PRM 06/06/2016
CITY OF FRIDLEY
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – JUNE 6, 2016
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Heintz called the June 6, 2016 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at
7:17 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Mike Heintz, Greg Ackerman, Michele Barrett, Dave Kondrick, Shanna Larson
Others Present: Jack Kirk, Director of Parks and Recreation
Cleveland McCoy, Program Supervisor
APPROVAL OF MAY 2, 2016 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Larson to approve the minutes of the May 2, 2016
meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR JUNE 6, 2016
MOTION by Ms. Larson, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to approve the agenda for the June 6, 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 a report of activities and programs in the Parks and
Recreation Department during the past month. In addition to the programs over the past
month, staff has been busy preparing for the summer activities.
b. Park Maintenance Report
Mr. Kirk stated that he included a written Park Maintenance Report from Operations Manager
Jeff Jensen for this month in the agenda packet. Once the park workers get the initial clean
up of parks completed in the spring of the year, they focus on getting all the softball, soccer
and baseball fields prepared for games and practices. They are also busy keeping picnic
facilities in good condition and mowing all the parks and right-of-ways.
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - June 6, 2016 Page 2
c. Springbrook Nature Center Report
Mr. Kirk stated that staff continues to work closely with the Springbrook Nature Center
Development Task Force to identify grant opportunities and fundraise for the project. The
Fridley Lions Club recently committed a gift of $100,000 to complete a $250,000 sponsorship
of an amphitheater at the park.
Mr. Kirk stated that Financial One Credit Union has pledged a gift of $50,000 and will sponsor
a new entrance sign for the park. Also, RAO Manufacturing has pledged an additional gift of
$10,000 to the project.
Mr. Kirk also stated that production of the new exhibits for Springbrook continues at Split Rock
Studios. Installation is scheduled for the end of June.
d. Fridley 49er Days
Mr. Kirk stated that the agenda packet includes the schedule for the 2016 Fridley 49er Days
activities. He invited the Commission members to participate in the 49er Days activities this
year.
e. Springbrook Nature Center Building Grand Opening
Mr. Kirk stated that the Grand Opening Celebration for the Springbrook Nature Center
th
Improvements will be on Saturday, July 30. There will be a formal ceremony at 1:00 p.m.
with a ribbon cutting and community celebration from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. The Commission
members are invited to participate.
2. NEW BUSINESS
a. Playground Equipment Addition at Commons Park
Mr. Kirk stated that staff has been working on adding some playground equipment at
Commons Park, which is our most heavily used playground location. The new equipment will
replace several pieces that needed to be removed because they were broken or no longer met
safety requirements. The new equipment would be added in the same general area as the
existing playground structures, or just south of the picnic pavilion at the park.
Mr. Kirk stated that the funding for the play equipment is coming from the Parks Capital
Improvement Program.
Mr. Kirk stated that staff is looking at a combination of several new playground features
including an 18 foot tall cable climbing pyramid, a small climbing wall, a spring rider for young
children and a tilted sky runner unit. (He showed pictures of the play equipment to the
Commission members).
Ms. Larson stated that she has seen the tall climbing pyramid at a park in St. Paul and it is
popular with children.
Mr. Ackerman stated that he liked the idea of providing several pieces of new equipment, so
there are more options for the children to use.
Mr. Kondrick asked how much the play equipment improvements will cost.
Mr. Kirk stated that all together, the equipment will cost just over $40,000. There will be some
additional cost to put in the playground border system and the protective fibar safety surface.
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - June 6, 2016 Page 3
MOTION by Ms. Larson, seconded by Mr. Ackerman, to approve the staff recommended
playground equipment addition for Commons Park.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Ms. Barrett, seconded by Ms. Larson to adjourn the June 6, 2016 meeting at 7:38 p.m.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE JUNE 6, 2016 MEETING ADJOURNED.