HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes-March 28, 07 (2)
City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
March 28, 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; Kevin Hansen, Public
Works Director/City Engineer; Gary Peterson, Mayor
Also present: Ben Erickson and Mark Hanson of Melrose Pyrotechnics
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Foss, second by McDonald, to approve consent agenda. Upon vote: all ayes,
motion carried.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
A. Request for signage at community garden plots
Evans stated that a “No trespassing” sign would not work in the area. Greenhalgh asked
if the garden plots sell out each year. Windschitl replied that in 2006 plots not rented
were given to the Lion’s Club members and produce grown was donated to S.A.C.A.
Payne asked what the renters receive with each garden plot. Windschitl replied that there
is a water garden hose that reaches to all 48 garden plots, the City tills the plots in the
spring and fall. Motion by Payne, second by Greenhalgh, requesting staff to create
additional signage for the garden plots. Upon vote: all ayes, motion carried.
B. Request for skateboard park in Columbia Heights
Hansen stated that if the Commission were interested in building a skateboard park
consideration would need to be made as to the most appropriate area for it. This type of
park has a large noise impact on the neighborhood, it would need a long lasting material,
hours would need to be posted and an enclosed perimeter fence would need to be
installed. Evans stated that there is not enough money in our budget for staffing costs at
this type of park. Stroik asked how much a structure like this costs. Hansen stated
$20,000 to $30,000 and using concrete materials would possibly double the costs. He
also suggested for the Commission to consider Ramsdell Park or Huset Park as possible
future locations for this type of noise impact. Motion by Greenhalgh, second by Payne,
to table this topic. Upon vote: all ayes, motion carried.
C. Request for fee to be waived for the Columbia Heights Prayer Breakfast
Motion by Greenhalgh, second by Payne, to waive the rental fee of John P. Murzyn Hall
for the Columbia Heights Prayer Breakfast. Upon vote: all ayes, motion carried.
D. Request from John Murzyn
Evans stated that there is no current policy regarding City employee discounts on rentals
of JPM. She feels that the commission needs to remain consistent with previous
Park & Recreation Commission
March 28, 2007
Page 2
decisions made on requests for additional discounts. Motion by Foss, second by
McDonald, to deny the request for an additional discount on the rental of John P. Murzyn
Hall to John Murzyn. Foss stated he feels that this is a worthy request and in the future it
would be nice to see a discount given to City employees. At the present time he feels that
it is important to stay consistent with previous decisions. Upon vote: all ayes, motion
carried.
E. Columbia Heights Women of Today donation to JPM
Windschitl stated that the Columbia Heights Women of Today use JPM mainly on
weeknights for their monthly meetings. A thank you note was sent in recognition for the
donation.
OLD BUSINESS
A. 2007 Capital Improvements: Shelters
Hansen stated that there is money budgeted for capital improvements at both Huset Park
and Silver Lake Beach. Since Murzyn Hall is currently being studied for gym space, he
recommends delaying any improvements at Huset Park until a direction is taken by the
City Council regarding an activity center. Silver Lake Beach has a total budgeted amount
of $30,000. The type of open-air shelter would have steel posts and a metal or shingle
roof. These types of materials are better for maintenance purposes. Hansen indicated
that an opportunity needs to be given to residents around Silver Lake Beach for input on
the types of improvements for the area. Peterson asked if we would be able to save
money if the buildings were demolished in-house. Hansen replied yes and recommended
that the commission requests to have the buildings demolished before Public Works
begins the cutting season. Peterson suggested narrowing the options to three types of
shelters before presenting information at a public meeting. Motion by Foss, second by
McDonald, to recommend the buildings at Silver Lake Beach be demolished, to come up
with a limit of three shelter designs and to hold a meeting with the neighborhood around
Silver Lake Beach.
Discussion: Hansen suggests presenting a hexagon metal roof shelter, rectangle shingle
roof shelter and a rectangle metal roof shelter. Windschitl suggested something similar to
Kordiak Park. Hansen replied that a shelter similar to Kordiak Park is proposed for Huset
Park. Peterson stated that a steeper pitch in the roof would have less damage over time.
