PR 04/27/1970J
MINUTES OF REGULAR PARKS AND RECREATION COhA4ISSI0N MEETING, APRIL 27, 1970.
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^ Meeting was called to order at 7:3b P.M. by Chairman Fitzpatrick.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Fitzpatrick, Ash,� Novitsky, Olson.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Blair.
OTHERS PRESENT: Marles Geiser, 5325 Altura, 560-3186, Altura Park.
Mrs. T. L. Crosgrove, 5336 Altura Road, 560-4660, Altura Park.
Mrs. Ronald Ranem, 5378 Altura Road, 560-5339, Altura Park.
Mrs. Paul Corbett, 5367 Altura Road, 560-2390, Altura Park.
Mr. Ronald Ranem, 5378 Altura Road, 560-5�'s9, �ltura Park.
b9r. ��:iul Corbett, 536'• :\i!ur, Ilu:�c3, :�c.,; _.iUU, :\ltur� Park.
Mr. l�erry C:rosgrove, s33� Altura koad, 56�-466U, Altura Park.
MrS.. Walter Campbell, 5432 Altura Road, 560-7867, Altura Park.
Mrs. Thomas B. Wallters, 5417 Altura Road, 560-1258, Altura Park.
Mrs. Robert King, 5398 Altura Road, 560-5178, Altura Park.
Mr. Fred Moen, 5408 Altura Road, 560-2352, Altura Park.
Mr. Ed Braddock, 4201 Drew Avenue South, 824-1171, Park Consultant.
Mr. Paul Brown, Director of Parks and Recreation.
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 16, 1970.
MOTION by Ash, Seconded by Olson, to accept the Minutes of the Regular
Meeting of March 16, 1970. The Motion carried.
COI�A4ISSION REVIEWAL FOR NEW MEMBERS.
Chairman Fitzpatrick asked the new Commissioners if they had any questions
n about the literature they'd been given in regard to the past procedure of
the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mr. Olson questioned the F.Y.F.A.'s
•� request for a Football.Coordinator. He asked if it'd be possible to hire .one
person to handle both football and hockey? Mr. Brown said it was a possibility,
but that there was always a problem in financing one.
CITIZENS FROM ALTURA PARK.
A citizens group from the Altura Park area was present to inquire about the
ball playing in the park. Mrs. Wallters stated that the park really wasn't
large enough for ball playing and that many times the balls ended up in her
yard. She said that on one occasion, a ball had hit her little girl who was
playing in the front yard. She requested that signs be posted stating that
baseball playing was prohibited in the park. She also stated that the grass
was all gone and there was quite a bit of litter in the area.
Mr. Brown stated that the Parks and Recreation Department has spent a great
deal of time and money on sod and apparatus for Altura Park and in return,
there has been a lot of vandalism. The signs are repainted, the basketball
ring is bent and the nets have been stolen. It's difficult to dicipline the
children because as soon as the police leave, the vandals are back.
Mr. Fitzpatrick said that the Park was never intended for baseball, but the
children have to play somewhere. Mr. Brown said that the neighbors need to
cooperate. They should explain to their own children and other parents not
n present what the problems are in the hope that they can solve their own problems
through neighborhood cooperation. As soon as signs are posted, they're destroyed.
Mr. Fitzpatrick su�ges��� that signs be posted as a��,�}�� p� px�venting ball
playing. . - +
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Minutes of Regular Meeting, April 27, 1970 Page 2
ALTURA PARK (con't):
Mr. Brown said that the Parks and Recreation Department will post signs stating,
"NO BASEBALL GAMES ALLOWED."
Mr. Olson suggested that the planting of trees in direct line of where they would
be hitting the balls would break up the diamond and ball playing patterns. Mr. '
Olson felt that this would be the quiet way and the permanent way to discourage
ball playing in the park. �
RIVERVIEW HEIGHTS PROPERTY � CHASES ISLAND.
Mr. Ed Braddock, Park Consultant, was present to discuss the possibilities of
developing Chases Island. He stated that the Island itself is approximately
2000 feet long and 300 feet wide. About half of it is from S to 10 feet above
the low water elevation, but the sides are easily flooded in the Spring. The �
higher area could be used for picnic facilities and the lower areas for the '
entrance. There could be a Marina if the south end were dredged out. Boating ,
areas or docks are no good according to the State, due to the depth, but '`
dredging would correct this.
The problem here is financial, according to Mr. Fitzpatrick, who�stated that
our budget is taken up by the Recreation Department and in maintaining the
Parks we already have. This leaves little for development of new parks.
Mr. Braddock said that a channel, one-third of the way down from the north end,
^ occasionally divides the island. Purnam Island is directly across from Chases
Island and there is some fast water between the two. Purnam Island is owned
by N.S.P.
Mr. Braddock suggested that different types of trees and bushes be planted.
The north end could be developed into a nature center and wild life and bird
sanctuary. The south end could be a picnic and play area.
