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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 01-16 PRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION • FOR THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION JANUARY 16, 2006 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, Shinnick and Theis were present. Commissioner Peterson was absent and excused. Also present was City Council Member Mary O'Connor and Community Activities, Recreation and Services Director Jim Glasoe APPROVAL OF AGENDA By consensus, the agenda was approved. • APPROVAL OF MINUTES - November 21, 2006 Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Lee to approve the November 21, 2006 minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT f Chair Sorenson noted that Councilmember O'Connor had been reappointed as the.liaison the Park and Recreation Commission and welcomed her to the meeting. Councilmember O'Connor reported that, in addition to the Park and Recreation Commission, she had been appointed to the Earle Brown Days Committee, which had met earlier that day. Councilmember O'Connor noted that the Riverwood neighborhood was scheduled for street improvements this year, and that neighborhood meetings had been held to discuss the project. It was noted that the City's birthday celebration was scheduled for February 3`d. CARS Director Glasoe noted that anyone wishing to register could do so at the Community Center. 0 • SCHEDULED 2007 PARK IMPROVEMENTS CARS Director Glasoe reported that the single park include in the Capital Improvements Plan for improvement in 2007 was Kylawn Park. Mr. Glasoe continued that the $215,000 in proposed improvements would include a new shelter building, some trail lighting improvements and the removal of the tennis courts. Mr. Glasoe added that the new building would include one unisex bathroom, a small utility/storage area and some open program space. Mr. Glasoe continued that the building would also incorporate a picnic shelter and be very similar to the Evergreen Park shelter building. CARS Director Glasoe indicated that he would bring back additional information to the Commission as the final design of the building was developed. 2007 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 Commission would like to discuss. • Councilmember O'Connor noted that one of her fellow Council members had discussed the idea of a Farmer's Market in Brooklyn Center. Ms. O'Connor indicated she would discuss the idea further and perhaps have it referred back to the Commission. After some discussion, a report on the exclusive use fees and an update on the tree clean up following the September 2005 storm were added as potential agenda items. Chair Sorenson also asked about the status of the trail striping of the Palmer Lake trail. CARS Director Glasoe indicated that he had spoken with Public Works Director Todd Blomstrom on that issue and that Mr. Blomstrom recognized that he had agreed to strip the trail and was waiting for appropriate weather and to see what type of progress was made with Three Rivers Park District on the cooperative agreement regarding trail maintenance. Mr. Glasoe noted that this would determine whether the work would be completed on the City's dime or by Three Rivers. Chair Sorenson noted that Commissioners should feel free to bring forward agenda items at any of the meetings. PARKS GRAFFITI CARS Director Glasoe reported that, as requested by the Commission, Councilmember had O'Connor brought up the graffiti information at the November 27 b City Council meeting. Mr. Glasoe continued that Councilmember O'Connor had noted the issue included an increase in the graffiti and the fact that the defaced equipment was not being addressed as quickly as it had been in the past. Mr. Glasoe noted that City Manager Curt Boganey indicated the increase in graffiti and the • removal issue was the result of cutbacks in service levels, necessitated by the budget reductions related to Local Government Aid reductions. CARS Director Glasoe added that the Police Department park patrols that seemed to have some success this past summer were discussed, including the fact that they were only for a short time due to funding. CARS Director Glasoe noted that, as directed at the meeting, Public Works staff is soliciting quotes from vendors for graffiti removal and the Police Department was determining the cost of reinstituting the park patrol for the year. Mr. Glasoe indicated the issue would be brought back to a future City Council meeting.. SKATEPARK EQUIPMENT CARS Director Glasoe reported that, as was reported at the November meeting staff had spoken to area communities regarding their experiences with attendance at their skate parks. Mr. Glasoe noted that the inquiries had found a mixed bag of results, including the following: Maple Grove, no longer was charging for use of their skatepark, as the numbers have declined. Brooklyn Park, was revising their layout, and adding a few items to boost attendance. Prior Lake, no longer was staffing their facility due to a decline in numbers. Crystal and Champlin both reported good use in their first years. Mr. Glasoe noted that, as a result of the findings, staff planned to move forward with . development of a Request for Proposals for equipment. The RFP format will be similar to recent playground equipment purchases whereby the City designates some "have to haves for the equipment and then leaves it up to the individual vendors for exact equipment inclusions and design. Mr. Glasoe added that he hoped to have the RFP to vendors in late February or early March, so that equipment could be ordered and installed in the spring. THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT- REGIONAL TRAILS CARS Director Glasoe noted that staff was still assembling property descriptions for proposed cooperative agreement. CARS Director Glasoe indicated he would add this item to a future agenda when a draft agreement had been developed. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for February 13, 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 Russell, to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.