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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 11-18 CONCMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION NOVEMBER 18, 1976 LIBRARY CONFERENCE ROOM Call to Order The Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission met in regular session and was called to order by Chairman Vetter at 7:35 p.m. Roll Call Chairman Vetter, Commissioners Dorff, Winkelman, Jensen, Price, and Livingston.. Also present were Director of Parks and Recreation Gene Hagel and Administrative Assistant Ron Warren. Chairman Vetter reported that Councilman Britts would be unable to attend this evening's meeting because of parent-teacher conferences. Approval of Minutes Commissioner Dorff noted that his presence at the 10-21-76 October 21, 1976 meeting was not recorded in the • minutes. He explained that he arrived at the meeting at approximately 7:45 p.m. and asked that the minutes be so corrected. Motion by Commissioner Jensen, seconded by Commis- sioner Winkelman to approve the minutes of the October 21, 1976 meeting as corrected. The motion passed unanimously. Progress Report The Chairman introduced the first item of business on on New Recycling the agenda, that of a progress report on the new recy- Center cling-center known as Brooklyn Recycling, located at 3417 85th Avenue North. She stated that she recently had an opportunity to tour the recycling operation and speak with the owner, Mr. Dick Hetland. She explained that Mr. Hetland has put much-thought and planning into the recycling operation, which seems to make the operation an efficient endeavor. She stated that he has a permanent paper truck at the location and has various barrels marked for the collection of specific recyclable material. She noted that Mr. Hetland had stated that the response to the new recycling center has been beyond his expectations. -1- 11-18-76 Chairman Vetter explained that Hetland also operates a sanitary service and that his trucks are equipped with metal baskets to pick up and keep separate newspapers collected on the route. She stated that some of Mr. Hetland's drivers even separate glass and other recycl- ables while on their routes. A brief discussion ensued relative to Brooklyn Recycling and the phasing out of the recycling center on 69th and Colfax Avenues North. Commissioner Jensen inquired as to the remuneration received by the local Girl Scout troops working at Brooklyn Recycling. Commissioner Winkelman responded that she was not sure what the remuneration was but that she would find out and report back to the Commission. The Secretary introduced the-next item of business, Park Policy Plan that of a presentation on the Park Policy Plan and a Presentation review of various park drawings by the Director of Parks and Recreation, Gene Hagel. Mr. Hagel briefly backgrounded the Commission on the Park and Recreation Commission's review of the Park Policy Plan. He stated that presently the Park and Recreation Commission is working with its Park Service Area Committees and evaluating the needs of neighborhood parks. He explained that no proposals for park development are firm at this time, and stated that the Commission is contemplating recommending permanent tables, walkways, signery, camouflaged dumpsters, parking lot improvements, trees, bermings and improvements to park entrances in addition to various improvements to park playfields. He further stated that it has been recommended that a theme be incorporated into the development of some of the parks. As an example, he noted that it has been proposed that Willow Lane Park have a railroad theme and that North- port Park have a nautical theme. He further noted that in some cases parks will not have a prominent theme, but rather a uniform type of setting. The Director of Parks and Recreation next reviewed drawings of various parks including drawings for East Palmer Lake Park, Firehouse Park, Northport Park and the proposed Central Park. He also commented relative to proposals to eliminate the drive-thru at Evergreen Park. Commissioner Price left the meeting at 8:20 p.m. 0 • 0 -2- 11-18-76 The Director of Parks and Recreation then proceeded with a lengthy review of the preliminary plans for Central Park and discussed a proposal to relocate • Shingle Creek in the Central Park area. He stated that in fact the relocation of the creek was really a restoration of the creek to its natural meandering course. He noted that the restoration, besides adding to the attractiveness of the park, would create a natural buffer or separation between the more active areas of the park to the east and the nonactive areas to the west of the creek. He also pointed out the various athletic fields proposed for Central Park and expounded on plans for a community picnic area, amphitheater, and plaza area at Central Park. A lengthy discussion ensued relative to the proposals for Central Park, with the Director of Parks and Recre- ation responding to Commissioners' questions. Recess The Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission recessed at 9:30 p.m. and resumed at 9:45 p.m. Environmental Chairman Vetter reported that not much headway has Education Spring been made by the Jaycees on the spring environmental Project education project discussed by Mr. Brad Anderson at the October Conservation Commission meeting because the Jaycees are heavily involved in the restoration of • the old City Hall for CEAP. She stated that hopefully more time will be devoted in the near' future to the environmental education project. A brief discussion ensued relative to the possibility of conducting a landscape seminar next spring. The Secretary stated that the Housing Commission is planninc a home renovation workshop in conjunction with Com- munity Education and NSP, `and that one of the work- shop topics is landscaping. The Chairman suggested forgoing plans for a landscape seminar so as not to conflict with the Housing Commission's plans. Kaleidoscope Commissioner Dorff reported that the date for Kaleido- scope has been set for April,24, 1977. He explained that planning for the program has begun earlier this year to give prospective participants an opportunity to plan their exhibits. A brief discussion ensued relative to Conservation-Com- mission participation in Kaleidoscope. Commissioner Winkelman suggested the Commission attempt to set up demonstrations regarding energy conservation devices -3- 11-18-76 for homes. Chairman Vetter requested Commission members to develop proposals for possible inclusion in the Conservation Commission Kaleidoscope exhibit for discussion at a forthcoming meeting. Chairman Vetter suggested that Commissioner Livingston's slides of the Environmental Preserve be shown at the December meeting. Commissioner Jensen reported that she had contacted Northview Junior High School officials about the possibility of a Conservation Commission tour of the school's solar heating plant. She stated that she had been informed that a tour of the facility was more beneficial during the daytime rather than in the evening. She explained that arrangements can be made and inquired as to the Com- missioner's feelings about touring the facility during the daytime. A brief discussion ensued relative to touring Northview Junior High in the daytime. It was suggested that the tour be arranged during the Christmas school vacation break. Commissioner Jensen stated that she would attempt to make the arrangements and inform Commission members as to the date and time. Motion by Commissioner Winkelman and seconded by Commissioner Dorff to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission adjourned at 10:40 p.m. Chairman December Meeting Northview Junior High School Tour Adjournment 0 0 -4- 11-18-76