PR 04/18/1983 - 31286�
�
r
CITY OF FRIDLEY
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
MEETING
APRIL 18, 1983
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Kondrick called the April 18, 1983, Parks & Recreation Corrmission
meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Dave Kondrick, Mary Schreiner, Jan Seeger, Dan Allen
Members Absent: Dick Young
Others Present: Charles Boudreau, Parks & Recreation Director
. Jack Kirk, Program Supervisor
Margie Crowley, 7850 Zane Ave. N., Brooklyn Park
Harvey Hoffman, 3915 Golden Valley Rd., Golden Valley
Wayne Morse, 6701 Dutton Ave. N., Brooklyn Park
Mark Nathanson, 1522 N. Timber Ridge N.E., Fridley
APPROVAL OF JANUARY 24, 1983, PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTION BY MS. SEEGER, SECONDED BY MS. SCHREINER, TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 24, 1983,
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSIDN MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMDUSLY.
APPROUAL OF AGENDA:
The following items were added to the agenda:
Thank-you from Fridley Hockey Association - Item e under "Director's Report"
Partial Payment of Knights of Columbus Pledge to Community Park
Development - Item f under "Director's Report"
Softball Request - Parents without Partners (PWP) - Item f under "New Business"
Softball Tournament Request - FYSA - Item g under °New Business"
Location of Possible Hazardous Waste Site - Item h under "New Business"
AIOTION BY MS. SCHREINER, SECONDED BY MR. ALLEN, TO APPROVE THE AGENDA WITH
TXE ABOVE ADDITIONS AND TO 1NOVE ITEM (d) -"SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT REQUEST -
!►lINNEPAUL DEAF ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION" TO ITEM 1 ON THE AGENDA.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE� CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
/'�
PARKS & RECREATION COM8+1ISSIOtJ MEETING, APRIL 18, 1983 PAGE 2
1. SOFTBALL TOURNAP1ENT REQUEST - ��INNEAPAUL DEAF ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION:
Dr. Boudreau stated the Minneapaul Deaf Athletic Association was requesting
a softball tournament in Fridley. He stated he had told them the proper
procedure was to appear before the Parks & Recreation Cor�nission with their
request. Ms. Crowley was acting as interpreter.
Mr. Hoffman stated Mr. Mark Natnanson was the chairperson of the softball
club and the rest of them were at the meeting to support this request.
Mr. Psathanson stated they have tried to have the tournament in various
communities, but most communities require that members of the team live in
the community. He stated he lives in Fridley, and that was why they were
asking to have the tournament in Fridley.
Or. Boudreau stated the reason the Minneapaul Deaf Athletic Association
wishes to run a softball tournament is to raise funds so the entire group
can take a trip out West. He stated he had explained to Mr. Nathanson that
with the paying of the umpires and other expenses involved in running a
tournament, he felt it would be very difficult to raise enough money for the
trip. However, the Minneapaul Deaf Athletic Association is also running some
other athletic events throughout the year, and they hoped to pool all the
money and run the tournment. ^
Dr. Boudreau stated he had explained to Mr. Nathanson that the City Council's
policy has been to allow four tournaments per year to non-profit organizations
serving the City of Fridley--the Fridley Firemen, Hockey Booster Club, Jaycees,
and Fridley Covenant Church. Those are the four groups traditionally approved
by the Parks & Recreation Commission and City Council to hold tournaments.
There are some other groups the City helps service. One is the FYSA, which
is part of the City's program, and the FYSA has requested a softball tournament.
Mr. Kondrick asl;ed that with the present load of softball teams, was there
any room or time available for any extra tournaments?
Mr. Kirk stated that at the present time, �•londay through Thursday nights
are booked so7id. There is also a league on Sunday evenings. Friday night
is the only night for make-up games. They generally go about one out of every
three Fridays for make-up games. Saturday is the only open day.
Mr. Kirk stated there are three groups returning for tournaments this year.
They are the Fridley Hockey Booster Club, Fridley Covenant Church, and the
FYSA.
Mr. Nathanson stated the tournament would be on Saturday and Sunday. They
would like to have it on June 11-12.
