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PR 11/03/2008 - 29892CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING — NOVEMBER 3, 2008 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Kondrick called the November 3, 2008 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:04 p. m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Dave Kondrick, Michele Barrett, Mike Heintz, Marcy Sibell and Tim Solberg Others Present: Jack Kirk, Director of Parks and Recreation Dave Lindquist, Parks Supervisor APPROVAL OF October 6, 2008 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Sibell, to approve the minutes of the October 6, 2008 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 3, 2008 MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to approve the agenda for the November 3, 2008 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 is provided in the agenda packet to inform the commission members about department activities over the past month. He wanted to call attention to several events listed on the update. The Pumpkin Night in the Park was held on Saturday, October 18t" with the largest participation numbers ever. There were 3,512 visitors that attended the event and over 150 volunteers helped make the night a success. There were over 700 carved pumpkins on the trail this year. Mr. Kirk further stated that they co-sponsored a special event last week with the Fridley School District called Lights on After School. It is actually an event that is celebrated on a national scope, but our local activity drew over 150 children. The event promotes and celebrates the opportunities that are available to children during the after school hours. The event was actually celebrated at both Stevenson and Hayes Elementary schools. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — November 3, 2008 Paqe 2 Mr. Kirk stated that the fall athletic leagues: the adult 4-person football and the adult softball are now over for the season. We are currently registering for the winter broomball, basketball, volleyball and boot hockey leagues. The first session of the fall fitness classes is now complete and we are starting the second session. Mr. Kirk stated that the fall activities for the senior citizens have gone very well. The Senior Safety Camp was held on Tuesday, October 7t" and there were 45 participants. The program brings in guest speakers to talk with the seniors about safety related items. b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Lindquist stated that the Park Maintenance has been busy mowing all of the park areas during the past month, but they are likely now done with the mowing for the year. They have been maintaining the football fields for league play at Commons and Community Parks. In the past couple of weeks they have been preparing the hockey rinks by setting up the boards. Mr. Lindquist further stated that his workers have now completed the wood chip path around Farr Lake. They also removed the small brick building from Riverview Heights Park. They also have installed the floating thin ice signs on East Moore Lake. c. Springbrook Nature Center Report Mr. Kirk stated that another section of the east hiking trail boardwalk at Springbrook Nature Center is being replaced with recycled plastic lumber. We replaced about 270 feet of the 1200 foot long boardwalk last year and are replacing another 200 feet this year. Funding for this project comes from the City of Fridley recycling program. Mr. Kirk further stated Bonestroo is continuing work on the plans for the 85t" Avenue bike trail. Work should begin this winter and be completed next summer. Mr. Kondrick asked how much money the City of Fridley is spending on this project and how much is coming from the federal grant money. Mr. Kirk stated that the City will be spending approximately $250,000 toward the $1.1 million total. The City's portion will be covered by State Aid funds for roads. Mr. Kondrick stated that this will be a very good project for the City. Mr. Kirk stated that ten employees from the General Mills plant in Fridley donated their time to a community service project at the nature center. The group helped restore habitat on the south prairie by cutting and stacking small trees that had grown into the area. Mr. Kirk also stated that the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation continues to plan the fundraising activities for the SPRING project. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Parks and Recreation Commission Chairperson Mr. Kondrick stated that he would like to speak to this item. He received a call from the Mayor asking if he would be interested in becoming Chairperson of the City's Planning Commission. Mr. Kondrick further stated that he had been a long time member of the Planning Commission and considered this a real honor. The Chairperson of the Planning Commission was stepping down from that position, as she and her husband were moving out of Fridley. