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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 17 City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission November 17, 2010 Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Eileen Evans; Tom Greenhalgh; Justin Grussing; Stan Hoium; Kevin McDonald; Marsha Stroik Staff Present: Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Deanna Saefke, Secretary; Gary Peterson, Mayor Also Present: Brittney McFadden, Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation Program; Kevin Moe, observing Graduate Student APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA 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 April 9, 2010 for a wedding reception B. Request for an open bar on February 12, 2011 for a wedding reception Windschitl indicated that this date changed to February 5, 2011. Windschitl replied both receptions fall into the criteria of operating a responsible, professional bar. The first reception is expecting around 200 people and the second reception around 175 people. Both receptions indicated having a responsible bartender. Motion by Hoium, second by McDonald, to approve request A & B to hold open bars for the wedding receptions on April 9, 2011 & February 5, 2011. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. OLD BUSINESS A. Tobacco-Free Park Policy Windschitl reminded the Commission from the previous meeting of the decision to take the City of Biwabik policy and critiqued it to our scenario. He stated the goal being to keep the smoking away from the youth areas in our park system. In particular the playground, park shelter, ball field areas where youth events are occurring, the beach, volleyball and wading pool areas. He indicated there were a few things removed from the Biwabik policy; one of them being the enforcement part because we do not have a park police program or have extra time in our police department for enforcement. The signage will be posted with the hope that residents will take an active part in some of their own enforcement. Windschitl indicated this subject was brought up by a resident because while she was at a City park with her child some one was smoking near the playground and wanted to say some thing but didn’t due to a lack of signage and a policy. Park & Recreation Commission November 17, 2010 Page 2 Windschitl introduced Brittney McFadden from the Tobacco Free Youth Recreation Program if any Members had questions for her. She is attending the meeting instead of Derek Larson. Windschitl sent a copy of the policy to Larson to verify that requirements were met for the free signage from the organization. Larson replied that the criteria were met. McFadden discussed the usage of the three different types of signs that are offered by the Tobacco Free Youth Recreation Program. Windschitl stated that in most cases the tobacco restricting during youth activities will fit in most areas of the Parks. The Commission decided to use the “Tobacco Use is Not Allowed During Youth Activities” sign in majority of postings, and to use the “No Tobacco Use on This Park Property” sign as a secondary sign in specific areas. Motion by Grussing, second by Stroik, to adopt the Tobacco Free Park Policy. For Staff to determine the best use of the two signs “Tobacco Use is Not Allowed During Youth Activities” and “No Tobacco Use on This Park Property” as appropriate within the City Motion Carried. Park system. Upon vote: All ayes. NEW BUSINESS A. Skating Rinks 2010/2011 Hansen reported Staff is beginning to prepare the ice rinks for the 2010/2011 Season. Beginning around seven years ago the number of rinks had been narrowed down to four parks due to budget cuts. Over the past few years the Parks crew has been observing usage of the rinks. Ostrander, Keyes and McKenna Parks are the primary parks with programs and consistent usage. Gauvitte Park does not have consistent usage. Staff is recommending not to make ice at that Park because there are no Recreation programs there and the three year observation indicates little to no usage. Evans asked about ice at Huset Park. Hansen replied that there was a special request last year for a community festival but besides that there is no ice maintained at Huset Park. Stroik asked if the warming houses will not be open. Hansen replied that was eliminated years ago due to budget cuts. Windschitl indicated that residents can apply for a park permit to use a warming house for winter activities or parties. Hansen indicated the three warming houses may be used upon request. Evans asked if the heat is turned off during the winter. Hansen replied that the buildings are heated minimally to prevent freezing, otherwise they would need to be winterized. McDonald asked if using volunteers to supervise the warming houses would work. Windschitl indicated that a background check would still need to be completed on a volunteer working with youth and that a staff person would still need to supervise the volunteer and the building. Motion by McDonald, second by Stroik, to open the ice rinks at Ostrander Park, Keyes Park and McKenna Park. To no longer make and maintain the ice rink at Gauvitte Park Motion Carried. due to lack of use. Upon vote: All ayes. Park & Recreation Commission November 17, 2010 Page 3 B. John P. Murzyn Hall 2012 rental rates Windschitl indicated a proposed change in the John P. Murzyn Hall rental rates of 5% on Saturdays in 