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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 03-15 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 MARCH 15, 2005 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, Peterson, Shinnick and Theis were present. Commissioners Hauger, Russell were absent and excused. Also present was City Councilmember Kay Lasman and Community Activities, Recreation and Services Director Jim Glasoe CARS Director Glasoe noted that Commissioner Hauger had informed him that he had sold his home in Brooklyn Center and was moving to Alexandria, Minnesota. Mr. Glasoe continued that Mr. Hauger had indicated that he would be sending a resignation letter to Mayor Kragness. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Sorenson asked to have two items added under New Business. The first item would be titled Opportunity Site Task Force Update and the second item would be Park Information. By consensus, the agenda was approved with the addition of the new items. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 18, 2005 Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ebert to approve the January 18, 2005 minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Lasman reported that the City Council had approved the Osseo School's Adult Education Center adjacent to Willow Lane School. Councilmember Lasman noted that an item at the last City Council meeting related to fish sampling at Twin Lake had been pulled from the agenda, as the DNR had reported they were in • the process of analyzing fish sampled last year. • Commissioner Peterson asked about the status of the hotel development adjacent to the Earle Brown Heritage Center. Councilmember Lasman responded that there had been no recent news, but that she thought the development was still moving forward. Commissioners asked about the proposed CVS Pharmacy. Council Liaison Lasman indicated the item had passed at Monday night's meeting, without a vote on rezoning the property. Councilmember Lasman explained the state statue that mandates a city make decisions within 60 days. Councilmember Lasman noted that a motion to extend the 60 day period did not pass, and as such, the development will proceed. Commissioners asked about the status of Brookdale. Councilmember Lasman indicated Brookdale was in receivership and that a new management company, Madison Marquette, had been named. Councilmember Lasman continued that Madison Marquette had paid the property taxes and indicated positive changes were forthcoming. "TOBACCO FREE ZONE" SIGN LOCATIONS CARS Director Glasoe passed out materials related to the designation of tobacco free zones in park areas during organized youth activities. Included in these materials were; minutes from the May 2004 Park and Recreation Commission passing a resolution related to the issue, a copy of the City Council resolution supporting the tobacco free youth recreation initiative, a copy of the free signs that could be requested from the tobacco free youth recreation initiative, a copy of the sign posting locations as identified by staff and an e-mail from a resident supporting the initiative • and encouraging even stricter regulation. CARS Director Glasoe reviewed the materials and the proposed sign placements. Commissioner Ebert indicated that she felt the "tone" of the free signs was quite strong. CARS Director Glasoe noted that Roseville had made its own signs with language that was more in line with the original motion. Commissioner Ebert asked what the cost of producing the signs would be. After some discussion, CARS Director Glasoe offered to research the language used in Roseville and find out an approximate cost for the signs. By consensus, this item was referred to the April 2005 meeting. COMMUNITY CENTER MEMBERSHIPS- DEFINITIONS CARS Director Glasoe indicated that this item was included as a "heads up" for a future agenda. Mr. Glasoe noted that, over the past few years, staff had taken many questions regarding the definition of a "family" as it relates to Community Center memberships. Mr. Glasoe continued that, in June of 2004, the City Council had received and discussed a citizen letter indicating the definition was too restrictive. Mr. Glasoe noted that, at that time, the City Council decided to leave the definition as written. Mr. Glasoe added that, after additional inquiries, and in recognition that the current definition • may not be reflective of the changing dynamics of today's families, the City Council had reconsidered and asked that the Park and Recreation Commission study the issue. Mr. Glasoe noted that, in the coming months, he would be working with staff and the City's legal counsel to • produce a membership definition that is perhaps less restrictive and yet meets revenue goals. Council Liaison Lasman indicated that she had brought the issue back to the attention of the City Council and explained additional rationale for the recommendation. CITY ORDINANCE REGARDING PARKS AND RECREATION CARS Director Glasoe handed out a summary of the proposed ordinance changes as identified by the Commission at the March meeting. Chair Sorenson suggested