PR 06/01/1982 - 31279CITY OF FRIDLEY
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
MEETING
JUNE 1, 1982
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Kondrick called the June 1, 1982, Parks & Recreation Commission
meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.
RQLL CALL:
Members Present: Dave Kondrick, Mary Schreiner, Dick Young
Members Absent: Jan Seeger, Dan A1]en
Others Present: Charles Boudreau, Parks & Recreation Director
Jerrold Boardman, City Planner
APPROVAL OF MAY 4, 1982, PARKS & RECREATIOM _COMMISSION I�iNUTES:
MOTION BY MR. YOUNG, SECONDED BY MS. SCHREINER, TO APPROVE THE MAY 4, I982, PARKS &
RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTIDN CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
The following items were added to the agenda:
� "Correction to May 19, 1982, Planning Comrnission minutes" - Item b under
"Director's Report°
"Renewal of Lease with ONR for Gil Hodges Island" - Item c under "New B�siness"
"Springbrook Nature Center" - Item a under "Other Business"
"Cc�nmission Meeting Date" - Item b under "Other Business"
MOTION BY MR. YOUNG, SECONDED BY MS. SCHREINER, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS .AMENDED.
UPON A VOICE VOTE� ALL VOTING AYE� CH�IIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
7. DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
a. Conununication - Les Gerdin
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Dr. Boudreau stated he has received a letter dated May 19, 1982, from
Les Gerdin, the Treasurer of the Fridley Covenant Churcf� Athletic
Association. In the 7etter, Mr. Gerdin stated they have very much
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 1 1982 PAGE 2
appreciated the kindness and cooperation extended to their athletic
association by the Fridley Parks & Recreation Department. Mr. Gerdin
stated they will not be holding a softball tournament this year at
Commons Park; however, they would like to hold the option open to hold
a tournament in the future.
Dr. Boudreau stated the Fridley Covenant Church is one of the four
recognized tournaments that has been a7lowed in the City in the past
by City Counci7. The reason Fridley Covenant Church wi77 not be holding
their tournament this year is because a church in another community
is hosting the tournament, but they wou7d like to keep the option open
to stay as one of the four recognized tournaments in the City of Fridley.
The other three are the Firefighters' Relief Association, the Jaycees,
and the Fridley Tiger Nockey Booster Club.
MOTION BY MS. SCHREINER� SECONDED BY MR. YOUNG, TO RECEIVE THE LETTER
DATED MAY 19� 1982� FROM LES GERDIN, FRIDLEY COVENANT CHURCH, AND TO ALLOW
FRIDLEY COVENANT CNURCH TNE OPTION TO CONTINUE AS QNE OF THE FOUR
RECOGNIZED TOURNAMENTS IN THE CITY OF FRIDLEY.
Ms. Schreiner stated that if they were to have other requests, was there
any problem with having more requests than the four already recognized?
Dr. Boudreau stated that in the six years he has been with the City of ^
Fridley, there has only been one private group, outside of the four recog-
nized non-profit groups, that made a request to host a tournament. It
was the considered opinion of the Parks & Recreation Comnission that this
request be denied, because it would make five tournaments. However, one
of the four recognized groups decided not to host a tourn��aent, so the
City Council did allow this private group to host their tournament. How-
ever, the City Council has looked at non-profit organizations as 7egitimate
hosts for softba]1 tournaments and not private groups.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLA.RED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Correction to May 19, 1982, Planning Comnission minutes
Dr. Boudreau referred to the May 19th Planning Comnission minutes, paqe 9,
Item 4, "Receive May 4, 1982, Parks & Recreatian Commission minute�". He
stated that ir paragraph 3, Ms. Gabel had asked Mr. Kondrick how the Parks
& Recreation Department hand]es the process when people cannot afford to
participate in city programming. Mr. Kondrick had stated there was a
form that has to be filled out, but the Parks & Recreation Department has
only four people on record who have signed up saying they are unable to
pay for the programning, and most people usually offer to pay something.
Mr. Kondrick had also stated that the City advertises that if people
cannot afford programning, it can be worked out. Ms. Gabel had stated
that the recent sumner Parks & Recreation program brochure did not have
such a statement which bothered her.
