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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-26-2023 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting John P Murzyn Hall - Senior Center, 530 Mill St April 26, 2023 Call to Order/Roll Call Tom Greenhalgh called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm Members present: Teresa Eisenbise, Tom Greenhalgh, Dayna Gulley, Taher Harzallah, Andy Macko, Andrea Ostergaard, Nicole Peterson Staff present: Jim Hauth, Interim Public Works Director; David Cullen, Streets & Parks Superintendent; Keith Windschitl Recreation Director; Deanna Saefke, Recreation Secretary; Amada Marquez Simula, Council Representative; Will Rottler, Community Engagement Specialist Election of Chair and Vice Chair. Motion by Macko, second by Gulley, appoint Greenhalgh as Chair and Macko as Vice Chair. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. Consent Agenda Ostergaard asked how the expense reports and bills relate to the overall budget. Windschitl replied there are two sets of bills in the Consent Agenda, the parks department and John P Murzyn Hall expenses. He explained years ago the city council would have a budget session with each commission. It became more efficient to discuss an overview of the bills. He offered to go over the line items more closely at a future meeting if the members desired. Now the commission reviews the bills for the two departments over the time period since the previous meeting. Ostergaard indicated knowing if the expense being approved is over or under the budget would be helpful. She would like to know a general idea of the budget in order to approve a payment that is on target. Hauth asked if she is looking for the overall budgets for parks and for recreation to compare to these documents. Ostergaard replied it might not be that involved. Saefke indicated if staff could explain why the members are seeing the bills it would answer their question. Ostergaard replied yes. Eisenbise replied it would make sense to see that in April you are a third of the way through the budget. Hauth replied budget reports by department can be prepared through our financial software. He wants to make sure that what the Commission is asking for is given to them. The City Council approved budgets are available to the general public on the city website. Windschitl indicated the expense reports included in the packet are the bills that have been paid out of the Parks budget and Murzyn Hall budget in the indicated period. Saefke indicated this does not include staffing costs. Ostergaard stated the purpose is to inform. Hauth stated that staff will work on getting a copy of the approved budgets and revise the attached document to make it clearer. He indicated the point of the expense report is to highlight that purchases and expenses are being made. It shows the line by line detail and you will not see that in the budget. Eisenbise asked about the charge for Popp Inc. Hauth replied it is a specific cost for the electrical communication between the Scada system in the parks and other storm systems within the parks. Scada is the system control and data acquisition program that gives information on lift and pump stations. This is a shared cost between multiple departments. Eisenbise asked if this is a reoccurring cost. Hauth replied yes. City of Columbia Heights April 26, 2023 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 2 Motion by Macko, second by Eisenbise, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. Letters and Requests A letter of request to waive the rental fee of John P Murzyn Hall for Cheers For Beers on May 12, 2023 by HeightsNEXT. Marquez Simula indicated she is speaking on behalf of HeightsNEXT. She introduced the co-chair for Cheers for Beers, Mike Deneen. The last time this beer tasting fundraiser occurred was in 2019. Marquez Simula said when she first moved to Columbia Heights and went to Top Valu it was not clearly indicated that it is a city operated liquor store. Her initial thoughts were that more people need to know that this is a municipal liquor store, and that these dollars go to help our community. There are also a lot of misconceptions that people have about a municipal liquor store, and they don’t know the variety of products available in store. Marquez Simula reached out to the liquor store manager to see if he would be interested in participating in a beer tasting event where they only sampled beer that is sold at the municipal liquor stores. At the time HeightsNEXT was starting and Marquez Simula suggested their volunteers do the work to make the event happen, then their group could receive the profits from the event. She had seen the collaboration between the Lions Club and the City and thought this would be another good partnership. This type of event is a good way to promote the municipal liquor stores, get the word out that they sell craft beers, and now there are a lot of nonalcoholic craft beers and wines. She stated this is a little history on how the event got started, it happened two years before the pandemic, and it was a popular 21+ event just for adults to get out in the city