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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 28 City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission April 28, 2010 Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 5:30 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 Also Present: Grace Lee, resident APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA Hoium asked about the $129,000 MTV Tractor Replacement Vehicle and is it in the budget. Hansen indicated that this item is in the annual budget under Capital Equipment. This vehicle has multiple attachments including a mower, a snowblower, and a bituminous milling machine and is a multipurpose vehicle used year round. Motion by Stroik, second by Hoium, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All Motion Carried. ayes. LETTERS AND REQUESTS A. Request for an open bar on May 1, 2010 for a wedding reception B. Request for an open bar on August 6, 2010 for a wedding reception C. Request for an open bar on July 23, 2010 for a wedding reception Discussion was held on the three requests for open bar wedding receptions. Windschitl indicated that these renters are using experienced bartenders. Evans asked the Commission if they would make a motion for all three requests in one motion. Motion by McDonald, second by Hoium, to allow an open bar reception for letters and Motion Carried. requests items A through C. Upon vote: All ayes. D. Request for a reduced rental rate on Wednesday, December 7, 2010 by the University of Minnesota College of Continuing Educations OLLI Group Evans asked why this group would want to use Murzyn Hall when the University of Minnesota has many buildings for events. Windschitl indicated this group used JPM last year with the reduced non-profit rate of $40/$15. He is recommending the $50/$20 fee. Saefke indicated this group has many members in the north metro area, there is free parking at JPM and the OLLI Group is comprised of mostly senior citizens. Motion by Payne, second by Stroik, to offer the reduced rate of a $50 entry fee and hourly fee of $20 per hour of use in Murzyn Hall on December 7, 2010. Upon vote: All Motion Carried. ayes. Park & Recreation Commission April 28, 2010 Page 2 E. Request of the full $500 down payment refund for a canceled event on Sunday, June 6, 2010 due to conflicts from the church Windschitl indicated that he verified with the church that the date was changed. The family’s tradition is to have the family party on the same day as the church baptism. He feels this is a legitimate situation. Evans asked if the family rescheduled. Windschitl replied that they would have if the new church date was available at JPM, but the date is unavailable. Payne asked what the likelihood of the date being re-rented was. Windschitl replied that with it being a Sunday and just over one month away he feels the chances are small. Hoium asked if another possible renter had been turned away for this date. Windschitl replied that he doubted that was the situation because there are other Sundays still available in June. He stated the policy is to refund a down payment if the date is rented by some one else or if the renter reschedules to another date and that is why this request is being made. Payne stated that this date change is not the renters fault. Evans stated this would set a precedence if the refund is made. Windschitl indicated this situation was out of the renters control, they would have rescheduled if the date was open. He feels this is not setting a precedence even though it is an exception to the regular policy. Motion by Hoium, second by McDonald, to refund the $500 down payment for June 6, Motion Carried. 2010. Upon vote: All ayes. F. Request from the Columbia Heights Fire Explorers to use Murzyn Hall for a reduced thth rate on Friday, June 18, 5-10 p.m. and Sunday, June 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Windschitl stated that this is a great cause, but because this is a Friday and Sunday request with another rental on Saturday there will need to be two turn arounds for the cleanup and to reset for the next event. Stroik asked if there was a possibility of changing the schedule. Saefke indicated this would be an opening and closing ceremony for the State event hosted by Columbia Heights. McDonald asked if the group would be getting a resident discount. Windschitl replied that this is part of the C. H. Fire Department youth programs with volunteers and the request is to charge them a minimal fee or not. McDonald suggested charging the $50/$20 fee for each day. Windschitl indicated that staff would work with the group regarding setting up and cleaning for each event. Motion by McDonald, second by Payne, to charge the $50 entry fee and $20 per hour of Motion Carried. use for Friday and Sunday. Upon vote: All ayes. OLD BUSINESS A. Trail connection between Silver Lake Park and Silverwood Park Hansen updated the Commission on the agreement between the Three Rivers Park District and the City of Columbia Heights. A trail will be constructed connecting existing trails in each park. The City of Columbia Heights will build the trail and The Three Rivers Park District is putting in a new gate and new fencing along Stinson for the connection. Stroik asked if this will be a bike able path. Hansen replied yes it will be Park & Recreation Commission April 28, 2010 Page 3 eight feet wide paved with shoulders on each side. Construction will most likely occur July through September. B. Sullivan Lake Park trail update Hansen indicated that he has an upcoming meeting with the City Tree Contractor, City Forester and with representatives from Sullivan Shores, if they choose to attend, regarding clearing and trimming around the trail. The area that would be reviewed and trimmed and cleaned up is from the northeast corner of the lake down to the Washington Street trail access. NEW BUSINESS A. Tobacco-Free Park Policy Resident, Grace Lee, would like to see a written policy regarding tobacco use within City Parks. Lee mentioned neighboring cities that have tobacco-free park policies. She would feel more comfortable when asking someone not to smoke around the playground if there was a sign to refer to. Lee would like to see, at a minimum, a policy and signage for no smoking near the playground structures. Hansen replied from the perspective of cleanliness it is a good idea, but the enforceability would fall on some of the other users of the park system. Signs could be put up if the Commission would want to move forward with a policy. The terms