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PR 05/10/2010 - 29907CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING — MAY 10, 2010 CALL TO ORDER: Vice-Chairperson Solberg called the May 10, 2010 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:26 p. m. ROLL CALL: Members Present Others Present Tim Solberg, Michele Barrett, Mike Heintz, and Dave Kondrick Jack Kirk, Director of Parks and Recreation APPROVAL OF APRIL 5, 2010 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Heintz, to approve the minutes of the April 5, 2010 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR MAY 10, 2010 Mr. Kirk stated that he would like to add a discussion of the Fridley Community Center Project as item 2f to the agenda. It involves some minor improvements to the storage areas at the center and use of previously donated funds to cover the work. MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Heintz, to approve the agenda with the addition of item 2f Fridley Community Center Project for the May 10, 2010 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 1. STAFF REPORT a. Program Update Mr. Kirk stated that the Program Update for the month was included in the agenda packet for the Commissioner's information. Attached to the Update is a copy of the article that appeared in last week's Fridley Focus on the Community Gardens. It was a good article on this successful program. Mr. Kirk asked if there were questions on the programs in the Update and the Commission members did not have questions. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq - Mav 10, 2010 Paqe 2 b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Kirk stated that Mr. Lindquist was not able to be at the meeting this evening, but has provided a written maintenance report. The park maintenance workers have done a nice job getting all of the park facilities ready for use this spring, including the softball, baseball and soccer fields. The nice weather in April really helped them get to the work that needed to be accomplished. c. Springbrook Nature Center Report Mr. Kirk stated that the work was completed in April with the architects that are updating plans for the SPRING project. He would expect a presentation of these plans to the Parks and Recreation Commission at an upcoming meeting. Mr. Kirk further stated that the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation recently held their annual auction fundraiser. It was held at the Coon Rapids Civic Center and was well attended. Mr. Kirk does not have a total on the amount raised, but will report that to the Commission at the next meeting. Mr. Kirk stated that a group of General Mills employees worked for 4 hours on April 30t" helping to restore a prairie area at the nature center. They accomplished some important work helping to restore some native habitat. d. Fridley 49er Days Schedule Mr. Kirk stated that he is handing out the most recent version of the upcoming Fridley 49er Days Festival schedule of events. This is for the Commission member's information and he invited the Commission to participate in the activities. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Request to use Madsen Park — Grace Evangelical Free Church Mr. Kirk stated that the City has received a request from Grace Evangelical Free Church to use Madsen Park for a youth soccer camp on August 16 through 20. The camp would be held daily in the evening hours of 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. The church staff will provide all of their own equipment for the camp, including portable soccer goals which would be removed from the park each night. Mr. Kirk further stated that the Soccer Camp Director Jennifer Dahlin has told him that this is not a profit making venture, but rather is being used as a ministry tool for the church. They are expecting approximately 60 participants in the program. He has mixed feelings on how much too charge for an event such as this. Regular rates for a ballfield rental is $20 per hour and soccer fields rent for $30 per hour. This activity would not require lining or preparation of a soccer field; it will use the outfield area of the softball field at the park. The regular soccer field rate seems too high considering that work will not be required to layout and line the soccer field. Staff would recommend approval of this request and would suggest a rental fee of $20 per hour for the program. Mr. Heintz asked if we could do a weekly charge for the facility, similar to what is done for use of a ballfield for a weekend tournament. Mr. Kirk stated that the Commission could set up a weekly charge for the use of the fields if they wanted to provide some type of price break. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq - Mav 10, 2010 Paqe 3 Mr. Kondrick stated that based on the $20 per hour, it would amount to $80 per day and $400 for the five day camp. Mr. Heintz stated he would be okay with a$200 charge for the week, with the understanding that any turf or facility repair costs would be additional. If the camp users damaged the turf in the goal area, they should be expected to pay for repairs. Mr. Kirk pointed out that the church has been cooperative in allowing parking for some City related activity at Madsen Park in the past. In particular, some softball games and tournaments have benefited from parking on the church grounds. MOTION by Mr. Heintz, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to approve the youth soccer camp request by the Grace Evangelical Free Church for use of Madsen Park on August 16 -20, 2010 at the staff recommended facility fee of $200 for the week. