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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOct 22, 2014 minutes City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission October 22, 2014 Tom Greenhalgh called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Sean Clerkin; Tom Greenhalgh; Stan Hoium; David Payne; Marsha Stroik Staff Present: Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Deanna Saefke, Secretary; Delynn Mulligan, Recreation Senior Citizen Coordinator APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Payne, second by Stroik, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. Payne asked about the large number of charges listed from Xcel Energy. Hansen replied the charges are listed on one day because that is when the bill came through the office and it could be for more than one month. Staff keeps an eye on the charges for trending purposes. Stroik reported that neighbors are wondering when Ostrander Park will be in use again. Hansen replied that project was started under an agreement with a miscellaneous concrete contractor. The contractor was going to start in two weeks so City staff moved forward with the prep work. After the two weeks the contractor was absent from any communication so the project was bid out again. At the current time there is a Portland cement shortage in the whole state. The current contractor was set up to start in two weeks and he called informing staff that there is a shortage. Hansen stated the situation is unfortunate that the playground has been closed for so many weeks, and the fault is with the miscellaneous concrete contractor and his inability to deliver. Hansen will be reporting to the City Council as well. LETTERS AND REQUESTS A. Request for an open bar using hired bartenders from Hire A Host for a birthday party with approximately 75-80 guests on Saturday, December 13, 2014. Windschitl indicated this family has rented in the past. With the small number of guests for an adult birthday party staff recommends approving the request. Hoium stated the DJ who is part of that family has pushed the limits of time in the past. Windschitl agreed and stated that the previous events he has been a part of have gone well. Staff will be involved with the details of the event to make sure it runs smoothly. Motion by Hoium, second by Payne, to approve the request for an open bar using Hire A Host on Motion Carried December 13, 2014. Upon vote: All ayes. OLD BUSINESS None at this time NEW BUSINESS A. Program update from Recreation Senior Citizen Coordinator Mulligan explained that many old programs have remained from the previous coordinator such as bingo, card groups, dice games, bocce ball, shuffleboard, and others. One of the most popular Park & Recreation Commission October 22, 2014 Page 2 new programs is a free seated exercise class, offered three times per week. Mulligan feels there is a good number of the population that needs to exercise but even the low impact Stompin at the Hall can be too intense for some people. There is also a more active walking group being led by one of the senior citizens volunteering to organize this Heights Hikers group. This group of people walks rain or shine and goes on more intense walks than the current weekly walking group. Mulligan has partnered with Community Education to offer computer classes and other programs. The CH Police Department and CH Library have partnered with Mulligan to offer a Senior Citizen Academy and new book or writing groups. Mulligan indicated the biggest success and program that meets many needs is having smaller mini bus trips. Many of the large motor coach day trips have become very expensive and the number of participants has dropped. She has offered short outings to places where she can drive the mini bus and charges $1 for participant transportation. Many seniors have commented that they like these less expensive outings and the trips have been very busy with participation. Some other programs that have remained are AARP Defensive Driving classes, Happy Feet Foot Care, Insurance Counseling. Hoium asked how old you need to be to participate. Other Members said it sounds fun. Mulligan said she doesn’t have an age requirement. Windschitl stated that Mulligan has really taken advantage of using the mini bus to the advantage of the senior participants. He agreed that many senior’s budgets are tight and they cannot afford the expensive motor coach trips. Mulligan has enjoyed the reaction from many that have never been to so many local attractions and restaurants. Stroik stated she has received requests from the community members to bring back more adult leagues. Windschitl asked if they meant basketball. Stroik said yes, and volleyball. When the NEI gym was open it was used every night. Windschitl replied that when he offered men’s basketball league there became so many outside elements involved than just the program. Participates within that league came from all over the metro area and there got to be problems with vandalism, breaking of backboards, and allegations of weapons. Stroik asked about women’s volleyball and pickle ball. Windschitl replied he could look into other volleyball leagues. Mulligan indicated pickle ball does require a lot of space. Windschitl replied that it could be offered as a daytime activity. He indicated the gyms all around the city get used for youth programming immediately after school and then even more so in the evenings once youth basketball begins. There just isn’t any space for additional leagues and the youth activities have taken precedence in the school over the past few years. Windschitl mentioned that a league could be looked in to after basketball season is complete. He has run other adult leagues and unfortunately basketball has changed a lot and has the most complications that he has heard from other communities as well. B. 2014 Parks Survey Hansen reported the parks survey was included in a community police survey. Over 290 people were contacted with a goal of around 400. The park questions were do you use the parks, do you feel safe in the parks, and how residents feel about continued investments into the park system. The survey results still show that the residents are in support of park improvements. The commission could consider fundraising or even placing a ballot item for a bond in a general election. He