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PR 12/13/1976 - 31221� I ,. . � PARKS & RECREATION CO�IISSION MEETING DECEMBER 13, 1976 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Peterson, Dave Harris, Harvey Wagar, Jan Seeger, Leonard Moore MEMBERS A$SENT: None • OTHERS PRESEAIT; Charles Boudreau, Parks & Recreation Director Tom Nehring, 291 - 67th Ave. N.E., President of F.Y.S.A. - CALL TO ORDER: � Chairperson Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 15, 1976, PARKS & RECREATION CONMISSION MEETING MINUTES: � MOTION by Harvey Wagar, seconded by Jan Seeger, to approve the November 15, 1976, Parks & Recreation Commission minutes as written. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. , ADOPTTON OF AGENDA: MOTION by Dave Harris, seconded by Harvey Wagar, to adopt the agenda with the inclusion of Mr. Tom Nehring under "Visitors". Upan a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. OPEN FORUM: VISITORS Mr. Tom Nehring, President of F.Y.S.A. Mr. Nehring stated he had received a letter from Mr. Boudreau dated November 19, 1976, regarding the Commission's action to increase the fee revenue. He read this letter to the Commission. He said he was curious to know why this was done. Mr. Peterson explained to Mr. Nehring that there was some pressure to change the fee schedule last May or June. The Commission felt very strongly at that time that it should be a complete year for all the associations and that was the Commissaon's recoc�mendation to City Counci�l. It was then adopted with the adoption of the 1977 budget so that everyone will start out even with the increases as of January 1, 1977. /1�+ir. Nehring wondered why the City needs this extra money. `� �+..,*- PARKS & RECR�ATION COMhLISSION MEETING, DECEMBER 13, 1976 PAGE 2 _ � � Mr. I�arris stated the budget isn't large enough to cover the cost of operating all ` ttie City'`s programs. The City has a(% limitation on increasing`the income to the City under taxation, That barely covers the cost of personnel, and they are getting other increases--gas, oil, trucks, any physical purcase costs more money, and they are getting farther and farther behind. Mr. Harris said he thinks the programs are being run on the best economical basis they can and still give good fields, good ball diamonds, good hockey rinks, etc. They had to either raise some additional money or cut back on the number of fields available, the number of hockey rinks, and the number of park facilities. By cutting back, it means either personnel, equipment time, or something like that. At this point 'in time in the community, they didn't want to lower or reduce what they Were doing. In fact, they want to improve what they have, and, hopefully, with better management they can; but they just cannot run a park program which calls for capital expenditures out of an operating budget each year. The only way is to have some income from the people who are using the facilities. He said the Commission �ven reduced the increase; he thinks the reductian was from $S to $2, about 4fP/o of what the recommendation was. , Mr. Peterson stated that the Commission also did a survey with corresponding, camparable suburbs, and Fridley's p rogram to the participant is still the lowest cost program of any suburb in the area. ' Mr. Nehring asked why none of the people in the associations had been included in any of these discussions. He had not heard about it until July. Mr. Petersan stated he had to apologize for that. There had been a change in persont}� � in the Department and the Commission had thought that each association president had received a letter in May and again in July. It wasn't until Mr. Boudreau did some checking that they found out that these letters had never been sent. He stated, though, that even if the a�sociations had attended these discussions, the Commission still had no other alternative. Mr. Boudreau pointed out that the money collected�for each sport will be plugged into that sport's account. Mr. Nehring thanked the Commission for their time and for the information. Mr. Peterson stated that the Commission appreciates what Mr. Nehring is doing and his interest. He stated that if at any time anyone wants to appear before the Coqnmission, they are more than welcome. DIRECTQRS REPORT: A. Skating Areas and Flooding Procedures Mr. Boudreau stated that for the most part the rinks are 90P10 skateable. At the last meetiug, the Commission had asked for a report on what the flooding procedures are for surrounding communities, He stated each of the Commission members has a copy of this: report which was prepared by Curt Dahlberg, Park Foreman, and he hopes this is the information the Commission wanted. Fridley is one of the top in coverage. We have 7-day coverage where few of the others have that. Most of them have no �� ,. ,..