HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMMISSION_MINUTES_2002-11-21Park and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
November 21, 2002
Meeting Called to order: Szczepanski
Roll Call: Szczepanski, Kunz, Silvis, Long, Kroeger, Dazenski, Roepke, Gunn
Absent: Kahn, Lee
Approval of the September, 2002 minutes with correction to Question #5; make it a 2 part
question -a) & b):
Motioned: Gunn
2nd; Long
Unfinished Business:
Community Survey
Gunn stated that the committee is ready to go with what we've got. Szczepanski asked if
a professional company should provide this service? The 2003 budget has $7500 set aside
for this survey. Long asked if questions from other commissions be included. Kroeger
stated that other commissions have not approached them with their questions and suggest
that we move on with the survey. Gunn and Szczepanski agreed. Kroeger thought a
professional service would be a good idea. Szczepanski agreed. Gunn suggested that this
now be presented to the council at a work session. Let the council read it and decide to
proceed or to include other questions. They will then approve to proceed with an outside
source.
Motioned: Silvis
2nd; Gunn
Discussion: Gunn asked about a time line. Kroger proposes the 1" quarter in 2003.
Szczepanski agreed.
The motion is to bring this to a work session with the understanding that the commission
is looking for a professional survey company to actually conduct the survey. Also that
possible changes may be made to the questions by the company and/or council and to
have this completed within the 1St quarter of 2003.
Motion unanimously passed.
Skate Park
Szczepanski asked if everyone had an email that was sent out by Lee, 11-8-02? All agree
on the Groveland Park tennis court location. Szczepanski proposes an additional site and
utilizing the outside Community Center basketball court.
Mayor Rich Sonterre came to the meeting.
Sonterre stated that the council has talked about it and the Community Center makes
sense because of the lack of people that use the outside basketball courts. Dazenski,
Roepke, Gunn all disagreed. Roepke stated that they are used quite frequently. Sonterre
stated the City doesn't have a lot of tennis courts and the Community Center has a
security system. Kroeger agreed that security and safety is a good standpoint.
Gunn stated that the base is not suitable for a skate park and that $55,000 is budgeted for
the equipment. If this doesn't work out, we aren't out that much because the equipment
can be sold and the tennis courts can be utilized again. With the Community Center site a
new base would need to be put in. Kroeger asked if we could then go back to a basketball
court if it didn't work out? Dazenski stated yes.
Szczepanski asked how big of an area is the Community Center as opposed to Groveland
Park tennis courts; tennis courts have the bigger area. Should the Police Department be
on site or around at all times if this is still a concern? Gunn said that Groveland Park is
out in the open, houses are around it and the tennis courts are fenced in. Roepke stated
that the YMCA has no staff after 7pm. Dazenski said that the lights are on at Groveland
Park and are controlled by a timer and will shut off at l Opm.
Sonterre stated that the skate park should be a monitored site and what about changing
the hours at the Community Center? He also asked what other sites were visited by the
committee? Kroeger listed the sites. Sonterre stated that Shoreview and Roseville liked
having a tie to their Community Center. Coon Rapids doesn't staff and they've had
problems. Kroeger stated that his concern is about security, noise and lights.
Sonterre asked if the exit door by the basketball court could be used so there would only
be 1 access in and out of the park? Should we charge people to use it?
Dazenski asked what about bathroom calls; people will not remove their skates to go into
the Community Center. There is a satellite at Groveland Park.
Kroeger thought the neighborhood meeting should still take place.
Gunn stated that $55,000 was approved for 2003. Sonterre agreed but also said that the
Park Dedication account could be used if necessary.
Kunz stated that he does not want to take out a tennis court.
Dazenski replied that in order to use the basketball court at the Community Center, the
surface will need to be redone and that would cost approximately $18,000-20,000
because of its size. (It's uneven — a 6 inch drop.) This doesn't include the costs for
fencing, landscaping and irrigation.
Sonterre asked how many pieces does the equipment consist of? Gunn replied 7. Sonterre
said that Mounds View isn't the size of Coon Rapids, should it be smaller? Keep it at a
modest entry point and if growth is needed, so be it.
