Loading...
PRM 08/01/2016 CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – AUGUST 1, 2016 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Heintz called the August 1, 2016 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Fridley Municipal Center. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Greg Ackerman, Mike Heintz, Michele Barrett, Dave Kondrick and Shanna Larson Others Present: Jack Kirk, Director of Parks and Recreation APPROVAL OF JUNE 6, 2016 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Larson, to approve the minutes of the June 6, 2016 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR AUGUST 1, 2016 MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Ackerman, to approve the agenda for the August 1, 2016 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 provided for each Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to update members on the activities and services. The Department was active once again this year with the Fridley 49er Days activities. The weather had an impact on the festivities this year, but for the most part it was a successful weekend. th Mr. Kirk further stated that on July 24, seven members of the former Mayor William Nee family were at Springbrook Nature Center to celebrate the unveiling of a plaque honoring Mr. Nee. It was placed on a boulder near the new entrance area to the building. Mr. Kirk stated that the summer nature center day camps have been going well. Staff needed to coordinate the camps with the final work being completed on the Interpretive building. The camps have been averaging between 30 to 40 kids per camp this summer. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - August 1, 2016 Page 2 Mr. Kirk further stated that the Recreation staff recently held the annual Wet and Wild water carnival event at Commons Park, with an estimated participation of 225 people. Activities included the slip and slide, pitch burst, minnow races, water games and much more. Mr. Kirk stated that Parks and Recreation staff teamed up with Police Department staff to conduct another very successful Safety Camp in June. Over 125 elementary age students learned about safety on a variety of topics including: fire, seat belts, electricity, animals and more. Mr. Kirk stated that the senior program has started two new successful activities recently. The Nordic Walking program has now trained a total of 62 seniors in this fitness activity and the new Memory class for seniors is proving to be very popular. b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Kirk stated that this report has been submitted by Operations Manager for Streets and Parks Jeff Jensen. The Parks Maintenance workers have been working on all the athletic fields and getting facilities ready for the many programs. Mr. Jensen reports that the turf mowing usually slows down this time of year, but with the heavy rains, they have been mowing non-stop. Mr. Kirk stated that the Parks staff had worked with volunteer groups on tree plantings in the parks and with the Youth Conservation Corps with a tree planting along East River Road. c. Springbrook Nature Center Report Mr. Kirk stated that the agenda packet included a nature center report from Mike Maher. He wanted to point out that the Springbrook staff has been working closely with the Foundation task force to identify grant and fundraising opportunities. Some good news in the SPRING project funding area are the following:  The Fridley Lions Club committed a final gift of $100K to complete a $250 sponsorship of the planned open air amphitheater.  Financial One Credit Union has pledged a gift of $50K over five years to sponsor a new entrance sign for the park with an electronic message board.  RAO Manufacturing has pledged an additional gift of $10K  In addition, there have been about 100 paver stones purchased, eleven park benches sponsored and six memorial trees sponsored. d. Springbrook Interpretive Building Grand Opening Mr. Kirk stated that the Springbrook Nature Center Grand Opening was held last th Saturday, June 30 and it was an exciting day. He thanked the Parks and Recreation Commission members for their support of this Springbrook project. We are estimating that over 1000 people attended the Grand Opening event. The feedback from the public has been great on this new facility. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - August 1, 2016 Page 3 e. Springbrook Nature Center Phase 2 Projects Mr. Kirk stated that two projects that are part of phase 2 are getting closer to going out for bid, an open air amphitheater and a nature based children’s play area. The Fridley Lions Club are sponsoring the amphitheater and have donated $250,000 overall to the SPRING project. Jerry and Patricia Hartlaub have made a very generous donation to make the children’s play area possible. Mr. Kirk further stated that due to the donations, the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation has the funding available to make these two projects happen. Another part of phase 2 is a new picnic pavilion and fundraising continues on that project. When the needed funds are in place, the work will then start on the picnic pavilion. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Request to Remove Tree at Innsbruck Park Mr. Kirk stated that the City has received a letter from Palden Bhakdo and Kalden Khankyi, who reside at 5821 Arthur Street NE,adjacent to Innsbruck Park. The residents would like permission to cut down a large tree that is on City park property due to concerns that the tree may blow down on their house in a wind storm. They have indicated a willingness to pay for the removal of the tree and they would pay for planting a new tree in its place. Mr. Kirk showed the Commission members pictures of the tree in Innsbruck Park and the house at 5821 Arthur Street. Mr. Kirk further stated that City of Fridley Parks personnel have visited the site and inspected the tree. Mr. Kirk has visited the site with Parks and Street Supervisor Jeff Jensen to look at the tree and its condition. Staff has determined that this Cottonwood tree is a healthy one and does not need to be removed. Mr. Kondrick stated that he drove over to the park and looked at the tree. It is a large tree and he estimates it is about three feet from the property line. The tree in question appears to be, in his opinion, a strong, healthy tree. He did not feel that the homeowners should have a concern. Mr. Ackerman stated that he could not support removing a perfectly healthy large tree in our park system, based on the information presented. Mr. Kondrick stated that he would not be in favor of this Commission recommending removal of the tree. Mr. Kirk stated that he would be concerned about setting a precedent of removing healthy trees in our parks due to resident requests. If a tree is diseased, then yes, it could be an issue and should be removed. While they did offer to plant a replacement tree, a large mature tree is a valuable resource in any community. It often takes trees decades to get to a full, mature size. Ms. Barrett stated there are trees throughout our city that are in close proximity to houses. We don’t cut all these trees down because they “could “ fall on houses. We need and want trees in our community and she would not support cutting down a healthy park tree. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - August 1, 2016 Page 4 Ms. Larson stated she can understand their concern as parents, but it may be they need some more information about tree health and structural integrity. She would not recommend removal of this healthy tree. MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Larson, to take no action on recommending removal of a tree in Innsbruck Park as requested by residents living at 5821 Arthur Street NE. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. b.Softball Tournament Request – Spring Lake Park Softball . Mr. Kirk stated that the City has received a request from Spring Lake Park Softball to use the Fridley Community Park softball fields for MMFL State Qualifier Softball Tournaments the Saturdays of September 17 and 24. Spring Lake Park Softball has used the fields for tournaments before and has always done a good job. Staff would recommend approval of the request. Mr. Kirk further stated that since this request is for two Saturdays, staff would recommend this be looked at as two individual one-day tournaments. MOTION by Ms. Larson, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to approve the request by Spring Lake Park Softball to use the Fridley Community Park on September 17 and 24 for State Qualifier Softball tournaments. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. c. 2016 – 2017 Adult Winter Athletic Fees Mr. Kirk stated that each season, the staff brings recommended athletic league fees to the Parks and Recreation Commission for approval. Cleve McCoy, Program Supervisor, sent him the attached memo with 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 recommended fees are the same as last year. The fees will cover all of our direct costs associated with these athletic leagues, such as equipment, supplies, officials, league awards and site supervisors. The staff recommended fees for the 2016 – 2017 winter adult athletic fees are as follows: Wednesday Mens D Basketball ........... $515 Thursday Fun Basketball ..................... $515 Co-Rec Volleyball ................................ $165 Co-Rec Broomball ............................... $265 Mens Broomball…………………………$265 Boot Hockey ........................................ $305 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - August 1, 2016 Page 5 MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Ackerman, to approve the staff recommended 2016-2017 Adult Winter Athletic League Fees. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT 4. MOTION by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Ms. Larson, to adjourn the August 1, 2016 meeting at 7:40 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE AUGUST 1, 2016 MEETING ADJOURNED.