HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-06-08 PRC MINParks and Recreation Board
Minutes of June 8, 1998
Present: David Junker, Chairman, Linda Amrein, Nancy Brown, Dawn Flinn, Al Liehr,
Rob McGarry, Del Peterson, Mike Polehna, and Steve Wolff
Absent: Rich Cummings and Leah Peterson
Others: Nile L. Kriesel, City Coordinator, Tim Thomsen, Parks Director.
Mr. Junker called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
Approval of minutes: Mr. Liehr moved to approve the minutes of May 18, 1998. Mr. Peterson
noted that the minutes, under New Business, should have read: "Mr. Cummings stated stairs near
Pioneer Park are dangerous and need to be repaired;" Mr. Peterson seconded the motion to
approve minutes as corrected. All in favor.
Sports Complex: Mr. Kriesel presented the Priority Use Classification Policy and the Fee
schedule for the new sports complex. Mr. Kriesel informed the Commission that the policy and
fee schedules were very similar to that which other cities had established. The policy gives
priority to general public use such as open skating and skating lessons with ISD 834 having
second priority and the hockey (and soccer for the fieldhouse use) associations would then have
priority over other users. Mr. Kriesel also reported that the fee schedule was very comparable to
what other cities were charging.
Mr. Peterson stated that the priority use policy appeared to be in error or was confusing the way
the prime time hours and the non -prime time hours were listed. Mr. Peterson suggested that the
policy list the prime time hours and then state that non -prime time hours are "all other hours".
Mr. Polehna also questioned the fee for skate sharpening and suggested that the fees be higher.
Motion by Mr. Junker, seconded by Mr. Wolff to approve the use classification policy with the
suggested changes to the description of prime time and non -prime time hours. All in favor.
Motion by Mr. Junker, seconded by Mr. Wolff to approve the fee schedule except for skate
sharpening fees. All in favor.
Staples Field: Residents living adjacent to the Staples Field basketball courts appeared before the
Commission to request that the field not be used for basketball. The residents complained that
they have had to call the police because of the noise and profanity exhibited by the people using
the courts. The residents were also concerned that the people using the courts were affiliated with
gangs from the Twin Cities.
Motion by Mr. Junker, seconded by Mr. Liehr to have the basketball hoops removed at this time
and to have Mr. Kriesel discuss this matter with Mayor Kimble and Councilmember Eric Thole,
Ward 2 representative, and to report back to the Commission at the July 27th, 1998 meeting.
Ayes: Mr. Junker, Ms. Brown, Mr. Liehr, Mr. Peterson, and Mr. McGarry.
Nays: Ms. Amrein and Mr. Wolff.
McKusick Lake: Mr. Kriesel reported that the City Council had conducted a workshop with a
group of homeowners who were concerned about the condition of McKusick Lake. The residents
were concerned about the level of the lake and the quality of the lake. Mr. Kriesel said that the
Council had directed staff to continue to monitor the condition of the lake and to develop plans
for addressing the issues of concern.
Temporary use of Aiple property by Hockey Boosters Club for parking: Mr. Polehna reported
that the Hockey Boosters Club had requested and received approval by the City Council for the
use of the Aiple property of on July 4` and during Lumberjack Days. The Boosters would be
charging for parking ant the proceeds would be used to help pay for locker rooms at the new
sports facilities.
Amundson property: Mr. Kriesel reported that a request for rezoning the land known as the
Amundson property to allow construction of multi -family housing was denied by the City
Council at their June 2"d meeting. Mr. Kriesel recommended that the Park and Recreation
Commission revisit the idea of purchasing the property for park purposes.
Motion by Mr. Peterson, seconded by Mr. Polehna to recommend the acquisition of the
Amundson property using condemnation proceedings as a last resort.
Ayes: Mr. Junker, Ms. Amrein, Ms. Brown, Mr. Liehr, Mr. McGarry, Mr. Peterson, and
Mr. Wolff.
Nays: Ms. Flinn.
Skateboarding: Mr. Kriesel reported that the Youth Service Bureau has requested the use of the
"Gannon" parking lot for skate boarding. Action on this request was tabled until the Commission
has an opportunity to look at the use of the other skate board facilities.
Forest protection/management: Mr. Kriesel reported that the City Council had authorized the
employment of Kathy Widin to provide forestry protection and management services. Mr.
Kriesel recommended that at least two members of the Commission be asked to serve on an ad -
hoc committee during the development of the protection and management development phase.
Ms. Brown and Ms. Flinn volunteered to serve on the committee and the Commission
recommended that Leah Peterson also serve on the committee. .
Adjournment: Motion by Mr. Wolff, seconded by Mr. Polehna to adjourn at 9:35 p.m. All in
favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Nile L. Kriesel
Recorder