Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFeb 27, 2019 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting February 27, 2019 David Payne called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Roll Call Members present: Sean Clerkin, Bruce Evans, Kevin McDonald, David Payne, Marsha Stroik Staff present: Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director; Keith Windschitl, Recreation Director; Deanna Saefke, Commission Secretary; Nick Novitsky, Council Representative 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 to hold a garage sale at Huset East Park. Hansen reported in the City Code Section 10.2 Prohibited conduct on park property it has two items listed. Section M.2 No public meeting of any kind shall be held in any park or parkway, playground or athletic field, nor shall there be any public speaking therein, without a written permit granted therefor by the Park & Recreation Commission. The second item, Section J No person shall solicit, offer for sale, or sell to the public any article or thing whatsoever in any park or parkway, except sales of refreshments and other articles under the direction of the Park and Recreation Commission. Staff interpret this code at the very least the Commission would need to approve this type of event. Hansen indicated there are other types of events held in the parks but they are run by the City or other nonprofit organizations. In this request it is a garage sale for private enterprise and private profit. Stroik replied it may open a can of worms. Hansen doesn’t recall having this type of request in the past. He also feels it is a lot of work to bring everything to a park for one day. Stroik replied if this type of request is brought forward for each individual event it puts the Commission in a position where they have to decide on who is allowed or not. Saefke reported this date is off season, and there are no recreation programs happening in the park. Windschitl indicated the building would most likely be empty because there are not a lot of rentals in April. Hansen stated the other thing the Commission may want to consider is if this opens up the City to any kind of liability. The public would be allowed to come in for private purchase and a private interaction on public space. Is that different than just using the parks in general and making them available? Approving this request would give authorization to a private entity to sell things for a private enterprise. Windschitl asked how that would be different from a renter of Murzyn Hall holding a similar type of event. Hansen asked if it is covered under our policy. Saefke replied yes. Windschitl replied the difference would be that a renter of Murzyn Hall does provide liability insurance coverage. Hansen responded if the Commission did want to entertain this request they could require an extension of liability coverage on their homeowner’s insurance. Stroik feels this type of usage should be limited to nonprofit groups. She indicated there would be no control over what items people want to sell. Motion by Clerkin, second by Stroik, to deny the request to hold a garage sale at Huset East based on the city code. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. B. Request to waive the rental fee of John P. Murzyn Hall on Tuesday, May 8 for an Interfaith Prayer Breakfast. Windschitl reported this is the same type of prayer breakfast that has been held for years and the request is City of Columbia Heights February 27, 2019 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 2 being brought to the Commission for the approval to waive the rental fee. Donna Schmitt is requesting the fee to be waived as a Lions/Kiwanis Member. Windschitl indicated staff agrees to waive the fee but it does need to have a renter or organization with insurance coverage. Saefke replied last year the Kiwanis were the renter. Motion by Clerkin, second by Stroik, to approve the request for the rental fee to be waived for the use of Murzyn Hall on May 8 as long as there is a person or organization listed as the renter who provides liability insurance coverage. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. Old Business A. Wargo Court Master Plan Hansen reported staff will prepare a master plan for Wargo Court in the near future that will be brought to the Commission for approval. He indicated this process will be different than the previous park updates because there is money donated for the park and review authority from the Wargo estate. There is $150,000 in funding for the project. Stroik asked if that is the end of their money for any future upgrades or upkeep to the park. Hansen replied no, staff will need to look at additional funding if the master plan indicates more funds are needed. The $150,000 was a onetime donation from the Wargo Foundation. B. John P. Murzyn Hall non-profit rates Windschitl stated the current non-profit rates for groups that typically have a 501-C3 are given on Sundays through Fridays, not on Saturdays. The rental rate is a $60 entry fee and an hourly rate of $25 per hour if they are a resident of Columbia Heights and $50 per hour of use if they are a nonresident. Groups that are requesting to use the facility more than one time in a year are asking if the entry fee needs to be charged every date or just one time for the year. Windschitl gave the example of the Midwest Polka Association who wants to hold dances at Murzyn Hall on four different dates in one year. Stroik indicated the entry fee should be for every single event to cover costs for electricity, heating, and custodial. Windschitl recommends if there is a day that the building is already open, staff is on duty for other programs like most weeknights then the entry fee could be waived. However if it is a Friday evening or Sunday when the facility would otherwise be closed then the entry fee is justified. Clerkin agrees that any time the facility needs to be open for a nonprofit group and there are no other programs occurring then the entry fee should be charged each time. Stroik agrees. Payne asked if the facility is allowed to be open during the week nights after 10 pm. Windschitl replied yes, however we try to limit the late weeknight rentals for staffing purposes as well as neighborhood concerns. Payne suggested calling the entry fee a maintenance fee. Stroik suggested facility fee. Motion by Clerkin, second by Evans, to charge the $60 facility fee each date when the building needs to be open for a rental and the hourly rate of $25/$50. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. New Business None at this time. Reports A. Recreation Director Windschitl invited the Commission to attend the City Services Expo on Saturday, March 2 from 11 am – 2 pm at the library. Stroik indicated this is a good idea for the community. Windschitl and Hansen will be giving short presentations. The city council will be available for a town hall discussion. Windschitl reported the Recreation Coordinator gave a two week notice and the position has been posted for applications. There is a posting for the fulltime position and a part-time recreation position also. City of Columbia Heights February 27, 2019 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 3 B. Public Works Director/City Engineer Hansen reported that even salaried employees have been plowing with pickup trucks to keep up with all of the snowfall. C. Commission Members Stroik indicated people use the ice rinks at Ostrander Park and many complain that the warming house is not open. She would like to see a parking area added to the master plan that is near the skating rinks along with benches for people to use to put their skates on. Hansen indicated there has not been staff at the warming houses in over ten years. Stroik suggested including seasonal flyers in utility bills that would state rules such as parking regulations or snow removal. Hansen replied it is in the newsletter each year. He stated the bills go out to a third of the population throughout the whole city so some of the residents would get a notice like that very early or very late in the season. Stroik also suggested having the ability to sign up for an instant message system for things like plowing or street sweeping. Hansen replied that snowplow notifications are posted on the city website and on the city Facebook page. He explained with street sweeping in particular the schedule can change at any given time based on needs of staffing or if an emergency comes up. When flyers are included in utility bills the flyers are inserted by hand. Payne adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m. Deanna Saefke, Recreation Secretary