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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971 09-16 CONCMMinutes of the Proceedings of the Conservation Commission of the City of Brooklyn Center in the County of Hennepin and State of Minnesota September 16, 1971 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Mossberg at 8:15 P.M. Roll Call: Chairman Mossberg, Commissioners Almen, Price, Snater and Winkelman. Motion by Commissioner Price and seconded by Commissioner Almen to approve the minutes of the July 22, 1971, meeting. The motion carried unanimously. Chairman Mossberg announced that the next meeting of the Conservation commission would be on October 14th in conjunction with the meeting of the Golden Valley Environmental commission at Golden Valley. It was also announced that a glass, metal and paper drive will be held on October 9th at the Robin Center in Robbins- dale. A tentative announcement was made that the Crystal Environ- mental Commission will host a joint meeting for all the suburban • Conservation Commissions on October 28th at Crystal. Chairman Mossberg suggested that the commission, at its November meeting, meet with a hydrologist and discuss the future development of the Palmer Lake area. Commissioner Price stated that there.was a definite need for the Commission to be thoroughly informed about any proposed projects. Commissioner Winkelman stated that several groups, such as the Beaverbrook Sportsmen, are very interested in such development. A discussion ensued relative to the proposed professional study and management plan of the Shingle Creek Watershed. Mr. Tremere commented that several of the communities in the Shingle Creek Watershed were considering several proposals submitted by professional engineering consulting firms. He stated that the Palmer Lake Basin was included in these proposals. He noted also that the interested communities had yet to formally act upon the proposals and hire one of the consultant's to undertake the study. The Commission reviewed the proposal statement of the con- sulting firm, Barr Engineering. After a brief discussion, Member William Price introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: -2- RESOLUTION RECOMMEND PARTICIPATION IN A PRO- FESSIONAL PLAN AND MANAGELMENT STUDY OF THE SHINGLE CREEK WATERSHED WHEREAS, the City of Brooklyn Center and other suburban communities have expressed an interest in a proposed professional study and management plan of the Shingle Creek Watershed; and WHEREAS, proper management of the development and use of the watershed is deemed essential for the control of water and preservation of wildlife as well as open space areas; and WHEREAS, it is deemed in the best interest of the City of Brooklyn Center to assure proper management and use of those areas of the watershed within the City; and WHEREAS, the proposal submitted by the consulting firm, Barr Engineering, provides for a study and plan concerned with the control of water resources as well as the preservation of wildlife habitat and open space areas within the Shingle Creek Watershed; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Conservation Commission of the City of Brooklyn Center, as follows: That the Commission recommends that the City Council approve, in conjunction with neighboring communities within the Shingle Creek Watershed# participation in a professional plan and management study of the Shingle Creek Watershed. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the city council be advised that the Conservation Commission endorses the philosophy and procedure of the proposal submitted by Barr Engineering. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Member Greg Almen and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Audre Mossberg, Gregory Almen, William Price, Bonnie Snater and Sylvia Winkelman; and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. The next item of business was a brief discussion of a proposed clean-up project of the Lion's Park area by an Eagle Scout candi- date, Mr. Dave Younger. Chairman Mossberg and Commissioner -3- Winkelman noted that Mr. Younger had been advised to consult with the Director of Parks and Recreation and that he had not begun the project. Commissioner Snater reported that the Brooklyn Center Garden Club would have some difficulty in providing regular volunteer workers to maintain the flower bed area in front of the Civic Center. She stated there were several alternatives, including the hiring of a part-time gardner, the recruitment of other local groups, such as Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts, or the City could install a hardier variety of planting such as rose bushes in the flower area. Chairman Mossberg commented that she would contact local Scout leaders to see if they would be willing to undertake such a project. The Commission recessed at 9:20 P.M. and reconvened at 9:30 P.M. Commissioner Dorff arrived at 9:30 P.M. The next item of business was a discussion of proposed cooper- ative youth group projects and Chairman Mossberg stated that she would contact group leaders to better coordinate the ideas and planning of such projects. There was next a discussion of a resolution passed by the Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission on September 8, 1971, relative to the prohibition of unauthorized vehicles in city parks. Commissioner Snater stated that two-wheeler; motorized vehicles are frequently seen driving in several of the City's parks. Commissioner Dorff stated that motorized vehicles including snowmobiles and mini-bikes are used extensively in the Palmer Lake area. Member Sylvia Winkelman introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THE PROHIBITION OF . UNAUTHORIZED MOTOR VEHICLES IN CITY PARKS AND CITY CONTROLLED OPEN SPACE AREAS WHEREAS, the use of unauthorized motor vehicles, specifically mini-bikes, motor bikes, and snowmobiles, continues to increase in the parks and other open areas, causing damage to turf, newly seeded grass areas, planting areas, and recreational facilities; and -4- WHERE-AS, the level of noise produced by such vehicles is aggrevating and abnormal, thus polluting the general quietude of the various parks and open space recreational areas of the City; and WHEREAS, the operation of such vehicles not only results in physical damage to natural growth areas and man-made landscaping, but also could result in bodily harm to other persons in such areas; and WHEREAS, the Commission recognizes that the Park and Recreation Commission has similarly advised the prohibition of unauthorized vechiles in City parks; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Conservation Commission of the City of Brooklyn center as follows: That the Conservation Commission recommends that the City Council take appropriate action to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the use of all motorized vehicles (except for maintenance and emergency) in all city parks and City controlled open areas. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Member Bonnie Snater and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Audre Mossberg, Gregory Almen, William Price, Bonnie Snater, Henry Dorff and Sylvia Winkelman; and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. The next item of business was a discussion by commissioner Price of the possibility of establishing a photography contest as one of the Commission's on-going projects. He stated that local merchants, such as photography supply stores, could be con- tacted concerning the sponsorship of such a program. He explained that the contents of the photographs submitted in such a contest would have a natural or ecological theme, and that the end result of such a contest would be a pictorial file which could be utilized by the Conservation commission and other interested groups. After a brief discussion, Commissioner Winkelman moved and Commissioner Dorff seconded to direct Commissioner Price to further investigate the possibility of such a program. The motion passed unanimously. -5- Chairman Mossberg next presented to the Commission the report submitted by Mr. Metz who was director of the Kylawn Nature Center Program this past summer. A brief discussion ensued concerning the success of the program anc the future possibility of similar programs. Chairman Mossberg stated she would contact the Director of Parks and Recreation and propose a meeting to discuss the expansion of the educational use of the Kylawn area, to include a year around program. The next item of business was discussion of the Commission contacting local school officials to develop programs utilizing natural areas in and near the City. Commissioner Price stated that the Commission should first develop a comprehensive outline of the goals and possible projects which could be undertaken in such a program and then submit these by way of a presentation to top school officials including school board members and adminis- trators. He continued that they could then involve their employees, namely teachers, in the established programs. Chairman Mossberg stated that there was a need to develop a sound concept and related program to plan for an adequate pre- sentation to these officials. She suggested that a work session be set by interest Commission members for the purpose of developing a program and consequently, an approach to the presentation of the program. Chairman Mossberg set the date of October 30th at 8:00 P.M. for a meeting of interested commission members. The next item of business was a discussion of planting projects involving students of local schools. Commissioner Dorff commented that Brooklyn Center High School has recently established a planting program and this was supported by funds derived from the P.T.A. as well as the school board. He stated that the funds would be used to buy trees and during an up-coming break in the school session, students would be organized to plant trees around the school grounds. Commissioner Winkelman commented on a similar program designated for youth at the Fair Oaks Elementary School. She suggested that various schools throughout the area be contacted concerning the possibility of such a project and that the concept of a planning program could be explained at that time. She also stated that Commission members should work in conjunction with the Director of Parks and Recreation. Chairman Mossberg said she would send • a memo to the Director of Parks and Recreation concerning this con- cept, with particular regard to Fair Oaks School. -6- The next item of business concerned the Mississippi River access site project. Commissioner Dorff explained that he had contacted the Director of Parks anO Recreation and had been informed that grading work can be accomplished this fall. Various clean-up and planting projects could then proceed once the area was cleared. He noted that the State could install the boat launching facility once the grading had been finished. The next item of business was a discussion relative to the ordinance banning soft drinks and other beverages in non-returnable containers which was recently passed by the City of St. Louis Park. Commissioner Winkelman explained that St. Louis Park officials have stated that if other suburban communities do not pass similar ordinances, that they will repeal their ordinance in a year. She noted that other communities are considering various container ordinances, most of them proposing the sole use of returnable containers. Commissioner price stated that two area beverage bottling companies had recently announced tentative plans to establish a re-cycling facility for beverage containers. Commissioner Price and Commissioner Winkelman both noted that the Brooklyn Center municipal liquor stores sell soft drinks in non-returnable containers and that the City could possibly take steps to promote the use of returnable containers by establishing a returnable container policy through its liquor store operations. Member Sylvia Winkelman introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION RECO14MENDING THE PROHIBITION OF THE SALE OF SOFT DRINKS IN NON-RETURNABLE CONTAINERS BY THE BROOKLYN CENTER MUNICIPAL LIQUOR STORES WHEREAS, the disposal of non-returnable beverage.containers poses increasing environmental pollution problems; and WHEREAS, the continued manufacture of such containers represents a virtual waste of natural resources; and WHEREAS, adequate facilities to properly re-cycle the materials used in the manufacture of such containers is not readily avail- abler and If -7- WHEREAS, other Twin Cities suburban communities either have passed or are considering similar ordinances banning the use of non-returnable beverage containers; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Conservation Commission of the City of Brooklyn Center as follows: That the Conservation commission recommends that the City Council take appropriate action to prohibit the sale of soft drinks in non-returnable containers through the-Brooklyn center municipal liquor store outlets. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Henry Dorff and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Audre Mossberg, William Price, Gregory Almen, Henry Dorff, Bonnie Snater and Sylvia Winkelman; and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. Motion by Commissioner Winkelman and seconded by Commissioner Snater to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission adjourned at 10:35 P.M. Chairman