HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 11-21 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
NOVEMBER 21, 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, Peterson, Russell and Shinnick were present.
Commissioner Theis 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.
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES - October 17, 2006
Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ebert to approve the
October 17, 2006 minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission as presented. The motion
passed unanimously.
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT
Councilmember O'Connor reported the following items from recent City Council meetings.
• Donations of $500 and $1,000 had been accepted for the 2007 Safety Camp program.
• The City Council had approved the sale of $1,460,000 in general obligation improvement
bonds.
• The City's Massage Parlor Ordinance had been revised to allow for a single locker room.
• Random Acts of Kindness winners were recognized.
• The City Council was discussing MCES sewer charges related to the Joslyn site.
• Code enforcement efforts for 2006 found 831 violations, with 362 citations issued.
• The City Council approved a revised development agreement for a hotel adjacent to The
Earle Brown Heritage Center.
• The City Council approved the early purchase of a street sweeper and rotary mower.
• There would be a December 11 m public hearing relating to discharges and connections to the
• stormwater system.
• Kim Meyer had been appointed to the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council.
• Tim Willson is the new mayor-elect and Dan Ryan and Mark Yelich were elected to the
City Council. .
A
PARKS GRAFFITI
CARS Director Glasoe indicated that Commissioner Peterson had asked that this item be placed
on the agenda. Mr. Glasoe reported that an increase in park graffiti had been noted during the
past year. Mr. Glasoe continued that he had recently discussed the issue with Police Lieutenant
Kevin Benner, who indicated that the Police Department had used Police Reserves for a six week
period over the summer to patrol the parks. Lt. Benner indicated that this effort appeared to
reduce the amount of graffiti. Mr. Glasoe noted that the Police Department had since shifted the
Police Reserves to other priorities, but would be open to redirecting their time, should the issue
be deemed a priority.
Commissioner Peterson shared that his recent visits to his neighborhood parks had found the
park equipment and buildings filled with graffiti. Commissioner Peterson shared pictures of the
graffiti, along with graphic excerpts of some of the language contained in the graffiti.
Commissioner Peterson noted that, as a result of the graffiti, he did not feel comfortable bringing
his children to the park.
Chair Sorenson noted that it was his feeling that the graffiti needed to be removed as soon as
possible t avoid additional incidents. CARS Director Glasoe responded that, it was his
understanding that Public Works crews were removing the graffiti as fast as their resources
allowed. Commissioner Peterson noted that, despite his reporting it, some of the graffiti at East
Palmer Park had been there for an extended period of time.
After some additional discussion, Chair Sorenson asked that City Councilmember O'Connor
consider bringing the issue to the attention of the City Council and indicate that additional
resources may be necessary to combat the increase.
Mayor-Elect Tim Willson arrived at the meeting at 7:15 p.m. Chair Sorenson acknowledged
Mayor elect Willson. Mayor Elect Willson introduced himself to the Commission members and
indicated that he looked forward to working with them.
Mayor-elect Willson left the meeting at 7:21.
SKATEPARK EQUIPMENT
CARS Director Glasoe noted that the purchase of skate park equipment was included in the 2006
Capital Improvements Plans. Mr. Glasoe added that the purchase of the equipment had been
delayed over the summer, as the contractor had not yet completed all of the "punch list"
construction items at Grandview Park, the site of the proposed equipment.
Mr. Glasoe reported that all of the work had been completed and that staff would soon begin to
put together the Request for Proposals for skatepark equipment vendors. Mr. Glasoe noted that
along with that effort, he was going to solicit input from neighboring community's on there
recent experience with skatepark use. Mr. Glasoe indicated that it was his understanding that
interest in skateboarding was declining.
Mr. Glasoe added he would report his findings at the January or February meeting.
0 HOLLY SUNDAY
CARS Director Glasoe reported that this years Holly Sunday event was being run on a limited
budget and asked if any of the Commissioner would be available to assist. Chair Sorenson
volunteered to assist with picture taking and noted that a number of the Brooklyn Center Lions
Club members would be assisting as well.
CENTRAL GARAGE STORAGE BUILDINGS- UPDATE
Cars Director Glasoe reported that the new storage building was now fully enclosed, with only
some roof flashing a gutter work remaining on the exterior. Mr. Glasoe noted that the weather
had cooperated and that the new facility would be in December or January.
THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT- REGIONAL TRAILS
Cars Director Glasoe reported that after contacting Three Rivers Park District staff, it was the
consensus of both parties that they would continue work on the development of the cooperative
trail agreement and that staff from Three Rivers would appear before the Commission when the
draft agreement was closer to completion.
CARS Director Glasoe indicated he would continue to update the Commission as development
of the agreement continued.
•
SET NEXT MEETING DATE
By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for
January 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 Ebert, to adjourn the
meeting at 8:10 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
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JW