HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 25, 2017 minutes
Park & Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting
John P. Murzyn Hall
January 25, 2017
David Payne called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m.
Roll Call
Members present: Anne Carder, Sean Clerkin, Tom Greenhalgh, David Payne, Marsha Stroik
Staff present: Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Deanna
Saefke, Commission Secretary; Connie Buesgens, Council Liaison
Also present: Donna Schmitt, Mayor
Payne welcomed Buesgens to the Commission. He welcomed Mayor Schmitt to the meeting.
Approval Consent Agenda
Motion by Stroik, second by Clerkin, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion
Carried.
Letters and Requests
A. Letter of request for an open bar on February 4, 2017 for a birthday party with approximately 250
guests.
Windschitl indicated the family has rented the facility numerous times; most recently in December. We
have never had any issues with this group during rentals. They have also worked with Stan Hoium in the
past for private open bars. Greenhalgh asked if it is typical to have an open bar for a sweet sixteen
birthday party. Windschitl replied that alcohol is served at many events for baptisms and birthdays of all
ages. Saefke indicated this family has rented numerous times for other adult birthday parties, weddings,
and anniversaries so they have shown responsibility when having private bars. Clerkin stated that these
types of requests have had lengthy discussions between staff and the renter on the rules and policies of
conducting an open bar. Windschitl concurred that the events are requesting these types of bars have
been looked into prior to submitting the request.
Motion by Clerkin, second by Greenhalgh, to approve the request for an open bar on February 4, 2017.
Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
B. Request for an open bar on February 10, 2017 for a birthday party with approximately 150-200
guests.
Windschitl reported this is another member from the same large family that has been renting Murzyn
Hall for multiple events in the last few months. This couple has rented the facility a year or two ago as
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well for their parent’s birthday and are now renting for the husband’s 40 birthday.
Motion by Clerkin, second by Greenhalgh, to approve the request for an open bar on February 10, 2017.
Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
C. Request for the park rental fee to be waived for the SACA Polar Plunge fundraiser.
Windschitl reported the park fees are typically not waived for any groups in the past. In this case all
proceeds are going towards SACA food shelf. Staff is working with the coordinator to receive liability
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insurance coverage listing the City of Columbia Heights as additional insured. Saefke indicated in the first
few years that the polar plunge happened the fire department was involved. Windschitl conveyed the
Columbia Heights Athletic Boosters are also involved helping for this event. Staff recommends waiving
the rental fee for this event.
Motion by Stroik, second by Carder, to approve the request for the park rental fee to be waived for the
SACA Polar Plunge fundraiser. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
D. Request for the rental fee to be waived for the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on May 10, 2017.
Stroik indicated this fee has been waived in previous years. Clerkin stated that the Kiwanis Club is
involved and doesn’t know very much about their organization. Schmitt replied the Kiwanis is more of
an affiliation with religious groups and tend to support events that have a religious component.
Although they do several other volunteer projects as well. Hansen reported the Kiwanis group provides
support for the City’s recycling center every Saturday and partner with the City to share in the recycling
proceeds. One big way that they give back to the community is through scholarships to youth largely
from Columbia Heights and Fridley. Schmitt indicated the Kiwanis Club is involved with the youth Key
Club organization and have groups represented at Fridley High School and Columbia Heights High
School. The Key Club groups also help with the recycling center and picking up garbage throughout the
City. Schmitt is hoping that some of the Key Club participants will volunteer for the breakfast as well.
Schmitt indicated the previous Mayor had a 501c-3 and she does not plan to have one but the Kiwanis
has one and it makes sense to involve them in this type of activity. Windschitl asked if the Kiwanis group
will be the renter of the facility on that day. Schmitt replied that it would be herself. Stroik asked if there
was a speaker lined up yet. Schmitt replied that she has two in mind at different price ranges.
Motion by Stroik, second by Clerkin, to approve the request for the rental fee to be waived for the
Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast on May 10, 2017. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
Old Business
A. Circle Terrace Park building
Hansen reminded the Commission that improvements began last year on Circle Terrace Park. To date
the active south area is installed. The sport court needs painting and some benches need to be installed.
