HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974 09-12 CONCMMinutes of the Proceedings of the
Conservation Commission of the City
. of :Brooklyn Center in the County of
Hennepin and the State of Minnesota
REGULAR SESSION
SEPTEMBER 12, 1974
CITY HALL
Call to order The Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission
met in regular session and was called to
order by Chairman Vetter at 8:00 p.m.
Roll Call Chairman Vetter, Commissioners Dorff, Price,
and Jensen. Also present were Councilman
Maurice Britts and Administrative Assistant
James Lacinam
Approval of Minutes Motion by Commissioner Price and seconded by
6-20-74 Commissioner Jensen to approve the minutes of
the June 20, 1974 meeting. The motion passed
unanimously.
Girl Scouts Proposal The secretary introduced the first item of
for operating business on the agenda, the Girl Scout proposal
Recycling Center for operating the recycling center. He noted
that a letter had been received from the Girl
Scouts requesting permission to operate the
re cycl it n.g center on the alternate Saturdays
of the month that the Jaycees do, thus giving
the citizens an opportunity to utilize the
recycling center on all four Saturdays of the
month between 9000 a.m. and 4000 p.m. The
secretary further stated that he had contacted
the City Manager regarding this item and the
City manager indicated that there would be no
problem with the Girl Scouts operating the
recycling center. The secretary also stated
that the Girl Scouts would be required to
follow the same procedures regarding operating
the center as the Jaycees do.
Chairman. Vetter commented as to the possibility
of the Conservation Commission operating the
recycling center on the four months of the year
that have five Saturdays. A brief discussion
• ensued relative to this proposal. It was the
consensus of the Commission to correspond with
the two groups that are already operating the
recycling center to give them the first oppor-
tunity to utilize these Saturdays. The matter
of oil recycling was also discussed briefly.
It was deferred for future discussion based
onchecking the possibilities and the facili-
ties needed to handle such an operation.
Commissioner Winkelman arrived at 8:15 p.m.
Chairman Vetter introduced the next item of
business on the agenda, ski touring at Palmer
Lake. She noted that this item also entailed
the possible banning of snowmobiles in that
area. She stated that it would be advantageous
to operate ski touring trails in the Palmer Lake
basin through the utilization of the shelter
buildings at East and West Palmer Park during the
skating hours. She stated, however, that unless
snowmobiles are banned in this area, it might be
extremely dangerous for one to venture on cross
country skis because of the heavy snowmobile
traffic.
Councilman Britts commented as to the possibility
of encouraging snowmobile use in Elm Creek Park.
He stated that the newly developed trail system
might ease the pressure on snowmobiling in
Brooklyn Center. A lengthy discussion ensued
relative to the snowmobile operation in Brooklyn
Center. Councilman Britts noted that Brooklyn
Center was one of the only inner ring suburbs
that still allow snowmobiling on public streets.
He noted that it had become an increasing problem
and that the City was receiving numerous com-
plaints on the snowmobile usage in the streets.
Commissioner Jensen commented that she felt
young people operating snowmobiles in the streets
created an extreme traffic problem. She further
stated that it would be desirable to ban snow-
mobiling in the Palmer Lake basin so as to
encourage the use of Palmer Lake basin for other
winter recreational activities such as cross
country ski touring and snow shoeing. Chairman
Vetter outlined the tentative facilities that
were being developed at the Elm Creek Park.
Ski Touring at
Palmer Lake
The secretary commented that the ski touring on
the Palmer Lake basin would be done solely on an
individual basis through the use of one's own
skis. He stated that the skis used in the Kylawn
area were bought on a joint agreement with the
City of Crystal and that it probably would not be
feasible to use them at the Palmer Lake area. He
further stated that at this time the Director of
Parks and Recreation Gene Hagel did not foresee
any public facilities for ski touring in the Palmer
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Lake area. Commissioner Price noted that the
Commission should again take a stand on the
snowmobile problem in the City. He stated
that it did not seem reasonable for the City
of Brooklyn Center to allow snowmobile traffic
on the streets. Following a brief discussion
there was a motion by Commissioner Price and
seconded by Commissioner Winkelman to support
banning the operation of snowmobiles on streets
in Brooklyn Center. The motion passed.unani-
mously.
Fall Program for Chairman Vetter introduced the next item of
Community Education business on the agenda, the fall program for
community education. She stated that the Com-
mission, at this time, did not have any program
for the fall session of the community education.
Commissioner Price noted that he has been the
delegate to the Community Education Council and
if it was so desired, he would continue to serve
in that fash.on. It was the consensus of the
Conservation Commissi to reappoint. Commissioner
Price as the delegate to the Community Education
Council.
Commissioner Price then reviewed the action at
the last meeting of the Community education
Council. He stated that it was the purpose of
the Council to express their goals for the
upcoming year. He noted that one possibility
for involvement of the Conservation Commission
revolved around the idea of health conservation.
Commissioner Dorff commented as to the possibili-
ties in this area. He noted that the Community
Education Council was gathering information on a
program regarding health conservation and that
this might be an area where the Conservation Com-
mission could lend support. Councilman Britts
noted that conservation of human life should also
be a concern of the Conservation Commission. He
briefly reviewed the program of C.E.A.P. and
suggested a possible use of centralizing health
services,
Chairman Vetter then commented on a fall hike
sponsored by the Conservation Commission. She stated
. that the hike program seemed to be very successful
in, the past and indicated that the fall hike could
possibly be in the Kylawn area. Commissioner Dorff
indicated he would prepare the preliminary informa-
tion for the hike and that the use of flyers at the
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schools would be necessary. The date for the
hike was set for October 12 from 1:30 p.m. to
4:30 p.m., with a bus leaving the Brooklyn
Center High School. It was suggested that a
brief slide show of the area be shown prior
to leaving for the hike.
Commissioner price suggested that the Conser-
vation Commission take extended tours to the
Sherburn Wildlife Refuge or the Elm Creek
Reserve in the future. It was the consensus
of the Commission to check into these ideas and
possibly arrange dates for tours.
Chairman Vetter noted the resignation of
Commissioner Byrnes. She then stated that
it would be the charge of the Commission
members to actively solicit a Commissioner
to replace Commissioner Byrnes. She further
stated that she felt an examination of the
goals and directions of the Conservation Com-
mission should be undertaken to determine
future activities.
Resignation of
Commissioner Byrnes
Motion by Commissioner Winkelman and seconded Adjournment
by Commissioner Jensen to adjourn the meeting.
The motion passed unanimously. The Brooklyn
Center Conservation Commission adjourned at
10:10 P.M.
Chairman
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