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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 02-21 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 FEBRUARY 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 Lee, Peterson, Shinnick, Theis and Russell were present. Commissioner Ebert 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 Lee indicated she would like to discuss the parks and trails map. Chair Sorenson • asked that it be added under Other. By consensus, the agenda was approved as amended. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - February 21, 2006 Commissioner Russell made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to approve the February 21, 200.6 minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember O'Connor reported that, on March 6 h, there would be a joint meeting of the Financial Commission and City Council regarding Centerbrook golf course. Councilmember O'Connor informed the Commission about upcoming public hearings including street improvements on Humboldt Avenue, street improvements on Earle Brown Drive and noise Wall construction along Interstate 694 from Dupont Avenue to Highway 100. Councilmember O'Connor reported on the City Council's discussions related to a proposed ordinance amendment that would limit cars in driveways to six.. Councilmember O'Connor noted the public hearing regarding the revision was scheduled for March 27 h. • Councilmember O' Connor informed the Commission that the Police Department has been meeting with Brookdale management to discuss security issues. CENTRAL PARK BALLFIELD LIGHTS • CARS Director Glasoe reported that an item accepting bids and awarding the contract for the Central Park ballfield lighting project had been approved at the last City Council meeting. Mr. Glasoe reminded the Commission that this improvement, originally scheduled for 2005, had been delayed as a result of the September storm and would be completed this spring. CARS Director Glasoe noted that the low bid of $91,440 was under the $105,000 allocation in the approved Capital Improvement Program. CENTERBROOK GOLF COURSE STUDY Chair Sorenson indicated that one of the discussion items missing at last months meeting was the underlying principles used by the City Council to approve the course. Chair Sorenson noted that Commissioner Theis was on the City Council at the time the golf course was approved. Commissioner Theis indicated that he recalled the primary rationale used for approving the golf course was, that it would be a significant recreational amenity for the community, not because it would make money. Commissioner Theis did note however, that the financial projections did show the golf course would be profitable. Chair Sorenson added that he was on the Park and Recreation Commission at that time and that a phone survey was conducted to gauge citizen support for the development of Centerbrook, the • purchase of the Earle Brown Farm and park improvements. Chair Sorenson added that the survey was headed up by a graduate student from the University of Minnesota, and that the results were considered to be "statistically significant." Chair Sorenson noted that neighbors and citizens were mostly in favor of developing the golf course. He added that the Park and Recreation Commission members were in favor of having a specialized recreational amenity for the community. Chair Sorenson noted that, at that time, New Hope's golf.course was successful and there was confidence that the area could support another course. j~ Commission Shinnick recalled the area of the golf course as being a "dump" prior to the development, with problems related to loitering, fires and youth causing trouble. CARS Director Glasoe referred Commissioners to a revised spreadsheet he had created that added in the interest paid during the first decade of operation. Mr. Glasoe noted that, in total, over $915,000 had been paid to the Capital Improvements Fund in interest and principal since the golf course was constructed.. CARS Director Glasoe also referred to a copy of the 2006 golf course budget that was included in the meeting packets as information for the Commissioners. CARS Director Glasoe referenced an aerial photograph of the golf course property showing the • areas that are Mn/DOT right-of-way, water tower safety zone, and flood plain. Mr. Glasoe noted all of these as obstacles to'using the site for other purposes. • Commissioners asked CARS Director Glasoe about allocations in the budget for Central Garage charges, charges for water, sewer and storm drainage. CARS Director Glasoe responded that the Central Garage charges related to the accumulated depreciation payments and charges for repair and maintenance of all golf course equipment valued in excess of $10,000. Mr. Glasoe continued that the water, sewer and storm sewer charges were included, as a decision had been made some time ago that all city owned properties be treated similar to private properties with respect to utility charges. Commissioner Theis asked if any evaluation had been done related to the value of the golf course property as it relates to storm water. CARS Director Glasoe indicated that he had not seen any figures, but that his guess was that the figure would be quite substantial. Mr. Glasoe noted the original cost of construction of the regional storm water ponds had been almost $3,000,000, and that replacement land was not available. After some additional discussion, CARS Director Glasoe indicated that he was looking for two recommendations from the Commission. The first being a value judgment from the Commission as to how valuable the golf course is as a recreation amenity for the community and the second, any recommendation(s) the Commission might have regarding the finances. After further discussion, Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell indicating the Commission's feeling that the golf course was an extremely important • recreational amenity for the community. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Sorenson asked if the Commission wanted to make a motion related the finances. Accordingly, Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell that recommend the City Council consider moving away from the fixed amount loan repayment schedule and towards a formula based schedule that accommodates expenditures in the first quarter of each year and re-establishes a capital reserve. The motion passed unanimously. In discussing the recommendation, the Commission noted that they had opted to not make specific recommendations regarding the development of the formula, recognizing that the Financial Commission and City Council would be in a better position to make such a determination. Chair Sorenson noted that he would be out of town on March 6 and asked vice-chair Shinnick if he would be able to attend the March 6, 2006 joint meeting of the Financial Commission and City Council to share the Commission's position. Commissioner Shinnick indicated he could attend. Chair Sorenson also asked that Commissioner Theis consider attending, as he was a former council member. After some additional discussion, Commissioners asked that the value of golf course property related storm water use be identified and stressed in discussions with the City Council and • Finance Commission. • EXCLUSIVE USE FEES additional information to the CARS Director Glasoe indicated that he had intended to bring meeting regarding fees, but that he felt the discussion regarding protracted. Mr. Glasoe added that staff was still gathering the 20 and that he was still waiting for Brooklyn Park to release their re By consensus, this item was referred to the March 2006 agenda. the golf course would be 06 rates from neighboring cities, vised rates. PARK SIGNAGE Cars Director Glasoe reported that staff had not yet completed a sign inventory, and that he would place the item on a future agenda when he had the information compiled. OTHER Commissioner Lee referred to a Trail Map that she had received from the City and asked if more were available. CARS Director Glasoe responded that the map was produced some time ago and was quite expensive to produce. Mr. Glasoe added that only 1500 copies were printed. Mr. Glasoe noted the Community Center did provide black and white copies of the map upon request. Commissioner Lee indicated that she thought the map was important, and that the city should do more to inform the public about parks and trails. . Chair Sorenson noted that a matrix of parks and amenities was included in the most recent edition of the city watch. Councilmember O'Connor added that the City Watch also included a park highlight of the Eugene Hagel Arboretum. CARS Director Glasoe reported that there is a lot of information on the city's web site, and that more will be added related to parks. Commissioner Thus asked about how staff planned to spend the 2006 marketing dollars for the golf course. CARS Glasoe indicated he would provide a summary at the next meeting. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for March 21, 2006, 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 8:45 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. 0