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PRM 06/01/2015 CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – JUNE 1, 2015 CALL TO ORDER: Vice-Chairperson Ackerman called the June 1, 2015 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Greg Ackerman, Michele Barrett, Dave Kondrick Others Present: Jack Kirk, Director of Parks and Recreation Margo Numedahl, Program Supervisor Cleveland McCoy, Program Supervisor APPROVAL OF MAY 4, 2015 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Barrett to approve the minutes of the May 4, 2015 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON ACKERMAN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR JUNE 1, 2015 MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to approve the agenda for the June 1, 2015 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON ACKERMAN 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. He has two staff members at the meeting this evening and would like each of them to tell the Commission about programs that have just completed. Ms. Numedahl stated that the elementary after-school program operated in the Fridley District elementary schools just completed a very successful year. The participation numbers in the after-school program were bigger this year than the previous year. There was a variety of class or activity areas that were offered in the program and the feedback from participants was positive. Mr. Kondrick asked what the age groups were that this program served. th Ms. Numedahl stated that this program was offered to students in Kindergarten through 4 grade. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - June 1, 2015 Page 2 Mr. McCoy stated that the ZONE after school program for the teens saw an increase in numbers from the previous school year. We averaged 25 to 30 students per day on the Monday through Thursday activity days, and 50 to 100 teens on Fridays. 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. The parks workers have been very busy getting all the softball, soccer and baseball fields prepared for games and practices. They are also extremely busy mowing all the parks and right-of-ways. Mr. Kirk further stated that the park workers have started landscape planting and maintenance in the parks as well. Mr. Ackerman asked if we had been experiencing a lot of vandalism and graffiti in the parks this year. Mr. Kirk stated that they have not had a lot of problems this year. c. Springbrook Nature Center Report Mr. Kirk stated that a very busy season of school programming is just wrapping up for the nature center staff. They have worked with students in the Fridley Public schools, all grade levels at Adams Elementary from the Anoka-Hennepin District, and many other schools from this area that have visited the nature center on field trips. Mr. Kirk stated that the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation has launched the community fundraising campaign for the SPRING project with a goal of raising $200,000. Strategies for this effort include a direct mailing appeal and sponsorships. Mr. Kirk stated that the annual Spring Fling event was moved to mid-May this year and featured many new activities. There was music, hands-on workshops, a climbing wall, program presenters, and interactive nature activities. Staff felt it was a success with 515 people in attendance. d. Fridley 49er Days Mr. Kirk stated that the agenda packet includes the schedule for the 2015 Fridley 49er Days activities. The festival will have a new venue once again this year, with the majority of the activities being held here at Commons Park. When the festival was at the Commons location in past years, it was set up to use the south parking lot. This year, the activities will be set up th in the middle of the park, along 7 Street. He invited the Commission members to participate in the 49er Days activities this year. e. SPRING Project Mr. Kirk stated that the City received and opened bids on the Springbrook Nature Center th Improvements project on May 5 and the bids were way above the budget set for the project. A staff recommendation was made to the Fridley City Council to reject the bids and re-bid the project in August with a projected September construction start. Staff is working with the Construction Manager and the Architect to identify areas that can help to reduce the costs for Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - June 1, 2015 Page 3 the building. It looks like a reduction in the square footage of the proposed building will help to bring the costs into budget. Mr. Kirk further stated that even with the cost savings reductions, he expects that we will get a very nice and functional interpretive building at Springbrook Nature Center that should serve our community well for years to come. Mr. Kirk further stated that he expects the Parks and Recreation Commission to see the revised plans for the facility at the August Commission meeting. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Fall Athletic Fees Mr. Kirk stated that he has a recommendation on fall athletic league fees from Program Supervisor Cleve McCoy. He is recommending a $10 increase over last year for the Men’s and Co-Rec Softball leagues, as well as for the 4-person football league. The fees have been at the same level for several years and staff would support the recommended fees. MOTION by Ms. Barrett, seconded by Mr. Kondrick, to approve the agenda for the staff recommended fall athletic fees. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON ACKERMAN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Barrett to adjourn the June 1, 2015 meeting at 7:42 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON ACKERMAN DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE JUNE 1, 2015 MEETING ADJOURNED.