Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin-July 23, 08 City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission July 23, 2008 Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Eileen Evans; Tom Greenhalgh; Stan Hoium; Kevin McDonald; David Payne; Marsha Stroik; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer Also present: Joe Primus, CH School District Director of Business Services; Mark Corless, CH School District K12 Activities Director; Candace Amberg, RLA of Brauer & Associates, Ltd.; Keith Kozerski of St. Joseph’s Home for Children; Kay Acton resident; Jeff Bahe from Jeff’s Bobby & Steve’s; Residents from the Ramsdell Park neighborhood APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Payne, second by McDonald, to approve consent agenda. Upon vote: All Motion carried. ayes. LETTERS AND REQUESTS A. Request for a reduced rental fee of JPM on December 5, 2008 for a fundraiser with St. Joseph’s Home for Children Keith Kozerski requested a reduced rental fee for a fundraiser to benefit St. Joseph’s Home for Children. This event is by invitation only with no admission fee; there will be food, a band, and a raffle for prizes. At this time the renters would conduct an open bar. Evans asked if the event could be held on a weekday because the policy states that Friday and Saturday rentals are not allowed reduced rental rates. Motion by Hoium, second by Payne, to charge the full rental rate. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. B. Request for a reduced fee on the rental of JPM on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 Kay Acton of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Minnesota discussed the request by this organization. They are a non-profit group that would like to hold a volunteer party at JPM from 11:30 to 4:30 on December 2, 2008. The expected number of attendees is between 200 to 250 people for this luncheon. Evans stated that the policy is to charge a $40 entry fee and $15 per hour charge. Motion by Stroik, second by Payne, to charge the $40 entry fee and $15 charge per hour Motion carried. in the building. Upon vote: All ayes. Recreation Department 3/30/2009 Page 2 Acton thanked the Commission Members. OLD BUSINESS A. Review concept plans for Ramsdell Park with neighborhood Hansen thanked the neighborhood residents for attending. He indicated that the purpose for conducting the meeting is to review concept plans and gain public input for the Commission Members to hear and come back with a final recommendation for a master plan. Hansen reviewed current park construction with the residents. He introduced Consultant Amberg from RLA of Brauer & Associates, Ltd. Amberg discussed two concept plans for Ramsdell Park. Major points include; relocating the softball field for optimal play, leaving open field space for soccer, addressing soil type and drainage problems, adding a walking trail system, moving the parking area, relocating the half basketball court, relocating the playground equipment, a small picnic shelter, keeping or removing the pool, keeping the existing park building, adding significant landscaping and providing storm water storage/infiltration basin. On the southeast corner of the park area; currently owned by the school district, staff has suggested a possibility of expanding the parking lot and adding a small skate park. Discussion from residents; support for the removal of the half basketball court, concern for the distance of the walking path to residents property (screening), and support for the addition of walking path for the many people with animals. Hansen indicated that the number one request for park improvements is a walking trail system. Residents indicated that the pool is frequently used and would like to keep it in the park with a better enclosed area and seating around the pool. Payne asked if there would be options for lighting the trails. Amberg indicated that many parks are taking out lighting due to light pollution. Resident comment; against lighting and in favor of the removal of the basketball court. Evans asked how many residents would be interested in a skateboard park. About two residents in attendance were in favor of one. Hansen indicated that the Council has given, as a guide is not to expand the park or intensify it but make it more useable. He also indicated that the skate park on the concept plan is shown as the only new item and placed in the most appropriate area of the park. That land is owned by the school district and shown as a future potential use. One resident asked about screening between the park and residential areas for noise. Amberg indicated that landscaping would be used. Hansen indicated that there is no proposed fencing and that the only delineation is with trees, planting and landscaping. Per Commission Policy, it is the responsibility of residents to install their own private fencing. Amberg stated that trails and selective landscaping are installed to help guide people while in the park. Continued discussion included; in favor of more and better parking, concerns with dogs running free, placing lease law signage, installing a doggie station, concerns with no supervision of youth at the pool, proper monitoring of the pool hours of operation and approval of a larger ballfield space with an area for a soccer field. Windschitl indicated the need for a soccer field to fulfill program needs. Recreation Department 3/30/2009 Page 3 Jeff Bahe from Jeff’s Bobby & Steve’s Auto World indicated that their Youth Foundation has chosen the City of Columbia Heights to receive a playground donation. Each year the company chooses a city that they do business in to donate back to. This is a project where they ask for residents to volunteer their time towards the labor of the project. Hansen stated that 120 properties around Ramsdell Park were sent notifications of this meeting. He will send out postcards to allow for additional comments. Hansen ended the public comments and discussion. Evans thanked residents for attending. B. Honeywell Study/HVAC Recommendations Evans asked if we are locked into Honeywell for this project. Windschitl indicated that last November staff contacted Honeywell to conduct an Energy Retrofit Study for John P. Murzyn Hall. Honeywell was selected to perform this study due to their vast knowledge and experience with Murzyn Hall and the many successful years working with them. Honeywell has completed the mechanical, ventilation, building management system, envelope, and electrical evaluation in addition to analyzing the cost to operate the facility. Cost estimates are being prepared for the project in order to start implementation in the very near future. Timing is important due to some equipment failure since the study began. John P. Murzyn Hall (JPM) is a beautiful building with continuous activity that requires consistent functionality. Unfortunately, the majority of mechanical