The URL can be used to link to this page

PR 05/23/1977 - 31225� �� PARKS & RECREATION CONII�'IISSION MEETING �+,y 23, 1977 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Peterson, Robin Suhrbier, Jan Seeger, Leonard Moore, �etty Ann Mech MEMBSRS ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: Charles Boudreau, Parks & Recreation Director Jack Kirk, Program Director � Jerry Boardman, City Planner Lee Ann Sporre, Fridley Environmental Commission member gay Leek, Planning Aide Marilyn Illitschko, 580 Ironton St. N.E. - Neighborhood 1 Karen $udnick, 601 Ironton St. N•E. - Neighborhood 1 Chairperson Ronald E. Steckman, 78 Rice Creek Way -I3eighborhood 3 Larry Hamer, 41 Rice Creek Way - Neighborhood 3 Kathy Divine - Neighborhood 13 Chairperson � �-�- C.ALL TO ORDER• n �,._ _. Chairperson Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. APPROVAL OF APRIL 25, 1977, P�RKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Leonard Moore, seconded by Robin Suhrbier, to approve the minutes of the April 25, 1977, Parks & Recreation Commission meeting as written. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: MOTION by Jan Seeger, seconded by Leonard Moore, to receive Mr. Boardman's letter dated May 5, 1977, regarding the "Election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson". Upan a voice vote,-all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. MOTION by Leonard Moore to nominate Jan Seeger for Chairperson. Ms. Seeger declined the nomination and the motion died for lack of a second. MOTION by Jan Seeger, seconded by Leonard Moore, to renominate Bob Peterson for Chair- person. After a call for more norninations, Chairperson Peterson declared the nominations closed. - PARKS & RECREATION CONII�ISSION MEETING, MAY 23, 1977 PAGE 2 MOTION by Betty Ann Mech, seconded by Robin Suhrbier, to cast a unanimous ballot for '� Bob Peterson for Chairperson.� Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. Bef ore the election of Vice-Chairperson, Mr. Peterson stated th at this past year he had missed eight Planning Commission meetings because of business situations; and, as far as he knew, the Commission had not beeirepresented at those Planning Commission meetings. He said it was vitally important that whoever was elected for Vice-Chairperson understand the responsibilities of being a Vice-Chairperson. MOTION by Jan Seeger, seconded by Betty Ann Mech, to nominate Leonard Moore for Vice- Chairperson. Mr. Moore declined the nomination due to a conflict with his job as he would not be able to attend all the meetings. M4TION by Jan Seeger, seconded by Leonard Moore, to nominate Robin Suhrbier for Vice- Chairperson. After a call for more nominations, Chairperson Peterson declared the nominations closed. M�TION by Leonard Moore, seconded by Betty Ann Mech, to cast a unanimous ballot for Robin Suhrbier for Vice-Chairperson. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS• A. Comprehensive parks & Opere Space Plan - Jerrold Boardman Mr. Boardman apologized as many of the printed maps, charts, etc., were delayed at the printer and were nat available for the meeting. Hopefully, they would be received sometime that week. Mr. Boardman stated that the comprehensive plan for parks and recreation was not only a good idea for the City, but it would help the City develop a long range park planning program and would give the City direction in which they could look to the additional costs and additional needs for the City as far as parks and recreation. Also, the plan was under the Comprehensive Planning Act adopted by the State Legislature and mandated by Metro-Council. The City of Fridley must complete all their comprehensive plans within a three-year period. The City had started work on the Comprehensive Parks Plan prior to the mandate and this would eventually go to Metro- Council in 1979 for final approval for the total comprehensive program. City Council would be adopting this document and using it for a legal document until that time. Mr. Boardman stated that in the layout, the document was being divided into five areas including the Map Concept Plans as part of the "Policy and Recommendations" and eliminating Section 6. The "Introduction" was a brief analysis of the purpose of the pZan, the concept of recreation, what was happening in the country and Fridley as far as leisure time. The "Goals & Objectives" were those established by the Planning Commission. These goals and objectives�were presently before the City Council for final approval. The Parks & Recreation Coinmission did have input into these goals and objectives in the Parks & Recreation section. � ,.