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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 22, 2015 minutes City of Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission April 22, 2015 David Payne called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present: Anne Carder; Sean Clerkin; Bruce Evans; Tom Greenhalgh; Stan Hoium; Kevin McDonald; David Payne; Marsha Stroik Staff Present: Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Gary Peterson, Mayor; Deanna Saefke, Secretary; Captain Lenny Austin, CHPD; Sergeant Justin Pletcher, CHPD; Joe Hogeboom, Community Development Director; Elizabeth Holmbeck, Community Development Associate Planner. OATH OF OFFICE Ann Carder took the oath of office as a Park and Recreation Commission Member. APPROVAL CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Stroik, second by Evans, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. LETTERS AND REQUESTS A. Request for an open bar using staff approved bartenders for a wedding reception on Saturday, August 1, 2015 with approximately 175 guests. Windschitl indicated this request is from one of the captains in the Columbia Heights Fire Department. Staff recommends approving the request. Motion by McDonald, second by Greenhalgh, to approve the request for an open bar using staff approved bartenders during a wedding reception on August 1, 2015. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. B. Request for an open bar using a private trained bartender for a wedding reception on Saturday, June 19, 2015 with approximately 200-250 guests. Windschitl stated the private bartender the renters are planning to use does work at an Outback Steakhouse so they do have training. Staff recommends approving the request. Motion by Hoium, second by McDonald, to approve the request for an open bar using private Motion Carried. bartenders for a wedding reception on June 19, 2015. Upon vote: All ayes. OLD BUSINESS A. Master Plan amendment to the LaBelle Park Master Plan Hansen indicated that staff is present from both Community Development and the Police Departments. He gave a brief history of the lots of land adjacent to the playground at Circle Terrace Park. One interest of the City was to sell and redevelop the lots. With limited to no inquiries on the land an idea originated from the Police Department installing a substation in the area to give public contact in the Circle Terrace area. Staff members have looked into other associated usage that a small building in that area could serve. Over the past 12 to 18 months it Park & Recreation Commission April 22, 2015 Page 2 was demonstrated to have a strong interest in a public multi use building. Anoka County is one of the entities that have shown interest in using the space. To accommodate this interest at the park any changes would need to be brought in to the park master plan because this would serve as a public building. A small amount of planning work was done by the consultant who did the original master plan for how a building would fit in to the park setting. The 1,200 square feet building would serve a public purpose; available to the police, the neighborhood as a meeting spot, and other entities wanting to use the space. The existing master park plan would need to be expanded the park which at some point in the future may include a substation or multipurpose building as part of LaBelle Park. Stroik asked about the history of the three plots that were purchased by the City. Hogeboom introduced himself to the group. He reported that two lots were twin homes and incorporated in to the scattered site housing programs. This city program acquires blighted homes, tears them down and resells them for the purpose of redeveloping single family homes. Feedback from realtors is that potential buyers show interest in the property when viewing online but then lose interest when the drive through the neighborhood. Both lots are currently vacant. Payne asked why the building would be 1,200 square feet instead of 900. Hogeboom replied to offer more space for a community event that would be useful for such groups as the school district or other county groups. Hoium asked why the county would be interested in the space. Pletcher replied staff has spoken to the Anoka County Community Action and the school district for tutoring and outreach to that area, and the police department would like to use it for public education. He indicated this street alone has a 60% Somali population. The school district would like to reach out to that population of students to help get them ahead of the learning curve and bring English to them to be more prepared for school. Other community, county applied, and government groups have reached out with interest in using this type of community building. Hogeboom added that in order to make this type of building work one needs to include space for restrooms and a small office. Pletcher reminded the Commission that two east African officers have been hired on the department and the population has a desire to interact with them so staff would like to have an office space to create that open dialogue and create opportunities for proactivity. Stroik asked if the other residents could reserve this building like the other park facilities. Pletcher replied yes. Hoium asked if it would be staffed. Hansen stated no, but it would be checked depending on use for restrooms services. Public Works staff would have no intention of manning the building. The Police Department would probably be the primary users of the facility as far as city departments are concerned. Seasonal staff would maintain the facility and the two