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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 26, 2015 minutes Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Keyes Room, John P. Murzyn Hall August 26, 2015 David Payne called the meeting to order at 5:27 p.m. Roll Call Members present: Ann Carder, Sean Clerkin, Tom Greenhalgh, Kevin McDonald, David Payne, Marsha Stroik Staff present: Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Gary Peterson, Mayor; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Deanna Saefke, Secretary Approval Consent Agenda Motion by Clerkin, second by Stroik, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. Letters and Requests A.Request for a reduced rental rate of Murzyn Hall by the CH Lions Club to host a wrestling event on Saturday, November 21, 2015. Clerkin discussed the previous wrestling events held by the CH Lions Club. He indicated the most recent event in March was well attended. Windschitl discussed the event request with the City Manager and he would like to see this type of event be held during non-peak rental times of the year in the future. For this year Windschitl agrees with the requested date and suggests using a Friday or Sunday in the future. Payne asked how many events the club is looking to hold each year. Clerkin replied one or two times per year but maybe just one time would be better for the hall. Motion by Greenhalgh, second by Stroik, to approve the request for a reduced rental rate of Murzyn Hall on Saturday, November 21, 2015 to host a wrestling event with the CH Lions Club. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. B.Request for a reduced rental rate for the Columbia Heights High School 2016 Senior All Night Party on Friday, June 3, 2016. Windschitl passed out a letter of request and discussed the history of this particular event; including what time frame they have used the building in the past. Stroik asked if a wedding would normally rent this day. Saefke replied that most Fridays in June do book for events. Commission Members discussed this long standing tradition and would like to see the hall used for this type of community event. Motion by Clerkin, second by McDonald, to approve the request for the reduced rental rate of twenty dollars per hour plus tax for the CHHS 2016 Senior All Night Party. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. City of Columbia Heights August 26, 2015 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 2 Old Business A.Park tour of LaBelle Park and Huset West Splash Pad. Hansen began the tour at the Huset West splash pad. Greenhalgh asked when the equipment would be operational. Hansen replied approximately three weeks. Staff has been waiting since June for Xcel Energy to install the pole for the power line. Handouts were given on the style of equipment from Vortex, the layout of the equipment, shade structure options by Stantec, and options for park benches from Belson Outdoors. Hansen explained the equipment will be installed next week, there are twenty line feeds, pipes are underground, and equipment operates off of the city water pressure. The same contractor is working at the LaBelle Park site. All of the concrete work is done, City staff will pave the walkway, and the contractor will landscape after the walkway is complete. Hansen indicated where the shade structures will be installed and is asking for feedback on the color options from the Commission. Windschitl asked if the shades will be removed during winter. Hansen replied yes. Commission members decided on using yellow, blue, and green shades to match the primary colors of the splash pad equipment. Hansen then asked for opinions on the color for the steel park benches. The Commission suggested a black frame with the Mystic blue color seat. Greenhalgh asked if the water features are interchangeable. Hansen replied yes. st The park tour continued to LaBelle Park at 41 Avenue. Hansen explained the installation of the shelter had been delayed. When the pergolas are added to the side of the shelter it will be a 20 by 20 foot area. It is an all steel shelter, the only wood is under the decking of the shelter, and there is concrete around the pillars. Stroik asked what the life span of the structure is. Hansen replied 30-40 years. There will be six picnic tables; one under each pergola and four under the shelter. Two additional street lights will be added to the area. The group then moved to the circle overlook area. Hansen indicated the temporary fencing will be up until next spring in hopes of keeping the geese out of the newly planted area. One additional fountain will be added to the pond just out from the area of the shelter. Work will continue in the area adding more solid plantings, installing two more benches, and the contractor will correct the concrete where it has cracked. The Commission Members were very happy to see the old wood structures gone from the area and that it is a safer, more stable option for viewing the pond and wildlife. Members walked to the playground area to see the final equipment that had been installed at that area of LaBelle Park. Hansen indicated the drainage pond near the playground is not working properly. Water should not be standing in the area after 72 hours. The concrete slab near the playground area is meant to be a seating area. Stroik suggested having game tables with old fashioned games for the public to play at. Hansen stated a shade structure could be added with two posts. Payne suggested installing a bike rack. Hansen added that the residents of the condos would like to see more trees for screening but there have been many comments from the public on the park updates. Clerkin asked how often the wood chips in the playground are replaced. Hansen replied every three years with a requirement of maintaining 12 inches or material. New Business None at this time. Reports A.Recreation Director Windschitl reported the City is undergoing a rebranding process of the city logo. He indicated Saefke is on the rebranding committee along with a representative from each department to help insure that all documents and communications to the public are updated with the new requirements. Windschitl City of Columbia Heights August 26, 2015 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 3 stated the youth sports of football and soccer have a good number of participants but it has been a struggle to get volunteer coaches. Flyers and notices have gone out to numerous places. There is also a need for gym supervisors at the Hylander Center. Hours would be in the evenings Monday through Thursday, after school for the High School and Columbia Academy students, and during the day on the weekends. B.Public Works Director/City Engineer Hansen reported seasonal staff has left for the year except for one remaining worker which leaves the parks department very busy. He invited the Commission to the ground breaking ceremony for the new library on September 14. stth Hansen stated Reservoir Boulevard will have mill overlay work done in the next week. 41 and 44 Avenues will have road work around Labor Day. C.Commission Members Stroik indicated discussions with citizens whom would like see a tap room here in the city. She asked if there were any updates on the old Rainbow property. Hansen replied no. th Carder asked what was happening to the property across from Sarna’s on 40 Avenue and Central Avenue. Hansen replied it is a proposed deli. The owner does the work on his own so the progress is slow but the work has been done well so far. Greenhalgh reported missing boards and exposed metal at Keyes Park. Hansen reported the missing boards around the skating rink will be fixed next year. He indicated Keyes Park would be up for consideration as the next project to create a master plan for. Peterson informed the commission that the annual Taste of Columbia Heights/Mayor’s Holiday Kickoff event will be on November 20, 2015. Details are coming together for the event, area restaurants are being contacted to be a part of the event, volunteers are welcome, and he would like to see the commission members attend as well. Peterson requested the fee to be waived for this annual fundraising community event. Motion by Greenhalgh, second by Clerkin, to waive the fee for the annual Taste of Columbia Heights/Mayor’s Holiday Kickoff on November 20, 2015. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. Payne adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.m. _________________________________ Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II