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PRM 04/10/2000 CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – APRIL 10, 2000 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Kondrick called the April 10, 2000 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Dave Kondrick, Marcy Sibell, Tim Solberg, Dick Young Others Present: Jack Kirk, Director of Recreation & Natural Resources Dave Lindquist, Park Maintenance Supervisor Barbara Dacy, Community Development Director APPROVAL OF MARCH 6, 2000 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Solberg to approve the minutes of the April 10, 2000 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR APRIL 10, 2000 Chairperson Kondrick suggested moving item 3a (Parks, Trails and Open Space Chapter – Comprehensive Plan) to the first item on the agenda. MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Mr. Young, to approve the agenda for the April 10, 2000 meeting with Parks, Trails and Open Space Chapter – Comprehensive Plan being the first item of business. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 1. STAFF REPORT a. Program Update Mr. Kirk called attention to the two donations received from Wal Mart -- one $5000 donation for the Senior Program to purchase and install cabinets in the craft room at the Community Center and one $6,870 donation for Springbrook Nature Center to use toward their Environmental Education Curriculum. He also pointed out that the Fridley Lions Club donated $1,400 to the Senior Program for copying and other operating costs. th Mr. Kirk also called attention to the Senior Program Mardi Gras Party on March 7, which attracted 120 participants. Mr. Kirk pointed out that the Recreation office staff are currently reserving park shelters, garden plots and softball fields for teams in our adult leagues. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - April 10, 2000 Page 2 b. Park Maintenance Report Mr. Lindquist stated that all the ice rinks have been taken down and the parks have been cleaned up after the winter. Staff are currently preparing the parks for spring and summer activities. He stated that they have rebuilt the infields at Commons Park already. Mr. Lindquist also informed the commission of upcoming projects including plans to replace the backstop fences at Commons fields #2 and #3, and installing a backstop fence at the Locke Park soccer field. He also noted that the irrigation systems will be turned on in about a week. Ms. Sibell asked about upgrades for our bleachers. Mr. Kirk and Mr. Lindquist explained that our bleachers were upgraded last year by adding sides and backs to them. Mr. Kondrick inquired about vandalism on play equipment. He suggested inquiring on ease of removal of graffiti for future purchases. Mr. Young inquired on that status of the skating rink at Moore Lake. Mr. Kirk explained that it would be removed due to low usage. Ms. Sibell asked if the school has been approached regarding the use of the track facility for additional ice rinks. Mr. Kirk stated that he had been in contact with School District personnel. Commission Members Re-appointments – Dave Kondrick, Marcy Sibell c. Mr. Kondrick announced that he and Ms. Sibell have been re-appointed to the commission for another three years (expiring April 1, 2003). Council / Commission Survey and Meeting with the City Council d. Mr. Kirk stated that the City Council/Commission surveys will be the topic of discussion at the st May 1 Commission meeting. This will be an opportunity for the Commission members and City Council to address the issues that were raised in the questions related to the Parks and Recreation services area of the survey. He will distribute the commission results prior to the May meeting. Following the discussion with City Council the Parks and Recreation Commission will handle any regular business items for the May commission meeting. 2. NEW BUSINESS a.Election of Officers The Commission elected a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson. MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Sibell to maintain Dave Kondrick as Chairperson and Dick Young as Vice-Chairperson. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - April 10, 2000 Page 3 b. Playground Equipment Proposals Mr. Kirk explained that the bids for the 2000 playground equipment upgrades were opened on thth Wednesday, March 22, 2000. A public viewing of the submittals was held March 27 and 28 for residents of these park areas to offer their input on which equipment they would prefer. These residents were also given an opportunity to be involved with the choosing of the color scheme of the equipment. Three companies submitted proposals this year for six playground sites. The locations for the play equipment this year include Community Park, Creekridge Park, Flanery Park, Jubilee Park and Locke Park. Staff recommendation is to award Flanagan Sales (Little Tykes equipment) the projects for Community Park, Flanery Park, Jubilee Park and Locke Park. Mr. Kirk noted that Flanagan offered a $1,000 discount, which he would like to use toward the purchase of extra equipment. The staff recommendation for Creekridge Park is to award the project to Minnesota/Wisconsin Playground, Inc. (Game Time equipment). MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Sibell to concur with the staff recommendation of playground equipment providers. