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HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes-January 24, 07 (2) City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission January 24, 2007 Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Eileen Evans; Jerry Foss; Tom Greenhalgh; Stan Hoium; Kevin McDonald; David Payne; Marsha Stroik; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Lauren McClanahan, Public Works Superintendent; Gary Peterson, Mayor Also present: Karen Moeller, Recreation Senior Program Coordinator APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Foss to approve consent agenda with correction of the adjusted total expenses for John P. Murzyn Hall made to the December bills, second by McDonald. All ayes, motion carried. LETTERS AND REQUESTS Windschitl spoke about the requests made for the September rental of John P. Murzyn Hall by Sheralyne Sowada and Steve Rechnagel. The letter specified three separate requests: to serve food on the carpet area, to donate the flowers for the planter at the front of Murzyn Hall, and to receive an additional 15% discount on top of the 25% resident discount. Windschitl reviewed the policy set by the commission that there would be no food service allowed on the carpeted area after the new carpet was installed. He also stated that the Sister Cities and Beautification Committees have previously handled the planting of flowers at Murzyn Hall. As long as Sowada coordinated with those in charge of the planning and the results continued to be as nice as in years past Windschitl did not care what color the flowers are as long as the planter’s look as good as they have in the past. Evans stated that the commission established a policy of allowing one discount only and felt that it should not be changed. Payne agreed. Windschitl stated that the SunFocus newspaper printed a correction about the discounts applied toward resident rentals of Murzyn Hall. Windschitl agreed not to deviate on the discount or food service on the carpet area policies that were previously set by the commission. Motion by Foss to deny the request of serving food on the carpeted area and not to grant the additional 15% discount request, the group would be authorized to work with the Sister Cities and Beautification Committee to coordinate the planting, second by Payne. All ayes, motion carried. Windschitl reported an additional request was received for an extended rental time until th 2:00 a.m. on Saturday January 27, 2007 for a funeral service celebration. The renter would pay a fee of $60.00 every half-hour after the usual 1:00 a.m. rental time. The bar would shut down at 12:30. Security would be scheduled until 2:00 a.m. Motion by Hoium to approve the late rental until 2:00 a.m. with the final details approved by Windschitl, second by Foss. All ayes, motion carried. Park & Recreation Commission January 24, 2007 2 OLD BUSINESS None at this time. NEW BUSINESS Windschitl discussed charging a $50 rental fee, plus tax to renters of Murzyn Hall for the use of the new white melmac plates and clear drinking glasses. Many caterers commonly use these types of plates. All plates, glasses and flatware would need to be washed by the renter after use. Evans asked if linens were available to renters. Windschitl replied yes. Hoium stated that it is another form of revenue. Windschitl replied that the profit is about $3.00 per linen. For a non-profit organization the linens are rented at our cost. Motion by Foss to charge a fifty-dollar rental fee plus tax for the use of the white plates, with the renter being required to wash them after each use, second by Payne. All ayes, motion carried. Police reports were handed out from the December 30, 2006 rental. Windschitl reported on the problems that occurred during that rental. He spoke with the City attorney and is recommending a one-year moratorium for charged admission concerts. We have had problems with some and we have had good results with other concerts at Murzyn Hall. Hoium stated that he worked at the previous two concert events for the Lion’s Club bar and the Samaroo group has always done a good job at controlling their event, this previous concert (December 30, 2006) was not as good. He also asked about the Lion’s Club Sweetheart Dance being approved or not. Windschitl stated that the moratorium would specify public concerts charging admission at the door for profit; non-profit organizations and fundraisers would be allowed. Windschitl indicated these concerts are being advertised in City Pages. Motion by Foss to place a one-year moratorium on concerts, revisiting the issue at the November Park & Recreation Commission meeting, second by McDonald. All ayes, motion carried. Recreation Senior Program Coordinator Karen Moeller spoke about the need for better transportation within the senior program. Several years ago the City van was purchased to allow for smaller trips and outings. Moeller