The URL can be used to link to this page

PR 03/27/1978 - 31235� � PARKS & RECREATION CONIMISSION MEETING MARCH 27, 1978 MEMBERS PRESENT: Robin Suhrbier, Leonard Moore, Jan Seeger MEMBERS ABSENT: Bob Peterson, Betty Mech , OTHERS PRESENT: Charles Boudreau, Parks & Recreation Director Jack Kirk, Program Director Siah St. Clair, City Naturalist • Ron Bowen, Prairie Restorations, Inc. Darwin Klockers, President, Fridley Little League, Inc. CALL TO ORDER: Vice-Chairperson Suhrbier called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. : APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 27, 1978, PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES: ^ MOTION by Jan Seeger, seconded by Leonard Moore, to approve the February 27, 1978, Parks & Recreation Commission minutes as written. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. /'\ APPROVAL OF AGENDA: "Hillcrest Plat" was added as Item A under "Other Business." MOTION by Jan Seeger, seconded by I,eonard Moore, to approve the agenda with the above addition. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion - carried unanimously. I. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: 1. Introduction - Mr. Siah St. Clair Mr. Boudreau stated that at the last commission meeting, he had reported that the city had retained the services of Mr.oSiah St. Clair for the naturalist position. Mr. Boudreau introduced Mr. St. Clair to the Commission. He stated Mr. St. Clair had put in a hard first week trying to get to know the city and the areas for which he was responsible and he was presently housed at the A-frame. Mr. Bouc2reau stated Mr. St, Clair was a fine addition to the staff. He stated that if the Commission members had any questions to ask Mr. St. Clair, they were free to do so. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION.MEETING, MARCH 27, 1978 - PAGE 2 n Ms. Suhrbier asked Mr. St. Clair what types of involvement he would be having for the younger children at the nature center. Mr. St. Clair stated they had just readjusted the summer program somewhat, so that instead of having playgrounds going out to North Park, they were going to have a day nature camp with specific regis- trations for two-week sessions. This day camp would involve the elementary-age children. At the present time, they were trying to figure out the best place to have it, either at Innsbruck or at North Park. He said it was possible they might have it going on simultaneously at both places; or, they might just try one location this year, find out what the response was like, and if it went well, have it at both locations the next year. The camp would be a nature learning-type process with interpretive activities in a fun type of way. There would be some camp crafts, some cooking, some recreational outdoor activities--specific learning experiences. The last night would be a parents' night experience with the children preparing the meal. For the fifth and sixth graders, there would be one overnight stay and one early morning e�erience. He stated this day camp had been very popular in Cannecticut. � 2. Spring Activities Mr. Kirk stated that registration had begun the previous Monday for the spring activities. The horseback riding program went over very � well. They had set a limit of 30 children and now they had 45 registered, so they had made arrangements to take the 45 children. � The lawn & garden consulting service was getting quite a few calls and looked good. There were a lot o£ registrants for power swimming and diving. There were more people on the waiting lists for tennis and golf than they had ever had before, so they were working on g.etting these people into different classes. Softball registration looked about the same as last year with an increase of a couple of children in each league. The after-school program continued to grow all the time. 3. Report on North Park School Mr. Boudreau stated that at the last commission meeting, Ms. Suhrbier had expressed the concern of the residents in the South Innsbruck and Gardena area that there were no after-school programs at North Park School and why didn't Fridley use North Park School to offer programs. Mr. Kirk had