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06/02/2003 - 00028655CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING — JUNE 2, 2003 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Kondrick called the June 2, 2003 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:36 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Dave Kondrick, Marcy Sibell, Tim Solberg, Dick Young Others Present: Jack Kirk, Director of Recreation & Natural Resources Dave Lindquist, Park Maintenance Supervisor Steven Johnson, 541 53'/ Ave. NE, Fridley Jennifer Johnson, 541 53'/ Ave. NE, Fridley APPROVAL OF Mav 5, 2003 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Sibell to approve the minutes of the May 5, 2003 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR June 2, 2003 MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Solberg, to approve the agenda for the June 2, 2003 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 1. STAFF REPORT a. Program Update Mr. Kirk called attention to the written program update in the Commission member's packets that contained information on Department activity during the past month. Staff has been very busy with summer program registrations, preparation for staff training sessions and the start of the various summer activities. Staff training and 49er Days will take place next week, so it will be extremely busy at the Recreation Office. Mr. Kirk also called attention to the Senior Program Volunteer Recognition. There were over 70 volunteers that were honored for their service to the senior program during the past year. The volunteers are a big reason that we are able to offer so many programs for seniors in Fridley. Mr. Kirk also showed the Parks and Recreation Commission a copy of the latest edition of the City Newsletter. The Parks and Recreation Commission is highlighted in an article on the back cover. The headline tells of the 70 years of combined service for the Commission members. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq - June 2, 2003 Paqe 2 b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Lindquist stated that during the month of May they mowed all the park areas weekly, cleaned buildings, picked up trash, swept courts and trails, inspected the court area lighting, installed permanent trash receptacles, and installed some benches in the playground area at Commons. The park workers do a lot of ball field maintenance work this time of year with the many soccer, baseball, and softball leagues underway. There has been some graffiti removal and vandalism repair at some of the parks as well. 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. Letter From FYSA Mr. Kirk stated that the City has received a letter from Don Traczyk, Chairperson of the Fridley Youth Sports Association (FYSA), notifying the City that the Association plans to dissolve at the completion of the summer program. The rising costs of running the youth sports program and the difficulty in finding interested people to fill the leadership positions of the Association have contributed to the decision to dissolve. It is likely that the City will be involved in future requests to help service the athletic programs, either as a direct provider or working with new youth serving agencies. e. City Council Motion Regarding Springbrook Nature Center Mr. Kirk stated that on Monday, May 19t", the Fridley City Council passed a motion to direct the City Manager and/or his Director of Recreation and Natural Resources, to meet with Mr. George Shortridge and/or his associates and report back to the City Council at the July 14, 2003 meeting. The purpose of the meeting with Mr. Shortridge is to examine broad based potential costs and revenues from alternative recreational uses and/or mixed recreational uses of the site now known as Springbrook Nature Center. Mr. Kirk further stated that Mr. Shortridge is the Golf Pro at the Refuge, a golf course located in Oak Grove. An initial meeting to discuss this project is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3rd at 3p. m. f. New Brighton Possible Park Expansion Mr. Kirk stated that he had received a call from the City of New Brighton Parks and Recreation Director, Steve Rymer, telling him of a possible expansion of a New Brighton city park near the Innsbruck Nature Center. They are considering purchasing a residential property located at 1531 Stinson Boulevard, which is on the Fridley/New Brighton border and directly across the street from an area once used as an entrance to Innsbruck Park. In addition to providing more access to Hidden Oaks Park in New Brighton, this purchase would provide better access for New Brighton residents to Innsbruck Park. There is some park land and a former entrance area to Innsbruck Park off of Stinson. It is not currently being maintained by the City. A narrow path is kept open by a few people who access the park from this location. It appears that most of the residents on Stinson Boulevard, both Fridley and New Brighton residents, oppose this property acquisition and park expansion. Mr. Kirk further stated that this project may have an impact on the use of the Innsbruck Park and the Commission may want to add this item to a future agenda for more discussion. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — June 2, 2003 Paqe 3 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Request For Use of Madsen Park — Grace Evangelical Free Church Mr. Kirk stated that he has received a letter from Grace Evangelical Free Church, requesting the use of the Madsen Park facilities for a neighborhood "Party in the Park' event on Saturday, August 16, 2003. This would be the third consecutive year that the Church has sponsored the event. Past Party in the Park events have been well organized and well attended. The Recreation Staff would recommend approval of the request with the understanding that Grace Evangelical Free Church pay for any additional expensed associated with running the event, such as cost of a dumpster rental or portable toilet rental. Also, the Church would have use of the Park for the event, but the park would remain open to other park users at the same time. MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Ms. Sibell to approve the request from Grace Evangelical Free Church to use Madsen Park on Saturday, August 16t" with the stipulations outlined by Mr. Kirk. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. b. Fee Adjustment/ Scholarship Guidelines Mr. Kirk stated that the agenda packet contained a copy of the proposed new guidelines for the Recreation and Natural Resource Department Fee Adjustment/ Scholarship program. The program is designed to allow residents of our community with financial limitations the opportunity to participate in the programs and activities with reduced or waived fees. The Fee Adjustment/Scholarship program identifies three levels of programs. Level 1 is programs and activities such as trips/outings that require a purchase of a ticket or payment to another service provided. Level 1 activities are not eligible for any fee adjustment or waiver. Level 2 activities and services have been set up to be self-supporting through the fees that are charged. Examples of activities in this level are our summer ROCKS program, our Day Nature Camps and our adult fitness programs. Level 3 activities and services are those that are partially subsidized by the City budget. Examples of activities in this level are the summer playground program, the elementary after-school program and the ZONE for the teens. Mr. Kirk further stated that the Fee Adjustment/ Scholarship program will be applied to all youth, adults, and senior citizens according to the following schedule: Youth Level 1...... No fees adjusted or waived Level 2...... Up to 50% fee adjustment for qualified applicants Level 3..... Complete fee waiver available to youth with family income at "free" school lunch program level. Maximum complete fee waiver of $100 per person for each activity season. After limit is reached, additional participation will require at least 50% of applicable fees. Up to 50% fee adjustment for youth with family income at the "reduced" school lunch program level. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — June 2, 2003 Paqe 4 Adults Level 1...... No fees adjusted or waived Level 2...... Maximum fee adjustment of 25% for qualified applicants Senior Citizens Level 1...... No fees adjusted or waived Level 2...... Maximum fee adjustment of 50% for qualified applicants Mr. Kirk further stated that all participants must be City of Fridley residents. A valid Driver's License or State Issued ID required. To qualify for participation in the Fee Adjustment/ Scholarship the applicant must show proof of need with one of the following: 1. Documentation that the family is a participant in the school district free or reduced lunch program for students. 2. Family income documentation that meets the guidelines for Minnesota school district participation in the free or reduced lunch program. 3. Documentation that the family receives low income financial aid from the County. 4. A financial hardship that prevents full payment of program fee (applicant must provide explanation). Mr. Kirk stated that number four of the proof of need requirements will allow staff to work with residents who may want to participate or have their children participate and have unusual circumstances which prevent payment of the fee. For example, a family may have an income level that is above the qualifications for the school free or reduced lunch program, but may have large medical expenses which allow little of the family finances for the recreation activities. Mr. Young stated he liked the staff recommended guidelines, but wanted to know at what age someone will be considered a senior citizen. Mr. Kirk responded that age 55 is what they use for participation at the senior center, so that would apply to the guideline as well. Mr. Young also asked if the City had other guidelines for the fee adjustment program that would prevent someone from waiving fees, taking a spot on the class/activity roster and then not showing up. They would not have a financial investment in the program and could be taking the place of a fee paying participant. Mr. Kirk stated that the existing requirements for the Fee Adjustment program prevent this type of thing from happening with a notification requirement. Those who abuse the privilege will lose the ability to participate in the fee adjustment program. Mr. Young also suggested that the program guidelines clearly spell out that there will be no carryover of scholarship funds from one season to the other. The maximum of $100 should be a firm number for all. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — June 2, 2003 Paqe 5 MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Solberg, to approve the Fee Adjustment/ Scholarship program presented by staff, with the following three stipulations: 1. Seniors are considered those age 55 and older 2. There will be no carryover of unused fee waivers from season to season 3. A participation or notification requirement by included to prevent waiving of fees and not following through with participation. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Sibell to adjourn the June 2, 2003 meeting at 8:40 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE JUNE 2, 2003 MEETING ADJOURNED.