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PR 11/23/1970a , ,. �_ . MINUTES OF REGULAR PARKS AND RECREATION CONIlNItiSION MEETING, NOVEMBER 23, 1970. Meeting was called to order at 7:45 p.m. by Chairman Fitzpatrick. n MEMBERS PRESENT: Fitzpatrick, Blair, Ash, Novitsky, Olson. MEMBERS ABSENT: None. OTHERS PRESENT: Paul Brown, Director of Parks and Recreation. Cathie Stordahl, Secretary to the Commission. MOBILE WARMING HOUSE. The Commission received a copy of the City Council Minutes, dated November 16, 1970, and reviewed the portion which discussed and approved the purchase of a Mobile Warming House / Playground Shelter. Mr. Olson asked what the unit was to be constructed of. Mr. Brown said that it was a steel structure (steel frame and outside siding) with insulation and wood paneling on the inside. Mr. Olson questioned the safety of such a unit and whether or not the insulation was fire proof. Mr. Brown indicated that thexe are two doors, both on one side. Mr. Olson pointed out that the unit would be heated by bottle gas or by direct hook up, and that this was definitely a hazard when the warming house becomes filled with people. Mr. Brown said that the shell would very closely match that of a mobile home. Mr. Olson again pointed out that this could be a fire hazard and that when the building becomes crowded, the risk is even greater. He asked that since the unit was just being ordered and construction had not started, perhaps we should contact the manufacturer and present the situation and request that a fire proof insulation be used. All agreed and Mr. Brown will contact Cliff Industries, by n phone, regarding this matter. MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING, OCTOBER 26, 1970. M�TION by A.ah, Secanded by O.P.�an, �a accep� .the m.i.nu.te,d a� �l�.e negu.�an mee,ti.ng an Oc,tabetc 26, 1970. The Ma�i.an cahh�.ed. DONATION OF PARK LAND. Mr. Fitzpatrick called the Commission's attention to the letter from Mr. Robert Jaeger, 4130 Ximies Lane North, Minneapolis. Mr. Jaeger owns lots 1, 2, 3, 4, and S, Block Z, Riverview Heights Addition, and he wishes to donate these lots to the City of Fridley (preferably to the Fridley J.C.'s) for park development. He asked that the City assume responsibility for the delinquent taxes and any legal fees deriving from this transaction. Mr. Fitzpatrick asked what was known about this property. Mr. Brown said that it is located just Northwest of our Riverview Heights property. There are some homes located between our present property and the property in question. The property in question is bordered on one side by Spring Bro�k, and the other side by the River. It's low land and is affected by Spring flooding. Mr. Fitzpatrick said that he was in agreement with Mr. Brunsell, Acting City Manager, that the City could make no deals with Mr. Jaeger as far as his.donating the land to the Fridley J.C.'s, with the City accepting the responsibility of the n delinquent taxes and legal fees, were concerned. The Commission questioned whether or not Mr. Jaeger had said what he meant in his letter. They wondered if he should have presented this directly to the City Council, with the Council �larifyin� the legal aspe��s as far as the delinquent taxes were concerned. Minutes of the Regular Meeting, November 23, 1970 Page 2 � DONATION OF PARK LAND (con't): Mr. Brown said that he felt it was advantageous for a Parks and Recreation Department to acquire any and all partions of land which border bodies of water, rivers, and streams. Mr. Fitzpatrick agreed that this is generally the plan. Mr. Ash indicated that if it was possible to obtain the land between our present property and the property in question, it would make one large tract of land which could be developed into qui-te a suitable area for another Park. Mr. Novitsky questioned whether or not it would create a maintenance problem. He pointed out that the City seems to have quite a few areas which are presently undeveloped and are maintained onl�+ once a year. Would this be just another area which the Maintenance Men would cut once a year for the next ten years and the park never developed? He pointed out that we presently own many small plots of land which are spread out over the City, and none of them being large enough to develop into anything special. Mr. Novits�Cy said that he felt we should upgrade our present facilities before considering the renovation of this property. It would have to sit vacant for a long time before it could be developed. MOTI�N 6y U.P�an, Secanded by Nav.i�sfzy, xo ne�eh. �he .