�.,._ _ . e� ' PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING,MAY 23, 1977 PAGE 3 �. Mr. Boardman stated that, in reviewing the needs of the community, it was very important to get an inventory of what was existing in the community. The Commission had set up the 13 Neighborhood Project Committees to see what the needs were in their areas and make recommendations back to the planning Department. He said Staff had analyzed these • recommendations and had done an analyzation of each neighborhood from the Staff's stand- point and the neighborhood's standpoint. In the neighborhood analysis, they were missing a major portion of mapping and several items, Any comprehensive plan should be based on the goals and objectives with an analysis of where the City was at the present time and in looking at the goals and objectives in concurrence with looking at the analysis. This was where they came up with the "Summary of Findings" and the basis for the "Recommendations". With the "Inventory & Analysis", they would also have existing maps per an existing Parks & Recreation Map, a Facilities Chart, a National Barriers Map, a Neighborhood greakdown Map, and a Natural Features Map. There would be some writings placed before the N�tural Barriers Map and the Natural Features Map that would discuss � the effect of natural barriers and natural features on the recreational potential. /'� Mr. Steckman wanted to know the status of the property in Edgewater Gardens. Mr. Boardman stated that City Ha11 still had the property red tagged and would continue to do so. To clarify for the new Commission members, Mr. Boardman explained that this was property in Neighborhood 3 on both sides of Ea'st River Road south of Rice Creek between the railroad tracks and the river. Neighborhood 3 felt that additional property was needed and that was shown in the recommendations. Mr. Boardman stated that what the City may recommend, if they did get that property, was have that area be more of a passive recreation area and have open space area for play and have Stevenson School for more high activity use. They felt they might have trouble justifying two sets of high activity recreation areas so close together. I�'. Boardman stated they would red tag this property indefinitely. � Mr. Boudreau stated this was a working document looking at the system of parks for the whole city. Before anything was done or before anything was concrete, they would go back to the neighborhoods, especially Neighborhood 3. This was a"thought piece", to get wheels turning and he encouraged the neighborhood project people to read through the "Findings"and'�ecommendations". Mr. Hamer congratulated the Commission members, Mr. Boudreau, and Mr. Boardman for the fine job they were doing. Ms. Illitschko wanted to know what was happening in Neighborhood l, especially Spring- brook Park. Mr. Leek referred to the map in the plan which showed a tot lot apparatus area, a free play area, and a landscape buffer. Ms. Illitschko stated that she took exception to the free play area for softball as the houses were too close for any kind of ball playing. Mr. Leek stated that the park could be so designed that the landscape buffer, etc., would make it difficult for ball playing. It would primarily be a play area for very � young children. _ � � pARi�3 & mTnN c'.