HomeMy WebLinkAboutFeb 28, 2018
Park & Recreation Commission
Minutes of the Meeting
February 28, 2018
David Payne called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
Roll Call
Members present: Anne Carder, Sean Clerkin, Bruce Evans, Tom Greenhalgh, David Payne, Marsha
Stroik
Staff present: Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Deanna Saefke, Commission Secretary; Nick
Novitsky, Council Liaison; also present Elizabeth Holmbeck, Community Development City Planner;
Rebecca Krueger local artist; Rita Trapp, Hoisington Koegler Group Inc.
Approval Consent Agenda
Motion by Stroik, second by Evans, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
Letters and Requests
A. Letter of request from HeightsNEXT and the Columbia Heights Lions Club, to waive the rental fee of
John P. Murzyn Hall on Thursday, May 31, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. for a fundraiser event
called Cheers to Beers.
Saefke noted that the CH Lions Club will be providing the insurance coverage for the event and asked
Novitsky to discuss the event details. Novitsky reported the Top Valu Liquor stores will be involved with
the beer tasting. This event will be a fundraiser for HeightsNEXT. The Lions Club will also offer a cash bar.
Payne asked if the local breweries were bringing in their own samples. Novitsky replied yes, the
breweries were lined up through the city liquor stores. Stroik asked since there will be food trucks
outside of Murzyn Hall has the group thought about wrist bands so that people do not need to be
rechecked coming and going. Novitsky replied he was unsure about the use of wrist bands but knows
that the city liquor store employees will be checking IDs as will the Lions Club at the bar. Saefke replied
seeing an email with the city Finance Director Kloiber discussing the use of wrist bands for those in
attendance 21 years and older.
Motion by Stroik, second by Carder, to approve the request to waive the rental fee for the use of
Murzyn Hall on Thursday, May 31, 2018 for HeightsNEXT and the Columbia Heights Lions Club fundraiser
event Cheers to Beers. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
B. Letter of request for a private bar using staff approved bartenders for a birthday party on April 6,
2018 for 150-200 people.
Saefke indicated this family has rented Murzyn Hall for numerous family events over the past few years.
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Recently they held a 60 birthday in the fall having a private bar and all events have been successful.
Motion by Evans, second by Greenhalgh, to approve the request for a private bar using staff approved
bartenders for a birthday party on April 6, 2018 for 150-200 guests. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
C. Letter of request to waive the rental fee for a Columbia Heights/Fridley Kiwanis Club 5K fundraiser at
Sullivan Lake Park on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., and to request the fee to
be waived for the use of the Event Wagon during that same time.
Saefke handed out a letter of request to the Commission. She explained the Kiwanis Club includes the
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Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 2
youth division of the Key Club with both high schools. The Key Club recently rented the park building at
McKenna Park for a sledding fundraiser and winter clothing drive to benefit SACA. Saefke reminded the
Commission of previous discussions where community groups such as this could be granted requests
like this up to so many times. Since this event is in May and the group wanted to waive the fee for both
the park and the event wagon Saefke felt it appropriate to have the commission discuss the request.
Staff indicated if the commission desires to waive the fee for the park but still charges for the wagon
because it is only used one time over a weekend that would be an option as well. Clerkin replied there
isn’t much of a cost to deliver the wagon. Saefke replied no. Stroik indicated it is not graduation time yet
so she feels it can be waived.
Motion by Clerkin, second by Stroik, to waive the rental fee for both the use of Sullivan Lake Park and
the Event Wagon on Saturday, May 12, 2018 for the Columbia Heights/Fridley Kiwanis Club 5K
fundraiser. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
Old Business
A. Dog Park overlay considerations / City Park impacts
Hansen indicated staff has identified four parks to consider for a dog park location; Lomianki, Gauvitte,
Prestemon, and Huset Parks. He stated this component will go into the component of the
Comprehensive Plan that was just discussed. Staff found ten dog parks within five miles of Columbia
Heights and three parks that are adjacent to the City. Based on staff research Prestemon Park would be
the first suggestion and Huset Park as a second. Greenhalgh and Payne said no to Huset Park. Stroik
agreed to save Huset Park for the field use as listed in the master plan. Clerkin stated Prestemon is the
best location.
Stroik suggested since three members were missing to table the dog park discussion.
