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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApr 25, 2018 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting April 25, 2018 David Payne called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Roll Call Members present: 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; Nick Novitsky, Council Liaison Also present John Murzyn, Council Member Approval Consent Agenda Motion by Stroik, second by McDonald, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. Letters and Requests A. Letter of request from Mayor Schmitt to waive the rental fee for Murzyn Hall for the Interfaith Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. Stroik asked if the profits from the breakfast are going to the hired speaker or to the organization that she represents as a nonprofit. Saefke replied Mayor Schmitt does not have a nonprofit setup at this time. Stroik clarified the letter of request makes it appear the speaker is getting the money directly. Windschitl replied typically the speaker of an event is paid to some degree for their speaking engagement, and the rest of the profits would be donated towards the cause, which in this case is the Sheridan Story. Stroik replied that is what is confusing about the letter as it indicates the speaker is from the Sheridan Story so why would they be getting paid as well. Motion by Clerkin, second by McDonald, to waive the rental fee of Murzyn Hall for the Interfaith Prayer Breakfast on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. B. Letter of request for a private bar using Sarna’s Classic Grill for a wedding on August 5, 2018 for 150 people. Payne and Clerkin indicated they know who the bride is. Motion by Clerkin, second by McDonald, to approve the request for a private bar using Sarna’s Classic Grill for a wedding on August 5, 2018 for 150 guests. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. Old Business A. Dog Park overlay considerations / City Park impacts Hansen reviewed that the Commission was referred a petition received by the City Council requesting that a dog park would be considered in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan process. The plan would then identify that if the city were to consider a dog park, the possible park or parks would be identified. Based on dog park criteria there are four parks that would be an option for a small to medium sized dog park; Lomianki, Gauvitte, Prestemon, and Huset Parks. The Commission agreed the best fitting park would be Prestemon Park. Clerkin asked if there are any plans to remodel or do anything with Prestemon Park in the near future. Hansen replied not at this point. Lomianki Park is the most underutilized park but has been discussed recently among the council and citizens who have inquired about the area for potential City of Columbia Heights April 25, 2018 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 2 land redevelopment. Huset Park would be the second choice for a dog park based on the desire of the Commission for redevelopment, it is the largest park, and it has parking on both sides of the park. Prestemon Park would have a sufficient area for a dog park where the old tennis courts were located. There is ample parking plus there is a walking trail at the park. Stroik would like Huset Park to remain focused on athletic fields. Greenhalgh agreed. Clerkin replied Huset Park already has a master plan. Hansen indicated that master plan does not include a dog park. Motion by Greenhalgh, second by Clerkin, to recommend Prestemon Park as the primary location identified in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan for a potential dog park. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. B. Review Comments on the Comprehensive Plan: Chapter 7 – Parks and Trails. Hansen referred back to the February meeting and the public comment that has been received, of which the Community Development Department has done extensive public outreach, the Chapter 7 – Park and Trails portion of the plan is in the packet. The chapter includes the compiled comments written in a document that meets requirements from the Metropolitan Council. Clerkin asked what the Metropolitan Council could do if these requirements were not met. Hansen replied the biggest action th would be for the City to loose funding. For instance, staff has applied for Federal Funding of the 37 Avenue reconstruction from Central to Stinson with a total project cost 10 million dollars. Part of the requirement to receive the funding is to have the Comprehensive Plan updated. Hansen indicated it is in the Minnesota state statutes for the comprehensive plan to be updated every ten years and it is the Metropolitan Council that processes those plans. There are over one hundred cities around the metro area that are required to have comprehensive plans. Goals and Policies. Hansen indicated this section is laid out per the Metropolitan Council guidelines. He feels this current plan is very readable, is useable, and focuses on what we have been doing regarding the master planning of each park. Stroik mentioned that in Minneapolis along Washington Avenue a bike path was installed that is a European style with curbing for the bike path and a small green space th separating the walking path. She would like to consider something in that style on 40 Avenue when the road reconstruction is occurring. Hansen agreed that is something our community lacks is bicycle trails. Pathways are identified with mapping and with routing to make a loop but there are no signs or other identifying marks. Stroik has received other comments regarding the lack of signage for bicycles. She received another comment that some HMOs like Blue Cross Blue Shield may have grant funding available for bike trails. Hansen replied that Anoka County does as well through the Statewide Health Improvement Program. Stroik reported the school district is talking about having a referendum in November. Clerkin replied that many residents are already upset that taxes were raised this year. Hansen replied a referendum takes about 18-24 months