[1MMISSION MEETING, MAY 23, 1977 � Ms. Illitschko asked if there would be.any area for the children to play ball? 4 Mr. Leek stated that there wasose activities�innthattneighborhooddirThey�couldhonly were no parcels of land�for th try to improve the access to the existing parks. In at least three of the Neighborhoo pr�ject Committee reports, the access problems were addressed. Mr. Boudreau stated that the City had a lot of little parcels of land that should be disposed of and the question was: Did they want to put more money and things into these little parcels of land that really didn't belong there? Mr. Moore stated that they might have to consider condemnation to get park area, but that got to be expensive. Ms. Seeger stated she felt they were overlookiiarter parksb andtthey weretbikingson of bikeway. Her children wanted to go to tha g P East River Road. She felt geuldnberadsaferhwaylforechildrennand�adultsttongoato the _ a positive action. There sho other larger park areas and that kind of thing would be a much more desireable invest ment of money. Mr. Bourdeau stated that another question s,hfluld hoin ntodmake•outhof thettotal prime objective and what kind of sense were they g g development as opposed to a plan that matched one area versus another area? They needed to address the park plan so that constiructive improvements could be started. �€ , 4, � � Ms. Suhrbier stated she would like to see.a bikecaay system link up the neighborhoods-- bike trails off the roadways separated by a curb. Mr. Boardman stated that ofdthetcostn fethe�system andhalBokthat/acquisitionJoftthe Canmittee mainly because right-of-way of roads was not edWOff East1River R adsand puttinethelneighborhoodse He�or reason the bike trail was pull et some kind of designation of stated that the City was attempting at this time to g a regional trail system within Fridley--a North-South route and ahtEbetablettooaccomplish This might make it possible for additional funding where they mig more with the bikeway system, but it was impractical at this time. Going on with the format of tt� "Parks and Open Space Plan", Mr. Boardman stated that what they were attempting to do with thaS"� �hat happenednbetween theco oalsa&l�ns" was try to point out their conclusions Objectives" and the "Inventory &andawhatStheyTwere lackingdasufar asffacilitgesthaThey needed to be corrected and done that did tried to base their findings ohethGoalsa&SObjObtives"ewas that.therCityf ofdFrgdley was not have anything to do with t currently lacking in standard criteria for the strategic distribution of the funds available for park system development. ^ PARKS � RECR�ATION COMMISSION MEETING MAY 23, 1977 PAGE S � Mr. Boardman stated that all "Recoum�endations" were based on the "Summary of Findingg". At the end of the "Policy & Recommendations" were further recommendations as far as the system went. This was a proposed classification,. They also had a Proposed System Map. In that they would be showing the total overaZl system. Mr. Peterson stated that Ms. Seeger's point was well taken regarding a safe bikeway system to the larger parks, rather than spending money on the smaller parks; but, he felt at this point in time, speaking of the River�;iew Heights area specifically, either they had to (1) condemn and acquire property; or, (2) develop an alternative to provide some access activity somewhere else with the absence of land. Ms. Seeger stated that Commissioner Dave Harris had recommended that the City purchase the land above Fridley in Coon Rapids owned by the Burlington Northern. Mr. Peterson stated that a letter should be sent to Burlington Northern to see what � they had available. He suggested that Mr. Boudreau check with Coon Rapids to see what their feelings would be as far as a recreational use for that area, as this was an alternative suggested at a previous Commission meeting. Mr. Boudreau stated there were at least four or five major barriers that divided the City of Fridley. It would be wise to centrally locate land as much as possible. Then, they could try to open up the avenues to utilize the facilities, whether it be bikeways, commercial transporation, etc. Ms. Sporre stated that the answer was the bus route. They could simply lay out the bus � scheduLes to see which areas of open space would maximize use by transporation facili,ties. .,,,. That should be a key consideration in siting public facilities. Mr. Boardman stated that after the concept of classification, they went into each of the neighborhood areas, then into each individual park. On the working document only, they would have a cost breakdown on each of the individual parks. The Commission members set a special meeting at City Hall on Fridley, June 3, 1977, from 11;00 a,m. - 12;30 p.m. to further discuss the "Parks and Open Space Plan". Mr. Boudreau stated he would reserve a room and send out