HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-23-2023 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes
Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting
John P Murzyn Hall - Senior Center, 530 Mill St
August 23, 2023
Call to Order/Roll Call
Tom Greenhalgh called the meeting to order at 5:34 pm
Members present: Tom Greenhalgh, Dayna Gulley, Taher Harzallah, Andrew Macko, Nicole Peterson
Staff present: David Cullen, Public Works Interim Director; Keith Windschitl Recreation Director; Deanna Saefke,
Recreation Secretary; Amada Marquez Simula, Council Representative
Community Forum
Greenhalgh asked if anyone wanted to speak. No one came forward.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Macko, second by Gulley, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
Marquez Simula asked about the process with the previous minutes, in regard to the City Council passing an
ordinance regarding dog waste cleanup and how does that information get reported to the public. Or is there a
specific staff person to speak to. Saefke replied the Communications staff would get the word out to the public,
or Public Works could post that information on their page in the city newsletter. Any communication for the city
website that would be done through the Communications staff. Marquez Simula asked how information
discussed during a meeting would be relayed to the Communications staff. Saefke replied when changes to
policies are made and items are voted on during the City Council meetings that need to be publicized, either the
City Council member would tell the Communications staff to get that to the public. Marquez Simula gave an
example of being in a meeting with the Police Chief discussing winter parking and how does that get directed on
social media. Windschitl replied staff would follow up on posting the rules on dog waste pickup. Marquez Simula
replied she had spoken to Rottler about it and thanked Windschitl.
Harzallah mentioned at an earlier meeting regarding Park & Recreation Commission visibility or Recreation
visibility and getting a table covering or paraphernalia to have at events. Cullen replied that is something that
would go through Rottler. Saefke replied as people get more involved at events staff will look at ordering
something. She would talk with Rottler and was under the impression that he was waiting for people to
volunteer at events before ordering items. Windschitl invited the Commission to email the staff at any time with
follow up items or minor items that do not need to wait for a meeting.
Letters and Requests
Letter of request for a Cyclocross Race to be held at Huset Park on a Saturday or Sunday in October.
Emma Schultz introduced herself from the Versus Cyclocross Race Team. She explained cyclocross racing is on
drop bar bikes mostly on the grass with obstacles around the course. Schultz had previously worked with the
City Forester in her career and had visited a lot of the parks in Columbia Heights. Huset is a desirable spot for
this type of event because it is surrounded by a community, families can easily attend, good parking, there is
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power, opportunities to close the road off, ability to have food trucks, and other events during the race. Schultz
handed out a map of a proposed racecourse. One of the features she likes the most about the park is the
walkway bridge at Huset East. She explained the goal in cyclocross is to have a lot of hills, ups and downs, turns
and twists along the course to keep it interesting and spread out the field. The volleyball court would be used as
a sand trap. The route would continue to the west side of the park, using the bocce ball court, and then ideally
run up the stairs near the recreation office. Ballfields would be avoided. They would stay off any areas that staff
indicate. Racers complete as many loops as they can in a set time limit. There are several fields of participants
throughout the day: beginner or novice, several different women’s fields, men’s, and juniors, and masters. Races
run between thirty minutes and one hour depending on the level people are at. They are flexible within a few
dates depending on availability of the park. Potential request dates are October 7, 8, 21, or 22.
Schultz provided a handout with a photo of a park used in St Louis Park for a race and a photo of the same area
at a later date. To minimize damage if the grass is mowed at least one week ahead of time that will help
minimize greasy spots for riders, help prevent wipeouts, and the damage to the turf. Often the turf will get
packed down but that is not damaged and will pop back over time. The crew will go back over the course and
provide gentle raking. Schultz is a forester, there is a certified arborist on the team, and several other
environmentalists. They are happy to do whatever to make an event in Columbia Heights successful for the city,
for the park and for the long term of the turf. Schultz added there is a new initiative from the Minnesota Cycling
Federation that gives an extra boost of cash to help promote races. She would like to get a bounce house to
encourage community members and families to show up and stay a while for the event.
Greenhalgh indicated Sundays would be the better day due to the recreation soccer programs. He asked if the
area is sectioned off with strings. Schultz replied yes, they use metal stakes and stretchy flagging. An obstacle or
two may be installed the day of the race. Gulley asked if there are a lot of injuries to the riders. Schultz replied
the only time they tend to see injuries is a really packed novice. It has nothing to do with the course but the
abilities of the riders and being too close together. It is not common. Gulley asked if the race will be on video.
Schultz replied there will be some social media presence and they try to capture as much as they can to share.
There are also a number of community photographers that like to show up at these events. Macko asked if they
are full size bikes. Schultz replied it is a hybrid between mountain biking and road biking. Peterson appreciated
all of the thought put into planning the course and being sensitive to the preservation of the park. Schultz
replied yes, they love to create an event that everyone is happy with and provides opportunities for the future.
