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PRM 11/04/2011 CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – NOVEMBER 4, 2013 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Solberg called the November 4, 2013 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Tim Solberg, Greg Ackerman, Michele Barrett, Mike Heintz, and Dave Kondrick Others Present: Jack Kirk, Director of Parks and Recreation APPROVAL OF September 9, 2013 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Ackerman, to approve the minutes of the September 9, 2013 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER 4, 2011 MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to approve the agenda for the November 7, 2011 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 the program Update is included in the Commission packet to provide information on programs and activities that have occurred during the past month. There were Halloween parties at the two Fridley elementary schools with a 150 attending the one at Hayes Elementary and 135 attending the one at Stevenson Elementary. During MEA, the Recreation staff had field trips for the elementary age students to such places as Afton Apple Orchard, Silverwood Park and Nickelodeon Universe. Mr. Kirk stated that the Senior Program had its annual pie social in September to kick off the fall programming and good attendance of 110 seniors. An interesting program that the Senior Center runs is called Great Decisions, which is a discussion group on world interest issues. The latest program focusing on the events in Egypt had 23 seniors participating. The ENCORE program had its first program of the fall with photographer Don Ohman showing pictures and telling about byways of Minnesota. Mr. Kirk stated that the Fall Softball program ended in mid-September and the 4 person passing football league just ended last week to wrap up the fall sports leagues. Registration is underway for the winter basketball, volleyball, boot hockey and broomball leagues. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting – November 7, 2011 Page 2 Mr. Kirk further stated that middle school students are actively learning from our Springbrook Nature Center staff through our Environmental Education program that is part of the District 14 th school curriculum. 6 grade students recently made a field trip to Springbrook to learn about solar energy. b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Kirk stated that Operations Manager for Parks and Streets Jeff Jensen has provided a parks maintenance report for activity in September and October. The workers have been busy with fall clean up activity and with preparation for the winter programs. c. Springbrook Nature Center Report Mr. Kirk stated that the Kalwall roof over the exhibit area of the Springbrook Nature Center is in the process of being replaced with a new roof. We expect that the installation will take about one week. There is a striking difference between the new opaque roof and the old, stained and faded roof that is being replaced. Mr. Kirk further stated that the Nature Center staff has announced a new program for 2014, which will be a series of Discovery Dinners. The program will feature a one hour nature related presentation and a casual catered meal. Programs already booked for the initial series include a live animal presentation by the Minnesota Raptor Center and Adam Lindquist’s portrayal of Teddy Roosevelt, our “Conservation President”. Mr. Kirk stated that the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation is working closely with the City to move forward on plans for design of Phase 1 of the SPRING project and a concept plan for exhibits in the expanded interpretive center. These projects will be worked on over the next several months. d. Letter from Councilmember Dolores Varichak Mr. Kirk stated that the agenda packet includes a letter from Councilmember Dolores Varichak thanking the Commission for keeping a skating rink at the Briardale Park location. She states in the letter that Briardale Park gets a lot of use. e. Get Fit Fridley f. Pumpkin Night in the Park 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Proposed 2014 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Schedule Mr. Kirk stated that the City of St. Anthony has requested use of the Showmobile for a concert on August 4, 2012. Staff would recommend approval of this request at the regular rental rate of $800 per day, plus staff costs for transportation and set up. Mr. Kondrick asked if we had rented to them in the past and if there were any problems. Mr. Kirk stated that we have rented to the City of St. Anthony and there have not been problems. Mr. Heintz suggested that we consider requiring the renters of the Showmobile to provide an insurance policy in the name of the City of Fridley to cover any repairs or possible replacement of the vehicle if it were damaged. Mr. Kirk stated that we do require a damage deposit of $800 per use, but that is a relatively small amount if there was considerable damage to the unit. Mr. Kondrick suggested that we notify the major businesses in our community that we have a Showmobile that is available for rent for concerts and events. The City may be able to make a few dollars on these rentals. Mr. Kirk stated that we could certainly look at doing that. MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to approve the Showmobile rental request by the City of St. Anthony for August 4, 2012. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting – November 7, 2011 Page 3 b. 2014 Adult Softball League Fees Mr. Kirk stated that he recently received some information from Anoka County about adding Manomin Park to the official regional trail corridor. To complete this process the County must file an amendment to the Rice Creek Regional Trail Master Plan including this park. They are asking the City of Fridley to review this draft amendment and to make comments if desired. Mr. Kirk further stated that as part of the regional park system, the park would be eligible for funding through the Metropolitan Council. Mr. Kirk stated that Anoka County Parks will be conducting an open house meeting to receive comments from the public on the proposed amendment. The meeting will be held at the nd Banfill Locke Center for the Arts on Tuesday, November 22 between 5pm and 7pm. Residents near the park will be notified of the meeting by mail. Any comments received at the meeting will be incorporated into the final Master Plan Amendment. Mr. Kirk stated that he has read through the proposed master plan amendment and it looked good to him. He is supportive of the park being part of the regional trail corridor. Mr. Kondrick stated that he sees no problem with the draft amendment. He read through this and it is fine with him. The improvements planned for this park will be an asset for the City of Fridley and the park system available for our residents. Mr. Kirk invited the Commission members to attend the open house if they are interested. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to adjourn the November 4, 2013 meeting at 8:05 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SOLBERG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE NOVEMBER 4, 2013 MEETING ADJOURNED.