notices. Mx. Peterson stated that he appreciated having some of the neighborhood project committee members attend the meeting. This was a working plan and it was the key thing in trying to put together a system that would give everyone in the City an opportunity to enjoy recreation, no matter what it might be. g, park Ranger Program Mr. Boudreau stated that the City did not have a park ranger. The Police Department was trying to patrol the parks and was doing a good job to its capabilities. Mr. Boudreau said they were still working on a program to free up some of the Police Department's technicians to be out on the street in the form of a park ranger program. There was much vandalism going on in the parks. n �.: �� PARKS & RECREATION CONIMISSION MEETING MAY 23, 1977 P/lGE 6 � Ms. Seeger asked what action could t,he Commission take to ensure that there was a park 'ranger; and because of the limited budget, she thought they should protect wh at property they had. Mr. Boudreau stated that even Minneapolis who had a regular police force for patrolling the parks still had the same problems as Fridley had. He would question the effective- ness and efficiency on the use of a dollar. How far can one person go to protect all the park areas and school areas? As a public relations person, the park ranger was good, but how much vandalism would be reduced, it would be hard to say. He said with some of the things that were going on in Locke Park, it would be dangerous to send in just one man, gut, Mr. Boudreau said, they were looking at different solutions•to solving the vandalism problem. . , NEW BUSINESS• A. Consideration of Or�inance Change - Locke Park Mr. Boudreau stated he had received a com�unication from Sgt. Kennedy of the Fridley Police Department regarding an ordinance change for Locke Park. Sgt. Kennedy offered suggestions to help in controlling the litter and v�ndalism in Locke Park and restric- tions for assisting in clearing the park. MOTION by Leonard Moore, seconded by Jan Seeger, to receive Sgt. Kennedy's co�unication dated May 11, 1977. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. ^ Mr. Boudreau�stated he would like to take this memorandum, draft an ordinance with the Police Department, and bring it back for the Commission's review; and if the Couunission agreed with the ordinance, recommend and send on to Planning Commission and City Council. MOTION by.Jan Seeger, seconded by Leonard Moore, that Mr. Boudreau draft an ordinance change f or I,ocke Park with the Police Department to be brought back to this Cou�ission for its review. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. B. Facility Use Request - Fridley Jaycees Mr. Boudreau stated he had a letter dated May 6, 1977, from the Fridley Jaycees addressed to the City Council in which the Jaycees were asking for the use of Commons, Locke Park, and Madsen Park for two major men's state softball tournaments on �ug. 13-14. They had also asked for approval and permission to install fencing around Commons for ticket sales and for containing spectators, for the use of park and recreation maintenance equipment as needed, for one or two men from the Parks & Recreation Depart- ment to assist in installing the fencing, for no parking signs along the east side of Seventh Street and along the south side of 61st Avenue for additional parking, and for the approval of Food and Beer permits for these tournaments; also all fees waived. Mr. $oudreau stated that last year the tournament cost the Parks & Recreation Depart- ment around $801 and the Jaycees reimbursed $110 for the cost of the two Satellite restroom facilities. He asked the Commission if they still desired this expenditure - ^ PARKS & RECREATION C�ISSION MEETING MAY 23, 1977 PAGE 7 � to be�made with reimbursement for only the two Satellite facilities. He said he thought it was a good tournament and the Commission should try and comply with it. He felt the Jaycees had helped in the past by donation of facilities and equipment, not only for Commons, but also for other areas. He said he would like to negotiate with the Jaycees to have them at least pay the salary (around $50-60) of the Parks & Recreation Department man who would be working overtime on the weekend. n __., MOTION by Jan Seeger, seconded by Robin Suhrbier, that the Commission grant the Fridley Jaycees' facility use request for Gommons, Locke, and Madsen parks for their annual men's softball tournaments on Aug. 13-1.4, 1977, but that the 3aycees consider paying $50 for supplementary weekend help. The Jaycees were a fine asset to the community and the community had benefitted from them. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Peterson stated that it was only fair that the Jaycees be recognized for their valuable contributions, but alsa that they should be asked to help. O C. Facility Use Request - Blue Line Club Mr. Boudreau stated he had received a letter from Don Howard dated April 29, 1977, in which Mr. Howard was requesting the use of Commons' softball fields for a tournament on Aug. 25, 26, 27, 1977. The tournament was needed to raise money for ice time. Their organization, the Blue �,ine Club, was buying ice to support the added needs for the JV program at the High School. Mr. Boudreau said he did know that Fridley policy in the past was a limit of three tournaments per year fo�` facility usage at Commons. He stated it would benefit the Parks & Recreation hockey program as it would free up their ice rinks. He would reco�end that the Blue Line Club be allowed to use the facility and the City would assist them in any manner possible. They would be required to pay the $l00 fee for clean-up. � � MOTION by Jan Seeger, seconded by Betty Ann Mech, that the C�ission grant the Blue Line Club's facility use request for Conunons Park on Aug. 25, 26, 27, 1977, with $100 fee for clean-up. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. DIRECTOR'S REPORT• A. Rice Creek Watershed District Mr. Boudreau stated he had contacted Mr. Tony Petrangelo about the possibility of. him appearing before the June 27, 1977, Parks & Recreation Commission meeting to talk about the Rice Creek Watershed District and Mr. Petrangelo had agreed to do so. Ms. Sporre stated that there would also be a meeting of the Rice Creek Watershed District at Fridley City Ha11 on June 13, 1977. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING,MAY 23, 1977 � • PAGE 8 B. S�rnner Program Registration M,r. Kirk gave a brief rundown of the summer program registration. He said the programs were quickly filling up with a week of registration left. There was a total of 800 people registered for the different programs. . C. Meeting with Community Education Mr. Boudreau stated he had a request to have the Community Education Executive Board meet with their Board to discuss possible cooperative facility use efforts. He stated he would be contacting Tom Myhra to schedule this meeting. D. Spring Lake Park Facility Use Request With regard to the Spring Lake park's facility use request for Madsen and Flanery Parks, Mr. Boudreau stated he had contacted the Parks & Recreation Director in Spring Lake Park and found that they were serving over 100 Fridley residents. Mr. Boudreau said he had o told the Spring Lake Park Director that they would grant the facility use request this year, but he felt the �ommission should take a strong 2ook at it for the next year as to, (1) why the City was not servicing Fridley's people in that area; and, (2) would there be a legitimate fee to outside organizations for the use of Fridley facilities? Mr. Peterson stated Mr. Boudreau had handled it right as there was no alternative for this year. E. Islands �f Peace Foundation Mr. Boudreau stated that a bill had been passed in the Senate and the House and had gone to the Governor to sign for the Islands of Peace Foundation to receive a$150,000 grant through State Planning on a$50,000 match. He felt it was a great tribute to the corctributions of the Islands of Peace FoLmdation and- to Mr. Ed Wilmes. Ae felt it was also a great tribute in terms of a handicapped facility regional-wise to supplement what was in the City of Fridley itself. F. Tour of Facilities & Programs - June 23, I977 Mr. Boudreau wanted to invite and encourage each member of the Commission on June 23rd from approximately 5;30-9:30 p.m. to join himself, City Council, and Staff on a tour of all the park facilities to see what was being done and what they had. He was also going to invite the Communication Education people to view these facilities. . G. School District �k14 Advisory Comn►ittee Mr. $oudreau stated that with the Commission's interest in park recreation and development, they might want to touch base with some of the Committee's members as to the City's needs for parks and recreation indoor recreational facilities. He stated he did plan on calling some of the Committee members to discuss this need for indoor recreational facility usage. � � .,�.