��_,_ , , _ _ - PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, DECEMBER 13, 1976 PAGE 3 � . . s�heduled night flooding.. Most of them have help from the Public Works Department or no help at all. Fridley is doing the 7-day coverage with minimal. staff as compared to many of the others. Fridley is one of the few communfties to already have ice. Ms. Seeger stated that Coon Rapids was not on the report and she would like to know what they are doing as she hears they have very good ice. Mr. Boudreau stated he would be happy to call and find out. Mr. Peterson stated that as a member of this Commission and as a taxpayer, he was a little disappointed in the report. The superintendent prepared this report and he obviously is going to call those people he knows who handle flooding similar to the w�y he handles it as he has never been in favor of nighttime flooding. Mr. Peterson stated that no one can tell him that daytime flooding is going to be as good as nighttime flooding. We talk about using the taxpayers' money and talk about doing things, and he gets a Zittle tired of hearing that we can't do some- thing when'there is no reason why we can't. Why do we insist on spending the money in the way that is nat the most efficient? There is just no way that daytime flooding is as efficient as nighttime flooding. There are a�lot of people who have to work nights. Mr. Boudreau stated it is an operational program ttiing that we are looking at and how we can get a system going. He also feels he has some knowledge of his maintenance �oeople who are Union and who have very strong feelings about nighttime flooding. .ie thinks he can predict what problems could arise. He could put them on night shifts; however, he thinks the end result would be less thar� we desire. He thinks frorn his experiences and from looking around at other communities that Fridley, for the most part, is above average as far as park and recreation maintenance workers ara concerned. And,•for the most part, they do a very satisfactory job. Mr. Harris stated that is what he is trying to avoid--instead of doing just a satis- factory joh, we should be looking for ways to improve it. Mr. Boudreau stated they are looking for ways to improve it every day. Ms. Seeger asked if volunteer fTooding would tend to have more impact on the maintenance. Mr. Wagar stated he was all for that, but had been told many times that because of the Union, they couldn't have volunteers. Mr. Boudreau stated that there are certain things in the Union contract that the City,has to adhere to. He said he would be happy to get a copy o€ this contract and' bring it before the Commission. Mr. Bo�idreau sta�ed that the Department gets a lot of calls about.how Fridley maintains their ice because these people have had good reports about Fridley's ice. ^ � r'� � _ +.�!!!�sr^� � � PARKS & RECREATiON COMMISSION MEETING, DECEMBER 13, 1976 PAGE 6 � Mr-. Boudreau stated he does plan to eliminaCe one of the ball diamonds down at the 2ake to make an enlarged picnic area to encourage families to go down there and use the lake area for tennis, swimming, and picnicing, making it a multi-use area, Mr. Wagar questioned the elimination of the ball diamond. Mr. Boudreau stated that this year they will be making better use of the facilities around the city schools. All the City will have to do to use the schools' ball fields is fill out a facility-use permit to the school, Mr. Harris suggested that Moore Lake be designated for swimming only and be treated with chemicals. The way it is going in another two years, the beach wi11'have to be closed. It will continue to get worse because af the run-off. Mr. Moore said he would rather see the swimming beach closed for the coming year until the studies ar� done and the C ommission can better weigh the situation. Mr. Peterson stated that with the Co�ission's approval, he would like to see the subject of Maore Lake be put on the February 1977 agenda. This would give Staff an opportunity to do some checking. He said there are�some studies done regarding the swimmers' itch and water quality. At that time, the Co�ission can then better decide what is to be done. MOTION by Leonard Moore, seconded by Harvey Wagar, that the subject of Moore Lake to included on the Commission's February meeting agenda. Upon a voice vote, all voting � aye, the motion carried unanimously. � NEW BUSINESS: A. �elling of Coffee at Commons Rink � Mr. Boudreau stated that Mrs. Alice Benson had asked if there was aay problem with her selling coffee again this year at the Commons Rink as she has done in the past. MOTION by Dave Harris, seconded by Harvey Wagar, that the Commission approves the selling of coffee this year at the Commons•Rink by Mrs. Alice Benson. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. B. Request by Lion's Club Mr. Boudreau stated that he has had a uerbal request from the Lion's Club by phone which will be followed up with a letter. The Lion's Club, since they have a great investment in Moore Lake,would like to know if there is same way their name can be connected with the title of the Moore Lake area. Mr. Boudreau had put this on the agenda as he h�d assumed he would have the letter for the meeting. He found out today that the letter has to wait until the Club's executive board meets. .; m � ^ ( 0 , _ PARK b� RECREI�TION COI�iISSION MEETING DECEMBER 13,, 1976 PAGE 5 /"1 Ms. 5eeger stated that maybE s�ne arrangement co�ld be made where the church would pay a user's fee, but that Juan Salas' soccer teams would have.first priority to the soccer field. �his would be ane way of making a little money to improve the soccer facilities. Mr. Boudreau stated that the Co�nmission is at liberty to make any recommendation on thfs they wanr along those lines. He merely pointed out that the park and recreatian operations within the United States usually have some policy against the use of aa�y recreational facility, whether indoor or outdoor, by a�church or political �roup unless it is for use in a recreational way. OLD BUSINESS: A. North Park Mr. Wagar stated that he icnew there were a lot of things going on at North Park and new purchase orders were going through the City and he had wanted to know