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PRM 10/02/2017 CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – OCTOBER 2, 2017 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Heintz called the October 3, 2016 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Fridley Municipal Center – Meeting Room 1. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Greg Ackerman, EB Graham, Mike Heintz, Dave Kondrick and Shanna Larson Others Present: Jack Kirk, Director of Parks and Recreation APPROVAL OF September 11, 2017 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Larson, to approve the minutes of the September 11, 2017 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR OCTOBER 2, 2017 MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Larson, to approve the agenda for the October 2, 2017 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 1. STAFF REPORT a. Program Update Mr. Kirk stated that the Program Update is included in the agenda packet for the information of the Commission members. The Recreation Division is in “back to school” mode with the elementary after school activities and the middle school ZONE program in operation. The Nature Center staff is back working with the schools on the environmental education curriculum. Springbrook staff is also getting prepared for Pumpkin Night in the Park, which is our largest special event activity of the year. The Senior Program recently had their Fall Program Kickoff event, which is a pie social and a sharing of information on senior opportunities in our community. It was held at st the Fridley Community Center on September 21 and was a big success. b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Kirk stated that a Park Maintenance report has been written by Parks Lead Worker Rich Perron. It is included in the agenda packet to provide information on park maintenance work over the past month. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - October 2, 2017 Page 2 Mr. Kirk stated that the park workers have worked with volunteer groups to get about 100 trees planted in the past month at Commons Park, Little League Fields, and along East River Road. The workers have also been busy maintaining the athletic fields for the adult and youth programs. c. Springbrook Nature Center Report Mr. Kirk stated that this report has been submitted by Mike Maher, Springbrook Nature Center Director. It provides information on Springbrook Nature Center for the past month. One of the new additions that Mike Maher brought to the Springbrook program is the Discovery Dinner Series. It is a light dinner followed by a nature oriented talk or presentation. There are three of them this fall and the Commission is invited to attend. th The first Discovery Dinner is on November 4 and the program topic is renewable energy. th Mr. Kirk further stated that on September 15, the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation teamed up with the Fridley Liquor Store to have an Autumn Sampler fundraising event. The event included beer and wine sampling, a catered dinner and auction items. The event raised approximately $4,500 to go towards the planned new picnic pavilion at Springbrook. d. Pumpkin Night in the Park st Mr. Kirk stated that Pumpkin Night in the Park is Saturday, October 21 at Springbrook Nature Center. This event is now a tradition in Fridley and is a very popular special event. The Commission members are certainly invited to attend. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Skating Rinks 2017-2018 Mr. Kirk stated that staff is providing a recommendation for the skating and hockey rink locations for the coming skating season. Under this recommendation, the City would have one warming house located at Commons Park. The hockey rink locations would be two at Commons Park and one at each of the following locations: Hayes Elementary School, Madsen Park and Flanery Park. Mr. Kirk further stated that the recommendation for general skating rinks would be Briardale Park, Commons Park (the Middle School track oval), Flanery Park, Hackmann Park, Hayes Elementary School, Logan Park, Madsen Park, Ruth Circle Park, Springbrook Park and Sylvan Hills Park. MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Ackerman, to approve the staff recommended skating and hockey rink locations for the 2016-2017 season. b.Springbrook Nature Center Updated Rental Policies Mr. Kirk stated that the Parks and Recreation had discussion about one year ago regarding the rental policies for the new Springbrook Interpretive building. For the most part, the policies have worked out well. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - October 2, 2016 Page 3 Mr. Kondrick stated that this updated Springbrook Rental Policy plan is a good one. It has evolved over time and is recommending some good changes. He liked the work by staff on this. Mr. Kirk stated that during the discussion one year ago, it was suggested that if we saw a need for adjustment after a period of time, the policy could be returned to the Commission for some changes. We are at that point now and with the addition of the new amphitheater, some adjustments would be timely ones. Mr. Kirk stated that the most significant changes in this Springbrook Rental Policy plan are as follows:  Changing the rental hours slightly to allow for earlier access to the Inspirational Gathering Room on Fridays  Including a “2 room” rental package for the large gathering space as an option to the complete large space. This would provide a more reasonable cost for smaller events.  Changing the classroom rental fee schedule to have the Fridley resident and the non-profit group at the same rate of $25 per hour.  Adding the Amphitheater as an included use for those renting the complete package of the large Inspirational Gathering Space  Adding policies and recommended pricing for those just renting the Amphitheater for events or activities. Mr. Kondrick stated that he felt the 11:00 p.m. time when music and beverage service must stop is too early. He would suggest moving it back to 12 midnight. He thinks we might get more people wanting to rent our facility with the later time. Mr. Heintz stated that Elm Creek in the Three Rivers Park District has the same shut down hour of 11:00 p.m. Mr. Kirk stated that this type of closing policy is consistent with what other public facilities are requiring. He will discuss this with the nature center staff to see if they are getting feedback related to the 11:00 p.m. shut off time. Mr. Heintz stated that it may be important to allow the renter to gain access to the Gathering Space Room a little earlier on the day of the event. He would suggest considering 10:00 a.m. rather allowing access starting at noon. MOTION by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Mr. Kondrick, to approve the staff recommended Springbrook Nature Center Updated Rental Policies. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HIENTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. c.2018 Proposed Meeting Dates Mr. Kirk stated that the Parks and Recreation Commission have traditionally been meeting the first Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. If the first Monday conflicted with a holiday, the meeting has been moved to the second Monday. Staff has put together a proposed meeting schedule for consideration by the Commission. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - October 2, 2016 Page 4 Mr. Kirk further stated that the proposed schedule has the January and September meetings in 2018 on the second Mondays. There is not a meeting scheduled in July, as the Commission has not held a meeting in that month for several years. MOTION by Ms. Larson, seconded by Ms. Graham, to approve the proposed meeting schedule for the Parks and Recreation Commission. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HIENTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT 4. MOTION by Ms. Larson, seconded by Mr. Ackerman to adjourn the October 2, 2017 meeting at 8:19 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE OCTOBER 2, 2017 MEETING ADJOURNED.