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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 09-21 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 SEPTEMBER 21, 2004 COMMUNITY ROOM #221 CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Sorenson, Commissioners Ebert, Hauger, Peterson, Russell, Shinnick and Theis were present. Also present were Councilmember Kay Lasman, Public Works Director Todd Blomstrom and Community Activities, Recreation and Services Director Jim Glasoe. • APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Hauger to approve the meeting agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June 15, 2004 Commissioner Russell made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to approve the June 15, 2004 minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Councilmember Lasman reported that the City Council had met in an August retreat and developed this year's City Council goals. Councilmember Lasman noted that unlike past years where there have been 10 to 12 focus areas, the Council decided on only four focus areas for 2005. Councilmember Lasman noted that this would help the Council and City staff to focus their time and resources on these issues. Councilmember Lasman described the four focus areas: 1 Redevelopment of the "Opportunity site" area. • 2. Sustain City services at current levels. 3. Sustain the street reconstruction program at current levels. 4. Continue current code enforcement efforts. • Commissioners asked if there were any potential development plans for the former Jerry's Foods site. Councilmember Lasman responded that she was not aware of any current development plans for that site, but that the Council was actively looking at redevelopment of the Opportunity Site as designated in the recent Metropolitan Council study. Councilmember Lasman indicated that she, along with other council members and staff had visited the Excelsior and Grand redevelopment in Hopkins. Councilmember Lasman indicated that the mix of office, commercial, town houses and green space was indicative of what the council would be considering. Councilmember Lasman commented on the construction of the new Transit Hub and indicated a late December completion was anticipated. Councilmember Lasman reported that Brookdale had signed a new marketing management firm. Commissioners asked about the 2005 budget development. Councilmember Lasman noted the City would incur another $335,000 in Local Government Aid reduction in 2005. Council member Lasman reported that the preliminary budget plan was to increase the tax levy by 3%, and to levy back the lost LGA for 2005. WILLOW LANE SCHOOL LAND SWAP CARS Director Glasoe informed the Commission that the Osseo School District had approached the City regarding apotential land swap related to Willow Lane Park. Mr. Glasoe noted the school district had been working for some time to find a location for an Adult Basic • Education/Adult Leaning Center. Mr. Glasoe added the District had assembled land adjacent to Willow Lane School. However, the site was not large enough to construct the building, accommodate the necessary parking and fulfill the storm water ponding requirements. As a result, Mr. Glasoe indicated the school district had approached the City regarding the idea of land swap. Public Works Director Blomstrom described the proposed land swap including the two parcels identified for consideration. Mr. Blomstrom noted the land area the city would receive (43,250 sq ft) was slightly larger than the area the city would be giving (37,200 sq ft.) up." Mr. Blomstrom explained that the City would be vacating a portion of a ball field in the "swap", but would be gaining control of the infield portion of the larger ball field and the area currently used as a general rink in the winters. Mr. Glasoe noted that the City does not currently schedule the field that would be eliminated Mr. Glasoe added the district would be willing to purchase soccer goals for the newly created area. Mr. Blomstrom continued that this area would not be a class "A" soccer field, as it is not irrigated and is in the area of the skating rink, which is not typically good turf. Commissioners discussed the options for using the area adjacent to the skating rink area for soccer. Public Works Director Blomstrom indicated staff would discuss with the District the possibility to use the area between the playground and the skating rink for soccer. • • After much discussion, Commissioner Russell made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ebert to recommend to the City Council that the land swap be undertaken. The recommendation also indicated that the land swap would not be considered in conjunction with an earlier request by the Willow Lane School staff to fence the joint playground. The motion passed unanimously. PARKS CAPITAL IMPROMENTS PLAN- BUILDING STORAGE PLAN CARS Director Glasoe introduced the revised Capital Improvements Plan that he and Public Works Director Todd Blomstrom had developed. Mr. Glasoe reminded the Commission that budget reductions of the last two years had significantly affected the schedule of capital improvements in the parks. Mr. Glasoe noted that many planned projects have been deferred, while others were simply dropped. Mr. Glasoe added that the aforementioned budget reductions had also affected the available funds for all capital expenditures. Mr. Glasoe