01/08/1996 - 00008004CITY OF FRIDLEY
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - JANUARY 8, 1996
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Kondrick called the January 8, 1996 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:08 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present
Members Absent
Dave Kondrick
Marcy Sibell
Sue Price
Tim Solberg
Dick Young
Others Present: Debi Campobasso, Program Specialist
Julie Dehmer, "Zone" Coordinator
7ack Kirk, Director of Recreation & Natural Resources
APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 4, 1995 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES.
MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Solberg to approve the minutes of the December 4, 1995 meeting of the
Parks & Recreation Commission as written.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR JANUARY 8, 1996.
MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Mr. Young to approve the agenda as written.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
1. STAFF REPORT
a. Program Update
Mr. Kirk referred to the Program Update report that was included in the agenda packet. He pointed out that
the Fridley Lions have committed to an $8,000 donation to help support the Senior Transportation Program.
The money will be used to help subsidize the fare paid by the seniors for the rides to the Senior Center and
shopping.
Mr. Kirk also pointed out that the skating season was underway and the warming houses were open. The
Recreation office has received many call on the closed warming houses at Hayes, Stevenson and Madsen
b. Park Maintenance Report
Mr. Kirk stated that Paul Lawrence could not be at the meeting, but had asked that the Commission members
be informed of the skating shelter at the Stevenson rink The City Manager had asked the Park Maintenance
staff to build a small shelter to serve the Stevenson rink area in place of a warming house. The building is
Parks & Recreation Commission Meetin� - Januarv 8, 1996
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not heated and does not have a supervisor, but does provide a place for the children and adults to change into
their skates. Someone did light a fire in it the first weekend it was there and it resulted in some minor damage.
c. Community Values Program - Government Committee
Mr. Kirk stated that the Values First Program is highlighting one of the seven values each month and is
sponsoring activities that promote that value. The Government Sub-committee is responsible for promoting
"Respect" during the month of January. Members of the Government Sub-committee are also going to the
various City Commissions and organizations to inform them of the Values program and to ask for their
support.
d. Youth Recreation Programs (R.A.P. & ZONE)
Ms. Debi Campobasso (Program Specialist) gave an update on the "R.A.P." (Recreational After-School
Program) for Middle School students. She stated that the funding for this program comes from a$30,000
7uvenile Deliquency Prevention grant from the Minnesota Department of Economic Security.
The R.A.P. program has been in operation since last January and is serving many students each night after
school. The students participate in table games, board games, discussions, movies and special events. It is an
unstructured, but supervised teen center type of approach. The students have a lot of input into the design of
the program.
Ms. Julie Dehmer (Zone Coordinator) gave an update of The Zone, the late night Saturday evening activity
for Middle School and High School students. The program is designed to provide a positive environment
with some caring adults for the youth. The youth participate in dancing, movies, sports and special events at
the Community Education center. The program is attracting students from both the Fridley and Columbia
Heights school districts. Youth that have been in contact with outreach workers at the Curfew Center have
been referred to The Zone.
The Zone started in September, 1995 with good attendance (90-100 youth per night), but the numbers
dropped when a fee of $3 per person was instituted. The fee has been dropped again and attendance is back
up to 45-55 per night. Ms. Campobasso put in for a grant through the Minnesota Recreation & Park
Association and the City was awarded $4,800 to provide entertainment for The Zone.
Ms. Dehmer noted that The Zone does end after the curfew has taken effect, so participants are give a"pass"
which allows them 30 minutes to get home without being in violation of the curfew law.
2. NEW BUSINESS
a. Fridley Wrestling Boosters Softball Tournament Request
Mr. Kirk stated he had received the enclosed application from the Fridley Wrestling Boosters for a softball
tournament during Fridley `49er Days. He said that staffrecommends approval of the request with payment
of the appropriate fees and provision of necessary insurance certificates by the Boosters.
MOTION by Ms. Sibell, seconded by Mr. Young to approve the Fridley Wrestling Boosters request for a
softball tournament during `49er Days (June 14-16, 1996).
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UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED.
b. 1996 Softball League Fees
Mr. Kirk explained that the staffrecommended fees for adult softball are the same as 1995 with the exception
of the Tuesday Women's League which would drop to $325 instead of $575. The reason or the change is
that the teams will play single games in 1996 as opposed to the double header format. This change was made
at the request of the women's teams.
Mr. Kirk stated that our fees remain on the high side compared with other communities in our area. Our
costs for umpires, scorekeepers, softballs and awards will be the same this year and he would recommend the
fees as presented by staff.
MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Mr. Young to approve the 1996 Adult Softball Leagues as
recommended by staff.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED.
MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Ms. Sibell to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE JAN UARY 8, 1996 MEETING ADJOURNED.