restrooms. Hoium indicated restrooms would need cleaning, garbage removed, and facility locked up that requires attention. Hansen replied that one thought is having a custodial staff conduct a weekly clean at the building. It would also be dependent upon how much usage the facility gets throughout the year. During the summer months a seasonal public works employee would do the same work as with a picnic shelter. Saefke indicated this would not be an open building to the public at all times. There could be access to speak to a police officer but they would also lock their space when not at the office. If the space was rented out a key would be obtained much like the other park buildings. Clerkin asked if there would be rentals fees associated to the building for usage. Saefke replied yes. Hansen explained that the master plan looks at a reuse of the park property. To construct a building would be a separate process and a building permit would need to be obtained. Hoium stated the two properties would be owned by the city and become part of the park. Hogeboom added that the two lots to the north of the playground are owned under the Economic Development Authority so this motion would enable the ownership to be transferred to the City to be used for public park property. Evans clarified that this motion will not impact what has already Park & Recreation Commission April 22, 2015 Page 3 been approved to the park up to this point. Hansen replied no and it actually improves the park with a slight expansion. Austin and Pletcher discussed the importance of creating a relationship with the neighborhood around circle terrace and how that positively impacts the reduction of crime in the area. Motion by Stroik, second by Greenhalgh, to amend the LaBelle Park Master Plan to include the additional two plots of land on Circle Terrace to the master plan and enable the transfer of ownership from the Economic Development Authority to the City of Columbia Heights. Upon Motion Carried. vote: All ayes. B. Update on LaBelle Park Hansen indicated a variety of fill has been uncovered while digging for the boulder retaining wall at LaBelle Park but none has warranted notification to the PCA. The removals are mostly complete. The shoreline restoration work continues. A boulder style retaining wall will be constructed. Staff will be presenting to the City Council a request to purchase the shelter directly to save funding on tax charges. Once the shelter is ordered it will take approximately six weeks for delivery. A public informational meeting was held for the neighborhood with approximately st 20 residents in attendance, to discuss the reconstruction of 41 Avenue and the park project itself. Hansen indicated the shelter will be 20x20 feet with four to six tables under the shelter, and two to three tables under the steel arbors for a seating total of 30 to 40 people. The lower overlook area was not included in the original bid due to high estimates at that time. Once the final bid was accepted the bids came back with lower than expected numbers. The additional work for the overlook area will need to be approved by the City Council. It is anticipated that the additional work will be able to be completed within the original budget. Hansen reported the lower overlook will have a concrete circle with some color pavers, the center will be heavily landscaped with a woodchip walking area, and concrete cast seating instead of benches. Saefke asked how parking would change. Hansen replied it is not changing. There are st approximately 20 stalls in the north lot. The parking in the lot off of 41 Ave. has 16 to 18 stalls plus whatever parking is available around the cul de sac. Saefke indicated a concern with parking when the shelter begins to be rented. Stroik replied the lots for the strip mall would be open. Windschitl asked if there is a plan for a port a potty near the shelter. Hansen replied at the current time the only one is near the playground. C. Update on the Huset Park Splash Pad Hansen reported at the previous commission meeting authorization was granted for city staff to do the grading work at the splash pad area. City staff will bring in a 4 inch water service to serve the splash pad. The water unfortunately is located on the north side of Mill Street very close to the curb line. Staff will install the drain and storm sewer. The design work is near completion. Staff will be at the May city council meeting to receive authorization to seek bids. Hansen indicated another cost saving measure is to directly purchase the features and all of the equipment in the splash pad. This will save 7% or around $8,000 on taxes. The features will be purchased through Vortex. City staff will be purchasing and installing a building to house the water controls and other needed equipment. Windschitl asked if a bathroom would be added to the area. Hansen replied yes staff has researched a prefab building with a changing room and bathroom that would possibly be added next year. Stroik asked when the project would be concluded. Hansen replied the utilities should be completed in June, the authorization and bidding process with bids back in June, six to eight weeks of construction, and the potential of completion in the end of August or September. Park & Recreation Commission April 22, 2015 Page 4 NEW BUSINESS A. 2015 jamboree Fireworks Windschitl indicated he has recently received the proposal for the Jamboree fireworks on June 27. He invited the members to view the proposal if they desired. Last year a portion of the show was missed and did not get shot during the show. Windschitl asked if the company would include