The focus is now shifting towards the building itself. The police have met with the residents in the
neighborhood. Staff has met internally with Community Development, Recreation, and the Police
Department regarding the building plans.
Hansen reviewed the preliminary plans. The floor plan of the building was handed out. In keeping with
the earth tone colors Staff is looking at all natural material s that has an anti-graffiti coating. One other
desire for the plan is to integrate an outdoor space with an indoor are. The plan shows a covered picnic
shelter that is attached to the building with 4 picnic tables. The seating capacity will be about twenty-
five. Building material types are brick, cement fiber board on the vertical and horizontal treatments, and
then the exterior areas. There will be a steel roof. Clerkin asked if the presented plan indicates the
colors of the building. Hansen replied no, colors are yet to be determined. Payne asked if the tables are
ADA accessible. Hansen replied one picnic table will be. The tables will be similar to the other parks and
these recycled tables are easy to replace if pieces are damaged or they can be sanded if scratched.
Unfortunately all materials unless it is a steel table can be subject to burning. He stated that vandalism
seems to be cyclic and we haven’t had a lot of tagging within the parks recently. Payne asked if there
have been any vandalism problems in LaBelle Park. Hansen replied not at this time. Staff recommends
moving to the next phase, to accept the plans and obtain bids for the work. The building would be bid as
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one project. The project is being paid with a Community Block Grant of $236,000. The furnishing for the
building is being provided through police funds. The building itself and including the remaining sidewalk
and landscaping is coming close to the budget. Schmitt asked if a small soccer field could be at that
location. Hansen replied no, there is not enough space. There is one included in the Master Plan at
Keyes Park. Buesgens asked if there would be open grass space at the back of the lot. Hansen replied no
that the land drops off at the back of the lot. There will be a small open grass space. This is the size of a
residential lot. Stroik likes the shelter being attached to the building.
Motion by Stroik, second by Clerkin, to recommend for the City Council to accept the plans for Circle
Terrace Park and authorize Staff to advertise for bids. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
New Business
None at this time.
Reports
A.Recreation Director
Windschitl reported the repairs on the HVAC system have all been going well. The boys and girls youth
basketball program will be playing games with Brooklyn Park. He is working with the High School Varsity
softball coach to join efforts with the Fridley Recreation Program to gain more participation in all age
levels of girl’s youth softball. One obstacle is the costs of the uniforms and the different prices between
the two programs. Windschitl informed the Commission that they will be seeing bills from AID Electric to
correct the ballasts and electrical wiring within Murzyn Hall that were installed poorly and are not up to
code. Clerkin indicated the LED lights never seem to be bright enough in the LaBelle Lounge area.
Windschitl agreed and will follow up on the lighting.
B.Public Works Director/City Engineer
Hansen reported the skating rinks are open at Ostrander, McKenna, and Keys Parks but the last two
weeks have not been good with the rain. Once the temperature stays at freezer the ice will be in good
condition. Stroik replied there are a lot of regular ice skaters at Ostrander Park in both rinks.
Hansen notified the Commission there will be a Planet Fitness gym built behind the White Castle located
on Central Avenue. Continued plans for the Hy-Vee stores will be presented to the Planning and Zoning
Commission next month. Hy-Vee will have a convenience store and gas station on Central Avenue near
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47 Avenue. Stroik asked if the old library building has sold. Schmitt replied yes. Carder asked if the
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business at 40 Avenue and University Avenue on the northeast corner has been sold. Hansen replied
no. He informed the Commission that the Legends of Columbia Heights resident development by
Dominium is going up very fast. Stroik reported hearing concerns from residents regarding the
residential development in St. Anthony that was sold or advertised as 55+ living and now has Section 8
residents because they did not rent all of the units to senior citizens 55 years and older. Hansen replied
that situation can happen anywhere and Section 8 housing is allowed to rent the units as well.
C.Commission Members
Greenhalgh reported in Keyes Park there is a bench located near the T-ball field that is bent and the
concrete seems to be lifting up. There are also playground timbers that are not in place. Hansen noted
the concern and will have Parks Staff address it.
Payne adjourned the meeting at 6:12 p.m.
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Deanna Saefke, Recreation Clerk Typist II