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PR 06/28/1976 - 31213� - - � MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRES�NT: e �� � € PqRKS A1�iD RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 28, 1976 . � Bob Peterson, Dave Harris, Harvey Wagar Leonard Moore, Jan S`eeger Dan Huff - Acting Director, Parks & Recreation Department Jerry Boardman - City Planner Dick Lambard - H.A.F., F.Y.S.A. Lynn Fischer - H.A.F. Ed Wilmes - Islands of Peace Jim Langenfeld - Chairperson of Fridley Environmental Co�nission Frank Owata - 548 - 63rd Ave. N.�. 571-3362 Jim Ekman - 524 - 54th Ave. N.E.' S6Q-41.78 Marty Gavic - 141 Hartman Circle 571-1219 Bob Kelly - 6230 - 7th St. N.E._ 571-1534 Joe Schleisman - 5770 Hackmann Ave. N.E. 571-8109 Harry Messick - 62�7 Ben More Dr. N.E. 571-3196 Bruce-Holmes - 6$i3 Hickory Dr. N.E. 571-b062 Tom Nehring - 291 - 67th 1ve. N.�. 786-2835 Leonard Kos - 5468 Altura Rd. N.;E. 560-6081 � Chairperson Bob Peterson called the meeting to orc�er at 7:40 p.m. APPROVAL OF AGEPIDA: Chairperson Bob Peterson stated that the followin� two items should be adde�i to the agenda: 1. APPOINTMENT OF RECREATION PR0.TECT COMMIITEE 2. ELECTION OF CHt#IRPERSON AND VICE-CHAIRPERSON FOR NEXT YEAR APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 24, 1976, PA„RKS & MINUTES OF JUNB 14, 1976, SPECIAL PARKS & RE� ON CQMhIISSION MEETING AND COMMISSIOi� I�ETING MOTION by Dave Harris, seconded by Harvey Wagar, to approve the minuees as written of the Piay 24, 1916, Parks & Recreation Commission meeting. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. MOTION by Dave Harris, seconded,by Harvey Wagar, to approve the minutes as written of the June 14, 1976, Special Parks & Reczeation Commission meeting with the suggestion for change on Item 3 0€ "Scope" as written on Page 5. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. /"', Mr. Peterson suggested that Mr. Harris' suggestion for change on Item 3 of • ,.�- ''Scope" could be brought up later in the meeting under "OLD BUSiNE5S". PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 28 1976 Pa e 2 GUESTS 1. Frank Owata - 548 - 63rd Ave. N.E. - Disturbance from Commons Park Mr. Owata stated that he lives on the north end of the park and has for quite a few years. He said he has seen the problems of the park get worse and worse and this year iC i,s the worst. There is no consideration for the people who live in the park area. He complained of people playing horseshoe right behind his house; he has tennis, baseball, all right there. He said he has called Mayor Nee and Dan Huff about these problems, He said the language of the people in the park is bad, drinking is going on, and traffic in the parking lot is noisy. He said many people are now parking in front of his house and he has had to post "no parking" si.gns. He felt the parking lot should have been in tt}e center of the park. He complained of the Satellite "outhouses" and the trash blowing around. He feels the layout of the park is very poor. He said he will call Mayor Nee every night, knock on doors, get petitions, anything he can, to get some improvements made. He said there is just no let-up in the activities; they go year round. Mr. Peterson suggested that Dan Huff check with the Public Safety Director to see what his reco�►endation would be for posting "Resident Parking Only" signs on .63rd Avenue. Mr. Huff stated the drinking was at a very low level--the park is patrolled at least three times a night with the Park Ranger. Whenever there is a complaint, the police go right in and stop it. Mr. Ekman said that he understood that the horseshoers were to be moved this year on top of the hiil, but there wasn't enough time. They should be moved by next year. Mr. Huff stated that they considered the green Satellite buildings�to be fairly reasonable buildings. More permanent facilities could be put in except for the cost. Mr. Huff also stated tnat there is no privacy fence between the park and the homeowners but that most of the homeowners have put up their own •privacy fences. . Mr. Peterson again stated that Mr. Huff would check about the posting of "Resident Parking Only" signs on Mr. Owata's street (63rd Avenue). He said he is sure that it is not going to be possible with the demands on the Parks & Recreation Department to cancel the activities in Commons Park, so the Commission will have to try to find some suitable arrangement to be a good neighbor to the neighbors surrounding the park property. Commons