HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 25, 2014 min
City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
June 25, 2014
Eileen Evans called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Eileen Evans; Sean Clerkin; Tom Greenhalgh; Stan Hoium; Kevin
McDonald; David Payne; Marsha Stroik
Staff Present: Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Keith Windschitl, Recreation
Director; Deanna Saefke, Secretary; Liz Bray, Recreation Program
Coordinator
Also Present: Jason Amberg & Samantha McKinney of WSB & Associates, Inc.
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion
by Stroik, second by Hoium, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All ayes.
Motion Carried.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
A. Windschitl discussed the added request. A wedding reception on Friday, August 15 is serving
a luncheon after their wedding ceremony. There will not be any alcohol and are expecting only
150 guests. They are requesting to waive the requirement of having a security officer due to their
style of reception and expect to be out of the facility by 5:00 p.m. Staff recommends to waive the
security officer due to the day time event.
Motion
by Hoium, second by Clerkin, to approve the request waiving the requirement for a
Motion Carried
security officer on August 15, 2014. Upon vote: All ayes.
B. Windschitl discussed the added request. A wedding reception on October 18, 2014 is
requesting to have an open bar serving beer and wine only while using trained private bartenders.
The renters have provided a copy of the bartender’s certification. They are expecting
approximately 175 guests.
Motion
by Hoium, second by Clerkin, to approve the request for an open bar on October 18,
Motion Carried
2014 using trained bartenders to serve beer and wine. Upon vote: All ayes.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Wading Pools / Splash Pads
Hansen indicated the wading pools at Ramsdell Park and Huset Park West are open. The
McKenna Park wading pool will remain closed again this year. At the previous Park &
Recreation Commission meeting the group discussed options and costs for the wading pool
updates, the Commission made a motion to pursue options for installing a splash pad feature at
Huset Park. Hansen indicated that in terms of available funding there would only be enough to
complete one park. The Commission also discussed bringing on the park planning who conducts
work with splash pads and to update the master plan for Huset Park. The intent is to update the
master plan for spatial reasoning where features will fit at the park and what can be done with the
budget constraints. The current Huset Park Master Plan was approved by the Park and Recreation
Commission and the City Council in 2004. Hansen asked the Commission to determine an area
in Huset Park where they would like to see a splash pad. He indicated some improvements have
been completed at Huset Park; some follow the original master plan and some do not. Due to the
changes made within the park it would be appropriate to first update the Huset Park Master Plan;
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June 25, 2014
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work with the park planner for what is currently in the park, to consider the athletic fields and
what would be the best location for a splash pad to replace the existing wading pool. The updated
plan should consider any potential future expansion as well. The Commission will review the
updated plan, make a recommendation to the City Council for authorization to start preparing
plans, and then engage the public for feedback. Upon approval work could begin in the spring of
2015.
Hansen introduced the park planners Jason Amberg, RLA and Samantha McKinnley from WSB
& Associates Inc. formerly Brauer & Associates the company that has worked on previous park
plans. Amberg thanked Hansen for giving a very good description of the history and explanation
of the project. Both Amberg and McKinnley have worked on splash pad projects with other
organizations. Amberg stated that many communities are removing wading pools due to the costs
and liability and they are switching to splash pads that are more easily maintained. He indicated
splash pad costs can range from $200,000 to over one million dollars. The biggest price swing is
if it is a flow through water system or a recirculation water system. The flow through system
takes tap water, flows through the park, through vents, and drains to an infiltration basin or into
storm water and is not treated. The recirculating system is chlorinated, it is an automatic treating
system and the facility for that aspect can range between $150,000 and $200,000 just for that
piece. The staffing, chemical needs, and electrical requirements are more demanding than a flow
through system.
Hoium asked how the system is controlled when turning it on and off. Amberg replied that the
system is set up with sensors and has a timer. There are also different volumes of spray heads to
control water flow. The splash pad is very customizable. Clerkin asked about the cost
comparison with a flow through system versus a recirculating system. Amberg replied a
recirculation system will pay for itself over time. He has baseline data and will present more
information as the plans are further developed. Hansen indicated there are other considerations;
operational costs of having a treatment system, ongoing maintenance for that system, higher
electrical costs, and Amberg added that there are more things within the system that can go
wrong. Hansen stated that Jackson Pond is being rebuilt from a wet pond to a dry pond station.
The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, MWMO, is extremely interested the
possibility of water re-use project taking the storm water from Jackson Pond and pumping it to
Zurich Pond for irrigation purposes at all of Huset Park. If a flow through system was installed at
the splash pad it would be discharged into Zurich Pond with the reuse for the irrigation in Huset
Park. There is a potential for funding from the MWMO with this type of water reuse.
Hoium asked with the flow through system if there are pumps or how is the water pressurized.
