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PR 05/20/1974• .:-.; ; \ , d�""'T'�S OF THE REGULAR PARKS ANi� RECREATION COhN1ISSI0N MEETING. MAY �, 1974� � Meeting was called t�o order at 7:30 p.m., by Chai.rman Blai.r. n N�ERS PRESII�: Blaix, Peterson, Caldwell, Harris, Wagar. N�3�IBERS EXCUSID : None . OTHERS PRESENT: Robert Bishop, 5417 Altura Rpad N.E., 55432, 560-2164, RE: Altura Park and a Fence. � Christine L. Hansen, 6530 2nd Street N.E., 55432, 561-9431, RE: • Jay Park and a Fence. Lynn D. Hansen, 6530 2nd Street N.E., 55432, 561-9431, RE: Jay Park ar�d a Fence. Ron Nelson, 755 53rd Avenue N.E., 55421, 788-9361, RE: Target Stores . ar�d sale of property. Rolan Anderson,_5194 Matterhorn Drive N.E., 55421, 788-7587, RE: . � Tiny Tots mininnAn age requir�nent. TARGET STORES� Ron Nelson was present on behalf of Target Stores, Inc., to discuss the possibility of leasing or selling the property adjacent to the Park property cc�monly referred to as Cheri Lane. Target donated the Cheri Lane property when the store was built, and it was the feeling of Mr. Nelson that if additional property was purchased or leased, it could possibly encourage the develo�xnent of the Park property. The proposed additional land could possibly house a ball diamond or other such recreational facilities, and pPahaps give the neighborhood youngsters a place to go and scinething to do with spare time. Mr. Nelson said that he and Mr. Brawn had � discussed the purchase possibilities and agreed that it was pretty much out of the question. The leasing idea w�uld be more satisfactory for both parties i.nvolved. A lease could be set up on a 3 to 5 year basis ar�3 at a ncYnirial fee, and after that length of time, perhaps on an annual renewal. Mr�. Blair stated that this was anatYier area where we had a snall pocket with no recreational facilities. Mr. Brown pointed out that the recent purchase at Hamilton's I�ddition to Mechanicsville was nearby, but on the west side of 7th Street. We also have Oak Hill Park in this area, but it is not large enough to house a ball diamond. It'S strictly a tot park. Mr. Wagar asked if money had been discussed and Mr. Brown st�.ted that it had not. Mr. Nelson was here to get the feelings of the Cca�mission and to discuss the existing facilities for the neighborhood. Mr. Brown went on to explain that this will benefit Target, also. At the present time, there is a fence which runs along the property and the propexty in question has becane a neighborhood diunp. Mr. Brawn said that the City tries to keep it cleaned up, but it really isn't large enough to develop. Mr. Wagar asked if there was a ne�d for a ball diamond here. Mr. Brawn said that it really hadn't been discussed, but was merely a suggestion on the part of Mr. Nelson. Mr. Nelson said that the ball park idea was just an idea to give the neighborhood kids sanething to do as opposed to nothing to do. He referred to the fact that they have had scgne vandalism problems i.n this area. He said that it doesn't have to be an elaborate field. Perhaps a hane plate arid. a couple of bare places which the kids n could use for bases, w�uld suf_fice. Mr. Brawn and Mr. Nelson agreed that the installations wr�uld be t�crporary, so that if Target decided to expand their facilities, the installations could be r�noved without a great deal of difficulty. Minutes of the Parks & Recreation Ccar¢Y►.ission M�eeting, May 20, 1974. Page 2 TARGET �CON�T): � Mrs. Caldwell asked about the possibility of Target developing the property, with the City to be in charge of maintenance? Mrs. Caldwell also suggested that this might make it more attractive to the employees if they had a picnic table or benches where they could eat their lunch. Mrs. Caldwell also suggested that perhaps the employees would be receptive to helping develop the property into a suitable park. Mr. Wagar stated that he is in favor of ccxnpiling more information on leasing this property. Mrs. Caldwell asked about the possibility of installing a tennis court on this � property? Mr. Blair stated that this would cost approximately $6,000.00 and w�uld be a pennanent-type of installation, which would not be favorable when we enter into a lease agre�nent. MUTT�N by Pe.te�r�an, Seeanded by wagatc, �a a,dfz Pa�c.e B�rcawn �a �.nve,��i.gc�,tv �he �ada.ib.i.Pi.t�:e�s a� .