Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 05-16 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 MAY 16, 2006 COMMUNITY ROOM #221, COMMUNITY CENTER CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Sorenson, Commissioners Ebert, Lee, Shinnick, Russell 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 Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Lee to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - April 18, 2006 Commissioner Russell made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ebert to approve the April 18, 2006 minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember O'Connor reported the following from recent City Council meetings: • The City Council had awarded a contract for reforestation in the Lions Park neighborhood. • The City Council had approved the 2006 list of allowable boulevard trees. • The City had received the Tree City USA designation for the Ie year. • That additional testing was being done at the Hmong Shopping Center site. • The City had received storm damage reimbursement from Hennepin County related to the September 2005 storm. • The 2006 Code Enforcement sweep was beginning. • The Fall City Watch would contain citizen survey questions. • The City Council amended the City ordinance related to side yard setbacks, roof overhangs and garage heights. • The City Council had approved a new development at 69& and Brooklyn Boulevard. • • The City Council approved the picnic shelter fees as recommended by the Commission. • • The annual deer count noted 56 deer and 11 deer related accidents in the past four months. Another deer hunt is scheduled for next fall. • City Manager McCauley is leaving. He accepted a position with the Oregon League of Cities as Executive Director. Assistant City Manager Curt Boganey will serve as interim, with a salary established at 90% of the current City Manager rate. • The City Council approved soliciting search firms for the City Manager replacement process. • The City had agreed to purchase the Cracker Barrel property for $1,825,000. CENTERBROOK GOLF COURSE CAPITAL PLAN, RECOMMEDNATION CARS Director Glasoe reported that, at the joint meeting of the City Council and Finance Commission on March 6, 2006, there was considerable agreement on keeping the golf course as a recreational amenity for the community, but less agreement on how to address the long term debt. CARS Director Glasoe indicated staff was directed to develop a capital plan for the golf course along with a recommendation regarding the debt. The City Council directed that these items be brought back to the Park & Recreation Commission and the Financial Commission for consideration and a recommendation. Mr. Glasoe noted that, also of note at the meeting was the discussion of the golf course and its relationship to the Storm Sewer Utility Fund as a regional storm water detention facility. It was reported that the golf course had lost approximately $49,000 in net revenues in 1998, as the golf course was not opened until July l'of that year to accommodate completion of the storm water • pond construction. Mr. Glasoe added, the Council and Commissioners also discussed the fact that the golf course is routinely closed, for varying periods of time, as a result of flooding related to storm water. CARS Director Glasoe reviewed the proposed Capital Plan for Centerbrook. Mr. Glasoe indicated is a ten year plan that schedules yearly capital projects and expenditures according to need. And similar to the larger Capital Improvements Plan for the city, this plan would be reevaluated each year, and presented along with the golf course budget. Mr. Glasoe noted the Capital Fund would be established with an initial contribution of $49,000 from the Storm Sewer Utility Fund, and an annual contribution of $17,500 from operating revenues. In addition to the funding of capital projects and purchases, Mr. Glasoe indicated the staff recommendation also included a reserve for early season expenditures. Mr. Glasoe reported that during the first quarter of each year, the golf course produces limited revenues until the course opens for business. Mr. Glasoe continued that the annual net revenues through the end of March is typically $-25,000. CARS Director Glasoe added that the staff recommendation also included sufficient cash reserves to accommodate for this deficit. In summarizing, CARS Director Glasoe related to the Commission that the, staff recommends that a revised loan repayment policy be adopted that calls for loan payments according to a set formula, rather than a predetermined schedule. Mr. Glasoe continued that staff proposes • • that the formula direct any year-end cash reserves in excess of $50,000, plus any Capital Reserve balance, be directed to the Capital Improvements Fund.. CARS Director Glasoe continued that, staff further recommends that all principal payments made continue to be tracked, until such a time as the original loan is repaid. Lastly, Mr. Glasoe noted that staff recommends that revenues lost as a result of golf course closures related to storm water be reimbursed by the Storm Sewer Utility Fund. This reimbursement would be for actual league rounds cancelled, and an average of daily non-league rounds played during the same period, over the past three years. After some discussion, there was a motion made by Commissioner Shinnick, seconded by Commissioner Russell affirming the staff recommendations and recommending the same to the City Council. The motion passed unanimously. ANNUAL PARKS TOUR PLANNING Chair Sorenson asked Commissioners what time they would like to meet and which parks they would like to visit. After some discussion, Commission consensus was to meet at 6:15 p.m. for a parks tour, with the general meeting to immediately follow. The Commissioners agreed to visit Grandview, Twin Lake and Northport Parks. EXCLUSIVE USE FEES • CARS Director Glasoe reported that the exclusive use fees had been approved at the last City Council meeting. Mr. Glasoe noted that there had been some discussion at the City Council meeting regarding charging area school districts. CARS Director Glasoe noted that the City has reciprocal relationships with each of the four school districts that serve Brooklyn Center related to use of facilities. Mr. Glasoe noted that these are not written agreements, but understandings that have been developed over time that support each others efforts. In each case, we are not charged rental fees to use school district facilities. Conversely, we regularly allow the school districts to use city parks and facilities without charge. Mr. Glasoe added that, in effect, we co-sponsor each others activities. CARS Director Glasoe noted that this would hold true for picnic shelter use as well. As a result, any use by the Brooklyn Center, Osseo, Anoka, or Robbinsdale School Districts would be considered co-sponsored by our department, and as such, would incur no charges. PUBLIC WORKS GARAGE-CENTRAL STORAGE FACILITY CARS Director Glasoe reported that the architect was still in the process of developing a preliminary plan and cost estimates; and that he would bring that information back to the Commission at a future meeting. 0 PARKS MAINTENANCE ITEMS- FOLLOW UP • CARS Director Glasoe indicated that he had received an e-mail from John Harlow, the Supervisor of Streets and Parks Maintenance regarding some of the issues raised by Commissioners following last months clean-up. CARS Director Glasoe CARS Director Glasoe relayed that the bare turf areas and holes are storm damage and that Public Works crews are working in other parks and will be repairing Marlin in the rotation. Mr. Glasoe noted the paint and graffiti on the playground equipment will be removed by staff as soon as possible. Mr. Glasoe added that the perpetrator of the bench graffiti had been caught by the Police and would be personally cleaning the bench. CARS Director Glasoe indicated staff had confirmed that the debris along the wood fence and the graffiti on the same is private property; not in the park and has been referred as a code enforcement issue. Mr. Glasoe noted that the gnarly branches and bushes on the west side of the park are on park property and staff has been slowly cleaning and trimming as the vegetation dies. OTHER There were no items identified SET NEXT MEETING DATE • By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for June 20, 2006, with a parks tour to begin at 6:15 p.m. and the general meeting at 7:15 p.m. in Community Room #221 of the Brooklyn Center Community Center. MEETING ADJOURNED Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Lee, to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. 0