and meet your neighbors. HeightsNEXT is asking for the rental fee to be waived because this is the first time for this event after not having it for two years so it is a big risk. For HeightsNEXT this is also an event that brings groups together in the community with the promotion of the liquor stores, and have their staff do all of the ID checks at the door. This gives them another opportunity to connect with their customers as well. Greenhalgh asked who has the liquor liability insurance. Marquez Simula replied HeightsNEXT has that coverage. She indicated this is the only event with HeightsNEXT that has alcohol. Gulley asked if there will be food trucks. Marquez Simula replied yes. The food trucks will be out in front of Murzyn Hall, and the event is all upstairs in the main hall. Eisenbise asked how the drinks are served. Marquez Simula explained each person will receive a small glass with the logo on it and a wooden coin. The vendors will pour small samples less than 2 oz, into the glasses. Patrons will then vote on their favorite beverage with the wooden coin. There are also a lot of nonalcoholic beverages available. Each vendor is trained in the procedures of pouring for a sampling event. Gulley pointed out that there are a lot of people who do not drink beer and it would be nice to have wine samples. Marquez Simula replied there will be wine samples, non-alcoholic wine and beer, and the liquor store manager Schulz may have samples of other types of alcohol that is sold at Top Valu. The goal is to get the word out for as many types of products sold at the stores as possible. Deene replied there is at least one cidery and one with seltzers that will be in attendance. HeightsNEXT will also have a table with information. They ask for sponsors for large events like this and the new apartment complex above the new city hall, Ratio, has purchased thirty tickets in advance, so they will have a table with information as well. Windschitl replied the Park & Recreation Commission did waive the fees in 2019 because it is a joint community event with the city liquor stores and HeightsNEXT. The cost of the custodians for this event is not as high as originally referred to because the hours on a Friday would begin at 4:30 pm for a custodian. This event is predicted to be done by 10 pm. Because it is a community event staff recommend waiving the fee but it is up to the pleasure of the Commission. Ostergaard asked if these types of requests are received often, and do they generally get approved, or what circumstances are there for not approving a request. Windschitl replied in some situations a request for waiving a fee has been denied if a group is not located within Columbia Heights. Last City of Columbia Heights April 26, 2023 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 3 month for example, there was a request for a similar event but the only connection to the city was that the one person making the request lives here. The organization regularly meets in Minneapolis. They were offered the rental rate for a nonresident nonprofit rate. This type of event would typically fall into the resident nonprofit rate, but with this being a city event we look at the event differently. Marquez Simula indicated HeightsNEXT just hosted the CoHi Con and paid the nonprofit rate of a $70 entry fee and $30 per hour of facility use. She stated HeightsNEXT is a 501C3 nonprofit organization. They have been around for five years, doing all events and projects in Columbia Heights. Some of the events include street cleanups, a pet bed making activity with the library, plant exchanges at Lomianki Park, the city has loaned a portion of land at Lomianki park for community gardening, the group is helping to finance the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge, so the fundraising of the Cheers For Beers event will go towards these types of activities. Some of the goals of HeightsNEXT are sustainability and environmental work within the city, they also support businesses within the city and spend their money in the city. Eisenbise asked what the hours of the event are. Marquez Simula replied the event is from 6 to 9 pm but setup around 4 and they expect to be done by 10 pm. Saefke explained the recreation office closes at 4:30 pm so a custodial staff begins their shift at that time and is in the building until the last group or event is finished. For this event a custodian will be clocked in by 4:30 pm and when the group is done cleaning up and the last person leaves the custodian will punch out; that could be 9:30, 10, or 10:30 pm depending on the event. Motion by Harzallah, second by Ostergaard, to waive the rental fee of Murzyn Hall for Cheers For Beers on May 12, 2023. Proper liquor liability insurance must be provided listing the City of Columbia Heights as additional insured. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. Marquez Simula thanked the Commission. She indicated there are also coupons for $5 off a Lyft service. This coupon is only available during this event. Old Business Peterson won this park bench in a design contest. Peterson designed it with other colleagues. After speaking with the City Public Works staff installed the bench at Prestemon Park. It is a high-quality steel bench that is the prototype of what is now being marketed and sold internationally. Gulley asked why she won the contest. Peterson replied it was voted on by the overall design. It used perforated steel, which was part of the requirements. Greenhalgh thanked Peterson for the donation. New Business Community Engagement Specialist, Rottler informed the Commission he started in 2020. At that time there wasn’t many opportunities for community engagement. Working with other City staff to offer movies in the park and music in the park. The first movie in the park was in September of 2020 and the public works staff painted circles in the grass for families to have their own space to sit in and watch the movie. There were around 100 people in attendance. After that event the city council wanted to see more opportunities for residents. In February of 2021 the first SnowBLAST was held. Partnerships were formed with community groups to help volunteer at the event. HeightsNEXT volunteers served S’MORES for example. In the summer of 2021, a music in the park series was held for three nights where all the bands had a Columbia Heights connection. Twenty community groups helped to put on a centennial celebration. The movie in the park nights continued with more dates. In 2022 SnowBLAST added mini ponies and had the longest line. Rottler is always thinking of different ways to bring the community together. Saefke mentioned Truck or Treat. Hauth mentioned the Santa Parade. Rottler stated new events are being added each year. Last year there were three movies in the park. He said that seeing the community response to these events has been fantastic. At SnowBLAST a member of the community asked for Halal marshmallows. He stated Mayor Marquez Simula experienced the look on people’s faces when they heard there were Halal marshmallows. How can we have events that are more inclusive and bring the City of Columbia Heights April 26, 2023 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 4 community together. It doesn’t need to be a grand gesture and it can be as simple as having a S’MORE. Rottler reported there will be five music in the park nights. A sponsorship program was started last year for events. Northeast Bank is sponsoring music in the park. There is a wide range of music, the Fridley City Band, a steel drum band, a local band, the Jolly Pops a kids entertainment band. Harzallah asked if the sponsorship covers the entire cost of the program. Rottler replied it doesn’t cover the entire costs, but it helps. As staff have developed the program the last few years the city council and staff have put more money towards the events budget. The sponsorship helps to offset the costs. Harzallah asked what the average cost is for each music event. Rottler replied the production company is about $600 per night and about $500 per band for a 90-minute performance. Food trucks are asked to be at the events. Rottler tries to take advantage of the type of music and match up the food offered that evening. The movie in the park series will have E. T., Black Panther, and Trolls World Tour. Rottler indicated that he and Saefke make popcorn for the movie nights, and it is always a huge hit. All events are family friendly and free. The Community Art & Info Fair is going to be held again in June. In 2021 a Somalian dance troupe performed, last year there was a band and a petting zoo, and this year there will be llamas. New in 2023 will be Pets in the Park at Keyes Park on June 3rd from 11am – 2pm. This is another way to try and get the community out. Like Marquez Simula indicated it is a way for neighbors to get to know one another. There are about 18 different groups signed up to participate. Rottler indicated with all of these events happening how do we get the Park & Recreation Commission out, get to know people, and hear the voices of the community members on what they like in the park system or what they would like to see changed. With talks of future park improvements in the next few years, engagement for that process is very important. He is happy to set up a table at any of the community events for the Commission. Marquez Simula added the City is going to be working on the Mayor’s Monarch Festival which is a bilingual festival. Rottler stated that is August 9th. Rottler indicated at the SnowBLAST event there were approximately 600 people and this is a perfect opportunity for the Commission to have public contact. There was a table at that event with a community survey. Residents can give their feedback good or bad about what they want to see in the community. Harzallah indicated seeing events advertised in the City Newsletter and asked what other ways these events are advertised. Rottler replied through flyers, other departments, newspapers, Facebook events and social media postings. Harzallah suggested street banners or light post banners. Rottler replied for the 100 year anniversary events in 2021 banners were sponsored by local businesses and community groups. Marquez Simula replied they are advertised on the electronic signs