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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 12, 2011 min City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission January 12, 2011 Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Eileen Evans; Tom Greenhalgh; Stan Hoium; Kevin McDonald; David Payne; Marsha Stroik Staff Present: Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Deanna Saefke, Secretary; Gary Peterson, Mayor Question by Hoium on the line item of $2000 listed for Garbage Can, Evans had that question as well. Hansen stated it was for the parks and would be for multiple cans. APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Greenhalgh, second by McDonald, to approve the consent agenda. Upon Motion Carried. vote: All ayes. LETTERS AND REQUESTS A. Letter of appreciation regarding the Tobacco Free Policy Windschitl indicated that resident Grace Lee wrote a letter of appreciation for the work done by the Park & Recreation Commission and City Staff to implement the Tobacco Free Policy. Saefke read the letter from Lee. OLD BUSINESS Payne asked if the plaque in memory of Jerry Foss was hanging at the new Huset Park shelter. Hansen indicated that it was scheduled to be hung up, but had not seen if it was completed at this time. NEW BUSINESS None at this time. REPORTS A. Recreation Director Windschitl indicated the Murzyn Hall roof has had several leaks inside the building. Along with the Maintenance Supervisor Tim Barnes, and Steve Leese from Public Works, spent two days on the roof removing snow and chipped ice. Peterson asked why Public Works doesn’t steam the gutters any more. Windschitl replied that after the snow was removed the gutters were open. Windschitl reported there was an article in the Focus newspaper on the Hylander Center. Since that article was published there have been new people using the facility. Numbers have increased after the article as well. Park & Recreation Commission January 12, 2011 Page 2 He stated that Barnes has hired part time staff for the cleaning of the Library, Public Works and City Hall buildings. As of the first of the year the City and specifically the Recreation Department have taken on the cleaning of these building in-house. The cleaning of Murzyn Hall and Public Safety building are already being done by Recreation staff. Evans asked if the hours for cleaning are back charged to that building or Department. Windschitl replied that yes, each Department is charged for the cleaning time. B. Public Works Director/City Engineer Hansen indicated that mailings went out to a large area around Ramsdell Park to inform the public of the meeting tonight. In 2011 there is an estimated $300,000 in the Park Development Fund. The purpose of tonight’s meeting is to take public comments and to prioritize what the Commission would like to see completed at Ramsdell Park. Hoium asked how much the Park Development fund grows each year. Hansen replied that it depends and can vary. When there is building going on in the City there will be park dedication fees going into the fund. That amount has been substantial when Ryland & Grand Central lofts were growing along with some other sites. It depends on how much development and construction are going on within the City. C. Commission Members Peterson reported the new Firehouse Boxing Gym will be opening for a youth boxing program. This facility is located in the former Fire Department garage. PUBLIC MEETING A. 2011 Ramsdell Park Design Development Evans opened the public meeting at 6:04 p.m. Hansen thanked the public for attending. He indicated the purpose for tonight’s meeting is a public input meeting. The City Council has authorized Staff to prepare final plans for the redevelopment of Ramsdell Park. A park redevelopment program began in 2007. In 2008 Silver Lake Beach and Sullivan Park were redeveloped. A few things have also been done at Huset Park with a new shelter, walking trails and playground behind Murzyn Hall. In 2008 a master plan was developed for Ramsdell Park. A master plan is to identify an all inclusive idea of what would like to be seen in the park. With design we are budget limited, there is only so much money available for the types of improvements. After public comment is received the City Council will vote on approving the final plans based the recommendations from the Commission. Construction could begin in 2011. The landscape design consultant Brauer and Associates have done the park redevelopment plans in the City over the past several years. Candace Amberg, RLA from Brauer and Associates, Ltd. will present the design plans for Ramsdell Park. Amberg indicated that she was involved in the original master plan in 2008 for Ramsdell Park. She presented the design development plan and discussed elements throughout the park that could be completed in the first phase. Park & Recreation Commission January 12, 2011 Page 3 Amberg presented some of the elements such as; reallocating the ballfield location, pull in parking spaces off of Jefferson, playground relocation away from the street, ballfield fencing to protect walkers and players, updated trail, pool improvements that would be on hold due to cost, moving the seating to the inside of the fence around the pool area, removing the basketball court, and creating infiltration basins (essentially a rain garden), for adequate drainage throughout the park, trails and parking lots. Amberg presented alternate plans; a new shelter, park monument sign, ballfield improvements with fencing, a batting cage and drinking fountain, bike rack and a skate park area on the current property owned by the school. Hansen indicated the skate park is very costly and would be a future amenity with negotiations between the Columbia Heights School District and the City. Resident comments included; traffic concerns with speed, stopping and parking along Johnson Street, having an attendant for the wading pool, keeping a shade area over a portion of the pool, the building is under utilized, getting a skating rink back at Ramsdell or taking turns at different parks, glad the hockey rink is no longer there, is any of the playground equipment able to be used in another location, glad the basketball court is gone, in favor of a skate park, not in favor of a skate park, if considering a skate park placing it near the Police Department like other Cities do, in lieu of funding creating a community garden or rain garden in the park, love the park and glad that the City is not trying to phase it out, and likes the walking trails. Hansen indicated that the City Council authorized a preparation of final plans and directed the Commission to hold a public meeting. The next step is to go back to the City Council with the final plans with what is considered the first phase and seek approval to go out for bids. If it is authorized in 2011 Staff would look at construction in the same year. Any future phases would be considered, and go through the Park & Recreation Commission depending on funding availability. Right now there would be nothing in the short term. Beyond the first phase Hansen does not anticipate any improvement for one to three years, unless another funding resource became available. He stated that there has not been any significant redevelopment at Ramsdell Park in about a thirty year time span. There has been a few playground upgrades or other small improvements only. Hansen indicated the design redevelopment plan will be placed on the City website for continued review and comment. He thanked the public for attending. ADJOURNMENT Evans adjourned the public meeting at 7:00 p.m. ______________________________ Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II