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PR 01/03/2000 - 00008025CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING — JANUARY, 2000 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Kondrick called the January 3, 2000 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Dave Kondrick Susan Price Marcy Sibell Tim Solberg Dick Young Others Present: 7ack Kirk, Director of Recreation & Natural Resources Paul Lawrence, Public Works Superintendent APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 6,1999 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Solberg to approve the minutes of the December 6, 1999 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR JANUARY 3, 2000 Mr. Young requested to add item f. to the agenda to get an update on the impact of the Franchise Fee vote on the parks and recreation facilities and programs. Ms. Sibell requested to add item b. to new business, Independent School District #14 possible teacher's strike. MOTION by Mr.Young, seconded by Mr. Solberg to approve the agenda for the January 3, 2000 meeting with the addition of lf. Franchise Fee impact and 2b. Possible teacher's strike in ISD #14 UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 1. STAFF REPORT a. Program Update Mr. Kirk reported that the skating rink locations had opened for the year on December 24t'`, but closed two days later with the 50+ degree temperatures. Since that time, the warming houses and rinks have been open on a day-to-day basis depending on skating conditions. The park maintenance workers have been trying to get the facilities in good condition, but the weather is certainly not favorable. Mr. Kirk also called attention to the Program Update included in the agenda packet. These were some of the activities sponsored by the Recreation and Natural Resource Department in the past month. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� - Januarv 3, 2000 Pa�e 2 b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Lawrence stated that park maintenance activities have centered around establishing ice at the 20 ice skating facilities. He said that although the weather conditions have been less than ideal for making ice, most of the skating locations were open for the school holiday vacation break. He further stated that when it was too warm to be making ice, the crews were busy pruning park trees and repairing trails at the Innsbruck Nature area. c. Park Dedication Survey Results Mr. Kirk presented the Commission members with the result of a metro-area survey on park dedication requirements for various cities that was conducted by Greg Ingraham as a service to the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association. Fridley was included in the survey and it gives us an opportunity to compare our fees to those in other communities. Mr. Young stated that he thought we should look at the Commercial-Industrial park fees in Fridley. Mr. Kondrick stated that it has been a long time since the park dedication fees have been reviewed and would like to see Park Dedication fees on a future Parks and Recreation Commission agenda for more in- depth discussion. He further stated that the park dedication fees will be source of revenue needed to accomplish the park projects of the future and he wants to make sure the fees are at an appropriate level. d. Your Best Investment - Video by the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Mr. Kirk stated that the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association, with funding support from the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation, has put together a promotional video on Parks and Recreation. .. Your Best Investment. The 12 minute video is narrated by WCCO anchor pon Shelby and explains the many reasons why parks and recreation programs are so beneficial to our communities. Some of the reasons Mr. Shelby promotes in the video for Parks and Recreation being a great community investment are as follows: encouraging healthy lifestyles; increasing property values; developing community pride; protecting the environment; providing children and families with safe places to recreate; instilling a sense of appreciation of nature; providing opportunities for stress relief; and giving residents a sense of pride in their city parks. After viewing the video, Mr. Kondrick asked where the video is being shown and recommended that we put it on our local cable channel. Mr. Kirk stated that he would like to have it shown on our local cable channel and shown to community organizations. e. Metropolitan Council Report - Anoka County Parks and Recreation Facilities Mr. Kirk stated that students from the University of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources have recently completed a study for the Metropolitan Council on Anoka County Parks and Recreation facilities. The report provides an inventory of various facilities and lists management recommendations to meet future recreation needs. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� - Januarv 3, 2000 Pa�e 3 Mr. Kirk also pointed out that the report included information from a 1995 survey of Anoka county residents' perceptions about recreation activities, facilities and the needs and ways to fund parks and open spaces. He said that he had two copies of the report in his office and they were available for commission members to read. f. Impact of Franchise Fee Vote Mr. Kondrick said that the referendum on the proposed franchise fee failed and the city would likely be looking at ways to reduce spending to make up for the lack of this revenue source. Mr. Young stated that he requested this item be placed on the agenda because he would like to know if any park facilities and/or recreation programs are going to be affected with budget reductions as a result of the franchise fee not passing. Mr. Kirk stated that final details on budget reductions have not been decided upon at this point, but he expected that staff will be discussing this with the City Council very soon. At the December City Council meeting, the budget for 2000 was passed with several "big ticket" items being removed. One of those items was the Playground Equipment upgrades at 5 neighborhood parks. Whether any or all of those park projects would be put back into this year's plans is unknown at this time. Mr. Kirk stated he would keep the Commission members informed of future budget developments. 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.