at City Hall, Top Valu stores, and the Library. Ostergaard asked how the dates are considered for these events. Is there communication with the schools on what other events they have on their calendars. Some of the dates overlap with events like the school district pow wow, and Valley View has an event. Rottler replied there is also the Art In The Park at Kordiak on June 3rd. He spoke with the resident in charge of that event and asked to cross promote events so people can go from one to another on the same day. Rottler indicated when choosing dates many things come into play from location that is the best fit, when the sunsets, sports programs happening at certain parks, and holiday weekends. Ostergaard asked if he checks with school calendars or do they all operate as silos. Rottler replied they operate as silos. Gulley stated one of her favorite parks in Silver Lake Beach and she always thought it would be a fun idea to have a beach party when Silverwood Park is having a music night or some other event. It would be fun to open up the building and have concessions again. She doesn’t know the condition of the building but has memories of it being open. Cullen replied most of the park buildings are very old. Some of the buildings have been shut down because the repairs needed are just too costly. The concession stand at Silver Lake is currently being used for storage City of Columbia Heights April 26, 2023 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 5 because the repairs needed are too costly. Rottler reiterated he would love to see the Commission Members at any of our events getting feedback from the residents getting feedback on the future of our parks and what they would like to see. We partner with many other city groups like Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary, HeightsNEXT, you name it. If anyone wants to be at an event they should contact him or Saefke. Ostergaard asked if commissioners are asked to be at a certain number of events or is there a certain task they are asked to do. Rottler replied he will always accept help setting up tables, making popcorn, and other items. Saefke indicated that is a goal of the City Council to see members of the boards and commissions get more involved in community events. Marquez Simula indicated they would like to see them more involved in the community listening to ideas. She was recently asked if she would like a table at a school event. The Council is going to see if one or two people can start attending more events to receive communication from the community. She suggested having the upcoming events listed on the upcoming events listed at the monthly meetings. Harzallah replied it would be nice to have a tablecloth with the city logo and Park & Recreation Commission on it along with other give away items for marketing. Cullen informed the Commission he is the streets and parks superintendent. He began working for the City in 2016 in the parks department and transferred to the street department, and then moved into the streets foreperson position when that staff retired, and then into the superintendent position after that person retired. He feels it has been a benefit to have the experience of the work side and also the supervisor side. Hauth indicated Cullen held the foreperson position for the shortest amount of time it has ever been held for. Cullen made a point of interest in that the public works department is set up in a group of seven. There is one foreperson and six 49ers union workers. Right now the parks department is down one employee. There are currently eighteen full-time employees in the department and there should be twenty-two. In the park department they are tasked with the necessary basics like picking up trash, repairing broken items, lining ballfields, and whatever is needed to keep the park operational. On top of the basic duties, they might need to pull one worker to work on streets if needed. Historically there would be fifteen seasonal workers in the summer. Currently there are four signed up. Some of the employees are residents of Columbia Heights. The goal is to support the events and programs in the city and see the city thrive. He personally enjoys coming to these events with his family. Cullen indicated staff are tasked with a lot of basic duties so having volunteers at these events makes a huge impact. Cullen reported there is a master plan and he cannot speak to that or what direction the commission wants to go with the parks, but he wanted to give an update on the pickleball court and disc golf baskets. He indicated it is a challenge to have a motivated and passionate group that wants to do more than just the basics and see things look well in the community. We are very lucky in that aspect. The challenge comes within the park infrastructure, where it’s at, it does need repair, and what things can be done within the limited budget to address any issues or make improvements. One of the items was the basketball court at Prestemon Park. The surface was well past its prime, it needed resurfacing and new basketball hoops. He was looking at an overlay which is taking the paver and put an inch