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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 1, 2016 minutes Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Keyes Park June 1, 2016 David Payne called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. Roll Call Members present: Anne Carder, Sean Clerkin, Tom Greenhalgh, Kevin McDonald, David Payne, Marsha Stroik Staff present: Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Deanna Saefke, Commission Secretary; Gary Peterson, Mayor Approval Consent Agenda Motion by Clerkin, second by Stroik, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. Letters and Requests A. Letter of request for an open bar at a wedding reception on August 5, 2016 using staff approved bartenders. Saefke reported the client had their college graduation party at Murzyn Hall two years ago with an open bar and was a successful event. Windschitl stated the clients are asking for an open bar using staff approved bartenders. Motion by Clerkin, second by McDonald, to approve the open bar request for a wedding reception on August 5, 2016. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. Old Business A. Keyes Park Master Plan Hansen reported receiving comments on the Keyes Park Master Plan that closed on May 20. At the open house about fifteen people were in attendance. In addition to public meeting discussion staff received 5 comments, 2 phone calls, and 3 website comments. The majority of comments liked a combination of the plans that had been presented. The updated plan indicates 32 parking stalls, and will reorientate the two ballfields. Hansen reported one of the most consistent comments received was to have space to play soccer. The plan indicates some green space in response to other public comments for have an open area to use for other activities. Clerkin liked having more parking spaces located near the T-Ball fields. Another new aesthetic feature is the placement of a sort of drop-off area for vehicles. The storm water treatment is not shown with detail as it will all be done during design work. Landscaping will be integrated on all residential sides of the park so it will be very green towards the west end of the park. The playground will be around 5000 square feet. The plan shows the existing building with interior remodeling on the bathrooms and adding an attached picnic shelter. This current plan has around an Architect’s Estimate of $800,000. Stroik asked if the restrooms inside the building would remain open at all times. Hansen replied the bathrooms would be unlocked with park reservations like the other parks. The two issues in the past with having restrooms open at all times were with vandalism and staffing for cleaning and policing at closing of the parks. Carder asked if any satellite bathroom would be available. Hansen replied yes, that City of Columbia Heights June 1, 2016 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 2 is the practice within all parks. This park would have a permanent fencing area for the satellite. Payne stated he does not like the talking trail in the middle of the two ball fields. He would like to see it brought back further to the beginning of the infield. It could be an issue with sledding. McDonald replied most fields do not have a bench in the middle of two fields either. Clerkin suggested stopping the trail at the tree line. Stroik stated that many people sliding down the hill can go as far as the cul de sac. Hansen replied that one change will be that most of the infield will be built up due to soil concerns and will be higher than what it is now. Payne really likes the new concept. Hansen asked Windschitl if the park works for athletic programs. Windschitl replied yes it looks good. He wanted to make sure there was enough parking and that the cars would be safe during ball games. The idea of a shelter off of the building is a good idea. He believes the public looks for a shelter with indoor bathrooms. Greenhalgh asked how long the park would be closed for. Hansen replied one full year. Motion by Clerkin, second by Greenhalgh, to recommend the final Keyes Park Master Plan to the City Council. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. New Business A. Renaming Circle Terrace Park to the City of Peace Park. Hansen indicated the Circle Terrace Park is represented as an extension of LaBelle Park and with the current expansion of that park area does it really fit within that system. It is appropriate to rename the larger park area. Funding was granted for the building in the amount of $234,000 for the building to be built and was awarded to the City. Peterson replied that it was part of the All American City application and it evolved within the discussion of the efforts to make positive changes in that neighborhood. Payne said it sounds good. Carder said it is a long name. Hansen indicated that the naming of a city park is required to go through the Park and Recreation Commission. Staff recommends naming the park the City of Peace Park. Clerkin asked if it had been discussed to keep with tradition and name the park after a Columbia Heights resident. Hansen replied this is somewhat of a nontraditional park in that it is in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Most of the smaller parks such as Gateway and Hilltop are not named after any families. Payne replied that was a good question. Motion by McDonald, second by Carder, to name the area on Circle Terrace the City of Peace