�::. : -� PARKS � RECREATION CONIMISSION MEETING MAY 23, 1977 PAGE 5 � H. F.Y•S.A. Soccer Meeting Mr. Boudreau stated that this meeting but had been cancelled. He was still to find out what was going to happen was supposed to have been held the previous week trying to work with Mr. Salas and the F•Y.S.A. with the soccer program at some later date. I. U.S. News & World Report Article Mr. Boudreau stated he had given the C�►ission members each a copy of a 17-page article out of the May 23, 1977, U.S. News & World Report on "How Americans Pursue their Leisure Time". He thought they might find it interesting and might give them some insight into the dollars that are spent, the amount of people participating, and some of the renewal in hobbies, some of which he and the Com�►ission had talked about. OTHER BUSINESS: Ms, Sporre stated she wanted to inform the Commission that the Fridley Jaycees had received the highest award in the state for their project at the Springbrook Nature Center. She felt it was good publicity for the nature center and was a tribute to the Jaycees to be recognized by the state for this project. The Commission members concurred. � �- Mr. Boudreau stated he had a petition request for recreational facilities in Ed Wilmes park. He said it should be part of the overall park plan so it could be considered as part of that document. MOTION by Leonard Moore, seconded by Jan Seeger, to receive the "Petition Request for Recreational Facilities in Ed Wilmes Park", Petition No. 6-1977, dated May S, 1977. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Leonard Moore, seconded by Jan Seeger, to adjourn the meeting at 10;53 p.m. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, ,�'- G''�� LYn �� Saba Recording Secretary � ._- �.,�.�a�a� 0 ,� � n � ,` ,� ti l. ' ' ir��.�� l % c�-r, �y�� _�,1 �L� `i i / / l�:r��..(.�.��„',l/ �? �/l.�J �/�,;�_!�'�,��7 .:e-C'��CU I i��. �C�� : _ ��, " ' .� ' � 4 �,��"(L!L�, � r-r"�,l'Ll,.��.� 'r�.� L�`Z�._Ll`��) �_.:�� , � � �l;'Yl-` � . ' I \ � r I 1 - 4 ,� �, n�til,}�;,..�:; � . �,'? u��.�� -�� , � a ��cz. �z.:�,., �..r��_�� U'� � c� ' ' ��_�.� ,�.��-�,�-�.�.��c�.� ��.�� ; ��t�;� �� r��:�, ��f� � .�c-� �..�, } �� , , � ;•1 ' ...�i �.�.-1 �.� ��u ��.c�� t��'1.,�, �t� J��l.� "� '� C,L.? u�. � �� .�� fL� �_�. ' � i � , � � .,� :.U� ��x`��`L�" ' .J��-��-�.; i'L��._1'�� i��-,c% ��' �rvYYl�:1�Y1,�� U,.� ,.� Zi.L,�: ��Z..: : , �L�� ;�\ ' � ...l..i.'�LL�,%L.>� _�- ru- C�.-: ��'`.��t��L y�. �I. �,ls�\�' � V`� I � � `�Y� 1.�.1�i_�1 4!l' t�:� ° t�.�Ll.-'� W"� 1.��U �� r � � ��U .�71�.� �' � ' � �-�U��f_� `; , , � ' , , �-, � �_�YYLi t: �� ,�,,,� �,;7� , �.-�,b .� ��l'Y�.�''l,c.�� ✓-ti.) �.- ., ; , �� . � � � �-� � � ��:.z, , ..1��. ��:� ,��.rYr�m��.�� , . � � � � �. • t.t�,.�� /�l�' �-,� �,a1 �,�.L�..��;�t � �_ C.i�.� C.l.-�i..�..�,.. �� , ' +, � 1 � � , � -.:�� .,1.��C��; �� ;7L1s'._1 "c._� i��.1.�1..� �i��.c..��;r�i'�r�'�• �, �- � , , � t � , ��.�'L� � "l-�� .��.�L� �-�1i'��..�, .� il.�� '�1�� `� �, '1 A � ��.i.�C� (; - 0-�_��„� ,�t.�..��i"��, � ��,?-�, �'��'�.`�_c-�. ��.'Li �.}L�.� - , , , , • � U ! ` _> } �:�:�-�_�7i,C`.�_��..: � ` �`v'�'�-�:.1�..�� ..�.�, � �:�� tt� (�.� �' � �t � � `,n �"`� ' �''' �;� �.r �'1 y�.; �`�rn ;��.,�,- . ��.1 �. �'t,'L ' �` 1..�.. L� r��"�/l.i�� '"� �L ' . � �� t� N ' l �'i� f�.�-{ �, .'w�,��lX-1 �� L � {;�i_Z_�i� ��Z.�.,�"C._� �� C_ 1..�3-X� � / ��'��.k.i'jL,\ : �� Ll.�- � � � � t � n� �"�1 �La ,J�� .Z,�L i.�.��.�.��t� C��,�- �`��Z�x��,�:.��.`!,� � ��(.� �l� � " J �.� ,'i1'�� U:_-� !i�1,r." � rt�_' -� �''��'� .��.�1rL� ; ��. , . , ` ' tt,�) � �.�Lt.!�..v C v��.�vt; C��CLrl,�.�i _ � � c.. �C. (,,�Ji3LL�C� �: � , .�`�`' � , , � _ � � , �.�� ; �..�.�.t..�.�� - C�i1t��, ,.�-��- c.�� il�`��:c..� �.��-�.� � h��r Z,f� � ��-� t. • � 6 t�i�.-�t.��rl � �"ti'ti�_L%�J � .,�.�-�t'�.liJti.: V " `f!'1 . � . �, , (el�„I- 1 <`�f �`( -1 � ,'2t.t' i.��. L�- , �J `I f ' � 'y � �