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PR 05/21/2012 - 31332CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING — MAY 21, 2012 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Solberg called the May 21, 2012 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:20 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 2, 2012 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Ms. Barrett, seconded by Mr. Heintz, to approve the minutes of the April 2, 2012 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR MAY 21, 2012 MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Heintz, to approve the agenda for the May 21, 2012 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 1. STAFF REPORT a. Program Update Mr. Kirk stated that the Program Update was included in the agenda packet for the Commissioner's information on activities and happenings for the past month. He wanted to call attention to the community garden program and the fact that all 46 of the garden plots are rented once again this year. Mr. Kirk stated that the Springbrook Nature Center Spring Fling had an attendance of 850 people despite the cold, rainy weather on that day. A lot of preparation goes into planning and running a special event like this and the nature center staff really appreciates all the volunteers who assisted with this event. Mr. Kirk further stated that the Encore program is a new program started by Connie Thompson that is geared for people age 50 to 70. A special concert was held two weeks ago to benefit the Encore program. It included two Fridley High School alumni who are part of a Peruvian Jazz group. The event raised $500 to support future Encore activities. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq - Mav 21, 2012 Paqe 2 b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Kirk stated that Mr. Lindquist was not able to attend the meeting this evening, but has provided a written report of park maintenance activities over the past month. The maintenance workers have been very busy in the parks preparing the facilities for the spring activities and keeping all the turf mowed. The park maintenance workers have done a nice job keeping the parks in good order this spring. c. Springbrook Nature Center Report Mr. Kirk stated that the State Legislature has approved the Legacy program funding for this year and it included approximately $200,000 for habitat restoration at Springbrook Nature Center. Work on this will begin in June and take place over the next two years. Mr. Kirk further stated that the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation has received a$13,500 STEM grant from the Medtronic Foundation for replacement of materials and expansion of environmental science curriculum activities with the local schools. Mr. Kirk stated that our nature center continues to get support from companies in the area with work groups volunteering to take on projects at Springbrook. In April, 25 Cummins employees removed nearly 2,000 pounds of invasive garlic mustard plants. Last week, 10 General Mills employees spent a day improving one of Springbrook's prairies and oak savannah areas. d. Commission Member Reappointment Mr. Kirk stated that at their meeting on March 26, the City Council reappointed Dave Kondrick to a new three-year term on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mr. Kirk further stated that Mr. Kondrick has now completed over 30 years of service on the Parks and Recreation Commission, and almost an equal amount of time on the City's Planning Commission. He congratulated Mr. Kondrick on his reappointment and thanked him for his service to Fridley. Mr. Kondrick stated that he has enjoyed serving the City. He said he still feels good and this is something he still wants to do for the community. It has been an honor to serve and, as his father told him years ago; a person should be willing to give something back to the community. Mr. Solberg stated that he appreciates the contributions Mr. Kondrick makes to this Commission and the experience that he brings to the table. He hopes Mr. Kondrick continues to be a member of this Commission for many years to come. e. Commission Vacancy Mr. Kirk stated that long time Commission member Marcy Sibell has decided not to seek reappointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission. She has served on the Parks and Recreation Commission for 17 years and was Chairperson of the Commission for two years. The City is very grateful to Ms. Sibell for her service to the community. f. Fridley `49er Days Mr. Kirk stated that a schedule of the 2012 Fridley 49er Days festival has been included in the agenda packet. This is for the information of the Commission members. He would like to invite the Commission members to participate in the activities. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq - Mav 21, 2012 Paqe 3 g. Springbrook Nature Center Berm Project Mr. Kirk stated that the Fridley City Council held a special meeting last Monday, May 14t" to approve construction of a berm along the Springbrook Nature Center's north boundary. The berm is part of Phase 1 of the SPRING project to improve the entrance area of the nature center. Mr. Kirk stated that about a year ago, the City Council gave approval for an area at the nature center to be cleared of trees and shrubs in preparation for completing the berm if donated material would become available. A pond project in Coon Rapids is happening this summer and there will be excess dirt available. The contractor will haul the dirt to the nature center at no cost to the City. Mr. Kirk stated that Park Construction, a local company, has agreed to do the heavy equipment earthwork as a donation to the project. The donation of the material and the earthwork are two huge cost saving items for this project. Staff is estimating the value of these donations is in the neighborhood of $180,000. Mr. Kirk stated that the work will begin this week and the majority of the earthwork should be completed within a week. The total berm project will take longer as the plans call for seeding the berm and also planting of trees and shrubs. The Springbrook Nature Center Foundation will be paying for the additional costs for this berm, which are expected to run in the $30,000 to $38,000 range. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Election of Vice-Chairperson Mr. Kirk stated that the Parks and Recreation Commission elects a Chairperson and Vice- Chairperson at the April Commission meeting each year. At the April meeting, a motion was passed to elect Tim Solberg as Chairperson and Marcy Sibell as Vice-Chairperson. Ms. Sibell was not present at that meeting and has since decided not to seek re-appointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Commission should elect another member to serve as Vice-Chairperson for the next year. Ms. Barret stated that if Mike Heintz is interested in the position, she would like to nominate him. Mr. Heintz stated that he would be willing to serve as Vice-Chairperson. MOTION by Ms. Barrett, seconded by Mr. Kondrick to elect Mike Heintz as Vice-Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Commission for the next year. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. Parks and Recreation Commission Meetinq - Mav 21, 2012 Paqe 4 b. Member of City/SNC Foundation Joint Planning Committee Mr. Kirk stated that several years ago, a committee was established to provide for better communication between the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation and Department staff. The Springbrook Nature Center Joint Planning Committee currently has two Foundation representatives, Dave Kondrick from the Parks and Recreation Commission, SNC Director Siah St. Clair, and himself. The Committee has asked if the Parks and Recreation Commission would like to add another member to this planning group. Mr. Kirk stated that the Joint planning committee meets maybe quarterly, so it is not a big time commitment. Mr. Kondrick stated that the problem he sees is that the committee has to work around a number of people's schedules for meeting times. Normally the meetings have been held late afternoon, which has not been a problem for him. It could create an issue for someone who is still working. He is interested in staying involved with this committee. Mr. Solberg stated that he would be interested in being part of this planning committee. If he was unable to attend a meeting, perhaps one of the other Commission members could attend and represent this group. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Barrett to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MAY 21, 2012 MEETING ADJOURNED.