HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin-january 28, 09
City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
January 28, 2009
Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 6:27 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Eileen Evans; Tom Greenhalgh; Stan Hoium; Kevin McDonald;
David Payne; Marsha Stoik; Gary Peterson, Mayor; Kevin Hansen,
Public Works Director; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director
Also present: Dave Meyer, Booster Member
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion
by Payne, second by Hoium, to approve consent agenda with amended October
Motion carried.
22, 2008 minutes. Upon vote: All ayes.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
A. Request for the reduced resident rate for the rental of John P. Murzyn Hall on
Saturday, October 17, 2009 for the Columbia Heights High School class of 1969 reunion
Evans indicated that in the past the Columbia Heights class reunions have received the
25% resident discount. Windschitl indicated that many times a class member lives in
Columbia Heights and they are the renter for the event. Regardless of whom the renter is
a copy of the renters insurance policy showing liability coverage is required. This group
has had all of their class reunions at JPM.
Motion
by Hoium, second by Payne, to offer the 25% resident discount to the CHHS
class of 1969 reunion for the rental of JPM on October 17, 2009. Upon vote: All ayes.
Motion carried.
B. Letter of appreciation and a $100 donation from the Christopher Toastmasters for the
use of John P. Murzyn Hall to conduct their monthly meetings
Windschitl indicated that a thank you note was sent to the Toastmasters group. They
have been using a meeting room at JPM for over 25 years.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Update on City Park Improvements and Park Planning
Hansen informed the Commission that Sullivan Lake Park is near 100% completion.
Silver Lake Beach is near 98% completion with some landscaping not done yet. Evans
indicated concerns when sledding down the hill, going over berms and into the parking
lot. Payne replied that he was under the impression that the slope of the hill was not
going to be very steep or have a big jump at the end. Hansen replied that the original
material for the berm changed when the contractors excavated the area. The berm directs
runoff towards the smaller pond. Stroik suggested a sign to limit liability. Hansen
indicated hay bales could be placed at the edge of the parking lot for a short-term
solution. Evans stated that stakes and plastic fencing are near the other side of the hill.
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3/30/2009
Page 2
Hansen indicated the Ramsdell Park Master Plan was accepted by the City Council and
will be on hold for construction until a future date due to funding. He stated that only
projects currently under contract and the approved Huset Park West shelter would
continue. Stroik asked what will happen with the money planned for park improvements.
Hansen replied that the $250,000 budgeted for the Ramsdell Park improvements are
proposed to be used elsewhere. As of today’s meeting the Council has not acted on the
funding shortfall.
Evans asked for an update on the Honeywell project with Murzyn Hall. Windschitl
replied that the City has not negotiated a maintenance contract for 2009 yet. JPM would
have a contract with Honeywell. In regards to the building energy project, the updates
are not yet completed. The heating is close to being complete, the doors are currently
being worked on, the windows in the front of the hall and sheet rock will be finished this
week. Windschitl indicated that some of the work on the windows was done in-house
like the demolition and painting. He stated that the City building official said that the
venting is not up to code so soffit venting had to be created. Windschitl believes that we
are getting more and more for our money with this project. One additional concern has
been the inner front door that is currently being negotiated. He indicated that the front
main door replacement was due to the energy saving project, which makes sense. During
this project we have discovered that the building is not insulated well. Throughout the
project Honeywell has been adding insulation and fixing areas that have been missing.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Policies and procedures for the City gym
Windschitl indicated that he would like to form a committee for the procedures of the
new City gym. The Commission members are welcome to be a part of this committee.
The purpose of this group would be to get questions answered regarding operation
policies for the gym and to receive community input. Payne, Stroik, Greenhalgh and
McDonald volunteered for the committee. Windschitl said that he would like to get some
School District members on this committee.
Stroik asked if the City would have control over this particular gym. Windschitl replied
yes. He stated that some other questions are in regards to access to the pool, fitness area,
concessions and how staffing will be handled. The underlying questions need answers.
Payne indicated that the Northeaster newspaper article made it sound like the School
District was in control of everything. Evans agreed with that statement. Windschitl
indicated that the City would control our portion of the building. Peterson stated that
after 6:30 p.m. the City could use the larger fitness area. Stroik asked if rental fees have
been established. Windschitl replied that the findings of this new committee would be
brought to the Park and Recreation Commission for a recommendation to the City
Council. Another question to be answered is the busing situation after school hours and
how the District is involved with that.
