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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 10-18 PRMMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION i FOR THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA REGULAR SESSION OCTOBER 18, 2005 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, and Russell were present. Commissioners Ebert, Shinnick and Theis were absent and excused. Also present was City Council Member Kay Lasman and Community Activities, Recreation and Services Director Jim Glasoe APPROVAL OF AGENDA • Chair Sorenson asked that Adopt-A-Park clean-up be added under "Other". Commissioner Peterson asked if Park Signage could be added. Chair Sorenson asked that it be added under "Other". By consensus, the agenda was approved with the additions. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - September 20, 2005 Commissioner Russell made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Peterson to approve the September 20, 2005 minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Lasman reported that the Opportunity Site Task Force continued to meet and noted that the final "Open House" was tentatively scheduled for January 25t` in Constitution Hall. Councilmember Lasman noted that demolition of the Northbrook site had begun and indicated the contractor was recycling many of the building materials. Councilmember Lasman reported that the City Council had met and approved up to $345,000 for storm clean-up. Councilmember Lasman added that the cost of the cleanup was being funded from the emergency fund and other sources. Councilmember Lasman noted that Congressman Ramstad had assisted the City in getting • reimbursement from the U.S. Postal Service related to the resident mailing regarding the storm clean-up. Councilmember Lasman indicated that, although the City had paid for the flyer to be sent via First Class mail, the post office delivered it P Class. Councilmember Lasman reported that Congressman Ramstad had assisted the City in recovering the difference in cost between the • intended first class and resultant third class mailing. Councilmember Lasman added that she had additional information regarding the storm should the Commission desire when the storm is discussed. SEPTEMBER 21 STORM CARS Director Glasoe provided the Commission with information regarding the September 21, 2005 storm. CARS Director Glasoe reported that 127 calls for service were received in the police dispatch within two hours of the storm hitting. Mr. Glasoe continued that the Emergency Operations Center was opened within an hour of the storms beginning, and additional patrol officers and firefighters were brought in to assist with the response. CARS Director reviewed storm assessment statistics prepared with information provided by the Police and Community Development Departments. CARS Director Glasoe reported that Public Works crews were nearing completion of the first round of tree removal from neighborhoods and noted that a second round would follow. Commissioner Lee noted a tree down on the Palmer Lake Trail, noting that it was not there the week prior. CARS Director Glasoe responded that it was his understanding that an initial sweep was done to clear the main trails and look for any safety hazards. Mr. Glasoe continued that the tree may have succumbed to the wet conditions or additional wind. Mr. Glasoe indicated he . would share the information with the Public Works Department. CARS Director Glasoe noted that, as a result of the storm the Public Works Department has been working 60 hour weeks and has been solely focused on storm damage issues., As a result, Mr. Glasoe reported that items such as striping of the Palmer Lake trail and work on the Little League dugouts would have to be postponed until the Spring. EXCLUSIVE USE FEES CARS Director Glasoe indicated that he was introducing this item for discussion and to gauge Commission support for such fees. CARS Director Glasoe noted the issue had recently been highlighted by the reservation of one of the picnic shelters by a resident of Brooklyn Park who informed staff that the reason she was reserving a shelter in Brooklyn Center was because we did not have a reservation charge or use fee. Mr. Glasoe presented information regarding exclusive use fees for the neighboring communities of Crystal, New Hope, Brooklyn Park, Fridley and Champlin. CARS Director Glasoe noted that, if there was consensus amongst the Commission, he would work with staff to develop a proposal that could be brought back at a future meeting. Commissioner Lee noted the fees charged by Brooklyn Park and indicated she would be receptive to charging a nominal fee to residents and a slightly higher fee for nonresidents. Commissioner Peterson agreed that a modest fee might be in order. Chair Sorenson indicated that he was in favor of fees for non-residents, but was not comfortable with charging residents. Commissioner Russell agreed that he was not inclined to charge fees to residents. After some additional discussion, Commission consensus was to have the CARS Director develop a plan that considered the Commission's input and bring it back to a future meeting. Chair Sorenson recommended coming up with a couple of options for the Commission to consider. LITTLE LEAGUE DUGOUTS Chair Sorenson noted that this item had already been addressed as part of the storm report. CARS Director Glasoe reiterated that any work on the Little League dugouts would have to be postponed until the spring. NON-RESIDENT FEES CARS Director noted that, at the last meeting, the Commission had asked that he survey some of the neighboring communities to determine their use of non-resident fees. Mr. Glasoe presented the Commission with non-resident fee information for the cities of New Hope, Crystal, Brooklyn Park, Fridley and Champlin. CARS Director Glasoe noted that many of communities had non-resident fees related to adult sports teams. Mr. Glasoe indicated that Brooklyn Center had circumvented this by increasing the team fees to "build in" an accommodation for non-residents. . CARS Director Glasoe indicated that he felt non-resident fees were only practical when the demand for programs and activities exceeded the ability of the city to provide them. Mr. Glasoe continued that is rarely the case in Brooklyn Center. 4 After much discussion, the consensus of the Commission was to stick with the current philosophy of no non-resident fees unless there were significant changes in program demand. FALL ADOPT-A-PARK CLEAN UP Chair Sorenson noted that he and Commissioner Peterson had met on Saturday, October 8th to clean Marlin and Lakeside Parks. Chair Sorenson noted that both parks were relatively clean. PARK SIGNANGE Commissioner Peterson indicated that he had noticed a variety of signs in the parks including brown park signs, blue and white park signs, green adopt-a-park signs and separate green rules signs at some parks. Commissioner Peterson asked if there was a "plan" for park signage, or if there might be an opportunity to coordinate and consolidate some signs. CARS Director Glasoe responded that the older brown park signs were maintenance intensive and were being replaced with signs using recycled plastic as funds became available. Mr. Glasoe indicated that he would speak with the Public Works Department regarding our signage practices and report back at a future meeting. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for November 15, 2005, at 7:00 p.m. in Community Room #221 of the Brooklyn Center Community Center. MEETING ADJOURNED Commissioner Russell made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. • 0