HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 25, 2012 min
City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
January 25, 2012
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; Gary Peterson, Mayor; Keith
Windschitl, Recreation Director; Deanna Saefke, Secretary
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Evans asked about the November bill for NSI Horwitz. Windschitl responded that is the
maintenance fee covering November through February. The agreement covers general
preventative maintenance checks, changing of filters and lubrication.
Stroik asked about the changes to the John P. Murzyn Hall cancellation policy. She asked if the
80% refund of the down payment would only be given if the date was re-rented. Windschitl
replied yes, the 80% refund would only be given if the date is re-rented and the monies kept
would be to cover the paperwork and administrative costs. He stated that while looking into rates
of other facilities that most would keep some of the down payment and many did not refund any
of the down payments if a rental is canceled. Stroik indicated that is a good idea.
Motion
by Greenhalgh, second by Payne, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All ayes.
Motion Carried.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
None at this time.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Ramsdell Park Dedication
Hansen indicated there has been discussion with the CH Police Department, CH School District,
and Commission regarding a more formal recognition of the work at Ramsdell Park. Hansen
stated that the work on the Ramsdell memorial would be ready for moving the Curtis Ramsdell
memorial from the former Police entrance in the spring. He indicated one date could be around
Memorial Day. The regularly scheduled Park & Recreation Commission meeting would be the
week prior to Memorial Day and if it works for the Commission members, staff would contact the
School District and Police Department to contact the family to establish a date. The Park &
Recreation Commission meeting could be held that same night at the Park.
Hansen stated with the condition of the field that it has been worked out with the School District
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to begin playing girls softball at Ramsdell Park around May 19 in order for staff to get a little bit
of work done on the field before play begins. Greenhalgh asked who would be in charge for
taking care of the field. Hansen stated that the City will be taking care of mowing. The School
District will dress the field when they are using it.
B. LaBelle Park Master Plan
Hansen stated this is the start to master planning in LaBelle Park. The Commission Members
choose LaBelle Park to be the next focus for master planning. While it is programmed for master
planning in 2012, the budget would only allow very limited work in the park. The focus would
include the removals/restoration of the boardwalk area. This park master planning will have to be
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January 25, 2012
Page 2
staged based on available funding. Hansen asked where the most interest is for changes. Based
on public comment and past Park & Recreation Commission discussions, the focus is towards the
boardwalk; the overlook concrete area and cleaning up those areas. He indicated there is ample
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parking with the two areas - one off of 42 Avenue and the other at the end of the cul-de-sac on
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41 Avenue. The playground equipment is suggested to be replaced within the next two to three
years. The walking trail remains in good shape. The basketball court has taken some
neighborhood comments and concerns regarding noise and language. Hansen asked if there are
any other areas the members would like to look at.
Stroik asked if the playground gets lots of abuse. Hansen replied that the Parks Foreman reported
that based on the number of calls and the amount of repair - yes. The report stated that the two
parks, Circle Terrace and LaBelle seem to have to most cleanup from tagging or it is being
repaired the most. Hansen indicated that the master planning process would take most of the year
and these types of items would be discussed. The concept drawings are intended to generate
discussion and represent options or ideas for the area. Some pieces will be filtered out during the
planning process and final plans will be based on the Commission and public input.
Hoium commented to keep artwork out of the area in fear of vandalism. Evans agreed. Hoium
suggested removing the boardwalk and wooden pergola. Payne suggested a basic walking trail
with benches, and without building any trail over the water. Hansen indicated hearing that the
playground is not a priority, but rather cleaning up the scenic overlook area. Recapping what the
Commission indicated consideration of durability in the boardwalk area and more of a minimalist
approach, possibility of adding more seating. McDonald indicated adding more benches and
asked about thinning out the bushes at the water level near the benches. Hansen replied that when
you clean out growth at the water level will encourage the geese to walk up from the water in
those areas. Leaving the growth will discourage geese from walking up around the trail. He
stated that it could be thinned out but not removed completely for that reason. Evans commented
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on the overgrowth and condition of the overlook on 40.
Hansen indicated during the master planning process there would be discussion on the Circle
Terrace playground. In previous discussions there were mentions of removing the playground all
together or just removing the worn out pieces to leave the small playground for the neighborhood.
The back area of the playground area has now been fenced to remove access to direct access
down to the park and walking trail. Some of the playground equipment has been replaced with
the old Ramsdell Park equipment. This playground area is meant for younger children.
NEW BUSINESS
A. McKenna Park playground equipment
Hansen reported success in receiving another playground equipment grant. This equipment is a
little different than the other new equipment, has more climbing features, and is for ages 5 to 12
years old. Evans asked if the current equipment will remain. Hansen replied no, the equipment
there is in rough condition; it is difficult to obtain replacement parts and is the second oldest
equipment in the parks. Hansen requested opinions and feedback on the proper placement of the
new playground equipment. The existing ball field layout will not be compromised. He
presented three layout schematics. Hansen indicated there is no current budget for fields
renovations or any major work in the park.