�ea�s�.ng �he �na�e�r�y adlaeerLi �a Chetr.i. Lane Pcvcfz, w.i.th �he Day�an Hud�an Canp�na�i.an and nepat�i baef� �v �he Camm.us��.an c�t �he June mee�',i.n.g, wi.th dev22a�mevvt �sugge�sx,i.ows and cad� �ac�a�us . The Ma�i.an ca�vu.ed. JAY PARK FENCE PROJECT� Mr. & Mrs. Lynn Hansen were present to request the installation of a fence along their property line which is adjacent to Jay Park. The Hansens awn an apartrnent building and receive quite a flaw of tsaffic fran the Park. Mr. Hansen stated that .a four-foot�fence would suffice. Mr. Hansen said that if�he had to install his own �'1 fence, he would install a four-foot fence. Mr. Hansen stated that the contour of the land is such that the Park is lawer and he felt thac four feet wnuld be adequate. Mr. Brawn agreed. Mr. Hansen stated that he and his wife live in the building. Mr. Peterson questioned the four-foot heighth. He said that he has watched. kids go over thgn without any difficulty, arx� perhaps a higher fence w�uld be requested at a later date. Mr. Hansen felt that the majority of the txaffic is fran the very yourig children and the older ones just pass through. Mr. Peterson stated that the City has, in the past, wr�rked with the neighbori.ng property owners, in the installation of such fences, ancl he guessed that his only question was whether or not the�four-foot fence wnuld be adequate. Mr. Hansen said that he hasn't had any experience along th�se lines, so he really doesn't know. ' Mr. Hansen stated that his neighbor, who also lives adjacent to the Park, has had scme problgns with ball playing and will probably be building a higher, privacy fence. Mr. Hansen stated that he has not ha.d this type of problen since it's primari�y ti�e tots who are playing near his hcane. Mr. Hansen said that�it is his i:-�ression that his neighbor plans to i.*istall his awn fence, at his awn expense. Mr. Brawn asked Mr. Hansen if he wanted the fence installed on his o�,m property or _ori tlae City property? Mr. Hansen stated that it did not matter to him. He stated n that there are sane trees on the line, arid this could be a determining factor. He also said that the Park property was quite a bit lawer than his own, so maybe it should be put on higher ground. Mr. Brawn felt that the four foot fence would be�adequate. Mr. Hansen agreed. Minutes of the Parks & Recreation Ccmnission Meeting, May 20, 1974. Page 3 JAY PARK FENCE �CON'T): n MOTIUN b Na�vc,i�s, Secanded oun o��t ence e tin��a� an Jau FcvcFz. u,6 aaan cvs- � ALTURA PARK: Pe,teJuson, �a necamme�id za �he C.i,ty Caun�i.e, �hat a o�iunPV� � P r�naae�c.tu . acc�t cLt 6 30 2 S�.e2t .�. e Ma�,c.�n Robex't Bishop was present to discuss the probl�ns he is having with his property and the adjoining Altura Park. Mr. Bishop's hcene is located dixectly South of the Park, and he is constantly bothered with Park traffic, vandalisn, and debris. Mr. Bishop explained that lie has a white picket fence in his back yard, along the Park side of his property. Each night, he has to go out in his yard and repair the broken fence. In the Wintertime, all the snaa blows across the Park and onto his dr�veway. The dogs are n�nning loose, and the traffic fran the children using the Park is ruining his shrubs. Mr. Bishop stated that he has no solutions to his probl�n, but he is tired of picking up trash arx7. all of the other