HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 28
City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
July 28, 2010
Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Eileen Evans; Tom Greenhalgh; 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: Derek Larson, Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation Program
Coordinator; Liz Bray Recreation Program Coordinator
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion
by Stroik, second by Greenhalgh, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All
Motion Carried.
ayes.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
A. Request for an open bar on September 18, 2010 for a wedding reception
B. Request for an open bar on October 23, 2010 for a wedding reception
Discussion was held on the two requests for open bar wedding receptions. Windschitl
indicated that these renters are using experienced bartenders.
Stroik asked if the previous bars have been successful and following the guidelines.
Windschitl replied yes and the new security company there has not been any problems.
Motion
by Hoium, second by Greenhalgh, to allow an open bar reception for letters and
Motion Carried.
requests items A through B. Upon vote: All ayes.
C. Request for a full refund from a canceled rental on July 3, 2010
Evans remembered receiving a similar request in the past that was granted a partial
refund of fifty percent. She feels that a precedent was established it should not change.
Windschitl indicated this date is a holiday weekend and does not always have a lot of
interest for an event. Saefke replied after the cancellation the date was on hold, but no
renter reserved the date. Windschitl discussed the personal situation stated in the letter
and that this resident uses the City Parks frequently so she is known by staff.
Payne stated that a fifty percent refund would be fair because of the advance notice of the
cancellation and that the date was not rented to any one else. McDonald agrees that the
five month cancellation was far enough in advance to be able to re-rent the date.
Motion
by Payne, second by McDonald, to refund fifty percent of the down payment for
Motion Carried.
the canceled rental on July 3, 2010. Upon vote: All ayes.
Park & Recreation Commission
July 28, 2010
Page 2
D. Request for a fee waived rental of John P. Murzyn Hall to hold an evening fundraiser
in late August or early September
Evans indicated in the past if the request is for a weekend there has been the $50 entry fee
and $20 per hour charge, but if the date is a weeknight when other programs are in the
building there is no charge. Windschitl indicated this pattern has worked in the past. He
stated the group would need to provide a copy of the homeowner’s liability insurance
from the Columbia Heights address.
Motion
by Hoium, second by Payne, to charge the $50 entry fee and $20 per hour of use
fee if the event is held on a weekend or to waive the fee if the event is held on a
weeknight with other programs in the building. The renter would need to provide a copy
of homeowner’s liability insurance from the Columbia Heights residence. Upon vote: All
Motion carried.
ayes.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Tobacco-Free Park Policy
Derek Larson, Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation Program Coordinator, explained policies
and stated 150 Cities in the State of MN have adopted some version of a tobacco-free
youth policy. He indicated that majority of Cities include their entire park system when
passing these policies as it is easier to post general signs as opposed to trying to post
signs for specific areas only on what is and isn’t included in the policy. Larson indicated
the Tobacco-Free signs would be provided free of charge.
Hansen asked how many signs are provided. Larson replied there is no limit. Hansen
asked how many signs are posted at each park or if there are areas where signage is
concentrated. Larson replied he has seen any where from two to ten signs per park
depending on the layout of the park and the desire of the City. Hoium asked if there are
other variations of the sign available. Larson indicated there are two signs. Either “No
Tobacco Use During Youth Activities” and “No Tobacco Use On This Park Property.”
Windschitl indicated this policy will be open for interpretation by those reading the signs.
He stated that the majority of the ball fields in the City are designated for youth and adult
activities throughout the year. Windschitl favors a policy designating children’s areas
like the wading pools and playgrounds where children are all of the time. Stroik asked if
the ball field areas would be included during youth games. Greenhalgh replied that has
always been asked of coaches to remind parents of no tobacco use on the field during
youth activities. Hoium feels that most smokers will abide by signage stating no tobacco
use in specific areas.
Hansen clarified with the Commission that the general understanding of the tobacco-free
policy is a self policing policy. The Commission agreed. Hansen asked Larson how
other Cities help to enforce the policy. Larson replied that is why most Cities adopt a
policy and not an ordinance because an ordinance would have police involvement for
enforcement. He indicated history has shown that when there are signs posted for
tobacco use it significantly cuts down on the tobacco in the park. Hansen indicated that
the question for the Commission is what areas to post the signs.
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July 28, 2010
Page 3
Evans asked the Commission if there was a problem with putting up signs in the parks or
if the would deter any one from using the parks. Payne replied there are times when
people would smoke in the park, for example during Jamboree or adult sports and a sign
that states no tobacco use in the park would not be effective. He suggests signage by the
pools and playground areas. Stroik replied that a sign near the ball fields would be
needed during youth events. She indicated that it would be the responsibility of the
Commission and the City to communicate the new policy to the public. Larson stated
there is a sign that states No Tobacco Use During Youth Events. Some members agree
with that wording.