happens to b e the big city park.where these kinds of activities take place. Mr. Peterson asked if Staff had any recommendatioz�"s at this time or if they would like to come back at t�ie next meeting with some. � � � � � � �' PARKS & RECREATION COi�Il�IISSIQN MEETING, JUNE 28, 1976 _ Page 3 Mr. Huff stated tfiat Chey wou2d check to see if there is any excessive beer drinking going on. He would check on the trash, He didn't have any other complaints and felt the place was kept very clean. They would look into all these items right away and see if the�e is anything that can be done. Mr. Owata again stated that he fe1C the that the parking lot should have been i lay-out o€ the park is very poor-- n the center of the park. Mr. Peterson stated that there were some very valid reasons for the park lay-out. The park was iaid out so that ehe activities mov�e out toward the center of the field rather than having some youngster or adult running across the street. The park was laid out in such a way as to utilize the acreage that was available, There might be a conflict between those living around the park and those using it. He said Mr. Owata's statement that no consideration was given to those living around the park is not true as the park was laid out with a definite plan in mind to get-the maximum use of the acreage available. Mr. -0wata as'.ced if there had been any thought given to a privacy fence being put up along the north side. Mr. Peterson stated that this is certainly s�ething that can be considered by Staff, but that at the next meeting they hope to have some reports and more to work with to come up with some kind of solution. Mr. Harris agreed that the privacg fence for a sound barrier should be considered. Mx. Peterson thanked Mr. Owata for coming and told him a report would be sent to him. Mr. Peterson invited Mr. Owata to come back to the July 25, 1976, Parks & Recreation Commission meeting when this matter would again be put on the agenda. Mr. Peterson told Mr. Owata that the Commission members would make a point of going to the park (particularly on Monday and Thursday evenings when Mr. 4wata said it is the worst). Mr. Peterson asked that a note be attached to Mr. Moore's and Ms. Seeger's 'copies of these minutes�that they be encouraged to visit the park also on a Monday ar Thursday evening. 2 Dick Lombard - 6321 Monroe Street N.E. - H.A.F. Storage Building Mr. Lombard was in attendance again about the proposed storage building for the storage of Hockey Association equipment. Mr. Lambard said he had checked with Mr. Dan Huff as far as other sites for this storage building and all they could find was behind Columbia Arena; but because of the excavation that would have to be done, it was not f�asible. So, they came back to Couunons �'ark. He said Mr. Huff had suggested that in Commons they could add on to either one of two existing well houses at the end of the park. There is a service road lesding to them so there would be an open road year around and this would eliminate building one wall of the storage building. He said Mr. Huff had even s uggested the possibility of making the building larger and including space for the parks PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, JUNE 28, 1976 Page 4 � to keep their lawn cutting equ�pment. He said he talked to members of his ti- committee about this and Ron P�arson, who will be heading the construction praject,and all of them feel this falls in fairly we11 except for one problem: bricking. He said they can get a lot of volunteer help from the different organizations as far as using shovels, mixing mud, hauling blocks, etc., but when it gets down to putting on finished brick, there are about three people who are qualified to do that type of work. Also, there is the problem of time. With block building, these men will be contributing about two weekends (or 4 days) of their time and to add brickwork, it adds on about another four week- ends. There is scaffolding involved and it is their own scaffolding they use on the job. It can't be left. He said Dan Huff had mentioned that if the building was made larger and storage space was made for the City that possibly the City would help. Mr. Lombard said they went into the fact, if they were tor brick, of possibly paying people, but this would increase everything up close to $2,000 more. He said what they are looking for from the Commission are some suggestions as to where they go from here. Mr. Wagar stated that if