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED b. Softball Tournament Request — Fridley Covenant Church Mr. Kirk stated that Fridley Covenant Church used to run an annual softball tournament in Fridley and now that the Community Park fields are renovated, they would like to do so again. They are requesting to use the facility for a one day tournament on Saturday, July 10, 2010. When they ran tournaments in the past, they always did a good job and were very easy to work with. The one day facility fee at Community Park for a non-profit group is $500 and staff would recommend approval of this request. Mr. Kondrick stated that their request includes use of a sound system. Is there one at Community Park and would they be allowed to use it? Mr. Kirk stated that there is a sound system at the fields that is not used often. There have been some problems with it in the recent past, so we would need to look at whether repairs are needed. If a sound system is used, the tournament sponsors need to keep the volume at a reasonable level, so as not to be a problem for neighboring properties. Mr. Kirk stated that they have also requested permission to put up some shade tents in the park. That should be okay, however, they need to work with us on locating the tents to avoid the irrigation system components. MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to approve the softball tournament request by the Fridley Covenant Church for use of Community Park on July 10, 2010 at the regular non-profit rate facility fee of $500 for the day. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq - Mav 10, 2010 Paqe 4 c. Roller Hockey Tournament Request for Commons Park During 49er Days — Blue Moon Sports Mr. Kirk stated that the Recreation Office has received a request from Paul Vandermeer of Blue Moon Sports to run a roller hockey tournament at Commons Park during this year's Fridley 49er Days festival. It would be a one-day tournament on the paved hockey rink. Our facility rental normally requires the group using the facility to be Fridley based. While this business is not based in Fridley, the event would be part of Fridley 49er Days and would qualify for use of the facility. Mr. Kirk further stated that the Commission has established rates in the past for use of softball, baseball, soccer, football and even ice skating rinks. There is not an established rate for using the in-line rink. He would suggest a rate of $15 per hour with a minimum of two hours. If this tournament were to be approved, he would suggest a daily rate for use of the facility of $75. An additional charge of $20 per hour should be considered for use of the lights at the in-line rink. Mr. Heintz stated he would be in favor of a straight $75 for the day for this tournament. Mr. Kirk stated that this may be a nice addition to the 49er Days schedule of events and he would support approval with several stipulations. First, the tournament would need to be concluded and the area of the in-line rink cleared of people by 9:30 p.m. This would be to accommodate the fireworks which are set off in that area starting at 10:00 p.m. Second, any costs for additional toilets or garbage dumpsters must be paid for by the tournament sponsor. Third, the tournament sponsor must provide necessary liability insurance naming the City as an additional insured on the policy. Mr. Heintz stated that he would also include a stipulation that there be no alcohol. Mr. Kirk stated that our ordinances do not allow alcohol at the rink, but that would be a good reminder for the tournament sponsor. The 49er Days celebration will have a beer area down the hill at the street dance. Mr. Solberg stated they had requested use of the 49er Days logo for the tournament publicity and banners on the fences adjacent to the rink. Should we approve this request? Mr. Kirk stated that the Fridley 49er Days committee will need to approve the use of the 49er Days logo. Mr. Heintz stated that he would not have a problem with banners at the rink, provided they were approved in advance by staff. Mr. Heintz asked if they would be allowed to sell food and beverages at the tournament. Mr. Kirk stated that they would not be selling concessions, but food and beverages would be available in the carnival and other 49er Days activity areas. Staff will let the tournament sponsor know about the concessions that will be available elsewhere in the park. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq - Mav 10, 2010 Paqe 5 Mr. Solberg stated the tournament request also asks about emergency medical personnel on site. Mr. Kirk stated that he will recommend to the tournament sponsor that they line up their own medical assistance. They may be able to work with the students at Spring Lake Park High school for this service. MOTION by Mr. Heintz, seconded by Mr. Kondrick, to approve the roller hockey tournament request by Blue Moon Sports for use of the Commons Park in-line skating rink on Saturday June 25, 2010 at the facility fee rate of $75 for the day and with all of the staff recommended stipulations. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED d. Special Park Use Rules for Springbrook Nature Center Mr. Kirk stated that staff is recommending some special rules for Springbrook Nature Center to help insure enjoyable visits to the park and protection of the facilities resources into the future. The nature center is a unique park in the City of Fridley park system and brings the visitors close to nature on a series of trails and boardwalks. Certain behaviors or ways of using the park have been a problem in the past and staff has listed some guidelines for park use on signs located near the trail entrance. While most people have cooperated with the sign guidelines, there have been some park users that have not complied. Dogs on the trails, bicycles on the trails and people feeding the wildlife are among the concerns at the nature center. Mr. Kirk further stated that if we are to expect compliance with these park use rules, they should officially be supported by the Parks and Recreation Commission. He further stated that according to the Fridley City Code section 508.29, the Parks and Recreation Commission may establish rules and regulations governing the use and enjoyment of the parks. This section further states that persons who violate such rules or regulations may be subject to penalties and even excluded from use of the park facilities. It is not the intention of staff to keep people from using the parks or to over-regulate what they can do at the park. The purpose of addressing some of these issues is to make for a safe and enjoyable environment for the large numbers of people who visit the nature center each year. Mr. Kirk stated that staff would recommend that: 1. Dogs not be allowed in the Springbrook Nature Center. 2. Bicycles be limited to the new trail along 85t" Avenue and not allowed in the rest of the park. 3. Feeding of wildlife be prohibited, unless specifically authorized by nature center staff. Mr. Kirk stated that many people who bring dogs to a"nature park", use the park as an off- leash pet area. Springbrook attracts a lot of families with young children and there have been encounters with the young children and unleashed pets back on the trails. Dog droppings that are not attended to have also been a problem on the walking trails and the dogs have also chased or scared away wild animals in the park. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq - Mav 10, 2010 Paqe 6 Mr. Kondrick stated that with the dogs you have two problems. You are concerned with people not cleaning up after the dogs on the heavily used trails and the concern about dogs potentially biting someone. Mr. Heintz stated that he would look at this as dogs need to be on a leash. Mr. Kondrick stated that he did not believe that everyone would cooperate with that in such a large area like Springbrook. Also, he did not feel people would pick up after their dogs either. Mr. Heintz asked if this would prohibit seeing-eye dogs. Mr. Kirk stated that they would be allowed. Mr. Kirk stated that the trail or off-road bicycles can create problems with people who are hiking in the park. The trails are specifically designed in a curved fashion so as to enhance the nature walking/hiking experience at Springbrook. A fast moving bicyclist can easily come upon a group of hikers without time to make adjustments or move out of the way. Most people walking the trails do not expect a fast moving bicycle to suddenly come at them or go by them. Mr. Kirk stated that while a recently adopted ordinance prohibits feeding the waterfowl in our park system, it does not necessarily stop people from trying to feed other wildlife. Prohibiting feeding of all wildlife in the nature center would be in the best interest of the animals. He would add that feeding of wildlife could be authorized by staff, so there should be that exception. Mr. Kirk further stated that there are two other issues that staff would include on park signs at the nature center. One is prohibiting the use of alcohol in the park and the other is picking of plants or flowers. The Commission does not need to address these items as they are already prohibited in existing City ordinances. MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to approve the special rules for use of Springbrook Nature Center as recommended by staff and include: (1) no dogs in the park; (2) no bicycles in the park, with the exception of the north boundary-85t" Avenue trail; and (3) no feeding of wildlife, unless specifically authorized by nature center staff. Mr. Heintz asked if there are bicycle racks near the 85t" Avenue trail for bikers to lock up their bikes so they can walk in the nature center. Mr. Kirk stated that there are bike racks and more can be provided if the need presents itself. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED e. Adopt-A-Park Program Mr. Kirk stated that staff is not looking to establish an official Adopt-A-Park program at the meeting this evening. Rather, he would like to know if the Commission likes the idea and would want staff to work on details for such a program. The City recently had a local business inquire about the possibility of taking part in such a program. They would be interested in doing some regular clean-up or maintenance at a local park. They would also be interested in an Adopt-A-Park sign at the park with their name on it. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq - Mav 10, 2010 Paqe 7 Mr. Kirk further stated that if a program were established, staff would need to work on what exactly the adopting group would do in the parks. For the most part, our parks are well taken care of. We would want to have some meaningful work for the group to do. Mr. Heintz stated that he is aware of the many hours of volunteer help that we get from groups and individuals at Springbrook Nature Center. He would think this type of program could be a help in the rest of our park system. If they can do some meaningful work in the park, he would say let's do it. Mr. Solberg said encouraging some additional volunteerism and contributing to civic pride in our parks is a good thing. This could work for adults and youth groups. He did not see a lot of downside to something like this. Mr. Kirk stated that from other Adopt-A-Park programs there is usually an agreement that is signed with the adopting group and a minimum number of hours of service in a season or year. Once a certain threshold of service hours is reached, the city puts up a sign recognizing the organization's help at the park. Mr. Kondrick stated that he agreed that we would need a definition of what type of work we can allow people to do as part of this program. There are some activities that involve power equipment that could just not be allowed for safety reasons. Ms. Barrett asked if this would be people at looking taking care of their own neighborhood parks or the larger parks that serve the community. Mr. Kirk stated that the group that recently contacted the City was looking to "adopt" Flanery Park, but any park could be open to consideration. It would likely depend on the size of the group and the amount of work they were willing to provide. The Commission members were in agreement that staff should work on some details for an Adopt-A-Park program and discuss this at a future meeting. f. Fridley Community Center Project Mr. Kirk stated that when the Fridley Community Center project addition was completed back in 1996, a committee was formed to raise funds to furnish and equip the new rooms. The work of that group was very successful and right around $250,000 was raised to support this project. New equipment for the kitchen, tables and chairs for the meeting rooms, and audio visual equipment was all purchased to help the community center. Approximately $160,000 was spent initially and the balance was set aside for future needs. While some funds have been used over the years, there remains a balance of around $83,000. Mr. Kirk stated that storage areas at the Community Center have not been adequate for the programs and community use. Staff has recently looked at some ways to improve the storage situation and would like to use some of the remaining donated money to accomplish the project. The work would cost around $20,000 to $23,500 according to some estimates received by the school district staff. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq - Mav 10, 2010 Paqe 8 Mr. Kirk further stated that staff is considering the following additions and modifications to help with the storage situation at the Fridley Community Center: The current storeroom (in room 112) next to the large community room has had very limited space available for storing tables and chairs (as was the original intended use for this storeroom) because it also serves as the access corridor to the ladder leading to the roof. By creating a different access point for the roof ladder and by adding a small wall, we could have complete use of this room for tables and chairs. This would be a big plus for meetings and events in the community rooms. 2. The new access point for the roof ladder would be through the storage room across the hall from room 107. This storage room serves the senior program. It would result in a little less storage capacity for this room, but would be a better overall use of the space in the building. 3. A new storage room would be created on the end of room 109, the double size audio visual room. The north end of the room is unused for seating during meetings and audio presentations... . and has a number of portable items currently stored there. A wall would be erected and the portable items would now have a storage area and be out of sight when groups are using the facility. Mr. Kirk stated that he has worked with school district staff, City building officials and the Fire Marshall to make sure the proposed changes would work and comply with required codes. Mr. Kondrick stated that he was in favor of this and thought it would be a good improvement at the Community Center. Mr. Heintz stated that proper storage for tables, chairs and other equipment would help them last longer. He supports the project. The Parks and Recreation Commission supports the use of the donated funds for the project at the Fridley Community Center. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Heintz to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MAY 10, 2010 MEETING ADJOURNED.