that missed section in the 2015 show. The proposal is promising a 15 to 18 minute show with 656 devices in the display plus what was missed last year. Staff recommends accepting the proposal from Pyrotechnic Display, Inc. Evans asked the cost of the show. Windschitl replied $6,000. Motion by Greenhalgh, second by Clerkin, to accept the proposal from Pyrotechnic Display, Inc. for the Jamboree Fireworks on June 27, 2015 with a rain backup of June 28, 2015. Upon vote: Motion Carried. All ayes. REPORTS A. Recreation Director Windschitl reported working on the Beautification Committee along with Saefke. He stated that some members are leaving the group and are looking for new volunteers. One volunteer, Sue Murzyn, is taking a step back this year and will help to plant but will be handing over the watering duties at various sites. She has been instrumental in helping the process over the year. There is a new volunteer that has come forward who will be taking on the areas for watering. Windschitl stated the Reservoir community garden plots are up and running with about five plots available. Youth baseball and softball began this past week. The Men’s softball league has begun. Part time staff positions are open for gym facility supervisors at the Hylander Center. B. Public Works Director/City Engineer Hansen stated at this same time in 2014 dealing with snow and now staff is preparing for grass cutting. The parks department is down one full time staff person, and down to one seasonal staff. Seasonal staff is required to be 18 years old and will be starting when school is done. Most seasonals do return each year. There will be 12 seasonal positions this year. Hansen foresees a much lighter year for Park projects in 2016 due to lack of available funding. A lot of work has been completed in the park system over the last several years. The one possible project would be a playground improvement. The small playground at LaBelle Park was around $85,000. Payne mentioned getting back to the Huset Park Master Plan improvements. Hansen replied that is a valid point and members should consider how a future park project would be funded. Windschitl asked if the slide could be replaced at Ostrander Park as the rest of the equipment looks to be in good condition but the slide has faded. Hansen replied to send an email to him for possible replacement. Greenhalgh indicated the slide at Keyes Park needs to be replaced. Stroik mentioned a small shelter would be nice at Ostrander Park because there are a number of picnics held near the playground area. C. Commission Members Hoium indicated the flag pole outside in the front of Murzyn Hall looks in rough condition at the base. Windschitl agreed and replied he plans to ask the VFW to help as he thinks that they initially donated to that project. He indicated it does need a new flag pole as well which is approximately $5,000. Hansen reported the local High School Keys Club along with the Kiwanis group will be conducting a volunteer clean up along Central Avenue from 9 to 1 on Saturday for Earth Day. Park & Recreation Commission April 22, 2015 Page 5 They will be having a tent set up along the route to promote recycling. The cleanup will occur thrd from 37 Avenue to 53 Avenue. Hoium indicated the CH Lions Club will be picking up along University Avenue on Saturday during the same time. Hansen asked who will pick up the trash. Hoium replied the State Patrol. They also provide the bags and the safety vests. Hansen indicated how helpful it is to have volunteer groups especially along the highways that are very busy. Saefke indicated First Lutheran Church will be cleaning at Sullivan Lake Park. Hansen stated that each park does have a group associated with the Adopt a Park Program. Each group was asked if they would like to have a recognition sign for the park and only four groups wanted to have a sign. Hansen reported that out of 13 parks assigned about 8 or 9 regularly clean. Peterson spoke to the beauty of Hart Lake and that he would like to have the underbrush cleaned th out to have a view of the lake along Hart Boulevard and from 37 Avenue. Stroik indicated people have been known to drink along the edge of the lake at night. Payne asked if the DNR would be opposed to cleaning the area. Hansen replied that if the work is done above the water line the DNR does not have a problem. Recently the City was informed of illegal dumping into Hart Lake. What is being dumped is unknown but it is killing the grass. Someone is dumping at the top edge of the slope along Hart Boulevard. It smells bad and you can see where the grass is dead from it. Staff will be testing the area. Stroik asked if a camera could be setup in the area. Hansen replied that is being discussed with the police department. Hoium asked if the State owns the lakes technically. Hansen replied no, but the State does have authority by statutory rule over the waters of the state. Stroik indicated that any cleanup along Hart Lake should be done as staff time is allowed during the season. Motion by Hoium, second by Clerkin, to instruct staff to look at cleaning up the brush along Hart Motion Carried. Lake. Upon vote: All ayes. Peterson asked how the experience and amount of use was at the ice rinks this year. Stroik replied that there was a lot of use at Ostrander Park. Peterson invited the Commission to attend the annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on May 6. Breakfast begins service at 6:45 a.m. Tickets are on sale at City Hall. Payne adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m. ______________________________ Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II