of asphalt over the top of it to smooth out the surface. Basketball hoops cost around $2000 a piece. Cullen indicated Rottler brought to his attention the need for a pickle ball court. This feature is a quarter of the cost of basketball. The Recreation Department then paid for one basketball hoop and public works paid for the pickle ball court. This was a way to save money and bring something new in. Cullen had to wait until the fall for the streets crew to be available to do the overlay on the court. In the spring they were able to install The hoop and pickleball court. This received positive feedback and the staff loved the project. Cullen then researched and found disc golf baskets on sale, so he ordered three. There are a few disc golf players on staff, so they are working with them on the placement for the baskets at Prestemon. This is one more thing that can be City of Columbia Heights April 26, 2023 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 6 done in-house, and within budget, to make a park improvement. Rottler added a video was taken during the assembly of the pickleball court to show residents the process and the new amenity available. Macko replied he is also an avid disc golf player and indicated with three baskets there could be a nine-hole course with three different tee boxes. Gulley asked for clarification on the need for part-time employees. Cullen replied they need to be eighteen years old with a valid driver's license and must pass a background check. They can apply through the city’s website and another good resource is the League of MN Cities. The starting wage is $17-$18. Last year there were only four seasonal employees. Ostergaard asked what the hours are. Cullen replied they are great hours 7am to 3pm with a 30-minute lunch break. They are very flexible with schedules. Cullen stated that he and Hauth try to help employees with more than just the job. If there is an individual that wants a career in Public Works and they work with them to obtain a commercial drivers license or offer themselves as references. Hauth indicated they provide training opportunities. If an employee has an interest in other areas such as streets, urban forestry, utilities, or parks, they try to give them as many opportunities in training as other work allows. He feels other cities may not give this type of opportunity. Marquez Simula added this Friday is Arbor Day and there will be a tree planting ceremony at McKenna Park at 12:15 pm. She also worked at Public Works in the parks department so one day someone who works in that department could also become a mayor. Harzallah asked if there are any major construction or renovation projects coming up within the parks. Cullen replied that is not usually a function of public works and the major projects are contracted out. Harzallah asked if the department manages it. Cullen replied the Public Works Director Hauth would be involved. Hauth replied staff would be involved in the planning and budget management of projects like that. In the old structure of the department there would have been more involvement in the process. They just split apart engineering from public works. There is a new City Engineer and Hauth is the acting Public Works Director. Engineering takes on the active management of construction projects. Public Works would manage the planning and budgeting for the project and pass it onto Engineering when it gets to plan design and things like that. Currently the parks master park plan is being reviewed by the City Council and they are reviewing financing options to move forward with all or part of that plan. Marquez Simula replied that will occur in June. Harzallah asked for clarification on what plan that was. Hauth replied Hansen presented the plan at the previous meeting. Windschitl indicated some of those plans were done quite some time ago and the plans need to be updated from what the needs of the community were back in that time. Even the Huset Park Master Plan needs to be revised from fifteen plus years ago. The City Council will be looking at finance options to fund these projects. Harzallah is wondering how the City of Fridley is funding huge upcoming projects at Moore Lake Park and Commons Park. Ostergaard asked if the Master Plan is online. Hauth replied it is not online. Marquez Simula reiterated what Windschitl said in that some of the master park plans were created over ten years ago, and things are a lot different; the community is a lot different than it was ten years ago. Also last year a survey was conducted in the city and that feedback is very different from ten years ago. She indicated the council is being presented with this information at a work session that is open to the public and it will be on the first Monday of June. Once that happens the Council will want to hear from the community about what they want. Rottler added the results from the Community Survey are online at the City website. Cullen stated the goal of making Columbia Heights better and taking care of the park system is the same goal as Public Works and they have an ally along those goals. He invited the Commission to take a tour of