probl�ns. One of his�suggestions was to put more trash barrels in the park and install a fence all the way to the curb. Mr. Bishop said that he is also having problgns with the kids who play ball because they are damaging his siding on his hane. Mr. Blair asked about i.nstalling a fence all the way to the curb? Mr. Brawn said that this was against the City Ordinance. One of the reasons weuld be for sr�w plowing. Mr. Bishop asked haw the kids could be stopped�frcen cutting through the sYirubs? n He also stated that he is ready to take down his picket fence because it's been damaged so many times. �Mr. Bishop said that they cane up his driveway, to avoid j�unping the curb which runs along the front of the Park. Mr. Blaix asked Mr. Brown for his opinion on a solution. He responded that the installation of the chain-link fence w�uld be advisable, but that it cannot go all the way to the curb. He felt that the fence should be installed from the street right-of-way to the front of his hcane, and fram the back of his hame to the freeway fence at the back of his lot. He felt that it was a bad idea to fence the area right along the side of Mr. Bishop's Yicme. Mr. Brawn rec�mended that the site be reviewed and. discussed again at tlie June meeting. MOTIUN by Hu�vr,i�s, Secc,nded by Pe.te��n, �a necammend �ha� Mn. Bnown mee.t w,i,ih M�c. B.i�ho� ct,i h,i,6 hame, and nepan.i 6aeFi �o �he Camm���.vn w�i,th necammenda,t,t.on. The Ma�',i.on ccvvc�.ed. Mr. Bishop went on to explain that he feels the apparatus at the Park is geared for older children. The majority of the children who play at Altura Park are tots, and he was inquiring about the installation of saddl�nates or tot-sized swings. He also asked for additional trash receptacles. Mr. Drawn responded that he we�uld see that another trash barrel is placed in the Park. Mr.�Bishop suggested that a barrel be placed by the basketball court. � Mr. Brawn and Mr. Bishop will meet and discuss the probl�n.s arx7. possible solutions, and report back to the Crn�nission at the next meeting. Minutes of the Parks & Recreation Ccmnission Nieeting, May 20, 1974. �Page 4 TINY TOTS'AGE REQUIREMENT� n Rr�lan Arxierson was present to ask haw the City had arrived the age cut off for the S�er Recreation programs. It is presently the policy to allow a child to participat,e in the program, if he or she becanes of age before the last day of the program. Mr. Anderson explained that this is terribly unfair to tYiose youngsters who have birthdays between the last day of the program, and the first of Sept�nbPx which makes thc�n eligible for Kindergarten. Mr. Anderson gave two examples of his neighborhood children who were unable to participate in the Tiny Zbts Program because their birthdays fell within that one-month period. These children were . denied participation in the program because of this factor, and their playmates were allawed to register. Mr: Blair asked the Department for more backround on setting of the cut off dates. It was explained that before the present policy was set, the children were required to be of age before they registered for the program. This eliminated even more. children who were denied participation in the program but who weuld be eligible to attend Kindergarten in SeptembPx. With this in mind, the cut-off date was changed to the last day of the program. Mr. Wagar pointed out that a child who becanes 4 on Sept�nber lst, will only be able to participate in Tiny Tots for one year, also. Mr. Anderson said that the Sept�nber lst cut-off did enable those eligible for Kindergarten, to participate with his friends. Mr. Peterson felt that the City shpuld use the same cut-off date as that used by the school districts. Mr. Harris�asked for an approximate n�nnber of children who are affected by this problen. He was told that it was a very small n�iUer. 1�1r. Brown said that perhaps we hadn't looked far enough into this situation, especially since Tiny Tots is such a new program. It was Mrs. Maxine Boone's recarunendation, as Playground Director, that perhaps the 4 year olds are too yourzg for the program. � MDT70N by Pe.ie�an, Secanded by Ca.2dwe.e.