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PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, JUNE l, 1982 PAGE 3
Dr. Boudreau gave each of the Commission members a copy�of the page
entitled, "Registration" which was included with the summer Parks &
Recreation program brochure and which is inc7uded with every program
brochure and has been ever since City Council approved that policy.
He stated he wanted to ca71 the Parks & Recreation Commission and
Planning Commission's attention to Item (D) "Fee Adjustment", which
states: "No individual shall be restricted from participation due to
inability to pay. For future information, please contact the Park,
Recreation, and Natural Resource Department."
Mr. Kondrick thanked Dr. Boudreau for bringing that to their attention.
2. NEW BUSINESS:
a.
b.
Department Operating Policy Manual
Ms. Schreiner stated that recently she had asked Dr. Boudreau for a
copy of the Parks & Recreation Department's policy manua7. She stated
she was surprised to learn that the Parks & Recreation Department does
not have a policy manual. She stated almost every board or group she
has been associated with has had some type of policy manual that contains
some basic guidelines for the group to follow. She fe7t a policy manual
would help City staff, the Commission, and would be a great service to
the citizens. She felt the Commission should discuss the possibility of
putting together such a manual and asked how the other Cor�nission members
felt about this.
Mr. Kondrick stated he felt it was a great idea. Mr. Young agreed.
Or. Boudreau stated he was a strong backer of this type of operational
manual.
Mr. Young suggested that Dr. Boudreau get some po7icy manuals from other
park departments in other communities to use as a guide7ine in putting
together a policy manual for Fridley.
Dr. Boudreau stated there are seven or eight different areas that would
have to be covered in the policy manual. He wou7d like to have input
from the Cor�nission members on those areas, and Staff could come up with
a recommendation for the basic policies within about six months. He
stated he would bring some sample policy manuals from other communities
to the next meeting, and he would also prepare a simple format for the
Commission to follow.
Proposed Capital Outlay Items for 1983
Dr. Boudreau stated that, as the Corr�nission members knew, the Park &
Recreation C�mmission's charter ca11s for their concurrence on capital
^ outlay items for the coming year to be submitted as part of the budget.
PARKS & RECREATION C�'IMISSION MEETING JUNE 1 1982 PAGE 4 �
(The proposed capital outlay request for 1983 is attached to these
minutes.)
Dr. Boudreau stated he would like to encourage the Commission members
to look over these items. If they come up with any questions, additions,
etc., he would ask them to write these down under the appropriate
division so the C�mission can make recorronendations at the July meeting.
c. Renewal of Lease with Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for
Gil Hodges Island
Dr. Boudreau stated he saw no reason not to renew the 7ease with DNR
for Gil Hodges Island, because it is part of ihe Islands of Peace
d evelopment. The lease is for ten years. He felt it added to the City's
park system. It was under the County's maintenance and operational
control because of the joint powers agreement, so it did not cost the
City anything to have it known as part of the City's park system.
MOTION BY MR. YOUNG, SECONDED BY MS. SCHREINER, TO RENEW THE TEN YEAR
LEASE WITH DNR FOR GIL XODGES ISLAND.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICR DECLARED TNE
MOTIDN CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ^
3. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Nousing & Redevelopment Authority Center City Project - Jerrold Boardman
Mr. 8o,ardman stated the Commission had asked him to come to this meeting
to discuss the Center City project. He stated he would also outline all
the tax increment districts so the Co�nission members were aware of
everything that is going on.
Mr. Boardman stated the Center City project was the first tax increment
district established in 1978. The Moore Lake Redevelopment District
was the second tax increment district established in May 1981, and the
North Area Redevelopment District was the third tax increment district
established in Nov. 1981.
Mr. Young stated that no one seems to know what is going on. He knew of
one businessman adjacent and directly affected by the new proposed
Columbia Park medical faci7ity who knew nothing about what was going on.
He asked why the people who are directly invo7ved are not notified.
Mr. Boardman stated the people who are directly involved in the Center
City project and all business people were notified when the district was
established. The Chamber of Conunerce was involved in the establishment
of the district, notices were published in the papers, and public hearings ^
were held for all three districts.
r PARKS & RECREATION COM�ISSION �EETING, JUNE 1, 1982 PAGE 5
Mr. Young stated he knew people who live one b7ock from the Center City
project who know nothing about what is going on. There have been no
neighborhood meetings to notify these peop7e.
