PR 10/18/1971�
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR PARKS AND•RECREATION COhMISSION NEETING. OCTaBER �, 1971�
Meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m. by Chairman Fitzpatrick.
� MEMBERS PRESENT: Fitzpatrick, Blair, Olson, Stimmler, Wagar.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
OTHERS PRESENT: Paul Brown, Director of Parks F� Recreation.
Cathie Stordahl, Secretary to Commission.
MINUTES OF SEPTF�ER 2%, �%1 MEETING�
Mr. Fitzpatrick called the Commissioner's attention to the Motion on Page #3 of the
September 27, 1971 Minutes, regarding the Commission's responsibilities as far as
the Budget was concerned. He questioned the use of the word "finalization" of the
Budget. He pointed out that it has never been the task of the Commission to finalize
the Budget.
MOTION by S�cmm�e�c, Secanded 6y B�Ca,i�c., xo appnove .the M.i,nu.tea o� �'J�.e Regu,ean Pcvck,� and
Rec�cea.tc:on Co►rw►u,aa�.on Mee,t,i.ng, daxed Septem6eh. 21, 1911. The Mo.tion ca�vci,ed.
�� Bl�('ET �
Mr. Brown informed the Commission that he had discussed the 1972 Budget with the City
Manager and had expressed the Commission�s concern over the items which had been cut
from the Budget and the idea that they would in no way reach the City Council, unless
an unfinanced section was also included. Mr. Brown reported that Mr. Davis had
written a Memo to the City Council at the time the items were cut, listing each of
them. The Commission was very receptive to this information.
n
,�r�a�nur�,
Mr. Blair called the Commission�s attention to Section I, Old Business, Item d,
referring to the Rice Creek Nature Trail and Building. He asked if the original plan
included the building. Mr. Brown said that it did. Mr. Blair mentioned some
discussion he had heard regarding a possible dam to be built east of Central Avenue,
and it's effect on the surrounding areas concerning flooding. Mr. Brown said that he
was unaware of the mentioned dam, and that it very probably would cause some flooding.
Mr. Brown mentioned Section I, Item f, referring to the Grace High School Skating Ar@a.
He asked how many of the CoAnaissioners would be attending the special meeting in the
Parks and Recreation Office on October 19th, at 4:30 p.m., with the men representing
the Hockey Association and Grace High School. Several of the members responded that
they would be in attendance. Mr. Olson asked if this wasn't in direct conflict with
the Ordinance referring to the City's development of areas located on private property?
Mr. Fitzpatrick stated that we don't necessarily make a practice of this type of
activities, but that both Grace High School and our own Hockey Association and General
Skaters, will be benefiting from a rink at Grace. When the plan was originally
discussed, no facilities were available to the residents of this area, and the gener�l
public would have access to this rink.
It was pointed out that there wouldn�t be a wgrming house, so the rink-will be
unsupervised. Mr. Wagar said that it would be virtually impossible to have schaduled
times set up for general skating and others for Hockey players, if there is no
n supervision. After a few days, the hours would be disregarded and the Hockey,players
would take over the rink.
Mr. Stiamler felt that the installatio�} �� a rink Mhere there is no warming house, is
senseless. There has to be a place for the children to get in and get Warm. Mr. Brown
. .
Minutes of Parks �, Recreation Commission Meeting, October 18, 1971. Page 2
r�owwa�rt (coN'T) :
� said that there is no available space at Grace and are no plans for a warming house
either now or in the future.
Mr. Wagar asked where the rink would be located if Lhe Grace site doesn't work out?
Mr. Brown indicated that it would be installed at Meadowlands Park, lights and all.
It is possible that by doing this, some or all of the donated labor would be lost,
but that's a chance we'd have to take.
Mr. Olson asked the Commission to recall a discussion approximately a year ago,
regarding the trimming of boulevard trees within the City and just where the
responsibility lies. Mr. Fitzpatrick and Mr. Stimmler both commented that the Park
Department has neither the manpower nor the equipment to handle this type of project,
and the Budget has not provided for this in any way. They pointed out that Minneapolis
does do tree trimming on boulevards, but the people are taxed for this service and
to date, Fridley has left the responsibility with the property owner. Mr. Brown stated
that the only time the City becomes involved in this type of program is if there is a
diseased tree which must come out. In such cases, the City has adopted an Ordinance
covering the removal of the tree. Mr. Fitzpatrick seemed to feel that we'd be
encountering many more problems if we were to undertake this p�pject.
Mr. Blair asked Mr. Brown how many of the City Parks have warning signs posted on the
approach areas, indicating that small children are at play? Mr. Brown said that he
thought there were only two Parks awaiting this type of sign. Mr. Blair pointed out
the need for Park / Playground Warning Signs to be located near Spring Brook Park in
the North-West corner of Fridley. Mr. Brown said he would take note and try to remedy
n this situation as soon as possible.
SLIDE PRESENTATION�
Mr. Brown showed the Commission a series of slides taken within the City of Fridley.
These slides represented the many types of dwellings, indicating all classes of
residents. They showed that the City has prospered due to�tt�e number of large
corporations who have located within our boundaries, and the fact that ive have
Churches for all denominations, many schools, and businesses. Some of the slides were
of street projects and the building of new apartment complexes.
Mr. Brown said that the slides had been shown at the Civic Center Open House which was
held on Sunday, October 17, 1971.