Discussion was held on the placement of the playground. Options include adding a parking lot to
park in the existing playground area, future ballfield options, moving the playground area higher
up in elevation to be near the wading pool, leaving a future space to add more playground
equipment for younger children, and using the existing hockey rink for parking in the summer
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January 25, 2012
Page 3
then placing plastic boards during the winter months for a hockey rink similar to what St.
Anthony does.
Greenhalgh asked if both ballfields are used. Windschitl stated that they are used most every
night during baseball and softball season. The field in the southwest corner received updated
fencing with the Twins Grant; that is used for baseball and the other field is used for T-Ball.
Hansen indicated that the reason for doing this discussion is to position a playground that
wouldn’t interfere with ballfield needs or have to be changed down the road. There is no
proposal to do any other improvements at the park. The only question is where to put the
playground in regards to placement of the multiple footings for the equipment and potential future
uses. Windschitl asked if there would be added lighting near the playground to deter vandalism
and increase safety. Hansen replied the only current lighting is near the hockey rink. The
recommendation from staff is to place the playground equipment at the same elevation and in the
general location near the wading pool, similar to schematic #1. Stroik indicated that a parking lot
would be nice.
Hansen restated that we have the playground and would like to get it installed this year. Hoium
stated that the equipment grant was with matching funds and asked if there was money in the
budget for the equipment. Hansen replied that the City Council appropriated the $32,000 for the
matching grant. The members agreed that the layout in schematic #1 would be the best
placement for the playground equipment.
REPORTS
A. Recreation Director
Windschitl invited everyone to look at the new City website. There are a lot of pictures for John
P. Murzyn Hall and for all of the parks. There is an option to watch the City Council meetings.
Windschitl stated that the Lions Club Sweetheart Dance is coming up and because the Lions Club
have their members here running the bar, that it has been a good event with no problems and last
year they only had about one hundred people he feels that the security can be waived. A Murzyn
Hall staff person will be there and if a need arose they could call on the Columbia Heights Police
Department for backup. This is a decision for the Commission to require security at the event or
not. Evans asked about the details for the event. Hoium replied that the event would be from
7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., the cost is $5 at the door, there would be a DJ, popcorn, and a Lions Club
cash bar.
Motion
by Greenhalgh, second by Payne, to waive a security officer for the Lions Club event due
Motion
to a low number of attendees and history of a responsible event. Upon vote: All ayes.
Carried.
B. Public Works Director/City Engineer
Hansen reported that the snow removal budget is annual and goes in calendar year, January 1
through December 31. Last year nearly 90% of the budget was used on snow removal in the first
part of the snow season; the last part of the year in November and December was non-eventful
and saved the budget for last year. So far in 2012 there hasn’t been the significant need for snow
removal or deicing. There is a requirement to purchase a minimal amount of salt and then there
becomes a storage problem. The storage at the City allows for about 250 tons and the annual
consumption is typically 600 tons. Hansen replied that there has been less overtime year to date
due to the mild weather. He stated that some of the ice control strategies have changed to a spray
system with deicing control. The deicing product is on a spray bar behind a vehicle and helps to
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January 25, 2012
Page 4
prevent any ice bonding with the concrete or road surface. Staff is experimenting with various
products at different costs.
Hansen indicated in this year’s budget there are two scheduled burns at Huset Park West around
Zurek Pond and Prestemon Park pond. These will possibly be done in the spring or in the fall
depending on the conditions. There is a limited park budget for 2012. There will be LaBelle
Park planning and cleaning up the boardwalk area and the installation of the playground
equipment at McKenna Park. The park budget funds have been invested in to recent park
improvements in three of the City parks.
C. Commission Members
Greenhalgh asked if there were new signs at the parks. Hansen replied that any time there has
been park improvements there has been a new park sign installed. The signs are a cut composite
board. Sullivan, Huset West, Ramsdell and Silver Lake Parks all have new signs. Greenhalgh
asked about the signs for postings at the park like no golfing in the park or no parking. He asked
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to install a No Parking sign at Keyes Park near the ballfield on 45 Avenue.
Payne stated that the field slope at Ramsdell Park is perfect. When he first looked at it the slope
seemed off but when he walked out on the field the slope is great. He hopes that it will be a great
field.
Peterson encouraged members to support the Lions Club and attend the Sweetheart Dance. His
hope is for people to continue supporting the local community service groups and get involved.
Stroik asked if it is possible to get a salt or sand container at the alley near the hockey rink at
Ostrander Park. She indicated there is a neighbor who plows for a living and will often plow the
snow out of the alley. If the sand or salt container was placed there then at least the neighbors
could help to take care of the icy conditions there. She indicated that the hockey rink is highly
used no matter what the ice conditions are.
ADJOURNMENT
Evans adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
______________________________
Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II