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PR 04/24/1978 - 31236�. � � P/iSYS ix BE�ATION DEP,ARTMENT MEETING APR�I, 24, 1978 � �� : E�i� P�:r�esson, 8obin Suhrbier, Leonard Moore, Jan Seeger �� A�i�ti: ��t� 3��h OT� ��; C3sari�s �oudrsau, Parks & Recreation Director ,�Ta�� isk, Program Director . - Jac� 3ians�n, H,A.F. President i�e�. MDen, Chairper�.o�,. Springbrook Nature Center Foundation Lee A�n �parra - representing Springbrook Nature Center Foundation D�.a�.e '�T.�gt - 1357 Fireside Dr. - Powdour Puff (Women's Volleyball League) B�ie �rnoldy - 5925 - 6th St. N.E. - " " " " ��eil �amble - 5926 Oakwood Manor - " " " " r�T?• 'i�D DSDE$: Cha3r��an �'�t�rsa� �all�d the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m. APP�L7V.AT. [7F 3�XCA 27, 1978, PARKS & RECREATION CONII�IISSION MINUTES: Ms. ��r s�at�d ��at �n �age 8, third paragraph, the motion should be chang�d tp r��d as ��11Dws: "MOTION by Jan Seeger, seconded by Leonard Moore, that �� DS'S3��.1i3ES .of ��lling the park land be explored and the money frosc► ��a� ��3.��ng �� 1� and money that would be allocated. by the devel��r i�� ut i�st� �e.scrDw for providing access under the railroad tracks to canu��L �aat �eighbarhao.d with the entire park system..:..Upon a voice vote, all va9�ang aa/e, t3�� mc3ticm �arriQd unanimous ly ." MO'�It� �� 3�aamard 33s�ar�, s�zond�d by 3an Seeger, to approve the March 27, 1978, Par� a& ��cr�at3zra Cca�mi��ion minutes as amended .- Upon a, voice vQte , all vot�g ��, t�� tirm tarried unanimausly. APPR.�dv.lsil� i9F ,AG�A: � The �m��cs�ring iteoss were ,ad�led to the� agenda; D�aaation: �.�. ��ll�r Corp. - Item 5 under "Director's Report" 3��i.e Zla�gt; W�en's Folleyball League - Item 3 under "New Business" V�ra 2�n; S�ring�r�k Nature Center Foundation - Item l under "Other Business" �r,luti�m r,n �'ar� ��ecr$ation Month - Item 2 under "Other Business" Faci�it� �ise �que�t �'am SFring Lake Park - Item 3 under "Other Business" 3�rnce La� ge,ac3� ��z�essir,n Dperation•- Item 4 under "Other Business" �,e,equest to gttend S�em�i.�saz' i�3► Jan Seeger - Stem S under ''Other Business" , .,i�.-= PARKS & RECREATION COI�IISSION MEETING APRIL 24 1978 - PAGE 2 MOTION by Robin Suhrbier, seconded by Leonard Moore t_g a � with the seven additions. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye�vthehmotgonda carried unanimously. I. DIRECTOR'S REPORT 1. Benjamin/Briardale Neighborhood Meetings: Mr. Boudreau stated these meetings were held the first week in April. He believed the Commission had been notified of these meetings. The meetings were held on a Wednesday and Thursday evening and were we11 attended. Ap�roximately 30 attended on Wednesday and approximately 15 on Thursday. At these meetings they discussed the development for the area. Everyone seemed to be in agreement with what the city had come up with through the surveys and through the neighborhood meetings om what planning should be developed with the money allocated for it. He stated there was one point of contention.. At tt;e Wednesday meeting, he had tried to get more direction on the lighting of the tennis cour.ts. The immediate neighbors did not want it lighted. It seemed that the group on Wednesday night were in favor of the lighting and the group on Thursday night were not. He stated they were meeting again on Wednesday to try to resolve that situation. They hoped to start development in that area yet this spring. Mr. Boudreau stated he felt the meetings were very productive. Councilman Schneider had attended both meetings, and Mayor Nee had attended on Thursday /� night. He stated that in the future he would wish that commission members would attend these meetings and meet the neighborhoods. 2. C.E.T.A. Program Status Report: Mr. Boudreau stated, that as the Commission knew, right now the Parks & Recreation pepartment Naturalist Division .were relying heaviliy on CETA, personnel for assistance. All special p rojects that will be ending May 3i. He stated there was a freeze on C,E.T.A. positions at present, so if any C.E.T.A, employees ].eft, they could not refill those positions. He stated they had been doing a little transferring and trading of C.E.T.A. positions to tr}� to get the peaple who were supposed to leave May 1 extended until September. They were making some progress, but Mr. Boudreau stated he thought the things that were coming up were of less G.E.T.A. involvement, which meant the} needed to look at the total operation to find out where they were going to find the leaders, supervisors, and people to run the programs. He passed this on for the Commission's awareness. 