Loading...
12/06/1999 - 00007973CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING — DECEMBER 6, 1999 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Kondrick called the December 6, 1999 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Dave Kondrick Tim Solberg Dick Young Members Absent: Susan Price Marcy Sibell Others Present: 7ack Kirk, Director of Recreation & Natural Resources Paul Lawrence, Public Works Superintendent Barb Dacy, Community Development Director Mark Koegler, Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc. APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 4,1999 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES Vice-Chairperson Young noted a correction on page two of the October 4, 1999 minutes. Item b, last paragraph should read "he recalls a juvenile court judge named Allen Oleski stating that there may be an opportunity to go after restitution for damages by minors when they turn 18" — not an attorney. MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Mr. Young to approve the minutes of the October 4, 1999 meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission with the noted correction. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR OCTOBER 4,1999 MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Solberg to move agenda item 2a. Parks & Recreation Section Comprehensive Plan Update to the top of the agenda. 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 information distributed as part of the Commission meeting agenda packet. This was a summary of the programs and activities of the Recreation and Natural Resource Department for October and November 1999. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� - December 6, 1999 Pa�e 2 Mr. Kirk pointed out that the Springbrook Nature Center Pumpkin Night in the Park activity on October 30t'` was a huge success with appro�mately 1,500 visitors. This was the first time this event was not held on Halloween night — instead it was held the Saturday before Halloween, which may have contributed to its success. Mr. Kirk stated that in-line skating/skateboard parks are a very big topic among recreation providers. He has been doing some research on skateboard parks and found that if ramps are less than 36" high additional insurance is not needed for coverage. b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Lawrence stated that staff has been busy erecting hockey rinks and preparing for the upcoming skating season. Staff has been trying to flood the rinks, but the warm weather has caused a delay. They hope to have ice ready for the school's winter break. Mr. Lawrence reported that staff removed the boardwalk at the Moore Lake Sand Dunes. Mr. Kirk mentioned that signs have been posted advertising a phone number to call for park users who have questions or concerns regarding the removal of the boardwalk. c. Canada Goose Capture Report Mr. Kirk stated that the University of Minnesota reported that the Minnesota Canada goose population is declining. The capture and removal program has trapped approximately 60,000 geese in Minnesota since its implementation in 1982. On June 16, 1999, 74 geese were removed from Moore Lake. d. Citizen Survey Executive Summary Mr. Kirk pointed out that the Recreation and Natural Resource Department activities had positive ratings on the latest Citizen Survey. The average age of survey respondents was 48.8. Information from the survey showed that 22% of respondents used the Moore Lake Sand Dunes and 31% utilized the Springbrook Nature Center facility. e. Teen Coordinator Position Mr. Kirk announced that Nikki Schaffer is our new Teen Coordinator, replacing 7ean Robinson. Nikki has worked with us the past three summers helping to coordinate the summer Playground program. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services and comes to us after working the past 3-1/2 school years as a Community Education School Programmer with the Anoka-Hennepin Community Education program. In her position as Teen Coordinator she will be responsible for the Zone, the youth center facility at the Community Center. She will supervise the after-school activity for middle school age students and the evening weekend activity for high school age participants. Nikki will also organize trips and special events for the teen population. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� - December 6, 1999 Pa�e 3 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Parks & Recreation Section - Comprehensive Plan Update Barbara Dacy and Mark Koegler reviewed the draft of the Comprehensive Plan. They explained that the City of Fridley is projected to grow from 28,626 in 1999 to 29,500 in the year 2020 and the Comprehensive Plan allows us to determine how much City services should grow with the population. The Park and Recreation chapter of the plan includes information on parks and open spaces including development of land, bikeways/walkways, and other parks and recreation needs. Ms. Dacy and Mr. Koegler asked for the commission's input on goals, policies and strategies to include in the Plan. The commission members were asked "Where do you see Fridley heading in the future?" and "What needs to be considered in regards to parks and open spaces?" Mr. Young asked how the projected increase in population was determined. Mr. Koegler explained that the Metropolitan