components related to heating and cooling are well beyond their functional life. The building has some moisture damage from interior and exterior penetration and this will only get worse if short-term fixes are applied. Windschitl stated that Honeywell is conducting the energy study at no cost unless Honeywell is not used for any portion of the project. If Honeywell does not perform any of the work then the City will owe Honeywell $2000. Windschitl gave examples of past problems within JPM like water leaks from ice eaves causing damage to the ceiling tiles, sheet rock and carpet. Hoium asked if that is a roofing problem or a boiler (heating) problem. Windschitl explained that the heat generated from the air-handling units in the attic melts the snow on the roof causing ice to form on the edges and this plan addresses that issue. Hoium suggested placing it outside. Windschitl indicated that is what he would like to see happen, but it would be too expensive. Evans asked if this was priced that way with all the boilers and all the air conditioners. Windschitl indicated that the only part reused is the shell or housing of the units in the attic. Evans asked again why put in attic. Windschitl explained that it is too costly to move all of the ducting. Hoium asked about the biding process. Windschitl indicated that Honeywell is authorized under a state statute where they bid every thing out to many companies who will provide a good piece of equipment. They will then guarantee that all of the components will work together and be cost effective afterwards. Evans indicated that Honeywell would be gaining a profit from this. Windschitl stated that Honeywell would Recreation Department 3/30/2009 Page 4 be getting about 10% of the project back for the engineering, which is the going rate. Windschitl stated that when the heating needs to be turned back on part of the heating system is inoperable. Last year at the end of the winter season some of the equipment was turned off rather than temporarily fixing old units with costly repairs. He stressed the urgency on making this decision prior to the heat needing to be turned on again. Hoium, not much savings listed on a boiler. Windschitl replied that new boilers installed would be much more efficient than one installed in the 1930’s. He indicated that other companies have said that they would put a bid together but not package everything to operate together. This is an important piece of the project to have all of the equipment working together such that the climate in the building is consistent. This is one of the major problems with the building currently. Honeywell offers a performance type of contract. Other companies do not have any history and knowledge of the building. Evans commented to at least price boilers. Windschitl replied that Honeywell does bid out the work, they go out to other companies to acquire quotes, and Honeywell may or may not get the work once all costs are submitted. Evans asked about Honeywell giving us back the savings if they find a lower bid price. Windschitl replied that if the final cost proposals were lower than original projections the savings would be passed on to the City. He explained the project consists of replacement of single pane windows on the North side of the hall, doors, reconstruction of South wall in hall, roof replacement, new gutters, and new heating/cooling units with controls. Hoium stated that there isn’t any disagreement that something has to be done, but he was surprised at the original estimate. Windschitl stated that Honeywell has done a great job for JPM over the past twelve years. Stroik praised the maintenance agreement due to the frequent use of the building on the weekends and needing maintenance to be on call. Windschitl indicated JPM staff are currently researching the loadsheding agreement with Xcel Energy to save money on utilities. Average hours based on the last few years ranged between 20-40 hours per year max, and our generator currently has to be cycled anyway. This cost savings would be some where around $4000 annually based on current use. Hoium agreed that this is a good program. REPORTS A. Recreation Director Windschitl reported that money donations were down for the Jamboree Fireworks. No responses back from VFW or TriCity Legion. The Columbia Heights Lion’s Club recently donated $1000. Total donations received were approximately $2500. Windschitl invited the Commission Members to tour facilities with gym equipment that th may be in the new gym at the High School; on Friday, July 25. The tour will be of the New Prague High School gym and Macalester College. Greenhalgh indicated that he would be attending. B. Public Works Director/City Engineer Hansen asked the Commission Members for immediate comments on the Ramsdell Park meeting. Members comments included; approval of skateboard park, observation of other City parks not using the skateboard park, St. Anthony skateboard park is always Recreation Department 3/30/2009 Page 5 packed, frustration with citizens that live near parks and do not want improvements. Hansen indicated keeping the wading pool based on public comments. In order to keep the pool there are specific requirements that need to be met regarding the drain and filtration system. Hansen passed around photo examples of signage for the park signs with the park name on them. He indicated that graffiti is the major problem with current signs. Stroik indicated approval for placing signs at the park without spending a lot of money. Other members agreed. C. Commission Members Payne indicated desire for a scoreboard for the ballfield at Prestemon Park. Windschitl indicated that this is something staff would be working on in the next few months. Stroik suggested implementing a fundraising plan to conduct park improvements. She gave examples of other cities using their own credit card system or creating a round up on utility bills. Hansen indicated that with a three month billing system that would not work. Evans suggested using the grant from Jeff’s, Bobby and Steve’s foundation at Huset Park on the west side of the park. Stroik reported hearing a discussion of the City not continuing the Jamboree Festival. She indicated that many people outside of the City have a vested interest in the festival. Staff reported that they are not aware of plans of this nature. Payne reported that Jim Kordiak is retiring and hearing a rumor that Anoka County would like to give Kordiak Park back to the City. Hansen indicated that there has been no formal discussion. Staff has approached the City to take over all of the park maintenance. Hansen does not believe that Anoka County wants to get rid of the park either. There are scheduled improvements for Kordiak Park. ADJOURNMENT Eileen Evans adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. ______________________________ Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II