3. Recx�eation Program Report - Jack Kirk: Mr. Kirk stated that the spring program was well under way. The weather was causing problems as they had to cancel golf and tenni.s lessons resulting in the classes running longer. Softball registration was complete. Last year, they had 70 teams and this year they had 95 teams, so they were looking at better use of the fields they had. They were finishing up plans for the � sum�er brochure and this should be mailed out the middle of May. Registra- tion for summer programs would begin May 22, and most of the sumcner programs wou2d begin the second week in June. i"� /"1 ^ PARKS & RECREATION CONIMISS�ON MEETING APRIL 24 197$ - PAGE 3. Ms. Suhrbier stated she had received a lot o£ car►ments about the soccer program, and that it seemed to have changed a lot from what was presented to the Cammission. For one thing, rather than forming teams from neighbor- hoods, they were pulling names out of a hat. This was causing a lot of controversy. Also, parents had understood that this would end by the time the suuaner programs began, and the soccer program would not end until the end of July. Also, parents were under the impression that the games would be on Saturday and now the games,were going to be spread out during the week. She wanted to know if,the CoIImiission had any control o�er this? Mr. Kirk stated he had talked to some people frosn the soccer group, and they had gotten a huge response. They had gotten enough registrants for six house league teams when,originally, they were not going to even have a house league team. Mr. Peterson stated that you cauld form teams by neighborhoods, but if that was done, there wouZd always be one or two neighborhoods with top athl.etes. Parents would then be coming in complaining that there was not enough competition. There were a lot less problems by balancing out the teams. Mr. Hansen, H.A.F. President, stated that the reason they had stayed away fram Saturday games was because of complaints from parents of having weekends taken up for soccer. He stated Chat the number of participants was alsb ' probably the reason the program wauld be running longer, particulaxly with the house league program. Before, there was just the traveling team program. Mr. Boudreau stated he would be meeting with Mr. Bernie Hartman on the soccer program. If he had known these questions eariier, he could have had� contacted Mr. Hartman and probably gotten the answers for the Gommission meeting. He stated th�t in the future, if the Co�ission had any questions pertaining to the different programs, he would appreciate a.day's notice and it would help him get the information needed. Ms. Suhrhier stated she would answer these questions i.n the neighborhood. Mr. Boudreau stated that he could get the answers to these questions after his meeting with Mr. Hartman and he wouid cali Ms. Suhrbier. 4. 1979 Budget• Suggestions and Recoumnendations: Mr. Boudreau stated they were coming close to budget time for 1979 and were looking at a deadline the latter part of June before City Council. � Ae ur�ed the Commission that if they had any ideas of what they might want coverad in the budget material, they give him a list of written suggestions on im�rovements, capital improvements, or changes in the program, and how much it would cost to finance so they could work it into the total budget. Mr. Peterson stated that the Co�anission usuaZly always received a budget print-out to stt�dy. He asked if that was xeady yet? . ,: �, PARKS � RECREATION CO�iISSION MEETING APRIL 24 1978 - PAGE'4 � Mr. Boudreau stated that it was not, that would be part of the budget that would be brought to the Commission. Right now they were just looking for suggestions for that budget. They were also looking for input from the F.Y.S.A:, H.A.F., and other groups. Mr, Peterson stated that, with the Commission's approval, he would like Mr. Boudreau to send out a letter to each of the associations asking for input for the budget. Ttiis would be a good way to get the input back from them on a formal basis. - The Commissioners agreed and Mr. Boudreau stated it was a super idea and it �rould be done . � 5. Donation: H. B. Fuller Corp : Mr. Boudreau stated that a special committee from the H. B. Fu1Ler Corp. was at City Council on April I7 and made a donation of $2,000 to the Parks & Recreation Department for the purchasing of trees to be planted in Summit Square in Plymouth Park. They wanted the trees to be down by their company so they could help with the planting of the trees on Arbor Day, Friday, April 28. Mr. Boudreau stated this would go a long way towards the city's reforestation program. MOTION by Leonar3 Moare, secor��ed by Robin Suhrbier, that Mr. Boudreau write � a letter on behalf of the Cou�ission to the H. B. Fu11er Corp. thanking them for their generous donation. Mr. Boudreau stated that the H.B. Fuller Corporation headquarters was in St, Paul and they had helped the City of St. Paul with this type of thing. After meeting with them and after demanstration by the Parks & Recreation Bapartment of the