Council gave the projected numbers to the City. Ms. Dacy stated that the projected increase might be due to the construction of the new townhome development at Christenson Crossing and other new developments like the senior housing project and other smaller apartment and single family projects. Mr. Young mentioned that he believed increasing the number of parks in Fridley would be impossible. He felt continued funding for upgrades of the equipment in the parks and Springbrook Nature Center would be a goal. Mr. Young also stated that a park shelter a Madsen would be nice. Mr. Solberg agreed with Mr. Young regarding the playground equipment upgrades and added that the City might want believes there will be current walking paths programs offered. � to consider expansion of the Senior Center/Program. He explained that he a greater demand for fitness facilities for the elderly above and beyond our He also mentioned that he would like to see more youth/senior combination Mr. Young mentioned that a skateboard/in-line skating park would be an added feature. He also mentioned that new park signs would be an added improvement. Mr. Young also pointed out that two of the county parks are actually city parks maintained by the county and felt that this should be included in the plan's Park Classification. Ms. Dacy asked the commission for their feeling on tying the park system into the river. Mr. Young suggested that the Georgetown Apartment area would be a good redevelopment area for this. Mr. Kondrick suggested linking parks by bikeways/walkways in the future. Ms. Dacy stated that bikeways/walkways might be a controversial issue in the future regarding the matter of off-street or on-street paths. Mr Lawrence expressed a concern regarding future expansion of services without the expansion of manpower or funding. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� - December 6, 1999 Pa�e 4 b. 2000 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Schedule MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Solberg to accept the 2000 meeting schedule. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. c. Request for Disc Golf Course Mr. Kirk explained that he had a request from a resident for a disc golf course in the city. After doing research on disc golf courses, Mr. Kirk responded to the request in writing stating that a disc golf course requires a significant amount of land, and the City of Fridley has limited undeveloped land available. He did point out that Anoka County has open space within Fridley and that he would discuss this with them. d. Playground Equipment Upgrades for 2000 Mr. Kirk stated that the 2000 Parks Capital Improvement Program includes $186,000 to upgrade playground equipment at five of city parks. The six parks include Community, Creekridge, Flanery, Jubilee and Locke. Mr. Kirk asked the commission to re-confirm these locations so staff could complete preparation of specs and set a timeline for installation. This is the last year of the park improvement program. Mr. Young inquired as to whether the cost for the purchase of protective netting at Community Park would be taken away from the total dollar amount allocated for the playground equipment upgrades. Mr. Kirk responded that there is not e�tra money for protective netting, so it would have to be included in the cost of the project. There has been discussion about moving the play area further away from the ball fields as well. Mr. Young inquired into the possibility of taking a berm out at Community Park to provide for a higher usage of equipment, as it would be closer to the ball fields. Mr. Kirk stated that was a possibility, however plans already e�st to remove a berm at Community Park to provide a picnic area. The Fridley Lions Club has expressed an interest in working with the City in providing a picnic shelter. Mr. Young expressed a concern about where the play area is at Community Park in proximity to the parking lot. Mr. Kirk explained that it is under discussion to move or re-design this play area to provide a safety zone from the ball fields and parking lot. The Commission re-confirmed the locations for playground equipment installations in 2000. 3. OLD BUSINESS a. River Edge Way Update Mr. Kirk reported that he has contacted the DNR regarding the sale of the River Edge Way Park Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� - December 6, 1999 Pa�e 5 property as requested to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The DNR said they would not oppose the vacation of the park property unless it was acquired tax forfeit. The DNR said they didn't believe they would have any say in our particular case. Mr. Kirk stated that the City Attorney does not agree with the DNR opinion and re-stated that the DNR would have a say if this vacation proceeding went to court. Mr. Kirk suggested that we look at the alternative of working with the neighbors to adjust the property line of the easement, so the one homeowner may add on to his garage. The park would remain City property and would be treated as other open space, natural property. The City would not mow and maintain this one as a groomed park. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Mr. Young to adjourn the December 6, 1999 meeting at 8:20 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE DECEMBER 6, 1999 MEETING ADJOURNED.