Dr. Boudreau stated the City Council has always put forth the opinion that �
the ball diamonds, when not scheduled for league play, should be left open „,
for use by Fridley residents. That is why tournaments have been held to —
about one per month.
t� PARKS & RECREATION COMNIISSION MEETING, APRIL 18, 1983 PAGE 3
Ms. Schreiner asked if the group had apprached Brooklyn Park to see if any
fields were available for their tournament.
Mr. Morse stated they have not made a request to Brooklyn Park. He stated he
lives near the park and it is being used all the time for tournamenis.
Mr. Nathanson stated the reason he had chosen Fridley was because it was
centrally located and would be easy for all the teams to come together.
Mr. Kondrick stated there are already many teams playing in the neighborhood
parks during the week. Because of this heavy load, the City Council feels the
weekends should be kept as free as possible sa residents can use their parks.
He thought it was a good policy to keep the parks available on weekends for
use by Fridley residents.
Dr. Boudreau stated the City is in the process of formulating a policy to govern
the tournament requests that might come in next year when the community park
conplex is completed. Right now, the City very honestly has more requests than
they can handle. Two outside groups have already been turned down for tournaments,
and there are at least 2-3 more requests coming in, p7us this request.
Mr. Kondrick stated that next year when the community park,
� Columbia Arena, is completed, perhaps the City will be more
this tournament request. At this time, it is very difficult
additional people.
located across from
able to accomnodate
to accommodate any
Dr. Boudreau stated there are 120 adult teams playing one night a week. The
fields on Friday nights, if not used for rain-outs, Saturdays and Sundays are
generally left open for practice or family use on a first-come, first-serve
basis. He felt when a team pays a fee of $250 to enter the league, the City
should be fair to them and not tie up all the fields so they can have some prac-
tice time.
Mr. Allen stated he did not agree with that. Those teams are paying for league
competition and not practice time. The practice time is up to the individual
teams.
Mr. Kirk stated the City of Fridley has somewhat of a different policy in that
they do not charge a fee for groups to come in and put on a tournament. The
groups are always non-profit Fridley organizations and they pay a deposit.
However, there are several communities that will rent their fields for tournament
�se. The City of Lexington and Columbia Heights have a rental policy.
Mr. Kirk stated he and Dr. Boudreau have discussed at length the possibility of
a rental policy for Fridley when the new comnunity park is available. In the
past, there has been no need for such a policy.
The Cor�nission members explained that a new community park complex is being
� developed and next year the City will be more able to handle tournament requests.
� They suggested the Minneapaul Deaf Athletic Association approach the Commission
next February or March if they wished to hold a tournament next surrmer.
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING� APRIL 18 z1983 PAGE 4 �,,,
Ms. Schreiner suggested the group approach other comnunities, especially
Brooklyn Park.
Or. Boudreau suggested they check with the University of Minnesota, because
the University does have quite a few fields.
Mr. Allen encouraged the group to continue to pursue this and suggested the
possibility of using some of the fields in Como Park. He also stated he wanted
to re-emphasize something he had said earlier in the meeting. He stated he
definitely agreed that open time was important; however, he didn't believe
the City had any obligation to include practice time for teams registered to
play in the City of Fridley, especially when he heard that 60� of the players
on the teams are non-residents.
I�lOTION BY NS. SCi1f2EINER, SECONDED BY XR. ALLEN, TO DENY THE SOFTBALL TOURNA-
MENT REjlUEST FROM THE 1�IINNEAPAUL DEAF ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION.
UPON A VOICE VOTE� ALL VOTING AYE� CXAIRPERSON KONDRZCK DECLARED TXE MOTIDN
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr. Kondrick thanked the people from Minneapaul Deaf Athletic Association
for attending the Commission meeting. He stated he hoped the City of Fridley
could help them next year.
�
2. DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
a. Agree+nent with School District #14 for 1983-84
Dr. Boudreau stated an agreement has been reached between the City and
School District #�14 for 1983-84. The agreement is the same as this past
year, �5,000 for use of school facilities. The �5.000 is not being billed
as a facility-use fee, but as a donation to help the school district
maintain its programning. The agreement was reached by the Superintendent
of Schools and the City Manager.
b. Softball Tournament Request - Fridley State Bank Team
Dr. Boudreau stated this tournament request has been withdrawn.
c. Bids Open - Cam�unity Park Complex Lighting
Dr. Boudreau stated that as the Parks & Recreation Comnission members
knew, all bids were rejected in December, because the bids were all too
high. In February, the bids were relet. The low bidder was Electric
Servi�e Company, Mpls., at.$229,255. It was recommended that the City
Council accept that bid to light all six diamonds. The City Council
concurred with that recommendation and Electric Service Company will be
starting as soon as the fields dry out. The money for the 7ighting was
donated by Medtronic in the amount of $200,000, plus earned interest.