Mr. Boardman stated that when the district was established, they notified
people within 350 ft. of the district. This is the process they are
required to follow by law in the development of the districts.
Mr. Boardman stated the Center City project area was established because
they felt there were some major problems in this area--deterioration of
buildings, placement of bui7dings, traffic problems, ina�propriate use
of lands, etc. The assessed values in this area are depreciating, and
the utilization of land is probably 7ess than it shou7d be.
Mr. Boardman stated that in the Moore Lake area, there are bad soil
conditions, drainage conditions, and the clean-up of Moore Lake is a
big issue in this area.
Mr. Boardman stated the North Area is probably the least planned district
at this time. The primary reasons it was established as a tax incre�ent
district were (1) because of the pressures of state law in the changing of
tax increment districts; and (2) if they felt there was a need for a tax
�'` increment district due to bad soil conditions, this was an area with
very bad soil. They also have enormous drainage problems in this area.
He stated they are working with Mr. St. Clair and Dr. Boudreau to see
how the tax increment district can assist Springbrook Nature Center as
far as soil removal, dredging, etc., because by assisting in the park,
they are also assisting in the overa7l drainage problems.
Mr. Boardman stated they are working on several different proposals in
the Center City project at this time. They have earmarked six phases in
the development. Those phases are the areas that need the most amount of
work. He stated the one thing they are trying to do is develop an overal7
element so people will know they are in a cohesive, well designed area.
Mr. Boardman stated that south of City Hall, they have contracted with
Columbia Park Praperties to build a 28,000 sq. ft. clinic with an option
for an additional 28,000 sq. ft., for a tota7 of 56,000 sq. ft.
Mr. Boardman stated they are looking at an urban density in the Center
City district, something that will be a benefit to the City and wi17 draw
residents to use the facilities. In order to do that, they have to develop
some density in the area. They are looking at relocating 64th Ave.,
narrowing it down to a 26 ft. wide service road, putting a bend or curve
in it to service the clinic, and freeing up space to develop a 36,000 sq. ft.
office building-thai wi17 be in conjunction with City Hall and the clinic.
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PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, JUNE 1 1982 PAGE 6 �
Mr. Boardman stated that as part of this development, t�ey are ]ooking
at doing a civic plaza or ma17 area in this general 7ocation. They have
just gone out with a landscape architect competition. They have selected
four firms who will be competing for $1,000 to do a design. The design
will include a model of the plaza. They are looking at a plaza site that
is going to connect City Hall with the office buildinq and the clinic.
Besides the plaza area, they are also doing a scheme for development of
the entire greenway system. At this point in time, they are looking at
a round $500,000 for this design.
Ms. Schreiner asked if the City was addressing the potentia] traffic
problems in this area.
Mr. Boardman stated they are addressing that issue and are in the process
of getting a traffic design engineer to study the major traffic points
and how to handle the traffic flow.
Mr. Young asked about parking.
Mr. Boardman stated that with the office and City Hall, they figure they
will need about 150 parking stalls.
Mr. Kondrick asked if Mr. Boardman felt the loss of Eisenhower Park was
necessary in the overall scheme of the development. ^
Mr. Boardman stated it was. He stated Eisenhower Park is a very nice area,
but in the development of their overall scheme, they need to have a density,
so they are taking the park area to make it a more usable space.
Mr. Boardman stated they are talking about a highly developed, but also
an interesting, intriguing landscaQed area, With the plaza area, they
are looking at something that will hold a function of about 150-200 people,
they want public and private spaces. probably have retaining walls,
planters, and that kind of thing,but there will also be quite a bit of
green spaces. There will be a combination of soft and hard spaces.
Ms. Schreiner asked what the City has been doing in relocating or he7ping
the business peop]e already located in this area where the clinic and office
building are going in.
Mr. Boardman stated the City is required by law to pay relocation costs.
They are also trying to keep those businesses in Frid7ey if they can. They
have been forward and very upfront with the business peop]e in trying to
assist them, wherever and however possible, but�there are going to be
certain businesses they wi]1 not be able to relocate in Fridley.
Mr. Young stated he was not so opposed to this development now that
Mr. Boardman had exp7ained all the parkway that is being planned.
