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03/01/2004 - 00028698CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING — March 1, 2004 CALL TO ORDER: Vice-Chairperson Young called the March 1, 2004 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:08p. m. ROLL CALL: Members Present Others Present: Tim Solberg Dolores Varichak Dick Young Jack Kirk, Director of Recreation & Natural Resources Dave Lindquist, Parks Supervisor APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 2, 2004 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Varichak to approve the minutes of the February 2, 2004 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON YOUNG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR MARCH 1, 2004 MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Varichak, to approve the agenda for the March 1, 2004 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON YOUNG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 1. STAFF REPORT a. Program Update Mr. Kirk stated that the Program Update was a report of the activities sponsored by the Recreation and Natural Resource Department in the past month. He called attention to the Senior Mardi Gras party which was held last Tuesday at the Fridley Community Center. The event drew 150 seniors and from all indications, they had a great time at this special event. Guest blackjack dealers at the event included Mayor Scott Lund, Councilman Bob Barnette, Parks and Recreation Commission Chairperson Dave Kondrick and City Manager Bill Burns. Commission member Varichak's daughter Vanessa was one of two high school students that helped at the event. They drew names, announced the winners and delivered door prizes to the seniors throughout the afternoon. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq - March 1, 2004 Paqe 2 Mr. Kirk stated that the attendance at the Winterfest activities on January 31 St was disappointing this year. It was the coldest week of our winter and although the temperatures had moderated some, it was still very cold on the day of the event. b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Lindquist stated that park maintenance workers did ice maintenance activities through the week of February 17. They kept the rinks swept and flooded on a daily basis. The crew is now working on cleaning the winter equipment and doing some work in the park buildings. They are also trimming trees in the parks. Mr. Young asked, as far as summer help goes, is the park maintenance budget going to allow as many part-time summer workers as in the past. Mr. Lindquist stated that they should be in a position to hire the same number of workers as last year, about twenty workers. c. Council — Commission Survey Mr. Kirk stated that he wanted to remind the Commission members that the survey has been mailed out and is due back to the City offices as soon as possible. The City Council has set aside Monday, May 17 to discuss the survey results with the members of the Charter Commission, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and the HRA. Mr. Kirk further stated that the survey is an opportunity for City staff to get opinions from the City Council and the Commission members on potential projects or issues facing the City. The input of the Parks and Recreation Commission members is greatly appreciated. d. Skating Season Report Mr. Kirk stated that the Commons Warming House was our only facility open this past winter and there was pretty good attendance at the skating facilities. There was an average of 53 participants per day at Commons during the week and an average of 81 participants per day on the weekends. There were over 3,700 individual uses of the Commons skating facility this past winter. Mr. Kirk further stated that he really appreciated the donations from the community that allowed us to open this one site. Thanks go out to the Fridley Lions Club, Newquist and Ekstrum Law Firm, Dave's Sport Shop, Bob's Produce Ranch and Joe DiMaggio's Sports Bar. Their contributions made a lot of our citizens happy this winter. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Parks 5-Year Capital Improvement Program Mr. Kirk stated that the 5-Year Parks CIP does not need to be approved tonight, but he would like to see some discussion on the proposed projects and see if the Commission members have suggestions for new projects to be included. Prior to the April meeting, City staff will provide a recommended Parks CIP for consideration. The Parks and Recreation Commission can make adjustments or additions to the plan that is recommended to the City Council with next year's budget. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq - March 1, 2004 Paqe 3 Mr. Solberg asked about the purchase of properties adjacent to Moore Lake Park, which is listed in our "other projects" category. There was a property available for sale last year that the City did not purchase. Is this park expansion still something the City wants to be looking at? Mr. Kirk stated that a property just north of the existing Moore Lake Park did come on the market last year, but with the significant budget shortfall situation facing the City, the City Council opted not to make the purchase at that time. However, the long-range plan of purchasing additional properties for the Moore Lake Park has not been changed. Mr. Young stated that he too was looking at that item in the CIP and he feels we should abandon that whole idea of expanding the Moore Lake Park. We have identified $500,000 in the plan and that is an unrealistic amount for the properties on that site. If we are going to purchase all of the remaining properties, the CIP amount needs to be adjusted upward. Mr. Solberg asked if the City could possibly sell the two parcels of land we own near the Northwest Athletic Club and use that money to improve the Moore Lake Park? Could the proceeds be "earmarked" for the Moore Lake Park? Mr. Kirk stated that the Commission could certainly make that recommendation as they review and approve a 5-Year Parks CIP. The old picnic shelters at Moore Lake Park could be replaced and that would be a big step in upgrading the existing park. Mr. Young stated that he understood this idea, but questioned if selling parkland might set a precedent. He would not like to see some of the small parkland parcels in our neighborhoods be sold off. Mr. Solberg stated that he would like to see us be able to do something now to improve the park. It would likely be very many years before we would ever accomplish purchasing all of the remaining properties and improving that park. Mr. Young stated that a major project in the Parks CIP is the resurfacing and overlaying of the court surfaces in our park system. It is an on-going expense that takes a good share of the funds available for park projects. Mr. Kirk stated that because of the age of many of our hard surface court areas, the amount in the CIP often reflects a complete removal and new installation of an asphalt surface and not just an overlay or color-coating. Mr. Solberg stated that at one time, the Commission had some discussion about reducing the number of courts throughout the City, especially in some of the smaller park areas. The park system could then focus on having a larger group of courts in a centralized location in the City, such as the Commons Park / Fridley Middle School complex. There would likely be some efficiency in maintenance and repair when taking care of several courts in one central location. Mr. Kirk stated that he would like to comment on the projects scheduled in the current parks 5- year plan. Once again, the Commission will be making a recommendation on a new Capital Improvement Program at the April Commission meeting. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq - March 1, 2004 Paqe 4 Mr. Kirk stated that in the current version of the plan, in 2005, there would be some significant work to catch up on court resurfacing. The amount in the plan is $87,000. The carpeting at Springbrook Nature Center needs replacement. It is the original carpeting and is worn out. The amount for the carpet replacement is $12,000. The Community Park central building needs some work, including replacement of the roof and repair to the restrooms. The amount in the budget is $45, 000. Mr. Young asked if the roof at the Community Park building is leaking, shouldn't it be attended to before 2005. Mr. Lindquist stated that they made some temporary improvements last year to stop the leaks, but they still should schedule the roof replacement next year. Mr. Kirk stated that in the year 2006, the Parks CIP projects include court resurfacing at $46,000 and replacement of park furnishings such as tables and benches in the amount of $5,000. The replacement of the south parking lot at Commons Park (adjacent to softball Field #2 and the baseball field) in the amount $68,000 was scheduled for 2003, but has been moved to 2006. Installing an outdoor basketball court at the Fridley Community Center site is also in the projects for 2006 at an amount of $26,000. Mr. Kirk stated that in 2007, the projects include court surfacing and replacements at $63,000; park furnishings at $8,000; replacement of a Commons hockey rink at $15,000; upgrading the Innsbruck Park trail at $27,000; and purchasing several sets of portable bleachers at $30,000. Mr. Kirk further stated that in 2008, the projects listed include court surfacing at $30,000 and replacement of the Commons Park Warming House facility at $110,000. As far as the Commons Park Warming House, Mr. Kirk stated that he would like to see a cooperative project with the school district. A facility in this area could serve the hockey rinks, skating oval, the middle school football field and the soccer fields. Mr. Kirk stated that the "other years" list represents projects that have been identified by the Parks and Recreation Commission or City staff as needs in the community, but are not currently scheduled in any particular year of the plan. Some of these projects have been scheduled in the past, but for one reason or another have been moved or replaced in priority. Some of these projects carry a very high price tag and will likely not happen unless we get some grant money or donated money to help offset the significant cost. The list of other projects includes: • Fridley Community Center Gym $2,500,000 • Dredging Farr Lake 180,000 • Citizen's Memorial Area 40,000 • Dredging ponds at Innsbruck 250,000 • In-Line Skating facility 55,000 • Moore Lake Property Acquisitions 500,000 • Creek View Park picnic shelter 25,000 • Skateboard Park 75,000 Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq - March 1, 2004 Paqe 5 • Madsen Park picnic shelter 30,000 • Replace old picnic shelters 125,000 • Sand Dunes path and fence 50,000 • Community Park Ballfield drainage 530,000 Mr. Kirk stated that he wanted to mention a couple of other projects that are not currently on the list that may want to be considered by the Commission. An improved path around the pond at Farr Lake Park is needed. It may be a limestone path because of the soil conditions and concerns with the tree roots. Also, two members of the Fridley Horseshoe Club have met with Mr. Kirk and stated their wish to have an open air picnic shelter on the east side of the horseshoe courts at Locke Park. A picnic shelter with several picnic tables would be a nice addition to the site. Also, they see a need for an attached storage area for some of their equipment and supplies. Mr. Kirk further stated that he told the horseshoe group that a project at this location may be something that would be of interest to the youth soccer group as well. Mr. Kirk stated that it would be helpful if the Parks and Recreation Commission could review the current plan and consider projects needed for our park system. A new Parks 5- Year CIP will be put together at the next Commission meeting in April and recommended to the City Council for implementation. Mr. Younq Comments Mr. Young stated that since this was his last meeting as a Parks and Recreation Commission member, he would like to say a few words to staff and his fellow Commission members. He said that he had thoroughly enjoyed his twenty-five years of service to the community on this Commission. Mr. Young stated to Mr. Lindquist that he had brought some real professionalism to the maintenance of our park system and Mr. Young did not believe that our parks had ever looked better. He thanked Mr. Lindquist for all of his good work. Mr. Young thanked his fellow Commission members, stating that their input over the years has been extremely valuable to the City as we developed our park system and provided a wide variety of programs and services. Mr. Young said to Mr. Kirk, "Jack, your leadership in the Parks and Recreation Department is invaluable. You are not just concerned about one area of the program or one area of the park system, but you take into account all areas of our city. You run a great program. Thank You." Mr. Kirk stated that before we adjourn this evening, he would like to thank Mr. Young for 25 outstanding years of service. He further stated that he did not think anyone ever took his or her role as a Commission member more serious than Dick Young and he appreciated all of his help over the years. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq - March 1, 2004 Paqe 6 ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Varichak to adjourn the March 1, 2004 meeting at 8:20 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON YOUNG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE MARCH 1, 2004 MEETING ADJOURNED