Evans replied that is would make sense to put in some fencing to public access. Peterson
stated the area around the shelter should to be planned so that the whole beach area is
attractive. Hoium asked about the rules to make the area ADA accessible. Hansen
replied that there would need to be access and that ADA requirements are met for new
structures. Upon vote: all ayes, motion carried. Correction to demolish the two existing
shelter and at the April meeting the commission members will look at the structure of the
other existing building at the beach. Peterson reiterated that a new shelter is put in at
Silver Lake Beach we want the whole park to look nice. Hansen recommended that the
Commission look into the lighting at the park as well.
Park & Recreation Commission
12/31/2007
Page 3
NEW BUSINESS
Added to agenda, request for updated playground equipment at Sullivan Park.
Hansen reported that an additional request was received from a resident across from
Sullivan Park. The letter from the resident was passed out to each member of the
commission and brought to the City Council at the March 26meeting. Hansen agrees
that the playground equipment needs to be taken down at Sullivan Park. He reported that
at a recent City Council meeting, Council Member Nawrocki discussed the letter and
asked if we want a high intensity playground in that area because Sullivan Park was
originally built as a passive park. Hansen stated that any new playground equipment
should be put in the south side of the park, closer to the parking lot.
A. 2007 Jamboree Fireworks
Greenhalgh asked if budget money from the Huset Park shelter would be able to be used
for Sullivan Park improvements. Hansen replied that 2006 budget money set aside for
Sullivan Park would be considered as a carry over into 2007 since it was not used in
2006. Foss suggested approaching MedTronic for additional funding because of their
frequent use of Sullivan Park. Hansen commented that he would like to bring in a park
planner from the outside to assess the park. Greenhalgh recommended for the dormant
Huset Park shelter money to be put into Sullivan Park improvements. Stroik feels that if
a playground is put in, people will make use of it. McDonald stated the need to look at
the daily use of the park and not just weekend usage. Sullivan Park discussion to be
th
continued on the April 25 Park & Recreation Agenda.
Windschitl reported that $3000 is budgeted for the Jamboree fireworks. In the past years
both RES Specialty Pyrotechnics and Melrose Pyrotechnics have been used for the
shows. The City has used RES for the past few years. Windschitl recommends using
Melrose Pyrotechnics to see a change. Resident Ben Erickson spoke about his work
experience with both companies; he is currently working for Melrose Pyrotechnics. He
stated that the Columbia Heights High School uses Melrose Pyrotechnics for the
homecoming fireworks show. Motion by Payne, second by Greenhalgh, to offer the bid
to Melrose Pyrotechnics to shoot the Jamboree fireworks show on June 23. Upon vote:
all ayes, motion carried.
REPORTS
Recreation Director
Windschitl reported that there are a lot of new things added to the Jamboree schedule.
Some of the planned activities include; Sports Fishing 101 for Kids “Fishing for
Knowledge,” Heights Idol performance, the annual adult softball tournament, Heights
rd
Challenge, Jamboree Parade, fireworks on Saturday June 23, the Women of Today will
th
be hosting a craft fair and the CH Fire Department will be celebrating their 100
rd
Anniversary with an open house and street dance on Saturday June 23.
Public Works Director/City Engineer
Hansen reported that construction for the University Avenue service road would likely
occur in 2007 or 2008. A grant application has been made for a bikeway and trail plan.
Park & Recreation Commission
12/31/2007
Page 4
Once that plan is in place another grant application can be made for trail ways. Hansen
th
stated that the pedestrian crossing on 49 and Central Avenue is not ADA accessible.
Commission Members
nd
Foss invited everyone to the Monday April 2 meeting at 6:00 p.m. for the Columbia
Heights High School Board/City Council meeting where they will be presenting school
district plans for additional gym space.
Peterson stated that the Valley View gym space was canceled for the youth in-house
basketball program recently at their arrival. He was able to schedule the All Class
Reunion at the High School for free because the proceeds go towards scholarships given
out to High School Students. However the reunion is unable to make coffee while using
the facility because they are not allowed to use the kitchen, without district union staff
present. Windschitl reported that the youth basketball was on the gym schedule at the
school district website. The issue has been brought up to the Athletic Director at the
High School, and he is meeting with the Principals to resolve the problem.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Eileen Evans adjourned the meeting at 7:53 p.m.
______________________________
Deanna Saefke
Recreation Clerk Typist II