need ia Fridley, their special commiCtee had decided to award Fridley $2,000 out of a possible $12,000. Mr. Boudreau stated that St. Paul had a unique system in that : c�panies had an adopted park, and they helped maintain that park. Mr. Boudreau stated they were very fortunate and it was a fine gesture on the part of the H. B. Fuller Corp. He stated the planting would be from 12:00-1c00 p.m. on Friday and the Commissioners �rere welcome to at�e�d. ITPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. II. r'EW BUSII�TESS i. H.A.E. 1977-78 Season Report: Mr. Jack Hansen: I�r. Hansen stated that in the pas� year they had 145 girls participating � in the broomball program, 149 boys in the house league program,and 273 boys � in the traveling team program, for a total of 567 children. They had , expexienced a fine season for a number of xeasons: (1) Gooci communications �.�ith the people in the City of Fridley, the Parks & Recreation Department, �, and the maintenance groups as far as excellent ice. He stated the maintenance - � � /"\ FARKS & RECREATION CO�IIIISSZON 3�� 4 �9�� - PAGE 5 crew had done� a fantas�tic job, �c1 �� '�•A-�'- �r� w�itten a letter and had certificates for the maiuteaan�� =��g �� $D��F.'s appreciation; (2) They had made hea�3iaay wit� �.h�� ra�liaag ��e�m �n�l the house league situations as far as the priar3t� l��t �at �al�mbia-Ar�na. This was in the process of being chang�tl arounLl; �n�l �3� ��: �ld ii�e to thank Joni in the Parks & Recreat�.�n De��•r�� .z� ��' ��i�ing with tha schedules . Mr. Hansen stated�he w�u1d li�E �a ��es�nt 1�» ��uri��au with a check for $1,134 to caver the city's asse�smea.� �� $� pei' �artit3Pant far the 1977-78 broomball an�i hockey pr�grams �ahi�:h i��lud�a �b� clii.ldren. He stated he would ais� like th� �ifiy tx� re�ur�� t�� i:AoF• $81� for the cost of the indoor ice for th� 1�77-7F, ha��3� �.��ue �lay-offs . The costs were broken down as fallow$: Bflys house league h�c�y Girls broomball - $�4 D 12 �irs . @ $45 %hr . - �7D � iirs. @ $45/hr. $$1D Mr. Hansen stated that, basically., �he �.A.�.��ad talked alwut dealing with about a$45,000 budgat in disbur�emEnts. Th�.� ��.r, they had taken over all the referees as opposed to �he 1�st ��r's ��unication prc�blem, and he thought this year they had �nme aut aaith � iD�al o� $16 outstanding as opposed to $116-118 the previ�us year. �Ie �:��ugi�t t3aat t3�e �ommunication with the staff, Parks & Recreation Department, maint�� r�w, and H.�.F. had helped them come out pretty good as far a� tatal cr��, Mr. Hansen stated that the n.ew �.�.�'. �aard an�:mb�rs �ar 197$-79 were as follows: Jack Aans�n - �'r�sident Wayne Brandt - �ic� Presid�nt Dava Dockt�r - ��rr�eta.ry Joe Westen�i�1�.- fir�asurer Ra.y Johns - �ra�mball John Gargar� - fl3�aus� leagu� Jim Becker - �.'r�v��ing I�irector Judy Bailey - ��ansors Dir�ctor Jacic Namie - ��ui}�nt man Mr. Hansen stated he had the fa1l�.ng sugg��tion$ ar rerou¢nendations for the next year: 1. They had found the boa�s st the Ja�y�� Rinlz, Locke Park rink, and Sylvan Park rink �er� �r�tty lo�a �Dr th� oider boys. They would like some type of �iel� to ra�.�� i�as� boards up. 2. Ona point of contenti�� was that ��e �orners at the A.A.F. rink should be more rounde�i. PARKS � RECREATION COI�IlriCSSION MEETING APRIL 24 1978 - PAGE 6 3. To start preparations so that the rinks were ready for skating by Christmas vacation. Mr. Hansen stated that they tentatively. planned on the following eight rinks for the next season, although they were available to make other consideration�: Locke Park - 3 xinks Co�ons Park - 2 rinks Hayes - 1 rink I.ogan - 1 rink Sylvan - 1 rink 8 rinks Mr. Hansen stated they had used Grace and Madsen a few times for back-up, and he thought it had worked out very well this year. They had not used Flannery or Ruth Circle. In long range planning, they were laoking at the possibility, based on registration, of cutting back fro� those eight rinks also. Mr. Hansen stated that this year the house league and broomball had inside play-off ice, and it was brought to his attention that the traveling teams did not get any inside ice. He stated this was a consideration that he and Mr. Boudreau could work out. They were going to cut back on the traveling teams this next season and emphasize the house league more. , Mr. Hansen stated the last thing he wanted to bring up was the $2 per child assessment to the city.. Mr. Hansen stated that the H.A.F. had a maximum amount of dollars a family could spend. Was there something that could be done with this situation? For example, for a familp of six, the H.A.F. was cutting back the maximum.amount.they could give to the H.A.F. Was there s�e way that if five people played, they could 'get away from sticking them with 'the $2 assessment for each one? The request was brought up that if they charged the first person in the family $15, the second person $12, the third person $10, to a maximum of $30 a family, if five people were in the program, why did the H.A.F, have to pay one-third of it back to the city? He stated it was something for the Cammission to Chink about. Mr» S�dreau stated it should be pointed out to these people that out of the $I,134 returned to the city,.the city had �a�d back $810 t o the H.A.F. of= a participation fee. Also, the city put back much��more�th�ough office help, etc. MOTION by Jan Seeger, seconded by Leonard Moore, to receive the H.A,F. communications and the plaque to the maintenance group, with a special thanks to the H.A.F. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Peterson thanked Mr. Hansen for his report and asked Mr. Aansen to conver -the Gommission's appreciation to the H.A.F. � � I � � PARKS � RECREATiON COd�lISSION MEETING, APRIL 24, 1978 __ - PAGE 7 2. Receive Conmmunications - Ref. Hillcrest Plat: Mr. Boudreau stated that since the last meeting, he had received two � co�unications from Hillcrest regarding the garcel of land. One co�nunica- tion had indicated that they were cut off by East River Road and Locke Lake a�d their genera� area was not accessible for any of the parks. It was their hope that the land would be developed for playground purposes only. He stated t3iat both co�unications had indicated that the 1.5 acres be develo�ed into park land. A�OTI�i�T by lao�in Sui�rbier, seconded by Jan Seeger, to receive the communica- tions fr�am Mr. 8icharrl Iieuveln and Barbara Haley. Upon a voice vote, all voting a�e, the ma�ian carried unanimously. Ms. Seeger statsrl shQ a.ras impressed that the needs were still there--they stili �a� t�� nee� of getting to th� park land safely. 3. Dixi�e 'Uogt - "�7omen's Volleyball I,eague : Ms. Bogt s�aterl �i�a� A�. Arnoldy, Ms. Gamble, and herself represented the T�esda� ni.ght �'oia3�x� �f� voileyball team. They were the team that repre- se�ted th� league at ��: state voileyball tournament. She stated that they had �een �la��fi� Daula�.e B and they had not belonged there. They had been hu�ci.l�.at�tl at t3se tasurnament by couunents they had heard from other ^ teams an,d f3c.Qm crn� �� e r�fer�es . She stated she had talked quite a bit to Rat�.y �+%�.��n, ��a�� Cs�aissioner on Volleyball, about how unhappy sh� and t3� �th$r naemb�e�s of t�ie team had been. 2dss, Bogt �taied t�'t �s� �eferees thep had for the league were lousy and in�o�3st�at. �n ��.a�tance, th� referee stated that he would have to che��s, t1�� ru��. ,S"3�� st�ted t3��y wanted a better quality women's vo-lleyball leagu�, �i� da�l �mt think �t �aou�.d cost too much to at least have a clinic so t�aat t3� r��'�r�e.s �aaul� �earn the rules of the game , �dr. B�dr�au ��at��l �e Parks ix Re�reation Department had tried to get the bes�t r�ef�� a.�sa3��. it was we� hard to get qualified referees for volley�a�.� �nsl �u� �a�.a.s �was o�e of the best . The demand for "quality �o�ea"s �va�.��3�a1�" ��r�r ia�. They would be hard pressed to come up �.t3i a n�er a� ��sl��.� �.ik� 3�ls. '�Togt who would want to p�ay top notch vo�.�.e�3�a11 in ��a �i� �f �'�id�e3�, He stated that most of the ladies were �1a�iasg far t��e iLm �s1 ��cisQ. If he was not wrong, the team had b�,� �ufarmed ir,c� ��e�� erie�� last year that there was no one in th��.� c�.�s � s��l ��r.3i r3�m ��ause they were the best team in Fridley . �. �,i�� tat�sl t3�t, ��ar as �►e team being classified Double B, the ci�y daa:d �aa �am�r�o�. �� t�►at. '�� ame directly from the state. The s��e � g,oi�g �s��g3i � r�ar�rarng�m�nt of the athletic program and were trg�.ag ta� �s;��.z�e ca�t�.ti.r�n. �'1 FARKS & RECREATION COMMISSICA�i MEETING APRIL 24 I978 - PAGE 8 Ms. Vogt stated they would like better referees who would call every play so they could learn the game better. Mr. Boudreau stated he thought it was state policy that if Fridley did not have a league which fit Ms. Vogt's team's needs, they were welcome to play in the closest city that did have that league. Mr. Rirk stated they could have a fun league that would not go to state and he would say that probably 5-6 teams out of the volleyball league would want to take part �.n that fun 1 eague. Ms. Vogt stated that if the ladies were wi.11ing to pay a$55 entry fee, why weren't they willing to have a better league? . Mr. Boudreau stated that if Ms. Vogt's team wished a league where there was a highly qualified referee who called every play, he would be willing to advertise it as competitive volleyball for the next year. If they had enough ladies sign up for four teams, they could have this league. If not, they were welcome to play in another community. He stated he would make the best effort he could to get the best qualified referee and inform that referee to call every play. He stated that he was sure that, if this was done, the