agreed to check with Columbia Heights and would report back to ttie commission. Mr. Kirk stated he had again checked with the Columbia Heights Recreation Co�ission. He stated he had checked with both Woodcrest Elementary out of Spring Lake Park School District and North Park Elementary out of Columbia Heights School District when they were setting up their fall after-school programs. Both had stated they , had after-school programs in the schools, some of them run by the ^ �-a PARKS & RECREATION CONIMISSION MEETING, MARCH 27., 1978 - PAGE 3 schools themselves and some by the recreation conmissions. Mr. Kirk stated he was again told by Columbia Heights that they did have an after-school program at North Park School called the "Peanut Gallery." Mr. Kirk stated it saunded like an after-school club. They also had a youth wrestling program. They stated that in the spring, they tapered down on their activities, but did have activities during the rest of the school year. Mr. Kirk stated that as summer approached, Fridley would be contacting Columbia Heights that Fridley would be using the playground at North Park again for their summer activities, but Fridley did try to stay away from the Columbia Heights' programming as they had done in the past. 4. Schedule of Neighborhood Meetings - April 5 and 6 Mr. Boudreau stated that Planning Commission had set two public meetings on the Benjamin/Briardale area for April 5 and 6 at Gardena School at 7:00 p.m. They were hoping to discuss the plan for the Benjamin/Briardale area. They would be discussing the results of the neighborhood survey and would be discussing what logically could be put in that area from those survey results. Mr. Boudreau urged the Commissions members to attend these meetings if they could. Mr. Boudreau stated that the top three things the people wanted were playground equipment, tennis, and ice skating. Softball. was ^ No. 4. They were interested in landscaping. Basketball rated low. Picnic areas was 9.%/v of the total as opposed to playground equip- ment which wac 60'/a. Ninety-two percent considered landscaping . important to very important and seventy-seven percent considered lighting for nighttime activities important to very important. II. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Request for Field Use - Tiger Hockey Booster Club Mr. Boudreau stated that the Tiger Hockey Booster Club was requesting the Commons softball fields for a tournament on August 25, 26, & 27, 1978. This tournament was needed again this year to raise money for ice time for the high school hockey program. Mr. Boudreau stated he needed some direction fram the Commission as to whether the Commission wished to allow them to hold their tournament as they had last year. This was the tournament that was added last year. The City Council had only allowed three tournaments per year, but last year this one was,added as the fourth. MOTION by Jan Seeger, seconded by Leonard Moore, to allow the Tiger Hockey Booster Club to hold their tournament on Aug. 25, 26, & 27, 1978. ^ PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, MARCH 27, 1978 - PAGE 4 � Mr: Boudreau asked the Commission if they wished to set a fee of any type. They had not done so last year, because it was the Booster Club's first tournament. Mr. Boudreau stated the city did incur added expenses because of the additional dumpsters and additional Satellites. He stated there would be the $100 deposit to guarantee clean-up. Mr. Boudreau asked the Commission if they wished him to provide these services at no charge or if the Commission wished him to work out an equitable fee that would cover this added expense? MOTION TO AMEND by Jan Seeger, seconded by Leonard Moore, to approve the request by the Tiger Hockey Booster Club to hold their softball tournament on Aug. 25, 26, & 27, 1978, but that Mr. Boudreau come back to the Commission with a fair and equitable fee schedule regarding the added expense of services provided by the city. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. 