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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 02-17 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 FEBRUARY 17, 2009 COMMUNITY ROOM #221, COMMUNITY CENTER CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Sorenson, Commissioners Ebert, Lee, Peterson, Russell, Shinnick and Starling were present. Also present was City Council liaison Mark Yelich, Dave Hagen of Loucks Associates and Community Activities, Recreation and Services Director Jim Glasoe. APPROVAL OF AGENDA By consensus, the agenda was approved as presented. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 29, 2009 There was a motion by Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2009 Park & Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Yelich reported that the Community Center wading pool was compliant with the new Abigail Taylor Act regulations related to non-blockable pool drains. Councilmember Yelich noted that there were two city staff that were "Hall of Famers." Mr. Yelich added that Tara Meyer, Sales Manager at the Earle Brown Heritage Center had been selected as the "Up and Coming Supplier" by the Minnesota Meetings and Events Magazine, and would be inducted into their Hall of Fame at a ceremony in February. Councilmember Yelich also reported that Joe Ericksen, Program Supervisor with the CARS Department had recently been inducted into the U. S. S. S.A Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame. Mr. Yelich congratulated each of these employees on their achievements. Councilmember Yelich reported that the Sherriff's bankruptcy sale of Centerpoint Apartments had been delayed, as the owner had filed for bankruptcy. Mr. Yelich noted that shortly after the filing, the Centerpoint owners had withdrawn their bankruptcy petition and the Sherriff's sale would be rescheduled. Councilmember Yelich reported that recent crime statistics indicated that police calls were 2 to 3 times higher for rental housing versus owner occupied housing. Councilmember Yelich noted that the overall crime rate was up slightly, but that serious crime rates had dropped. Councilmember Yelich noted that a citizen had asked him about the possibility of cross country ski trails at Centerbrook golf course. Chair Sorenson responded that the Commission had taken up this issue in the past and asked that it be added to a future agenda. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE-PARKS SECTION CARS Director Glasoe reported that every ten years, the City is required to update its Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Glasoe noted that the City had retained Loucks Associates to assist in updating the plan. Mr. Glasoe introduced Dave Hagen from Loucks Associates and noted he would be reviewing the parks section of the Comprehensive Plan Update. Mr. Hagen reviewed the parks section of the comprehensive plan, concentrating his comments on changes that had been made to the previous plan. After completing the review, Mr. Hagen noted that the Planning Commission would be accepting comments to the revised plan through the end of May. Mr. Hagen asked that any comments be forwarded to him prior to that date. CARS Director Glasoe added that he would also be glad to take comments and forward them to Mr. Hagen. 2009 ADOPT-A-PARK PROGRAM CARS Director Glasoe indicated that, while he might be jumping the gun a bit, a letter asking if the Park & Recreation Commission was planning to adopt Marlin and Lakeside Parks again this year would be coming out soon. After some discussion there was consensus that the Commission would again adopt the two parks. BROOKLYN BRIDGE ALLIANCE FOR YOUTH- UPDATE CARS Director Glasoe reported that the City had "officially" joined the Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth at the last Mayor's Roundtable meeting on January 7". Mr. Glasoe noted that he had attended the ceremonial signing of the joint powers agreement at the "Blue Jean Ball" on January 9". Mr. Glasoe added that Mayors Willson and Lampe had been selected as chairs for the first year and noted he would be providing more information on the "Alliance" activities at future meetings. THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT, DRAFT COOPERATIVE TRAIL AGREEMENT CARS Director Glasoe reported that Three Rivers staff was still working on the easement language related to the draft agreement, and that there was nothing further to report at this time. EVERGREEN PARK NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS CARS Director Glasoe reported that he would be assembling information for the Commission relative to the number of police calls to Evergreen Park during the last year as background for their discussion at the March meeting. Mr. Glasoe reminded the Commission that substantial improvements to Evergreen Park were scheduled in the Capital Improvements Plan for 2012, and that might be a good time to move amenities, if the Commission saw fit. Chair Sorenson noted that it might be wise to schedule a separate date for the neighborhood meeting in April and hold the regular meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission in April prior to that meeting. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for March 17, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in Community Room #221 of the Brooklyn Center Community Center. MEETING ADJOURNED Commissioner Russell made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.