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02/07/2005 - 00028755CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING — FEBRUARY 7, 2005 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Kondrick called the February 7, 2005 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:09 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Dave Kondrick Ed McDonald Dolores Varichak Others Present: 7ack Kirk, Director of Recreation & Natural Resources Dave Lindquist, Parks Supervisor Siah St. Clair, Naturalist Satveer Chaudary, State Senator APPROVAL OF December 6, 2004 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Mr. McDonald, seconded by Ms. Varichak to approve the minutes of the December 6, 2004 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR FEBRUARY 7, 2005 MOTION by Ms. Varichak, seconded by Mr. McDonald to approve the agenda for the February 7, 2005 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 a Program Update report has been included in the meeting agenda packet. A number of holiday activities and the winter programs have taken place since the last Commission meeting in early December. The mild winter weather has created some scheduling problems with the ice rink related activities like broomball and boot hockey, but other winter activities have been going very well. b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Lindquist stated that the Park Maintenance Report is a summation of the activities over the last couple of months. They have spent a lot of effort with getting the ice skating and hockey rinks ready to go for the season. Just in the last week, they have spent most of their time trying to bring back some of the skating surfaces after the unseasonably warm temperatures of last week Additional activities of the Park maintenance workers are listed in the maintenance report. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� - Februarv 7, 2005 Pa�e 2 c. Audubon Minnesota News Mr. Kirk stated that the Audubon Minnesota News winter 2004 edition has Siah St. Clair's picture on the cover and an article about the six new sites, including Springbrook Nature Center, in Minnesota that were identified as important bird areas. Springbrook was chosen because of its importance as an urban reserve and because of its history as a long-term research site. d. Winter Festival Mr. Kirk stated that the Winter Festival was a success, thanks to some nice weather. We got some snow during the week before the event and the temperature on Saturday, 7anuary 29t'` was fairly mild. There were over 150 participants at the Springbrook Nature Center events, over 200 at Commons Park and 140 participants at the Fridley Community Center. Mr. Kirk further stated that he wanted to give a special thank you to the Fridley Lions Club for donating money to support the event and providing Lions members to help with the bonfire. He also wanted to thank Dave Lindquist and the Park Maintenance workers for the great job they did setting up for the event. They do a lot of work behind the scenes and the Recreation staff really appreciates all that they do. e. Springbrook Nature Center Special Revenue Fund and Change in 2005 Budget Mr. Kirk stated that the Fridley City Council passed a resolution on January 24t'` that established a special revenue fund for the operation of the Springbrook Nature Center programs and activities. The fund was established as a result of the positive vote on the Springbrook question from the November election. The additional tax dollars and any program related revenue will be identified in this fund and expenses for operating the nature center will be charged to this fund. Any positive difference between revenues and expenditures will be kept in this fund and designated for future capital needs at Springbrook. Mr. Kirk further stated the City Council also passed a resolution that established a new budget level for Springbrook Nature Center in 2005. The new budget of $310,282 will allow the nature center staff to add back programs and services that were cut with budget reductions in 2003 and 2004. f. Springbrook Creek Restoration Project Mr. Kirk stated that on January 24t'`, bids were opened for the Streambank Restoration Project at Springbrook Nature Center. There were eight bids received and the lowest bidder was G.L. Contracting. The low bid for the project was more than the funds available for the project, so staff is now looking for additional funding so the project can still proceed this winter. If the necessary funding can be secured, staff will be recommending that the Fridley City Council approve the bid and award the contract at the February 14, 2005 City Council Meeting. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Tennis Court Upgrades and Improvements for 2005 Mr. Kirk stated that a study of the tennis and basketball courts in our park system was completed by staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission last year. The study looked at all of the hard surface courts and the goal was to reduce the costs associated with the long-term upkeep of so many court surfaces. We agreed that people were not playing tennis as much as in the past and our park system had more courts than needed to service our population base. People were still using the basketball courts, but some cost saving measures could be taken for these courts as well. Some of the courts were Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� - Februarv 7, 2005 Pa�e 3 recommended for removal, others were to be replaced and the remaining courts needed regular resurfacing to stay in good, playable condition. Now that the study has been completed, the ne�t step is to develop an implementation plan. We have actually gone two years now without resurfacing or improving our court surfaces. To keep courts in good shape, they should be resurfaced every three or four years. This means that we are behind in our efforts to provide good playing surfaces and should attend to as many courts as possible this summer. Mr. Kirk stated that there is $62,000 in the Parks 5-Year Capital Improvement Program for court resurfacing in 2005. He has worked with Mr. Lindquist to come up with a list of courts that they would recommend working on this year. They would take out the basketball and tennis courts at Madsen Park and completely replace them with a new surface. The following court areas are recommended for resurfacing this summer: • Altura ... full basketball court • Commons ... 