Mr. Novitsky asked if there'd be much clean-up each Spring a£ter the Spring
flooding? Mr. Braddock answered that probably once in every five to ten years,
it!d involve an extra amount of clean-up.
Mr. Brown pointed out that there was approximately 7 acres and the initial
expense for clean-up, which would involve the use of heavy equipment, would
be quite costly. Mr. Brown also stated that many people do explore the island,
but it's too messy for picnicing at this time. ,
Mr. Fitzpatrick stated that the first step would be clean-up.
Mr. Olson asked if there were any comments from citizens. Mr. Brown indicated
that there weren't because few people know it's there. There is a temporary
road there already, which was used for debris clean-up after the last flood.
Mr. Braddock said that there are more possibilities for developing a Marina
on Chases Island than in the Riverview Heights area because of the harbor �rea
which could be built at the south end and also, the interest of the peopletin
n the neighboring areas. .
Mr. Novitsky felt that there were many people who use the rlver for boating.
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Minutes of Regular Meeting, April 27, 1970 Page 3
CHASES ISLAND (con't):
Mr. Fitzpatrick asked how safe it'd be for children. Mr. Braddock said that
like any stream flow, you have a potential hazard. Fencing was ruled out, but
clean-up was felt to be necessary. Mr. Braddock didn't feel that flooding
would tear up the asphalt landing area.
The Commission agreed to give the development of Chases Island their
consideration. '
6� 7 YEAR OLD RULE.
The Parks and Recreation Department's Rule in the past in regard to the parents
accompanying their children on field trips, states that one parent must
accompany one family to an event. "ltle Uepartment foun� that this ruling was '�
too rigid and many children were unable to attend because of it. Mr. Brown
suggested a revision of the rule and the Commission agreed that it was necessary.
MOTION by Olson, Seconded by Ash, for one adult, lOth grade in High School
minimum, to accompany all 6� 7 year old children from two families. The
Motion carried.
METROPOLITAN PARK BOARD MEETING, APRIL 29, 1970.
Mr. Fitzpatrick asked if someone from the Commission might be able to attend
the meeting of the Metropolitan Park Board, and Mr. Novitsky said that he'd try.
LETTER FROM TERRY KIRKHAM.
Terry Kirkham sent a letter to Paul Brown, with copies to the members of the
Commission, in regard to the selling of the corn popper which has been used
at Moore Lake Beach in past years. Mr. Brown felt that the pri.ce was fair
and since the Commission will be maintaining the stand for the coming season,
it'd be a worthwhile investment.
MOTION by Olson, Seconded by Novitsky, to accept the proposal to buy the popper
for $150.00. The Motion carried.
MONTHLY WORKS PROGRESS REPORT AND MEMORANDUM.
Mr. Brown requested that the Work Progress Report and Memorandum be put on a
quarterly basis instead of monthly. Much of the information is repetitus
and a quarterly report would give the progress for the Season's activities.
MOTION by Ash, Seconded by Novitsky, to accept the Work Progress Report and
Memorandum on a quarterly basis instead of a monthly basis. The Motion carried.
ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN.
The election of the Vice Chairman was postponed until the May meeting because
all of the members of the Commission were unable to attend.
TAX DELINQUENT PROPERTIES.
Tax Delinquent Properties were discussed briefly, but no conclusions were
drawn. Mr. Fitzpatric� ��kp� hfr= �rown,to map out th� d41i��ue�� 3reas.
Minutes of Regular Meeting, April 27, 1970 Page 4
LETTER IN REGARD TO LAND ON IRONTON AND HUGO.
The Commission discussed briefly, a Memo from the City Manager, in regard
� to a call he'd received from Mrs. Florence Swanson, 3254 Arthur Street N.E.
Mrs. Swanson owns a lot between Ironton and Hugo, which she'd like to sell
to the City.
MOTION by Ash, Seconded by Novitsky, to send a letter to Mrs. Swanson,
indicating that at the present time, her lot doesn't fit our plan for
park development.
GENERAL DISCUSSION.
Mr. Brown stated that the City Manager had received a request to move the
slide in Logan Park, to a shaded, grassy area.
Mr. Brown asked the Commission members to log their telephone calls, in an
added effort to correct as many of the problems which arise, as possible.
Mr. Fitzpatrick reminded the Commission that our best communication with the
City Council is a well thought out budget.
Mr. Brown suggested that the Commission tour the Park Property. The meeting
was set up for Saturday morning, b9ay 23, 1970, at 7:30 a.m., and will involve
breakfast and a tour of the parks.
ADJOURNMENT.
n MOTION by Novitsky, Seconded by Olson, to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 P.M.
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The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, May 25, 1970, at 7:30 P.M.
in the lower level of Civic Center. We have a newer, larger area to meet
in w�ich is now finished.
Respectfully submitted,
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CATHIE STORDAHL, Secretary