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� PARKS & RECREATIOW CO1�lMISSION �JEETINfa; �UNE 1, 7982 � P�� �
Mr. Boardman stated they are working with the VFW in the relocation of
the monument and with the Garden Club for help in the plaza area.
He stated Eisenhower Park will remain there until an office project can
be put together. Right now the office project has not yet been completed.
Ms. Schreiner stated from what she has heard, the City will not be
enfringing on any more park area, and if they do, they wil7 let the
Commission know.
Mr. Boardman stated they are not trying to destroy any parks. Eisenhower
Park is not necessarily a park facility. It was never dedicated as a
park, but was held by the City for parking. The City didn't need the
parking at the time, so it was made into a park until such a time as the
expansion was needed. The main thing they are trying to develop is some
kind of scheme in the Center City area, and in the other areas they are
trying to assist the parks as much as possible.
The Corrbnnissioners thanked Mr. Boardman for coming to the meeting and
sharing this information with them.
b. Request by Terry Merriman'
Mr. Kondrick stated he had received a 7etter from Mr. Dave Torkildson,
'� Director of Anoka County Parks & Recreation dated May 21, 1982, along
with a copy of the trail plans for the Rice Creek Regiona7 Trai], in
order to clear up and state the County's intentions for the park land
imnediately behind the homes on Rice Creek Terrace. Mr. Torkildson
stated that: "the trail runs along the upper banks of the Rice Creek
Valley, and it is the intention of the County Department to reforest the
area directly south of said trail. We also agree that the flat land
referred to as the Northern States Power Line easement directly behind
the homes on Rice Creek Terrace will be cut by the County of Anoka Park
Department as needed. Future development plans would be to complete
the bicycle trail to the north once money is made available from Metro
Council; and with the approval of the Fridley Park Commission and the
City Council, create a new entrance and parkway to service Locke Park
picnic area. Unless future residents of Fridley or the City Council
were to request the County to consider other developments along the
. Rice Creek park land, the County of Anoka Park Department has no addi-
tional development plans for this area."
Mr. Kondrick stated a copy of this letter has gone to Mr. Merriman. He
stated Mr. Torkildson has been very helpful in resolving this problem.
4. OTHER BUSINESS:
a. Springbrook Nature Center
� Mr. Young stated that a couple of weeks ago a Special Education teacher
from the Spring Lake Park Schoo7 District took some trainab7e mentally
handicapped students to Springbrook Nature Center. He stated the teacher
was totally impressed with Mr. St. C1air and the program.
PARKS & REGREATION COMMISSION MEETING JUNE l 1982 PAGE 8 ��
Mr. Kondrick stated that was good to hear, and he thoug�t this was going
'to be typical of the results of the prograr�ning Mr. St. Clair and
Ms. Diann Valen will be running.
b. Commission Meeting Date
Dr. Boudreau stated it seemed like it has been getting harder and harder
to get a quorum for the monthly meetings. A short time ago, the
Commission members discussed an a]ternate meeting date and decided on
the first Tuesday of the month, and still every month it is a guessing
game as to whether there will �e a quorum. He stated he would like to
suggest that the Commission members consider whether it is a necessity
to meet every month, especially during the sumner months. There is no
rule that says the Comnission has to have monthly meetings, and they
always have the ability to call a special meeting if an item needs
attention. He thought that if there were fewer meetings, perhaps there
wou]d be ]00% attendance.
Mr. Kondrick stated he felt that once a month is not that much of a"put
out" for most people. He felt this is something the Cor�nission members
should definitely discuss at the next meeting and hopefully al] Commission
members wi]1 be present. Tf the Commission is going to undertake the
deve]opment of a policy manual, it is going to take some time, and he did
not think they should be skipping any meetings. �"`
Dr. Boudreau stated he felt that if the Commission is going to function
as a really Mro rking advisory commission and there are five people appointed
to that commission, then there ought to be input from five people.
Ms. Schreiner stated she felt that if they only met once every month,
they would lose impetus, and they lose what is happening, especia7ly
if they do take on the policy manual project.
Mr.Kondrick stated this would be on next month's agenda.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION BY MS. SCHREINER� SECONDED BY MR. YOUNG, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. UPON A
VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED TXE JUNE 1� 1982,
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 10:20 P.M.
Respectfully submi ted,
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yn Sa a
Recording Secretary
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