HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021 10-19 PRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
FOR THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
REGULAR SESSION
OCTOBER 19, 2021
WEB -EX MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Sorenson called the meeting to order at 6:29 pm.
ROLL CALL
Chair Sorenson and Commissioners Ebert, Branch, Bonovsky and Carey were present.
Commissioner Sanchez -Lopez and Lungelow were unable to attend. Also present were
Recreation Director Cordell Wiseman, Recreation Program Supervisors Joe Ericksen, Carissa
Goebel, Supervisor of Streets and Parks Pete Moen, and Councilmember Graves.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
There were no additions and the agenda was approved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes were approved for the September meeting.
CITY COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT
The city has been working with different organizations for input on the opportunity site. There
has been meeting at parks on feedbacks for different parks. Our Sisters Keepers is offering
healthy food offerings at the Community Center to the community. The Kim Potter trial starts
November 301" and should last until December 201". The city is preparing for this by working
with many different groups and committees. It will happen in Minneapolis under the Hennepin
Country court houses. The city is focused on keeping people safe and having two way
communication. Work is still happening on Highway 252. The Brooklyn Blvd project is
continuing. There is a city sponsored Halloween party and also a Halloween Party sponsored by
211 Chance. Budget meetings are still taking place and the public hearing will take place
December 61"
COMMISSION MEMORIALS or SERVICE RECOGNITION
Program Supervisor Joe Ericksen and Supervisor of Streets and Parks Pete Moen explained the
Memorial Policy that the city has in place. It was put together in May of 2021 and approved by
the Director of Public Works. There was some discussion over the cost of donations and the
size of plaques and benches. The Commission will look over this form and return to this topic at
a later meeting.
COMMISSION APPOINTMENT SCHEDULE
Councilmember Graves requested that the council go through each application together. The
council went through each application and made notes and comments on each person and
gave their recommendations to the Mayor to get these Commissions to full force.
Councilmember Graves is positive the Mayor will appoint someone soon. The commission
members thanked Councilmember Graves for everything she is doing with this.
2021 PLAYGROUND REPLACEMENT UPDATE
Program Supervisor Carissa Goebel reported that we will start Bellvue this week and following
week will start Firehouse. The swings are in Northport Park. The contractor was not easy to
work with which slowed down the installation of the playgrounds so the city will work with a
new vender in 2022. This new vendor will also give us one of kind looking parks as well.
BIKE SKILL COURSE
Program Supervisor Joe Ericksen informed that we are waiting until next spring to move
forward with the bike park as this will be an ice rink. We are getting a rules sign and bike racks
coming for this park. We are also still waiting for the shipment of the equipment for this park
at West Centennial.
2022 MARLIN, KYLAWN, WEST PALMER and WEST CENTENNIAL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
FEEDBACK
Program Supervisor Carissa Goebel reported that there has been four meetings so far. We put
out postcards in the neighborhoods to let them know about it. There is a survey online where
the community can vote on what playground they want as well. There is also one more
meeting coming up at Riverdale. So far everyone has lived near the parks expect for 2 or 3
people. The survey will close in the next week and it will pushed through social media and the
website.
LIONS PARK PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT
Program Supervisor Carissa Goebel reported that the aging equipment and the activities in the
parking lot are both problems with the park. There is a study to move the playground closer to
Centerbrook that would work even with the driving range possibility. A budget and
neighborhood suggestions still needs to be done so this can be done before 2024. Chair
Sorenson asked for the driving range to get done and see some work from it. Director Cordell
Wiseman shared that the park and the driving range will be two separate issues the playground
should move forward as soon as possible. The driving range discussion will come up soon if that
is still possible. The commission has concerns about the how expensive this project will cost.
OTHER —SKATING RINKS
Commissioner Carey asked about skating rinks. The question was addressed about the number
of skating rinks, the utilization of skating rinks and the cost to run them. Program Supervisor
Joe Ericksen reported that we will open two warming houses and we have the staff ready to go.
Supervisor of Streets and Parks Pete Moen stated that there is money in the budget to repair
two rinks in 2024 as many of the rinks are in poor shape. It was reported that many of the rinks
were under used until 2020 when Covid-19 hit and then we saw a spike in numbers again of
people using rinks. 12 rinks are being flooded and being used. Program Supervisor Joe Ericksen
is going to figure out usage of the rinks compared to past years after this season. It was also
brought up about supplying skates at rinks to help residents get out and skate.
FUTURE MEETING
November 16th meeting will meet over zoom.
MEETING ADJOURNED
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.