Loading...
PRM 04/01/2013 CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – APRIL 1, 2013 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Solberg called the April 1, 2013 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Tim Solberg, Greg Ackerman, Mike Heintz, Michele Barrett Others Present: Jack Kirk, Director of Parks and Recreation Dave Lindquist, Parks Supervisor APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 4, 2013 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Ms. Barrett, seconded by Mr. Ackerman, to approve the minutes of the February 4, 2013 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR APRIL 1, 2013 MOTION by Mr. Heintz, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to approve the agenda for the April 1, 2013 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 1. STAFF REPORT a. Program Update Mr. Kirk stated that this Program Update was a report of the activities of the Parks and Recreation Department in the past couple of months. He wanted to call attention to the Community Theater Program and the involvement of Connie Thompson, our Senior Citizen Program Supervisor. Connie has been involved with the Community Theater since its inception several years ago and is a member of the Board of Directors. She coordinated a special night for the ENCORE program at the dinner theater in February. This was on the first night of the performances and it was a great success. Mr. Kirk stated that the update document lists many other activities going on during the recent past including the after school program, the nature center volunteer recognition, the Senior Center Mardi Gras, the winter athletic program and school out day adventures. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting – April 1, 2013 Page 2 b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Lindquist stated that they have been busy closing up the skating sites and transitioning into the spring maintenance projects. They started working on the park buildings doing clean up and painting of the facilities. Maintenance staff has been helping at the nature center this past week in preparation for the Spring Fling event that was held on Saturday. Mr. Lindquist further stated that the City had a retirement party last Friday for Garry Volk, who worked for the Parks Division for the past 39 ½ years. They have already interviewed for his replacement and have hired John Odenthal, who started with the City today. c. Springbrook Nature Center Report Mr. Kirk stated that the Springbrook Nature Center staff held a recognition event for the many volunteers who support the nature center operation during the year. Last year, 1,300+ volunteers provided over 17,000 hours of service, the most we have ever seen at Springbrook. Those volunteer hours equate to having 8 additional full-time staff working at the nature center. Mr. Kirk further stated that a bill has been introduced in the Minnesota State Legislature to provide funding for the Springbrook Nature Center SPRING project in the amount of $5 million. The Governor is supportive of some type of public works bill to keep stimulating the economy and we are hopeful that we would be included in the bonding bill, and also hopeful that the Governor would keep us in the bill. Mr. Kirk stated that the annual Spring Spree fundraiser for Springbrook Nature Center was th held on March 10 at Murzyn Hall in Columbia Heights. Over one hundred people attended the event which raised thousands of dollars for the nature center. d. Fridley ‘49er Days Mr. Kirk provided the Commission members with a preliminary schedule of activities for the Fridley 49er Days to be held the last weekend in June. The biggest change for this year is that the carnival and street dance venue will be moved to the Medtronic facility just off of Old Central Avenue. It is a nice location and will have plenty of parking available for the participants. We appreciate the willingness of Medtronic to be a partner in this year’s festivities. e. Nature Center Director Search nd Mr. Kirk stated that the original deadline for applications to be received was February 22. We did not receive the number of applications that we had expected, so the deadline was th extended to March 15. We have received 30 applications for the Director position and asked ndth 9 candidates to interview in the first round of interviews on March 22 and 25. The search has been narrowed to two finalists, who have been asked back for a second interview on th Monday, April 8. We anticipate making an offer to one of the final candidates soon after that second interview. f. Council – Commission Survey Mr. Kirk thanked the Commission members for their help with completing this valuable planning document. The City Council would like to meet with the Parks and Recreation th Commission on May 6 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the survey results. The Parks and Recreation Commission regular May meeting will take place immediately following the survey discussion with the Council. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting – April 1, 2013 Page 3 2. NEW BUSINESS a.Election of Officers Mr. Kirk stated that the Parks and Recreation Commission elect a Chairperson and Vice- Chairperson at the April meeting each year. The Chairperson presides over all Commission meetings and serves on the City’s Planning Commission. The Vice-Chairperson serves as Chairperson when the Chairperson is absent. MOTION by Ms. Barrett, seconded by Mr. Ackerman, to elect Tim Solberg as Chairperson and Mike Heintz as Vice-Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Commission for the next year. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. Mr. Kirk thanked Mr. Solberg and Mr. Heintz for being willing to serve as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson once again. b. Softball Tournament Rental Request – Fridley Covenant Church Mr. Kirk stated that Fridley Covenant Church is requesting use of the Fridley Community Park for a one day softball tournament on Saturday, July 20, 2013. Fridley Covenant has run many tournaments in past years and has always done a good job. Staff would recommend approval of the request for the one day non-profit group rental fee of $500, plus any other incidental expenses occurred by the City related to this tournament. Other fees could include the cost of portable toilet facilities or a garbage dumpster, or even additional supplies beyond what is normally provided for a softball event. MOTION by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Mr. Heintz to approve the softball tournament request from Fridley Covenant Church for a one day softball tournament at Fridley Community Park on July 20, 2013, with the normal fees and charges to apply. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. c. 2012 Adult Fall Athletic League Fees Mr. Kirk stated that he is presenting the recommended fees for the fall athletic leagues. This would include men’s softball, co-rec softball and the 4 person football leagues. Staff is recommending the same fees as in 2012. We look at our costs to operate the leagues, as well as what neighboring communities may be charging for similar programs. MOTION by Ms. Barrett, seconded by Mr. Heintz to approve the staff recommended fall athletic league fees with $375 per team for the Men’s Softball, $390 per team for the Co-Rec Softball and $70 per team for the 4 person football leagues. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. d. Resolution Recognizing Siah St. Clair’s Retirement Mr. Kirk stated that at the February Commission meeting, the members had some discussion about Siah St. Clair’s impending retirement and the desire of the Commission to have drafted a resolution commending his many years of service to the nature center and the City. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting – April 1, 2013 Page 4 Mr. Kirk further stated he has drafted such a document for the Commission to consider. Mr. Heintz stated that when he started on the Commission he had a certain view of the nature center operation and he has a completely different view today. He is supportive of the nature center and the fine programs operated by Mr. St. Clair and his staff. He wondered if there would be an opportunity to name a trail or a facility in honor of Siah with his retirement. Mr. Kirk stated that they may be able to happen at some point, especially with the many new facilities planned as part of the SPRING project. The Commission members reviewed the resolution as presented by Mr. Kirk and agreed with all of its contents. MOTION by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Ms. Barrett to approve resolution recognizing Siah St. Clair’s retirement and outstanding years of service to the City of Fridley. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. e. Parks 5-Year Capital Improvement Program Mr. Kirk stated that the Parks and Recreation recommends a 5-Year Parks Capital Improvement Program each year. The staff recommended plan is included in the meeting packet. Mr. Kirk further stated that he would like to review each year of the staff recommended plan with the Commission. Mr. Kirk stated that for next year (2014), the staff recommended plan would include some tennis and basketball court surfacing and repair, as well as replacing some of the park furnishings such as picnic tables, benches, lighting, and water fountains. It will also include the second phase of replacing the outdated irrigation system for Commons Park. The first phase is to be completed this year. The plan also includes the second phases of repairing the Springbrook Nature Center boardwalk and placing security cameras in the parks to prevent vandalism and theft. Once again, the first parts of those projects are scheduled for 2013. Mr. Kirk stated that the staff recommended plan for each of the years of the CIP is as follows: 2014  Court surfacing and overlays 30,000  Park Furnishings 10,000  Commons Park Irrigation system – phase 2 80,000  SNC Boardwalk repair 25,000  Security Cameras in the Parks 25,000 170,000 2015  Court surfacing and overlays 30,000  Park Furnishings 10,000  Playground Equipment Replacements 30,000  SNC Boardwalk Repair 25,000 95,000 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting – April 1, 2013 Page 5 2016  Court surfacing and overlays 30,000  Park Furnishings 10,000  Playground Equipment Replacements 30,000  SNC Boardwalk Repair 25,000 95,000 2017  Court surfacing and overlays 30,000  Park Furnishings 10,000  Playground Equipment Replacements 30,000  SNC Boardwalk Repair 25,000 95,000 2018  Court surfacing and overlays 40,000  Park Furnishings 10,000  Playground Equipment Replacements 60,000 110,000 Mr. Kirk stated that because revenue into the Parks fund is very minimal, this is not a very aggressive or high expenditure type of plan. It will take care of our immediate needs to keep our parks in relatively good condition. We will likely face the prospect of totally replacing more of the hard surface basketball and tennis courts in the fairly near future. Also, we need to start planning for the replacement of playground equipment in the parks. Some of the equipment is getting into the twenty to twenty-five year old range and may need some updating or total replacement soon after it reaches that many years of use. To completely replace all of the play equipment in the City park system could cost up to $1 million or more. We will have to try to extend the life of the existing play equipment and be very strategic in where we invest in new equipment. Mr. Kirk wanted to call the Commission members attention to the beginning balance of dollars in the Parks CIP fund at the start of 2013. It was at $1,985,750. With limited revenues going into the Parks fund, the balance remaining with this plan at the end of 2018 would be $1,292,255. It would be very difficult to replace all the playground equipment without some additional revenues going into the Parks fund. Mr. Kirk further stated that there are many other potential park improvements listed as other projects that will need a larger revenue source or possible grant funds in order to ever be completed. Mr. Heintz asked if we would be looking for grants to complete the playground equipment replacements. Mr. Kirk stated that we always look for grant opportunities that we may qualify for. Some grants are very limited as to what they can be used for, but we are going to keep our eyes open. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting – April 1, 2013 Page 6 Mr. Ackerman stated that he read in a survey question that the interest generated on the Parks fund balance is way down and does not produce much revenue compared to say ten years ago. Mr. Kirk stated that is accurate. The Parks fund used to generate $60,000 or more in interest alone each year and now we are getting less than $20,000. The interest and the limited park development fees generated during a year are the only revenues going into the fund. Mr. Heintz asked if the City had talked any more about selling some of the City owned lots north of Moore Lake Park. Mr. Kirk stated that they have not had any recent discussion about that. Mr. Solberg stated that in looking at the Parks 5 year CIP it is clear that the focus is on maintaining what we have and not much in the way of new items to the park system. It is unfortunate that we can’t do more, but the money available is very limited. He is supportive of the plan submitted by staff. MOTION by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Ms. Barrett to approve the Parks 5-Year Capital Improvement Program as recommended by staff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Heintz, seconded by Mr. Ackerman, to adjourn the April 1, 2013 meeting at 8:25 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE APRIL 1, 2013 MEETING ADJOURNED.