PR 06/05/2000 - 00008189CITY OF FRIDLEY
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING — JUNE 5, 2000
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Kondrick called the June 5, 2000 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at
7:38 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Dave Kondrick, Sue Price, Tim Solberg, Dick Young
Others Present: Jack Kirk, Director of Recreation & Natural Resources
Dave Lindquist, Park Maintenance Supervisor
Paul Lawrence, Superintendent of Public Works
APPROVAL OF MAY 1, 2000 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Solberg to approve the minutes of the May 1, 2000
meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR June 5, 2000
MOTION by Ms. Price, seconded by Mr. Solberg, to approve the agenda for the June 5, 2000
meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED.
1. STAFF REPORT
a. Program Update
Mr. Kirk stated that this is an extremely busy time of year for the Department staff and
registration for the summer activities is very heavy. Office staff has processed over 2500
individual program registrations for summer activities to date.
Mr. Kirk also referred to the written program update in the Commission member's packets that
contained brief write-ups on some of the activity during the past month including: the Zone
Underground events, the Springbrook Volksmarch, a donation to the Senior Center, school
groups using Springbrook Nature Center, summer aerobics and fitness classes, the Senior
Program Volunteer recognition, and the activity coordinators training.
b. Park Maintenance Report
Mr. Lindquist stated that they are trying to keep up with the mowing in all of the City parks,
and with the recent wet weather, this is a difficult task.
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Mr. Lindquist further stated that during the month of May, the Parks Maintenance Division
prepared the garden plot area, swept all the bikeway/walkways, got the tennis courts ready,
prepared the irrigation systems and started using, and provided all the softball, baseball and
soccer game field preparation.
Mr. Lawrence commented that the turf drying material is very expensive and that the City has
spent a lot already this year getting ballfields ready for games.
c. Fridley `49er Days
Mr. Kirk provided a schedule of the upcoming 49er Days events and invited the Commission
members to participate in the many activities that week.
d. Summer Program Registrations
Mr. Kirk provided a status report on the summer program activity registrations. The report
shows the number of individuals currently registered, the maximum number of openings and
any individuals currently on the waiting list.
e. Skateboard Survey Results
Mr. Kirk provided a copy of the results of a survey on skateboarding given to students in
Fridley Middle School and Fridley High School. The survey addressed such issues as
whether or not the student would use the skate park, would they pay a fee, how much, and
how often they would use it. The survey results showed support for a skate park from the 185
students who completed it.
2. NEW BUSINESS
a. Anoka County Improvements at Locke Park
Mr. Kirk stated that Anoka County Parks Department would like to make some needed
improvements to Locke Park this fall. The park is City of Fridley property, but is operated and
maintained by Anoka County under a joint powers agreement signed in 1980. The agreement
requires the City of Fridley to approve in writing any improvements other than normal
maintenance activities.
Mr. Kirk stated that many Fridley residents use this facility and the planned improvements will
be very positive for our community. A resolution is being presented to the City Council in
support of this project. Mr. Kirk would recommend that the Parks and Recreation Commission
pass a motion in support of these planned improvements also.
MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Price to support the improvements to Locke Park
as planned by the Anoka County Parks Department.
Mr. Young suggested that the sign at the entrance to the park state that it is a City of Fridley
park operated and maintained by Anoka County Parks.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED.
Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — June 5, 2000 Paqe 3
b. Use of Trolling (electric) Motors in City Waterways
Mr. Kirk stated that in the past couple of weeks, there have been questions raised about the
use of an electric trolling motor to propel a fishing boat on Moore Lake. Mr. Kirk has talked
with Public Safety Director Dave Sallman about this issue and they are in agreement that the
use of a trolling motor does not violate the city ordinance, which prohibits the use of
motorboats upon city lakes and waterways.
Although the ordinance has been on the books for many years now, it appears that the intent
was to prevent pollution and noise concerns of internal combustion engines. Mr. Kirk stated
that he would like the opinion of the Parks and Recreation Commission as to whether the
current ordinance should allow electric trolling motors.
Mr. Young stated that he saw several items in the existing ordinance that might need to be
addressed. Does the Mississippi River come into play on this or does it pertain to waterways
entirely within the City? Under 701.06, it should state any sailboat or boat with a trolling motor
shall come within 100 feet of the swimming beach. Mr. Young further stated that we should
consider changing 701.10 to coincide with our current park use hours of 5 am to 10 pm.
Mr. Lindquist suggested that we have an exemption in the ordinance to allow for other
motorboats to be used with the permission of the City, as would be the case with a company
contracted to treat the lake with chemicals.
MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Ms. Price to state that the Parks and Recreation
Commission approves the use of electric trolling motors in the City of Fridley and believes that
this is consistent with the existing wording in Ordinance 701.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Price to adjourn the June 5, 2000 meeting at 8:13 p.m.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE JUNE 5, 2000 MEETING ADJOURNED.