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PR 05/04/1982 - 31278� i " CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MAY 4, 1982 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Kondrick called the May 4, 1982, Parks & Recreation Comnission meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Dave Kondrick, Jan Seeger, Dick Young, Dan Allen, Mary Schreiner Members Absent: None -. Others Present: Charles Boudreau, Parks & Recreation Director Terry Merriman, 711 Rice Creek Terrace APPROVAL OF APRIL 6, ]982, PARKS & RECREATION COMMI5SION MINUTES: � . MOTION BY MS. SCHREINER, SECONDED BY MS. SEEGER, TO APPROVE THE APRIL 6, 1982, PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES. Mr. Young stated that on page 7, under "Po7icy Recomnendation", the name, "Mrs. Jaycees" should be changed to "Jaycee Women". UPON A VOICE VOTE� ALL VOTING AYE� CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MINUTES APPROVED AS AMENDED. - APPROVAL OF AGENDA: The following items were added to the agenda: Communication from Pat & Tom Bordner - Item B under "Director's Report" Communication from Marcy Sparks - Item C under "Director's Report" Weeds at Locke Park - Terry Merriman - Item A under "Other Business" Jaycee Gift to the City - Dick Young - Item B under "Other Business" Eisenhower Square - Dick Young - Item C under "Other Business" MOTION BY MR. ALLEN� SECONDED BY MS. SEEGER� TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. UPON A VOICE VOTE� ALL VOTZNG AYE� CHAIRPERSON KONDRICR DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ,-� Mr. Kondrick suggested that Mr. Terry Merriman's discussion on the weeds at Locke Park be placed first on the agena. � PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, MAY 4� 1982 PAGE 2 ]. WEEDS AT LOCKE PARK - TERRY MERRIMAN: Mr. Merriman stated he had addressed the Commission on October l9, 7987, over the issue of the mowing in Locke Park, which has been discontinued on the south side of Rice Creek since Anoka County took over the maintenance of the park. Previous to his addressing the Commission, he had ta7ked to Dr. Boudreau a couple of times about the mowing. At the Commission meeting, Dr. Boudreau fiad said there was really not a lot of support amongst the population on the south side of the Creek for the continued mowing of tf�at area, and that the amount of use on that side of the Creek was open to question. Mr. Merriman stated that prior to that Comnission meeting, Dr. Boudreau had said he wou]d research the issue a little bit and give some indication of ho�v much time it takes to mow the area and the number of times it gets mowed each year. At the Comnission meeting, there was also some discussion about the noxious weed ordinance, and the fact that he thought there was no master plan for Locke Park. He stated it was his understanding that the message was going to be-transmitted to Dave �Torkildson, Director of the Anoka County Park Department, that there should be some kind of master plan for the park. To this date, Mr. Merriman stated he did not know if there was any plan. Mr. Merriman stated he had been unable to attend the Commission's December meeting, which Mr. Torkildson attended. At that meeting, Mr. Torkildson gave '� the indication that the residents have ]ost interest in this issue. Mr. Merrimar� stated the residents have not lost interest in this issue. Mr. Merriman stated he met with Mr. Torkildson in late Jan./Feb, and explained their position in that all of the residents he has talked to, without�exception, want to see this area mowed. At that time, Mr. Torkildson indicated some willingness to negotiate on the amount of mowing that would be done, and they discussed the possibility of establishing a new tree line. Mr. Torkildson would like to establish a new tree line, but Mr. Merriman did not know where. Mr. Merriman stated Mr. Torkildson has obviously taken the position that he does not want to do any mowing. Mr. Merriman stated he has talked to Mr. Torkildson and has set up a meeting with Mr. Torki7dson for 4:15 p.m. in Locke Park at Monroe St. and Rice Creek 7errace. He and Mr. Torkildson will walk the area and try to come to some kind of agreement. He stated that Dr. Boudreau and any of the Comnission members who wished to attend this meeting were welcome. He stated he was going to invite some af his neighbors, because he feit there should be representation from people who live in the middle section and on each end of the park. Mr. Merriman stated Mr. Torkildson also continues to bring up the issue that the area is never used. Mr. Merriman stated he has started to pay attention this year, and that area is used a iot. Mr. Merriman stated an issue he did not talk about at the last Commission meeting, but one that is very important, is the aesthetics. If that area is al]owed to go wild, it is no different living next to that end of the park � � PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING,�MAY�4 �7982 PAGE 3 than living next to a vacant lot. He felt they should find out what Mr: Torkildson intends to do in that