that the items be discussed individually. Chair Sorenson noted the first item was related to definitions, changing the definition of Parks and Open Space to: Parks, Open Space, Trails and Waterways - Any area located in the City which is reserved, designated, or used for active or passive recreation, and which is owned, operated, or controlled by the City, or which is located within the City but owned, operated, or controlled by another governmental unit. By consensus, Commissioners were in favor of the change. Chair Sorenson noted the next item was related to park hours and considered changing the designated park hours to; Parks are closed... between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Commissioners discussed changing. By consensus the Commission was in favor of making the change. Chair Sorenson indicated the next item was related to restraining dogs. CARS Director Glasoe • reiterated that the concerns received in the office have largely been related to dogs running at large, not concerns regarding the length or type of leash. CARS Director Glasoe indicated that, similar to the example from Maple Grove, a "clarifying statement" could be added with actually changing the ordinance. By consensus, the Commission was in favor of having a clarifying statement. Chair Sorenson noted the next items dealt with alcohol, gambling and controlled substances in the park. CARS Director Glasoe noted that gambling was controlled by the State of Minnesota Gambling Board and their regulations would supersede the ordinance. Mr. Glasoe added that the city had received relatively few complaints regarding the current "no alcohol" language. Mr. Glasoe further noted that controlled substances are sufficiently covered in other ordinances. By consensus, no additions or changes were recommended related to these items. Chair Sorenson noted the last proposed change was related to department and position names, notably changing references to the Director of Recreation to Director of Community Activities, Recreation and Services and hanging references to Recreation Department to Community Activities, Recreation and Services Department. Commission consensus was to recommend making the change. After some additional discussion, Chair Sorenson asked that CARS Director Glasoe discuss the proposed revisions with the City Attorney to identify any legal issues. • WILLOW LANE SCHOOL LAND SWAP • CARS Director indicated that, as reported by Councilmember Lasman in the Liaison Report, the Ordinance amendment and easement vacations related to the Osseo Schools Adult Education Center had passed. Council Liaison Lasman noted that this included the land swap and cooperative agreement. OPPORTUNITY SITE- TASK FORCE Chair Sorenson reported on the progress of the Opportunity Site Task Force. Chair Sorenson noted the task force had been created to study the area from 57 h Avenue north to Summit Drive and from Shingle Creek Parkway east to Highway 100, with the intention of creating a "town center." Chair Sorenson added that the task force was comprised of the City's Commission Chairs and four citizen representatives. Chair Sorenson passed around renderings of some of the concepts being considered by the task force. Chair Sorenson noted that Task Force meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month and announced three upcoming meetings where public input will be taken. The meetings will be held Wednesdays, April 13, May 11 and June 15 at 7p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Commissioner Peterson left the meeting at 8:03 p.m. After some discussion, commissioners asked Councilmember Lasman about the status of the Northbrook Property. Councilmember Lasman noted that the Council had reviewed a proposal from the current property owner. Councilmember Lasman indicated that the proposed development was good, but that the City Council had questions regarding the density of the project and the amount of the financial participation asked of the City. PARK INFORMATION Chair Sorenson indicated that, at a recent meeting, he was asked by a two year resident of Brooklyn Center about the location of walking trails. Chair Sorenson added that more could be done to educate the residents about the parks and trails. Chair Sorenson noted the "Spotlight on Parks" that is included in each City Watch newsletter, and indicated we should consider something additional for trails. CARS Director Glasoe noted that copies of the City's trail maps were available at the Community Center After some discussion, CARS Director Glasoe offered to speak to the City Clerk regarding putting additional parks/trails information and links on the City's website. ADOPT-A-PARK SPRING CLEAN-UP DATE Council Liaison Lasman noted that the spring "kick off' event for the Adopt-A-Park, Trail & Street program was set for April 16. is After some discussion, CARS Director Glasoe was directed to send out clean-up information with the April meeting packets. i SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for April 19, 2005 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 8:20 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. • 0