HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 27, 2015 minutes
Park & Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting
Keyes Room, John P. Murzyn Hall
May 27, 2015
David Payne called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.
Roll Call
Members present: Ann Carder, Bruce Evans, Tom Greenhalgh, Kevin McDonald, David Payne, Marsha
Stroik
Staff present: Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Deanna
Saefke, Secretary
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 a reduced rental rate of Murzyn Hall for a fundraiser benefit on Sunday June 7, 2015
from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Stroik asked if the beneficiary is a resident. Windschitl yes both the planner and beneficiary live in
Columbia Heights. He spoke to the planner about the details and the goal is to raise money for funeral
costs. Based on previous reduced rentals the charge would be the $50 entry fee and $20 per hour of use
plus tax. Stroik indicated a 13 card tournament as listed in the flyer might violate gambling regulations.
Members asked what a 13 card tournament is. Stroik remembers it being an old gambling game.
Windschitl replied he will speak to the contact person about it. Payne replied that having a 50/50 raffle
might fall under gambling requirements or restrictions as well. Windschitl replied that often times
people putting benefits together are trying to pull things together so quickly that they don’t know all of
these types of rules. He will speak to the coordinator and make sure that they are meeting any
requirements for what they are trying to accomplish.
Motion by Stroik, second by Evans, to deny the request based on what is proposed with the type of
fundraising listed. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
Payne recommended approval for the request if there is a silent auction and no gambling.
Motion amendment by McDonald, to turn down the request as written. Windschitl will inform the
group that they are not allowed to host the event with gambling. If they change the event details with
legal fundraising options then approve the request for a $50 entry fee and $20 per hour of use plus tax.
Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
Old Business
A.Consideration for Change Order No. 1 for LaBelle Park for additional site work including landscaping.
Hansen indicated the original Master Plan for LaBelle Park with many alternates because bidding prices
at the time were very high. When the bids came in for the work the numbers were low enough to accept
all of the alternates in the plan. The plan did not include however the lower overlook area of the original
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master plan. This area is where the public art was at the edge of the boardwalk and water area. The
master plan indicates seating in the area. Staff has looked into interesting durable seating, limestone
blocks, sidewalk, and intense landscaping for the area. The contractor’s price is at $37,500. There is
funding available in the original budget. This would complete the master plan for LaBelle Park. At this
point the contractor would come in and seed the area. Stroik indicated that if the opportunity is
available now it makes sense to complete the work. The residents that she speaks with in the area are
watching the work being done and ask a lot of questions of the contractor. Hansen indicated the ponds
are built, the shelter footings are being poured, all of the concrete around the shelter will be finished,
the last piece of work will be the landscaping, and the contractor will wait for the shelter to be delivered
within five weeks. Stroik replied that many of the plantings listed are hearty plants and good if any
people or animals were to walk through the landscaped area.
Motion by Stroik, second by McDonald, to recommend to the City Council to accept the Change Order
No. 1 to the LaBelle Park Master Plan. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
Stroik asked why the pond at LaBelle Park has not been dredged to control algae. Hansen replied that
dredging does not control algae. Algae growth has more to do with water and temperature. There seven
stormwater inlets into LaBelle which can bring in a high amount of phosphorous into the water body. He
indicated that dredging is an activity to improve water flow. Unless it can be verified that the water
flowing through the pond is blocked, the DNR will not allow it to be dredged. Currently there are no
plans to dredge the pond. Stroik indicated residents have mentioned concerns to here regarding the
amount of cattails and why they are not being removed. Hansen replied that as practice cattails are not
removed unless they are blocking water flow to an inlet or outlet for storm water flow. He stated that
there is a floating bog in the center of the water that does move around a little bit. The DNR general rule
is that the amount of cattail coverage from an aerial map has to occupy more than 50% of the total
water body area before considering any removal. A permit is also required for any cattail removal.
New Business
None at this time.
Reports
A.Recreation Director
Windschitl reported that Public Works staff are doing frost repair on the driveway at the west end of
Murzyn Hall. The Beautification Committee has a few volunteers dropping out so if anyone knows of a
person who might be interested in joining the group to let him know. He thanked Saefke for her work in
coordinating the Committee, ordering the flowers, getting the volunteers the plants that they want, and
for having the process run smoothly this year. Stroik asked about the planting at LaBelle Park and if the
sign was going to be moved if it would affect the plants. Windschitl replied that he spoke to the
volunteer for that park regarding her concerns. Hansen replied that LaBelle Park will receive a new sign
next year.
Windschitl indicated the wood floors were sanded and refinished two applications of finish are applied.
While this project was done last week the office relocated to the IS Department due to the fumes in the
building. The summer leagues are going well with only a few rainouts being rescheduled.
B.Public Works Director/City Engineer
Hansen reported seasonals are starting to work. The seasonal crew will be fully staffed the second week
of June. With the current rain staff is getting caught up with the cutting and trimming in the parks and
public right of way. The splash pad water service will be brought in in two weeks. This will close a section
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Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 3
of Mill Street. Once the water service is brought in the small building will be constructed for the
mechanical equipment. Bids will be taken at the end of June for the splash pad with completion
anticipated at the end of August. Carder asked if the pile of dirt will remain throughout the summer.
Hansen replied there are two piles that will remain as stock piles. The black top soil will be respreads to
the disturbed areas. The other pile will be knocked down to a mound with slopes of grass for areas of
interest around the splash pad.
C.Commission Members
None at this time.
Payne adjourned the meeting at 6:00 p.m.
_________________________________
Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II