2012. For 2011 majority of the Saturdays are currently reserved. Fridays and Sundays are typically a later booking as the Saturdays become unavailable. Windschitl indicated that a 24% resident discount is still available. Motion by Greenhalgh, second by Hoium, to approve the new rates for 2012 and rental Motion standards as done in the past for John P. Murzyn Hall. Upon vote: All ayes. Carried. REPORTS A. Recreation Director Windschitl indicated he will be giving a report on the Hylander usage and finances to the City Council in the next week. The latest edition of the Heights Happenings City newsletter had more information about using the gym and fitness room at the Hylander Center. He indicated that usage has increased during the mornings and the evening numbers have decreased since school has started. Youth Basketball will be using the Gym on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays but the fitness center will still be available for use to adults. The gym and fitness room will remain open on Wednesday evenings. Windschitl indicated the costs for maintenance and utilities has been less than projected. The hope is for more people to find out about the opportunities and take advantage of using the facility. Windschitl indicated the scheduled December Park & Recreation Commission meeting falls on the Wednesday prior to the Christmas vacation and would like to move the date th up by one week to the 15. The Commission agreed that December 15 would work for the next meeting if needed. Evans asked when the City Council approves the budget. Peterson replied December 13. Windschitl indicated the Recreation Department had less than a 1% increase with step increases and annual increases budgeted with unions. He stated the format was changed to more of a City wide presentation to the Council on each Departments budget. Windschitl invited the Commission to stop in his office if they wanted to review the budget. Hansen indicated that all Departments were at or under a 1% increase. The water and storm sewer was at a negative increase. Peterson stated the Council will have a work session on the budget on November 29 and the Commission is invited. B. Public Works Director/City Engineer Hansen indicated the Huset Park memorial sign for Jerry Foss should be delivered this week and will be placed at the shelter. Windschitl asked what the sign will be made out of. Hansen replied aluminum. The Huset Park playground recognition sign will be changed slightly. Company logos are extremely hard to get and would need to be in a high definition in order to be placed on the sign. He indicated the sign will be slightly smaller than planned, around four feet by two and a half feet. An example of the updated sign was passed around. Stroik asked Park & Recreation Commission November 17, 2010 Page 4 for the cost of the sign. Hansen replied it should be less due to the decrease in size. Stroik asked where the sign will be placed. Hansen replied by the playground. Hansen asked if there are any thoughts on continuing to refer to Huset Park as the East or West side. Saefke replied that when people reserve the shelter or the Jefferson building Staff refers to the sides of Huset Park as the East with the building or the West with the new shelter. The building and the shelter are separate rentals. Windschitl replied that should continue internally but to the public to keep the whole park listed as Huset Park. Hansen indicated the Public Works staffing is down by three people. One position, a streets maintenance worker will not be filled in the near future. Tim Lund, Park Foreman, will be out with a major surgery for at least six to eight weeks. A utilities employee will be out for three to five months undergoing cancer treatments. Evans asked how many trucks are put out for snow plowing. Hansen replied that it depends on the snow fall. Hansen stated the Sullivan Lake trail has been fixed. All work was done in-house, they pulled back the wall and repaved the trail. In the Spring the trail will be widened to ten feet. Peterson indicated he received a compliment from a resident on the tree trimming and trail work. C. Commission Members Peterson informed the Commission that the former Fire Department garage will be turned into a Golden Glove Gym. Evans asked who will run the gym. Peterson replied Brian Clerkin. The program will be open mostly for older kids and primarily only for youth. Evans asked if City Staff would be responsible. Peterson indicated no, City Staff will not be involved. Stroik asked if the group is renting from the City. Peterson replied yes, they will be covering the utilities. Greenhalgh asked when the railings on the Central Avenue pedestrian bridge will be installed. Hansen indicated the railings will be delivered tomorrow for the switchback and for the helix on November 30. Evans asked how many students used the bridge since it has been open. Hansen replied that all students used the bridge during the first week because police were patrolling the intersection. Pedestrian counts were done prior to the work being done on the bridge and the average is 300 students per day. A PR/Media campaign was done throughout the schools on the importance of using the bridge and all crosswalks because there are accidents every year. ADJOURNMENT Evans adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m. ______________________________ Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II