HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 09-18 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
SEPTEMBER 18, 2007
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, Russell and Shinnick were present. Commissioner
Peterson was excused. Commissioner Theis was absent. Also present was City Council Liaison
Mary O'Connor, Public Works Director Todd Blomstrom and Community Activities, Recreation
and Services Director Jim Glasoe.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
By consensus, the agenda was approved.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June 19, 2007
There was a motion by Commissioner Russell, seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to approve
the minutes of the June 19, 2007 Park & Recreation Commission as presented. The motion
passed unanimously.
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES - July y, 2007
As there was not a quorum of Commissioners in attendance at tonight's meeting that were
present at the June meeting, Chair Sorenson directed that the approval of the July meeting
minutes be deferred until the October meeting.
Mayor Tim Willson arrived at the meeting at 7:07 p.m.
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT
Councilmember O'Connor reported the following items from recent City Council meetings.
• The City Council had established the 2008 tax levy increase at a maximum 4%.
• The City Council had approved two separate motions that will allow for the construction of a
Super Wal-Mart store on the Brookdale property.
• The Council had approved final plans and specifications for the Kylawn Park shelter
building and had authorized the advertisement for bids.
• Announced that Lee Gatlin had been selected as the new Fire Chief.
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Commissioner Russell asked when the Mervyn's building would be demolished in preparation •
for the Wal-Mart Store. Public Works Director Blomstrom responded that the demolition would
take place sometime after the first of the year.
Commissioner Shinnick asked if there was any interest in the former Day's Inn property. Mr.
Blomstrom indicated that it was his understanding that there was active interest in the property.
Commissioner Russell noted that he had observed a "for sale" sign on the former Jerry's Food
site.
2008-2022 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM- PLANNED PARK
IMPROVEMENTS
CARS Director Glasoe noted that a copy of the 2007-2021 Capital Improvements Plan had been
included in the meeting packet. Mr. Glasoe reminded the Commission of the discussion at the
July meeting regarding the need to consider moving some items up in the schedule. Mr. Glasoe
then introduced Public Works Director Todd Blomstrom.
Mr. Blomstrom noted there were three items staff considered when putting together a long term
plan for park improvements. The first being planning, the second being priority and the third
funding.
Mr. Blomstrom added that 2007 was the first time a 15 year plan had been developed. Mr.
Blomstrom indicated that, as with any plan, some additional analysis showed that some things
needed to be moved up in priority, some that could be moved down and much that stayed the
same. Mr. Blomstrom noted that many trail sections were deteriorating faster than anticipated,
and would likely need to be moved up in the schedule. Conversely, some park shelters
buildings, which are very expensive, could be moved back a couple of years.
Public Works Director Blomstrom referred to Alternative Schedule #1 that had been prepared by
staff. Mr. Blomstrom reviewed the schedule which considers moving back the replacement of
the Palmer Lake and Northport shelter buildings, moves up reconstruction of the Central Park
West and Shingle Creek trails, reconstruction of the Arboretum parking lot and reconstruction of
the Kylawn and Firehouse trail segments. It also added resurfacing of the Northport and West
Palmer tennis courts and replacement of the Willow Lane shelter building with a picnic shelter.
Mr. Blomstrom indicated that the resurfacing of the tennis courts was included to offset the
elimination of the courts at Kylawn Park. He noted insurance proceeds for the Willow Lane
shelter building had been received and deposit in the Capital Improvements Fund. The
Commission discussed the usage of tennis courts in the City.
After additional discussion, there was a motion by Commissioner Russell, seconded by
Commissioner Lee to recommend the Alternative #1 schedule of improvements as presented.
The motion was passes unanimously.
ADOPT-A-PARK FALL CLEAN UP DATE 0
Chair Sorenson asked if Commissioners might be available to assist in cleaning up Marlin Park
on Saturday, September 29th, at 9:00 a.m. Commissioners Ebert, Lee and Russell along with
Council Liaison O'Connor indicated they would be available to assist.
Chair Sorenson asked if supplies could be made available for the group. CARS Director Glasoe
indicated that he would make sure supplies are available at the Community center for pickup.
KYLAWN PARK SHELTER BUILDING
Public Works Director Todd Blomstrom reported that the Kylawn Park shelter building was out
for bid and that the bids would be opened on October 2, 2007 at City Hall.
e-CONNECT INTERNET REGISTRATION- Update
CARS Director Glasoe reported that registration was underway for fall classes and activities and
that the public was continuing to use the e-Connect internet registration option.
Mr. Glasoe noted that total course registration revenues for summer 2006 were $95,544.84,
while total course registration revenues for summer 2007 were $106,010.30. CARS Director
Glasoe added that of this $106,010.30 total only $40,450.68 was not available for e-Connect.
Mr. Glasoe continued that, of the classes that were available for online registration, 21 % of the
registrations were received online. CARS Director Glasoe reported that the total internet
registrations for Summer were $13,903.33.
. CARS Director Glasoe reported total course registration revenue through September 16, 2006
was $28,597.00, while total course registration revenue for the same period last year was
$29,835.25. Mr. Glasoe noted that internet registration accounted for almost 40% of the class
registrations that were available for online registration.
SUMMER TEEN PROGRAMMING CONSORTIUM- Update
CARS Director Glasoe reported that, although everyone had high expectations for the
cooperative summer teen programs, registrations did not match expectations. Mr. Glasoe noted
that two of six special event trips were held (Bunker Lake wave pool, Minnesota Lynx) while the
others were cancelled due to lack of registration.
Mr. Glasoe continued that Maple Grove reported over 100 registrations for their programs,
Brooklyn Park a similar number and Osseo Schools reported approximately 80 kids participated
in their camps.
CARS Director Glasoe indicated that, while registrations did not match the expectations, the
group was planning to continue the cooperative approach for 2008.
OTHER
• Commissioner Lee asked if a discussion of soccer fields could be included on an upcoming
meeting agenda. Chair Sorenson directed the item be added to the October agenda.
•
SET NEXT MEETING DATE
By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for October 16,
2007, 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 Peterson, to adjourn the
meeting at 7:49 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
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