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PRM 04/03/17 CITY OF FRIDLEY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – APRIL 3, 2017 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Heintz called the April 3, 2017 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Mike Heintz, Michele Barrett, Shanna Larson Others Present: Jack Kirk, Parks and Recreation Director APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 13, 2017 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Ms. Larson, seconded by Ms. Barrett to approve the minutes of the February 13, 2017 meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR APRIL 3, 2017 MOTION by Ms. Barrett, seconded by Ms. Larson, to approve the agenda for the April 3, 2017 meeting as submitted by staff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. 1. STAFF REPORT a. Program Update Mr. Kirk stated that the Program Update includes information on programs and activities during the past month. Springbrook held the annual Spring Spree. They took in $17,000 this year and had approximately 180 people attend. th Mr. Kirk stated that on March 5 a group of 22 volunteers gathered to band birds. The volunteers were able to band over 75 birds. Mr. Kirk stated that the Springbrook Interpretive Center won a Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association award of Excellence in the Parks and Facility category. Members from MRPA will be presenting the award at an upcoming City Council meeting. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting – April 3, 2017 Page 2 st Mr. Kirk stated that the Recreation Department held interviews on Saturday April 1 for summer leader positions. He stated that Margo was very pleased with the applicants. th Mr. Kirk stated that Cleve and Margo attended a youth sports meeting on March 27. The school district and FYSA also attended. The meeting was to improve communication between all Fridley sports. Mr. Kirk pointed out that the Senior Center had another successful Mardi Gras event. They had over 100 people attend. Mr. Kirk stated that the tax appointments have been very busy at the Senior Center. He stated that Connie said they have lines of people waiting. 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. During the month of March the Parks Division has been in a transition time. They are focusing on cleaning up the parks and getting them ready for summer sports and activities. Mr. Kirk further stated that he spoke with Craig Andresea and received an update on the Habitat restoration at the Sand Dunes. They are removing all non-native trees, and our maintenance staff will haul them away. The next step for the habitat is to do a controlled burn. They will burn 1/3 of the habitat starting in early May. This summer they will be removing the buckthorn, and all of this is being done at no cost to the City. c. Springbrook Nature Center Report Mr. Kirk stated that construction on phase 2 has begun. Phase 2 includes the nature based children’s play area and the amphitheater. The target completion date to have the amphitheater and first part of the th children’s play area is June 30. Mr. Kirk stated that Financial One Credit Union has committed to sponsoring a new sign at the Nature Center. They are donating $50,000 over a 5 year period. We have received the first two installments from them totaling $20,000. The sign will cost about $40,000. Mr. Kirk stated that after looking at the Springbrook project budget they were able to replace the 30 year old windows in the exhibit area at Springbrook. Now all windows are brand new and have bird safe glass. Mr. Kirk also stated that U.S Bank has a grant program called Places to Play. We have applied for a grant in the amount of $25,000. The SNC Foundation and staff members put together an application and found out that they were chosen for a site visit. The representatives from U.S Bank came out to Springbrook and they seemed very intrigued by such a unique playground. We will find out in early May if our site was chosen. d. Commission Appreciation Dinner Mr. Kirk asked if everyone received the invitation to the Commission Appreciation Dinner. He also stated that RSVPs are to be sent to Roberta Collins in the City Manager’s Office. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting – April 3, 2017 Page 3 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Election of Officers Mr. Kirk stated that the Parks and Recreation Commission elects a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson for the Commission each April. The Chairperson presides over the meetings of the Parks and Recreation Commission and serves as a member of the City’s Planning Commission. The Vice-Chairperson acts as Chairperson when the Chair is absent. Ms. Larson nominated Mike Heintz for Chairperson. There were no other nominations for Chairperson. Mr. Heintz asked for a vote of all members present and all voted yes to support Mike Heintz for Chairperson. Ms. Larson nominated Greg Ackerman for Vice-Chairperson. There were no other nominations for Vice-Chairperson. Mr. Heintz asked for a vote of all member present and all voted yes