Hoium asked what the cost of a new sign with different wording would be. Hansen
indicated that a new sign typically costs sixty to eighty dollars per sign. Windschitl
replied the hope is to mount these signs on existing posts or fencing. Grussing asked if
the Tobacco-Free Program would give some of each sign for use in the City. Larson
replied yes and stated that he would help to word a policy to communicate the needs of
the City. Windschitl agreed with using both signs throughout the park system.
Evans indicated that Larson would help to draft a few policies to fit using both signs in
the Parks. Windschitl will be in contact with Larson and bring the proposed policies to
the Commission. Discussion was held on what areas to consider as tobacco-free areas
and which sign would be the best fit throughout the Parks.
B. Huset Park West Playground & Shelter Signage
Hansen reported working with Windschitl to get some recognition signage up for the
donations provided for the Huset West playground. The signage can be ordered through
the same playground vendor to match the colors in the equipment and custom made to
our needs. Hansen distributed a photo example of what the signage would look like.
Hansen indicated the main contributors to the playground are; MN/WI Playground,
Gametime, and Bobby & Steve’s Auto World Youth Foundation. Jeff Bahe from Jeff,
Bobby & Steve’s Auto World has a list of primary contributors to add to the list as well.
Windschitl replied that he received the names listed as Bobby & Steve’s Auto World
Youth Foundation sponsored by Jeff, Bobby & Steve’s Auto World, Coca-Cola and Egan
Oil. Hansen stated that wording could be on one side of the sign and the other could list
Gametime; who gave the $34,000 plus grant and also MN/WI Playground. He suggested
a simple title of “This playground was made possible by generous donations from…”
Evans asked where the sign would be located. Hansen replied that it would be right in
the playground in the concrete perimeter area. Hoium asked how much the sign will cost.
Hansen stated the custom made sign with graphic art is about $1500. Peterson asked how
big the sign will be. Hansen replied five feet tall.
Motion
by Hoium, second by Greenhalgh, to move forward with the recognition sign for
Motion carried.
the Huset West playground donations. Upon vote: All ayes.
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July 28, 2010
Page 4
Windschitl indicated previous discussions were held to place a sign at the Huset Park
West shelter in dedication to the years of service of Commission Member Jerry Foss.
Windschitl informed the Commission of a new problem at the Huset Park West shelter
where people are reserving the shelter and when they arrive for their event there are
people there using the shelter and grills. This problem as primarily occurred at the new
Huset Park West shelter. He suggests trying out a plaque where the renter could place a
sign provided by the Recreation office when the reservation is made, that would state the
shelter is reserved for a specific group on the date of use. This would place the
responsibility on the user to alleviate the problem of another group using the shelter when
they arrive. Windschitl indicated that the residents of the town home development have
been under the impression that the playground and shelter belongs to their development.
Grussing offered, as a resident of the town home development he would bring the park
reservation information to a board meeting for distribution to residents. Windschitl
indicated that it is not only the residents of the town homes that have used the shelter
without reservations. Grussing replied that the shelter and playground were installed at
the same time when some of the town homes have been built so it is easy to see how the
residents could mistake that.
Stroik asked if there is information in the City Heights Happenings newsletter about park
reservations. Saefke replied that information is printed every Spring and some times in
the Summer editions. Evans agrees that a reserved sign would be a good idea. Peterson
indicated it is a good problem to have and shows that the Parks are being used, he agrees
with a reservation sign. Hoium asked what the fee is for park reservations. Windschitl
indicated thirty dollars plus tax, or thirty-two dollars and fourteen cents for residents of
Columbia Heights.
Motion
by Payne, second by Greenhalgh, to place a plaque or sign in the Huset Park
West Shelter for recognition of Jerry Foss’ years of service on the Park & Recreation
Motion carried.
Commission from September 1993 to May 2008. Upon vote: All ayes.
Motion
by Greenhalgh, second by Hoium, to place a reserved sign at the Huset Park
West shelter and include contact information for the Recreation Department to reserve
Motion carried.
the shelter for future use. Upon vote: All ayes.
REPORTS
A. Recreation Director
Windschitl had no further information to report.
B. Public Works Director/City Engineer
Hansen had no further information to report.
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July 28, 2010
Page 5
C. Commission Members
Grussing indicated a problem with the drainage over the walkway near the playground at
Huset Park West. He feels this will be a problem when there is ice. Hansen indicated
this will be a Fall project to fix the problem.
Stroik reported hearing a comment about how nice the Huset Park West playground,
shelter and path looks, but then the garage is an eyesore. She suggests painting a mural
or landscaping around it to make it look better.
Evans asked if there is a problem with the chlorine in the water because a specific
hydrant is running a few times per day. Hansen indicated there is a complex problem
with the water chemistry and that chlorine is just a part of the problem. What is
happening is trying to draw fresh water through the line and although it is a waste, it is
one way to improve the water quality. This particular problem is all over town. Staff are
replacing water mains, lining and flushing water to control the problem.
ADJOURNMENT
Evans adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
______________________________
Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II