�
Dr. Boudreau stated the concession/storage/restrooms building will be -
going up in conjunction with the lighting. Most of the labor was donated
by Jerry Paschke and other contractors. The building will also house
the el�ectrical panels for the lighting.
�'�
r-�
n
PA�KS & RECREATION CONiMISSION MEETING, APRIL 18, 1983 PAGE 5
d.
e.
Meeting with F.Y.S.A.
Mr. Kirk stated they recently met with the FYSA. Two primary concerns
were expressed by the FYSA:
1. Financial - How is the City going to be able to assist them
financia7ly? Mr. Kirk stated the City, in the past, has picked up a
portion, if not all, of the officiating fees and assistance with paper-
work, duplicating, etc. He stated he will personally help them with their
scheduling. They explained to the FYSA that the City was aware of the
FYSA's financial situation, but the City was just not in any position to
start picking up some of the equipment costs. They would try to give the
FYSA at least as much this year as last year with officiating costs
and would continue to pick up the other services. As far as the future,
the City would have to wait and see what the budget situation was before
committing to any equipment purchases.
2. Facility use - Some of this had to do with the City's outdoor
facilities. He stated he assured them the City would help them meet
their programming needs within the City's limitations. So far, the
FYSA's program has not demanded more than the City can offer. The FYSA
was concerned about gym space, and they told them the City would be happy
to assist them by working with the schools. He stated after the School
Board meeting, Mike Leslie, one of the directors of the FYSA, and he will
meet with Board members to discuss indoor facility use for next year.
With Rice Creek Elementary School closing, everyone is concerned.
Ms. Schreiner stated the possibility of Rice Creek School not being there
is a very valid possibility. She stated she is sitting in on the Schools
and Sites Disposition Carrnittee, and they voted last Monday evening to
recommend to the Board of Education that Rice Creek School be sold and
the property be reverted back to single family homes or to development.
Thank-You Letter from Fridley Hockey Association
Dr. Boudreau stated the City has received a thank-you letter from
Gary Anderson, President of the Fridley Hockey Association, thanking
the Park & Maintenance crew for keeping the hockey rinks in such excellent
condition this past season.
f. Partial Payr�ent from Knights of Columbus P7edge to Community Park Development
Dr. Boudreau stated the City has received $5,000 from the Knights of
Columbus, which is a partial payment of the $25,000 pledged for the
Community Park development. Twenty thousand dollars of that pledge has
been paid, and the remaining $5,000 will be paid next year. He stated
a thank-you letter will again be sent to the Knights of Columbus.
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, APRIL 18, 1983 PAGE 6
3. NEW BUSINESS:
a. 1983 Softball Fee Schedule, Non-Resident Fee, Eligibility
Dr. Boudreau stated that since the softball fee schedules had to be
established, the Cor�nission members had been polled by telephone
for their concurrence.
Mr. Kirk stated that the following three things should be made a matter
of official record by the Parks & Recreation Commission.
1. League entry fee - raised approximately 10%.
1982
State registered teams $�f5
Non-state registered teams 200
(fun league)
1983
50
22(1
�`,
2. Eligibi]ity - This year the State did away with their state-
wide eligibility requirements. The State said that as long
as anyone lives or works in Minnesota, that person is eligible
to play in any community. Since the City of Fridley turned
away a lot of teams last year, they felt if they opened it up, �
they would be deluged with requests and probably a lot of
Fridley people would start getting bumped off the teams in
favor of better players from neighboring canmunities. After
lengthy discussions, they felt they should keep the same eligi-
bility requirements they had last year. It is stricter than the
State, but they felt they are not in any position to take on
a lot of new teams. So, they recommended that each team has to
have p�ayers who live or work in Fridley and can have only
three players who do not meet that requirement. In the fun
league, all players have to either work or live in Fridley.
