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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 25, 2012 min City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission April 25, 2012 Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 5:28 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 how often baseball bases are purchased. Hansen replied they are purchased annually. Evans asked what the bills were for storage shed removal. Hansen replied the storage shed for the rear yard at Public Works was removed. Motion by Payne, second by McDonald, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. LETTERS AND REQUESTS A. Request for reduced rental rate for the Sister Cities group on October 28, 2012. Evans indicated that during the weekend we typically charge the $50 entry fee and $20 per hour of use for John P. Murzyn Hall use. Windschitl stated that the Sister Cities group is a City organization. There has been a request to waive the fee for the event. At this time there is no event on the previous Saturday, but will most likely rent which would cause there to be cleanup and turnaround time on Sunday. Stroik asked if there was a need to have the event on a Sunday opposed to a weeknight. Windschitl replied that he informed the group that if they did rent on a weeknight the fee would be waived due to other programs being held in the evenings, but on the weekend when we would typically be closed we do need to cover staffing costs. When other community organizations use the facility during open hours but when used outside of operating hours we charge what the cost is to have staff in the building. Motion by Stroik, second by McDonald, to charge the fifty dollar entry fee and twenty dollars per hour of use inside Murzyn Hall Sunday, October 28, 2012. Discussion was held regarding only charging for the hourly use because they are a City group. The typical fifty dollar entry fee has been to cover cleanup and setup time prior to the event. This could be waived for this instance and still cover the staffing for the event time frame. Motion amended by Stroik, second by McDonald, to charge the twenty dollars per hour of use in Motion Carried. Murzyn Hall only to cover staffing on the weekend. Upon vote: All ayes. B. Request for an extended rental time on Friday, July 6, 2012 until 3:00 a.m. Evans indicated the previous decision of the Commission is to have all rentals of John P. Murzyn Hall end at 1:00 a.m. with no exceptions. Stroik indicated that there is a concern with people leaving the party that late at night and that the facility is in a residential neighborhood. Park & Recreation Commission April 25, 2012 Page 2 Motion by Payne, second by Greenhalgh, to deny the request of the 3:00 a.m. late rental time and Motion Carried. that all rentals must end at 1:00 a.m. Upon vote: All ayes. OLD BUSINESS A. LaBelle Park Master Plan Hansen discussed the attachments. The narrative outlining the desired scope for the Master Plan of LaBelle Park based upon comments from the Commission and Staff. Hansen introduced Candace Amberg from Brauer and Associates, Ltd. Amberg discussed the site inventory and analysis of LaBelle Park. One goal will be to keep view areas open to the water along the walking path. The boardwalk area on the west side of the park was done by Brauer and Associates, Ltd. in 1978. There is a lot of erosion on the east side of the park along the steep embankment. Amberg discussed the concept plans for LaBelle Park. Concept #1 shows a refurbished nd playground on 42 Avenue, removal of the basketball court, accessible trail from the parking lot to the pond overlook with a natural design, improved water quality through rain gardens, removal th of the Circle Terrace basketball court, removal of the overlook on 40 Avenue and other items. nd Concept #2 shows an updated playground area on 42 Avenue with separate areas, trail updates with seated viewing areas along the trail, a shelter near the playground, terraced seating in the hill where the current basketball court is located, a pier onto the pond, and the overlook area with seating, arbors and a possible memorial area. This concept also shows removal of the playground on Circle Terrace and creating a full basketball court or a community garden area. Amberg indicated the need to make improvements to the embankment over time to prevent erosion. McDonald replied that the playground is important to keep for the youth in the Circle Terrace neighborhood. Hoium reported users of the trail liking the idea of the corner trail cutting in closer than the current trail in the northeast corner. Hoium approves of moving the current memorial to a better location. Evans voiced a concern with the amount of rain gardens. Hansen replied that the rain gardens are integrated into the park because they are required. The area consumed by the storm water quality treatment is driven by the amount of surface area that drains into the water. Hansen indicated that LaBelle pond is a DNR protected water body by the Mississippi WMO. The options for water treatment include rain gardens, underground, infiltration basins and wet ponds. The approach is to keep them more naturalized while providing the water treatment. Hansen indicated the next step is to get the plans out for public review. He would like to show both playground options and get the opinions from the LaBelle and Circle Terrace areas. Hoium asked where the projected budget is. Hansen replied that the budget has not been put together until the final plan is put together. He stated the $300,000-$500,000 range is a good estimate at this stage. Evans indicated the focus should be to clean up the pond overlook. Amberg replied that the purpose of a master plan is to first set an overall plan that people are happy with and then prioritize which area to start with. Hansen replied that is the plan and we know that there will not be full funding to support the master plan and as money becomes available work on the priority areas. Payne indicated a concern with a pier because it would deteriorate over time. He also liked the natural look and the setback design for the overlook of plan #1. Hansen asked for the Commission’s opinions on the Circle Terrace playground. He indicated that many complaints are received on both basketball courts in the area. Payne asked if the senior citizens in the local housing developments are asking for anything specific. Evans indicated the Park & Recreation Commission April 25, 2012 Page 3 people she spoke with who were using the park had two