Comm�ission would be getting the reverse type of negative feelings about the referees being too strict. Mr. Peterson stated the Commission was sensitive to the needs of the people of Fridley. He stated that the Commission had a policy that when a group of citizens wanted to have a program, the Commission encouraged them to organize themselves, draw up rules, bylaws, and regulations to be brought to the Commission so the Commission could make sure they fit with the over- all policies, such as the other associations. He stated that might be one way to go. The Commission would be very cooperative with them to try to get them what they wanted for a program. He asked that Ms. Vogt talk to other ladies on the teams and come back and be on the agenda at the July meeting. Mr. Boudreau thanked Ms. Vogt, Ms. Arnoldy, and Ms. Gamble for coming and stated that the Parks & Recreation Department office door was always open. III. OI,D BUSINESS • 1. ElecCion of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson (Term: June 1, 1978 to , May 31, 1979) Mr. Peterson declared the nominations open for Chairperson. MOTION by Jan Seeger, seconded by Leonard Moore, to re-elect Mr. Bob Peterson as Chairperson of the Parks & Recreation Commission for a one year term, and to re-elect Ms. Robin Suhrbier as Vice-Chairperson of the Parks & RecreaCion Comnission for a one year term. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. n . i � ppR,R,S � RECitEATION CONIl�ISSION MEETZNG APRIL 24 1978 - PAGE 9 � IV. OTHER BUSINESS 1. Vern Moen - Springbzook Nature Center Foundation; , Mr. Moen handed out sets of information regarding Springbrook Nature Center Foundation. He stated that the sets consisted of not only the plan which covered a great deal about Springbrook, but also covered a set of Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. He read to the Commissian a letter addressed to Mr. Bob Peterson from the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation (attached.) and a Resolution passed by Springbrook Nature Center Foundation on Apri1 20, 1978 (attached). MOTION by Jan Seeger, seconded by Leonard Moore, to receive the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation communications. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. . Mr. Moen stated that the Springbroak Nature Center Foundation was presenting this inforaation to the Parks � Recreation Commission for their consideration and they could not see that any direct action was needed at this time. He stated that the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation was asking that the Commission realize that the Springbrook Nature Center was on a five-year. lease plan, so there were only two years remaining. If the lease was not renewed at that time, it would be the responsibi2ity of the City of Fridley under the Parks & Recreation Department. ^ Mr. Boudreau stated that if that was what the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation was asking, then there was direction for the Commission to take action on that understanding as nowhere in the lease agreement was that written out. Mr. Moen stated there was no actian needed until the lease expired. If the lease was not renewed, what happened to the Springbrook Nature Center? It was property af the City of Fridley. The Foundation had a.five-year lease and their prime plan was to raise funds and make it possible for a nature center. Mr. Peterson stated that,for reviewal purposes and as he understaod it, when the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation was an issue for the voters and the Foundation was formed, at that time certain statements and pledges were made to the City and to the City Council that it was to be developed by an independent, non-profit organization without use of tax dollars. On the'basis of that, the City Council executed the lease as of April l; 1975. The Parks & Recrea�tion Department at that time never did get involved in negotiatin� it because it had been taken out of the Parks Department`s hands and City Council handled it. He was confused as to what action the Cammission should be taking and wanted to be sure that what the Com�nission di'a-was consistent with what"had gone on before. _ �Mr. Moen stated that the Springbrook Nature Center make sure that this "newborn babe" was'not left in /� the Coum�ission to be prepared for this. ' �oundation wanted to the cold. They wanted -�.