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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin-March 26, 08 City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission March 26, 2008 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: Cliff Shedlov, resident 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 appreciation and $150 donation from the Christopher Toastmasters group Evans acknowledged the letter and donation. Windschitl sent a Thank You card. This community group has been using JPM for 25 years. B. Letter of appreciation from Opportunity Partners Evans acknowledged the letter of appreciation. Windschitl stated that this non-profit organization was charged at $40/$15 fee for the use of JPM to hold an awards dinner. C. Letter of recognition of Karen Moeller, Senior Coordinator and the Columbia Heights Senior Program from resident John Van Pilsum Evans acknowledged the letter. Windschitl recognized that Karen Moeller does a great job with the senior trips, which is very evident by how quickly the trips fill. th D. Letter of request from the Columbia Heights Jaycees to hold a 50 Anniversary event at JPM free of charge or at a reduced cost Windschitl informed the Commission that JPM is rented on both Saturdays prior to the requested dates so a turn around would be required on Sunday morning. Motion by Foss, second by Greenhalgh, to charge a $40 entry fee and a $15 per hour of use charge for the use of JPM by the Columbia Heights Jaycees. Upon vote: all ayes, motion carried. E. Letter of request from residents Cliff & Sharon Shedlov to hold a benefit dinner at JPM for a reduced or waived fee on Wednesday, April 23 Resident Cliff Shedlov informed the Commission that he has been a resident for 45 years. This fundraiser would benefit a young man who works for his son. The man was injured in a snowmobile accident of which no alcohol was involved. The event would last from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. With setup and cleanup they would be in the building from 4:00 Park & Recreation Commission 3/26/2008 Page 2 rd p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Windschitl indicated that on the evening of April 23 the building would be open for other programs. Motion by McDonald, second by Payne, to waive the fee on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 for the use of JPM until 9:00 p.m. Upon vote: all ayes, motion carried. OLD BUSINESS A. Silver Lake Park & Sullivan Lake Park improvement update Hansen reported on the current status of the park improvements. Advertising for bids will close on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. Interest is very high for this project as thirty-two contractors are on the list. Three grant requests have been submitted for Silver Lake Park: one State, one Federal, and one to the Rice Creek Watershed District. Park construction should be completed by this summer; the construction time is three-months. Hansen indicated that last year’s budget money has been carried over to this year’s budget for a shelter at Huset Park. The shelter had been placed on hold indefinitely until a decision was made on the location of an activity center in the City. NEW BUSINESS A. 2008 Park Planning Hansen reported that the 2008 Parks Budget has $10,000 established for the planning process of another City Park. From the past discussions of the Commission Members, Ramsdell Park is the most logical park to focus on next. Evans asked what the goals are for Ramsdell Park. Hansen stated that all aspects of the park would be considered from parking, ball fields, the wading pool and making the park A.D.A. accessible. There has been considerable interest from the neighborhood around Ramsdell Park to make improvements. Hansen stated that he would be looking into funding. Payne indicated that he feels the City’s biggest park, Huset Park, should be focused on first because it is so highly used. Evans asked if it would make more sense to install at shelter and playground at Huset Park instead of Ramsdell. Hansen replied that money for a shelter at Huset Park is in the budget. Motion by Stroik, second by Payne, to resurrect the Huset Park Master Plan. Hansen stated the City does not have resources at the current time for Huset Park. In 2010 there may be State resources (MNDOT) available for associated improvements like moving the road. Windschitl indicated that we could use a shelter at Huset Park. Kordiak Park gets a lot of business due to the large shelter available for rentals. Hansen indicated the current money in the budget is to establish a master park plan at the next th logical park to receive improvements. Greenhalgh asked if purchasing a 4 shelter at the time that the shelters are purchased for Sullivan Lake Park and Silver Lake Park would save money. Hansen stated that he would look into that possibility. No vote taken. Motion by Hoium, second by Foss, to create a Master Park Plan for Ramsdell Park. Park & Recreation Commission 3/26/2008 Page 3 Payne indicated that all of the City parks need work. He questioned why the smaller parks would receive improvements before the biggest park that is highly used. Hansen reviewed the history of the Huset Park Master Plan process. He stated we are currently making improvements to our highly used neighborhood parks and that the Commission has good intentions for future improvements at additional parks. Peterson added that it is a good idea for the Commission to prioritize the order of park improvements and have some goals in place. He stated that two parks are receiving improvements, which is a major step of park redevelopment. Greenhalgh indicated that with new gyms built at the High School Ramsdell Park should receive improvements to accommodate the increased activity in the area. Upon vote, all ayes, motion carried . REPORTS Recreation Director Windschitl reported that the City and the Columbia Heights School District have both approved a joint powers agreement to govern the new gym facility. Maintenance costs will be split based on the square footage. Honeywell will be reporting on the conclusion of the HVAC study shortly. Windschitl invited all Members to the Commission Dinner on April 16, 2008. Public Works Director/City Engineer Hansen reported that the Public Works Department is trying to bring seasonal employees on early in May to keep up with grass cutting. There will be a total of 18 employees split up between the departments. Many past employees have returned. Joanne Baker is retiring after 18 years of employment with the City. Commission Members McDonald asked what is going to happen to LaBelle Park. Hansen replied that ideas for improvements would be discussed during this year. Payne indicated that he is thankful for the improvements that are happening to the City parks this year. Evans stated that volunteer projects are a good idea for the Commission. Hansen indicated a cleanup day at the end of April or beginning of May would be helpful at Huset, Labelle and Prestemon Parks and also at Hart Lake. Peterson asked the Members if they had any interest in a dog park. Members stated that they were not interested because Columbia Park has one. ADJOURNMENT Eileen Evans adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m. ______________________________ Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II