Motion by Clerkin, second by Greenhalgh, to table the dog park discussion until the next meeting. Upon
vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
New Business
A. Trash Can Mural Project
Rebecca Krueger, Columbia Heights resident, artist, art educator, and project manager of the Trash Can
Mural Project, presented the project. The Trash Can Mural Project is a public art project with a purpose
to create functional art works that enhance the landscape, inspire liter prevention, and empower the
community with environmental education. The first series of murals are located along Central Avenue at
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45 & 46 Avenue. Recently the project has received additional funding and is looking to expand the
project by installing two more sets of murals within Huset Park. The new expansion would include both
recycling and trash receptacles at the Jefferson building in Huset East and along the walking path around
Zurek Pond on the Huset West side. The images on the can will continue to educate the community on
how liter prevention can specifically impact the storm water and rivers. The new murals will be created
by youth in the community. The first series of murals was created during a camp held at the CH Public
Library with approximately 10 youth. The second series will be created by youth this spring and installed
in the summer.
Payne asked what the cost is and who pays for it. Krueger explained the additional cost is funded
through a grant that was given to the City by the MWMO, Mississippi Watershed Management
Organization. The second series of the project is being funded by a private donor. The only cost to the
city will be the installation and maintenance crew for taking care of the garbage. Krueger stated the cans
will be finished before the Jamboree and would ask the city to have them installed by the Jamboree
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week. Stroik indicated a desire to see a mural on the garage behind Murzyn Hall for a future project.
Payne replied on the Huset Park Master Plan the garage is removed. Clerkin clarified the installation is
placing a casing around an existing garbage can. Hanse replied yes. Payne asked where the cans would
be around the pond area. Krueger replied it will be where the cans are currently. What is being build is a
wood casing like a sleeve that will be placed over the existing trash can. Hansen replied a new concrete
slab will be needed by the Jefferson building and on the west side it will be where an existing can is near
the splash pad.
Motion by Evans, second by Greenhalgh, to approve the installation of the Trash Can Mural Project on
both sides of Huset Park. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
B. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update
Holmbeck indicated the 2040 Comprehensive Plan includes a chapter on parks and trails. The goal for
this meeting is to review the goals and policies within that chapter. Rita Trapp from the consulting firm
Hoisington Koegler Group Inc., (HKGI) will discuss the plan. Trapp indicated the commission will review
the existing goals and policies, talk about general park and trail needs, discuss some of the specific parks
that do not have master plans, discuss the trail system, and go over what the next steps will be.
Goals and Policies. Trapp indicated the 2030 Comprehensive Plan included a series of goals and policies,
staff reviewed this plan and make revisions. The objective is to make sure the goals and policies capture
where the city and the citizens want to head as we look into 2040. The goals are the aspiration of what
we want to achieve by 2040 and the policies are how that is going to be accomplished and what needs
to be done to reach that goal. Trapp opened up the discussion to the commission.
Clerkin asked if when installing bicycle trails or lanes will that take away any traffic lanes. Hansen replied
it will not take away traffic lanes but may impact some parking lanes. In 2008 the city created an overall
pedestrian plan that included sidewalks and bicycle lanes. One of the recommendations was to create a
city-wide bike loop and provide designation pathways for destinations. For example staff explored the
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possibility of removing the parking lane and installing a bicycle lane at grade along 49 Avenue but staff
received disapproving comments from residents. Clerkin indicated he is not opposed to bike lanes, but
does not want to see Columbia Heights make the same mistakes that Minneapolis did making it difficult
to plow, bike, park, and drive down some of the streets. Stroik and Carder agreed. Hansen explained the
destination points to existing areas. On the south there are two; one on Central Avenue to Columbia
Park and one further west that gets along to the grand rounds and the golf course. On the west side the
trail would require going over the bridge to connect to the Mississippi Trail Corridor. The east side a
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connection would be nice to St. Anthony Village and the shopping area along 45 Avenue. Hansen
indicated it is a difficult venture to install bicycle trails into an existing fully urbanized environment.