2 tennis courts • Creekridge ...1 tennis court and full basketball court • Creekview . . . full basketball court • Flanery ... 2 tennis courts and '/z basketball court • Hackmann ... full basketball court • Logan ... 1 tennis court and '/z basketball court • Moore Lake ... 2 tennis courts and full basketball court • Ruth Circle ... 1 tennis court • Skyline ... full basketball court • Summit Square ... 1 tennis court and full basketball court Mr. Kirk stated that we expect that these court improvements could be accomplished with the dollars available in this year's Parks CIP. We will address the future court resurfacing and replacements when we look at revisions to the 5-year plan. MOTION by Ms. Varichak, seconded by Mr. McDonald, to approve the staff recommend schedule for tennis and basketball court replacements and resurfacings for this year. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. b. Springbrook Nature Center Gateway Project and Senator Satveer Chaudary's Support Mr. Kirk stated that a presentation was made to the Parks and Recreation Commission almost two years ago about the Springbrook Nature Center Gateway Project, however, the Commission has a couple of new members since that time. Mr. Kirk further stated that he had invited Siah St. Clair to the meeting to give the Commission some information on the Gateway Project. He further stated that State Senator Satveer Chaudary has become interested in the Gateway Project and is at tonight's meeting to talk about possible State of Minnesota funding for the project. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� - Februarv 7, 2005 Pa�e 4 Mr. St. Clair stated that during the 1990's, Springbrook Nature Center was experiencing a tremendous surge in use. He was concerned about the impact that the heavy use was going to have upon the nature center. As a result of that concern, a plan was put together to lessen the impact of heavy visitor numbers. The plan has evolved into the Gateway Project. The plan focuses on how to move people through the park and it strives to concentrate the most intense uses in the seven-acre entrance area to the park As a result, the remaining 120 acres of the park will experience less intensive use and be able to better preserve the park's natural resources. Mr. St. Clair further stated that the Gateway Area concept provides places for education; health and wellness; community gatherings; celebrations (such as weddings and memorials); business and community retreats; and areas for peace and solitude. By using the best environmental practices approach, the project would provide a memorial garden, a pavilion and picnic area, outdoor classrooms, an indoor theater, interpretive exhibits, a retreat facility and expanded parking areas (using water permeable surfaces to minimize water run-of�. Mr. St. Clair further stated that in 2001, an architectural firm was hired to create a master plan for the Gateway Project, including the development of the concept drawings and some general cost estimates. The Springbrook Nature Center Foundation raised money to pay for the work of the architects. The completed master plan was presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Planning Commission and the City Council in 2002. There was general support for the concepts being presented in the Gateway Project plans and the SNC Foundation was given approval to commence with fundraising for the first phase of the project. In June of 2003, the City Manager's proposed budget for the City of Fridley called for the elimination of the Springbrook operating budget for programs and staffing. This essentially placed the Gateway Project on the "back burner", until the future direction of the nature center could be determined. Mr. Kondrick stated that after the November 2"d referendum to support Springbrook Nature Center was passed, the SNC Foundation once again started talking about fundraising to support the Gateway Entrance Project. Senator Satveer Chaudary heard about the project and asked that more information be provided to him, so he could evaluate the potential of the Gateway Project being included in the 2006 State Bonding Bill. He invited Mr. Kondrick, Mr. St. Clair, and Mr. Malcolm Mitchell (representing the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation) to a meeting in his office on January 24t'`. They talked about the scope of the Gateway Project and the estimated cost of $3.6 million to complete all phases. Mr. Kondrick introduced State Senator Satveer Chaudary. Senator Chaudary thanked the Parks and Recreation Commission for taking the time to discuss this project at tonight's meeting. He stated that he had the opportunity to hear a little about the long range plans for Springbrook at a recent meeting in November at the Nature Center. Someone had mentioned the Gateway plan informally to him during a conversation and that is what led to the meeting, so he could get more information on the project. Mr. Chaudary stated that he felt that the plans were so good and had so much potential for improving, not only Fridley, but improving an attraction for this entire area. He further stated that he has a very personal connection to the nature center in Fridley. When the naturalist program operated out of the A-frame building ne�t to Totino-Grace High School, his brother was a volunteer for the program. The volunteer opportunity was very influential on his brother who is now a major in the US Air Force. Mr. Chaudary stated that it is with a lot of pride that he feels connected to Springbrook. He would like to see if he could help take Springbrook on this ne�t step by submitting this project for consideration with the 2006 State Bonding Bill. He sees Springbrook as a regional facility serving this entire area and in some ways it has statewide significance. He felt it was worth a shot to try for the State funding. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� - Februarv 7, 2005 Pa�e 5 Senator Chaudary further stated given his personal experience with bonding bills, he thinks that projects that include a local match to the state funding have a better potential for being approved. Senator Chaudary stated that he felt there was a realistic chance for approval if the State of Minnesota was asked to provide half the funding for the Gateway Project, so long as there was a local match for the entire proposed project as it stands now. The Senator stated that he is here tonight to talk with the Parks and Recreation Commission about this possibility and would like to work together with the City of Fridley on this proposal. If the Commission were supportive of this effort, one way the Commission could help would be to draft and pass a resolution of support. He would also like to see a letter or resolution of support from the Mayor and City Council on this potential project. Mr. Kirk asked Senator Chaudary if the project were approved in the 2006 State Bonding Bill, when funds would be available and how long would the City have to come up with the matching funds. Senator Chaudary stated that the answer is generally "fle�ble". If you have a proposal that required a local match, you may write into the proposal that you have 5 years to come up with dollars to make the project a reality. Even with that, an e�tension can be applied for to e�tend the time frame. As far as when the funds might be available, let's assume the bonding bill passed in May of 2006. It is quite possible that funds could be available as early as August of 2006 for the Gateway Project. Senator Chaudary stated that he felt the amount of $1.75 million from the State in the bonding bill is a reasonable request and it doesn't stick out as being out of line with other bonding bill requests for projects. Even if the amount requested was a smaller amount, it would still be a fantastic advancement to helping realize the completion of the Gateway Project at Springbrook Nature Center. Mr. Kondrick stated that this appears to be a very good opportunity for the City of Fridley and the Springbrook Nature Center to take that quantum leap into the future. Mr. St. Clair asked what would happen if the bonding bill approved $1.75 million, but fundraising efforts for the local match fell somewhat short, say at $1.2 million. Would reduced dollars still be available for the project. Senator Chaudary stated that he supposed that we could go back and revisit the legislation to make some amendments and change the language. Senator Chaudary stated that while he is excited about moving forward with this project being included in the bonding bill, he did not want to lead people down a primrose path either. He further stated that passing a bill through the legislature is a long deliberative process and takes a lot of work The process starts with a small group like the Parks and Recreation Commission that lends its support for a project. Mr. Kondrick thanked Senator Chaudary for his efforts and his interest in this project. He appreciated the opportunity that the Senator was presenting to us. Senator Chaudary stated that if the Commission passed a resolution of support for the project, it could be included in the proposal packet. MOTION by Mr. McDonald, seconded by Ms. Varichak to support Senator Satveer Chaudary moving forward with a proposal to have funding for the Springbrook Nature Center Gateway Entrance Project included in the 2006 State of Minnesota Bonding Bill. Staff is to draft a resolution of support for this project to be included on the agenda of the ne�t Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� - Februarv 7, 2005 Pa�e 6 c. Springbrook Nature Center Day Camp Proposed Fees Mr. Kirk stated that he would like Commission approval of the fees for the Springbrook Nature Center Day Nature Camps for 2005. At the December meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved an activity fee policy that allows for one rate for non-residents and a lower, reduced rate for Fridley residents. Mr. Kirk provided the Commission members with a staff proposed fee schedule for the Day Nature Camps. The recommendations are as follows: The pre-school and grade 1-2 camps would have a non-resident fee of $65 and a resident fee of $52. The Gramp Camp fee would be $23 for non-residents and $18.50 for residents. The grades 3-6 and the grades 5-6 half-day camps would be $79 non-residents and $63 for residents. The grades 3-6 full day camp would be $111 non-residents and $89 for residents. The grades 5-6 full day camp would be $131 for non-residents and $105 for residents. The grades 3-4 camp would be $85 for non-residents and $68 for residents. Ms. Varichak asked if the fee for the Gramp Camp was for two people or was it a per person fee. Mr. Kirk stated it was a per person fee. MOTION by Mr. McDonald, seconded by Ms. Varichak, to approve the staff recommendation on fees for the Springbrook Nature Center Day Nature Camps for 2005. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. d. Summer Playground Format and Fees Mr. Kirk stated that staff has planned and is making a recommendation on the format and fees for the summer Playground program for the pre-school, elementary age and middle school age students, as well as the summer ROCKS program. For the pre-school Playgrounds, there would be two four-week sessions at Commons Park There are no recommended changes in this program from last year. The fees for the 3-4 year olds would be $25 and for the 4-5 year olds it would be $37 per session. Mr. Kirk further stated that the elementary Playgrounds would operate with two four week sessions at Hayes Elementary School, Woodcrest Elementary School and Briardale Park This program operates four days per week from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The recommended fee for these programs would be $42 per session, an increase of $2 per session over the 2004 fee. We are looking to cooperate with School District #14 in providing a combined summer school/Playground program at Stevenson Elementary School. This program would run for five weeks and operate from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. The recommended fee for this program is $68 for the five week session. Mr. Kirk stated that the Summer ROCKS program is our all-day playground opportunity for elementary school age children. We recommend that we go for nine weeks this summer, which is adding one more week to the program. This program is operated out of the Fridley Community Center facility and Commons Park. We are recommending a fee of $112 per week for this program which is a$2 per week increase over 2004. Mr. Kirk stated that the summer teen program is known as "the Chill". It combines outdoor activities, games, crafts, and use of the ZONE teen center. The Chill will run for nine weeks and is scheduled for four days per week from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The recommended fee for the Chill is $11 per week or $4 per day. This is an increase of a dollar per week and a dollar per day. Ms. Varichak suggested that the Recreation Department use the new sign at Fridley High School to advertise these summer programs to the community. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� - Februarv 7, 2005 Pa�e 7 MOTION by Ms. Varichak, seconded by Mr. McDonald, to approve the staff recommended summer Playground format and fees. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED e. Softball Tournament Request — Fridley Wrestling Boosters Mr. Kirk stated that the City of Fridley has received a softball tournament application from the Fridley Wrestling Boosters to use Community Park on June 17 — 19 of this year. This would be the 12t'` annual 7ohn Gargaro Memorial Tournament, which would run during our city celebration (Fridley 49er Days). Mr. Kirk further stated that he would recommend approval of the tournament request at the regular non- profit tournament rate of $1000 plus tax. He would further recommend that the organization submit a $200 clean-up deposit prior to the tournament and that the Wrestling Boosters pay for any additional equipment needed for the tournament such as additional portable toilets. MOTION by Mr. McDonald, seconded by Ms. Varichak, to approve the softball tournament request by the Fridley Wrestling Boosters for use of Community Park ballfields on June 17-19, 2005, with all of the recommendations stipulated by staff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. f. Showmobile Rental Request — City of Spring Lake Park Mr. Kirk stated the City of Spring Lake Park has asked for the use of our showmobile for their city celebration at Lakeside Park on Sunday, June 12, 2005. They have used the showmobile in the past and everything has worked out well with prior rentals. Staff would recommend approval of the rental application at the regular rate of $700 plus tax. We would also require a$700 damage deposit prior to the rental of the unit. MOTION by Ms. Varichak, seconded by Mr. McDonald, to approve the showmobile rental request from the City of Spring Lake Park. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. g. Softball Tournament Request — Fridley Lions Club Mr. Kirk stated that the Fridley Lions Club has submitted a softball tournament application for use of the Community Park on August 5— 7, 2005. The Lions Club has always done a very good job running these softball tournaments. Staff would recommend approval of this tournament request with all applicable fees to apply or a donation from the Lions Club to our park system in lieu of the tournament rental fee. The Lions Club have made a number of significant donations to our Department in the past and would likely be interested in doing the same this year. MOTION by Ms. Varichak, seconded by Mr. McDonald, to approve the softball tournament request by the Fridley Lions Club with the regular rental fee or a donation in lieu of the fee to be agreed upon by the Parks and Recreation Director and the Lions Club. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� - Februarv 7, 2005 Pa�e 8 h. Baseball Tournament Request — FYSA Mr. Kirk stated that the Fridley Youth Sports Association (FYSA) has submitted an application to run a youth baseball tournament at Commons Park and the Little League fields on May 14 and 15, 2005. The FYSA has run tournaments at these parks before and we would expect that they would once again do a good job. Staff would recommend approval of the tournament application with the following stipulations: that the FYSA pay $60 per field for the tournament, pay for any additional toilet facilities that would be needed, and pay for the cost of a dumpster. They should also be required to pay for a park maintenance person to work at the tournament or make arrangements with Mr. Lindquist to get proper field maintenance training for any individuals that will be handling the field preparation and maintenance. The FYSA should also be required to submit a$200 clean-up deposit prior to the tournament. MOTION by Mr. McDonald, seconded by Ms. Varichak, to approve the Baseball Tournament request by the Fridley Youth Sports Association (FYSA) with all of the staff recommended fees and requirements. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Ms. Varichak, seconded by Mr. McDonald to adjourn the February 7, 2005 meeting at 9:09 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE FEBRUARY 7, 2005 MEETING ADJOURNED.