would need to be decided as to where the smoke-free areas would apply. Windschitl shared the current policy which indicates smoking or the use of tobacco is not allowed at any park buildings, on athletic fields or in player bench areas during City sponsored athletic programs. He indicated this is an old park policy. Windschitl understands Lee’s concerns and would like to include areas like the wading pools or any where there is a popular area for kids. He also spoke with the Recreation Director from Blaine regarding their modified tobacco free policy. That particular policy allows tobacco use in the parking lots and trail areas. He also pointed out that the City of Blaine employs Park Rangers to enforce these policies, which is not something that can not happen in Columbia Heights. Hoium replied that a decision by the Commission is not enforceable. Hansen replied that the only enforceable policies are done trough an Ordinance by City Council. Lee responded that by even having signage regarding a tobacco free area empowers citizens to ask some one not to smoke in the area near children. Stroik indicated that with signs it may deter people from using tobacco in the parks. Evans replied that even though there are signs regarding no alcohol use in the parks she picks up bottles or cans often. Windschitl responded that permits are given out to park rentals for alcohol use. Hoium indicated that most smokers do not have problems with restrictions. Evans asked what kind of cost would be involved by placing a sign in each park. Hansen replied custom signs typically cost twenty-five to thirty-five dollars each. He wouldn’t use the cost of the signs as a final decision but to look at this request as if it is useful or appropriate at the parks and would benefit the citizens. He advises considering what Park & Recreation Commission April 28, 2010 Page 4 areas of the parks that this policy would include like the playgrounds, wading pools, shelters, buildings and if certain parks would be excluded. Windschitl indicated there is a possibility of getting free signs from the Tobacco Free Coalition. He suggests putting into the policy the areas that are designated as tobacco free areas; children play areas, swimming pools and or shelters. Evans asked for the current park policy to be updated and brought back to a future meeting. B. 2010 Jamboree Fireworks Windschitl reported fireworks proposals were requested from several companies and only one company returned the proposal in the allotted time. The company name has changed to Pyrotechnic Display Inc., but is the same company that has done the firework show for the past few years. Windschitl indicated the bid is for $6000; the City contributes $3000 with the remaining $3000 received through donations. Motion by Stroik, second by McDonald, to award the bid for the 2010 Jamboree Motion Carried. Fireworks to Pyrotechnic Display Inc. Upon vote: All ayes. REPORTS A. Recreation Director Windschitl reported that he is only available to stay for the annual park cleanup for a limited time because he needs to pick up baseball uniforms tonight to hand out for a team tomorrow. B. Public Works Director/City Engineer Hansen reported the seasonal staff has started. Grass is getting cut this week. Evans asked for an update on the pedestrian bridge. Hansen replied that the old bridge is no longer there. There is a crossing guard at the beginning and end of the school day. There are more children crossing at the end of the day. The progress is moving along. Steps are being evaluated to adding in as part of the contract. The switchback is going to be long and the steps were not in the original contract. It would be a shorter alternative to access the bridge. Hansen indicated that the project was started late due to funding clearance problems. The original completion date was September 3 and it has been pushed back by four weeks. Stroik asked who will own the bridge. Hansen replied that MNDot will own the bridge and the City will maintain a good portion of it; for example lighting and aesthetic treatments and will also be responsible for snow removal. The MTV trackless will be used snow removal on the bridge to get away from hand shoveling. Hoium asked if a City employee is at the site every day. Hansen indicated that he has been to the site every day since the project started but only for an hour or two. He stated the City has hired a consulting engineer to manage the project; Kimley-Horn & Associates. This company Park & Recreation Commission April 28, 2010 Page 5 has some one on site every day the contractor is working to provide site inspection. Hansen indicated when the details are being chosen for the bridge colors, stones, etc. the idea is to match the natural look of the Huset roundabout. C. Commission Members Mayor Peterson indicated that the newest business on Central Avenue, Jimmy John’s, opened today. Evans asked if the phone call system informing residents of hydrant flushing is new. Hansen replied that it was done last year. Saefke reported the Recreation Coordinator, Liz Bray, applied for a grant from the MN Twins for free tickets to a game. The Recreation Department was awarded 100 tickets to th the game on Wednesday, May 26. The tickets will be sold on a first come first serve basis to families in Columbia Heights for five dollars a piece. The goal is to have this as a family night for the community. Windschitl indicated that he has asked Bobby & Steve’s for the names to place on the sign near the Huset Park shelter for the dedication. Discussion was held on holding a dedication and family night for the Huset Park shelter and playground. Mayor Peterson reported a sculpture is being placed on the ground of the Columbia Heights High School near the Hylander Center to symbolize the cooperation between the School District and the City. The Synergy stainless steel sculpture has flowers planted around the base of it. The dedication will be in May. Hoium reported that he is running for the City Council. Payne thanked the Park & Recreation on behalf of the Athletic Boosters for the use of field 3 for the winter carnival. He reported the Boosters would like to hold a spaghetti rd dinner fundraiser on June 23 at Murzyn Hall to kick-off Jamboree and raise funds for the new concession wagon. The Park & Recreation members and staff adjourned the meeting to conduct a park cleanup at Huset Park. ADJOURNMENT Evans adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m. ______________________________ Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II