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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember MinutesMinutes ______________________________ City of Falcon Heights, Park and Recreation Commission Meeting September 13, 2004 7:00 PM _____________________________ Meeting Chair: Chuck Long Minutes By: Ann Davy Present: Patrick Dolan, Jim Evans, Chuck Long, Laura Kuettel, Kimberly Kuhens Ann Davy Excused Absence: Denise Deen Meeting called to order 7:00 PM Approval of minutes August 9, 2004 Approval of agenda Staff Report Curtiss Field Update Greg Hoag introduced himself as the Public Works Director. Coming into his new job, many projects were well underway and he is working to learn the specifics of each project. As for Curtiss Field, Hoag explained that construction of the gazebo started on Friday and continued today. The majority of the trees and shrubs have been planted. Some of the trees and shrubs will need to be replanted and repositioned once the gazebo is in place to protect the area from the wind. The grass area survived the fair traffic. All seeding has been completed in this area. Hoag said he is looking for an adapter to fit the fire hydrant which is needed to water the seed. Davy mentioned that two companies were contacted to bid on the surfacing of the basketball court, Court Surfaces & Repair and C & H Court Surfaces. Court Surfaces & Repair came in with a quote $300 less than C & H Court Surfaces. Therefore, Court Surfaces & Repair was contacted to take on the project. The company also quoted the resurfacing of the Community Park basketball and tennis courts and the Grove basketball court. Both of those projects will not be completed this year, but most likely next year. Evans inquired about the water in the pond. Hoag said that J. Bros. had a meeting on Friday to discuss the water level. They realize that there is a problem, but as of yet they do not know how to resolve it. Evans suggested that maybe the pond should be fixed before the basketball court is painted. Long agreed that the problem with the pond should be solved before any money goes into the basketball court. Kuettel added that the point of the Curtiss Field project was to eliminate flooding and the neighbors are concerned that there is standing water in the pond. Hoag stated that HR Green is leaning on J Bros. to get the problem solved and the City is leaning on HR Green. Kuettel suggested the Park Commission make a recommendation to the City Council that the basketball court project be put on hold until the pond is fixed. Hoag stated that the basketball court won’t get much use the rest of the year anyway, so it would be no problem to hold off on the project. Kuhens asked if the drainage of the pond was the main problem. Dolan said that there is permeable soil underneath a layer of muck. Kuettel stated that the pond should be dry except immediately after rain. All this money was put into the project and the pond is not doing what it should be at this time. Kuettel joined the meeting late, after the approval of the August 9, 2004, minutes. She pointed out a spelling error in the minutes – “though” should be “thought.” Davy showed pictures of the new signs that are being made for Curtiss Field. The signs were ordered on September 1, 2004. Carol Kriegler thought it would take approximately one month to get the materials in and the signs made. Three signs were ordered - 2 smaller signs for the walking entrances and 1 larger sign for the main entrance. Davy passed around pictures that Bill Maertz had left to be enlarged for the inside of the Curtiss Field shelter. Falcon Heights Elementary School Hockey Rink Worthington, Hoag and Davy met with the principal of the school, Paul Charest, to discuss placing a hockey rink at the school this winter. Hoag explained the potential placement of the rinks. Kuettel mentioned that the middle of the field was flat. Hoag stated that in order to minimize damage to the grass, the majority of the rink should go on the baseball field. Hoag said the City is in the preliminary stages of the project. The City will hold a meeting for residents in the area. Kuettel asked if Paul Charest was in favor of the project and who would get invited to the meeting. Hoag said Charest was in favor of the project, but wanted the rinks placed as close to Ruggles Ave. as possible so that there was still enough room for kids to play in the field area. Hoag stated that 300-400 houses would receive an invitation to the meeting so we can get a better idea of whether this project will sink or swim. Hoag said the main question right now is how to light the rinks. Evans suggested placing lights on the building. Hoag explained that the building is too far away. He said the best way to light a rink is to have two sets of lights on opposite ends of the rink and diagonal from each other. Light pollution is a big issue and it is best to hear the opinions of the residents in the area. A date for a community meeting was set for Thursday, September 30. Dolan asked if there is a specific number of days that a notification has to be sent out. Kuettel said it should go out ten days before the meeting date and it should be a first-class mailing. She suggested the letter should make it clear that this is an exploratory meeting. Dolan mentioned that Bill had done a study on lighting for Curtiss Field and suggested Hoag look for that information. Hoag said that with lighting and wiring, there will be some expenditure to this project. Kuettel stated that hopefully the City had thought that part through. Hoag mentioned that if anyone has ideas on placement of the rink to let him know. Long stated that it was agreed upon that the meeting would be held on Thursday, September 30, in the school cafeteria, if possible. Recreation Update The start date for Fall Soccer was pushed back a week due to low registrations. Flyers were distributed to all the schools in the area on the first day of school. The program will run for 6 weeks. No soccer will be held on Saturday, October 2, due to the emergency exercise that is scheduled at Community Park that morning. A playroom attendant is needed for the Community Playroom at Falcon Heights United Church of Christ. Flyers will be distributed to the church, library and other local businesses, as well as information posted on the web site. Kuettel suggested getting the information in the weekly flyer that goes out at the elementary school. Kuettel stated that the Junior Leaders this summer were great! Meeting ended at 7:55 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by Ann Davy. If there are any corrections or additions, please contact Ann Davy by phone at 651-917-1287 or by email at ann.davy@ci.falcon-heights.mn.us.