Public Works and meet some of their neighbors and workers in the city. Harzallah asked if the swings could be put back up at Huset Park. Cullen replied the welds had cracked on the swings. The quote was $5000 to replace that section of the playground. As he mentioned before a lot of the playground equipment is getting harder to find replacement parts for. Contracting it down to find a similar City of Columbia Heights April 26, 2023 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 7 replacement takes time. He is in that process now and has found a similar part. Macko had a new business item, and on the topic of disc golf, he and a coworker are putting together a one day disc golf tournament at Huset Park. They would put up ten baskets. He has a proposed map. This would run from 9am to 5pm on Saturday, September 23. It would take up both the East and West sides of the park. They will go around the entire park and have tried to stay away from other activities. All baskets will be donated to use for the day. The Lions Club is open to having a beer garden. He wanted to bring this event to the Commission for questions, comments, or concerns. Gulley asked how many people. Macko replied this would be a maximum of ninety participants. He is asking if holes are along the grass line if there could be a few mow lines. Cullen replied they could discuss the path and area that they are looking at. Macko asked if the walking path could be blocked off at the corner of 5th Street and Huset Parkway where the path follows the street and has a cut through. They would want to put a basket in that cut through pathway and a temporary no parking zone along Huset Parkway just for the day. Cullen replied the best way is to get the information to Public Works ahead of time so staff can bring the necessary traffic control items to the area during the weekday and the event staff could then set up and take down the items. Public Works staff will pick up the items during the weekday and this will alleviate any staffing costs outside of the regular work week. Macko indicated there are two branches in the park they are wondering if they could be trimmed prior to the event. Cullen asked him to identify those limbs and he will pass the information to the city forester. Windschitl asked if there is an event inside Murzyn Hall that day. Saefke replied yes. Macko indicated the Huset East area would be their headquarters and they would direct people to park in that lot versus the lot behind Murzyn Hall. Windschitl replied this event may need to be brought forward as a request in a future meeting depending on the details of the event and to inform any other departments. Eisenbise asked if this is a community type of event open to the public. Macko replied it is through an association and there are different levels of players. They can allocate spots to as many number of groups as they want. For example they could allow a few spots to remain open if a group shows up the day of. Windschitl asked that the top amount would be ninety people playing. Macko replied yes. This is a shotgun start with two rounds around the park. Windschitl asked if Jefferson Street would be blocked off. Macko replied no, they play up close to Jefferson but will not play through it. Windschitl stated people would be crossing the street. Macko replied yes there is a crosswalk at the one area and the other area by the park signs. Greenhalgh said it sounds like a great event. Marquez Simula replied this is an awesome event and added that is the same day as the Pride Festival at Kordiak Park. It is good for the city to know that another large event will be happening. Reports A. Recreation Director Windschitl reported the Senior Citizen Coordinator Mulligan resigned from her position but is still on staff helping to train the new coordinator, Candy Lack. Lack has worked for our department for a few years and has continued to teach art classes on a part-time basis, so she has a rapport with many of the senior citizens already. Mulligan will remain on for a few more weeks. Windschitl reported that Saefke is working on the Recreation side of the City Newsletter. This goes out to the residents in the city four times per year. Staff also bring the newsletter to the Columbia Heights schools, Immaculate Conception, and some of the other schools. This document has twelve pages on recreation opportunities and the other twelve pages of city news. It is available online. On Monday the summer programs will be available online to register. Windschitl indicated the Recreation Department is working with the school district to reapply for another grant for afterschool enrichment funding that also funds most of our summer programming. We have operated under City of Columbia Heights April 26, 2023 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 8 this grant for many years and it sunsets this August. About three weeks ago we were informed of the need to reapply for this grant and the information is due in a week or so. Staff are working with the school district staff to submit the application. He has worked for the city for almost 26 years and within that timeframe almost every