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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-02-21 PRC MinutesMAPLEWOOD PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2006 MAPLEWOOD CITY HALL MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Acting Chairperson Christianson called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Present: Commissioners Rick Brandon, Craig Brannon, Don Christianson, Audrey Duellman, Peter Frank, Carolyn Peterson, (Peter Fischer arrived late) Absent: Commissioner Geskermann Staff: Bruce Anderson, Parks and Recreation Director Visitors: Mayor Diana Longrie; Ron Cockriel, Jeff Viner 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Commissioner Brannon, seconded by Commissioner Duellman, to approve the agenda as submitted. The motion passed, 6 ayes, 0 nays. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. September 19, 2005 A motion was made by Commissioner Duellman, seconded by Commissioner Frank, to approve the September 19, 2005 meeting minutes with the correction that Commissioner Christianson was in attendance and Commissioner Peterson was not in attendance. The motion passed, 6 ayes, 0 nays. b. January 17, 2006 Parks and Recreation Director Anderson requested that the commission review the minutes closely, as they will become part of the formal record for the Gladstone redevelopment process. There was a lengthy discussion by the commissioners regarding the minutes. Commissioner Frank questioned what the final prioritization was by the commission in paragraph three on page three. Commissioner Peterson indicated that she was pleased that the importance of the bebo was included in the minutes. Chairperson Fischer discussed the priority question as to whether the commission accurately prioritized them. Following a discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Duellman, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to further review the January meeting minutes and directed staff to review the meeting tapes to see if there were any additions or modifications. The January meeting minutes will be placed on the March agenda. 4. GERANIUM PARK DISCUSSION Director Anderson said that he had received a phone call from Jeff Viner, a resident in southern Maplewood living adjacent to Geranium Park. Mr. Viner outlined to him a number of issues that occurred at Geranium Park relating to loitering, noise and vandalism to both the park and his property. He indicated that he had contacted the police department on a number of occasions. Mr. Viner was present at the meeting and spoke requesting that security lighting be installed and that the site have additional police protection. He also questioned whether motion detectors would be beneficial. Commissioner Duellman said she thought security lights were beneficial and that a motion detector might be the answer. Commissioner Christianson said that he opposes the lights. Mr. Viner said he is concerned about retaliation. Staff assured him that his name would not be mentioned in any comments with the public. Following discussion, it was agreed that staff will develop a survey and mail it to the Geranium Park neighbors to determine how they feel about the need for security lighting at Geranium Park. He also said he will request the police department do additional patrolling in the area. 5. RECREATION DIVISION UPDATE Assistant to the parks and recreation director Pauline Staples distributed a report regarding recreation program offerings by the Maplewood parks and recreation department. Director Anderson said the division had recently been restructured and that Pauline, a long-term employee, was in charge of the recreation division. Ms. Staples outlined her current staff and indicated the recreation division offers year-round programs, classes, events, trips, team sports and sports clinics for youth, adults, seniors and families. She said the parks and recreation department has a reputation as a leader in the area of recreation programming, particularly in the area of youth and adult athletics. Ms. Staples distributed an extensive list of recreation program opportunities. She indicated that the priority, focus and new programs to be established in 2006 and beyond include a greater emphasis on health related programs, teen programs and 55-plus aged programs. The commission thanked Ms. Staples for her long service and tenure to the city. 6. MCC DISCUSSION Staff reviewed a memorandum that outlined capital improvement programs necessary at the community center. Mr. Anderson indicated that the city council has approved the hiring of a firm to rebuild and repair the pool slide steps. He said the project is currently underway and should be completed within the next month. He also said the MCC pool ceiling and beams need to be repainted and primed. This issue is scheduled to go before the city council on February 27. The third improvement at the MCC is the gym floor. The city is currently experiencing water infiltration and has caused the gym floor to buckle in four to six places. Staff indicated that a tour of the MCC highlighting the areas needing improvement is scheduled prior to the March commission meeting. 7. PARK PROJECTS Director Anderson distributed a memo outlining proposed park improvement projects for 2006. The proposed improvements included the following: a. Construction of the Walter Street corridor from Walter Street to Labore Road in Little Canada b. Harvest Park is scheduled for irrigation and turf improvements c. Community Center is scheduled for $250,000 to expand the fitness center. Staff indicated that we would be reviewing the status of the MCC to look at alternative projects due to projected cost overruns for the fitness center. d. Maplewood Heights tot lot will be installed by June 1, 2006. e. Applewood Park will receive two new playgrounds systems. f. Sterling Oaks Park will have new playground equipment installed. 2 g. Afton Heights Park restoration will be seeded and finalized. Staff indicated that they will be submitting a grant for artificial turf improvements for the Hazelwood soccer complex that will be reviewed with the commission in March. 8. VISITOR PRESENTATION Staff introduced Mayor Diana Longrie who indicated that interviews were being scheduled for the existing commission vacancies on Monday, February 27. There currently are four vacant commission positions and the city was fortunate to receive seven applications. Mayor Longrie indicated that the city council approved increasing P.A.C. fees to $900. She further indicated that she has spoken with staff regarding the feasibility of providing a residents' rate for nonresidents at the community center who are members for a three-year period or longer. Staff indicated they are currently reviewing the financial feasibility of this issue. She said the council will be scheduling a joint meeting with the commission in the near future. Ron Cockriel indicated to the commission that he is interested in being a part of coordinating the city's fiftieth birthday party celebration regarding bicycles. Mr. Cockriel is an avid recreational biker and would like to coordinate a program called "Pedal Our Parks" or "Pedal Our Preserves." Staff thought it was a wonderful idea and indicated that we would be in touch with him. Representatives of Maplewood Athletic Association joined the commission meeting and said they would like to see improvements or modifications made to existing parks. The proposed improvements were to have dugouts installed at Gladstone school along with a higher backstop as there were many lost foul balls. They said they would like the Edgerton fields expanded and modified to accommodate 75-foot fields. Staff indicated that Harvest Park is scheduled for turf renovation and irrigation in 2006 and that he would work with M.A.A. to make the necessary requested improvements. 8. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS Commissioners Brannon, Frank, and Duellman had no comments. Commissioner Brandon asked when the art sculpture committee would be meeting again. Staff responded that a meeting will be scheduled within the next month. Commissioner Christianson asked the status of Sandy Lake. Staff responded that city of St. Paul and Ramsey County have backed away from the soccer field project and the site is currently being filled. Commissioner Peterson said she will be attending a Legislative hearing on the Bruentrup Farm on Wednesday, March 22. Commissioner Fischer requested information regarding Earth Day and the city clean up day. He also recognized that the deer removal program was successful. He asked the status of sculptures at the sculpture park. Staff responded that he has contacted a number of service organizations to have sculptures installed, but at this time no final dollar commitments have been completed. 9. DIRECTOR'S REPORT Director Anderson reviewed the February monthly update report and indicated that the Afton Heights Park restoration went well and that the staff reorganization process is in place. He further indicated that recreation brochures are being distributed on a six-month basis with three of them going directly to the schools. 10. ADJOURNMENT A motion was ma�Commissioner Fischer, seconded by Commissioner Brannon, to adjourn the Meeting at 9:56 p yes all. Director of Paid and Rhcreation kph /0221.06. m i n. co m m 4