stated that any type of a bond to fund park improvements is a lot of work with very specific details on which parks and exactly what work would happen in each park. The 2002 in- depth survey had a more direct question regarding bonding for park improvements and that item was highly supported. Hoium asked why the library bond was put on the ballot by the citizens and not the City Council. Hansen replied that it was his understanding that the Council does not have the authority to place Park & Recreation Commission October 22, 2014 Page 3 on bond on an election for a vote. The source and type of the bonds is different. The difference is in the type of bond and the origin of the sale of it. In the case of the library it the City Charter allows for a challenge to the bond sale. The petition was to challenge the issuance of bonds, which the Council approved, to pay for a new library. Hoium asked if that would be the same case for the parks. Hansen would need to research it more due to the type of bond. However, this process is nowhere near considering a bond for park improvements. Also a park bond would not be as long as the years for the library bond. Hansen stated the community does show support for the park system. Stroik feels once the splash pad is complete it will increase the interest in further improvements. Payne replied that more people will be using the parks and the age demographics may change. C. 2016 rental rates for John P. Murzyn Hall Windschitl reported the rental rates for Murzyn Hall have not been increased since 2008/2009. The proposed increase of 5% is for Saturday rentals only in 2016. It will add $62.75 to the rental fee bringing the total to $1318.00. Greenhalgh asked if the increase would cover operational costs. Windschitl replied he thinks it will, but it is more about being in the competitive market. It is very difficult to compare our facility to other venues due to the different types of fees, inclusions, minimums, exclusions, and other requirements. Stroik agreed that every venue has different ways of presenting the rental packages or additional fees. Windschitl stated in 2014 there were 43 Saturdays rented and 19 Fridays were rented. That is why staff feels the increase for Saturdays is valid. Clerkin asked about rounding to an even $1400. Windschitl replied that with tax the fee will be $1411.91 so it is hard to have an even amount. Windschitl indicated the pop usage fee is proposed to increase based on discussion with the Lions Club and the amount of cups or pop used during large events. The rates would be based on the number of guests. For 0 to 175 people $107.14, 176 to 250 people $160.69, and 251 to 375 people $214.25. The fees would be the same whether using the Lions Club for bartending services or paying with the rental fee. Windschitl stated he uses a local company through the state contract for the pop system and it is a very good deal. He indicated that every Columbia Heights resident does get 25% off of the rental fee. Stroik asked if Murzyn Hall ever has a presence at the wedding fairs. Windschitl replied that we have not. There is a paid listing in the Perfect Wedding guide and online with a link to the website. Clerkin stated there probably isn’t much of a budget for marketing. Windschitl replied there has not been an increase in the marketing budget and we rely on word of mouth. Saefke indicated that it costs hundreds or even a thousand dollars to participate in some of the wedding fairs. She stated there is always an advertisement for it in the city newsletter and she has postings or ads on many free websites. Windschitl stated many decorators or caterers refer Murzyn Hall as well. Saefke indicated that if the caterers place Murzyn Hall on their websites they are then included on an informational handout to renters. Motion by Payne, second by Stroik, to approve the 2016 rental rates for John P. Murzyn Hall. Motion Carried Upon vote: All ayes. D. Commission vacancy and chair position. Windschitl reported after researching the proper action for filling the chair position Greenhalgh was asked and declined. He opened it up if any other Commission Member is interested. Payne would be the next in seniority. No other members were interested. Park & Recreation Commission October 22, 2014 Page 4 Motion by Stroik, second by Greenhalgh, to appoint Payne as the Chair for the Park & Motion Carried Recreation Commission. Upon vote: All ayes. E. The Mayor’s Holiday Kickoff Taste of Columbia Heights Windschitl stated Peterson has requested the rental fees to be waived for this event on Friday, November 21 at Murzyn Hall. He stated the local restaurants will be involved along with local entertainment. The Mayor’s activity fund supports the youth programs. Payne commented that this is a fantastic event and everyone should attend. Motion by Hoium, second by Payne, to waive the rental fee for the Mayor’s Holiday Kickoff Motion Carried Taste of Columbia Heights event. Upon vote: All ayes. REPORTS A. Recreation Director Windschitl indicated as mentioned in a previous meeting that the computer system for the heating and air system has been repaired. At the same time a line for the Freon system in back was leaking as well. That has been repaired. The bills will be coming through for those repairs. thth Windschitl reported the youth football program has been very successful this year. The 5 and 6 ndrd grade teams won their first playoff games. The 2 & 3 grade team does not have playoff but just had a wonderful end of the year party where a parent even made a highlight dvd. He thanked the CH Athletic Boosters for their donations of the football equipment that each participant wears. B. Public Works Director/City Engineer Hansen reported proposal has been received for the splash pad and was very high. Staff is going out for one or two more proposals. There is no particular reason for the high bid and staff is contacting consultants from other cities who have recently installed splash pads. C. Commission Members Greenhalgh reported the CH Athletic Boosters donated $10,000 back to the Park & Recreation programs. Hansen stated the shed is up at Ramsdell Park. Greenhalgh stated it is aesthetically pleasing and fits in the space well. Greenhalgh adjourned the meeting at 6:25 p.m. ______________________________ Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II