the Hockey Association is going to build a building with donation and give it to the City, he thinks the City should be able to bzick the building, pay for the brick,and pay for the labor. Mr. Huff stated that it would certainly be jus:.ified if the City could park their lawn cutting tractors in the building and save the hauling back and forth of the Equipuient. They could use it as part of the rationale for putting the building in. He said he had put in $1,000 in the preliminary budgetfor the � siding of this building. He said $2,000 might be more realistic and the Commission may want to change that. Mr. Harris agreed with Mr. Wagar and he said delays are not going to improve the situation. He felt they should minimize the cost by not getting all our engineering and labor involved in the building as that seems to add 25% to the cost. He felt there were many people qualified to help do some of the work. Mr. Lombard asked Mr. Huff how much space the lawn cutting tractors would require. Mr. Huff stated about 16-18 feet in length by 5 feet in width would be adequate. Mr. Lombard stated that then they would want a building 24 x 30 going another 6 feet to take care of the City's requirements. He said their thoughts were to wall the building down the middle with two separate doors. Mr. Peterson pointed out that with the storage of the tractors and gasoline, that from a fire standpoint, a fire wall would be needed. � i PARKS & RECREATION CONIMISSION MEETING, JUNE 28, 1976 Page 5 � Mr. Huff stated that we don't have to stay with the idea of storing equipment-- it was just one idea for rationale. He said we have a lot of recreational programs where we store all the equipmenC and we provide all the equipment. So, we have to have storage for that equipment. Here is an assoc..ation that we are involved in but don't get involved with the storage of equipment. He said we are not looking to take over more and more of what the associations are doing. And, yet a small expenditure of $1,000 or $1,800 to make a facility that would be compatible with what we have and provide storage, to him it is not hard to justify on an item basis. The only time it comes up is when someone else comes in and wants sanething for $1,000 and has been waiting for a year. Then, he sai� they have to decide where the priority is. Mr. Peterson stated he has been in Fridley since 1969 and every year the argument has c ane up about storage space for the sports associations so they have been waiting for at least seven years. Mr. Harris asked what the cost would be to go the additional six feet on the storage b�ilding. Mr. Wager estimated approximately $700 with the bricking and volunteer help and about $400 without the bricking. The Su�gestion was made to use the additional six feet for a permanent bathroo� facility. � Mr. Harris said he'would like to get this thing resolved. He said there is a jus�ification if we can utilize some of the space because we are getting space by cost on the basis of free labor. He said he would like to see a motion made approving a plan that would allow the �ssociation to build a building 24 x 30 and prepare the building for bricking at a later date (the bricking would be the City's responsibility). � ✓ Mr. Wagar stated he was in favor of a motion such as Mr. Harris had proposed but the suggestion of putting in a bathroom was of real interest to him. It would be on the end of the park where it would be needed and maybe the City could take a look at it . Mr. Lombard suggested that if a bathroom facility was to be included, the first well house rather than the second one shauld be used. The bathroom facility would save a lot of problems on the north end of the park, not only in the summer with the softball, but in the fall when Satellites have to be brought in for football. _ Mr. Peterson stated that if Mr. Owata did call Mayor Nee every night as he had said and maybe some of the other councilmen, they might be very sympathetic to investing some money to get some permanent bathroom facility in that area. In the long run, for the utilization of Commons Park, he feels that the 6 x 24 to be utilized for a,permanent bathroom facility would be a higher priority item than the Citq's storage of lawn cutting equipment. PARKS �_RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING; JU1�1E 28 Y976 Page 6 MOTION by Dave Harris, seconded by Harvey Wagar, that the Farks & Recreation Commission concure wiCh the Hockey Association and the Fridley Youth Sports Association to build a building in Commons Park, 24 x 30, 24 x 24 to be utilized by the Associations for storage of their equipment and 6 x 24 to be used by the City for permanent bathroom.facilities. The building is to be deeded to the City and leased back to these associations for $1.00 a year with a 20 year lease and 20 year option to be renewed at the same price. The City will brick the building and preparation for bricking of the building will be done at the same time the blocks are laid. