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PR 10/04/2010 - 29911CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING — OCTOBER 4, 2010 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Sibell called the October 4, 2010 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present Others Present Marcy Sibell, Tim Solberg, Dave Kondrick, Mike Heintz, Michele Barrett Jack Kirk, Director of Parks and Recreation Dave Lindquist, Parks Supervisor APPROVAL OF Auqust 2, 2010 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Heintz, to approve the minutes of the August 2, 2010 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIBELL DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR OCTOBER 4, 2010 MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Solberg, to approve the agenda for the October 4, 2010 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIBELL DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 1. STAFF REPORT a. Program Update Mr. Kirk stated that there is a Program Update included in the Commission meeting packet with information on Department programming over the past couple of months. He wanted to call attention to a few of the items in the report. The water in Moore Lake is monitored on a regular basis for e-coli bacteria and for most of the summer swimming season the results were in the acceptable range. We did experience high readings twice during the summer, first at the end of July and then again in mid-August. In July, the beach was closed for a few days until we could retest the water. The follow-up tests were good, so the beach was reopened. In mid-August, the beach was closed on the 13t" and since it was so close to the beach closing date of August 16t", it was kept closed for the season. Mr. Kirk further stated that the summer programs went very well again this year. The attendance was a little bit better than last summer, but not at the level of several years ago. He would likely attribute some of that to the economy. Ms. Sibell asked if the ZONE attendance this year is about the same or better than what we had last September. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — October 4, 2010 Paqe 2 Mr. Kirk stated that the ZONE attendance is up this school year compared to last. We are charging an admission fee of $1 per day this year, as opposed to the $2 per day fee we charged last year. That may be making the difference in attendance. Mr. Heintz asked if we sold concessions at the ZONE. Mr. Kirk stated that we do and that does help bring in some dollars to support the operation. Mr. Kondrick stated that he wanted to add a comment on the program. He and his wife participated in the defensive driving refresher program at the Senior Center and thought it was very well run. The class is well worth a person's time. b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Lindquist stated that during the months of August and September, the Parks Division was doing their usual tasks in the parks and throughout the City. They were maintaining the turf at the parks and several other City properties, along with preparing the ball fields for softball and football participation. Mr. Lindquist further stated that they do monthly safety inspections on all of the playground equipment and other areas. When Moore Lake Beach closed for the season, they took down all of the beach equipment. They have also been taking the showmobile to various locations for events and rentals in other cities. Mr. Lindquist stated that they removed the old tennis court in Edgewater Gardens Park and it has been replaced with a new court. Also, the maintenance crew just started blowing out the irrigation systems today. He also commented that with the start of school again this fall, they are seeing more vandalism and graffiti in the parks. Mr. Kondrick asked if they were being required to pick up more litter at the ball fields after games than they did in the past. He stated that sometimes when rates go up for things like the athletic leagues and facility rentals, people think that as long as they are paying more, someone should pick up after them. Mr. Lindquist stated that he has been seeing that for a period of some years. He believes that with the economy as it is, people are sticking closer to home for entertainment and recreation. With the increased use comes more need for maintenance. Mr. Kondrick stated he would like to see the Recreation Department notify the participants in next year's leagues that they should be mindful of clean up and keeping our parks clean. Mr. Kirk stated that is something they could do. c. Springbrook Nature Center Report Mr. Kirk stated that the gas company recently cleared all vegetation above the gas line easement on the western boundary of the park. They are expected to keep the vegetative cover cut on an annual basis. Mr. Kirk further stated that the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation recently received a grant from Burlington Northern Sante Fe railroad in the amount of $7,500 to be used in support of the SPRING project. The Foundation would really like to find a lead donor for the SPRING project with a very large contribution. This has not happened yet, but these smaller donations are also greatly appreciated. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — October 4, 2010 Paqe 3 Mr. Kirk stated that program participation numbers for the nature center are up more than 10% this year to date. This is primarily due to the partnership with Columbia Heights schools to conduct after school nature programs in each of their elementary schools once per week. Mr. Kondrick stated that he and Mr. Kirk each spent an evening talking with the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation about the SPRING project and the Foundations relationship with the City of Fridley. He told the Foundation that he appreciated their work and that we need to continue the good communication with the Parks and Recreation Commission. He also told the Foundation that what the City expects from them is the raising of the money for the SPRING project. The City does not have the money to support this project. Mr. Kirk stated that there is an event this Wednesday at Springbrook Nature Center sponsored by the Foundation to update people on the status of the SPRING project and the fundraising efforts. The Commission members are invited to this event that begins at 6:30 p.m. d. Pumpkin Night in the Park Mr. Kirk stated that the annual Pumpkin Night in the Park at Springbrook Nature Center is scheduled for Saturday, October 23rd. He invited the Commission members to attend this very popular community event. As always, we hope for good weather for this event. