11/04/2002 - 00024917CITY OF FRIDLEY
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING — NOVEMBER 4, 2002
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Kondrick called the November 4, 2002 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to
order at 7:06 p. m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present
Others Present
Dave Kondrick, Marcy Sibell, Tim Solberg and Dick Young
Jack Kirk, Director of Recreation & Natural Resources
Paul Lawrence, Superintendent of Public Works
APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 7, 2002 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Ms. Sibell, to approve the minutes of the October 7, 2002
Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER 4, 2002
MOTION by Ms. Sibell, seconded by Mr. Solberg, to approve the agenda for the November 4, 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 Program Update for the past month identifies some of the programs
and activities of the Recreation and Natural Resource Department. He wanted to let the
Commission members know about the very successful Halloween event at Springbrook Nature
Center on Saturday, October 26t". Over 2,230 people attended the "Pumpkin Night In The
Park" event — a really great turnout for this special event. The nature center staff works with
many volunteers (close to 100) to make this event happen. Staff had set a goal of having 500
carved pumpkins along the nature center trail and they reached that goal.
Mr. Kirk further stated that staff is working to complete the winter activities brochure, which
should be mailed out to all Fridley residents within the next two weeks. The winter program
runs from December through February.
Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — November 4, 2002 Paqe 2
b. Park Maintenance Report
Mr. Lawrence stated that the October Maintenance Report submitted by Mr. Lindquist outlines
the major work that has been done in the past month. He said during the past month, the
workers had performed park safety inspections, mowed the park areas each week, put up
hockey rink boards and blew out the irrigation lines. The maintenance workers have also
been putting away sports equipment from the parks and have been busy sweeping leaves.
The crew has also started to prepare for the winter snow removal and ice maintenance
season.
c. Program Supervisor Position
Mr. Kirk reported that the City has hired a new Program Supervisor. Her name is Jamie
Ramacher and she started her employment today, November 4t". Jamie is a graduate of the
University of Minnesota with a Bachelor's degree in Recreation and Leisure studies. She has
been with the City of Shoreview the past 2'/ years as a Recreation Program Coordinator. She
also has prior work experience with the Cities of Eden Prairie, Mounds View and New Brighton
Parks and Recreation Departments.
Mr. Kirk further stated that Jamie is responsible for the elementary age after school programs,
the summer playground program, youth and adult instructional activities, special events and
various trips.
Mr. Kirk stated that he would like Jamie to attend an upcoming Commission meeting to report
on the youth programs and give the Commission members an opportunity to meet her.
2. NEW BUSINESS
a. West Moore Lake Park — Park Name
Mr. Kirk stated that he received a recent phone call from a lady who lives on West Moore
Lake Drive. She saw one of our new park signs and was disappointed to see the name West
Moore Lake Park identifying the sand dunes area across from the Fridley schools. She stated
that the area was more than just a typical park, as it was the Sand Dunes area of Fridley. She
said she felt it was an environmental area and just calling it West Moore Lake Park didn't
seem to be enough.
Mr. Kirk stated that he also told this caller that although it is a special natural area, it is still
one of our city parks. Our park maps have listed this area as the West Moore Lake Park for
over 20 years. Mr. Kirk further stated that he told the caller that most people do refer to the
area informally as the Sand Dunes.
Mr. Kirk stated he wanted to bring this to the Commission to see if their was a concern on the
part of the Commission members with the park name or if they wanted to add any additional
wording on the park sign to call attention to this being an environmental area.
Mr. Young stated he was surprised to see the park sign that reads West Moore Lake Park,
because he didn't remember that name being used on the old sign at that location. He said
the old sign said "Sand Dunes Natural History Area". It also named the Fridley Jaycees, the
School District and the City as partners in the sand dunes project.
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Ms. Sibell asked if the new sign could accommodate some additional wording to read "Sand
Dunes — Natural History Area". That could help explain the natural significance of this park
area.
Mr. Kirk stated that he thought this could be done at the lower portion of the park sign.
Mr. Kondrick stated that he would like to see us add the words Sand Dunes Natural History
Area to the West Moore Lake Park sign.
MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Solberg, to add the wording "Sand Dunes — Natural
History Area" to the new park sign at West Moore Lake Park.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DELARED THE MOTION CARRIED.
b. 2003 Commission Meeting Dates
Mr. Kirk stated that the proposed Parks and Recreation Commission meeting schedule for
2003 has been included in the agenda packet for consideration. The proposed schedule is for
meetings on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Because of the Labor Day Holiday,
September's meeting date for 2003 would be September 8t"-the second Monday.
Ms. Sibell asked if the 7:00 p.m. time is okay with the Commission members.
The Commission members were in general agreement that the proposed schedule and time
for the meetings would work out fine.
MOTION by Ms. Sibell, seconded by Mr. Young, to approve the proposed Parks and
Recreation Commission meeting schedule and meeting times as submitted by staff.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED.
c. Facility Use Permits — Age Requirement
Mr. Kirk stated that the Recreation Office had received a recent request to rent one of the park
shelters from a young resident of our community, under age 18. As we considered the
request and researched our guidelines, we could not come across a minimum age
requirement for getting a picnic shelter, park building or field use permit. We did tell the
young person asking for the rental that we would reserve the shelter, but that we would need
an adult to sign the application.
Mr. Kirk further stated that the Recreation staff has discussed this and would recommend that
we require an adult to sign for and be responsible for facility rentals or permits.
Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — November 4, 2002 Paqe 4
Mr. Young suggested that the minimum age to rent a park facility be 21. We want to make
sure that anyone renting a building is financially responsible for any damage that might be
caused to the facility.
Mr. Kondrick stated that he agreed and we would be more likely to recover damages to a
building from a renter age 21 or older.
Mr. Young stated that he was not concerned with a younger person renting some volley ball
equipment or even a ball field, but with the buildings and all the costs involved with upkeep
and repairs, he would like us to require the renter be an adult.
MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Solberg to require that the renter of a park building
or picnic shelter be an adult age 21 or older.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Ms. Sibell, seconded by Mr.Young, to adjourn the November 4, 2002 meeting at 8:07
p.m.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE NOVEMBER 4, 2002 MEETING ADJOURNED.