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Clerkin asked what other streets or even business along 40 Avenue could be affected by removing a
parking lane. Hansen replied no it should not affect the local businesses as the routing indicates the
concentration of business is on Central and University Avenues. Staff discussions with Anoka County
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have concentrated on the redevelopment of 40 Avenue. The redesign would decrease the four lane
road to be a two and three lane road where the center lane would be a turn lane with bicycle lanes on
both sides of the road and one side for parking. When any reconstruction projects arise within the city
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the introduction of bicycle lanes are taken into consideration. Hansen indicated 37 Avenue from
Central Avenue to Stinson Boulevard has a preliminary layout because it was needed in order to apply
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for grant funding. If funding is received for this redevelopment there would be bicycle lanes. 49 Avenue
was selected for redevelopment because it has the least amount of properties that have fronting along
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49 Avenue. The same is true for 40 Avenue residential properties. Stroik recommended that even if
there are not designated bike lanes that signage is needed to indicate routes that connect to existing
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bicycle routes, going both north and to Minneapolis. Hansen confirmed that the intent is to designate a
safe way with a bicycle lane, but it can also be accomplished through signage and advertising the route
as a bike loop with destinations.
Hansen referred to another goal in the comprehensive plan, to develop financing strategies to maintain
and improve the park and trail system. He asked the commission if they wanted to specifically mention
for the public to consider a referendum. This would be listed as a plan to further support the idea within
the next one or two general elections and to inform the public that there currently is no money
available. Stroik asked if this is common practice to include that in a Comprehensive Plan. Hansen
replied have a referendum would be listed as a form of funding. Trapp replied many cities do a separate
park master plan and others do include it specifically as a foundation element for funding. It would be
appropriate to include in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan as one of the things that is being explored for
funding. Stroik stated that should be included in the comp plan. Holmbeck feels that many citizens have
expressed support for park funding.
Hansen indicated staff reviews the Parks and Trails Plan every year. The written pedestrian plan is
intended to be a final document but the Parks and Trails Plan Recommended Route Network is more of
a living or dynamic document that can change every couple of years based on what the community feels
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or if there is redevelopment in the area. This document was updated in 2013, and does include 37
Avenue.
Trapp referred back to the agenda asking for opinions from the Commission regarding each listed goal.
Goal: Maintain, improve, and redevelop the system of parks within the Community. Evans replied the
listed items are all good things and feels that the commission has been doing many of the items with
each master park plan. Goal: Develop a system of trails within the community. Trapp explained these
policies were all mentioned during the previous discussion and hopes the listed items reflect the goals of
that discussion. Goal: Maintain and improve current standards for all parks to provide safe, accessible
(meet ADA requirements), and attractive facilities for all residents. Payne asked if the parks are
currently ADA compliant. Hansen replied no. All new parks are ADA compliant and there is a certified
playground inspector. The city is compliant with those parks with the exception of some older facilities
that are grandfathered. When equipment is replaced we have to bring it up to ADA standards; as a
public governmental agency we are compelled to. Goal: Provide a park and open space system that
serves the wide-ranging recreation, health, and leisure needs of the community. Hansen indicated the
City of Columbia Heights does not conduct many community surveys and this may change in the future.
However the frequency listed is more than what is needed especially for parks. He suggests conducting
community surveys every two to four years or as appropriate. Payne stated have community surveys is
a good idea. Hansen replied there have been two recent surveys. The last large one that included parks
questions was approximately 2002 or 2004. Thee community feedback at that time was the willingness
to pay more taxes to have the parks improved. When the police did a community survey in 2010 or 2012
there were three to five questions related to parks. Payne thinks that it is a good idea to conduct the
surveys. Clerkin asked what the cost is to do a survey. Hansen replied when the police conducted the
survey he believes it was under $5,000 to $6,000, and when Decision Resources were hired it was
approximately $14,000 to $15,000 but that was a city-wide survey. Trapp explained the difference
between the two types of surveys is being statistically valid or not. Having Decision Resources conduct
the survey is statistically valid results. Goal: Preserve and protect natural features and resources in
existing parks and when planning and redeveloping park and recreational facilities. Stroik cited a desire
to strive to use the natural environment of the parks to create some recreational activities rather than
importing major structures. If there is a hill like at Keyes Park for example you use that as a sledding hill.