�, �o change �he_ m.i.v�,i.mum age �.equ.i�cemev�t e�.�t-os� da.te �on �he Summelc Rec�cecc�ian Pnognam�, �� Sep�embvc. i.a�, �a ca�.naide wi.ih �he da�e ub ed b y�he Sehc,a.2 �,i�sfiic,ie.t� . The Ma�,i.ort cajvu.ed. DISCUSSION: The CaYanissioners agreed that the SeptgnbPx lst da.te w�uld be effective for the 1975 programs. � PROPOSED SALE OF PROPERTY ON EAST RIVER R�AD� Mr. Blair turned the Cca�missioners attention to the letter sutmitted by Oliver Erickson, in reference to scgne property which is offered for sale at Lot 28, Auditor's Subdivision #23, or 6214 East River Road. There is a sizeable amount on money awing on the property in Special Assessnents and taxes. Mr. Blair said that he didn't feel we were interested in the property at this time. Mr. Wagar agreed that there were areas with high�.r priorities. n Mr. Darris said that he felt we shouldn't flatly refuse the offer, but rather, we should say that it's not within tY:e scope of the budget at this time. INOTION by Hafv�i�s, Seconded by waga�c., �a �.nba�un Mn. ��u.ch.�an, �h.a.i �he C.i,iy wou.2d .P,i.Fze �a ha.ve �he �na�e�r.ty, be�t �ha,i we da na� h.a.ve �he bunda w.i.th,i.n �he budge,t �a ma.�Ze a�JUCrv�ae.�i.an cii ��vv� �me. The Mo��i.�n ccvcji,i,ed. �'� IKinutes of the Parks & Recreation Cammission Nleeting, May 20, 1974. Page 5 JOHN ERICKSON PARK� n The City received a letter fram the Lakeside Park Cca�mission in reference to the spraying of Spring Lake, next to John Erickson Park. They explained that they treat the lake each Spring and were inquiring about the possibility of sharing the expense with the City of Fridley, arx3 treating our�area as well. Our share of the expenses w�uld be about $200.00. It was the feeling of the C�mission, that since we already hire a carrpany to treat Nbore Lake, perhaps it could be done by the same canpany, at a lesser expense. M(iTION 6y Ha�vr.i�, Secanded by G%agcvc, �a �,vvs�cuc.t �he U-vicec,ton �o cor�iac.i �he cam�any � wh,i.ch bp�cay�s Maane Laf�e, av�d ge,i an e��,i.mcLte an .the co�s� a� a,Y.do �c.ea�',i.ng awr. pan,t.i.an o� S�ju.ng Laf�e, .ig .i.t'�s nece�s�sany. The Ma�i.an ca�vr,i.ed. POLICE DEPARTMENT. LOCKE PARK SURVEY� The Cca�mission had asked the Police Department for assistance is counting the ntunber of Fridley residents making use of Locke Park. The Police Departrnent responded with a letter suggesting the use of a counter. They didn't feel that a spot check by squad cars would be possible. SCHOOL DISTRICT. CITY ME:ETINGS� Mr. Blair asked the Cam►issioners for volunteers to attend the meetings between the School District #14 and the City of Fridley. He stated that he was unable to attend ^ the meetings because cf his.awn �nployment, and asked if there was saneone who could attend in his place. Mr. Harris stated that he would be willing to zneet, along with Paul Brown. MINUTES OF Tf�E APRIL �. 19�4 MEETING� MOTI ON b y Ca.�dwe.�2, S eca nd ed b y Glag cvc, �o a��na v e�he M.i.nc�ie�s a b�he Pa�cf�a and Recice.a�i.on C�mm.i�s��.an Mee�i,ng, da.ied A�n,i,e 22, 1914, The Mv�'.i.an cafvc,t.ed. St�KING AT MEETINGS� Mrs. Caldwell asked the Ccamiissioners to refrain frcan smoking at the m�etings because she is allergic to smoke. The Cc�unissioners said that they will try to respect.her wishes. ADJOURNMENT� MUTI�N �o adjacvcn �he mee.t.i.ng a.t 9:20 p.m. , The n�t regular meeting will be held on Nbnday., June 24, 1974, at 7:30 p.m., in the Cc¢�munity Rocm of I'ridley Civic Center. Respectfully suhnitted, � , GZ..��C ' CATHIE STORDAi�,, Secretary to the Carinission