to support Greg Ackerman for Vice- Chairperson. b. Stevenson Elementary School Playground Request Mr. Kirk stated that he met with Stevenson Elementary Principal Daryl Vossler, Dennis Craft and Jeff Jenson to discuss possible places to put new soccer fields. The Principal stated that a lot of the kids at the school play soccer. They discussed that a field at that location would benefit the school and the Recreation Department would be able to use the field for summer activities. They are moving forward with this option. Mr. Kirk further stated that Stevenson Elementary will also be doing renovations to their parking lot. That will require them to move some of the playground equipment. At that time they would also like to add more playground equipment and asked Mr. Kirk if the Recreation Department would contribute toward the new equipment. The school district is contributing $40,000 and they are looking for an additional $25,000. Mr. Kirk stated that we have about $40,000 available in the CIP this year to make improvements in the parks. He also stated that he supports the donation because it serves as a neighborhood park. Mr. Heintz asked if the money would be used for installation. Mr. Kirk stated that it was for purchasing and that they had the installation process figured out. Mr. Heintz asked if any parks need repairs this year. Mr. Kirk stated that Moore Lake needs new play equipment, but the CIP plan shows we put $150,000 for next year (2018) for a complete new playground installation. Mr. Heintz asked if the $30,000 remaining in the CIP this year was for any construction at Moore Lake. Mr. Kirk stated that the remaining money would not be put towards Moore Lake. Mr. Heintz asked if this will cause any problems or short us for this year in our park system. Mr. Kirk stated that he didn’t think it would. He also spoke with Jeff Jenson and Jeff felt it was something we could do. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting – April 3, 2017 Page 4 Mr. Kirk stated that he thought the donation of $10,000 from the City was a good deal. It would provide the school grounds with play equipment. The school playground serves this area as a neighborhood park. Hr. Heintz stated that he thought the donation would also keep the Recreation Department in good standings with Stevenson. Ms. Larson stated that she believes the park is heavily used. Mr. Kirk recommended that we move forward with contributing to the Stevenson School Project. With using $10,000 of the $40,000 available in the 2017 park CIP. That will leave $30,000 left in the Park CIP for play equipment. Mr. Heintz stated that he didn’t have a problem with contributing the money. He stated that it was helping to make a big improvement at a low cost. Mr. Kirk stated that it was a total of $70,000 worth of improvements and our contribution would be $10,000. The Stevenson PTO and Lions Club are also making donations. Motion by Ms. Barrett, seconded by Ms. Larson, to approve giving Stevenson Elementary $10,000 out of our 2017 CIP to use towards improvement of the playground. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED c. Parks 5-Year CIP Mr. Kirk stated that he wanted to introduce the Parks 5- year CIP. Ms. Larson and Mr. Heintz recommended to table the discussion until next month when Mr. Ackerman and Mr. Kondrick will be present. Mr. Kirk wanted to mention a few things about the Park CIP Mr. Kirk stated that there is $32,000 allocated for court surfacing that they plan on using this year. As well as $12,000 for park furnishings for purchasing benches, tables and grills. Mr. Kirk stated that they took the $90,000 for the parking lot at Moore Lake and added it to next year’s budget. Mr. Kirk further stated that they are removing the Security Camera section from the Park CIP. He stated that they installed cameras at Springbrook, but don’t have a need for them at other locations at this time. The $30,000 will be spent in other ways. Mr. Kirk stated that Playground Equipment section has $80,000 for this year. They decided to only use $40,000 this year and move the remaining $40,000 into next year. Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting – April 3, 2017 Page 5 Mr. Kirk stated that next year at Moore Lake they will be doing the parking lot and a play structure. Then the maintenance staff will be able to move the sand volleyball court to the beach area. MOTION by Ms. Larson, seconded by Ms. Barrett, to table the approval of the CIP until the May meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED. d. 2017 Fall Athletic Fees Mr. Kirk stated that we are trying to stay competitive with other cities and keep registrations up. The staff has recommended we keep the fall athletic fees the same. MOTION by Ms. Barrett, seconded by Ms. Larson, to accept the athletic fees for adult fall leagues as recommended by staff. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED 3. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Ms. Barrett, seconded by Ms. Larson, to adjourn the April 3, 2017 meeting at 7:46 p.m. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE APRIL 3, 2017 MEETING ADJOURNED.