HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 27, 2014 min
City of Columbia Heights
Park and Recreation Commission
August 27, 2014
Tom Greenhalgh called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present: Sean Clerkin; Tom Greenhalgh; Stan Hoium; Kevin McDonald; David
Payne
Staff Present: Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Keith Windschitl, Recreation
Director; Gary Peterson, Mayor; Deanna Saefke, Secretary
Also Present: Samantha McKinney of WSB & Associates, Inc.
APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA
Motion
by McDonald, second by Payne, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All ayes.
Motion Carried.
Payne asked if the City receives a discount on purchases through Menards or Home Depot.
Windschitl and Hansen replied no. Hansen stated that rebates are allowed for future purchases.
LETTERS AND REQUESTS
A. Request for a reduced rental fee of Murzyn Hall with the CH Lions Club for a boxing
fundraiser event on Sunday, November 2, 2014.
Lions Club member Brian Clerkin indicated the Midwest Golden Gloves boxing event is being
run by the CH Lions Club and will raise funds for the CH Firehouse Gym and the CH Lions
Club. The Club is requesting a reduced rental rate for this fundraising event. Windschitl asked if
the same company as last year would be installing the boxing ring floor. Clerkin replied yes.
Motion
by Payne, second by McDonald, to approve the discounted rate of the $50 entry fee and
$20 per hour of use plus tax for the Lions Club boxing event on Sunday, November 2, 2014. The
cleaning will be conducted by the group and any additional cleanup by JPM staff will be billed if
Motion Carried
needed. Upon vote: All ayes.
B. Letter of request for a reduced rental fee of Murzyn Hall with the CH Lions Club for a
wrestling fundraiser event.
Hoium indicated the CH Lions Club is requesting the same reduced rate for a wrestling
fundraising event on Saturday, November 22, 2014. Greenhalgh asked if there are other rentals
that weekend. Windschitl replied the Mayor’s Holiday Kickoff Taste of Columbia Heights is on
Friday evening, there is nothing on Sunday. He stated that currently there are only two other
Saturdays open for the remainder of the year. Considering that the Lions Club is hosting the
event he is in favor of the same rate as the boxing event. McDonald asked if the Saturday should
remain open for a potential rental. Windschitl indicated the desire to get community type of
groups to use a Friday or Sunday for that purpose, but with it being closer to the end of the year
the likelihood of a wedding booking at this point is slim. McDonald indicated his feeling is to
accommodate more community type of events when possible. Windschitl stated that during the
previous meeting there was mention of making a policy and sticking to the policy, however he
feels that every situation brings up a different circumstance. Clerkin replied that a group such as
the Lions Club puts all of their proceeds back in to the Columbia Heights community.
Motion
by McDonald, second by Payne, to approve the discounted rate of the $50 entry fee and
$20 per hour of use plus tax for the Lions Club boxing event on Saturday, November 22, 2014.
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August 27, 2014
Page 2
The cleaning will be conducted by the group and any additional cleanup by JPM staff will be
Motion Carried
billed if needed. Upon vote: All ayes.
C. Letter of request for a reduced rental fee of Murzyn Hall by the Polish American Cultural
Institute of Minnesota (PACIM) for a Polish Soup Fest.
Saefke indicated the Soup Fest event has been at Holy Cross church but outgrown the space.
Many of the Sister Cities members also belong to PACIM and volunteer at this event. Peterson
replied they are a good group and is in favor the event being held in the City. Windschitl
indicated they will need to provide a renter and insurance for the group.
Motion
by Clerkin, second by McDonald, to approve the reduced rental fee of a $50 entry fee
and $20 per hour of use plus tax. Payne added to the motion the requirement for a renter with
Motion Carried
insurance liability coverage for the event. Upon vote: All ayes.
D. Letter of request for an open bar using staff recommended bartenders for a wedding reception
on August 30, 2014.
Windschitl informed the members the wedding reception on August 30, 2014 is expecting 165 to
185 people. He feels the group meets the criteria and have contacted approved bartenders.
Motion
by Clerkin, second by McDonald, to approve the request for an open bar on August 30,
Motion Carried
2014. Upon vote: All ayes.
E. Letter of request for an open bar serving beer and wine only, using staff recommended
bartenders for a wedding reception on September 13, 2014.
Windschitl reported the group will be serving beer and wine only for approximately 200 guests.
Motion
by Clerkin, second by McDonald, to approve the request for an open bar on September
Motion Carried
13, 2014. Upon vote: All ayes.
OLD BUSINESS
A. Huset Park: Update of Master Plan
Hansen indicated this report is a follow up to the June meeting. The Commission was very
specific about a siting location in Huset Park for a splash pad. The recommendation is to locate
the splash pad west of the existing wading pool. The steps to keep the process moving forward
are to amend the existing Huset Park Master Plan to incorporate the addition and to ask the City
Council for authorization to prepare plans. Samantha McKinney from WSB & Associates was
present to discuss the concept plans updating the approved Huset Park Master Plan.
McKinney presented Concept I. This plan has an access from the north and south ends of the site,
and moves the main thoroughfare giving room for the splash pad. Close to the building is a drop
off with a few short-term parking spots in addition to the 80 stall parking lot with an additional
drop off for the park area. Additional pedestrian connections are shown for the ballfields, parking
lot and around the playground. The splash pad is located closely to the shelter for parents to be
able to watch children at the splash pad or playground. This concept shows a more informal
splash pad with seating and room for future expansion.
Hansen indicated the goal right now is to update the master plan to incorporate a splash pad on
the west side of Huset and to reflect the addition of the shelter and playground. The updated plan
will show how parking would be arranged if the ballfields were to be redone in the future.
Windschitl added concerns with the lack of parking in concept 1 and would like to see the splash
pad from concept 1 with the parking of concept 2.
