Loading...
PR 03/02/2009 - 29895CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING — MARCH 2, 2009 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Sibell called the March 2, 2009 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Marcy Sibell, Michele Barrett, Mike Heintz, Tim Solberg Others Present: 7ack Kirk, Director of Parks and Recreation Dave Lindquist, Parks Supervisor APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 2, 2009 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Ms. Barrett, seconded by Mr. Heintz to approve the minutes of the February 2, 2009 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIBELL DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR MARCH 2, 2009 MOTION by Mr. Heintz, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to approve the agenda for the March 2, 2009 meeting as submitted by staff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIBELL DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 1. STAFF REPORT a. Program Update Mr. Kirk stated that the Program Update includes a report of activities and events in the past month. One of the budget reductions for 2009 was to cut back on the Parks and Recreation Department activities brochure. The spring season was the first brochure that was not mailed to all residents of Fridley. It was mailed to approximately 800 homes of those currently registered as participants in the programs. We will have to watch closely what happens with the registration numbers due to this change. Ms. Sibell asked what the savings was with this change in brochure printing and mailing. Mr. Kirk stated that the initial expectation was that it would save around $20,000 for the year. With the mailing to current participants and other promotional material for the programs, it will likely reduce that amount. Mr. Kirk further stated that the winter programs have been going well and the outdoor athletic programs using the ice skating rinks were the most successful in years. That was due to the cooperative winter weather. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� — March 2, 2009 Pa�e 2 b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Lindquist stated that during the month of February, up until the 15th they were working on maintaining the ice rinks. They also were involved with plowing streets and parking lots with the Street Department after snow events. Mr. Lindquist further stated that during the second half of the month, they started putting the skating and hockey equipment away. They also were painting the interior of the Commons warming house, repairing the player's benches and were involved with tree trimming in the parks. They also did park area and playground safety inspections at all park locations. They will continue to paint the interiors of the park buildings and work on the park equipment into the first part of March. c. Springbrook Nature Center Report Mr. Kirk stated that the new trail construction along 85t'` Avenue has now started. The clearing of brush and trees for the installation is about half done. This new trail will be completed some time this summer. Mr. Kirk further stated that members of the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation and Siah St. Clair met at Springbrook in early February for a site visit with the McKnight Foundation as part of a$20,000 grant application to support the SPRING project. d. Springbrook Nature Center Foundation Fifth Annual Auction Fundraiser Mr. Kirk stated that the Foundation's Annual Auction will be held on Saturday, May 2"d at the North Air Event Center at 6832 Highway 65. This is the former Knights of Columbus Hall. It is always a fun event and the Commission members are invited to attend. Tickets are $25 per person and all proceeds of this event will go to support Springbrook Nature Center. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Showmobile Rental Request — City of Spring Lake Park Mr. Kirk stated that a request has been received from the City of Spring Lake Park to rent our showmobile for a Tower Days event on Sunday, June 7, 2009. We have rented to Spring Lake Park for many years now and have not had any problems with their using of the unit. Staff would recommend approval of this rental request at the normal rental rates. MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Mr. Heintz, to approve the showmobile rental request from the City of Spring Lake Park for use on June 7, 2009 with regular rental rates to apply. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIBELL DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 2009-2010 Budget Reductions and Impact on Parks Capital Improvement Program Mr. Kirk stated that the City budget for 2009 and 2010 are a big concern due to the cutbacks in Local Government Aid by the State of Minnesota. These LGA cutbacks amount to $545,761 for 2009 and $1,139,643 for 2010. The City Manager and the Department Managers have been meeting for the past two months to look at ways to address these budget shortfalls through revenue and expense adjustments. We are trying hard to continue providing the services for our citizens. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� — March 2, 2009 Pa�e 3 Mr. Kirk further stated that one of the revenue adjustments being recommended is to temporarily rededicate the parks capital improvement levy to the general fund of the City for the ne�t two years. This amounts to $107,000 for each year. The Parks CIP is starting this year with a fund balance of just over $2 Million. Mr. Kirk stated that in light of this reduced revenue for the Parks CIP, he is recommending that the City hold off on several scheduled projects for 2009 and 2010. These delayed projects could be scheduled for a future year when the Parks and Recreation Commission members discuss the ne�t 5-Year CIP at the April Commission meeting. Mr. Kirk stated that he would recommend holding off in 2009 on the picnic shelter for Briardale Park, the portable bleachers and the lighting upgrades for Community Park Those projects amount to $100,000. We will likely also try to save an additional $7000 from the court resurfacing