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08/12/1996 - 00007818CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING - AUGUST 12, 1996 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Kondrick called the August 12, 1996 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present Members Absent Others Present Dave Kondrick Sue Price Marcy Sibell Dick Young Tim Solberg 7ack Kirk, Director of Recreation & Natural Resources Paul Lawrence, Public Works Superintendent APPROVAL OF Au�ust 12, 1996 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES. MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Ms. Price to approve the minutes of the June 3, 1996 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 AUGUST 12, 1996. MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Mr. Young to approve the agenda as submitted. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 1. STAFF REPORT a. Program Update Mr. Kirk presented the Program Update highlighting activity during the months of 7une and 7uly. Mr. Kirk stated that many of the summer activities were winding down this week and ne�t, and that it has been a very successful summer season. Mr. Kirk pointed out the article on the Earth Savers Club that appeared in the Earth Savers newsletter printed by the National Wildlife Federation. Mr. Young suggested that this article be submitted to the Fridley Focus. It shows our youth doing some good work in the community. b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Lawrence presented a memo from Park Supervisor Dave Lindquist on the summer park maintenance. He stated that the Parks employees had accomplished much this summer, and had worked hard at supporting the Recreation Department activities. Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting - August 12, 1996 Page 2 Mr. Kondrick asked what was involved with the treating of Moore Lake prior to the opening of the beach season. Mr. Lawrence stated that the company used copper sulfate to provide some protection against the swimmer's itch. Mr. Solberg commented that Harris Lake really looked terrific this summer. It was free from algae. Mr. Lawrence commented that the homeowners around the lake paid for the treatment of that particular body of water. Mr. Lawrence stated that the Park Maintenance staffis currently installing warning tracks at the Community Park ball fields. This is a ball field safety improvement that had been planned for last year (1995) and is finally being completed at this time. Mr. Kirk commented that he agreed much was accomplished by the Park Maintenance staffthis summer, and this was in spite of it being a transition year with the personnel changes. He further stated that Dave Lindquist had done a great job with his first summer as Park Supervisor. He has paid special attention to see that the Recreation program needs were met in addition to making a number of significant improvements in the parks. c. Hayes Gymnasium Project Mr. Kirk reported that the City was going to work with School District #14 on building a gymnasium attached to the Hayes Elementary School. The gym will be larger than what the School District would have built on their own, and it should help to meet some of the shortage of gymnasium space needs in this community. The gym will be full size gymnasium with a wood floor. A small warming house facility adjacent to the hockey/skating area will also be included. The total City contribution will be appro�mately $100,000. d. Community Education Center Project Mr. Kirk reported that the City is considering joining with School District #14 to provide some improved space in the Community Education Center and constructing a small addition unto the building. The project would include remodeling of four rooms in the existing building, adding approximately a 6,000 square foot facility, and upgrading the gymnasium area. Mr. Kirk stated he would bring back further information to the Commission as discussion with the School District continues. e. Springbrook Interpretive Specialist Position Mr. Kirk reported that Scott Ramsey, Interpretive Specialist at Springbrook Nature Center for the past ten years, has given his notice and will be leaving the City of Fridley at the end of August. The position is being advertised and will be filled as soon as possible. f. Gargaro Fields Dedication The John Gargaro Fields at Fridley Community Park were officially dedicated on Friday, June 14th. The speakers made fitting comments about John's many contributions to this community. Dave Kondrick, Chairman of the Parks & Recreation Commission, was the emcee for the event. g. Sand Volleyball Courts Mr. Kirk reported that the Fridley Lions Club has donated materials and labor to install two new sand volleyball courts at the Moore Lake Beach. They contributed close to $10,000 for materials, and provided many hours of work to help get the courts ready. The courts are now finished and are being used by people in the community. Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting - August 12, 1996 Page 3 Mr. Kirk further stated that he has invited the Lions Club to participate in a mini tournament as a dedication of the courts. He will let the Commission know when this can be scheduled. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Hackmann Park Playground Equipment Mr. Kirk stated that he has been approached by several residents of the Hackmann Park area who have expressed an interest in trying to raise money through donations to put some additional playground equipment at the park in 1997. They plan on asking individuals in the area, as well as businesses, to contribute dollars to put in one or more pieces of equipment. The City has budgeted $10,000 in the Park 5 Year Capital Improvement Program for some additional play equipment to be installed in 1999. Mr. Kirk stated that the Commission may want to consider all of the equipment being put in at the same time. If we coordinated the installation in the same year we could avoid tearing up the play area at two different times and we may be able to get an overall better price on equipment and installation. The Commission discussed moving up the playground equipment purchase to 1997 and offering a matching dollars program to the residents as they seek donations for some new equipment. Mr. Kirk stated that for 1997 the City has planned Altura, Moore Lake, and Commons Parks for new play equipment structures. The Moore Lake and Commons Park structures are rather large projects and could be phased or scaled back ifthe City wanted to move some dollars for the Hackmann installation. Mr. Young stated that he was concerned about setting a precedent by moving up a neighborhood park in the schedule. Mr. Kondrick stated that he also was concerned about changing the schedule, but considered this a unique opportunity because of the neighborhood fundraising. Mr. Solberg suggested that the City consider matching funds up to a set dollar amount. Mr. Young suggested that we take any money for this project out of a larger, centralized, park such as Commons Park rather than a smaller neighborhood park. He further stated that we could then phase the Commons Park if necessary, or add to it at some point in the future. MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Price that the City would match $2 for each $1 raised by the neighborhood for new playground equipment at Hackmann Park up to a maximum of an $8,000 City contribution. Funds must be raised by February 1, 1997 or the project is put on hold unti11999, the currently scheduled year for the Hackmann Park play equipment upgrade in the 5 Year Parks Capital Improvement Program. It would be the City's intent to use money currently budgeted in the 1997 Playground Equipment Upgrades for this installation. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. b. Warming House Specifications Mr. Kirk asked if the Commission would discuss the warming house facilities that might be considered for Madsen Park and Stevenson Elementary School hockey/skating rinks sites. He stated that in earlier discussion we discussed how the City is working on a facility adjacent to the Hayes gymnasium to take care of the Hayes Elementary School skating facility. Mr. Kirk stated that there may be a possibility of one or more community organizations being willing to contribute to the construction of some warming house shelters in the ne�t year or so. In order to proceed and inquire further as to the interest of these community organizations, we need to determine the type of shelter for the parks and get some cost estimates. Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting - August 12, 1996 Page 4 Mr. Kirk reminded the Commission that the City will be placing temporary/portable shelters at Hayes Elementary, Stevenson Elementary and Madsen Park this winter. Should the City decide to use permanent buildings, he would like to have the Commission recommendation on the type of facility to be used. Mr. Kondrick asked if we could look at incorporating a hexagon-style building that we have been using in some of our other parks as a design for a warming house. Mr. Young stated he liked concrete buildings as a more vandal-proof structure for a warming house. He believes we need a more secure building than a wood-frame structure. Mr. Young further suggested that we get demographic information on these areas before we build any type of activity building. Mr. Kirk suggested that staff look at some possible designs for buildings and bring them back to a future meeting of the Commission for review. Mr. Kondrick stated that he would like staff to do that and to schedule some discussion time at a future meeting for this topic. c. Park Tour at September Meeting Mr. Kondrick stated that the Commission would like to have another park tour before their ne�t meeting starting at 6:00 p.m. He suggested that we visit some of the new playground installation sites for 1996. We will be leaving from the Municipal Center and returning for the regular September Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting at appro�mately 7:00 p.m. d. Community Park -- ADA Improvements Mr. Kirk stated that there is a need to provide an access path to the back two fields (John Gargaro Fields) at Community Park. With recent improvements, the main four fields are now completely accessible, but not the back two fields. Mr. Kirk showed the Commission an aerial photo of the Community Park and how an access path could be laid out at the facility. With removing the berm between fields #2 &#3 the path could be constructed, along with other possible improvements including another picnic shelter similar to the one the Lions Club built by fields #5 & #61ast year. Mr. Kondrick suggested that staff continue to work on a design for this project and bring it back to the Commission at a future meeting. MOTION by Mr. Sobberg, seconded by Ms. Price to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE AUGUST 12, 1996 MEETING ADJOURNED.