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PR 01/08/2007 - 29874CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING — JANUARY 8, 2007 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Kondrick called the January 8, 2007 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:06 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Dave Kondrick Mike Heintz Marcy Sibell Tim Solberg Others Present: 7ack Kirk, Director of Parks and Recreation Dave Lindquist, Parks Supervisor Vicki Rockwell, Fridley Women of Today Joanne Larson, Fridley Women of Today Pete Borman, Fridley 49er Days Committee APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 4, 2006 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Ms. Sibell, seconded by Mr. Heintz to approve the minutes of the December 4, 2006 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR JANUARY 8, 2007 MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Sibell, to approve the agenda for the January 8, 2007 meeting as submitted by staff. 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 written report is included in the agenda packet for each Commission meeting to give everyone an overview of the programs being provided at the schools, parks, Springbrook Nature Center and the Fridley Community Center. Since the last Commission meeting, there have been a number of activities held by the Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. Kirk stated that on December 12, the Senior Program and the Fridley Lions Club worked together to sponsor the annual Holiday Celebration for the senior citizens. There were 350 seniors that enjoyed a great holiday meal and lots of entertainment. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� - Januarv 8, 2007 Pa�e 2 Mr. Kirk further stated that the Senior Program also teamed up with Fridley Bus Company to take 168 seniors on a tour of holiday decorations in our area. After the bus tours, they return to the Community Center for a party with treats and entertainment. Mr. Kirk stated that the adult indoor athletic leagues have been going great, but the broomball and boot hockey leagues have yet to play a single game due to the unseasonably warm weather. The leagues have been delayed four weeks now. Mr. Kirk further stated that staff at Springbrook Nature Center held a New Year's Eve celebration with 30 people in attendance. They celebrated with a nature hike, bon fire and refreshments. Mr. Kirk stated that he wanted to remind the Parks and Recreation Commission members that the Winterfest is the last Saturday in January from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at Commons Park and the Fridley Community Center. He invites the Commission members to join everyone for a lot of fun activities. b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Lindquist stated that first week of December was perfect for making ice and the maintenance workers had the rinks in great condition. Since that point, the temperature has been too high and the ice is now gone. The sliding hill had enough snow for about five days of sledding so far this winter. Mr. Lindquist stated that the Parks employees have plowed snow with the Street Department on two occasions and have been doing a lot of tree trimming. They have also been working on vandalism repairs at Springbrook and doing some graffiti removal. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. 2°d Annual Fridley Tree Sale Proposal by Fridley Women of Today Mr. Kirk stated that the City has received a proposal from the Fridley Women of Today to work with the 2"d annual tree sale to Fridley residents. The initial event last year was very successful and the Women of Today are willing to take a lead role in making this year's event a success as well. Mr. Kirk introduced Vicki Rockwell and Joanne Larson of the Fridley Women of Today organization. Ms. Rockwell stated that the distribution of the trees would be held on Saturday, Apri121gt and it would take place rain or shine. They would like the distribution to take place in the City of Fridley Public Works Department parking lot area. The orders would come in to the Recreation Office and all orders would need to be paid in advance. Mr. Heintz asked if trees could be purchased on the day of the distribution if there were still some available. Mr. Kirk stated that they could sell the e�tra trees on that day, but any left over trees from the sale would be used in our park system. Ms. Rockwell stated that they would conduct the tree distribution rain or shine. They would have their volunteers there regardless of the weather. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� — Januarv 8, 2007 Pa�e 3 Mr. Kondrick asked how many volunteers the Women of Today would provide for this event. Ms. Rockwell stated that she expected her group to have six volunteers available on distribution day. Mr. Lindquist stated that there would be at least two park employees on hand at the distribution to provide information on planting. Ms. Rockwell asked who would be the contact at City Hall for the tree orders. Mr. Kirk stated that the contact would be Sue Johnson, Recreation Office Coordinator. Sue would take the orders and keep the web site updated with the tree sale information. MOTION by Ms. Sibell, seconded by Mr. Heintz, to approve the proposal of the Fridley Women of Today to hold the 2"d Annual Fridley Tree Sale in cooperation with the City of Fridley. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. b. Fridley 49er Days Request to Use Commons Park for 2007 Festival Activities Mr. Kirk stated that the City has a request from the Fridley 49er Days Committee to hold some of the activities for this year's celebration at Commons Park. With the closing of Columbia Arena and the site being unavailable for city celebration activities, the Committee has been looking for a new venue. The Commons Park, Fridley High School, Fridley Middle School and Community Center area is centrally located in our community and would be a good choice to move the activities to. Mr. Pete Borman, President of Fridley 49er Days, is at tonight's meeting to discuss this request. Mr. Borman stated that he has met with the Fridley School District #14 School Board and has gained approval to use the Fridley High School parking lot for the carnival. They would allow use of the northern two thirds of this lot. Mr. Borman further stated that 49er Days would like to use the southern parking lot at Commons Park and the adjacent area by field #2 to locate the showmobile for the street dances. Mr. Borman further stated that he has had some preliminary discussions with the Chief of Police and the Fire Chief about blocking off 61gt Avenue during the evening activity on Thursday through Saturday nights. Mr. Kirk stated that the City staff has discussed this proposal with Mr. Borman and that the area in Commons Park used for the street dance and related activities would be completely fenced in, so all beer sales would take place in a confined area. Mr. Heintz asked if there was going to be enough room to stage the parade if a large portion of the High School parking lot was used for the carnival. Mr. Borman stated that was a good question and it will be another issue that they will have to work around. Mr. Kirk stated that the 49er Committee may have to work with St. Philip's Church for some parade staging. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� — Januarv 8, 2007 Pa�e 4 Mr. Kirk stated that the 49er Committee may have to work with St. Philip's Church for some parade staging. Mr. Borman stated that they are also looking at the marching bands setting up in the high school football field and track area. Mr. Borman stated that Fridley 49er Days would like to see a change in the current park ordinance so beer could be sold during the city celebration at Commons Park. Mr. Kirk stated that staff would need to work on the wording for an ordinance change regarding beer sales at Commons Park The current ordinance allows for temporary beer sales in conjunction with softball tournaments at Community Park This recommended change would be coming to the Parks and Recreation Commission at an upcoming meeting. Mr. Borman stated that Fridley 49er Days is also requesting that the carnival employees' trailers be allowed to be located in the area of the upper parking lot and the two hockey rinks at Commons Park. They prefer to be living fairly close to the actual carnival set up and this location would likely work out well for them. MOTION by Mr. Heintz, seconded by Mr. Solberg, to approve the use of the Commons Park area by field #2 and the south parking lot for 49er Days activities and the upper parking lot at Commons and the two hockey rinks for the carnival housing trailers. The Commission recommends that staff work with the 49er Days representatives to provide the appropriate electrical and water needs for these activities. The Commission also recommends that staff work on a change in the City Code to allow for a permit to sell beer at Commons Park during the City celebration. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. c. Showmobile Rental Request — City of Mound Mr. Kirk stated that the City has received a request from the City of Mound to rent our showmobile for a two day event in July of this year. They have rented the Showmobile for many years and we have never had any problems with them. This year's request is a little different in that they are asking for it for two days and would like permission to move it from one location on day one to a different location on the second day. Mr. Kondrick asked if they are capable of moving it themselves and if we are comfortable with them moving the Showmobile. What do we need to do to protect ourselves? Mr. Kirk stated that he has talked this over with Mr. Lindquist and they agree that the City of Mound employees could move the showmobile if they are given the proper training or instructions. If the Commission would approve this request, it would be staff's recommendation that an addendum to the rental application/agreement be drawn up that would list the requirements of the City of Fridley if the showmobile were allowed to be moved. The addendum would require that those doing the moving were given proper training and it would require proof that the showmobile and the tow vehicle were covered with proper insurance. Additionally, the City of Mound would need to agree to cover any and all damages to the point of replacing the unit if necessary. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� — Januarv 8, 2007 Pa�e 5 Mr. Heintz stated that another option that we could give them is for someone from our staff to drive out there to move the unit for the second day of their event. We would them charge them for all costs associated with this service. Mr. Kirk stated that they specifically asked if they could move the unit themselves so they could keep some of the costs down. However, that is still an option that the City of Fridley could offer. MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Sibell to approve the showmobile rental request by the City of Mound for two days of July 20 and 21, 2007 with the stipulations listed on an addendum to the normal rental agreement that proper training, additional insurance for the showmobile and an agreement to cover all damages will be required if the City of Mound moves the unit while in their possession. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. d. Park Service Area Study — Classification and Grading System Mr. Kirk stated that he had reported at the December meeting that the Commission would be asked to update the Park Service Area Study that was completed about ten years ago. The demographic information for the park service areas is not available as of yet, but to get started on this project, he is asking the Commission to review the classification and grading system plan. Mr. Kondrick asked if this was the same classification and grading system that was used with the last study. Mr. Kirk stated that it was, but he wanted the Commission to have an opportunity to change this if they thought it was necessary. The classification system is something that is used on a national level for labeling parks that service a community. The grading system was something that was established by the Fridley Parks and Recreation Commission for the previous Park Service Area Study. Mr. Kirk stated that at some point during this new process, the Commission may want to grade each of the parks on how well they meet certain standards of service for the neighborhood. This is a good way to determine how well the parks meet established distance requirements. Mr. Kirk stated that the grading system that the Parks and Recreation Commission used with the previous Park Service Area Study was an A, B, C type system, with grades determined by the residents' pro�mity to park areas in their neighborhood. Mr. Kirk further stated that to receive an A grade, the area would need to meet the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) standard for a neighborhood park service area of one half mile or less in distance. It would also require that park users within this distance did not have to cross significant barriers or automobile routes to get to the park. Mr. Kirk stated that to receive a B grade, one of two criteria would fit. The park would be within the NRPA recommended '/z mile or less distance requirement, but it would require the user to cross a significant transportation route at a stop sign or signaled intersection. The second criteria is that the park is between'/z mile and 3/4 mile distance and requires no crossing of a significant transportation route. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� — Januarv 8, 2007 Pa�e 6 Mr. Kirk stated that the C grade would have the park in that'/z to 3/4 mile distance and requires crossing a significant transportation route or that the park was 3/4 to 1 mile away with no barriers. Mr. Kirk further stated that the D grade was for areas that were (1) 1 mile or more from the neighborhood park; or (2) between 3/4 mile and 1 mile distance and requires crossing of a significant transportation route; or (3) separated from the nearest park by a major barrier such as a creek or railroad tracks. Mr. Kondrick stated that he recalled this grading system from the last Park Service Area study and he thought it was a good way to evaluate the distance from the parks for our residents. He was okay with this recommended grading standard. Mr. Heintz asked if this grading system was just looking at distances or would it also take into account amenities in each park. Mr. Kirk stated that the study would look at the size of the neighborhood park in relation to the number of residents being served by that park It also would grade the park area based on the distance from the park or parks serving the neighborhood. It also would allow for recommendations on improvements or changes to each park, so the amenities were looked at but not given a letter grade. Mr. Solberg stated that he feels like we have a terrific park system that serves our residents well. This study will be a good way to determine how well we service our community based on some established standards. MOTION by Mr. Heintz, seconded by Mr. Solberg to approve the Park Service Area Study classification and grading system as recommended this evening by City staff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. e. Baseball Tournament Request — Fridley Legion Baseball Mr. Kirk stated that the City has received a request from the Fridley Legion Baseball program to hold a youth baseball tournament in Fridley the weekend of 7une 22 — 24. The tournament director for this event is Commission member Mike Heintz. It was his understanding that the tournament would not only be using the Commons #1 field, but also the Fridley Senior High baseball field, the Totino Grace baseball field and Spring Lake Park High School baseball field. Mr. Heintz stated that the tournament may also be using a field or two in Columbia Heights, depending on the number of teams registered. Mr. Kirk stated that the request is for the one baseball field for those three days. Our policy has been that the field could be reserved for the weekend at a straight rate of $75. Mr. Kondrick asked if there were any conflicts for use of Commons #1 for that weekend or if any other group was looking to use the field for the same time period. Mr. Kirk stated he has no other requests to date and there would be no conflicts with that June weekend. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� — Januarv 8, 2007 Pa�e 7 The staff recommendation would be approval of this request for a tournament by the Fridley Legion Baseball program. MOTION by Ms. Sibell, seconded by Mr. Solberg, to approve the Baseball Tournament request by the Fridley Legion Baseball program with a facility fee of $75 for the weekend. UPON A VOICE VOTE, MEMBERS SIBELL, SOLBERG AND KONDRICK VOTING AYE AND MEMBER HEINTZ ABSTAINING, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 3. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Mr. Heintz to adjourn the January 8, 2007 meeting at 8:20 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE JAN UARY 8, 2007 MEETING ADJOURNED.