B. Columbia Heights Athletic Booster request for concessions
Payne indicated that the Athletic Boosters would like to have a trailer or tent to sell
concessions for baseball, softball and football games. He stated that Huset Park for
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3/30/2009
Page 3
example would be a great place to sell pop, candy bars, water and other items that do not
require any food preparation. He asked what the City requirements are to do this type of
activity. Windschitl replied that an application for a peddler’s license would need to be
obtained from Community Development. There would be a fee for this license.
Windschitl informed Payne that a letter of request for fees to be waived should be
brought to the Council along with the application from the Booster’s organization.
Peterson stated that he believed the Council would waive the fee because of the
significant donations made back to the Recreation Programs.
Dave Meyer, resident and Booster member, asked if a small trailer with 2 wheels be okay
to use for the concessions. That would make it possible to bring the concessions to other
areas than just Huset Park if the City would allow that. Stroik added that it would be
similar to what Jeff’s Bobby & Steve’s uses. Windschitl indicated that the permits may
be applied for by location and if that is the case the organization could then apply for an
all desired locations within the City. Greenhalgh added that a good location for the
concessions would be at Prestemon Park during softball tournaments. Windschitl replied
that the Puppet Wagon and Event Wagon gets really hot in the summer so a type of tent
might be nicer as opposed to a trailer. Stroik asked if the permit could be applied for in
general terms for all City Parks. The permit department would have to answer these
questions.
Motion
by Hoium, second by Greenhalgh, for the Park & Recreation to support the
Columbia Heights Athletic Boosters in operating a concession stand at the City Parks
during recreational events. Upon vote: Stroik - abstain, Payne - abstain, all ayes.
Motion carried.
Added request from Mayor Peterson
Peterson indicated that fundraising events would be taking place for a bronze statue to be
placed at the new public safety building. The group would like to hold a Fire/Police Ball
at Murzyn Hall on Saturday, March 21 with a request for the rental fee to be waived in
order for all proceeds to go directly to the 501 C-3 fund. Hoium asked if the Lion’s Club
would be used for the bartending services. Peterson replied yes with a request to the club
for proceeds to go towards the fundraising efforts.
Motion
by McDonald, second by Stroik, to waive the rental fee of Murzyn Hall for the
Motion
Fire/Police Ball fundraiser on Saturday, March 21. Upon vote: All ayes.
carried.
REPORTS
A. Recreation Director
Windschitl reported that in the budget reductions are being looked at for 2009 due to the
tax limits being previously set by the City before the funding was cut from the State. The
City Manager asked all departments to make recommendations for budget reductions.
The City Council will then make the final decisions. Windschitl indicated that one
possible situation is to reduce the fours of operation for JPM. There are evenings where
the building is only open for civic groups and the question is whether we continue to staff
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3/30/2009
Page 4
for that situation or not. The building would then only be open when there is a paid
rental or recreation program in operation. Windschitl stated that these are good civic
groups with some residents involved in the programs. There will need to be a way to
offset the costs for evening staff and a morning clean up crew in the used rooms.
Peterson indicated that the last thing the City wants to do is lay people off from their jobs.
He stressed his desire to use the new City gym as much as possible by all ages of
Columbia Heights. Evans asked if there was a walking trail inside the gym. Peterson
replied that people could walk inside the gym or on a treadmill. Windschitl invited the
Commission to tour the gym. One item that has been redone is a larger window at the
office to be able to see people entering the facility. Another recent change is to install
cable jacks now before the walls are completed and the process would cost more. Stroik
asked how the District Athletic Director got the used fitness equipment from Lifetime
Fitness and if it were by donation. Windschitl replied that it was a donation and there is a
request in for 6 additional pieces for the City gym side of the facility. Stroik indicated
that the Athletic Director supplied volunteers in exchange for the used equipment deal.
B. Public Works Director/City Engineer
Hansen reported that budget reduction recommendations were given to the City Manager.
Evan asked what ice-skating rinks are open this year. Hansen replied that Ostrander,
McKenna, Keyes and Gauvitte Parks are open. Greenhalgh asked if the lights are on
timers at the parks. Hansen replied yes, that they turn around 10:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Evans asked if there was a water main break on Stinson Boulevard that went into a vacant
house. Hansen replied that we have had water main breaks on Stinson Blvd. this past
year, but he did not believe that water entered any buildings.
C. Commission Members
Greenhalgh thanked Mayor Peterson for the good comments during the Council meeting
about the positive work that the commissions do and why they exist.
Stroik asked when the public would know of the budget reduction decisions. Peterson
indicated that would be out by April as far as he knows.
ADJOURNMENT
Eileen Evans adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
______________________________
Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II