3. Non-resident fee - Mr. Kirk stated they checked the records of
the past two years and found that two years ago 62� of the people
who played softball in Fridley did not live in Fridley. Many
worked in Fridley. Last year, close to 60� did not live in
Fridley. They called other corr�nunities to see what they were �
doing as far as non-resident fees, and most of the communities
are charging a non-resident fee. Many communities are charging
$10. The City of Crystal is charging $30. A couple of the
communities are charging $20, and they felt $20 would accomplish
two things. It would bring in a fair amount of money to increase
the revenue, and it would probably deter some of the non-residents
who have been p]aying in Fridley which will open up more spots
for Fridley residents. The Commission members polled were in
favor of this, and this non-resident fee has been instituted.
He stated he would report at the Corrmission's next meeting about �
how much revenue this wii7 bring into t�e City.
i''`
^
�
�
PARKS & RECREATiON COMMISSION MEETING, APRIL 18, 1983 PAGE 7
b.
c.
MOTION BY MS. SCHREINER� SECONDED BY MS. SEEGER, TO CONCUR WITH
1�II2. ICIRK'S REPORT AND TO APPROVE THE 1983 SOFTBALL FEE SCHEDULE,
ELIGIBILITY, AND NON-RESIDENT FEE.
UPON A VDICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMDUSLY.
Spring/Summer Fee Schedule
Mr. Kirk stated registration started about a month ago for the spring/
summer programs. The spring and summer fees were looked at and raised
significantly last year, and they wanted to be realistic in raising
the fees this year.
Playground program -
T-Ball Program -
Tiny Tots program -
remains at $18 (raised from $14
($32 maximum per family)
remains at $12
remains at $12 ($20 maximum per
to $18 7ast year)
fami ly)
Mr. Kirk stated the only program fee that has been raised about 20%
is the weight training program for both youth and adult. That has been
set up on a self-supporting basis.
Weight-training (youth) - raised from $16 to $18.50
Weight-training (adult) - raised from $20 to $25
The Commission members concurred with the spring/summer fee schedule.
Softball Tournament Request - Fridley Tiger Hockey Booster Club
Dr. Boudreau stated the Fridley Tiger Hockey Booster Club is again
requesting the use of Comnons fields 2, 3, 4, and 5 on the weekend of
June 24, 25, and 26 for a softball tournament. The proceeds are to go
to the Varsity and Junior Varsity hockey team.
Or. Boudreau stated he felt it would be nice if the Tiger Hockey Booster
Club would give some of the proceeds to the City's youth hockey program.
He stated the Club is using the City's facilities and equipmeni, the
City assists them,and then the money made on the tournament goes to the
high school. Why not support the hockey program in general throughout
the comnunity? The HAF could certainly use the help. In fact, all the
people who work on this tournament are members of the HAF.
Mr. Allen stated he thought that was a very good idea and that some of
the money should go back into the City's program.
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, APRIL 18, 1983 PAGE �
MOTION BY l�2. ALLEN, SECONDED 8Y i1S. SCHREINER, TO APPROVE THE SOFTBALL
TOURNAMENT REQUEST BY THE FRIDLEY TIGER HOCKEY BObSTER CLUB FOR
JUNE 24-26, 1983� BUT TO REQUEST THAT TXE FRIDLEY TIGER HOCKEY BOOSTER
CLUB STRONGLY CONSIDER THE FRIDLEY HOCKEY ASSOCIATION AS ONE OF THE
BENEFACTORS OF THE FUND5 TXAT ARE RAISED. IN DOING THIS� FUTURE
TOURNAMENTS REQUESTED BY THE FRIDLEY TIGER HOCKEY B00.STER CLUB CAN
BE MORE ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORTED BY THE PARKS & RECRBATION COMMISSIOIIj
OTHERWISE, APPROVAL OF FUTURE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENTS MAY HAVE TO BE
RECONSIDERED.
