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PRM 03/03/2014 CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – MARCH 3, 2014 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Solberg called the March 3, 2014 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Tim Solberg, Mike Heintz, Greg Ackerman, Michele Barrett, Dave Kondrick Others Present: Jack Kirk, Parks and Recreation Director APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 3, 2014 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Ms. Barrett, seconded by Mr. Ackerman to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2014 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR MARCH 3, 2014 MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Heintz, to approve the agenda for the March 3, 2014 meeting as submitted by staff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 1. STAFF REPORT a. Program Update Mr. Kirk stated that the Senior Program has started the annual tax assistance in cooperation with volunteers from AARP. There were over 40 seniors served on the first day. Drop-in tax assistance will th take place every Wednesday at the Fridley Community Center through April 15. Appointments can be made for tax assistance on Monday evenings. Mr. Kirk stated that the weather has had a significant impact on the winter programs this year. We are dependent upon the public school facilities to run many of the programs. When the schools are closed for severe weather, the gyms and other school facilities are not available for our programs. With the many school closing this year, there have been a lot of adjustments to the program schedules. Mr. Kirk stated that registration has now started for the summer adult softball leagues. We have sent out flyers to local businesses promoting our athletic league opportunities. The spring/summer activities brochure is being prepared and should be mailed out to the community sometime later in the month of March. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting – March 3, 2014 Page 2 b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Kirk stated that the meeting packet included a report from Operations Manager for Streets and Parks Jeff Jensen about activity of the Park Maintenance division during the past month. The Parks Division has had a tough winter with all the snow, ice and frigid temperatures. It has been difficult to keep up with ice rink maintenance, but they really have done a very good job. c. Springbrook Nature Center Report Mr. Kirk stated that as part of the $190,000 Legacy Grant, an organization called Minnesota Native Landscapes has been removing buckthorn from about 70 acres of the nature center. The park and trails will look a lot different this year with much of the understory plant having been removed. This work will allow for more native plants to grow and thrive in the center once again. Mr. Kirk also stated that work has been progressing on the replacement of three water control weirs in the park. The existing water control structures were deteriorating and were in danger of completely failing. The new structures use vinyl sheet pilings and should last for many years. Mr. Kirk stated that the nature center staff hosted the annual volunteer appreciation event this past st Saturday, March 1. There were about 80 people that attended the event which recognizes the volunteer service over the past year. Neal Hayford was named the Volunteer of the Year. Mr. Kirk also stated that the City is working with the USDA Wildlife services to do a deer management program this month at the nature center. The goal is to remove 20 deer from the large herd in the park. d. Fridley Historical Society Event Mr. Kirk stated that the Fridley Historical Society has scheduled a special event for Tuesday, April 8, 2014. It will be a “Conversation on the History of Parks and Recreation in Fridley”. A panel of former Park and Recreation department employees will discuss the old days when the parks and programs were just beginning. The event will be at the Fridley Historical Society museum, starting at 7:00 p.m. The Commission members and the public are invited to attend. e. Springbrook Nature Center Foundation SPREE Mr. Kirk stated that the Springbrook Foundation will be holding their annual fundraiser/auction on th Saturday, March 15. It will be held at Murzyn Hall in Columbia Heights starting at 5:30 p.m. There will be a buffet dinner, cash bar, silent auction, live auction and a guest speaker named Darby Nelson. Mr. Nelson is an aquatic biologist and will talk about “the Love of Lakes”. f. City of Fridley 2013 Residential Study Mr. Kirk stated that the City hired a local market and research firm (the Morris Leatherman Company) who conducted a survey of Fridley residents. They conducted telephone interviews of 400 random households in the community to gauge information on a variety of topics related to the provision of City government services. Mr. Kirk stated that the citizens appear to be happy and content with our park facilities and services. The survey also indicated that the citizens are not inclined to spend more on improving or adding to the park facilities, including a community center. The complete survey results should be available on the city website in the next couple of weeks. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting – March 3, 2014 Page 3 g. Commission Appreciation Dinner st Mr. Kirk stated that the City will be hosting a Commission Appreciation Dinner on Monday, March 31 at the Fridley Community Center. This event is to thank the Commission members for all their good work and service to the City. Commission members will be receiving an invitation, but this item was on the agenda so commission members would save the date on their calendars. Mr. Kirk stated that he hoped all the Commission members could attend this event and be recognized for all that they do for the parks and recreation system in Fridley. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Showmobile Rental Request – City of St. Anthony Mr. Kirk stated that the City of St. Anthony has requested use of the Showmobile on August 2, 2014. They have rented the Showmobile many times in the past and there have been no problems. Staff would recommend approval of the request at the regular Showmobile rental rates, including costs for City staff to transport and set up the unit. MOTION by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to approve the Showmobile rental request by the City of St. Anthony for a rental on August 2, 2014 at the regular rental rates. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. b. Support of Anoka County Parks Riverfront/Islands of Peace Park Master Plan Amendment Mr. Kirk stated that Anoka County Parks Department has recently completed a Master Plan Amendment for Riverfront/Islands of Peace Regional Park. The Master Plan Amendment will be submitted to the Metropolitan Council for their review and approval. Anoka County Parks has requested that the Fridley City Council pass a resolution of support for the Master Plan Amendment. Mr. Kirk stated that John VonDeLinde, Anoka County Parks Director and Karen Blaska, Park Planner, were at a previous Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to explain plans that were in the works for Locke Park, Riverfront Park and Islands of Peace Park. They indicated that there were future improvements planned for Riverfront and Islands of Peace that they would be looking for Regional funds from the State to accomplish. Mr. Kirk stated that the Master Plan Amendment document has been sent to all the Fridley Parks and Recreation Commission members with this month’s agenda packet. Mr. Kondrick stated that the Commission has discussed the proposed improvements for Islands of Peace and Riverfront Parks at a previous meeting. While the plan wasn’t complete at the time it was discussed, the County staff did let the Commission know the amenities that would be added to the park. He read the Master Plan Amendment that was in the packet, but he was familiar already with improvements planned for the park. Mr. Kirk stated that if the Commission members supported the Master Plan Amendment for Riverfront/Islands of Peace Park, it would be helpful if the Commission would go on record by passing a motion of support for the Amendment and recommend that the Fridley City Council pass a resolution of support as well. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting – March 3, 2014 Page 4 Mr. Kirk further stated that what the County is doing is really to expand on the original master plan for the regional park and some new amenities. At Riverfront Park, they are looking at adding a 12-hole disc golf course, a fishing/observation deck, another 100 person capacity pavilion, some new restrooms, some additional trail connections, a maintenance facility, a larger gazebo, and an outdoor plaza area. The County is also proposing to make some modifications to the Riverfront Park entrance and add a gatehouse at some point in the future. Mr. Kirk stated that as far as Islands of Peace Park, the boundary of the park would be expanded to include some additional city land that is west of Stevenson Elementary on the bank of the river. The proposed development plan for the Islands of Peace is to reconfigure the parking lot, entrance drive and the trail system. The County would add a new picnic pavilion, restroom building and children’s playground to the park. There are also plans to add an informal canoe launch on Chases Island. Mr. Heintz asked if they are planning on tearing down a gazebo that they currently have. If they are, could we use the old one at one of our city parks? Mr. Kirk stated that their plan is to enlarge one of the gazebos and add an additional one. Mr. Ackerman asked if the City has plans to purchase parcel 2 in the Islands of Peace plan, which is identified as being privately owned at the current time. Mr. Kirk stated that the City was not planning on purchasing the parcel, but the parcel could possibly be obtained in the future with the City’s Transit Oriented Development (TOD) plan. It is possible that parcel could come to the City through the park dedication requirements. MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Ackerman to support the Anoka County Parks Riverfront/Islands of Peace Park Master Plan Amendment and to recommend that the Fridley City Council pass a resolution of support for the Amendment. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. c. Springbrook Nature Center Design Committee Mr. Kirk stated that the City of Fridley has recently entered into an agreement with Split Rock Studios for professional services to design new exhibits for the expanded interpretive center that will be part of the SPRING project. The City is optimistic that the SPRING project will be looked at favorably by the Legislature in this year’s bonding bill. The exhibits will be an extremely important component of an enlarged building and we want to be prepared with exhibit concept designs already determined. The Springbrook Nature Center Foundation will be paying for the exhibit design project. Mr. Kirk stated that Split Rock Studios will be working closely with a local design committee to develop this new exhibit plan. The design committee will be made up of City staff, Springbrook Nature Center Foundation representatives and, hopefully, a member or two of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mr. Heintz stated that he would be interested in being on the design committee. Mr. Kondrick stated that he would volunteer to be on the design committee as well. MOTION by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to have Commission members Mike Heintz and Dave Kondrick represent the Parks and Recreation Commission on the design committee to work with Split Rock Studios on new exhibits for Springbrook Nature Center. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting – March 3, 2014 Page 5 UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. d. Parks 5-Year CIP Review and Initial Planning Mr. Kirk stated that this item has been placed on the agenda to get the Commission members thinking about the needs for our park system and projects that should be included in the Parks 5-year Capital Improvement Program. Staff normally presents a recommended plan at the April or May meeting for the consideration of the Commission. The current plan is being presented to show Commission members where we currently are at and what the planned projects are for the next several years. Mr. Kirk further stated that many of the projects in the current plan are replacing outdated facilities or making improvements that will help us maintain what we have in the parks. The City needs to start thinking about replacing children’s play equipment in the parks. After twenty to twenty-five years of use, the equipment starts to need replacing. Mr. Kirk stated that he would like the Commission members to review the plan and keep thinking of projects or amenities that should be included in the plan. No action is needed on this item tonight. 3. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to adjourn the March 3, 2014 meeting at 8:22 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE MARCH 3, 2014 MEETING ADJOURNED.