stated that concerns with the current type of van are the lack of steps and handles to get in and out of the vehicle and there is no aisle to get to the back seats. It is very difficult for many of the seniors to get in and out of the van and some are only able to get into the front seat. The van is currently used many times in one month for walking groups, mystery lunches and other short distance outings within the senior program. Other organizations using the van are the Fire Department, Police Department, Sister Cities, Recreation youth programs such as bowling, basketball, baseball, football, wrestling, softball, summer park groups and the puppet program and for the transporting of the Neighborhood Event Wagon. Moeller stated that there is no need to get rid of the current van but there should be a safer vehicle that is more accessible for the seniors. She used an example of her church van that was purchased for around $17,000 that seats the same amount of people and has steps and railings. Foss asked if there were ways to get grant money to help pay for a vehicle. Windschitl replied that there are grants and the department has not yet approached Med Tronic. Foss replied that we need to find a way to get the money and that the senior program has grown because of Moeller and how well she treats people. Payne asked Park & Recreation Commission January 24, 2007 3 where the money would come from for maintenance and repairs? Windschitl replied that it is currently under the Recreation Administration budget, and that the maintenance is done in-house. Motion by Payne to research how to acquire a grant for getting a van for multiple city use with the support of the Commission, second by Greenhalgh. All ayes, motion carried. Peterson suggested that we should be constantly looking for a good quality vehicle for this program. REPORTS RECREATION DIRECTOR Windschitl reported that he would be attending the City Council work session to discuss the Heights Happenings Newsletter printing. It is currently printed four times per year of which 12 pages contain city department information and the other 12 pages are dedicated to recreational activities and information. The City would like to improve the overall appearance of the newsletter. Windschitl thanked Peterson and the Activities Fund for the donation of stage lighting and sound equipment. The Theater Tec class is currently using that equipment. Windschitl formally invited the Commission Members to the recognition dinner to be th held on Thursday March 29 at Murzyn Hall. The 2008 John P. Murzyn Hall rental rates were approved by the City Council. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER McClanahan reported that the Ostrander, Keyes and McKenna Park ice rinks are open. There is a concern with the vacancy of Jean Kuehn’s position; there is no one to head up the Beautification Committee. Kuehn coordinated the planting of flowers around the City. Peterson asked if the Committee members have been asked to step up into this position. McClanahan replied that no one has stepped forward. Improvements are being made to the G.I.S. System so that mailings of the newsletter will go to everyone in the city. Trimming is being done in the parks. The Department is looking at equipment purchases for the summer. Evans asked if the budget is ahead for snowplowing costs. McClanahan replied that materials are purchased ahead of time and are hard to store. COMMISSION MEMBERS Foss inquired about the number of adult softball registrations. He reported hearing from a few teams that they would be going elsewhere this year for softball because there is no post season. Windschitl replied that he would be sending out letters to all previous teams. If any team wants a birth for the post season tournament Windschitl will reserve one, but the team is responsible for payment. Previous years Windschitl has reserved a state birth, covered the cost and some teams would not attend, leaving the birth unused. This was a waste of $140.00 per birth. The rates will not have to be raised due to the individual teams paying for their State Tournament birth. Foss commented that he does not want to see the adult softball program decline. Windschitl agreed. Peterson reported that Council Member Nawrocki would like to see the EDA Commission meetings televised. Peterson is not in favor of televising the commission meeting because someone would have to be hired to film each meeting within the City. Park & Recreation Commission January 24, 2007 4 The Commission Members agreed. Peterson reported that Council Member Kelzenberg would like to see the hill at Keyes Park turned into a ski hill. Payne commented that if the area would have to be lengthened for that type of activity it would take out the existing ball fields. ADJOURNMENT - Eileen Evans adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m. _______________________________ Deanna Saefke Recreation Clerk Typist II