requests; get rid of the geese and get rid of the dead cattails. They were happy with the trial and would like to see the overlook area more useable. Payne asked if moving the trail back like in concept #1 would help with the geese problem. Amberg replied that it would help but geese will also find the path of least resistance. Members agreed to remove the basketball court area near the apartments because this is more of a passive park, they agreed on the addition of a shelter for park users, the fear is that if there is artwork in the overlook area that it would get vandalized, they agreed on the look of the playground area in concept #2. Evans suggested having a walk thru at LaBelle Park before any final decisions are made. Amberg stated that the reason why you might not see many children using the park facilities is because it is so outdated and once the playground has an update it would encourage young families to use the park. Hansen replied to Hoium regarding funding is that once the master plan is finished one strategy that has been successful is to apply for grant funding and has paid for a lot of our current playground equipment. Hansen indicated the next step is to set up a meeting with the public, get the concept plans out for review, take input, and then recommend a master plan based on the comments. He reminded the Commission that the next meeting will be on May 19 at 11:30 a.m. at Ramsdell Park for the grand opening of the softball field. There will be a short ribbon cutting, the drum line will perform and the first pitch to be thrown at 11:45 a.m. with a City official and a representative from the Columbia Heights School District. Windschitl indicated that if a regular Park & Recreation meeting is needed it will be held after the grand opening. NEW BUSINESS A. Jamboree 2012 Fireworks Windschitl reported one proposal was received for the Jamboree fireworks show from the same company that was used last year. The City’s budget is $6,000 annually. Windschitl does receive donations to help fund some of the cost. He asked the opinion of the Members as the show would be similar to last year. The company is Pyrotechnic Display, Inc. and the Columbia Heights resident Ben Erickson will again be involved in shooting off the fireworks. He indicated that if the weather is bad on Saturday they show would be done on Sunday. The Members agreed that the same company does a very good job with the fireworks. Windschitl invited anyone to review the submitted proposal. Stroik indicated that it is a good thing that the City is still doing the annual fireworks show. Motion by Stroik, second by Payne, to accept the fireworks proposal from Pyrotechnic Display, Motion carried. Inc. in the amount of $6,000 for the 2012 Jamboree. Upon vote: All ayes. REPORTS A. Recreation Director Windschitl indicated nothing further to report at this time. B. Public Works Director/City Engineer Hansen reminded that the next meeting will be at Ramsdell Park on May 19 at 11:30 for a short ribbon cutting and ceremonial opening of the park. The Columbia Heights School Board and City Council will be invited along with all Park & recreation Commission Members. Stroik asked if the Ramsdell family and CH Police Department are planning another event. Windschitl replied that the family will be having a picnic type of event on July 25. Hansen indicated the City Manager is interested in getting the Adopt a Park Program running. There will be a newsletter article in the Heights Happenings newsletter. The goal is to get more Park & Recreation Commission April 25, 2012 Page 4 organization involved to focus on cleaning the park on a regular basis and it also helps to have an active reporting of deficiencies or vandalism in the parks. A letter is being sent to local churches, schools, civic groups and other community groups. This type of program will take an effort to maintain it and someone to oversee the program. Payne asked if the Commission would receive a letter or invitation to participate. Windschitl reported that the idea is to have the neighborhood groups, nonprofits, businesses and churches to participate for a three year commitment in the spring and fall. Payne indicated that he would be more than happy to help with the program. C. Commission Members Greenhalgh asked if golfing was prohibited in the parks. Hansen replied that there are signs for no golfing at the parks and it is a City ordinance inside the parks. Greenhalgh reported seeing people golfing at Keyes Park. Stroik asked about having dogs in the water at Silver Lake Beach. Hansen replied that the City ordinance states that dogs are not allowed at the swimming beach. Greenhalgh asked if the curb could be painted yellow for no parking along the street at Keyes Park. Hansen replied that painting typically begins at the end of May. Evans asked about the result for the trail at Hart Lake. Hansen replied that bids were taken; the City Council did a contingent award based on a grant that was submitted to the DNR. The decision should be sometime in June for a paved trail. Stroik asked if the park sign at Ostrander Park was scheduled for replacement. Hansen replied that the parks signs have recently been replaced when the parks have been updated. Stroik indicated that the sign is about 25 years old; it is a nice park and could use some more trees and benches. Hansen replied that the department is planting trees. Payne reported that the CH Athletic Boosters held a fundraising open house event at the Public Safety building and thanked the Recreation Department for their support in having a basketball hoop there and a table with information at the event. He stated there was a good turnout of people. Windschitl stated that the Recreation Department was giving away t-shirts to the youth who shot basketballs. He indicated Recreation staff volunteered to be there helping with the event and that the CH Athletic Boosters did a good job. Stroik asked if the Hylander Center City Gym is open in the evenings during the summer months. Windschitl replied yes the hours are Monday through Thursday from 6:00-8:30 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 – 3:30 p.m. and then Monday through Friday from 9:00- 11:00 a.m. Evans asked if Windschitl is the staffing the gym. Windschitl replied that he is there Monday through Friday mornings and other part-time staff who work in the evenings. ADJOURNMENT Evans adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m. ______________________________ Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II