2. Request for Field Use - Firemen's Relief Association Mr. Boudreau stated that the Fridley Fire Department was requesting permission to use Commons Park for their 3rd Annual Softball Tournament to be held June 9, 10, & 11, 1978. � MOTION by Leonard Moore, seconded by Jan Seeger, to approve the request from the Fireman's Relief Association, but that Mr. Boudreau also work out a fair and equitable fee regarding the added expense of serviees � provided by the city. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. 3. Little League Baseball - Mr. Darwin Klockers Mr. Boudreau brought the Commission's attention to a letter from Mr. Klockers dated March 6, 1978. He stated that the Little League was requesting use of the fields as they had done in the past. Mr. Boudreau stated he had no problem with this and would be scheduling these fields with Mr. Klockers. Mr. Klockers' letter also stated that the Little League had a five-year leas� on the three Little League. fields which was due to expire June 30, 1978. The Little League had the option to renew this lease for an additional five years which they planned to exercise. Mr. Boudreau stated this information would be passed on to City Council and City Council could either renew or not renew the lease for the Little League fields. Mr. Boudreau stated that Mr. Klockers would be contacting him to see if there was any equipment or field maintenance that could be provided by the city on an annual basis. As part of their lease agreement, there was a statement that the fields would be leased and the Little League would be responsible for all field maintenance and repairs. Mr. Boudreau stated that was the point the Cou�ission needed to consider tonight. � , ,� � ^ /'� PARKS & RECREATION CONIl�IISSION MEETING, MARCH 27, 1978 - PAGE 5 Mr. Boudreau stated that he and Mr. Klockers had also talked about another related item and that was the duplication of services of the Pee Wee (9 and 10 year olds) baseball program that the city offered. The city had decided program-wise not to offer the Pee Wee program because it was already offered by the Little League. Mr. Klockers stated he would like to expand on his letter a little bit. He stated it was becoming more and more difficult for the Little League to meet its costs of field maintenance. They had raised the equipment fee from $6 per player to $12.50 per player. Part of the reason for that was to cover increased expenses and part of it was because they were having difficulty with fundraisers. Mr. Klockers stated that what he was proposing was that when the Parks & Recreation Department or the city was in the area of the Little League fields, they would mow the grass, water the fields, fertilize, etc.--any general maintenance or repair--at the same time they were doing city property. They were also looking for extra help because they needed new concrete slabs put on the old tin metal dugout roofs. Several needed to be replaced right away. He said they were looking at a substantial cost for that. They were looking for help in any area the city could provide, and they thought the request was appro- priate because they did run a program that involved 300 youngsters from the first part of May until the end of .Tuly. They were also going to be taking full responsibility for the Pee Wee program which had been duplicated by the city. He stated if the city could provide any assistance in manpower or cash contribution because of the heavy dugout expense, it would be greatly appreciated. Ms. Seeger stated that the city had service groups that should be able to help out with their bingo profits for such things as the dugout expense. She encouraged Mr. Klockers to look into these service groups. Mr. Boudreau stated that it was city ordinance that 8% of the gross earnings from bingo receipts must go to creditable organizations. Mr. Boudreau stated he had told Mr. Klockers that it was a little late in the year to schedule anything for the Little League budget- wise. In planning ahead for 1979, additional part-time help could be budgeted, but they were spread very thin on maintenance for this year. Mr. Boudreau suggested that maybe a contribution.of $500 to help assist the Little League's part-time maintenance person's salary .would be an easier way and the most efficient way to help. Mr. Boudreau