Have a focus at other parks to use the natural aspects of the parks to create their own recreational
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activities. Goal: Develop financing strategies to maintain and improve the park and trail system. Trapp
indicated the referendum language would be added in this section. Hansen indicated Payne had
mentioned grant funding during a discussion, and staff has applied for DNR and playground grants in the
past. Using larger scale DNR recreational grants are very hard to get approved. They are more often
approved for outstate or larger regional projects that involve trails. With our projects they are for small
neighborhood parks. Trapp indicated there are not many grant opportunities available for these types of
projects. Most cities are funding it through referendums or dedicated city budgets and development
with park dedication fees. Payne asked about ownership or business ownership of the parks to collect
funds. Trapp replied some cities have done sponsorship or advertising but that is generally with
recreational facilities or sport complexes. She explained the long term goal is to get the residents to
think about what is there, what needs to happen, and to change the discussion element that there
needs to be a constant level of investment that needs to happen within a community. Trapp stated that
park dedication funds can only be used for expansion or new development and cannot be used for
replacement per the state statute. Carder asked if fundraising is an option. Trapp replied yes, some cities
have created a separate foundation for specific projects. Hansen replied yes the library has a
foundation. The second fundraising event was when Bobby & Steve’s had a concert in the park for Huset
funding and that did fall short. It takes a lot of effort when fundraising to even raise a small amount of
money. For park redevelopment we are talking about large amounts of money. Stroik asked about doing
a round up on utility bills. She was told the city billing system does not allow for that. The City of Lino
Lakes used that type of fundraising for a new community center. Trapp replied the best way to raise a
significant amount of money is through a referendum that will also provide funding over an extended
period of time. Trapp will look into the round up idea.
Trapp moved on to the Parks and Trails Discussion. The long-term goal is to have a master plan at each
park. Updating the playgrounds. Repair, resurface existing park trails. Correct drainage problems.
Identify the evolution or next step with the wading pools. Clerkin asked what the cost would be to
modify the wading pools instead of replacing them. Hansen replied the direction of the City Council and
of the Park & Recreation Commission is to keep up with current facilities that will draw people to the
park like the splash pad does. To resurface one of the wading pools is still going to cost approximately
$80,000 to $100,000. The splash pad cost around $550,000. Clerkin stated by retrofitting a pool less
water would be used. Hansen replied yes it would use less water, but we do not have to man or staff the
splash pad and the wading pools need to be tested for water quality every day. He believes the
operational/personnel costs verses the water costs the splash pad will still costs more but not a lot.
Hansen reported the water consumption was reduced in 2017 from 9.4 to 5.7 million gallons. Clerkin
asked what the approximate cost is for a smaller splash pad. Hansen replied $350,000. Trapp indicated
this has been a great discussion and that not all park commissions are this engaged in the process. She
asked if the wording needed to be updated or changed in the plan. Hansen replied no, the wording can
stay the same. Greenhalgh and Clerkin agreed.
Trapp began the discussion on master park plans and needs at each specific park.
Lomianki Park. Greenhalgh indicated this is a neighborhood park where people view it as part of their
own back yard. Hansen reported the major difficulty with this park is lack of parking and access into the
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park. One idea from the public is to use this area from 38 to 37, to plant trees and in a few years
make the trees available for sale to the public. Stroik replied that would be nice. Hansen indicated these
trees would start from a bare root tree, grown them to an inch or so diameter, and then sell them to the
public. There is water access at that location too. Due to the lack of parking and access to the park, staff
does not see a good use for this area. Greenhalgh suggested selling the land. Holmbeck likes the idea of
using the area for a tree farm. Stroik and Clerkin agreed.
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Edgemoor Park. Hansen indicated this park needs playground replacement.
Gauvitte Park. Hansen reported one or two residents request for park improvements often. The facilities
at this location; the ballfield, hockey rink, and football field, are not used and are not planned for
program use. The building should be torn down. This winter the heat went out in the building and it
flooded. Hansen reported the city will have requirements put in place in the near future that will require
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additional storm water treatment. The primary storm sewer pipe goes right on 44 Avenue making this
the only open land area where major impact could occur for storm water treatment. Hansen asked if
any recreational programming occurs at this park. Saefke replied no. Hansen indicated this park should
start to be noted as a transitional park to storm water use. Trapp indicated this could still be a nice park
with a walking path. Hansen mentioned this would have a filtrations system with plantings, a walking
path would be great, small playground equipment, and this would be a joint effort but the majority of
the land area of the park would go away. The look would be similar to Ramsdell Park with large
infiltration basins.
Wargo Court. Hansen reported this needs complete redevelopment. Since this is a namesake park there
is a binding agreement with the Wargo family because they gave $100,000 to redevelop the park with
an agreement that this always remains a park. There is some seed money available to redevelop the
park. There is a time capsule in the Wargo monument. The fountain is in total disrepair. All planned
redevelopment and work needs to be brought to the Wargo Trust Fund prior to initiating the work.