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — November 3, 2008 Paqe 3 Mr. Kondrick stated that his first response to the Mayor was no, that he would not want to be Chairperson of the Planning Commission because it would mean leaving the Parks and Recreation Commission. Being on the Parks and Recreation was too important to him and he wanted to stay. Mr. Kondrick stated that after it was looked into a little further, he learned that he could still be a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission and be the appointed Chairperson of the Planning Commission at the same time. He could not, however, be the Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Commission. When he learned that he could retain his seat on the Parks and Recreation Commission, he agreed to be considered for the Planning Commission Chairperson position. At the last City Council meeting, the City Council appointed him as the next Planning Commission Chairperson. Mr. Kondrick stated that he is resigning as Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Commission effective after tonight's meeting. The Commission would need to elect a new Chairperson to lead the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mr. Kondrick asked if there were any nominations for the position of Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mr. Solberg stated that he would nominate Marcy Sibell for Chairperson. Mr. Kondrick asked if there were any other nominations. (There were no additional nominations). MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Mr. Heintz, to elect Marcy Sibell as the new Chairperson for the Parks and Recreation Commission to complete this term of office through March of 2009. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED Mr. Kondrick congratulated Ms. Sibell and stated that he has every confidence that she will continue the tradition of leadership for the Parks and Recreation Commission that was set by Mayor Bill Nee, Ed Fitzpatrick, Barbara Hughes and most recently himself. All of the Commission members and staff congratulated Ms. Sibell on her election to the Chairperson position. Mr. Kirk stated that the next election of officers will be held at the April 2009 meeting. b. Park Service Area Study Mr. Kirk stated that the Park Service Area Study is an update of the plan that we completed approximately ten years ago. It will serve as a supplement to the Parks and Open Space section of the City's Comprehensive Plan. The study looks at all residential areas of our community and determines how well that area is served by parks and recreation facilities. It takes into consideration the City and County parks, as well as public school grounds. The 1997 study used 40 different park service areas and we will use those same areas in the 2008 updated version. The first thirty park service areas were discussed at previous Parks and Recreation Commission meetings. The final ten park service areas will be reviewed at tonight's meeting. Mr. Kirk stated that the real key information in the study is the action plan for each area. He would like to address the action plan at this time for park service areas 31 through 40. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — November 3, 2008 Paqe 4 Mr. Kirk stated that area #31 is the Skyline Park area. This area is north of 57t" Avenue, south of 61 St Avenue, east of Main Street and west of University Avenue. The action plan for this area is as follows: • Place the hard surface court areas on a regular upgrade and maintenance schedule. • No major changes planned — maintain current facilities Mr. Kirk stated that area #32 is Hackmann Park. This area is east of Moore Lake, south of Gardena Avenue, west of Matterhorn Drive and north of Hathaway Lane. The action plan for this area is as follows: • Place the hard surface court areas on a regular upgrade and maintenance schedule. • Consider removing the backstop and enlarging the general skating area Mr. Kirk stated that area #33 is the North Park Elementary area. This area is north of I-694, east of Highway 65, south of Hathaway Lane, and west of Matterhorn Drive. The action plan for this area is as follows: • Cooperate with School District #13 making the playground area available to the neighborhood as a park site. Mr. Kirk stated that area #34 is the North Innsbruck and Farr Lake Parks. This area is located east of Matterhorn Drive and south of Gardena Avenue. The eastern border of this area is Stinson Boulevard and its southern border is I-694. The action plan for this area is as follows: • Upgrade the existing trails in the North Innsbruck Park. • Install a new trail sign at Innsbruck Park with up-to-date trail information. • Construct a picnic shelter/overlook on the west side of the North Innsbruck pond adjacent to the existing parking lot. • Maintain the new wood chip trail around Farr Lake and through the park land. Mr. Kirk stated that area #35 is the Altura Park Area. This park service area is south of I-694, west of University Avenue, east of Main Street and north of 53rd Avenue. The action plan for this area is as follows: • Place the hard surface court areas on a regular upgrade and maintenance schedule. • No major changes planned — maintain current facilities. Mr. Kirk stated that area #36 is Jubilee Park. It is the area south of I-694, east of University Avenue, west of 7t" Street and north of 53rd Avenue. The action plan for this area is as follows: • Install a four foot chain link fence along the western border of the park next to the alley. • No major changes planned — maintain current facilities. • Include this park service area with the Oak Hill Park service area, which is approximately two blocks to the east. Mr. Kondrick asked how long the fence would be at that park. Mr. Lindquist stated that he would estimate it would need to run about 120 feet. Mr. Heintz asked if staff would want to put in a more decorative fence or go with the chain link style. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — November 3, 2008 Paqe 5 Mr. Kirk stated that he would recommend chain link. This would stay consistent with what is being used in other neighborhood park locations. Mr. Kirk stated that area #37 is Oak Hill Park. This area is located south of I-694, east of 7t" Street, west of Highway 65 and north of 53rd Avenue. The action plan for this area is as follows: • Complete an ADA accessible path to the playground equipment. • Include this park service area with the Jubilee Park service area, which is approximately two blocks to the west. Mr. Kirk stated that area #38 is the South Innsbruck area. This area is south of I-694, east of Highway 65//Central Avenue, north of the Columbia Heights/Fridley border, and west of the Fridley/New Brighton border. The action plan is as follows: • Include this area with the North Park Elementary, Farr Lake Park, and North Innsbruck Park areas when considering park facilities for this section of the city. • Promote bikeway/walkway development in this area of the City, especially along the Matterhorn Drive corridor, to provide easy access to other city and county parks and recreation facilities. Mr. Kirk stated that area #39 is Summit Square Park. This area is located south of 53rd Avenue, west of University Avenue, east of Main Street and north of 49t" Avenue. The action plan for this area is as follows: • Place the hard surface court areas on a regular upgrade and maintenance schedule. • No changes planned — maintain current facilities. Mr. Kirk stated that service area #40 is the Plymouth Square Park area. This area is located south of 49t" Avenue, west of University Avenue, east of Main Street and north of 45t" Avenue. The action plan for this area is as follows: • Place the basketball court on a regular upgrade and maintenance schedule. • No Changes planned — maintain current facilities. MOTION by Mr. Heintz, seconded by Mr. Solberg, to approve the staff recommended action plan for park service areas #31 through #40. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. c. Farr Lake Park Mr. Kirk stated that City staff has completed the wood chip trail around Farr Lake. About half the distance of this trail goes through Farr Lake Park and was completed last year. The remaining half is actually on the Innsbruck North Townhouse Association property. Some of the old records at the City indicate that the Townhouse Association was to dedicate easements to the City for the trail. This apparently was not followed through on, but it was the intent of the City and the Townhouse Association to cooperate in providing a trail around the lake. Mr. Kirk stated since it was the intent of both parties to have this trail, the City has moved ahead with completing the work. People can now walk all the way around the lake. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — November 3, 2008 Paqe 6 Mr. Kirk further stated that he has met with a representative of the Innsbruck North Townhouse Association and presented a list of several items he would like the Townhouse Association to do. He has asked them for the following: 1. To provide the City of Fridley with easements for the walkway path that is on the Townhouse Association property. These easements would need to be officially recorded with Anoka County. 2. To provide the City with access by City vehicles when needed to maintain or work on the trail. 3. To work with the City staff to outline responsibility for on-going maintenance of the walkway path and surrounding area. 4. To work with City staff to determine a process for resolving any conflicts that may arise. 5. To consider a cost sharing approach for future dredging of Farr Lake. Mr. Kirk stated that the INTA board met last week and were generally supportive of these requests. It sounds like they want to run them by their corporate attorney and then get back in touch with the City so we can move forward. Mr. Kondrick asked that if the money were available for dredging the lake and we were to move ahead with that project, could the material taken from the lake bottom be used on site or would it have to be hauled away. Mr. Lindquist stated that he expected that it would need to be hauled off-site. It is also difficult to find places in Fridley to put excess material, so it would likely be hauled out of the City. Mr. Kondrick stated that he feels the points raised with the Townhouse Association make sense and are going to be beneficial to both the City and the Townhouse Association. Ms Sibell asked if we have asked any other entity to cost share on something like this dredging of the lake. Mr. Lindquist stated that he thought the cost sharing request was because of the property ownership and where the lake actually exists. The property line runs right through the middle of the pond. MOTION by Ms. Barrett, seconded by Mr. Heintz, to agree with the staff requests of the Innsbruck North Townhouse Association for working on the trail around Farr Lake and the possible dredging of the lake. 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 November 3, 2008 meeting at 8:21 p. m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE NOVEMBER 3, 2008 MEETING ADJOURNED.