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
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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.
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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