August 23, 2023 Park & Recreation Commission

Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting John P Murzyn Hall - Senior Center, 530 Mill St August 23, 2023 Call to Order/Roll Call Tom Greenhalgh called the meeting to order at 5:34 pm Members present: Tom Greenhalgh, Dayna Gulley, Taher Harzallah, Andrew Macko, Nicole Peterson Staff present: David Cullen, Public Works Interim Director; Keith Windschitl Recreation Director; Deanna Saefke, Recreation Secretary; Amada Marquez Simula, Council Representative Community Forum Greenhalgh asked if anyone wanted to speak. No one came forward. Consent Agenda Motion by Macko, second by Gulley, to approve the consent agenda. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion Carried. Marquez Simula asked about the process with the previous minutes, in regard to the City Council passing an ordinance regarding dog waste cleanup and how does that information get reported to the public. Or is there a specific staff person to speak to. Saefke replied the Communications staff would get the word out to the public, or Public Works could post that information on their page in the city newsletter. Any communication for the city website that would be done through the Communications staff. Marquez Simula asked how information discussed during a meeting would be relayed to the Communications staff. Saefke replied when changes to policies are made and items are voted on during the City Council meetings that need to be publicized, either the City Council member would tell the Communications staff to get that to the public. Marquez Simula gave an example of being in a meeting with the Police Chief discussing winter parking and how does that get directed on social media. Windschitl replied staff would follow up on posting the rules on dog waste pickup. Marquez Simula replied she had spoken to Rottler about it and thanked Windschitl. Harzallah mentioned at an earlier meeting regarding Park & Recreation Commission visibility or Recreation visibility and getting a table covering or paraphernalia to have at events. Cullen replied that is something that would go through Rottler. Saefke replied as people get more involved at events staff will look at ordering something. She would talk with Rottler and was under the impression that he was waiting for people to volunteer at events before ordering items. Windschitl invited the Commission to email the staff at any time with follow up items or minor items that do not need to wait for a meeting. Letters and Requests Letter of request for a Cyclocross Race to be held at Huset Park on a Saturday or Sunday in October. Emma Schultz introduced herself from the Versus Cyclocross Race Team. She explained cyclocross racing is on drop bar bikes mostly on the grass with obstacles around the course. Schultz had previously worked with the City Forester in her career and had visited a lot of the parks in Columbia Heights. Huset is a desirable spot for this type of event because it is surrounded by a community, families can easily attend, good parking, there is  City of Columbia Heights June 28, 2023 Park & Recreation Commission Minutes of the Meeting Page 2 power, opportunities to close the road off, ability to have food trucks, and other events during the race. Schultz handed out a map of a proposed racecourse. One of the features she likes the most about the park is the walkway bridge at Huset East. She explained the goal in cyclocross is to have a lot of hills, ups and downs, turns and twists along the course to keep it interesting and spread out the field. The volleyball court would be used as a sand trap. The route would continue to the west side of the park, using the bocce ball court, and then ideally run up the stairs near the recreation office. Ballfields would be avoided. They would stay off any areas that staff indicate. Racers complete as many loops as they can in a set time limit. There are several fields of participants throughout the day: beginner or novice, several different women’s fields, men’s, and juniors, and masters. Races run between thirty minutes and one hour depending on the level people are at. They are flexible within a few dates depending on availability of the park. Potential request dates are October 7, 8, 21, or 22. Schultz provided a handout with a photo of a park used in St Louis Park for a race and a photo of the same area at a later date. To minimize damage if the grass is mowed at least one week ahead of time that will help minimize greasy spots for riders, help prevent wipeouts, and the damage to the turf. Often the turf will get packed down but that is not damaged and will pop back over time. The crew will go back over the course and provide gentle raking. Schultz is a forester, there is a certified arborist on the team, and several other environmentalists. They are happy to do whatever to make an event in Columbia Heights successful for the city, for the park and for the long term of the turf. Schultz added there is a new initiative from the Minnesota Cycling Federation that gives an extra boost of cash to help promote races. She would like to get a bounce house to encourage community members and families to show up and stay a while for the event. Greenhalgh indicated Sundays would be the better day due to the recreation soccer programs. He asked if the area is sectioned off with strings. Schultz replied yes, they use metal stakes and stretchy flagging. An obstacle or two may be installed the day of the race. Gulley asked if there are a lot of injuries to the riders. Schultz replied the only time they tend to see injuries is a really packed novice. It has nothing to do with the course but the abilities of the riders and being too close together. It is not common. Gulley asked if the race will be on video. Schultz replied there will be some social media presence and they try to capture as much as they can to share. There are also a number of community photographers that like to show up at these events. Macko asked if they are full size bikes. Schultz replied it is a hybrid between mountain biking and road biking. Peterson appreciated all of the thought put into planning the course and being sensitive to the preservation of the park. Schultz replied yes, they love to create an event that everyone is happy with and provides opportunities for the future. Greenhalgh indicated the group will need to work with the police department for the closure of the street. Cullen appreciates the course will not be on the ballfields. One consideration that is weather dependent is the south side of the parking lot on Huset West where water can pool. Windschitl indicated there may be an event inside Murzyn Hall and would want to discuss the course area around the building. Schultz replied at any crossing of the street or driveways there will be someone staged there. Cullen stated the group will need to call in for locators if digging. Schultz replied that most likely they will not be digging but will talk with the promotors about that. Windschitl indicated Sunday, October 8 will be the best date due to soccer programs. He indicated there will be soccer goals up on the east side of Huset Park that may impact their course design. Greenhalgh asked what the fee will be for the park. Schultz knows the typical fee is for a four-hour rental time and this will be a full day event. They will have other large fees associated with the race. The promotions that do the timing will charge $1000 or their time, there will be private insurance for the event, and other fees to run the event. It is standard to charge a race fee, the fee for this race is $40. The main goal is to be doing something for the community and not to make money on the event. Marquez Simula asked if the event is free for