CORRESPOHDENCE FROM S.R�A�
Mr. Brown called the Coma�ission�s attention to a letter written by the Suburban
Recreation Association, re�arding their proposed pro�ram for the Senior Citizens. Tn
the letter written by Jaaes Jones, Executive Secretary of S.R.A., he states that this
is an effort to provide specialized recreation services to our Senior Citizens. He
pointed out that there are 613 Senior Citizens in Fridley, over the age of 65, accordin�
to the 1970 census.
This program would be funded by the S.R.A. All that they would require from us is a
meeting place, such as the Civic Center Community Room, leadership (which would be
� funded by the S.R.A.), and permission from the Coamission to proceed with this prograui.
It was mentioned that possibly some of the Ghurches already had this type of program.
Mr. Fitzpatrick said that"he was certain that Fr�dley United Methodist already has
� Minutes of Parks $ Recreation Commission Meeting, October 18, 1971. Page 3
CORfiESPONDENCE FROM S.R�A�
i� a program for Senior Citizens, but that he couldn't say anything in respect to the
other churches.
Mr. Olson suggested that Mr. Brown write a letter to the Ministerial Association in
Fridley, to see just how many groupg of this type there are. He also suggested that
Mr. Brown write letters to both the Fridley Ministerial Association and the Suburban
Recreation Association, inviting a representative of both groups to be present at one
of our meetings to discuss both programs and then determine whether or not there is a
need for more of the same.
MOTI�N by Be.a,i�c, Secanded by U.P,aan, �a �.nv.%te nepnedev�ta,t,i.ve.a a� bazh #he F�,i,.deey
M.i,►tii,a.te�c,i,a.e Aaaac,i.cLt',i.an and -the Subwcban Recnea.t.i.an Aaaa�i.a�i.an, �a a,ttend a mee,t,cng
o� .the Pcvcha and Rech.e.cLt,i,on Comn.i„aa�.an, .ta di,dcuaa �h.e �iva pnagnama, and de.tehmi.ne
whe,the�c an no� �he C.i,iy shau.ed bpanban a pnognam ban Se►�.i,an C.c.t,i.zend . The Ma�',i.o�n
canh.i.e.d . �
TRINMING OF BOULEYARD TREES�
Mr. Olson, once again, called the Commission's attention to the problem of trimming
the boulevard trees within the City of Fridley. Mr. Olson felt that some action
should be taken in respect to this.
Mr. Brown suggested that the Commission request an opinion from the City Council,
regarding the responsibility for the trimming of boulevard trees.
n Mr. Stimmler again pointed out that we would probably get the responsibility for the
trimming of boulevard trees, even though there is a shortage of both manpower and
equipment.
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UOCKE PARK PERMITS�
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Mr. Blair informed the Commission of the growing concern over the number of Locke
Park Permits issued each year and whether or not it was reflecting on the condition
of the Park. Mr. Fitzpatrick stated that for years people flocked to the Minneapolis
City Parks and now they are using one of ours.
Mr. Blair asked Mr. Brown if he could give the Commission some type of indication as
to the amount of time required for clean up in the Park, after one of these large
picnics, and the number of permits issued to groups of this size each year?
Mr. Brown said that it usually involves about a half a day of clean up after a weekend,
and only occasionally does it extend to a day or a day and a half. The Park Department
only issued two permits for excessively large groups this year and one of them followed
up with a check for $150.00 to be used as we ehoose and the other group donated a
portable audio system which will be used primarily at The Commons Park. This year,
� the Department issued 133 Locke Park Permits.
RllTH CIRCLF �
Mr. Brown reported to the Commission that the propertx which they have been lookin$
at in Ruth Circie is now tax forfeit and will be red-tagged by the City Council for
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Minutes of Parks � Recreation Commission Meeting, October 18, 1917. Page 4
� RUl}i C I RCL.E iCON �T) :
� Park purposes. It is presently zoned light industrial and residential and is referred
to as Parcel 1260, Section 3. The area we would like to acquire is zoned residential.
HYDE PARK AREA�
Mr. Brown said that he had conferred with Mervin Herrmann, City Assessor, and Block 24,
Lots 1, 2, 3, $ 4, Hyde Park Addition, are now For Sale by the owner. The owner is
asking $12,000.00 for these lots, but Mr. Herrmann feels that we should offer him
$9,000.00 and go no higher that $10,000.00...Mr. Herrmann said that $10,000.00 is more
than sufficient a sum of money to pay for this property.
VIEWCON PROJECT�
Mr. Brown stated that there are now access possibilities from both the East and the
North, in the Viewcon project.
Mr. Wagar stgted that regardless of the development and access to this area, he feels
that it will remain a private park maintained by the City.
HAMILTON�S ADDITION TO MECFiANICSVILI.E�
�. Brown reported that Block 14, Lots 8, 9, f, 10, have been red-tagged for Park
purposes, by the City Council. � .
r•�1IDDl.E EAST ARF�4 �
Mr. Brown stated that there are still praperties of interest in the Middle East Area.
Mr. 0'Bannon, County Commissioner, will sell a portion of his acreage to the Parks
and Recreation Department, which consists of approximately 14 acres, some of which
would be undesireable as far as park development is concerned. At one time he
mentioned the amount of $10,000.00, but nothing definite was determined.
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MOTIDN �o ad1ounn �h.e mee,ti.ng a.t 9:10 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be held on November 22, 1971, at 7:30 p.m., in the
Community Room at Fridley Civic Center.
Respectfully submitted,
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CA STORDAHL, Secretary to the Commission
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