UPON A VOICE VOT'E, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE
lNOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
e. Soccer Field Request - FMC Corporation
Dr. Boudreau stated this is about the fourth year in a row that FMC
has requested the use of a Fridley soccer field for a men's soccer team
sponsored by FMC and made up of FMC employees. He stated he has told
them that the City does not reserve specific areas for private company
teams or individual teams, and that the fields are available on a first-
come, first-serve basis, with the exception of the youth program. He
stated he would have the same recommendation for this group as he has
for the softbal7 field requests or anything else. �
MOTION BY 1NS. SCHREINER, SECONDED BY 1�2. ALLEN, TO DENY THE SOCCER FIELD
REQUEST BY FMC.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
f. Softball Fields Request - Parents without Partners
Dr. Boudreau stated the Camnission had received a letter from a
national organization called Parents without Partners (PWP), an organi-
zation dedicated to the welfare of the single parent and their children,
members totalling around 600 in the Anoka area, of which about 100 men
and women were requesting the use of two softball fields for mixed soft-
ball get-togethers one night a week (Monday, Wednesday, or Sunday night)
beginning the first part of May.
1NOTION BY l�2. ALLEN, SECONDED BY 1►fS. SCHREINER, PO DENY THE REQUEST
FOR SOFTBALL FIELDS BY PARENTS WITHOUT PARTNERS ON THE BASIS OF THE ONGDING
POLICY OF BOOKING THE ATHLETIC FACILITIES AND TO INFORM THIS ORGANIZATIDN
TFIAT THE FIELDS ARE AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SER(1E EASIS.
UPON A VOICE VOTE� ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
�
PARKS b RECREATI4N COMMISSION �EETING. APRIL 18, 1983 PAGE 9
... _..... . . _._.. v -�.�_ . ... ....�: _'.-.�'� i
g. Softball Tournament Request - FYSA
Dr. Boudreau stated the Girls' Softball Division of the FYSA is request-
ing the use of Caronons 2, 3, 4, and 5 for their second annual Invitational
Youth Softbal] Tournament on July 15-17, 1983. He stated they ran a
good tournament last year, and it is an activity that encourages girls
to participate in sports. He would recornrnend approval of this tournament
request.
1�IOTZON BY MS. SEEGER� SECONDED BY XS. SCHREINER� TO APPROVE THE SOFTBALL
R�O[1RNAMENT REQUEST BY TXE GIRLS' SOFTBALL DIVISION OF THE FYSA.
IIPON A VOICE YOTE, ALL VOTING AYE� CHAIRPERSON RONDRICK DECLARED THE
1�lOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
h. Location of Possible Hazardous Waste Sites
Mr. Kondrick stated he thought it was obvious to the Commission members
that the possible location of a hazardous waste site in the City of
Fridley was impossible because of the water table, the possible contamina-
^ tion of waterways in the City, and the proximity to the parks. He stated
he planned on attending the public hearing the following evening and
would express his concerns as a member of the Parks & Recreation Comnission.
Ms. Seeger stated she felt the Carmission should make a statement about
the proximity to the major park properties. One of the proposed sites
does partially include Springbrook Nature Center and covers a number of
other smaller parks. She stated she also planned to attend the public
hearing.
PJOTION BY MS. SCXREINER, SECONDED BY l�2. ALLEN� TO GRANT !�lR. KONDRICK,
CHAIRPERSON OF TXE PARKS 6 RECREATION COMMISSION, TNE AUTHORIZATION TO
SPEAK AT TNE PUBLIC XEARING ON P0.SSIBLE HAZARDCXIS WASTE SITES AND VDICE
TBE C01�IMISSION'S DISAPPROVAL OF THE WASTE SITES BEING PROPOSED FOR TNE
CITY OF FRIDLEY BECAUSE OF (Z) THE PROXIMITY TO TXE PARKS; (2) THE WATER
RESOURCES TXAT RUN THROUGH TXE PARIGS j AND (3) THAT HAZARDOUS WASTE IS
A�OTENTIAL DANGER TO ALL Of FRIDLEY BECAUSE OF THE DIRECTION OF WATER
FIAW .
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE
PlOTION CARRIED UNANIl�lOUSLY.
n
�
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING, APRIL 18, 1983 PAGE 10 �`
4. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Policy Manual Discussion
Discussion on the policy manual was continued until the next meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION BY MS. SEEGER, SECONDED BY MS. SCHREINER, TD ADJOURN THE MEETING. UPON
A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE ApRIL 18� 1983,
PARKS � RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT Z0:00 P.M.
Res ectfully sub itted,
_�r..� ��
yn e Saba
Recording Secretary
�
