HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 01-20 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
JANUARY 20, 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, Peterson, Russell and Shinnick were present.
Commissioners Lee and Starling were absent and excused. Also present was City Council
liaison Mark Yelich and Community Activities, Recreation and Services Director Jim Glasoe.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
By consensus, the agenda was approved as presented.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - October 21, 2008
There was a motion by Commissioner Shinnick, seconded by Commissioner Peterson to
approve the minutes of the October 21, 2008 Park & Recreation Commission as presented.
The motion passed unanimously.
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT
Councilmember Yelich reported that he had just been at the Central Park West ice rink and
noted the ice was in excellent condition. Councilmember Yelich also noted a picture in last
weeks Sun Post newspaper of citizens using the rink.
Councilmember Yelich noted that there would be challenges ahead for the City and for the
nation as a whole. Councilmember Yelich shared the following from recent from recent City
Council meetings and city events:
• The City currently has 300+ foreclosed homes.
• Rental housing standards will be important as we move forward.
• The Governor had un-allotted $540,000 in Local Government Aid payments to the city
for the last half of 2008. Budget decisions would need to be made to deal with that
reduction and the anticipated reductions for 2009 and beyond.
• He had the opportunity to portray Earle Brown at the Holly Sunday event in December
and noted the strong attendance.
• Construction on the new FBI building is still slated for 2009.
• Macy's is closing their Brookdale location and, while not surprising, provides an
opportunity for mall ownership to reposition the property for future growth.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Chair Sorenson opened nominations for Commission Chair. Commissioner Shinnick
nominated Commissioner Sorenson. Commissioner Peterson seconded the nomination.
Commissioner Shinnick moved the nominations be closed. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Peterson and unanimously passed.
Chair Sorenson named Tom Shinnick as Vice-Chair.
SHINGLE CREEK DAYLIGHTING
CARS Director Glasoe introduced Director of Business and Development, Gary Eitel. Mr.
Eitel provided the Commission with an overview of the Shingle Creek Daylighting study. Mr.
Eitel described the separate `reaches" of the study and the proposed improvements for each
reach.
Mr. Eitel noted that, although there was no designated funding source, the City Council had
adopted the study framework as a development guide for redevelopment of the opportunity
site.
There was discussion by the Commissioners on the need to coordinate the creek work with the
anticipated trail reconstruction, or other park improvements.
THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT, DRAFT COOPERATIVE TRAIL AGREEMENT
CARS Director Glasoe reported that he, Director of Business and Development Gary Eitel and
representatives of the Public Works Department had met again with Three Rivers staff
regarding a cooperative agreement related to the operation and maintenance of the trail
sections Three Rivers has listed on their regional trail system.
Mr. Eitel presented the draft cooperative trailway agreement. Mr. Eitel reviewed the
respective rights and responsibilities as outlined in the agreement, including the potential
monetary benefits for the City.
CARS director Glasoe noted that one change from past discussions was that the Park District
was now looking for a "nonexclusive easement," as opposed to the fee title easement they had
been asking for previously..
Chair Sorenson indicated he was strongly opposed to any type of "permanent" easement, and
also felt the agreement provided the Park District with too much control over the design and
construction of the trails.
The Commission discussed these points and the consensus was that we try to define a specific
time frame for the agreement and ask for further definition on the design/construction control.
After additional discussion, the- consensus of the Commission was to provide feedback to
Three Rivers Park District that sought clarification on the form of the easement, duration of
the agreement and further clarification on trail design and construction control.
Mr. Eitel noted that he would provide the feedback to Three Rivers staff, and bring this issue
back at a future meeting.
2009 AGENDA ITEMS
CARS Director Glasoe indicated that, as always, staff would continue to identify and place on
the meetings agendas, items that need to be considered by the Commission. Mr. Glasoe added
that he wanted to open up the agendas for items the Commissioners would like to discuss.
Mr. Glasoe asked that Commissioners forward agenda items throughout the year.
EVERGREEN PARK NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS
CARS Director Glasoe reported that a letter had been sent to residents near the park noting
that the Park & Recreation Commission had been made aware of their concerns and would be
working on potential solutions that they would present to the residents at a meeting at
Evergreen Park planned for April 2009.
BROOKLYN BRIDGE ALLIANC FOR YOUTH- UPDATE
Chair Sorenson asked that this item be deferred to the February meeting
SET NEXT MEETING DATE
By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for February
17, 20098 at 7:00 p.m. in Community Room #221 of the Brooklyn Center Community Center.
MEETING ADJOURNED
Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ebert, to adjourn the
meeting at 8:42p.m. The motion passed unanimously.