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Tom Nehring sat in on the meeting to site the problem of the sprinkler at Cougnons Park pulling up the linoleum in the concession trailer. The wood is rotting and it has become quite a problem. Mr. Huff 'stated that last year the problem was solved by hanging a tarp on the fence to block the spray. That will be tried again. It that doesn't work, the head on tha sprinkler �uld be changed. Seven people Mr. Wagar had contacted by telephone to serve on the Neighborhood Project Committees were in attendance. Mr. Wagar had invited them to the . Parks & Recreation Commission meeting so they could learn a Little of what was � involved in the Neighborhood Project Coumittees. Mr. Peterson explained to the gentlemen that after the 13 chairpeople and their committees are formed, with 5-9 members in each committee, the plans are to have a meeting with Mr. Dan Huff, Acting Director of the Parks & Recreation Department, and M�. Jerry Boardman, City Planner, and any commissioners who want to attend to give assignments to be looked at by the Neighborhood Project Committees. The committees can do some things on their own, but there will be three or four specif�.c things they will be asked to look at. He said they would be contacted, .hope€ully, by the second week in July to try to establish a meeting date and time that would be convenient to all the members. Mr. Harris stated that the anticipated plan for these 13 project co�nittees is to get down to the grass roots to find out what the people living in these areas and using the facilities in these areas think their parks ought to have, what programs they can have within the framework of their parks, and whatever other comments they might have. The Commission hopes to get some input. When the Commission gets this feedback, it will help the Cou�ission to be better budget planners as it goes along. Mr. Gavic expressed his concern about whether these project committees were just going to go through the motions or if something would actually be done as a result of them. � Mr. Wagar suggested looking at the three items listed under "Scope". Ae said n Mr. Boardman had said if things were put down in a comprehensive plan, then the -� financing would come. -�� I PARKS & RECREATION CONIMISSION MEETING, JUNE 28, 1976 Page 7 � \ Mr. Langenfeld brought up the fact that he found with the Fridley Environmental Canmission`s project committees that they got a more favorable response w�en they said they represented a specific commission rather than saying they were just a project committee. People are turned off by that. He brought that up only as a point of interest. Mr. Peterson stated that a session will be held for the chairpeople with definite assignments and questions, etc,, so when all these come back written up for the Parks & Recreation Commission, they will be somewhat in the 5ame format in terms of compiling it into the city project. At the same time, there will be a Recreation Project Committee for the city. This com�ittee will be evaluating just the recreational program (everything from hockey to horseshoe to�ballet dancing) and will operate at the same time. Their report will come in one month after the reports from the Neighborhood Project Committees so they can look at the Neighborhood Project Cocr�ittees' recommendations in terms of writing up their report and turning that into the Parks & Recreation Commission. Ultimately, all these go to the City Council. All of the things the project coaanittees will be doing will go through Parks & Recreation Commission to Planning Commission to City Gouncil, and it will be part of the public hearing and action the City Council takes in terms of parks and recreation for our city. He stated that timewise we hope to have it to the City Council in its final form*wrth the public hearings, etc., required by law by February. The Neighbor- hood Project Committees' reports are to be in by October, the Recreation Project /', Comanittee's report by November, then to Planning Commission and public hearings and City Council by February. Mr. Harris pointed out that the chairpeople are requested to come to the meeting but that any committee members are encouraged to come also, Mr. Wagar thanked a11 the gentlemen for coming. ISLANDS OF PEACE RE PORT Mr. Ed Wilmes stated that a month ago, they were asked to meet with Onan Cor- poration to present some plans outlining the Islands of Peace program and they did meet with them. Last Friday, he said a group of 20 people from the Sister Kenny Institute visited the island and used the facilities on the island. So, today, the Islands of Peacs received a letter fr an Onan Corporation. Mr. Wilmes then read the letter to the Commission. Mr. Wilmes said that what they are trying to do is,whenever they have groups making visitations to the island, to invite such organizations and industries such as Onan Corporation. Tomorrow, he said, they will have a group from the State Hospital in Cambridge and Medtronic will be there about the same time. He feels this is on-the-spot evidence. This is the kind of involvement they feel can get them immediate federal funding. He said they went before the CiCy � Council a couple of weeks ago. They had to do this i�nediately because of the � time element in this advocation set out by the different federal agents for f' funding. The City did receive application for LAWCON. LAWCON is funds that n PARKS !x RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 28 1976 Pa e 8 are available mostly for local projects�so they had to make a decision because they cannot apply and receive both, that is, they cannot apply local projects against regional. He said for the last year, they have been making presenta- tions and saying they definitely have a regional significance. He feels that today they presented enough evidence to the Metro-Council that supports this. He said they went before the City Council and asked for a letter from the City Council and they instructed Mr. Dan Huff to write this letter which he did. The:�, they met with the Parks & Recreation Director of the County of Aaoka, Mr. Dave Jorgeson. Mr. Jorgeson very enthusiastically said, yes, they would definitely make some input to the different meetings now that the Isla�ds of Peace definitely has regional significance. Of all the letters presented to the Metro-Council today, he said the letter from the Sister Kenny Institute spelled out the best the fact that Islands of Peace is definitely rcgional. � �._. Mr. Wilmes stated that he had talked to Mr. Don Davidson, who has been very interested in the Is�.ands of Peace,because the parks in the state now are going to be going to the Legislature and asking for more funds to be appropriated throughout the state to ma}ce more parks accessible to the handicapped and elderly. Mr, Wilmes said that Mr. Davidson said that the Islands of Peace is definitely the pilot project because the Islands of Peace shows how these people can utilize the faciliCies that are available. Mr. Wilmes stated that there is a meeting coming up on July 13, 1976, that is going to be held before the Metro-Council Parks and Open Space Commission. The � Metro-Council and Metropolitan Parks and Open Spaue Commission are in the process of declaring a regional plan for special use and recreation areas an an amendment to the re�gion and recreation far space plan. Special uses are areas or facilities which provide specialized or single purpose recreational activities. The region plan will include those special uses which provide a regional service. He said he talked to Mr. Boardman and Mr. Boardman definitely will get them a place on the agenda. ' MO'�ION by Dave Harris, seconded by Harvey Wagar, to accept the Onan Corporation �letter�and Mr. Wilmes' report. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. � Mr. Peterson thanked Mr. Wilmes for his presentation. APPOINTMENT OF RECREATiON PR0.TECT COrIl�IITTEE Mr. Peterson read the motion from the May 24, 1976, Parks & Recreation Coum�ission meeting minutes, page 10: �� � ___ � PARKS b� RF�'rATION COMMISSION MEETING, JUNE 28, 1976 Page 9 "MOTION by Harris, seconded by Moore, that a Recreation Study Project Committee be formed and by the next meeting each of the members of this Commission suggest the name of saneone they would like to have serve on this comnittee; and that when the five members have been selected to serve they have the prerogative to ask two at-large members to be on the committee and all seven will have a voice in it. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously." Mr. Peterson's nomination for the Recreation Project Committee is Mr. Ted Rue. Mr. Peterson said he would like the Commission to consider Mr. Rue as chair- person as he is a very capable individual and said he would be willing to put in the time required to be chairperson. Mr. Harris' nomination for the Recreation Project Commit�ee is Mr. 011ie Erickson. Mr. Harris said he feels Mr. Erickson is well qualified. Mr. Erickson was member and chairperson of the Planning Commiss�on for 7-8 years. Mr. Harris feels he is a good candidate because he has no children in any program as his children are all grown, so he has no preconceived notions regarding the program and is not involved in any other program. Mr. Erickson was interested in serving on the co�ittee in any capacity. Mr. Wagar's nomination for the Recreation Project Committee is Mr. Bob Kelly. ,f'� As stated in Mr. Moore's letter to the Parks & Recreation Depar�tment dated June 22, 1976, his nomination for the Recreation Project Committee is Ms. Margot Eastman. ��`1 d� MOTION by Harvey Wagar, seconded by Dave Harris, that these four people be nominees for chairperson, including Ms. Seeger's nomination which should be forthcoming. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. M01'ION by Dave Harris, be the chairperson of the vice-chairperson. unanimously. seconded by Harvey Wagar, that Mr. 011ie Erickson will the Recreation Project Committee and Mr. Ted Rue will be Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried Mr. Harris stated that a letter should go out to these people as soon as Ms. Seegers name is received and a list of their names, addresses, and phone numbers be included so they can get together and call a meeting. .They may want to c�e to the next regular Parks & Recreation Commission meeting to be briefed, or sooner if possible. . Mr. Peterson asked Mr. Dan Huff to be sure that a letter went out to these people and to have included in.that letter the motion that was made and seconded on page 10 of the May 24, 1976, Parks & Recreation Commission meeting that instructs them that after they get called together the five of them have the responsibility of gicking two at-large members for their co�nittee. PARKS & RECREATION COI�II�fISSYON MEETING, JUNE 28, 1976 Page 10 Mr. 011ie Erickson, 6056 Woody Lane N.E. 571-2700 ��y ���� Mr. Ted Rue, 170 - 63rd Way N.E. 560-2715 Mr. Bob Kelly, 6230 - 7th St. N.E. 57I-1534 Ms. Margot Eastman, 641 Glencoe St. 7$4-5897 Below are listed the chairpeople of the 13 neighborhood project areas and the people willing to serve on those committees: Recreation Neighborhood 1 Chairperson - Karen Budnick Marilyn Illetschako 601 �ronton St. 580 Ironton St. • 786-3015 786-3638 Connie Kuusisto John Hendrick • 583 Janesville St. 670 Ironton St. 786-5849 784-4990 � Bettie Bonine Gerald R. Lambrecht 601 Glencoe St. 531 Kimball St. � 786-8381 784-5151 Recreation Neighborhaod 2 Chairperson - Bruce Holmes Gary Hansen 6813 Hickory Dr. N.E. 6807 Hickary Dr. N.E. 571-6062 571-031b Marty Gavic 141 Hartman Circle 571-1214 � Recreation Neighborhood 3 . Chairperson -'Sharon Bakke 59 Rice Creek Way 560-5029 Recreation Neighboxhood 4 Chairgerson - Byron Butters Howard Grivna 260 - 67th Ave. N.E. 261 Rice Creek Terrace 571-5299 Bus.: 824-0734 571-3199 Recreation Neighborhood S Chairperson - David McNeil Clayden Polzin 266 Mercury Dr. N.E. 6220 Juniper Rd. N.E, 574-9779 571-7158 � ^ -:_�; � 0 0 n � � PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, JUNE 28, 1976 Page 11 e Recreation Neighborhood 6 Chairperson - Leonard Kos 5468 Altura Rd. N.E. 560-6081 Recreation Neighborhood 7 Chairperson - Tom Nielsen David Thiele 7583 Lyric Lane 7300 Tempo Terrace N.E. 784-2783 Bus.: 546-1391 784-3663 Jane Noble 7381 Jackson St. N.E. 784-4771 Recreation Neighborhood 8 Chairperson - Clay Storley 414 Rice Creek Terrace 571-5429 Donald Pullen 6899 Madison St. N.E. 571-6559 Recreation Neighborhood 9 Chairperson - Alice Benson 640 - 58 th Ave: N.E. 571-7337 Recreation Neighborhood 10 • Chairperson - Jim Ekman 524 - 54th Ave. N.E. 560-4178 k Recreation Neighborhood ll None Recreation Neighborhood 12 Chairperson - Joe Matusovic 6361� Squire Dr. N.E. 571-9022 ^ Bob or pollie Acton 6850 Jefferson St. N.E. 571-9378 Ed Simko 1327 - 66th Ave. N.E. 571-0106 Jim Baker , 564- 533� Ave. N.E, 560-4858 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, JUNE 28, 1976 Page 12 n Recreation Neighborhood 13 Chairperson - Kathy Divine 6170 Benjamin St. N.E. 571-4809 Joe Schleisman 5770 Hackmann Ave. N•E. 571-8109 Harry Messick 6257 Ben More Dr. 571-3196 Daryl Ro21ag 1391 Meadowmoor br. 784-4192 Jim Richardson 6371 Squire Dr. N.E. 571-9647 D. C. Harris 6141 Benjamin St. N,E. 571-5248 Dan Sullivan 1161 Regis Lane N.E. 571-2294 Bruce Anderson 1430 Kerry Circle 574-1006 MOTION by Dave Harris, seconded by Harvey Wagar, to adopt the 12 area chair- people as listed with the addition of a chairperson for area 11 by Ms. Seeger. Upon.a.}voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. ♦ � � � MOTION by Harvey Wagar, seconded by Dave Harris, that the Recreation Project � Co�ittee and the Neighborhood Project Committees will both meet on Monday nights. _ Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Peterson stated that it was his understanding that Mr. Huff and Mr. Boardman would get together and work out a format for the training of the 13 chairpeople and whoever else wants to attend. The Commission suggested July 13 as a possible night to meet and as many Co�ission members as can to attend. rir. Harris suggested that maybe the Recreation Project Committee and the Neigh- borhood Project Committees could meet on the same night--one at 7:30 and one at 8:30. Mr. Peterson agreed and suggested the Recreation Project Committee meet at 7:30 since it is smaller and the Neighborhood Project Committees meet at 8:30. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON AND VICE-CHAIRPERSON FOR NEXT YEAR MOTION by Harvey Wagar, seconded by Dave Harris, to nominate Bob Peterson for another year as chairperson. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. MOTION by Harvey Wagar, seconded by Bob Peterson, to nominate Dave Harris for vice-chairpe�son. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. � ,� ^ PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, JUNE 28, 1976 Page 13 DIRECTOR'S REPORT 1. Sucmner Program Status Mr. Huff stated that things are going really well. There have only been two games of softball in the whole season that haven't had an umpire show up. The new approach to the youth softball program, as it was written up in the Minneapolis Star, June 8, I976, is doing very well. Mr. Peterson stated that he was very upset with the article. He said we insist that Babe Ruth, the Hockey Association, and the Fridley Sports Association come in with by-laws, the way they are going to operate, rule changes, and everything else so that the Commission knows it. Then Ms, Boone decides she is going to make so�e innovations for the year in the program without coming to the Parks & Recreation Commission. He doesn't think that shows consistency. He felt the article was written in a slanted way. He has watched the city program and he doesn't think these kids are learning baseball and it infers that the other associations, where they have people working with them on a volunteer basis, are not running in those programs. He feels if we are going to be changing programs within the city-run program, it should be brought before the Parks & Recreation Commission before any changes are made. Mr. Huf,f explained that things happened so fast in getting the program off the ground and he apologized for not getting it to the Parks & Recreation Comu►ission n sooner. He felt very strongly about supporting Ms. Boone's ideas. She has been playground director for 12 years and has been associated with baseball (T-ball program) and has a11 the experience and input from the parents regarding how the children start off playing ball. He questions the statement that they •are not learning baseball--he feels they are learning skills and that is more important than winning or losing baseball. Mr. Peterson stated he had no quarrel with the winning or losing but he did take exception to the way the article was slanted. The part that said they are learning the skills in the city program and not learning them in other programs is not true. Mr. Harris stated that even though the Parks & Recreation Commission was bypassed when it should have come to the Commission for approval, at least the title of the article, "Happy Fridley's Model Program" was kind of nice because it showed something positive instead of something negative. Mr. Peterson stated the thing he most objected to was the comment in the article by Ms. Boone that she saw something that needed changing and went ahead and changed it