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. c. Showmobile Rental Request – City of Blaine Mr. Kirk stated that a request to rent the showmobile has been received from the City of Blaine th for their Blazin’ 4 of July celebration. The showmobile is available and staff recommends that we rent the showmobile to the City of Blaine. MOTION by Mr. Solberg, seconded by Ms. Sibell to concur with the staff recommendation to rent the showmobile to the City of Blaine in July. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. d. Sand Dunes Boardwalk Petition Mr. Kirk distributed copies of petitions (186 signatures) to the Commission requesting replacement of the Sand Dunes’ boardwalk. Mr. Kirk reminded the commission members that at the 1999 Capital Improvement Budget session, the Commission’s recommendation that went to City Council had a replacement boardwalk scheduled for this year, and the replacement of the fence scheduled for 2001. Mr. Kirk explained that when the City Council felt that budget adjustments were necessary they decided not to replace the boardwalk. Mr. Kirk referenced the City Council/Commission survey regarding the Sand Dunes issue. He stated that the City Council results showed little support for the replacement of the boardwalk and the Parks & Recreation Commission rated the replacement of the boardwalk fairly high (3.2 out of possible 5). He also noted that the Youth Council and Human Resources Commission rated the replacement of the boardwalk quite high. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - April 10, 2000 Page 4 Mr. Kirk also referenced the most recent Citizen Survey, which asked families “Do you or members of your household use the Sand Dunes nature area along West Moore Lake Drive near the High School?” He explained that 22% of the respondents said that they use the Sand Dunes. The next question on the survey asked, “Should the City spend an estimated $60,000 to replace the fence and boardwalk in this area?” Thirty-eight percent of the respondents said “no” and 25% said “yes”. MOTION by Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Solberg to accept the petition of names on behalf of replacement of the boardwalk at the Sand Dunes Park as well as the letter from Don Savekoul expressing his point of view with 186 signatures regarding the Sand Dunes Park. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. Discussion continued after the acceptance of the documents. Mr. Solberg questioned a statement made in the petition regarding donations made to the City for the Sand Dunes park. Mr. Kirk stated that Mr. Savelkoul has been donating dollars to the City, but they were not directly allocated to the boardwalk system, but to the general upkeep and maintenance of the Sand Dunes. Mr. Young stated he felt there was two options for the trail at the Sand Dunes: 1) blacktop it so it meets ADA requirements, and 2) turn it into a woodchip trail. Mr. Young questioned the purchase of a fence for this area. Mr. Kirk explained that it defines the park entrance areas so park users do not walk over certain plant life and enter the park at designated points. Mr. Young suggested that the ADA factor should be used to lay an asphalt pathway. st The Commission would like to talk further on this matter with the City Council at the May 1 meeting. 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Parks, Trails and Open Space Chapter – Comprehensive Plan Ms. Dacy reviewed the revised Parks and Recreation Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan and explained the priorities. First Priorities  th 85 Avenue east/west connector  East/West path to new Medtronic campus  th Path leading to the proposed commuter rail site from 57 Avenue to the west side of Main Street  thrd A north/south link from Rice Creek along 7 Street to 53 Avenue Second Priorities  st Path from Manomin Park to 61 Avenue along East River Road  thstrd Sidewalk along west side of 5 Street between 61 and 63  Bike lane south of 694 on Matterhorn Drive Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - April 10, 2000 Page 5 Mr. Young pointed out that bikeways do not have to be maintained, but walkways do. He inquired as to what these paths were going to be. Mr. Lindquist also addressed the maintenance needs of these paths (city and county) and the financial increase for upkeep. Mr. Young inquired as to why the City maintains the off-street paths in the city when other cities such as Minneapolis require the homeowners to provide the maintenance. Mr. Kirk mentioned that he felt the push for winter maintenance would continue to grow, and agrees that it should be coordinated with the county. Mr. Solberg inquired as to where this falls in the 5-Year Parks Capital Improvement Program. Mr. Kirk explained that these bikeways/walkways are more of a wish list for the future as dollars are available. MOTION by Ms. Sibell, seconded by Mr. Young to accept the Parks, Trails and Open Space Chapter Draft of the Comprehensive Plan. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON KONDRICK DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. b. Parks 5-Year Capital Improvement Program Mr. Kirk reviewed a copy of the staff recommendation for the 5-Year Parks Capital Improvement Program and asked the Commission to consider projects that should be placed in the fifth year of the new 5-year plan. Mr. Kirk explained the changes in the plan from last year. 2000  The replacement of the boardwalk at the Sand Dunes Park has been placed on hold by City Council. 2001  $20,000 was removed for the Sand Dunes fence replacement.  Moved the Springbrook Nature Center outdoor overlook ($30,000) to 2002.  A ballfield drainage system at Community Park has been added ($42,500) – part one of a two-year project. Mr. Young suggested starting with one field to see if it works. He also suggested contacting the County Ag Department to see if they had any suggestions.  An overlay for the Farr Lake Park trail was added ($15,000).  The in-line skating facility remains in the budget, but Mr. Kirk stated that it received very little support from City Council or the Parks & Recreation Commission on the recent survey. 2002  Springbrook Nature Center trail overlay has been removed. This project was completed in 1999.  The Springbrook Nature Center outdoor overlook was added ($30,000).  The second-half of the ballfield drainage system was added ($42,500). Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - April 10, 2000 Page 6 2003  Added fencing repairs ($20,000)  Community Center gymnasium funding was added ($100,000). Mr. Kirk stated that this item was added based upon the recent City Council/Parks & Recreation Commission survey results. The City Council response favored saving dollars and the Commission response was “Use reserves to build it” (2), and “Don’t build this at the expense of other park capital improvement items, build it using outside funds”(3). As a start for this project, $455,000 has been budgeted throughout three years to save for this estimated $1,500,000 project. 2004  Removed picnic shelter at Innsbruck Park ($45,000), but kept the trail upgrades ($20,000).  Added Little League field upgrades ($20,000). Mr. Kirk explained the Little League directors would like to see this item moved up earlier than 2004. Fencing needs to be replaced and the dugouts are going to need repair/replacement. Mr. Kirk also noted that the dugouts have been a cause of concern by the Police Department due to youth hanging out in them. 2005  Community Center gymnasium funding ($225,000).  Court surfacing ($35,000)  Park Furnishings ($6,500) Mr. Kirk noted that the Madsen Park warming house is listed under “Other Projects”. If it were to be included, he would change it from a warming house to a park shelter. There was discussion on the importance of an in-line skating facility. Mr. Young questioned the popularity and use of such a facility. Ms. Sibell suggested that a skateboard park might be a more popular facility. Mr Kirk explained that if a jump is less than 3 feet high you don’t need to have it supervised and it doesn’t increase your insurance cost. A facility of this type could work for both in-line skating and skateboarding. Mr. Solberg would like to get youth feedback regarding an in-line/skateboard area within the City. Mr. Kirk stated that the Youth Council is currently in the process of doing a survey. Mr. Solberg would like to see the Little League Field Upgrades moved from 2004 to 2001 with the Sand Dunes boardwalk replacement included and move the in-line skating facility to 2002 (in combination with a skateboard facility) to 2002. Mr. Kondrick expressed concern about the gymnasium project being paid out of the Parks budget. He stated he would like to see the dollars for the gymnasium either be reduced or removed from the budget. Mr. Young suggested approaching a contractor to build the gym and the City lease it and also expressed a concern regarding parking at the Community Center with a new gymnasium. Commission members agreed that the gymnasium is a worthwhile project, but do not believe it should be paid for out of the Parks Capital Improvement budget. Commission would like to review the last three years of the plan after they have met with City Council in May. They would also like to discuss maintenance of the bikeway/walkway system versus maintenance of ice rinks. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - April 10, 2000 Page 7 ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Mr. Solberg to adjourn the April 10, 2000 meeting at 10:02 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, VICE-CHAIRPERSON YOUNG DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE APRIL 10, 2000 MEETING ADJOURNED.