-., P�,RKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, APRIL 24, 1978 - PAGE 10 � � M.s. Sporre asked if the park canmissioners knew the total overall compre- hensive plan for the nature center and what it would do for the citizens of Fridley? Did they want to be a part of the process of deciding what it could do? :She stated she thought the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation ' was saying that it was not their intent to prevent the Commission from being a part of that decision-making process. Mr. Petersan stated that he thought the final question would be determined by the commitments, promises, and statements made by how successful the Foundation fulfilled the goals and the thrust that it started out with. He thought that the City Council stated very clearly, as far as the Parks & Recreation Commission was concerned, that if the Nature Center went the way the Foundation said it would, it would continue on, and if not, it would came back to the Parks & Recreation for planning. Ms. Sporre stated that the Foundation was making an offer to the Parks & Recreation Cou�►ission to join with them in deci.ding how.to best fulfill the Center's needs. They wanted to �uild a communication where they could talk to each other and the Foundation thought the two bodies should be working together. , Ms. Seeger stated that even before this became an issue, North Park was a city park that was purchased with LAWCON funds, w�ich were special funds earmarked for Iocal parks. It was and stiil i� a. Pridley park and one-third of Fridley's park land, She stated that, as the Commission had pointed out �"� before when they had asked Mr. Moen to appear at a meeting and answer questions regarding the Springbroo� Nat�.�re Center Foundati�n, they were in two separate worlds. As a commissioner, she felt this was an error. At one time the Naturalist Department was a separate department, but it was no�w part of Parks & Recreation Department. Mr. Boudreau stated that as Director of the Parks & Recreation and Resource Department, he felt the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation's plans were not subject to this Co�ission's approval at this point in time, according to the written lease agreement, but were subject to City Council's approval. The best thing to be done by the Cou�►ission ro accept responsibility for the development and the ongoing operation since this agreement was written with City Council was for the Cammission to recommend a course of action. He stated that the Foundation had heard him at their meetings stating that, yes, they now had a naturalist on board and, yes, he planned on having the best naturalist program they could have with that person's ability, and, yes, he felt that environmental education was an important aspect of the total recreation and leisure picture, and, yes, they had four facilities in Fxidley they might utilize and planned on utilizing them all. If the Foundation was asking if they had the interest and desire to see that develapment continue, the answer was "yes". Mr. Mven stated that even though the Foundation's plans were subject to City Council approval, the City Council would probably seek the advice of the Parks & Recreation Couunission. . � /"ti PARKS & RECREATIQN COMMISSION MEETING, APRIL 24, 1978 - PAGE'll Mr. Peterson stated, as Ms. Seeger had pointed out, that when the property was purchased with LAWCON and city funds, it became a very devisive battle within the City of Fridley, and there were some very specific claims and counterclaims that were made. Anytime they did not recognize this, they were not telling the story as it happened back'at the time of the election. As a commissioner, he did not feel comfortable if they were going to be getting into something that changed a commitment made on the part of the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation when they signed the lease with the city and when they were campaigning within the city. He referred to �5, page 2, of the "Lease Agreement" which indicated the lease was with the City Council. Ms. Seeger stated there were some real places where the Commission had not been communicating with the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation. As she understood it, the Parks & Recreation Commission was not even involved with the purchase of the park property. Again, this Commission was short-circuited when it came to_the lease,even though the park was on e-third of all the city park property and a Fridley xesident park. As a Foundation member, she felt it was unjust, and it should have come before this body and then to City Council. Mr. Moen stated that the fact that he had given the Commission this informa- tion did not change anyth'ing, and they would carry on exactly the same, but ^ the Commission would now have information and would know where they stood. At the end of the lease period, the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation would be asked if they wished to renew the lease. ,�t that time, he might not even be chairperson, and he could not speak for the other people on the Board. The Board at that time might wish to consider it as a completed contract and turn it back to the city. Mr. Boudreau stated that the Resolution stated