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City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
December 9, 2009
Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Eileen Evans; Justin Grussing; Stan Hoium; Kevin McDonald;
David Payne; Marsha Stroik
Staff Present: Gary Peterson, Mayor; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director;
Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Deanna Saefke, Secretary
OATH OF OFFICE
Justin Grussing took the oath of office as a Park and Recreation Commission Member.
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion
by Stroik, second by Hoium, to approve consent agenda. Upon vote: All ayes.
Motion Carried.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
A. Request for an open bar on December 18, 2009
Windschitl stated that this request is for an open bar with a smaller group of guests and
will be serving beer and wine. Windschitl indicated he felt this bar would be operated in
a very responsible manner. He also stated that the Commission would be seeing more of
these types of requests due to the policy change regarding open bar service.
Motion
by Hoium, second by McDonald, to allow the open far for this event. Upon vote:
Motion Carried.
All ayes.
B. Request for the fee to be waived for use of the Huset Park East Jefferson building
during a youth group fundraising event from St. Matthew Lutheran Church
Evans asked if the group would need to use bathroom facilities. Windschitl indicated that
at the Jefferson building the heat is maintained to keep the pipes from freezing and this
group would use a key for the building and bathroom facilities, the heat would also be
available for them. He believes that this type of event is a good cause and a good reason
to waive the fee for the fundraising cause. The church will also cleanup after the event.
Event date is to be determined but the group is flexible and will work with availability.
Motion
by Hoium, second by Stroik, to waive the reservation fee for the use of the Huset
Park East Jefferson building for the St. Matthew Lutheran Church fundraising event.
Motion Carried.
Upon vote: All ayes.
C. Letter of appreciation of staff and services at JPM on November 22, 2009
Windschitl indicated the letter of appreciation recognized staff members Saefke, Sue
Wolney, Mark Gallagher and the Columbia Heights Lion’s Club for their quality
services.
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OLD BUSINESS
A. Huset West Playground Dedication
Hansen indicated the need for some recognition of what has been accomplished in Huset
Park. Tentatively May would be a good month to plan an event. Windschitl replied that
one idea is to have a cook out and invite the Huset Park neighborhood as a family potluck
get together. He contacted Jeff Bahe from the Jeff, Bobby and Steve’s Youth Foundation
to have him determine who should be recognized for significant donations during the
fundraising events. Hansen indicated from the City’s perspective there are three main
entities that made this possible; GameTime whom the grant was received from, MN/WIS
Playground facilitated the grant and whom we got the equipment from and Jeff Bahe
because of the significant donations bringing the net cost on the playground equipment to
zero. Staff feels that a plaque with names should be constructed.
Hoium asked if a dedication or recognition of Jerry Foss, former Commission Member,
would be included. Windschitl replied an idea would be to place a memorial bench along
the path near the shelter, but would be open to discussion. Hansen asked if the original
discussion by the Commission was to have this recognition at the Huset Park shelter or at
Gauvitte Park. Members replied at Huset Park because of the ball fields and Foss’s
involvement in baseball programs. Comments included support for holding this
neighborhood event at the May Park & Recreation Commission meeting and including a
small plaque recognizing Foss.
B. Silver Lake Beach trail connection with Silverwood Park
Hansen displayed the submitted plan for the trail connection. The plan needs to be
approved through Silverwood Staff and meet ADA requirements. Silverwood Park
would like to have a locking gate at the trail connection to be locked each night. City
staff would construct the eight-foot bituminous trial, remove trees in the area and install a
light by having Excel Energy extended a power pole. Hoium asked if the City would be
funding this project. Hansen replied the funding is in the 2010 budget. He indicated the
Three Rivers Park District is paying for the cost of the fencing removal, new fence and
gate installation and any additional tree removals, if needed. In materials the cost for this
trail is around $8,000 - $10,000. Hoium asked the length of the trail. Hansen replied 220
feet.
Hansen indicated consideration of designing a path to come down the sliding hill.
Installing a switchback trail system with heavy landscaping would improve the
conditions and safety of the sliding hill.
C. Ramsdell Park
Hansen indicated that a proposal from Brauer & Associates would be about $20,000 for
construction plans, plans and specs and all contract administration. This does need to go
through City Council for approval. Hansen discussed prioritizing what could be
completed at this time from the Master Park Plan as that has all of the detailed plans for
future improvements; ball field, additional parking, playground equipment, additional
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parking, a shelter, skate park, a walking trail and other items. Drainage will need to be
done at this park no matter what. Hansen stated that $275,000 is budgeted for
improvements next year on this 2009 delayed project.
Payne asked if the land for the proposed skate park is owned by the School District.
Hansen replied yes, and the District is willing to work with the City to deed over the land
for future improvements. The District is not interested in owning a skate park. He stated
there are interesting designs in other cities that use concrete, which would reduce and
eliminate maintenance.