Gunn replied that is why the committee decided on this size; it's bigger than New
Brighton but not like Coon Rapids or Shoreview. Szczepanski agreed this is an entry
level size park. Dazenski said that after talking with people, these size jumps, etc, are
what they would want.
Sonterre asked Dazenksi if the Parks Department could level off the Community Center
area with blacktop? Dazenski replied yes.
Sonterre asked if it should it be monitored for safety? Coon Rapids has a sign that states
you are fully responsible if hurt, etc. What about having the users sign a liability waiver?
Have the parents of the underage users sign it and keep on file at the Community Center.
He also suggested having the users of the park to go through the lobby, past the front
desk and with the camera's, that's adequate monitoring.
Kroeger wants to abide by the decision to have a neighborhood meeting. Roepke asked if
it would include the residents of Bronson Drive too? Kroeger replied yes.
Szczepanski stated that he liked the security issue with having it close to City Hall and
Police.
Roepke stated that wherever we put it, the kids will come.
Szczepanski would like it to be centralized in the City.
The committee discussed the sizes of the proposed skate park. Kroeger stated that we
could expand it if need be at the Community Center. Dazenski replied not really, there
isn't a lot of room to expand.
Sonterre asked how long will the skate boarding fad last? Gunn replied that's why the
tennis courts at Groveland make sense because it could be put back as a tennis court.
Kroeger asked where should the skate park go?
Szczepanski suggested voting. Gunn replied we've already done that.
Sonterre stated that whether the residents of Groveland do or do not want the skate park,
the committee must make their decision on what is best for the City. In your opinion,
what would be the better recommendation for the City as a whole.
Gunn asked how close will the skate park be to the Community Center building? She
expressed concern about the graffiti and damage to the walls.
Sonterre stated that it will be televised by the camera.
Dazenski said there would be nothing to vandalize at Groveland except the fence. The
Community Center has block work and that would have to be sandblasted. He thinks
there is a great potential for grafitti on the building. Also, there is not an existing water
source, would we put in a fountain? Or should they come in the building all of the time?
Dazenski also expressed his concern about using the emergency exit. There is a reason it
is there; what does the fire code state?
Motion to abandon Groveland Park as the site for the skate park and look more seriously
at the Community Center.
Motioned: Kunz
2"d; Szczepanski
Discussion: None
Motion unanimously passed.
Followup:
Direct Staff how to maintain a secure skate park at the Community Center. What is the
building code regarding emergency exits.
Kroeger motioned to direct Staff to find out what it will take to prepare the surface for
skating. Also what it would take to provide a secure control in and out.
2nd by Szczepanski
Discussion:
Gunn would like a finding as to the impact of taking out the basketball court. Kroeger
said this could be included when talking to the neighbors.
Kroeger: Agree to amend motion.
Motion unanimously passed
Sonterre presented an "Outstanding Community Service Award" to Frank Silvis.
Sonterre left the meeting.
New Business:
Kroeger asked if there is a breakdown of costs and expenditures for the Community
Center Recreation programs, Management and Administration?
Roepke replied that he can talk with accounting and get figures.
Motion to have costs/revenue from the Community Center usage through Park and
Recreation and provide them at the next meeting.
Motion: Kroeger
2"d: Long
Discussion:
Szczepanski are you referring to the budget — the general overlay of it?
Kroeger replied yes.
Roepke said he can provide the program side of it versus the actual cost of
administration. Gunn replied that she has the budget information and she'll look through
it and she'll also talk to Charlie Hansen.
Motion unanimously passed.
Kroeger inquired on the bylaw revisions, has it been done and approved by council?
Gunn replied that Lee was suppose to present this council and he'll have to report on this
at the next meeting.
Commission Staff Reports:
Long asked if you can't attend a meeting, who should be notified? Committee agreed it
r.
should be Lee.
Request for further agenda items:
None
Neighborhood Meeting 12-19-02 at 6:30pm, City Hall.
Long motioned to adjourn:
2"d: Szczepanski
December 26, 2002 meeting canceled due to Holiday.
Next meeting will be on January 23, 2003.
Respectfully Submitted:
Tracy Juell
No December 2002 Park and Rec Meeting