Amberg replied there should be enough static pressure in the area. Hansen replied the booster
pumps for this would be minimal and not require much energy or cost.
Hansen would like to have a master plan updated for the City Council to review in September or
October. In 2013 the City Council allocated $200,000 in the budget for wading pools; to either
update the pools or pay for a splash pad. The intent is to have another $200,000 dedicated in this
next year’s budget. He reminded the Commission that the wading pools do need to be removed
with some of that budget money. For all three pools could be $30,000 to $40,000 to remove and
re-grade the area for some other purpose. The premise would be to work within the $300,000 to
$350,000 budget. Hansen distributed site reviews of metro splash pads.
Hansen recommended for WSB to look at the East side of Huset Park, list the pros and cons
between both sides of the park, but to focus more on Huset Park West for the location of a splash
pad. Amberg feels there is a good relationship between the location of the shelter, the playground
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June 25, 2014
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and the general area for a possible splash pad. Hansen discussed other details for parking
possibilities in regards to the Master Plan and future changes with the addition of a splash pad.
He reminded the members to keep in mind future ball field changes when thinking about parking.
Windschitl voiced concerns with keeping parking open for events at John P. Murzyn Hall and for
easy parking with Senior Citizen programs.
Staff, Commission Members, and the WSB associates walked outside at Huset Park East and
West to discuss areas of placement for a splash pad and future Huset Park improvements. Upon
discussion the East side is not as inviting or visible to users.
Motion
by Stroik, second by Payne, to instruct WSB & Associates to look at Huset Park West for
Motion Carried.
the location of the splash pad. Upon vote: All ayes.
Hansen indicated the Park & Recreation Commission will meet in August to review the plan with
WSB & Associates. Stroik asked Amberg to review the splash pads in St. Anthony Village as a
nearby reference point for the members.
NEW BUSINESS
None at this time.
REPORTS
A. Recreation Director
Windschitl indicated office staff is very busy with the Jamboree preparations. He complimented
Program Coordinator Liz Bray for planning many great activities such as Heights Idol, and the
climbing rock well. He mentioned the men’s softball tournament could use one more team for
the Saturday and Sunday tournament to make it full. There has been a lot of rain cancellations
this season for baseball, girls’ softball and men’s softball which is making it difficult to schedule
makeup games with umpires, teams and fields. Evans asked if the ball fields are done every week
or every day. Hansen replied fields are done every day, staff work with Windschitl on the
schedule. Windschitl replied that even the T-ball and Squirts baseball fields are drug each week
to keep them in good playing condition.
B. Public Works Director/City Engineer
Hansen reported staff is very busy with Jamboree preparations as well. The fields will be drug
during the tournament. Amberg is also working on the plans for the LaBelle Park boardwalk
removal. The feasibility report has been accepted by the MWMO but Hansen will be meeting
with them for additional funding. Staff would like to advertise for bids in the coming weeks as
the removal of the boardwalk is a 2014 project. He stated the removal budget does not include
installation of a shelter at LaBelle Park. Hoium asked if the basketball court will be removed.
Hansen replied the basketball court is removed on the master plan, but the removal is not a 2014
budgeted item and needs to go back to the City Council to appropriate funds for the removal. The
cost is approximately $250,000.
C. Commission Members
Clerkin reported the Columbia Heights Lions Club would like to sponsor a bench or two to place
somewhere around Huset Park. Hansen replied he will find current prices and report back to him,
but that they are in the $800 range. Evans asked if this is for the memorial bench from a prior
request. Windschitl replied no. He gave the group the recommendation from the Commission
that if they raised funds for one bench a second would be purchased as well, but the group never
responded. Saefke indicated the group who wanted a memorial was interested in the area near the
ball fields, but that Clerkin was interested in the area around Zurich pond or the walking trail.
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Windschitl indicated the older two benches at the top of the hill from the ball fields need to be
repainted. Hansen asked for a memo reminder.
Evans reported the newer picnic benches under the shelter are warping. Hansen replied that they
are not supposed to be and will follow up on the product.
Greenhalgh reported the enclosure for the portable restroom was burned at Keyes Park.
Payne asked if any surveys were being conducted with residents about the park improvements.
Hansen replied yes, five questions were added to the police and fire survey. The questions asked
if residents use the parks, what they use, how they feel about the improvements, and if they would
support additional funding for further improvements.
Evans asked about the Circle Terrace property recently purchased by the City and what purpose
the police wanted to use the space for. Hansen replied the desire is for a small multi-use meeting
building. The police would have a presence in the building, there would be a small room for the
neighborhood to meet in, but they are looking for possible funding. Hansen is unsure of when
Community Development is at for taking bids on demolishing the house in 2014. If this occurred
the Commission could look at some small things to improve at the adjacent park.
Evans adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
______________________________
Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II