Payne suggested leaving the park the way it is until Central Avenue is redeveloped. Trapp replied this is
the time to think about how this park will be integrated in the development of that area.
McKenna Park. Hansen reported this park has new playground equipment. The building is old. The
southwest corner was a Twins Grant recipient and has updated backstop fencing. The hockey rink is
used year round and flooded each winter. Staff would suggest putting in a multiuse field and reduce the
ballfields from two to one. Hansen asked if the hill is used for sliding. Members replied yes. Stroik asked
if a soccer field could be located there. Hansen replied a half size soccer field would fit if a baseball field
was removed. Saefke replied this is a concern for Windschitl because the outfield gets worn out from
overuse in the middle. Hansen indicated this park also needs parking spaces. Trapp asked what sports
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are programmed here. Greenhalgh replied 3 & 4 grade baseball and T-ball. Hansen reported a small
parking lot is planned and this park has a wading pool.
Ostrander Park. Clerking stated this park is used the most for skating both in the rink and free skate.
Hansen indicated this park needs drainage. There has never been any borings done in the ground. The
building needs lots of work. Stroik indicated it would be nice to have a small shelter and more trees.
Payne agreed. Trapp asked if the warming house would be needed for skating. Saefke replied the
building is not staffed for a warming house purpose. Trapp replied without the building it would be nice
to offer benches for seating near the skating rinks.
Prestemon Park. Hansen reported a dog park would fit well at this location. There is existing parking in
two areas and trails. The playgrounds were redone in 2001 or 2002. The ballfield redone in 2000 with
lighting added in 2005. The building is not utilized for anything other than storage. The trails need
resurfacing and the playground would eventually need updating. Hansen indicated the ballfield is
designed to retain water for a short period of time and that is for drainage purposes.
Silver Lake Park. The boat landing and sewage lift station are located on the west side of the lake. The
algae pond will be reconstructed in 2019 with grant funding. The boat landing does need work.
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Trapp indicated the plan elements will be finalized and then presented back to the Commission for
review and commentary. Once the draft plan is available community engagement will begin. There is not
a planned format for that at this time.
C. Park Facilities Inventory Update
Hansen suggested for the park facilities report to be a work in progress. This document needs to be
updated as the parks are redeveloped. He suggests for the Commission to pick two or three parks and
make a site visit to each park. The Commission can discuss the future needs at each park and what
updates might be considered over the next five years. Payne likes the idea of visiting each park to review
the changes that have been made and look at the other parks for future needs.
Reports
A. Recreation Director
Saefke reported the boys basketball teams are doing very well this season and are playing in a new
league in Coon Rapids and Anoka. Teams will be playing in the playoffs this upcoming weekend. The
Recreation Program Coordinator Goebel has been at the majority of the games during the weeknights
and weekends.
The Spring City newsletter is out to the public. Murzyn Hall is very busy with rentals.
The controls at the Hylander Center gym are broken. The divider between the two gyms cannot come
down. Greenhalgh reported the company that installed the controls is not making that component
anymore. Clerkin asked how old the system is. Saefke replied they are the original controls from when
the Hylander Center was built. Greenhalgh indicated a replacement could be as much as $5,000. Stroik
asked if MYAS uses the Hylander Center for tournaments. Greenhalgh replied no.
B. Public Works Director/City Engineer
Hansen reported Keyes Park received bids today and will go to City Council on March 12. Last year the
base bid was $525,000 this year the base bid was $407,000. With add alternates the estimate would be
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closer to $450,000 up to $465,000. One item was the south parking lot on 45 and this would be
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replaced with an additional sidewalk from the parking lot along 45 Avenue. Payne asked if the work
was being done in the spring. Hansen replied yes, but the fields will not be usable until 2019. Stroik
asked if this will affect programming. Hansen replied that other parks will be used for 2018.
C. Commission Members
Clerkin reported the Lions Club will be donating money to purchase portable round tables to Murzyn
Hall for use in the LaBelle Lounge as a high top or low cocktail table. They will donate money to install
directional restroom signs near the LaBelle Lounge directing people across the hall to the restrooms.
Payne adjourned the meeting at 7:26 p.m.
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Deanna Saefke, Recreation Secretary