to put together. Stroik asked if a referendum would be a source of funding for a new city hall. Hansen replied he is unsure. The City Council has started a study and looked at various potential sites. The majority of a new city hall could be paid for with available funding; how the shortfall would be funded is undetermined. Stroik asked if the city did try for a referendum would it be possible to include the parks at that time. This city, as in many other communities, would elect to sell bonds for funding. Stroik indicated there is a lot of public interest in redoing the parks, so could a bond be used for park improvements. Hansen replied he is unsure but will look into that. He agreed that there has been positive feedback on the park improvements done so far and feels that the community does support park redevelopment. C. Park Facilities Inventory Update Hansen reported at the February meeting it was mentioned as a goal for the Commission to visit two or three parks throughout the summer to complete each section. Doing a walkthrough at each park would provide items such as what needs updating at the park and what features are good for that location. City of Columbia Heights April 25, 2018 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 3 This would create a final facilities plan. The facilities inventory offers information to estimate what the cost is to rebuild a specific park based on what we feel the needs are. This also helps to build a capital improvement plan park by park. Hansen suggests visiting McKenna, Ostrander, and Prestemon Parks. D. Keyes Park construction update Hansen reported Odessa II is the contractor for Keyes Park and they have worked on the last two park updates. Work is anticipated to being the first week of June and is an eight to ten week build out. Following the master plan there will be a new walking trail, new ballfields, new parking lot, and the City th Council added additional funding for a sidewalk along the south side of 45 Avenue and along McLeod. Grant funding was received for fifty trees that will be planted in the fall. Clerkin asked if oak trees are considered for planting. Hansen replied there are some oak trees within the parks. The main goal is to have diversity in the plantings to minimize impacts of disease or infestations. He reported the only feature based on the master plan to not be installed is the shelter and there will not be a sidewalk from th 46 Avenue up to Reservoir Boulevard. The master plan indicated keeping the existing building and updating the inside of it, with an addition of an open air shelter to the outside of it. Clerkin asked if the building will be left untouched for now. Hansen replied yes, nothing will happen to it at this time and it will be a future park improvement. Clerkin asked what the price was for the shelter and building improvements. Hansen replied approximately $180,000 to $225,000. New Business A. 2018 Jamboree Fireworks Windschitl reported the attached proposal is from the same company, Pyrotechnic Display, Inc., who is the same company that has done the show for the past few years. Staff feels that they have done a great job over the years and recommends using them again. Clerkin asked if the price increased from last year. Windschitl replied no, it is always a six thousand dollar show. Stroik asked how the fireworks are funded. Windschitl replied from the City through the special events budget. Saefke reported the CH Lions Club has given a donation in years past as well. Motion by Greenhalgh, second by McDonald, to award the 2018 Jamboree Fireworks proposal to Pyrotechnic Display, Inc. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. B. Park reservation procedure Windschitl indicated there have been a few scenarios regarding park reservations that he would like to address with the Commission. One item is having one person or group rent do multiple rentals in the park pavilions. There isn’t a current policy or ordinance addressing that question. He will look at the policies for other communities and follow up at a future meeting. Hansen reported having the same questions arise with the use of the new Circle Terrace Park building where a group wants to rent it one day per week for an extended amount of time. He indicated a policy is being put together, similar to what the library has that limits the time period that can be rented out. For example it cannot be rented prior to thirty days in advance and it further limits the rental parameters if the renter is not a resident, a business, or a non-profit based out of Columbia Heights. This policy lends a focus to the residents, business, and non-profits in Columbia Heights. Clerkin asked if the park rentals are people based in Columbia Heights. Saefke replied that there are both residents and non-residents. Clerkin asked if we can limit the numbers of times a person or group is allowed to rent in a specific time period. Hansen replied that is in the library rental policy. Windschitl is planning to look into the policies of other cities. Windschitl and Hansen have discussed the park rentals outside of the seasonal employment timeframe to be limited to one park per weekend. Windschitl stated the reason being is that the public works staff doesn’t have extra people on the weekends until seasonal employment begins. Hansen reported City of Columbia Heights April 25, 2018 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 4 seasonal staff start when school is out, roughly Memorial Day and go through Labor Day. When there are back to back rentals at the same park they are paying for full time regular staff need to come in at $45 per hour, two staff at a two hour minimum to clean the park. Seasonal staff is $15 per hour in comparison. Clerkin clarified for Friday, Saturday, or Sunday there would be one rental only at each individual park. Windschitl replied yes. This policy would be in place until one week after Memorial Day and then start again one week before Labor Day. In between those dates there could be multiple rentals at each park over the weekend. Clerkin agreed that is very sensible. Stroik asked how many rentals would this impact. Windschitl replied that the majority of the rentals happen during the time when the seasonal staff is working. Hansen indicated with the operation of the wading pools staff is required to work each day of operation for water quality checks, so there are people working who can do cleanups after the park rentals. Motion by Clerkin, second by Greenhalgh, to limit park rentals to one rental per weekend, per park during the time period of one week after Memorial Day until one week before Labor Day. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. C. Naming Circle Terrace Park and building to the Bruce Nawrocki/City of Peace Park and Recreation Center. Murzyn reported he brought the topic of renaming the park up at the City Council meeting on Monday evening. He feels it would be a good recognition of Bruce as he was an icon in the city. Murzyn spoke with the Nawrocki family about the subject and he was told that was Bruce’s favorite park. Murzyn stated in the initial grant application through Anoka County the name of the park was listed as the City of Peace Park and Recreation Center, so he believes it would be good to keep the original park name as applied for with the grant. Murzyn indicated this topic will be discussed among the council members at a work session next month. Stroik voiced in favor of the recognition, McDonald agreed. Hansen commented the Park and Recreation Commission previously acted on this subject and voted to recommend to the City Council to call it the Circle Terrace Community Building. He indicated the label of a park and recreation center is a misnomer and it is a community building and not a larger center. Windschitl referred to the motion made in June. Hansen replied the motion was to rename Circle Terrace Park to the City of Peace Park. If this is the desire of the Commission is to change the name of the building it would be a separate motion. Payne stated the recommendation to change the name of the park was never passed by the City Council. Stroik asked why. Windschitl replied the item was removed from the agenda prior to the meeting. The Park & Recreation Commission made the recommendation to call it the City of Peace Park in June of 2016 and it went to the council in August. Greenhalgh asked what the current name is of the park. Hansen replied Circle Terrace Park. Murzyn referred to the original grant application for the name of the park. Clerkin asked if it could be called the Bruce Nawrocki City of Peace Park, does it have to be specific to the building. Greenhalgh suggested pulling the peace name out of the building if it was listed with Nawrocki’s name. Clerkin suggested the Bruce Nawrocki Community Building. Stroik asked if the City doesn’t want the peace designation in the name, or did they remove the item for another reason. Hansen replied it was on the agenda, removed for discussion, and never acted on. Payne commented within the 2040 Comprehensive Plan there is discussion of building a new city hall and he believes the park building is not a good fit for a recognition or tribute to Nawrocki. He feels Nawrocki did a great job in his service to the City and he feels a better fit to recognize Nawrocki would be a room or part of a city hall that is named after him. Murzyn replied by naming the park after him now would offer a place for his wife, his children, and grandchildren would be able to enjoy the space now and see the appreciation while they are all still around. Hansen indicated there are no limitations to what the park or building can be named. Stroik doesn’t see any reason to wait ten years to name something after Nawrocki. She feels that either the park building or the park itself would be fine. Windschitl replied the Commission could also table the item for further discussion City of Columbia Heights April 25, 2018 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 5 and follow up. Clerking offered to make a motion to rename Circle Terrace Park, to Bruce Nawrocki Park. Murzyn indicated his intention was to bring up the topic and didn’t expect a vote on it tonight. Payne thanked Murzyn for the idea. Payne suggested tabling the item until for further discussion. Stroik would prefer to be done with the topic now. McDonald agreed. Motion by Clerking, second by Stroik, to rename Circle Terrace Park, to Bruce Nawrocki Park. Upon vote: Clerkin aye, Greenhalgh abstain, McDonald aye, Payne nay, Stroik aye. 3:2 Motion Carried. Reports A. Recreation Director Windschitl reported the adult softball season is set to begin next week. Youth baseball and softball programs have been using the Hylander Center for practices until they can get outside. He indicated that the Recreation Coordinator, Liz Bray, is retiring. The Commission is invited to an open house retirement for her tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Her last day will be Friday. Windschitl stated that Carissa Goebel who was hired as the part-time youth sports coordinator will be taking over the position. Since she has worked in the department since the fall it should be a smooth transition. B. Public Works Director/City Engineer Hansen reported the department is really seeing a labor shortage even with seasonal staff. Currently there are twelve seasonal staff and they typically have thirteen to fifteen over the course of the summer. The liaison officer at the high school is trying to help talk to qualified seniors who are eighteen with a valid driver’s license about the opportunity as well. Hansen stated there are two construction projects within the City. University Avenue will be shut down ththth starting on Monday from 44 Avenue to 27 Avenue with an anticipated 8 week project. 39 Avenue from Central Avenue to the roundabout will also begin construction on Monday. This project will be done with traffic passage. Stroik asked if a bike path would be able to be included. Hansen replied no the roadway is being narrowed and a sidewalk is getting put in. C. Commission Members Payne adjourned the meeting at 6:30 p.m. _________________________________ Deanna Saefke, Recreation Secretary