HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 27, 2011 min
City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
April 27, 2011
Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 5:30 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
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Evans asked what the charge was for on the expense report regarding the Credit Card
Fees. Windschitl answered that the fees are assessed on any credit card payments made
for the Recreation Department and Murzyn Hall payments. He indicated that the fees for
making credit card payments have increased. The City is looking into the process of
making registrations available online, but no decision has been made as of yet.
Evans asked what the charges were for on the Park expense report that was then credited
back on the next line. Windschitl and Hansen replied that the items were purchased in
2010 but the billing was processed in 2011 and the funds will be transferred back to the
year-end report for 2010.
Stroik asked how the Murzyn Hall rental went with the request to stay until 2:00 a.m.
Windschitl replied that the rental itself had a lot of guests, no damages and that during the
event they kept asking to stay until 3:00 a.m. He reminded the Commission that this
group was approved to stay on hour later with a security officer even though there was no
alcohol during the event. The Columbia Heights Police were called to walk through the
event to help staff get the people out on time and last person did not leave until 2:30 a.m.
Motion
by Hoium, second by McDonald, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All
Motion Carried.
ayes.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
A. Letter of request for an open bar reception on August 12, 2011 for approximately 150
guests.
B. Letter of request for an open bar reception on May 6, 2011 for approximately 160
guests.
Windschitl discussed both requests for open bar receptions; he feels they will be
responsible events with a small guest list and using trained bartenders for alcohol service.
He recommends approving the requests for both rentals.
Motion
by Payne, second by Greenhalgh, to allow an open bar for August 12, 2011 and
Motion Carried.
May 6, 2011. Upon vote: All ayes.
Park & Recreation Commission
April 27, 2011
Page 2
OLD BUSINESS
A. Ramsdell Park bid results
Hansen indicated the project has been approved by the City Council. The bids came in
with very good numbers and the low base bid was awarded at $262,000 which allowed
for the alternates to be added into the plan. Greenhalgh asked if a scoreboard will be
included. Hansen indicated the scoreboard in the specifications that the C.H. School
Board is asking for was not included in the award. The school may choose to add a
scoreboard at a later date. Xcel Energy has provided a proposal for periphery lighting,
with parking and some other points to help along the trail. This will be a minimal cost
where there are existing poles. Xcel Energy will not install additional lighting within the
interior of the park at a reduced cost because it is considered private land. Hansen
indicated the trail lighting is about five to six thousand dollars per light for Xcel to install
and maintain. Hansen explained the total project is $408,000 including the base bid and
17 add alternates with 6 of them being school requests.
Hansen informed the Commission that the Columbia Heights Police Department wants to
move the Curtis Ramsdell monument from City Hall to Ramsdell Park when the
construction is finished.
Hansen stated the Columbia Heights school board is committed to around $85,000 in
funding for the Ramsdell project. An agreement is in the process of being made. It has
been a good partnership to get a lot done at the park.
Hansen anticipates construction at Ramsdell in three to four weeks and scheduled to be
done in August. Payne asked what will happen to the Recreation summer programs.
Windschitl replied that youth baseball may start practicing at the park and then relocate
once construction begins and the summer park programs will move to another location
for this year.
Stroik asked if there will be a grand re-opening of the park once construction is complete.
Hansen asked if the Commission Members wanted to have a special re-opening with the
School District and the Ramsdell family and invite the neighborhood. Members agreed
that holding an event in August or September when the construction is complete would
be a good idea.
B. Huset Park West signs
Hansen asked if the Commission wanted to have a special recognition for the Huset West
Playground. Windschitl said that the family of Jerry Foss has been contacted and that
they would most likely appreciate any recognition but certainly are not expecting one.
After a discussion the Commission decided to combine the May and June meeting and
follow with a short dedication ceremony and potluck BBQ. Typically the May meeting is
moved due to the floor work inside Murzyn Hall and the June meeting will conflict with
Jamboree activities. Windschitl will contact the family of Jerry Foss. Hansen will
contact the representatives from Game Time, MN-WI Playground and Jeff’s, Bobby &
Steve’s Auto World.
