PRM 12/4/17
CITY OF FRIDLEY
PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – December 4, 2017
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Heintz called the December 4, 2017 Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting to order
at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Greg Ackerman, EB Graham, Mike Heintz, Dave Kondrick, Shanna Larson
Others Present: Jack Kirk, Director of Parks and Recreation
Cleve McCoy, Recreation Supervisor
Tim Solberg-1654 Kristin Court NE
APPROVAL OF November 6, 2017 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES
MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Larson, to approve the minutes of the November 6, 2017
meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
APPROVAL OF PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION AGENDA FOR December 4, 2017
MOTION by Mr. Kondrick, seconded by Ms. Larson, to approve the agenda for the December 4,
2017 meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED.
1. STAFF REPORT
a. Program Update
Mr. McCoy stated that the Program Update was included in the agenda packet to provide
information on the Parks and Recreation Department programs in the past month.
Mr. McCoy stated that the first Discovery Dinner at the Springbrook Nature Center was held
th.
on November 4J. Drake Hamilton spoke about Minnesota’s leadership on wind and solar
energy.
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Mr. McCoy further stated that November 10 and 17 were school-out days for the Fridley
school district. Field trips to the Bowling Alley and Mad Science were offered.
Mr. McCoy stated that 200 people attended the Veteran’s Day program at the Senior Center.
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - December 4, 2017 Page 2
b. Park Maintenance Report
Mr. Kirk stated that a December Parks Maintenance Report from Operations Manager Jeff
Jensen has been included in the meeting information. The workers have completed the fall
cleanup work and winterizing of the park facilities. They are now focused on skating season
and ice rink preparation.
c.Springbrook Nature Center Report
Mr. Kirk stated that Mike Maher provided a written report for the Commission that is in the
agenda packet. The Springbrook Nature Center received a $7,500 grant from Xcel Energy for
a new exhibit on water. The exhibit will focus on where drinking water comes from, water
pollution and reducing plastic water bottle waste.
Mr. Kirk stated that the Springbrook Nature Center hosted the Minnesota Chapter of the
th
Association of Nature Center Administrators on Monday, November 20. 40 nature center
leaders from across the state attended.
Mr. Kondrick stated that the last bullet point on the memorandum was about treating e-coli at
Springbrook. Mr. Kondrick questioned the source of the e-coli.
Mr. Kirk stated that Springbrook gets a lot of water run-off. They are confident the e-coli is not
from Springbrook, and they are trying to treat it.
Mr. Kirk stated that Phase 1 of the Springbrook Nature Center Project has been closed. Phase
1 is the part of the SPRING Project that featured the new and remodeled Interpretive Building.
2. NEW BUSINESS
a. Review Draft of Parks and Trails Chapter of Comprehensive Plan
Mr. Kirk stated that the draft of the Parks and Trails Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan that
was included in the agenda packet is how the final copy of the Parks and Trails section will be
proposed.
Mr. Kirk further stated that the commission is still able to make changes after tonight.
Mr. Kirk asked if the commission had anything to add or change under the Trends section.
Mr. Ackerman stated that one of the Commissions initiatives is to update Moore Lake, and if
the funds become available they would like to install a splash pad.
Mr. Kirk stated that the splash pad feature might have to be paid for by a local sponsor.
Mr. Solberg stated that the outdoor ninja fitness parks are becoming popular, and asked if the
commission had thought about adding those features to a park in Fridley.
Ms. Larson stated that she would support a ninja park in Fridley.
Mr. McCoy stated that the ninja parks are for adults and children.
Mr. Ackerman stated that there are several parks that need updates to playground equipment,
and that should be the priority.
Mr. Kirk stated that he would encourage the Commission as they replace equipment to put in
more adventurous type play features.
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - December 4, 2017 Page 3
Mr. Kondrick asked what the City would like the commission to do with the draft.
Mr. Kirk stated that the city is looking for your input on the Trends, Goals, Policy and Action
Plan. Mr. Kirk asked the Commission if they found anything that they would change.
Mr. Ackerman asked if shelter number 4 at Moore Lake was going to be relocated.
Mr. Kirk stated that shelter number 4 at Moore Lake will be removed.
Ms. Larson stated that the play equipment at Ed Wilmes Park is boarded up and broken.
Mr. Kirk stated that he will talk to Jeff Jensen, and if the equipment isn’t safe then it will be
removed.
Mr. Kirk further stated that if the equipment is taken out then the Commission could look at
moving Ed Wilmes park up on the replacement list.
MOTION by Ms. Graham, seconded by Mr. Ackerman to approve the Draft of Parks and Trails
Chapter of Comprehensive Plan.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Mr. Ackerman, seconded by Ms. Larson to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL MEMBERS VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON HEINTZ DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED AND THE DECEMBER 4, 2017 MEETING ADJOURNED.