projects to reach the $107,000 total that is being shifted to the general fund. For 2010, he would recommend holding off on the Commons Park Warming House project and the Commons Park parking lot expansion. Those two projects together will amount to $170,000 that will be put on hold. Mr. Kirk stated that there will still be park projects being completed in the ne�t two years, just not all of the scheduled work. Mr. Solberg stated that a few years ago we went through a process very similar to this and did not complete any Parks projects for a period of two years. When the economic situation improved, the park projects were rescheduled and completed. MOTION by Mr. Heintz, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to approve the rededication of the Parks Capital Improvement levy to the general fund for the ne�t two years and to hold off on the staff recommended park projects to help with the City budget problems in 2009 and 2010. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIBELL DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. b. Soccer Field Rental Fees Mr. Kirk stated that the Parks and Recreation Department receives a number of soccer field rental requests each year and the number of requests has been increasing in past years. Checking with other neighboring communities and the National Sports Center on the costs for soccer field rental, we have found that we are on the low end. The heavy use of the soccer fields really takes it toll on the turf, especially in the goal area. Staff is recommending raising of the soccer field rental fee from $20 per hour to $30 per hour, with a two hour minimum. This additional revenue should help with our increasing costs of maintaining and renovating the soccer fields. Mr. Heintz asked what we charged for a weekend tournament for soccer field use. Mr. Kirk stated that we do not have a weekend rate for soccer tournaments, rather we charged the hourly rate for field use. Mr. Heintz asked if we should have a lower rate for non-profit groups who want to use the soccer field. What if a parent is coaching the local team and they want to have a practice? Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� — March 2, 2009 Pa�e 4 Mr. Kirk stated that the local youth teams, such as those participating in the FYSA program, can use the fields for practice without a rental fee. This fee would primarily apply to adult teams looking for game and practice fields. MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to approve the soccer field rental fees at $30 per hour with a two hour minimum as recommended by City staff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, SIBELL DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. d. FHS Girls Fast Pitch Softball Tournament Request Mr. Kirk stated that this tournament request has been submitted by Fridley High School Athletic Director Dan Roff to use five City softball fields to run a one day girls fast pitch tournament on May 9, 2009. The tournament will be a fundraiser for the girls high school softball program. They have requested use of Commons fields #2 and #3, Community Park fields #5 and #6, and Little League field #1. Mr. Kirk further stated that staff would recommend the fee of $75 per field for this tournament, which is in keeping with what the City has charged for baseball tournaments in the past. In addition, the tournament sponsor should be required to pay the cost of a dumpster and any portable toilets needed for the tournament. Mr. Kirk would recommend that the Commission authorize him to work out the details on the dumpster and portable toilet needs and cost with the Athletic Director Mr. Roff. Mr. Heintz stated that if the tournament is going to use Little League field #1, the Little League baseball program needs to be made aware of that. Mr. Lindquist asked if this group was going to be allowed to do their own field maintenance. Mr. Kirk stated yes the High School would be handling the field maintenance for the tournament. MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Mr. Heintz, to approve the Girls Fastpitch Softball Tournament field requests by Fridley High School at the fee of $75 per field. Mr. Kirk shall work with the Athletic Director to determine need for a dumpster and portable toilet facilities, which shall be paid for by the High School. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, SIBELL DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. e. FHS Baseball Tournament Request Mr. Kirk stated that this tournament request has been submitted by Fridley High School Athletic Director Dan Roffto use Commons #1 baseball field to run a one day baseball tournament on May 23, 2009. The tournament will be a fundraiser for the high school baseball program. Staff would recommend approval of the request at the fee of $75 for the tournament. He would further recommend that the need for a dumpster and portable toilet also be discussed with the Athletic Director for this tournament. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetin� — March 2, 2009 Pa�e 5 MOTION by Mr. Heintz, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to approve the use of the Commons Park #1 baseball field at the fee of $75 for the tournament. Mr. Kirk shall work with the Athletic Director to determine need for a dumpster and portable toilet facilities, which shall be paid for by the High School. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, SIBELL DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Park Service Area Plan Mr. Kirk stated that the Park Service areas have been discussed at previous Commission meetings. This is one additional opportunity for the Commission to review the plan. Please let him know if you see any items that need adding or correcting. A final copy of the plan should be available for the Commission members at the ne�t meeting. 4. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Heintz, seconded by Mr. Solberg to adjourn the March 2, 2009 meeting at 8:02 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIBELL DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE MARCH 2, 2009 MEETING ADJOURNED.