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08/05/2002 - 00024523CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING — AUGUST 5, 2002 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Kondrick called the August 5, 2002 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:09 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present Others Present Dave Kondrick, Marcy Sibell, Tim Solberg, Dick Young Jack Kirk, Director of Recreation & Natural Resources Paul Lawrence, Superintendent of Public Works APPROVAL OF JUNE 3, 2002 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Ms. Sibell, to approve the minutes of the June 3, 2002 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR AUGUST 5, 2002 MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Solberg, to approve the agenda for the August 5, 2002 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 the summer programs have been going quite well, although the very wet weather had created some significant rescheduling problems for the adult softball program. The Sunday Men's League has been rained out 7 of the 12 scheduled nights of play. Mr. Kirk further stated that other news included the Handiworks program receiving a$19,000 grant to help increase the scope of the program. The 49er Days events were very successful this year including the Senior BBQ and the senior tournaments in 500, Cribbage and bowling. The First Parent/Child Miniature Golf Tournament was held at the Fridley Miniature Golf facility with over 50 participants. The Recreation and Naturalist divisions each participated in the "Stand For Children" event during 49er Days at the Columbia Arena site. The program was designed to provide free or low cost activities for children and families on Saturday afternoon during the 49er Days festival. Mr. Kirk also stated that Springbrook Nature Center staff has been very busy this summer running a variety of youth day nature camps, a senior citizens nature camp and a very popular "Gramp" Camp, where 61 grandparents and grandkids took part in a variety of activities. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — Auqust 5, 2002 Paqe 2 Mr. Kirk further stated that he had received a very nice letter about the programs offered in our community from a Mr. Bruce Nelson. He had copies of the letter available for the Commission members to read. Mr. Kirk also stated that the Minnesota MS Society will be holding a"Walk-A-Thon" on Sunday, September 29t" throughout the metro Twin Cities area. They will be walking on the Regional Trail through Fridley and have requested the use of Edgewater Gardens park as a water site. Volunteers will set up a couple of tables to pass out free cups of water to the walkers. Mr. Kirk stated he has given them permission to use the park for this purpose. b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Lawrence stated that Mr. Lindquist has provided a written maintenance report that is included in the agenda packet. The very heavy rainfall this year has kept the maintenance crews extremely busy mowing the grass in our park system. In addition, the Parks department has been preparing the ballfield areas and providing support to the many summer recreation programs being operated. c. Teen Coordinator Position Mr. Kirk stated that the current Teen Coordinator for the Recreation Department, Nikki Schaffer, is changing positions with us. She is going to shift to the Recreation Office Assistant position, which opened up when Trisha Winberg decided to return to school full time. Nikki has a desire to work fewer hours and a more regular schedule, which the Office Assistant position will allow her to do. We have advertised for the Teen Coordinator position and today (August 5) is the application deadline. We hope to interview in the next week and bring someone on board at the beginning of September. Mr. Young stated that he had reviewed the job description for the Teen Coordinator position and would suggest we consider a second language as a job qualification due to the ever increasing diversity in our area. c. Certificate of Appreciation Presented to Suzanne Holm Mr. Kirk stated that on Monday, July 22"d, Mayor Scott Lund presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Suzanne Holm for her outstanding volunteer service in maintaining a flower garden at Madsen Park for the past 13 years. An article on Ms. Holm is also set to appear in the upcoming issue of the City newsletter. d. Video Aired On Park and Recreation Issues Mr. Kirk stated that Commission members Dave Kondrick and Dick Young recently participated in a Cable TV show on Parks and Recreation issues in Fridley. The video has been airing regularly on Municipal Channel 17 throughout the summer months. Some of the issues covered were: Community Park drainage; Fridley Community Center funding; a bikeway along 85t" Avenue; and the Springbrook Nature Center improvements. The moderator for the show was Councilmember Ann Bolkcom. The panel also included Councilmember Bob Barnette and myself. Mr. Kirk thanked the Commission members for their participation and complimented them on a fine job. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — Auqust 5, 2002 Paqe 3 e. Fridley Lions Club Donation Mr. Kirk stated that the Fridley Lions Club recently donated $8,500 to the City of Fridley for installation of an on-field scoreboard control system at the Community Park softball complex. It is estimated that the entire project will cost $17,000, so we are trying to raise the balance of the funds needed. When installed, the on-field controls will eliminate the need for press box scorekeepers. The umpires will update the scoreboards from on the field. The resulting savings will amount to approximately $6,000 per year. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Madsen Park Reservation Request — Grace Evanqelical Free Church Mr. Kirk stated that the City of Fridley has received a request from Grace Evangelical Free Church to reserve the Madsen Park facilities for a large community event on Saturday, August 17, 2002. This event, called the "Party In The Park" is open to the public and the Madsen Park neighborhood is invited to attend. The Church sponsored a similar event last year that was well attended. There will be food and entertainment provided and there is no charge to participate. Mr. Kirk recommends that the Parks and Recreation Commission approve use of Madsen Park for this event at no rental cost, but with the understanding that additional costs for portable toilets and garbage dumpsters be paid for by Grace Evangelical Church. MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Solberg to approve the request by Grace Evangelical Free Church to reserve Madsen Park for a special event on Saturday, August 17, 2002. There would be no rental fee, but any additional expenses for the event incurred by the City would need to be paid for by Grace Church. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. b. Showmobile Rental Request — Star Citv Davs (Inver Grove Heiqhts) Mr. Kirk stated that the City has received a request from Inver Grove Heights and Star City Days to rent the showmobile for the City celebration on September 8, 2002. They have rented from us in the past and staff would recommend approval. MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Sibell to approve the request for rental of the showmobile to Star City Days in Inver Grove Heights. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — Auqust 5, 2002 Paqe 4 c. Pedestrian Crosswalk at Commons Park and Fridlev Communitv Center Mr. Kirk stated that he had recently discussed the parking situation at the Fridley Community Center with Community Education Director Jackie Johnston. Ms. Johnston would like to see the High School Alternative Learning Center students park their cars at Commons Park during the day, rather that taking up parking spaces at the Community Center that could be used by the Senior Citizens or Early Childhood Family Education program participants. The ALC students would then be advised to use the North entrance, immediately across the street from Commons Park. To provide for safe movement back and forth across 61 St Avenue, Ms. Johnston has requested the City to consider a crosswalk with appropriate signage. Mr. Kirk further stated that has included a map of the site and proposed crosswalk with the Commission meeting agenda packet. The crosswalk would require some additional cement work, the removal of a small portion of the hedge along the parking lot and one parking space at Commons would be lost due to the access path. Mr. Young stated that he was opposed to removing a portion of the very nice hedge along the parking lot. He was not against the crosswalk , but liked the hedge as it is. Mr. Solberg asked if others, not just ALC students, would make use of this crosswalk. Mr. Kirk stated yes, that others could use this crosswalk on days when overflow parking for Community Center events was needed. Also when participants in other Community Center activities needed access to Commons Park, this would be a logical route. MOTION by Ms. Sibell, seconded by Mr. Solberg to approve the installation of a crosswalk between Commons Park and the Fridley Community Center, including the removal of section of the hedge to provide access to the path. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Solberg, to adjourn the August 5, 2002 meeting at 8:35 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE AUGUST 5, 2002 MEETING ADJOURNED.