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McKinney presented Concept 2. This plan has less pedestrian and vehicle interaction. It
eliminates the thoroughfare all the way through the parking lot from Mill Street to Huset
Parkway. There are two separate parking lots for the building and one for the park area. It keeps
the existing bocce ball court. Hansen asked how many vehicles access the entry from Huset
Parkway. Windschitl replied there is a lot of usage possibly even half. He prefers keeping the
access but not making it a clear access through the parking lot to get to Mill Street.
Hansen pointed out on the concept on the west side of the Murzyn Hall building showing a patio
with a drop off area for caterers. Hoium reiterated that a drop off area for caterers would be a
regularly used feature and would be beneficial on the same level as the door. McKinney said that
feature will be included in future concepts. Hansen agreed in liking the splash pad location in
concept 1 and parking from concept 2. Clerkin agreed and commented on liking the removal of
the access through the parking lot. Windschitl reminded to leave enough room from building the
splash pad and then adding a patio on to Murzyn Hall.
McKinney stated the area for the splash pad leaves enough green space for future use or
expansion and is still far enough away from the building. She indicated the difference between
the two splash pads is that one is more formal in concept 2 or if a more nature inspired, informal
or whimsical idea is wanted that is the idea of concept 1. Windschitl stated concerns with
vandalism and the plan of concept 1 has a more open view to Mill Street. McKinney talked about
spot seating versus a seat wall. Clerkin asked what style is cheaper. McKinney replied either
option will fit the budget. She verified that the Commission favors more of the informal splash
pad configuration of concept 1 with the parking lot layout of concept 2.
Motion
by McDonald, second by Clerkin, to amend the Huset Park Master Plant to incorporate a
Motion Carried.
splash pad feature. Upon vote: All ayes.
McDonald voiced a concern with removal of the access from Huset Parkway. Hansen replied that
is a future consideration if the athletic fields should ever be redone. McKinney stated to consider
if a vehicular access is more important or a concern of having pedestrians cross the path of traffic.
Hansen indicated if the splash pad would open in 2015 there will need to be at least one public
meeting to accept comments. Preparing plans could take 60 to 90 days. Hoium verified that
there would not be a pool open in 2015. Hansen replied yes. Hoium, Greenhalgh, and Clerkin
agreed that there should be something available.
Motion
by McDonald, second by Payne, to recommend to the City Council to begin the
Motion Carried.
preparation of construction plans for a splash pad. Upon vote: All ayes.
B. Labelle Park Final Plan review
Hansen referred to the 95% completed plans for the Labelle Park project. He stated this is really
combining three projects under one bid spec. The first is the removal of the boardwalk and
providing slope restoration. The second part is installing two separate water quality ponds; one
near the parking lot and the other near the boardwalk area. Hansen reported that the Mississippi
Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) will fund the two water quality infiltration
basins. The third piece, depending on bids, would be to include a shelter at the scenic overlook
where the current basketball court is located. This portion would be as a bid alternate. Hansen
cautioned the Commission that bid numbers have significantly increased than in the last year.
The construction season and trucking costs have a factor on the pricing. He suggested delaying
the bids until the 2014-2015 winter seasons.
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Hansen reported the MWMO has approximately $250,000 into the project. There is $130,000 of
storm water funding, and approximately $80,000 of park funding for the project. McDonald
stated his opinion of not wanting a boardwalk area over the water again due to the vandalizing
and not being used very often in the past. Hoium asked if the project plan removed the basketball
court. Hansen replied yes. The City has discussed putting a basketball court area near a police
sub-station or multipurpose, community building at Circle Terrace. Hoium indicated the
basketball courts in the City do get used. Hansen restated the bidding of the plans will happen
over the winter.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Program update from Recreation Senior Citizen Coordinator
Windschitl informed the Commission the Recreation Senior Citizen Coordinator was out of the
office due to illness for the day and would give a program update at a later meeting.
REPORTS
A. Recreation Director
Windschitl indicated the CH Athletic Boosters really deserve credit for purchasing the youth
football gear that includes new helmets and shoulder pads. The uniforms also include practice
and game, pants and jerseys, the pads inside the pants, and mouth guards. He stated the teams
look really good out on the field and our team’s standout with the gold game pants. The
participant numbers are very good at this time and there three really great volunteer coaches this
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year for 2 & 3, 5, and 6 grades. Windschitl indicated the office staff is very helpful in
making sure that the players return all of the equipment.
Windschitl reported the Men’s Softball League is ending with playoffs this week. He will offer a
Fall League as well September 11 through the end of October.
B. Public Works Director/City Engineer
Hansen reported staff found a storage shed for Ramsdell Park. Staff is building the flat for it
now. It will be 10 by 12 feet, have a roll up overhead door, blue steel for the roof and a durable
siding. The pitching machine, rakes, bases and other equipment will be stored there. Greenhalgh
verified that the Recreation Staff and the CH Varsity will have access. Windschitl indicated the
CH Athletic Boosters made a motion to fund up to $4,000 for the shed.
Hansen stated the playground is being worked on at Ostrander Park. The sand attracted wasps
over the last few years and has been pulled out. Engineered wood chips will be placed in after the
new curbing is installed. The playground area is ready for curbing and expecting the concrete
contractor the week of September 8.
C. Commission Members
Clerkin asked when people use the picnic shelter if they are informed of the noise ordinance.
Windschitl replied no, there is not anything on the park permit and it has not been a problem in
the past. He suggested calling the police if that ever happens.
Peterson invited the Members to the Library Foundation Spaghetti Dinner on September 10. He
also reminded the Members to attend the Lions Club boxing and wrestling fundraisers.
Greenhalgh adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
______________________________
Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II