Park. Upon vote: Carder – aye, Clerkin – opposed, Greenhalgh – aye, McDonald – aye, Payne – aye, Stroik - aye. Motion Carried. B. Review of City of Peace Park plans. Hansen indicated the city acquired three lots next to the Circle Terrace half basketball court and a few play pieces. With this enlargement there are options for integrating features such as a sport court with options to play four square, hopscotch, and would have a basketball hoop. A small playset would also be placed in the area. Former Commission Member Stan Hoium wanted to see a sport court in the park system. In previous discussion of this area Mayor Peterson shared that he would like take advantage of this beautiful area and to have an overlook at the park to see LaBelle Pond. Three spots would be available for off-street parking. The plan shows a building with a small open air shelter. The building will be designed separately. Hansen reported staff are suggesting to conduct the removals that are necessary of existing features and to authorize city staff to do as much work as they can on the site grading, installing the sport court and the play area. Carder asked what the building would be used for. Hansen replied it is has been proposed as a multipurpose building. It is for the immediate or local neighborhood to use as a meeting space, the police and school district would like to use it for an outreach facility, and the police would like to have a small station there for police presence. Greenhalgh asked why this park would be the only park with a basketball hoop. Staff indicated a basketball court is at Huset Park East. Carder indicated a basketball hoop would be beneficial in this area. Hansen replied City of Columbia Heights June 1, 2016 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 3 st when the master plan was created for LaBelle Park the basketball court at 41 was receiving multiple complaints from residents. During the discussion Stan Hoium wanted to see a basketball area remain at st the Circle Terrace location if a shelter was put in place of the 41 basketball court. The master plan was approved by the Commission and that included the basketball hoop on Circle Terrace. Members recalled st many complaints by the residents on 41. Hansen replied that this is barely a half court size for basketball and is a sport court for other activities. Greenhalgh replied that he is in favor of having the basketball hoop. Payne asked if the desire for basketball is popular what would happen to those that want to use the court for other sport activities. Hansen replied that it promotes getting along with others that want to use the same feature and with various ages. Stroik asked if the money received was for the building itself. Hansen replied yes it was allocated for the building. He indicated the last estimate was for $90,000 contracted price and the 2016 budget has $70,000 for this area. Peterson indicated the Police Department has $80,000 earmarked for this project. Hansen stated the goal is to conduct as much th of the work in-house and also install a sidewalk down to 40. Windschitl asked how close the sport court is to the neighbor. Hansen replied about the same distance as the existing area. Peterson replied there have not been any complaints about the current basketball half court. Hansen reported Motion by Clerkin, second by Stroik, to proceed with the demolition to remove the existing equipment on Circle Terrace at the City of Peace Park, and to recommend to the City Council to authorize bids and the installation of the south court and play area of the City of Peace Park. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. Reports A.Recreation Director Windschitl reported the wood floors were buffed and refinished last week. The floor looks really good. The Red Cross blood drive is the first group in the hall. The Columbia Heights graduating seniors will have their all-night party on Friday inside Murzyn Hall. Windschitl thanked the Commission for attending the grand opening of the splash pad. It was well attended and the splash pad turned out good. B.Public Works Director/City Engineer Hansen reported after council approval for the work at the City of Peace Park staff will be busy with that project over the summer. The part time staff positions are about half way filled. Typically there are fifteen seasonal positions and are currently waiting for students to finish school before returning to work for the summer. He indicated there are more females returning this year and the whole group is hard working. C.Commission Members McDonald asked if the residents of Circle Terrace have been informed of the changes happening at the City of Peace Park. Hansen replied yes. Clerkin reported there are often users of Huset Park West that keep their cars parked on the path for the whole duration of their time at the park. Windschitl replied that is stated in the park policy that only city maintenance vehicles are allowed on the path. Hansen asked if this is mainly on the weekend. He indicated the best practice is to call the police when they see it. Hansen will send an email to the police department for notification to watch that type of usage as it does impede public use of bicycles and walking in the park. Payne agreed a police reminder would be nice before issuing a ticket right away. Payne adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m. _________________________________ Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II