that "the Parks & Recreation Commission ass�e cognizance of both program and facility development con- sistent with the terms of the lease with the City of Fridley." He referred to �Ll, page 3, of the "Lease Agreement" which stated; "The Foundation will maintain a xegular, open public meeting for conducting its business and will furnish the City Manager with mi.nutes of those meetings. All caaanunications with the City Council will be through the City Manager, who will act to establish a liaison between the City Council and the Foundation." Mr'. Boudreau suggested that maybe the proper avenue to approach would be through the C.ity Council with a direct request that the Par.ks & Recreation Cammission become involved, Then, when the City Council referred it back to the Commission, this Commission had some ability at that point in time to say they would like to be involved,as opposed to working from the liottom up. Ms. Suhrbier stated that the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation was try�ng to draw up plans for a building. If that building was not completed in two years, was it up to the city to pay for that building? As she under- stood it, the vote was taken that no tax money was to be used. She was ^ concerned that Chere were other needs for city tax dollars as the residents of Fridley had indicated that they did not want their tax dollars going into that park. � PARKS � RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING APRiL 24 1978 - PAGE�12. Mr. Peterson stated that he thought the carunitment had been made to the � voters and he did not know if the voters would have voted differently if it had been said that after five years the city was going to develop it as a nature center. But he did not think that the city made a commitment to continue on the same program that had been started under the private founda- tion. Ms. Seeger stated that when the vote was for development of the park as a golf course or as a nature center, the City Council then had to come up with a decision of "how to". They directed the existing naturalist department to come up with a proposed plan of development who directed the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation to come up with a proposed plan of development. The City Council then had to decide, So,there were two directives--one intended fully to pick up the tab for the whole thing and develop it, and the other intended to try the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation for five years. Ms. Suhrbier stated that when she asked the questions of the voters, they said they voted on a nature center with no tax dollars Eo be used for it. Maybe the vote should be put to them again so they knew that maybe tax dollars would be used. Ms. Seeger stated that, as she understood it, the requirements of the Faundation to date had been filled and there w�as money in the bank for all improvements. ^ Ms. Sporre stated that whentize referendum was called on the nature center, the question was to favor development of North Park as a nature center. She thought the voters were weli informed and knew what they were doing. She thought:it was the responsibility of this Commission to look at the future and not worry about the past. The future was the only thing that was going to serve the City of Fridley and protect the facility they already had. So, when the offer was made to the Commission to be cogni- zant of it, she thought it would be honorable for the Coumiission to do so. Mr. Peterson stated that the question was what did they do from 1978 going forward? The"Lease Agreement" very clearly spelled out that it was between the Foundation and the City Council. He did not know what the Co�►ission could accomplish. Mr. Moen stated the Foundation was having their next monthly meeting May 30, 1978, at 7:30 p.m., at City Hall. They would be happy to'have the Commission join them for discussion. He did not think they eould do anything but loak at the information and hope to come to a closer under- standing of the Commission's problem and how it could be done. Mr. Suhrbier stated that as a member of the commission, the lrnowledge she had gained about Springbrook was from talking to highly educated people. I€ they had misinterpreted what they voted on, then it must have been in the communications in the vote. She was really bothered by the vote and � by the use of taxes. ^ pARKS & RECREATION COI�'IISSION MEETING APRIL 24 1978 - PAGE 13 �, Mr. Peterson thanked Mr. Moen;and Ms. Sporre for c�ing Co the meeting. 2. Resolution: Parks S� Recreation Month: • Mr. Boudreau stated that the "National Park � Recreation Magazine" was pushing for the month of June as Nationai Parks � Recreation Month, He read to the C�ission a resolution stating that the Mayor of Fridley proclaim the month of June as National Parks & Recreation Month. Mr. Boudreau stated he would Like the endorsement of this resolution by the Com�ission so it could go through the process to City Council. MOTION by Jan Seeger, seconded by Leonard M�:ore, to endorse the resolution to proclaim the month of June as "Aiational Parks & Recreation Month". Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. Mr. Peterson stated that if the City Council agreed with this and proclaimed June as National Parks S� Recreation Month, the Coumiission should recognize all the volunteers of the various organizations. This would also include Mr. Moen and all the other volunteers on the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation. Mr. Boudreau stated he was planning on doing that. They wanted to connect this with the 49'er Days and wanted to let the people of Fridley lmow that ^ there were a lot of things in which to participate. 3. Facility Use Request from Spring Lake Park: Mr. Boudreau stated that the City of Spring I,ake Park's Parks & Recreation Department_was again sequesting�the use of the ballfields at Madsen (1:00-2:00 p.m., 6:00-dark, Tuesdays, May 23 - July 25) and Flannery (1:00-2:00 p.m., 6:00-dark, Wednesdays, May 24 - July 26). Spring Lake .Park was stating that they were anticigating 250 Fridley children, grades 1-12, to participate in their programs, and they had always allowed Fridley children within the Spring Lake Park schqol district to play in their programs. They hoped Fridley would again honor this request. Mr. Boudreau stated that in 1976, a total of 147 Fridley children had parti- cipated in the Spring Lake Park program. Ae stated they were back to the same thing: How many facilities were they responsible for.in Fridley for surrounding co�nunities? He was in the dilemma as to how much he could ask of his staff to provide facilities for outside parks and recreation departments and participants to utilize. It might be within the responsi- bility of this Co�nission to reco�nend a fee for usage of Fridley's facilities. Mr. Peterson stated that they had talked about this last year and had gone ahead because they felt they wanted Fridley children to have every oppor- tunity. But, he wondered what programs Spring Lake Park was offering that Fridley was not offering. Did they feel a moral obligation in that maybe Spring Lake Park was offering a program that Fridley did nat haveT PARKS � RECREATION COI�IISSION MEETING, APRIL 24, I978 - PAGE 14 Mr. Boudreau stated that the programs were basically the same as Fridley's. � There was some legitimacy in the.fact that the people in that area who attended Spring Lake Park schools would want to participate with that group, But, that was� their desire, and he did not know what responsibility the City of Fridley had if that was their choice. If Fridley kept providing Spring Lake Park with facilities, Spring Lake Park would never get their own facilities. Ms. Seeger stated she agreed. She thought the demand on Fridley's facilities would become greater as the demand increased for soccer, and they owed it to the citizens of Fridley to make decisions like that. Mr. Boudreau stated that Fridley will need those fields this . � sua�ner for their own programs. If the Cou�ission did decide to extend the privilege to Spring Lake Park, he would charge a user fee of $15-20 per hour. He would know more after meeting with the Spring Lake Park people and after the Fridley summer program was settled. The Commission agreed that Mr. Boudreau would come back at the May meeting with a recommendation on the Spring Lake Park request. 4. Moore Lake Beach Concession Operation: Mr. Boudreau stated he was looking for the feelings of the Co�ission on the concession stand at Moore Lake Beach. Was it really needed? The city was losi.ng money on it. ^ The Comn►issioners indicated they did like the idea of a concession stand on the beach. It was very popular with the kids. Mr. Boudreau stated that the city would continue to operate the concession stand this summer as they had in the past, but if .they came up with any solutions ta the problem, he would appreci4te their letting him know. S. Request to Attend Seminar by Jan Seeger: Ms. Seeger stated she would like the Commission`s permission to attend the "Earth Conservation & Earth Sheltered Structures" seminar sponsored by the Energy Co�ission to be held at the University of Minnesota on May 16-17, cost, $36. MOTION by Robir� Suhrbier, seconded by Leonard Moore, to approve Ms. Seeger's attendance at the "Earth Conservation & EarCh Sheltered Structures" seminar. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. ADJQURNMENT • MOTION by 3an Seeger, seconded by Leonard Moare, to adjourn the meeting at I0:40 p.m. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, the motion carried unanimously. Respectfully sub itted, ' � � Lynn 3aba . Recording Secretary , ��