Greenhalgh indicated the group will need to work with the police department for the closure of the street.
Cullen appreciates the course will not be on the ballfields. One consideration that is weather dependent is the
south side of the parking lot on Huset West where water can pool. Windschitl indicated there may be an event
inside Murzyn Hall and would want to discuss the course area around the building. Schultz replied at any
crossing of the street or driveways there will be someone staged there. Cullen stated the group will need to call
in for locators if digging. Schultz replied that most likely they will not be digging but will talk with the promotors
about that.
Windschitl indicated Sunday, October 8 will be the best date due to soccer programs. He indicated there will be
soccer goals up on the east side of Huset Park that may impact their course design.
Greenhalgh asked what the fee will be for the park. Schultz knows the typical fee is for a four-hour rental time
and this will be a full day event. They will have other large fees associated with the race. The promotions that do
the timing will charge $1000 or their time, there will be private insurance for the event, and other fees to run
the event. It is standard to charge a race fee, the fee for this race is $40. The main goal is to be doing something
for the community and not to make money on the event. Marquez Simula asked if the event is free for
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spectators. Schultz replied yes. Windschitl indicated the insurance policy should list the City of Columbia Heights
as additional insured.
Motion by Macko, second by Gulley, to approve the use of Huset Park East and West on Sunday, October 8,
2023 for a one-day rental fee of $300 and the group will provide insurance coverage listing the City of Columbia
Heights as additional insured. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
Letter of request for a reduced rental fee of Murzyn Hall on 09-22-23 from 5-10pm for an IQRAI’I Community
Center banquet.
Windschitl stated this request is from a nonprofit 501-C3 organization. In the past we have set a rate for
nonresident nonprofit organizations of a $70 facility/entry fee and then $60 per hour of facility use including
setup, event, and cleanup. This request is for a Friday. Peterson clarified they are asking for a reduction of the
normal rental fee. Windschitl replied yes. If they were to pay the normal rental fee of $3025.86 unless they had
a resident rent the hall at the discount of $2269.40. Macko does not see this as an issue as long as all of their
paperwork is verified. Windschitl replied the hourly rate covers our basic costs of operation. Greenhalgh likes
the resident reduction. Harzallah replied the rates have been lenient in the past with groups. Windschitl
commented that the organizer mentioned many of their members do live in Columbia Heights.
Motion by Harzallah, second by Macko, to approve the nonprofit nonresident rental rate of the $70
facility/entry fee and $60 per hour of use in the facility on Friday, September 22, 2023. Upon vote: All ayes.
Motion Carried.
Old Business
None at this time.
New Business
None at this time.
Reports
A. Recreation Director
Windschitl reported the summer recreation programs ended last week. The participation numbers were very
good this year for all of the park programs, the Wild Wednesday trips, and the theater programs. This year the
two theater programs, Moonshoe Players and the Millstreet Players, utilized the Performing Arts Center at the
school district. This was a nice partnership with the district. The school district often utilizes some of our gym
space, so we do like to share facilities when possible.
Windschitl reported the recreation department did reapply with the school district for the after-school grant
that we had been receiving for many years. He has been working in the city for almost 26 years and almost all of
the years have been funded under some kind of grant. This current grant was shared with the majority of the
funding going to the school district and another smaller portion going towards programing at the city library.
This grant ends at the end of August. This next grant application was not awarded to us, which was kind of a
shock. Staff will need to be creative with some of our funding for the next few years. Fortunately as far as the
city rec programming is considered there are budget monies for some after school programs. However, we are
not going to be able to offer so many free programs like the Skyhawks sports camps, the robotics, and art
classes. These are very expensive programs that with the grant funding we were able to supplement the fees
and bring the costs down for families to participate. The department will run the basic park programs and things
that have run for many years. Gulley asked if an explanation was given as to why we were denied the
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application. Windschitl replied no not yet but we should be receiving one in September. Gulley asked if there is
an appeal process. Windschitl replied no, it is a very competitive grant.
Windschitl indicated the Murzyn Hall building is still experiencing HVAC problems. A lot of the equipment is well
beyond its age. We are trying to maintain the current equipment. He feels some of the issues may be with the
repetitive power surges within the building. The HVAC, fire alarm, and other electronics in the building have
been having issues.
B. Public Works Director
Cullen reported staff verified bike racks at McKenna Park by the playground, Sullivan Park by the north side
parking lot, Ramsdell Park between the building and the wading pool, Keyes Park by the playground, Silver Lake
Beach, Prestemon Park by the playground, LaBelle Park by the playground, there is one at the old city hall that
can be moved somewhere else, Murzyn Hall has one by the lower level entrance, the library has one by the
parking lot entrance, and there is one at the new City Hall. Potential places where one could be added would be
at Huset Park near the splash pad and the Jefferson building. Saefke mentioned the turbine blades sculpture was
also something mentioned in a previous meeting. Cullen replied that has been delivered to Public Works and it
will be placed at the new City Hall. This outdoor furniture sculpture was received free due to sponsorships.