also stated that the Little League, in name only, was paying quite a few dollars a year into the National Little League Association. Yet, because of the individualism in Fridley, they really did not adhere to the National Little League Association's �� PARKS & RECREATION CO�II�IISSION MEETING, MARCH 27, 1978 - PAGE 6 � bylaws; therefore, Fridley's teams did not qualify for the national tournamenC. Mr. Boudreau stated they had explored the idea that, since this was the case, maybe the Little League could combine with the F.Y.S.A., all under the same type of arrangement as the Little League was operating now. Then, the city could legitimately plan in the budget for the Little League the same as they did for the F,Y.SoA. and could maintain the fields the same as they did for hockey, football, etc. Mr. Klockers stated that since the Little League was going to have the Pee Wee program, maybe any money that had been allocated to that program could be diverted to the Little League. MOTION by Jan Seeger, seconded by Leonard Moore, that $500 be dedicated to the operation of the Little League for the 1978 season and that the Little League be encouraged to mention their needs to the City Council as service groups did have money from bingo that was to go for needs such as this. Ms. Seeger stated it might also be interesting for the City Council to know that the Little League was now taking over the Pee Wee age group that the city had offered. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, ^ 4. Vote for Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson to serve from 4/1/78-4/1/79 MOTION by Leonard Moore, seconded by Jan Seeger, to postpone the election of officers until there was a full commission at the next meeting. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. III. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Prairie Restoration, Inc., Mr. Ron Bowen Upon the request of the cou�ission at the last meeting, Mr. Bowen was in attendance to show slides and talk about prairie restoration. Mr. Bowen stated that prairie was becoming more and more popular. It was most appealing on large areas and was too confined on space less than two acres. He stated that starting with bare ground entailed working with machinery. The prairie was planted in May and the area had to•be mowed at a 6-10 inch height the first year. This cut off the weed tops before they went to seed and also let the light and energy down to the seedlings. The second year, it had to be mowed once and that was all. The third year, if fire was acceptable, that was the most attractive way to do it. Fire was a very good tool for managing prairie. If fire was not acceptable, they would have � to adjust to the problems at hand and spray or hand cut. � /'� ^ ^ PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, MARCH 27, 1978 - PAGE 7 Mr. Boudreau asked Mr. Bowen if he would be available on a consulting basis as the city did have some small areas that might be workable. They had a sand dune area of 2.3 acres that was one possible area. After Mr. St. Clair became more acquainted, they would appreciate having Mr. Bowen as a possible resource for information. Mr. Bowen stated he did some consulting and would be glad to advise the city on whether an area was workable or not. The_:Commission expressed their appreciation to Mr. Bowen for his fine presentation on prairie restoration. IV. OTHER BUSINESS: 1. Hillcrest Plat Mr. Boudreau stated that he was sure the Commission was familiar with a small parcel of city land that was landlocked along the tracks in Hillcrest. He stated a Mr. Tim Munn had came before the City Council with a petition to improve Hill Avenue and Meyers Avenue, which were not improved roadways at this time. By allowing Mr. Munn to do that, the city would then have access to their land. Mr. Munu's overriding goal was to come into that area, make a circle, and sub- divide the area that was platted as lots in order to build homes. The park land would be right behind some of those lots. Mr. Boudreau stated it had been mentioned at that City Council meeting (which he had not attended) that theze might be such a.thing that the park land could be