�et�eh. bacfz �o .th.e C.i.ty Mana.geh., �t� be c��.��.ed by �h.e C-i.iy, negcvccii.ng Mn. Jae,ge�c'6 a��eh. and �h.e way .i.i .i,e �a be dana,ted. A�.te�c �h.e pae�i.t.i.a►1 ha.� been a2an,i.b�.ed, �'hen �h.e a��e1c ean be �afzen �.v�ia cona�.dehax,i.on. The Mo�',ian ea�vu:e.d. i`� 1971 BUDGET. Mr. Brown told the Commission that the Budget has been approved and printed and that as soon as it is assembled, he would be sending the copies out to them, along with possible revisions. The overall total will remain the same. These possible revisions will have to be approved by both the Commission and the City Council. The Commission will be sent copies of the finalized Budget, along with Mr. Brown's suggested changes and these will be discussed at the December 28th meeting, before going to the City Council for approval. EMPLOYEE WORK POLICY. The question was raised last summer regarding City Employees working with other groups and organizations, preparing for events which will take place in the City, and whether or not the City should be reimbursed for the wages which are paid to said employees while performing such services. Mr. Brown informed the Commission that he and the Acting City Manager have discussed this problem at great length and they are in the process of developing a draft policy, to be approved by the City Council, regarding such activities and the wages involved. The policy is not ready to be presented to the Council at this time. n Mr. Brown said that this policy would pertain to all City Employees, not just those in the Parks and Recreation Department, but it will cover only recreational or athletic activities, such activities as an Industrial Tour, Blood Mobile, or similar activities. Mr. Fitzpatrick asked if,this would mean that the City Council would have to be approached each time this sort of event was to take place so that the wages could be approved. Mr. Brown answered that at present, the proposed pulicy would state that the organization or group would hav�e to Minutes of Regular Meeti�, November 23, 1970 Page 3 n EMPLOYEE WORK POLICY (con't): submit a formal request to the City Manager, requesting the Park Employees (as an example) to work this event. Mr. Brown told the Commission that as soon as something definite was determined, a copy would be mailed to each of them for reviewal and consideration and them it would go to the City Council. HAYES SCHOOL SKATING RINK. Mr. Brown presented a petition to the Commission from some Citizens who live in the area of Hayes School. These Citizens are requesting that two rinks be built and maintained on the Hayes School prmperty. Mra•Ash pointed out that we are presently maintaining a rink at Terrace Park and there is a warming house at this site. The proposed rink would be about a block and a half away from the rink at Terrace, and he felt ttaat there was a greater need for rinks elsewhere. The Commission discussed the need for a rink in the area o� Stevenson School, to replace the one which had been located on nearby lots owned by Paul Swartz. Mr. Swartz has severed the contract for a rink on his property and the people who live in this area would have nothing closeby. The Commission agreed that the people who live in t1►is area would have a greater need for a rink and that their attention should be turned toward relocating a rink near Stevenson n School. . M�TIDN by Aeh, Seeanded by 13�cw�., �o deny �he �.e.que�.t �an a.�fza�,i.ng 1c..i.nFz on Haye,a Sehoa.� pn.ope�c.ty, an �h.e gnound.� �ha� -the�ce w.i.P.� 6� a��. w.�,th. a wa�cm�.ng hows e .�oea,ted one and a h.a.P� 6.e.oeh,� away a,t Te�caee Pah.Fz, The Mo�,i�n c.c��.e.ci. MUTI�N by B.