Marquez Simula asked if he would take some unboxing pictures when they unwrap it. Cullen replied yes.
Cullen indicated new Ventrac equipment was received. He ordered pieces of equipment that the city had never
owned. One is an aerator and soil cultivator. He has worked with the City Forester to test Biochar at Keyes Park.
Biochar is an organic, carbon-based material that has been burned without oxygen. What it does is cut back on
the use of fertilizers and other chemicals. It looks like ground up charcoal but has a lot of spaces in it for
microbes to grow in it. It catches water and nutrients within the material. With this new aeration machine and
soil cultivator, the goal is to get to the athletic fields with the Biochar to make them look better, greener and
they will require less water. Staff are looking at areas where they can reduce the labor hours for mowing. In
those areas they are planting bee lawn, clover, and no mow to reduce cutting grass. Gulley asked if the Biochar
acts as a filler. Cullen replied this was found in the rain forest originally. It acts like a charcoal filter; it has the
ability to collect and hold onto things. Staff mix the Biochar with a mulch compost mix. The process is charging
the Biochar. Keyes Park was a test area where Biochar was used on the north field and not the south field.
Marquez Simula commented this is creative and, in the future, maybe the Key Club or another group could help
with a program to introduce the product to residents. Cullen replied that the most expensive part is the shipping
of the Biochar from Michigan. Peterson reported that her previous boss wrote a lot about it and had known of
the product for several years. Isn’t there a local company. Cullen replied working with Wakefield has been the
best price. He has spoken to them about expanding into this area. Peterson asked if they aerate and then
surface apply the mixture. Cullen replied yes. Peterson indicated Biochar is used during the initial soil application
when planting trees. Cullen replied the City Forester has done that when planting new trees.
C. Commission Members
Harzallah asked when the soccer field goals would be installed and where. Windschitl replied they will be
installed in the next couple of weeks by the Public Works staff. There will be four different fields; 1st & 2nd
Graders, 3rd & 4th Graders, 5th & 6th Graders, and the full size field will be on the west side of the park. There will
be a little field and staff are figuring out the best placement for that because there is still girls softball in Huset 3.
There will be four fields total. The full size field and a little field on the west side, and on the east side over by
the volleyball area a smaller field and then a 7th & 8th Graders field. They all have different size goals. Harzallah
asked if these will be permanent. Windschitl replied they will be for the Fall soccer season. Harzallah replied that
he had two conversations with community members who have soccer practices here and they are frustrated
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that there aren’t’ any soccer goals after previous conversations. Windschitl replied soccer goals are placed
within Huset Park every year for the recreation soccer programs. Immaculate Conception Schools also use the
fields in the fall. Harzallah said there are practices at Huset Park on Saturdays and Thursdays. Windschitl replied
once the recreation programs start those groups might not be able to use the fields. He is unaware of the
multiple groups of people using the field. Greenhalgh asked if soccer was going to be programmed at Keyes
Park. Windschitl replied it had not been there the past few years in order to get the turf in better condition after
construction. Marquez Simula asked if the goals being installed at Huset Park will be there from now until the
end of programming. Windschitl replied yes, they are anchored down and will be there typically through the end
of October.
Marquez Simula reported the Monarch Festival was scheduled for tomorrow and has been canceled due to
weather conditions. The heat index effects the volunteers, staff, and performers. The City has decided if the air
quality is 150 city events would be canceled. She announced to save the date for September 23rd for the CH
Pride Festival at Kordiak Park. Kordiak has damage to the shelter so that is fenced off. She reported if anyone
knows of a resident in the area of Kordiak Park there is a community group Friends of Kordiak Park. They used to
be very active in the 80’s and 90’s. The group recently met to discuss community involvement and connection
with the County. Seventy-five people attended and discussed the water quality, question and answer with the
county and other future improvements to the park. There is a Facebook group if people are interested.
Harzallah asked about the City Council considering a ban on smoking in the parks, including cigarettes, vaping,
and weed. Greenhalgh replied there is no smoking at youth events. Marquez Simula replied there is a vote on
the topic on Monday. She suggests coming to the City Council meeting. Harzallah fully supports a ban. Peterson
asked how a ban like that would be enforced. Marquez Simula replied other users of the parks often feel more
apt to say something to someone if there is a sign indicating a policy.
Greenhalgh adjourned the meeting at 6:43 pm.
Deanna Saefke, Recreation Secretary