area. Mr. Torkildson had said he would like to establish a new tree line which would be p7aced about 30 ft. south of the trail that is going through the park and then mow the rest. Dr. Boudreau stated that is in the master p7an for that area for the walkway system that is going all the way through Locke Park. Mr. Torkildson is trying to put a buffer of trees between the residents and the trai] system. Dr. Boudreau stated the City did come in ]ast fall and mow that area up to the power line. He stated the area Mr. Merriman is talking about mowing is a 1/4 mile stretch that would take a day to a day and a half to mow. He stated that, contrary to wbat Mr. Merriman has said, that area is not used. He stated his maintenance men are around that area day in and day out through- out the year, he has been out there several times, the County people have been out there several times, and that area is not being used except for some night parties. Ms. Seeger asked Mr. Merriman if he t�ought berming with trees or shrubs would be desirable or not desirable to the neighborhood. Mr. Merriman stated he thought that would be too expensive. Ms. Seeger stated maybe they are talking about long term expense. If it is a long term expense to mow it every year, maybe the expense shou7d be incurred in reforestation of some merit. Mr. Merriman stated he was in agreement with that ]00%. He was not against moving the tree line farther south and mowing up to that. He stated the City has always mowed it, and he is looking for some compromise. He is not asking for the whole area to be mowed. Mr. Kondrick stated he did not see any reason why a reasonable compromise couldn't be worked out at the meeting on Monday, May ]2th, with Mr. Torkildson. He stated he would attend that meeting. Dr. Boudreau stated he would also attend that meeting. Mr. Merriman thanked the Commission for their time and asked that as many Commission members as possible attend the Monday meeting. 2. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON AND VICE-CHAIRPERSON - 1982-83: Chairperson Kondrick declared the nominations open for chairperson. MOTION BY !�2 . ALLEN � SECONDED BY !�R . YOiJNG � TO RENOMINATE DAVE KONDRICK FOR CIiAIRPERSON. /� Mr. Allen stated Mr. Kondrick has done a very good job in representing the Comnission, and he would ]ike to see him continue as chairperson. /`� PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, MAY 4, 1982 PAGE 4 Mr. Young stated Mr. Kondrick has represented the Commission on the Planning Comnission this past year, and he felt that, to do justice to the Planning Commission, a person should serve on the Planning Commission for more than one year. Hearing no other nominations, Chairperson Kondrick declared the nominations closed. MOTIDN BY MS. SEEGER, SECONDED BY 1�. ALLEN, TO CAST A UNANIMOUS BALLOT FOR DAVE KONDRICK AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMI5SION FOR THE YEAR 1982-83. UPON A VOICE VOTE� ALL VOTING AYE� CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK D£CLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMDUSLY. Chairperson Kondrick declared the nominations open for i�ice-chairperson. MOTION BY MS. SEEGER� SECONDED SY !►�2. YOUNG� TO NOMINATE MARY SCHREINER FOR VICE-CHAIRPERSON. Hearing no other nominations, Chairperson Kondrick declared the nominations closed. � MOTION BY 1�lR. YDUNG� SECONDED BY 1►�2. ALLEN, TO CAST A UNANIMDUS 'BALLOT FOR MARY SCHREINER AS VICE-CHAIRPERSON OF THE PARKS & RECREATIDN COMMISSION FOR THE YEAR I982-83. UPON A VOICE VOTE� ALL VOTING AYE� CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMDUSLY. 3. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: a. Direction of the Department for the Coming Year Dr. Boudreau stated Nasim Qureshi, City Manager, had sent a memo dated April 26, 1982, to the Mayor and City Council with carbon copies to the department heads. In the memo, Mr. Qureshi stated the City had a "state aid cutback to the tune of $342,927 and an anticipated cutback of $11,973 from revenue sharing which trans7ates into approximately a 6% cut in our total City revenue budgeted for the year 1982. It also seems that in the foreseeable future, we will continue to have a reduc- tion in revenue from these two sources, so in tf�e recent past we have been instituting certain steps to meet such anticipated reductions. We have advised the Council about some of the steps, and it seems that we might have to add to the list af actions necessary to meet these shortfa]ls and cutbacks". �-. Dr. Boudreau stated Mr. Qureshi had listed the following "Actions to _ minimize expenditures": � n PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, MAY 4, 1982 PAGE 5 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 17. Delayed filling of vacancies � Reduction of city staff by attrition Higher use of part-time employees Higher use of co7lege and school internship programs Higher use of conmunity vo]unteers Combination of certain staff positions Recruitment at the lowest possible level Contracting out for specialized services Higher level of justification for any