on her own. Mr. Huff said she was misquoted in the article, because she came to him with all her proposals and even the letter to the parents. He approved and recommended changes so it did go through Staff. � J 1 PARKS & RECREATION CONIl�ISSION MEETING, JIJNE 28, 1976 Page 14 � Mr. Peterson said his objection was that Staff tends to take prerogatives for themselves that we don't allow the citizenry and he feels it should be the opposite. If anyone should take liberties, it should be the citizenry and not Staff. Mr. Huff stated he felt Staff had to have some prerogatives especially when circumstances arose when something had to be done. He said he is always willing to take the flack. Mr. Peterson asked Mr. Huff to obtain for him the number of boys by age bracket on those teams over T-ball age and our City's costs for running the pr,ogry�m, the number of coaches, this type of thing. It was the feeling among the commissioners several years ago that this program should be dropped because it was competing with other groups and also had poor attendance. Mr. Harris said he liked the concept. He said we should go on record as either accepting it or making some changes. He would approve the outline by Ms. Boone of the program for T-ball. It was suggested that maybe Ms. Boone could attend a Parks & Recreation Commission meeti.ng at the end of the season and discuss this with the Commission members. Mr. Peterson stated that as a commissioner, he wanted to go on record that when � Staff changes a program that the Parks & Recreation Commission should know that program is being changed just as much as the Commission insists that the volunteer organizations who use our facilities come in and get their programs approved before they make any changes. If the Commission has time to listen to the volunteers, they certainly have time to listen to Staff. 2. Preliminary Proposal: 1977 Parks & Recreation Department Budget Mr. Huff told the Commission members about the variety of budget materials he 'had sent them that the Gity Manager wanted them to have. He stated this is just a preliminary budget and is for the Commission's review. This budget went to the City Council tonight. The Commission may find things in this budget that should be taken out and may find things that should be included. Mr. Harris stated that he thaught that last year the Commission had decided to take the bikeways out of its budget. As the Commission reviewed it last year, the priority was there, but the doZlars were too high dollars in relationship to the priority level. MOTION by Dave Harris, seconded by Harvey Wagar, that the bikeway development not be part of the Parks & Recreation Commission budget. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. � _. � PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, JUNE 28, 1976 Page 15 � Mr. Huff talked about the Parks & Recreation Department's request to remodel the old library facility and the cost for the Parks & Recreation Department's portion of the proposed plan is $3,500. The other office would then be vacant, but is wanted by the Police Department. Mr. Harris stated that if the Police Department does take the old office space, they should reimburse the Parks & Recreation Commission for getting finished office space to offset the cost of the improvement of the old library. Mr. Peterson stated that on Wednesday the Planning Commission had the Youth Project Go�ittee in front of them again for about the seventeenth time. On a 5 to l vote, they voted to send it to the City Council tonight recommending that the City Council establish a youth committee and give them space in City Hall under Parks & Recreation. He said he voted against it and voted on what he thought the conscience of the Commission would be. If the City Council passes it tonight, the Parks & Recreation Commission might end up with a Youth Project Committee under its director and charged to its budget because that is the way the motion read. So, that available space may go to the youth for their drop-in center and Mr. Huff would be expected to supervise it. He said he wanted the Commission to be aware of this. Mr. Peterson suggested that the Commission have a special meeting on Tuesday, July 6, 19?b, to discuss only the Parks & Recreation Commission budget. � �,DJOURNMENT : MOTION by Harvey Wagar, seconded by Dave Harris, to adjourn the meeting at 11:05 p.m. Upan a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, �' GZ� Lyn Saba Recording Secretary �