sold or auctioned off. Since that City Council meeting, Mr. Boudreau had received ten phone calls from residents in that area stating they did not want the land sold and wanted a park there because of little tots in the area. Mr. Boudreau stated he had received a follow-up letter from one of the people who had called expressing objection to private and/or public housing developments in that area and that they needed a park there. Mr. Boudreau stated the area feeling was that the park land should not be put up for sale, but should be developed. As he saw the situation, they were talking about ownership of a 1.5 acre piece of land bordered on one side by the railroad tracks and it was mostly low land. He thought it was preserved as park property and then designated as a natural history area. He stated he thought they would be in a bind if they developed it into a tot lot area and how could they explain its being preserved as a natural history area which, when developed, would no longer be a natural history area? Could they justify a 1.S acre parcel of land being developed as a t�t lot when the approved Parks & Open Space Plan stated that the city had many of these parcels of land that should be done away with i n the city? If this persan went in and platted the land, there would be a 1(PI. . land dedication or lU7o of the total development. The 1(P/e land dedication would be about 42 feet and the money allocation would be around $2,700. .--- PARKS � RECREATION CONIl�IISSION MEETING, MARCH 27, 1978 - PAGE 8 Mr. Boudreau stated that it alsa stated in the Parks & Open Space Plan that the city should acquire additional park land wherever feasible to make it a useful facility. He thought they had the following alternatives: 1. They could take the land dedication. 2. They could take the mone� dedication. 3. They could take the money dedication and sell the land. 4. They could attempt to purchase six parcels of land to give them an additional 2-2� acres that then would make a workable 32-4 acre park. Mr. Boudreau stated his recoumendation was either to sell the parcel of land because of the maintenance problem and that it would not serve as a neighborhood park, or buy additional land to be able to develop it into a neighborhood park. MOTION by Jan Seeger, seconded by Leonard Moore, that the possibilities of selling the park land be explored and the money put into escrow for providing access under the railroad tracks. This would give access into the park system. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT : MOTION by Leonard Moore, seconded by Jan Seeger, to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 p.m. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, (%�_��' v9 "�� Lyn�:e Saba Recording Secretary � n � � �h� �'' � ;�r3� - �-- � j � ;��+ r+� n�`r�.,�y�,y� �� tt � ,, 'l' :�^'. . J _ =�. t'�'*„'�J,,,� • v ,�;; �-. ti ,,•�j, ��!�•7Y �� .,,e' �'x A4•:, J� , i�.riM'�(j�•� .�. � . �"� ��, �,-� . `1'� � � �. � �� F% , � . ,�R�,,, - ��.^^_�',�' � l' .� kY.LVk & Moki ► aStlKi : i �!M! CiH11'q1/11 Dr.WNUrJ. �ck�m�dge �no:tor E itus. 9c11 �pn . � � ot Nstwal nta y � - Mr Neil A Ch ' t �p�.� .�.. «. S�ringbrook , � Nature Cenxcr Foundation IIox 32323, Fridicy, 14finncsota 55432 (612j 571-6743 April 21� 1978 a .�,.,, ;l�r. �ttv3�rt �'�t�rsaa�,� T�eas�xer Tl W. Do�ro cwo �TTias � '� � �£' 'LZ�a'3,��+D31 �iS$�LUi� � Mcdt.onics rporation � 1�. J�e�n� n. ��t'1L' �EIl�£T� Sec.eta�y �. �.�,�.� ��.. '��a �vers3t� .7��n� � N. �. N4.l7dlism K tf �.�`e�� il TT'�$D +� T�r x�r� Gvi1 cn9+ � J.�tf � Dr. L. Oatid h R!slsrCh Bi ogist � � � y�,�3,'i � . . . . � U. S. Fnh a Wildlik Seryice � . �.v��: t`�� o�' �is 3�t� is ta 3n�roduce the Springbroo� CAa4rtun �,y, I+k.DoykD. Gn � y�.� ',ijQjl� �� ,�� to� request a closer . � Ih. E. A. Petr lo � . � .. . vK. cns�. � �,g].a.�i�1 iT1�}i i blr. w.Yne E M►++oe . � .�7�' L"L�T�i3�71,� Accoununt w.a.� + ��' ��'�n�3 #a r�s� �nnd� ior developing and main-. s�,:� s:�t .,��a trict Na. �S �� i.LL'C I'+a,� ��n�er af ��a� Park �nd wa.s given a 5 Year �..