Park & Recreation Commission
April 27, 2011
Page 3
Motion
by Payne, second by Greenhalgh, to hold the May and June meetings together on
June 8th, 2011 with a dedication to the donators of the Huset Park playground and
Motion Carried.
memorial recognition for Jerry Foss. Upon vote: All ayes.
C. Park clean up
Hansen indicated that it would be a good idea to involve the neighborhood each year with
a regular meeting following up with a park clean up. He would like to see this happen
each year and the best month would be April prior to the plant growth. It would allow
the residents to voice their opinions and concerns regarding park issues.
Hansen indicated there is a local charter school, Global Academy, which has volunteered
to conduct a community project. Hansen indicated a trash cleanup with students around
LaBelle Park would be a good project and it would be nice if there could be a
Commission Member to assist them. McDonald volunteered to go along with the
students as a City representative.
Motion
by Payne, second by Greenhalgh, to conduct a yearly park clean up in April and
invite the neighborhood about two weeks ahead of time to a meeting and to assist with
Motion Carried.
the park clean up. Upon vote: All ayes.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Jamboree 2011 Fireworks
Windschitl indicated only one proposal came in by the deadline. The company,
Pyrotechnic Display, is the same company that has done the fireworks for the past few
years but they have changed their name. A local resident, Ben Erickson, is the employee
for the company that shoots the fireworks show. Windschitl recommends continuing to
use them for the Jamboree 2011 Fireworks. He offered the full proposal for anyone to
view. Hoium asked if the price increased from last year. Windschitl replied that it is the
same amount budgeted for the fireworks, approximately $6000. He stated that donations
were way down last year.
Motion
by Payne, second by Greenhalgh, to use P for the Jamboree 2011 Fireworks.
Motion Carried.
Upon vote: All ayes.
REPORTS
A. Recreation Director
Windschitl reported that the Hylander Center has been experiencing good attendance
numbers. He encouraged Members to spread the word about the City facility and the
good deal to work out for $1 per time.
Windschitl indicated the youth baseball program recently received a $500 donation from
the local business CarX. They also donated last year to the program. This money will be
applied towards baseball tournaments.
Park & Recreation Commission
April 27, 2011
Page 4
B. Public Works Director/City Engineer
Hansen reported the color selection for Ramsdell Park will need to be decided on at the
next Commission meeting. They playground has already been ordered and will verify the
color prior to choosing the color for the shelter.
Hansen indicated recent opportunities for additional grants on playgrounds. If these grant
opportunities occur, Hansen asked Staff what playgrounds are in the worst condition.
They reported that Edgemoor and Keyes Parks have very faded playgrounds. Hansen
indicated these grants may offer a cost share opportunity. Windschitl asked about the
condition of McKenna Park. He indicated that park get used very frequently with the
wading pool, baseball, softball and soccer located there and in the winter for skating and
sledding. Evans suggested looking at the individual parks. Hansen replied that the grants
need to be applied for within the next week or two and told Members to respond to him
soon. Members agreed that McKenna Park is one of the most used parks. Hansen
indicated that this grant would need to be applied for this year, but would not have
funding budgeted until next year. Stroik indicated that the grants should be applied for.
Commission Members agreed that McKenna Park should be considered first and then
Keyes Park for playground updates.
C. Commission Members
Payne recommends having all rentals of John P. Murzyn Hall end at 1:00 a.m. with no
exceptions on staying later regardless of requests. With the problems that have occurred
with past rentals and renters still trying to push the ending time this has been discussed by
the Commission before and he feels that the policy needs to be followed.
Motion
by Payne, second by Greenhalgh, to end all rentals of John P. Murzyn Hall at
Motion carried.
1:00 a.m. with no exceptions to the policy. Upon vote: All ayes.
Hoium asked about having additional parking during Murzyn Hall events. Windschitl
replied that there is a big sign at the driveway with an arrow and the word parking to
direct people to the parking lot in the back of Murzyn Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Evans adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m.
______________________________
Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II