the two plans but concept #1 would cost slightly more because of the
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proposed round about parking lot. Evans asked if the current building would be kept.
Hansen replied yes.
Motion by Stroik, second by Payne, to recommend preparing plans for improvements at
Silver Lake Beach Park and to determine funding. Upon vote: all ayes, motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
None at this time.
REPORTS
Recreation Director
Windschitl reported that he is working with the Columbia Heights School District to
apply for another federal grant. He and the Recreation Program Coordinator Liz Bray are
meeting with the new Superintendent Kathy Kelly to discuss past gym space issues and
concerns.
Honeywell replaced the LaBelle Lounge and basement air handleing unit. While the air
was out a temporary air unit was used. This did not have any effect on the main hall area.
Due to the fact of this unit being over 25 years old, Honeywell recommended that we
replace the unit rather than put a large amount of money into an old unit. The labor and
parts that Honeywell would have put into the old unit went towards the purchase of the
new unit. This amount from Honeywell was $10,775.80 and the City portion was
$6,765.20.
th
There have been problems with the 15 birthday parties. Windschitl has worked with the
Police Department and the City Attorney to find a way to help control the number of
people in attendance. There will be two CSOs at each party, 275 wrist bracelets will be
handed out when having an open bar and the bracelet color will change to keep track of
people attending.
Public Works Director/City Engineer
Hansen reported that there have been neighborhood problems with the east side of
LaBelle Park pathway. The Police Department reports security issues and gang activity
in the area.
Motion by Hansen, second by Payne, to remove the steps from Circle Terrace Blvd. in
LaBelle Park. Upon vote: all ayes, motion carried.
Commission Members
None at this time.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Eileen Evans adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m.
______________________________
Deanna Saefke
Recreation Clerk Typist II