�« a. 9.. w. wy�n s a� t=��,wr,s ��'�� tII� '�3.'3� �i �ri.:3�31'� Ai�. LeeMn �e � � . �k..rxk vewo ' '�,A:3£ � L�� 8� �H"PilO � ir13,S tntematlonal Brotherhopd � �� l,anned� approved by � ihe cit - a. �,.,� �,n � Fridlcy City a. o«�.w a. � holeswr oil Unive�ty or Dr. Hini� S.' DirMOr. Bell N+wnl H4ta � ^ Y c�n�33, �.d� ��.,3� �7�' m�,��..�g a� grant� and is nearly ��a�Yt s;�7;ef:ezi. ifi.i� �l�l��ent .i� d�sr.rz��. in an enciosed document. enp �°y �aTt ai �3�� a��ni�urEa� t� t�h� �ity council is to plan ,�, a�x . �R�m� a vi�ittar�� nt�r f�r +.�� r�. �aur��s of funding are being sought i�r► 3�ui1�1 t�is visi�tar's ��t�c as �art ��' the planning pxocess. rn are to..+abrniri�r(cn .. . . . . `ri'��" �� r.ity r.�.t�.i�t's ��ent is �urrently conductir,� . psa�s �ar s�i�►o1 r.3�i�ar�n at �°�C'�' as une of four natural history si�$ ia �ii�.7.�:�• �ar�se �i��rs of ar�a residents also use the fa�i�.�y r��r3.�r. � ��a�� t �� ara� aa�i ��reation Comm3.s�ion is usually �� '�° �a'�i�1� f�il.it.i.e� �hi�h �i�ty �taff or citizan groups use �O ��$ �a��• S�T�r �i� t.�e re�ersEd situation � in that pra- ��; iS 3�in� �ra��e3 ��r t3�e city staff requirin�; the use of a i�� ;� �� -+n�ride�i by a citi�en group. We believe �t��s si��uid �ve a z1ir��t �d. noraGal �ommunication cha.nnel to e�.ty �v�eram�nt far �at�i �an an3 iacility development. gt►e e�clos�d rssaluii� ,� p�� ,t the April 20, 1%78 meeting ��`�,�� re 'Ceri� rouuclat.ian. For your i'urther i:rtor- astiaz� �e a�o euclosi� co�ies of th� SN�' plan, copies oF SNCF surticlea o� 3acorg�aration an�d by-lavs. �, � Sincere3y, � �71-�..-� t,. CG= P�cB �w��.ssiouc� ' C�L��-' �� . . Yern Maen, Chrm. SNCF. ¢ � ..,� ay v� � �. , J �'4 �i �X ,� +� y f •1�,v . �'��, i 1 ' r'�('� �i �l r -ti � , . • r,,,�, �i .�i �'��,�� "' �%�+; ` � %� r(j,,sw. . . . x � � ��..� � ,yl-:�'�►"a. 4.� .. �� _ � � . �_ _- =';�i Mr. LYI� f4W4y Moka�HeorrcPm � - �. 6ntnct 31 Scie�ce Chabman . p►.tYalterJ.Bnckeroidqr � Qirecta Emer�an. Bell M�nm�n or wiWa� ff��«r EAr, Nait A. Ci�ririsnwn � Trexurer Or. Douy Ge�rud bkdvonics CAryoration . M�. Judith A. Janiak � $ecreisry . Uk Kathken Kenipe� - Mk. W�Iliam KnoN Civd Enyi�+eer d. C�. Uarid Mech Fesearch B�olog:st b.5. Fish and Witdlife Service I�b. Coiuunce Metealf W. Vernon L. Mwn Chairmar, . tdr, poyle D. Mullin Mr. E. A. Peuangelo V�ce Ch�irman W. Wayne E. Sampson . Aceountant IAr. Darid Sehsaf Suu Senato. ktinresota Dhtrict No. �l6 t�ts. �,,,�a a. so.v�. tAr. Wyman Smitfi l.egal Adviwr �. t.�a�� svoPA tat..lsck v�rn � tnumation�l6rotherhood . ot Teamsters aa,ri�on: !k. pan Huff fridky City Naturalist tk. Gonald.8. L.awrenee�. Prokswr oF 8oany � Universiry 01 Mlnnesoti O�r. Nxriwn 8. TordoH D�mctor, Beli M��seum of Nstural Hisw�y � IAe a/filisaons t/rown aro Jor idenrificanon �Y �d do aor cautiruie mdorsemmt . N� � �`�t,i.�('�''� � �,�� `• � � ��M� ,� �' . a . Sj�rin�brook p . �`��`'��. Nature Center Foundatton ,� �, _�...... Box 32323, Fridlcy, Minnesota 5�-�32 (G12) 571-G743 � RESOLUI'IO:J: F`rom Springbxook Nat�re Center Foundation. 4-2a�97s On motion of Doyle Nulli.n, seconded by Jan Seeaer and passed by the Springbrook Nature Center Founda— tion Board of Directors. l�hereas� the Springbrook Piature Center Foundation has as its pur•- pose the securing of funds for the development and maintenance oi the Springbrook Nature Center at 2lorth Pask for a period of five years; and, ldhexeas� thase funds have been secured and tHat development has ta.ken.place to a sufficient ex�ent that the facility is ready for pui�lic use; and� Whsreas, further development r�,.y be desired by the citiLens ana o.r government af �idley� under terms of the lease, to facilita�e pragrams ai:rrentZy being planned ox conductied by eithzr city staif or �itizens groups; and� Whereas� further facility developaent consistent with pro�ram and citizen needs can bes� be coordi.nated through the Paxks and Recreation Commission af the City of �'ridley; Nos�' therefore� be it reso�ved that the chai.rr�a�n is hexeby directed tc� submit a proposal to tihe Parks and 8ecreation �o�nission for � a consideration at their nex� meeting; a.-�d� Be it further xzsolved that the prop�sal request tha� the Parka and Recreation Commissio� assume co�nizance of both program atsd Sacilit-�r devslopment consistent wi �h the terms of eur lease viih t�ie City of Fridley. � � �