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12/03/2001 - 00010434CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING — DECEMBER 3, 2001 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Kondrick called the December 3, 2001 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:04 p. m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Dave Kondrick, Sue Price, Marcy Sibell, Tim Solberg, Dick Young Others Present: Jack Kirk, Director of Recreation & Natural Resources Paul Lawrence, Superintendent of Public Works Siah St. Clair, Natural Resource Coordinator Doyle Mullin, Springbrook Nature Center Foundation APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 5, 2001 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Ms. Sibell, to approve the minutes of the November 5, 2001 meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR DECEMBER 3, 2001 MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Mr. Young, to approve the agenda for the December 3, 2001 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 an update of the programs was included with the agenda packet for the meeting. He wanted to call attention to a couple of senior program activities. On Monday, November 12t", the Senior Program sponsored the fourth annual Veteran's Day Celebration and it was a huge success. The Minneapolis Commodores performed, R. T. Johnson spoke on his experiences during World War II and the American Legion Auxiliary served lunch. There were 175 seniors that participated in this year's event. Mr. Kirk further stated that the Fridley Senior Program is selling holiday wreaths again this year as a fundraiser to support senior activities. There were 520 wreaths sold this year. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — December 3, 2001 Paqe 2 Mr. Kirk stated that during the past month the Department has run several "school out" day activities for the elementary and middle school students, started registration for the winter sports leagues, started registration for winter department activities, and completed an upgrade of the computerized registration system. The Nature Center staff conducted programs on animal preparation for winter, bird banding and tornadoes. b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Lawrence stated that the agenda packet includes a report from Park Supervisor Dave Lindquist on the activities during the past month. He said that the maintenance workers had gotten a lot of outdoor work completed in the park system during the past month thanks to the mild weather. They cleaned leaves from the parks, picked up litter and trash, and cleaned park facilities in preparation for the winter. The workers also prepared for winter work by putting the winter attachments on the trucks and tractors. The warming house trailers have been set up at the Stevenson and Madsen skating sites. The workers have also started putting water down on the skating sites in preparation for the coming skating season. c. Winter Festival Mr. Kirk stated that the staff of the Recreation and Natural Resource Department is currently planning another Winter Festival for Saturday, January 26, 2002. The event last year was a big success with lots of positive feedback from the community, so staff is excited for some additions this year. The overall event actually has three parts to it, at different activity locations. Mr. Kirk further stated that the day starts at Springbrook Nature Center with several events such as a Medallion Hunt, a snow sculpture contest, outdoor winter games, a trading post and several indoor activities. The second part of the Festival moves to Commons Park for a skating a sliding party. There will be hay rides, a bon fire, a dog sled demo, snow shoeing, skating on the oval, sliding on the Commons Hill, a hockey demo game, and music. The final portion of the Festival will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Fridley Community Center. There will be a family dance, a chili and hot dog concession, and family bingo. Staff is also working on ice carving, speed skating, and figure skating demonstrations, along with having several costumed mascots appear for the kids. There is also the possibility of lining up a tethered hot air balloon. Mr. Kirk stated that participation at Springbrook Nature Center is $2 per person, the events at Commons Park are Free and the evening dance event at the Fridley Community Center costs $3 per family. There is no pre-registration needed for these events and the Commission members are invited to come out and enjoy the action. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Springbrook Gateway Entrance Project Update Mr. Doyle Mullin, representing the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation, stated that he was at the Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting to give a progress report on the Springbrook Gateway Project. The architects retained by the Foundation are completing their work and should have the final report finished by the end of this month. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — December 3, 2001 Paqe 3 Mr. Mullin stated that the premises for the project were the needs and opportunities identified by the Nature Center Director and the citizen input at the community visioning meetings associated with the City comprehensive plan process. The needs are based on the Nature Center Director seeing a degradation of the natural resource base due to the large number of annual visitors to the center. The opportunities are in the seven-acre entrance area that could be developed to accommodate many park visitors and reduce some of the problems in other areas of the park. The recently released City of Fridley Comprehensive Plan identified some guiding principles that included having community gathering places, having places to celebrate diversity, and developing a built environment that recognizes the natural environment. The Springbrook Nature Center Foundation shares some of these same objectives and believes that Springbrook Nature Center can be a place to realize these goals. Mr. Mullin further stated that the process used for this project started with citizen meetings to see how people wanted to use the nature center in the future. The Foundation has done some market research, created some design principles, made preliminary reports to this Commission and the City Council, hired an architectural firm, held stakeholder meetings for additional input and directed the design activities of the architects. Mr. Mullin stated that some of the concepts that came from the community meetings on the nature center showed a desire to have a place for: • Nature and Environmental Education • Wellness activities and programs • Life Celebrations • Business and Community Seminars • Nurturing of the Human Spirit This place could be a gathering place for community events, reflection, visualization, listening, discovery, connection and learning. Mr. Mullin further stated that the meetings showed that park users wanted compelling places that celebrate changing seasons; provide multi-sensory experiences, connect with nature, use materials of the earth, use light (such as lanterns) at night, celebrate sunlight throughout the day, create transition, and are simple, but not simplistic. Mr. Mullin said that as the foundation studied the information on this project, there were several problems that emerged that should be addressed. The building and the grounds use should be stabilized and some facilities needed restoration. There is limited public funding, there is currently limited space in the Interpretive Center, and there is no place for community memorials. Mr. Mullin stated that there were also some opportunities which emerged in the discussions for this project. The gateway area at Springbrook Nature Center could become a community focal point of activity. Space in the entrance area could be created to allow for orderly and sequential circulation of park users. Revenue generating places could be created here. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — December 3, 2001 Paqe 4 Mr. Mullin said that he now wanted to get into the conceptual layout for the project. There were several landscape development principles that were used when planning for the various components of this project. The principles were as follows: • Enhance what already exists • Celebrate Community • Choose the least invasive methods • Shape outdoor rooms • Design for a variety of users • Create unique micro-environments • Enhance circulation • Develop innovative storm water treatment strategies Mr. Mullin stated that this project would include an improved entrance area, one that would have a tree lined entrance drive and possibly a grass area for parking cars. They have looked at some materials that can be use to stabilize an area for car parking and still have grass instead of asphalt. Adjacent to the parking area would be several outdoor "rooms" which could be used by small groups or families for picnics or nature activities. Mr. Mullin stated that the Interpretive Center would have several new spaces including an atrium like entrance, a coffee shop, a gift shop, kitchen area, public toilets and maintenance room, meeting rooms for up to 150 people, an indoor amphitheater for up to 200 people, lower level storage, a quiet nature viewing room and circulation space. Mr. Mullin stated that the outdoor area would have a new main picnic pavilion, smaller picnic facilities, improved walkways and trails to improve circulation and a community memorial space. The entrance area would be buffered from 85t" Avenue by use of a six to eight foot berm and planting materials. Mr. Mullin stated that the capital costs on the project will be estimated for the final drawings, with the preliminary figure at somewhere between $3 million and $4 million. The foundation plans to raise funds primarily from private sources and possibly public money outside of the City of Fridley. Increased operating funds will be largely covered by (1) revenue generated from use of the new facility, (2) an endowment fund currently being planned by the foundation, and (3) a subscription type fund raising plan. Ms. Sibell asked what size companies would the foundation target to support this entrance area project? Mr. Mullin replied that in some of their initial contacts, they found that all size companies from throughout the county had an interest. Mr. St. Clair stated that it was approximately 1'/ years ago when they talked to these companies. Mr. Young asked how the Foundation would prioritize the amenities if they couldn't raise the full amount and had to limit the project? Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — December 3, 2001 Paqe 5 Mr. Mullin stated that the landscaping of the land and inclusion of the two parking areas would be priority number one. Mr. Young stated that he was glad to hear about the alternate surface being considered for the parking areas. It may be something that could be used elsewhere in the City. He further stated that any signs used in the park should reflect the theme the City has used for the city entrance monument signs. Mr. Mullin stated that what the Foundation really wants is for the City of Fridley to view this as a cooperative project with them (the Foundation) — not an outside group proposing something to be done at a City facility. Mr. Young stated that the City recently became aware of a Burlington Northern plan to possibly take some land on the western edge of the park for an additional railroad track. With proposed additional train traffic, was any consideration given to using some type of sound barrier to mitigate the sound from the trains. Mr. Mullin stated that the trains have come up in the discussions and there is some concern. This project tends to deal with the seven-acre entrance area and the Interpretive building, so the western boundary adjacent to the trains is not specifically addressed. Mr. Kondrick stated that there is always concern for money. The project sounds ambitious, but I don't mean to say it is overly ambitious. Mr. Mullin stated we need to change the conversation in our community. We can appreciate the finer things in life as well as some of the other suburban communities can. Mr. Kondrick thanked Mr. Mullin and Mr. St. Clair for the presentation. b. 2002 Softball League Fees Mr. Kirk stated that staff has submitted a recommendation for the adult softball league fees for the coming season. The proposed fees are the same as last year, as we plan on the same costs for umpires, scorekeepers and equipment. The fees were adjusted upward before last season. The fees we charge in the Fridley area are very consistent with what other communities in the north metro area are charging. The proposed fees are as follows: Leaque Fee Sunday Men's E/ Corporate D $570 Sunday Men's D/ Corporate C $570 Monday Men's C/ Corporate B $620 Monday Men's D/ Corporate C $620 Tuesday Men's D/ Corporate C $620 Wed. Men's D/ Corporate C $620 Thurs. Men's D/ Corporate C $620 Thurs. Women's D $370 Friday Co-Rec $360 Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — December 3, 2001 Paqe 6 Mr. Young asked why the fees were different for some of the leagues? Mr. Kirk stated that the fee is based on a cost per game and the leagues do not all play the exact same number of games. MOTION by Ms. Sibell, seconded by Mr. Solberg, to approve the 2002 Softball League Fees as recommended by staff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED c. Recognition for Suzanne Holm Mr. Kirk stated that Suzanne Holm has been planting and maintaining a flower garden at the entrance to Madsen Park for the past 13 years. She does this as a volunteer and spends countless hours each year creating a beautiful garden. It has been suggested that the City provide some type of recognition to her for her efforts. Mr. Young stated that he would be in favor of having a plaque made for Ms. Holm and presenting it to her at a City Council meeting. MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Sibell, to have the City of Fridley award a plaque to Ms. Suzanne Holm, recognizing her volunteer efforts of creating a flower garden at Madsen Park. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Ms. Price, seconded by Ms. Sibell, to adjourn the December 3, 2001 meeting at 8:30 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE DECEMBER 3, 2001 MEETING ADJOURNED.