�a.ih, Secanded by A6h, xa a.u�h.o�u.ze -the 17.i�ec,ton, Mne B�cawn, -ta checF� �.v�ta and cvv�.ange �ah a runFz on .th.e S�evensan Sehoo.e. prc.open�y an bome au,i.tccb2.e evicea nean -theh.e. The Ma�,i.an e.ahh.i.ed. YOUTH ADVISOR. The Commission's attention was again drawn to the Quarterly Memorandum which suggested that a representative of the Student Council or some school representative in a similar capacity, be invited to attend the Commission meetings, to voice an opinion as to whether or not an activity would be desired and successful as far as they were concerned. This would tell the Commission if they are satisfying the desires of the youth in the City. This was originally brought before the Commission in September of 1969, and has been discussed on several occasions since that time, but nothing definite has been planned and the school has not been approached regarding this matter. Mr. Brown stated that he thought it had been discussed by the City Council at on� time and that he woaald boc�.�e the Council minutes which corresponded to the Youth Advisor matter and it could be discussed again at the December 28th meeting. INNSBRUCK AND CHERI LAND PROPERTIES. n Mr. Fitzpatrick asked if anything had been decided on the sale of unneeded Park Properties, such as the one in Innsbruck and on Cheri Lane. Mr. Brown will check into this and report back to the Co�junission. � n � Minutes o£ Regular Meeting, November 23, 1970 Page 4 TREES AND SHRUBS FOR FRIDLEY. The Commission made reference to the report on "Trees and Shrubs for Fridley", which was prepared by Ralph Volkman, Park Foreman. The Commission felt that perhaps the list should be sent to Shirley Behrens at the Fridley Sun, and other Civic minded groups and interested persons. The Commissioners felt that this information would be on interest to all the Citizens in Fridley and that they would put this report to good use if they knew of its availability. MOT I �N b y Ad h, Seco nde.d b y B.Pcw�., .to a end xhe .e.i.a x o b"Tnee.� and Shnuba bon �'�u.d.2ey" xa Sh.v�eey Behnena, �di�an a� �h.e �'n�i.d.�ey Sun, and xa C�,v�.c gnaup.a and a.the�c .i,n.te�ce,�.ted gnoupa wha m.i.gh.t sa de,a.i�ce .i.t. The Ma�,i.an ccvvc�.ed. OAK WILT. The Commission discussed the problems of Oak Wilt in Fridley. There is presently an ordnance regarding Dutch Elm Disease, whereby the City can inform the owner of the property that he has a diseased tree and warn him that it will have to be removed. If the owner doesn't comply within a certain length of time, the City �an go onto the property and remove the tree at the owners expense. Mr. Fitz atrick felt that it should be called to the attention.of the Cit Council t at we on't have an or nance coverin Oa Wilt an t at t ere is resentl a iseased tree wit in t e City. • A copy of the letter informing the City that there is a diseased tree in Fridley has been given to the Acting City Manager and Mr. Blair feels that we should wait until the next Commission meeting to see what develops from Council action. NORTH PARK AREA. Mr. Olson asked if the City Council had approached the County, regarding aid in purchasing the North Park area. Mr. Fitzpatrick said that he didn't believe they had and Mr. Olson recommended that the Commission approach the Council for just such action. - Mr. Fitzpatrick stated that the Commission itself was not in a position to approach the County for aid, but that we could present the proposal to the City Council for action. Mr. Blair pointed out that if the City tried to purchase the land on its own, it would create a terrific burden on the taxpayers. Mr. Olson wanted to go on record as stating that he feels that the Commission should approach the City Council with the idea of requesting County aid in the purchase of the North Park area. Mr. Fitzpatrick suggested that each Commissioner contact his Councilman regarding this matter. Mr. Blair said that he felt the Commission should act as one body in approaching the City Council for action. MOTION b Nav.i.tah. Secande.d b B�Ca.ih. -th.a,t .th.e C' Caunc.i.e. noceed �o .aee we can g dome .c,rta.n nam e au .c,n. neg e o cvc Aacu,uon. i ne Mo�,c.on ca�.c,ea.. ADJOURNMENT. M�TI�N by B�,i�c., Seconded by Nov.i.t,�fxy, xo a.d�owcn -the mee,ti.ng cc,t 9:5� p.m. Minutes of the Regular Meeting, November 23, 1970. Page 5 n ADJOURNMENT (con't): The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, DeCember 28, 1970, at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room at Civic Center. Respectfully submitted, 7 �f.t-t�' L �� � � _ f" � �G1�CL � {/� CATHIE STORDAHL, Secretary to the Commission DISTRIBUTION OF MINUTES: Visitors Present at Meeting. Parties Affected. City Council. City Commissions. City Departments. Anoka County Commissioner. Park Consultant. ^ �