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PRM 08/05/2013 CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – AUGUST 5, 2013 CALL TO ORDER: Vice-Chairperson Heintz called the August 5, 2013 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Fridley Municipal Center. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Michele Barrett, Dave Kondrick, Mike Heintz, and Greg Ackerman Others Present: Jack Kirk, Director of Parks and Recreation Malcolm Mitchell, Springbrook Nature Center Foundation Chairperson APPROVAL OF JUNE 3, 2013 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Ackerman, to approve the minutes of the June 3, 2013 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR AUGUST 5, 2013 MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to approve the agenda for the August 5, 2013 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 1. STAFF REPORT a. Program Update Mr. Kirk stated that the Program Update is a summary of the various activities and programs operated by the Parks and Recreation Department during the past couple of months. The summer programs have been going well and we are nearing the end for many of the activities. Outside of one very hot and humid week in early July, the weather has actually been very good and has not affected the scheduling of activities. b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Kirk stated that this report has been submitted by Interim Park Supervisor Jeff Jensen and it indicates the work of the park maintenance division over the past two months. The Parks maintenance division has done a very nice job taking care of the parks and preparing the facilities for the various recreation programs and activities. A large irrigation system project has been started at Commons Park with phase one being completed this year and the second phase to be completed next year. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - August 5, 2013 Page 2 c. Springbrook Nature Center Report Mr. Kirk stated that the Springbrook Nature Center Report has been submitted by Nature Center Director Mike Maher to keep the Commission members informed of nature center happenings this summer. There has been good participation in the programs and there have been many visitors to the nature center during the past couple of months. The nature center staff is working with Great River Greening to remove invasive buckthorn at the park, which is part of a $190,000 Legacy Grant from the State of Minnesota to support habitat restoration at Springbrook. Mr. Kirk further stated that the Kalwall translucent roof in the exhibit area will be replaced this fall. The current roof had deteriorated to a point where water intrusion was becoming a big problem. Mr. Kirk stated that planning is well underway for the big Halloween event at Springbrook. Volunteers and staff have been planning the program and preparing th props. The Blaine Blazin’ 4 Committee donated $1,000 to help support this upcoming event. d. SPRING Project Application to State of Minnesota Mr. Kirk stated that the City has officially submitted a 2014 Capital Budget Request to the State of Minnesota for the SPRING project. The requested amount from the State is $5.5 million. The overall cost of the project is $7.61 million. The project was in both a House and a Senate bill this past year, but was not included in the final small bonding bill that was passed and forwarded to the Governor for approval. Our legislators appear optimistic over the chances for approval of the project next year. e. Program Supervisor Position Mr. Kirk stated that the City is in the process of hiring a Program Supervisor to replace Mark Daly, who recently resigned from his position. There were 73 applicants for the position and ten candidates were invited to the first round of interviews. Final interviews th will be held on August 6 and it is expected that the new supervisor will start in late August. Mr. Kondrick suggested that the Parks and Recreation Commission send a letter to Mr. Daly, thanking him for his service to the City. Mr. Kirk stated that he could draft a letter for consideration at the next Commission meeting in September. The Commission members all supported that. f. Parks Supervisor Position Mr. Kirk stated that Dave Lindquist retired in June after 40 years with the City of Fridley. As a temporary move, Streets Supervisor Jeff Jensen has been appointed Interim Parks and Streets Supervisor, handling the supervision of both divisions. A decision on a permanent replacement for the position will be made at a later time. Mr. Kondrick suggested that Mr. Jensen attend an upcoming meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission, so the Commission members could meet him. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - August 5, 2013 Page 3 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Adult Winter Athletic League Fees 2013 - 2014 Mr. Kirk stated that each season, the staff brings recommended athletic league fees to the Parks and Recreation Commission for approval. At tonight’s meeting, we have the staff recommended fees for the winter adult athletic leagues. We try to keep the fees competitive with what other communities charge for similar league programs. The fees will cover all of our direct costs associated with these athletic leagues. The staff recommended fees for the 2013 – 2014 winter adult athletic fees are as follows: Wednesday Mens D Basketball ........... $499 Thursday Fun Basketball ..................... $499 Co-Rec Volleyball ................................ $155 Co-Rec Broomball ............................... $265 Mens Broomball…………………………$265 Boot Hockey ........................................ $305 MOTION by Ms. Barrett, seconded by Mr. Kondrick, to approve the staff recommended 2013-2014 Adult Winter Athletic League Fees. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. b.Springbrook Nature Center RFP for Exhibit Plan . Mr. Kirk stated that this agenda item is related to the SPRING project at Springbrook Nature Center and is coming to the Commission as a result of a request by the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation to move ahead with planning for new exhibits. With us this evening is the Chairperson of the SNC Foundation Malcolm Mitchell. Mr. Kirk stated that at recent Springbrook Foundation Board meetings, there has been discussion about new exhibits for the expanded interpretive building at the nature center with the completion of the SPRING project. At this point in the planning process, there is not much detail as to what would be included in new exhibits. The Board members were in agreement that the exhibits of the interpretive building are a major reason why people visit the park. To expand and remodel the building without including the exhibits did not make a lot of sense. Mr. Mitchell stated that the overall SPRING project budget of $7.61 million includes $300,000 for indoor exhibits in the interpretive building. The Foundation felt it was extremely important to move forward with getting some thought into what those exhibits should look like, what themes should we try to explore, and what kinds of other more minor exhibits could be included. We want to have a master plan for the exhibits, so that plan can be incorporated into the building design and planning. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - August 5, 2013 Page 4 Mr. Mitchell stated that the Foundation members have wanted to make sure that the new interpretive building has a special or “Wow” type of exhibit in the entrance to the building. The plan will be for the exhibits to be educational and look nice at the same time. To make sure that the exhibits are properly planned for, the exhibit design should be completed before the detailed working drawings for the building are completed. If you need water, electricity or special space needs for certain exhibits, it should be recognized before final plans are made. Mr. Mitchell stated that a draft request for proposal to design the exhibits has been included in the information provided to the Commission members. The request for proposal (RFP) will ask a number of companies to give us a concept outline of what the exhibits might look like. The exhibits will then be incorporated into the design plans of the new building. If we get questions during next year’s legislative process about the scope and type of exhibits planned, we can be prepared to answer those. Mr. Mitchell further stated that another piece of this is that the Foundation would like some more detailed information on exhibits that they can take to potential donors or sponsors. They could then ask them “would you help us fund this specific exhibit”. They would be able to show them what their money would go for. Mr. Mitchell stated that the Foundation expects that the exhibit design will cost about $20,000 and they have the funds ready to pay for this work. Mr. Kirk stated that he would like the Parks and Recreation Commission to weigh in on whether they would support moving forward with an RFP for designing the exhibits. The recommendation of the Commission would be forwarded to the City Council for action. Mr. Kirk stated that included in the RFP is mention of a design committee that would work with the selected firm to focus and finalize the exhibit plan. It would be great if one or more members of the Parks and Recreation Commission would be interested in serving on the design committee and helping with this process. He expects that there will be City staff on the committee, as well as representation from the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation. Mr. Kondrick stated that he would be interested in being on the design committee. He also thought it is appropriate that the City staff and Foundation are having the Parks and Recreation Commission make a recommendation on the RFP’s. He supports moving forward with the exhibit RFP. Mr. Heintz stated that he thinks it is fantastic that the SNC Foundation has stepped up their fundraising in support of the SPRING project and the nature center. Being able to provide the funding to get the design work done is a big step forward. It is great that the Foundation wants to spend their money to get the design work done and it is the right thing to do. MOTION by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to recommend the City move forward with the concept of sending out an RFP to get the design services completed for an exhibits plan associated with the SPRING Project. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - August 5, 2013 Page 5 c.Springbrook Nature Center RFP for SPRING Project Architectural Services – . Phase 1 Mr. Kirk stated that this agenda item is another request to proceed with a request for proposal on phase 1 improvements for the SPRING project. The Springbrook Nature Center Foundation is prepared to pay for the design services on phase one of the SPRING project and the utilities planning for the entire project. Mr. Mitchell stated that they would like to be ready to go with the components of phase one of the SPRING project when the dollars arrive. They will be fundraising for phase one and want to be able to show potential donors that the detailed plans are ready to go. Mr. Mitchell further stated that there are really two parts to this RFP. First, there would be detailed working/construction drawings for the other components of phase one. These would include the outdoor pavilion and the celebration plaza. Second, we realized that we really don’t have a clear defined plan for the infrastructure needed for the entire SPRING project. We need to know where the electricity will be coming from, where the water and sewer connections need to be, and where the geothermal pipes will be running to. The second part of this RFP will be to give us an infrastructure design for all three phases of the project so that we don’t have to go in and tear something out after it has been installed. Mr. Mitchell emphasized that they wanted to be ready to move ahead when the money is secured to complete the projects of phase one. The Foundation is thinking that the total for the design work resulting from this RFP may be in the $75,000 to $85,000 range. The SNC Foundation has the money in hand to cover these expenses and wants to proceed. MOTION by Ms. Barrett, seconded by Mr. Ackerman, to recommend the City move forward with the concept of sending out an RFP to get the design services completed for Phase 1 and the overall infrastructure needs for entire SPRING project. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT 4. MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Ackerman, to adjourn the August 5, 2013 meeting at 7:50 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE AUGUST 5, 2013 MEETING ADJOURNED.