if any of these were•being assessed to the Park Department's budget, Mr. Boudreau had informed him that they have a special account f or North Park which is charged to North Park and that is apparently going to bE paid from the foundation back to the City. He said Mr. Boudreau had answered his question about North Park. B. Moore Lake Mr. Wagar stated he has has a few phone calls regardin:g Moore Lake, and he is r",wondering if this coming year t�here is any way to have a tabulation of the citizens �in Fridley who use Moore Lake Beach. When there were gate guards there in the past, it could have been done; but he understands this isn't going to be done anymore. He doesn',t know of many people from Fridley who use'the beach. He feels if there are only 5% of Fridley people using it, then we are sugporting a beach for North Minxt,eapolis, Columbia Heights, etc., and maybe we shouldn't have the beach.' Mr. Moore stated his kids used the lake until they started breaking out with the swimmers' itch, so now they don't go over there, nor do the neighborhood kids. Ms. Seeger stated that her children and the neighborhood children learned to swim in Moore Lake. She knows the lake has been used, but now there is the hazard of skin irri�ation. Mr. Wagar asked; Is the money it is going to take to rehabilitate the lake as a swimming lake going to balance off and get the people from Fridley back using it? As a picnic area, it is great; but as a swimming beach, he doesn't know if it is worth it . Mr. Boudreau stated there are steps being taken to save the lake. One is the aeriation system. Also, money has been put in the budget by City Council for next year to do a complete study of the run-off, the drainage, the sewage, with some concrete reco�nendations on wtiat might be done to rehabilitate the.lake back to where it is a useable area. � � �;� .__ ,�.PARRS & RECREAT�ON COMMISSION MEETiNG DECEM�TER 13, 1976 PAGE 6 : .. Mr. Boudreau stated he does plan Co eliminate one of the ba�l diamonds down at the �� lake to make an enlarged picnic area to encourage families to go down there and use the lake area for tennis, swimming, and picnicing, making it a multi-use area. Mr. Wagar questioned the elimination of the ball diamond. � Mr, Boudreau stated that this year they will be making better use of the facilities - around the city schools. A11 the Gity will have to do to use the schools' ball fields is fill out a€acility-use permit to the school. ' Mr. Harris suggested that Moore Lake be designated for swimuning only and be treated with chemicals. The way it is going in another two years, the beach will have to be closed.: It wili continue to get worse because of the run-off. Mr. Moore said he would rather see the swimming beach closed for the coming year until the studies ara done and the Commission can better weigh the situation. Mr. Peterson stated.that with.the Cov�ission's approval, he would like to see t�he subject`of Maore Lake be put on the Febxuary 1977 agenda. This would give Staff an opportunity to do some checking. He said there are some studies done regarding the swi�ers' itch and water quality. At that time, the Connnission can then better decide �hat is to be done. MOTION�bl Leonard Moore, seconded by Harvey Wagar, that the subject of Moor� Lake to ' included on the Cammission's February meeting agenda. Upon a voice vote, all voting � aye, the mation carried unanimously. "� NEW BUSTNESS; A. Selling of Coffee at Commons Rink Mr. Boudreau stated that Mrs. Alice Benson had asked if there was any problem with her selling coffee again this year at the Coumnons Rink as she has dane in the pa.st. MOTION by Dave Harris, seconded by Aarvey Wagar, that the Commission approves the selling of coffee this year at the Commons Rink by Mrs. Alice Benson. Upon a voice vote, aZl voting aye, the motion carried unanimously, B. Request by Lion's Club Mr. Baudreau stated that he has had a verbal request from the Lion's.Club by phone which will be followed up with a letter. The Lion's CTub, since they have a great investment in Moore Lake,would like to know if there is same way their name can be connected with the title of the Moore Lake area. Mr. Boudreau had put this on the agenda as he had assumed he would have the letter for the meeting. He found out today that the letter has to wait until the Club's executi�e board meets. ; r. . � ; � �� ,. PARKS 6 RECR�ATION COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 13 1976 p�g � j", Mr. Peterson stated that at this time this was for the Commission's information, and the Commission would wait for the letter before taking any action. OTHER BUSINESS• Mr. Moore stated he wanted to pass on his appreciation to Mr. Boudreau for establishing a 30 m.p.h, speed limit on Riverview Terrace and for establishing "no parking" signs for the motorized vehicles. These are being observed and Mr. Moore is very impressed. Ms. Seeger brought up the possibility of having the Parks & Recreation Commission meetings rescheduled for a different night as she often finds that the meetings conflict with City Council. Mr. Peterson asked that discussion of the Commission's meeting night be put on the agenda for the January meeting. ADJOURNMENT• MOTION by Harvey Wagar, seconded by Jan Seeger, to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 p.m, Upon a voice vote, alI voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. The next Commission meeting is Monday, January 24, 1977. ^Aespectfully submitted, Ly ' e Saba Recording Secretary � � _ � � _ "