year we have been in a grant of some type with the school district. It has been a great relationship. The district also has great programs under the ENCORE name. Windschitl indicated the Recreation Department is also looking for part-time summer staff. If someone wants to have fun and work with kids. The summer park programs work with kids at the parks and go on trips to Valleyfair and other water parks. We are always looking for coaches for our youth sports programs as well. B. Public Works Director Hauth reported one fulltime employee recently quit to take a parks job at the City of Excelsior, and that position will be posted in the next week. Tree sale trees are in. If anyone ordered them they will be delivered in the next week or two by our City Forester. The city sold 50 trees to residents for planting on private property. The emerald ash borer is very bad this year. The City Forester conducted what they call a windshield survey throughout the city. Just driving through the city he documented over 1000 ash trees on private property that are in a state of decline and will need removal. The city is trying to figure out plans for ways to move forward with that. It is not feasible to alert all 1000 and say that they need to be removed now. Staff are trying to figure out how to move forward in a logical way and give people time to deal with the trees. Hauth indicated the City received two grants over the last four years to actively manage EAB in urban forests in public property. This is a DNR grant. Over the two grant cycles we have received $167,000 to manage EAB. With that funding we have primarily done removals, replantings and have purchased a kit so we can do treatments on our own trees as opposed to hiring a company. Last year we planted 212 trees. There is a gravel bed in the back of Public Works so all of those trees were in there for the summer. They get planted there in the spring, watered all summer, and when they are removed in the fall the root balls are massive, which makes sure the trees have a better survival rate in the first year. This past year with the heavy snow there will be some right of way trees lost. Last fall, trees that were planted in 2021, there were 7 losses out of 175 trees, which is an incredible survival rate. Hauth reported 37th Avenue from Central to Stinson is going to be redone in a joint project with the City of Minneapolis. This work will begin in May. There will be some traffic interruptions. 53rd Avenue plans and specs are nearly complete and will be going out for bids. The plan is to install a tourn about in front of Target. This will stop people from crossing 53rd due to the large number of accidents. Traffic will not be able to turn left or right onto 53rd but will use the tourn about to come back on the other side and take a right turn into the area they are going. There will also be a trail installed on 53rd with money from a grant received to promote safe routes to school. The engineering department designed this trail. The width of 53rd will be reduced and will help slow traffic. Ostergaard asked if a better bus shelter along that route was in this plan. Hauth replied not to his knowledge. Saefke indicated the bus shelters are controlled by Metro Transit and not the individual city. Hauth stated the 53rd project is a joint project with Fridley and Metro Transit is not a partner in the project. Hauth indicated this summer staff will be lining about 11,000 feet of sanitary sewers on Central Avenue but that will be night work. Harzallah asked if they flush the fire hydrants. Hauth replied yes. Fire hydrant flushing began last week in the southeast quadrant of the city. They will be moving to the west next week for the northwest and ending with the southwest quadrant. Each quadrant takes about a week to flush the hydrants. This process helps to maintain better water quality throughout the system. It is done once a year. Staff also inspect the hydrants to look for damage and make any repairs. C. Commission Members City of Columbia Heights April 26, 2023 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 9 Greenhalgh welcomed the new members. Ostergaard indicated she is part of the ValleyView PTA and she reported the CH Lions Club pays the PTA to cleanup Keyes Park. She doesn’t know if other organizations know about cleaning up the parks. Having the Lions Club give them money is a nice way to raise funds. There might be other parks that need to be cleaned and other groups that could donate or nonprofit groups that could raise money with this process. Macko replied the Lions Club sponsors the Adopt A Highway program where groups will clean a section of the highway and they receive a donation after the work is complete. Ostergaard replied she is thinking about cleaning the parks. Cullen replied they are always appreciative of anyone cleaning the parks. To make the process easier the group can pick up trash bags and pickers from Public Works, and if it is left in a location that staff can pick up Monday through Friday the volunteers do not need to bring the trash home. Greenhalgh adjourned the meeting at 7:17 pm. Deanna Saefke, Recreation Secretary