Stroik indicated past discussion on going to the public for donations for Ramsdell Park in
general. Hansen replied that is a good idea. He also stated there is not a lot of grant
funding available for park improvements.
Windschitl asked if fencing for the ball field is included in the plan. Hansen replied that
it would be removable fencing for the soccer and baseball field. McDonald asked about
removing or keeping the building. Windschitl replied that building is used for summer
programming and is one of the most successful parks. He asked if the existing ball field
could receive enhancements as opposed to reconfiguring the whole thing to save costs.
Hansen stated the initial criteria in the planning stage were to use this field for softball,
youth baseball and soccer. He also stated what the draw will be for people to attended
this park and where parking will be best located. For drainage purposes relocating the
orientation of the field is best. Hansen indicated that with any site improvements
involving mass grading and there is a requirement for water quality treatment.
Hansen stated that he would be requesting authorization from the City Council to prepare
construction plans by contracting with Brauer & Associates, Ltd. Upon approval the
design process would begin with Commission and public input.
Payne expressed his opinion to see the improvements made on the ball field and green
space. The skate park could be installed at a later date with fundraising efforts if public
interest calls for that. He questioned the need to update the pool. Hansen replied this
wading pool has a leak. All repairs that can be made have been done without tearing up
the whole pool. To make further repairs the whole pool would need major renovation.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Sleigh ride event to be held at Huset Park
Windschitl indicated Albert Thairn, owner of Albert’s bar, proposed an idea to hold an
annual winter carnival community event along with the Columbia Heights Athletic
Boosters and the Recreation Department. This would include games, food for sale, a
horse drawn sleigh ride and ice-skating. The Jefferson building would be the main area
of use. The tentative date is February 6, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Windschitl recommends waiving the reservation fee for the use of Huset Park.
Windschitl spoke with Thairn regarding insurance requirements from vendors involved.
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Motion
by McDonald, second by Hoium, to waive the fee for this winter carnival event
with Albert’s, the CH Athletic Boosters and the CH Recreation Department. Upon vote:
Motion carried.
Payne abstain, all ayes.
REPORTS
A. Recreation Director
Windschitl reported the Hylander Center attendance numbers have been increasing. The
adult night and Saturday numbers are high, after school attendance is low for Elementary
but at least those in attendance have some thing to do and the High School attendance
numbers are high. The Police Department is on Tuesday and the Recreation Department
is on Thursday for High School Students. He reminded the Commission that there is no
charge for students to attend the open gym times. Windschitl indicated youth basketball
is in the gym Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Games started and there were a lot of
people in attendance.
McDonald asked if basketball tournaments have begun. Windschitl replied yes. The
City, School District and the CH Basketball Association are dividing the profits three
ways. It is estimated that each entity will receive between five and six hundred dollars
per tournament. Currently there are eight tournaments booked. The downside is that
there will be no open gym on Saturdays during tournament weekends. Windschitl has
informed current Hylander Center users that the fitness center would still be open for use
on those weekends. He indicated the fitness center is open for use any time that the gym
is staffed for use even during open gym or youth basketball programs.
Windschitl reported presenting the annual budget to the City Council during a work
session and invited members to attend the Council meeting next week.
B. Public Works Director/City Engineer
Hansen handed out an item from the Sullivan Lake Town Home residents. The request is
for a trail around the Sullivan Lake, to trim brush and trees around the lake, to maintain
the pristine view of the lake for the benefit of the town homes and to have the DNR
dredge out the lake to eliminate weeds. Hansen suggested discussing this at a future
meeting. Where the shoring has shifted or is nearing failure makes it difficult and
expensive to redo in order to make the trail wide enough. Hansen stated the Parks
Department currently trims and maintains trees around the lake. He indicated the DNR
would not allow clearing the waterway unless 50% of the water surface area has been
encroached upon by aquatic growth.
Hansen stated when the Park & Recreation Commission held a public meeting at Sullivan
Lake Park it was the gain input on what the focus area and long-term improvements
should be at the park. The trail was discussed, as a future, but time undesignated
improvement. He recognizes that the trail does need improvements around the lake.
Hansen suggested placing the item on the next Commission meeting.
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C. Commission Members
Hoium asked if there is a defibrillator in John P. Murzyn Hall. Windschitl indicated that
is being worked on with a grant through Allina. The Lion’s Club has also discussed
being trained as part of the requirements to receive the grant.
Hoium asked about getting a better sound system for events at JPM. He witnessed an
event where the sound was cutting out. Windschitl explained the cordless microphone
was recently updated and at that particular event they were using a piece of equipment
that was donated to the Recreation Department, which some one else unplugged prior to
the program beginning.
ADJOURNMENT
Evans adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m.
______________________________
Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II