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. 2010 — 2011 Skating Rink Locations Mr. Kirk stated that staff is recommending the same skating locations as last year for the hockey and general skating rinks this winter. These locations have worked out fairly well. There would be one supervised warming house at Commons Park, which has two hockey rinks, the skating oval and the sliding hill in one area. A change being recommended for the warming house would be opening at 4 p.m. rather than 3 p.m. This will save a little money over the course of the skating season. The general rink locations being suggested by staff would be Briardale Park, Commons Park, Creekridge Park, Flanery Park, Hackmann Park, Hayes Elementary, Logan Park, Madsen Park, Ruth Circle Park, Stevenson Elementary, Summit Square Park, and Sylvan Hills Park. The hockey rink locations being suggested are two rinks at Commons Park and one rink each at Flanery Park, Hayes Elementary, Madsen Park, Ruth Circle Park and Stevenson Elementary. Mr. Kirk asked the Commission if they would want any changes to the proposed locations or if they wanted to cut back on the lighting of any skating facilities. Mr. Lindquist stated that he would question whether the use of Creekridge Park warrants a rink again this year. There were not many skaters that used the facility during last year's season. The City has also received some complaints about the lights being on at this location. Mr. Kondrick asked where the skaters from that neighborhood would go if the Creekridge rink was not available. He asked what would be the next closest rink. Mr. Lindquist stated that he would say they could go to Flanery Park, which is north of this location. Mr. Kirk stated that Briardale Park would also be an option for skating. It is south of Creekridge and about the same distance as from Flanery Park. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — October 4, 2010 Paqe 4 Ms Sibell asked if we did not have a rink at Creekridge Park this year, should the neighborhood be notified of the change. The Commission thought that it would be a good idea. Mr. Kirk stated that staff could take care of this. MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Solberg, to approve the 2010 — 2011 skating rink locations recommended by staff, with the same locations as last year except for the elimination of Creekridge Park general skating rink. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIBELL DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. b. 2011 Adult Softball League Fees Mr. Kirk stated that although it is still early fall, staff has provided a recommendation for the 2011 Adult Softball League Fees. We like to advertise the softball league fees in the winter activities brochure and on the City's website. We are going to be publishing the activities brochure and updating the website in November. Mr. Kirk further stated that with the Community Park construction process over the four years, we did lose some teams. We are making a strong effort to increase the number of teams and would like to keep the league entry fees the same as the 2010 level. We expect our costs to remain the same and with the state of the economy, teams had a difficult time finding sponsors to pay their costs. Mr. Kirk stated that the recommended fees for the leagues would be as follows: • Sunday Men's $689 • Mon — Thurs Men's $759 • Women's $435 • Friday Co-Rec $465 Mr. Kirk further stated that the difference in the league fees is due to the number of games played in each league. The Friday Co-Rec Softball league is co-sponsored with the City of Blaine. Mr. Heintz asked if we had considered allowing teams to reserve a spot in the league, with payments due by a certain date. The teams that are having a difficult time finding a sponsor can still sign up, while at the same time they continue to find the funding for the league fees. Mr. Kirk stated that we have allowed them to reserve their spot with a credit card number. He would be hesitant to let them sign up without anything down or a deposit. Mr. Heintz stated that we should possibly consider a down payment such as 25% of the fee to reserve the place in the league. The balance would be due prior to the start of the season. This may help with teams that are being affected by the economy. MOTION by Ms. Barrett, seconded by Mr. Heintz to approve the staff recommended Adult Softball League Fees for the 2011 season. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq — October 4, 2010 Paqe 5 UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIBELL DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Lindquist stated that as long as softball is being talked about, he wanted to let the Commission know that the reconstructed softball fields did very well this past summer when we experienced some very heavy rains. It appears that the investment in the field project was well worth it. Ms. Sibell stated that the Community Park project looks like a good success story for our city. c. 2010 Commission Meeting Schedule Mr. Kirk stated that the Commission members have before them a proposed schedule of meeting dates for 2011. The proposed meetings are on the first Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. The only exception to that is the September meeting, which would be on the second Monday due to Labor Day. Also, the Commission has usually not met in July. The proposed schedule for 2011 is as follows: January 3 June 6 November 7 February 7 August 1 December 5 March 7 September 12 April 4 May 2 October 3 MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to approve the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting schedule for 2011 as proposed in the meeting agenda packet. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIBELL DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Heintz, seconded by Mr. Solberg, to adjourn the October 4, 2010 meeting at 7:56 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIBELL DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE OCTOBER 4, 2010 MEETING ADJOURNED.