vacant positions to be filled Review of elimination or reduction of certain programs Other steps we r�ight be forced to take to meet the revenue shortfall: a. Voluntary leaves of absence by employees b. Mandated leaves of absence c. Employee layoff : Mr. Qureshi had stated the last two items would be considered only as a last resort action if al] other actions still have not met the revenue shortfal]. Mr. Qureshi also listed the fol]owing "Actions to increase revenue"--steps they have been taking and hope to be taking more aggressively in the future: 1. Increased user fees 2. Higher license and permit fees 3. Better scrutiny to see that staff is charging accurately to enterprise funds like liquor, water, sewer, and HRA activities Dr. Boudreau stated that Mr. Qureshi had also stated that he was giving this memo to the City Council for their information and any further input because by City Charter, the City is required to have expenditures meet the revenues each year, and such decrease in anticipated revenues is requiring the City to take expenditure reduction action. Dr. Boudreau stated the City is about $400,000 short �n revenue in the 1982 budget, and the City has to look at ways of cutting expenses where they can. As the Commission was already aware, the Parks & Recreation Department is already doing a lot of the first 8-9 criteria Mr. Qureshi had listed. The Parks & Recreation Department operates almost entirely on part-time employees. The Parks & Recreation Department does no� fi71 their ful]-time vacancies if they occur. They use the college and intern programs, and are probab7y the largest department in using community volunteers, wherever possible. The Parks & Recreation Department prides itself or� getting support from various groups, agenciQS, companies, and anyone who wants to contribute to the Department of Park, Recreation, and Natural Resources. Dr. Bou�reau stated he brought this before the Commi'ssion, because the Commission still continues to get requests for specia7ized services, such as Mr: Merriman had presented ear7ier in the meeting. It is very difficult /'� PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING,'I�AY 4, 1982 ` PAGE 6 to say "no" to those things that have been done in the past and that are - taken for granted that they are going to continue to do forever. He - stated they will have to start looking at those kinds of things. - Dr. Boudreau stated the Commission discussed fees and charges at the last - meeting and raised those fees. He stated the City Council approved those fees at their meeting the previous evening. He stated the Comnission has been very helpful in assisting the Parks & Recreation Department in keeping the fees and charges for programs in 7ine where they can pride themselves in giving the Fridley residents a qua7ity program at the least amount of cost. He stated they may have to raise the user fee next year, and they may have to cut down on some of the capital outlay items next year. Dr. Boudreau stated the Park, Recreation, and Natural Resource Department's prime objective is to provide services to the citizens of Fridley. That comes through programning. Programs are its revenue source, so if they cut programs, they also reduce revenue. He stated they feel they have to continue to update their facilities and keep up with the capital outlay items. Dr. Boudreau stated that when the Commission members help with the budget this year and come up with capital outlay needs and items and ideas for ^ new programs, he would like them to keep in mind that these are some of the constraints they are going to try to live by for at least a year. He stated he is looking for suggestions from the Commission on how to reduce expenditures on the City's part and still maintain the services that are proyided. b. Communication from Pat & Tom Bordner, 660 Hugo St. N.E. Dr. Boudreau stated that Pat & Tom Bordner were submitting a request for a higher fence at Glencoe Park. They stated that in the past, they split the cost of a 4 ft. high fence with the City. That 4 ft. fence is stii] standing. They stated the 4 ft. fence is inadequate because basket- balls and basebal]s come over the fence into their yard, and children are constantly crawling over the fence into their yard. Also, refuse from the park is thrown into their yard. They cannot plant bushes or plants in their yard, because they get destroyed. They stated that, in general, their civil rights are being vio7ated, and they wou7d 7ike the City to change the policy of on7y sharing the cost of a 4 ft, high fence. Dr. Boudreau stated that to give a little background, in the past Pat & Tom Sordner had requested and were given, in keeping with City policy, a 4 ft. high chain link fence between their property and the park property, and the cost was split between the City and the homeowner. Their reasoning for needing the 4 ft. fence r�as the traffic that entered and left the park through their property. Now, 2-3 years 7ater, it seems the 4 ft. � fence is not high enough, and they are requesting the City sp7it the cost of a hi gher fence. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION �EETING,��AY 4, ]982�� PAGE 7 Dr. Boudreau stated he would re-enforce the City's policy that the City - has already split the cost of a 4 ft, fence, and that if the Bordner's want any other kind of fence, it will have to be at their own expense. Mr. Young stated he would agree with that, If they approved this request, they would be setting a precedent for other requests. MOTION BY MR. YOUNG� SECONDED BY MR. ALLEN, TD CONCUR WITH EXISTING CITY POLICY TIiAT, UPON REQUEST, THE CITY WILL SPLIT THE COST OF A 4 FT. HIGX CXAIN LINK CYCLONE FENCE TD SEPARATE PARK PROPERTY FROM A HOMEOWNER'S _ PRQPERTY, AND TO DENY THE REQUEST BY PAT 6 TOM BORDNER THAT THE CITY SHARE IN THE COST OF A HIGHER FENCS. UPON A VOICE VOTE� ALL VOTSNG AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. c. Corronunication from Marcie Sparks Dr. Boudreau stated he had received a letter dated April 23, 1982, from Marcie Sparks, who stated a group of 30 people from Anoka County met on March 31 to discuss the potential for the construction of an auditorium for the performing arts. Ms. Sparks had stated one of the concerns ,.� expressed at that meeting was the need for a detailed feasibility study on the need, design, financing, and management of such a facility. Ms. Sparks had requested that Dr. Boudreau attend the next meeting on April 28. Dr. Boudreau stated he did not attend that meeting. He did not tfiink it was his position to get involved as a City of Fr�dley representative. He stated he has chosen to not be involved directly. The Commission members agreed that it was not Dr. Boudreau's position to get involved. Ms. Schreiner suggested that Dr. Boudreau provide Ms. Sparks with the information and minutes that were put together by the project committee for the recreation building. Ms. Seeger stated there are people in Fridley who are very interested in the performing arts. Dr. Boudreau could give Ms. Sparks the names of those people interested and she could contact them directly. 4. OTHER BUSINESS: a. Jaycee Gift to the City - Dick Young Mr. Young stated that one year ago, the Jaycees of Fridley made a$6,000 �„\ comnitment to the Comnunity Park to be used for the purchase of e7ectronic scoreboards. That commitment was to be paid in a 2-year installment. He � stated that commitment has been fulfilled, and the City now has that $6,000 in hand. It was given to the Mayor at the Jaycees' annual banquet three weeks ago. /=r. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, MAY 4, 1982 PAGE 8 Dr. Boudreau stated a]etter has been sent to the Jaycees thanking them - for thi s gi ft. b, fisenhower Square - Dick Young Mr. Young stated he was shocked when he read in the Fridley Sun and the City Council minutes that Eisenhower Squape was go7ng to be turned into a parking lot. He thought it was a shame that the piece of property was going to be destroyed to make another piece of blacktop in the vicinity of Mississippi St. and University Ave. He stated that if additional parking is needed for the "so-called" project that is going in on the southeast corner of Mississippi & University, he thought there were two alternatives--either scale down the project, or build a parking ramp like Columbia Heights is doing. Mr. Young stated Eisenhower Square is a definite asset to the City Hall complex. It is also set aside as a memorial, and he felt it was in a fitting place and should not be in a place like Commons Park where it would possibly be abused or vandalized. Ms. Seeger stated she had a7so expressed concern at the last Commission meeting about the displacement of trees. They, as a Commission, have a right to question the City's judgement on these kinds of things. ^ Mr. Young stated if he was a member of an organization that had spent a lot of dollars plus many manhours to put in a memorial, he would be a litt]e upset several years later to find out it is going to be taken out and relocated. Dr. Boudreau stated he has talked to the VFW, and they seem to concur with the monument being re]ocated to the south end of Moore Lake where the flagpole now exists. Ms. Seeger s�ated she would ]ike to see a plan for.the Center City area. She thought there were other ways of solving parking. Dr. Boudreau stated he thought it would be very helpful to have Mr. Boardman attend the next Commission meeting to explain the plan for this area. The Commission members concurred. Ms. Schreiner stated she thought the Commission members shou7d receive copies of the HRA minutes, because the ramifications of these redevelopment areas might enfringe on some af the parks. �-. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION �EETING, MAY 4, 1982 ���� � PAGE 9 ADJOURNMENT: 1HOTIDN BY MS. SCHREINER� SECONDED SY 1NR. ALLEN� TO AA70URN THE MEETSNG. UPON A VDICE VOTE� ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED TXE MAY 4� 1982, PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION 1►lEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:45 P.M. Resp ctfu7ly submi ted, �x.G yn Sa a Recording Secretary � n