continued that, with these thoughts in mind, staff had developed a revised park improvements plan that staff felt continues to move us forward, but conformed to the limited funding available. Mr. Glasoe shared the revised philosophy was to take on fewer improvements, but do those improvements very well. Mr. Glasoe noted the previous plan envisioned the completion of all improvements at a given park at the same time, the revised plan considers separate, discreet improvements. Mr. Glasoe shared the two areas of focus for the revised plan would be the replacement of shelter • buildings and storage for park maintenance materials and park program supplies. Mr. Glasoe continued that, with the completion of replacement of all playground equipment, staff saw replacement of the shelter buildings as a priority. Mr. Glasoe noted that many of these buildings were between 30 and 40 years old. Mr. Glasoe reminded the Commission that the city had begun the process of building replacement shortly before the adoption of the Destination Parks Plan in 2000. Mr. Glasoe pointed out that since 1999, buildings at Bellvue, East Palmer, Firehouse, Happy Hollow, Lions and Twin Lake have been demolished and replaced with picnic shelters. Mr. Glasoe noted that, while these improvements conformed to the destination Parks Plan with respect to amenities that would be contained at each park, they also eliminated valuable storage space for park maintenance and recreation program supplies. Mr. Glasoe continued that, 9,000+ square feet of overall space, and over 3,500 square feet of storage space was eliminated. Mr. Glasoe indicated the need for replacement storage space was noted in the 2000 Capital Improvements Plan. In that plan, a new salt storage was to. be constructed at the Central Garage and the existing storage facility would be converted to parks storage. The existing salt storage facility is 3,520 square feet. CARS Director Glasoe noted as justification for the improvement, many efficiencies and benefits • were identified. Efficient central storage at the Central Garage and close proximity to the Community Center would significantly reduce staff travel time to retrieve park supplies. Also, security of the equipment and supplies would be enhanced. • Mr. Glasoe added, the construction of a new salt storage facility would provide for greater storage capacity and enhanced material handling. This translates into savings in both staff time and materials, Also, Mr. Glasoe noted the new salt storage would provide better salt containment as defined by the NPDES Phase II requirements. Public Works Director Blomstrom indicated the 2000-2004 Capital Improvements Plan allocated $450,000 for the storage work. Mr. Blomstrom added that improvement was subsequently deferred, as a result of the budget reductions. Mr. Blomstrom noted the new plan allocates a similar $450,000 to complete these improvements. CARS Director Glasoe shared that buildings planned for the destination parks are envisioned to be similar in design and plan to the current building at Evergreen Park. The inside area would include a unisex bathroom, a multipurpose space and a small storage/utility area. The roof would extend from the front of the building to provide a covered picnic area. Mr. Glasoe noted the building plans and the corresponding monetary allocations were intended to be conceptual. Actual building designs and refined cost estimates would be developed with Commission involvement over the next many months. Mr. Glasoe continued that buildings planned for the "playfield" parks would include a covered area for picnics, some unheated storage and an integrated enclosure for a portable restroom. Mr. Glasoe added the buildings planned for the "playground" parks would be a simple picnic shelter • on a concrete slab. Again, actual building designs and refined cost estimates would be developed with Commission involvement over the next many months. Following some discussion, CARS Director Glasoe presented the revised plan for park improvements in 2005- 2009 as follows: Project Year 2005 Palmer Lake Trail Reconstruction $135,000 Construction activities would include reconstruction of the 2.7-mile Palmer Lake trail. The trail would be constructed at a width of 10 feet. Staff is currently in discussion with Three Rivers Park District regarding possible reimbursement of construction costs for this project. Aggressive skate park $30,000 Construction activities will include the purchase of aggressive skate park equipment for the Grandview Park skating rink. This improvement has been held over from the 2004-2008 CIP as a result of the anticipated late season completion date of the skating rink at Grandview. Central Park- Ball Field Lights $108,000 Construction activities would include the replacement of the softball field lighting fixtures. Existing poles would be reused. 0 Project Year 2006 Parks Storage Facility $450,000 Construction activities will include the construction of a new materials storage area on city owned property on Camden Avenue. The new facility will include paving of the surface area and fencing of the surrounding area. This area will be used to store aggregate, wood chips and other stockpiled materials. The improvements will also include the erection of a new salt storage facility. This new facility will be constructed of low-rise precast concrete panels to match the existing Public Works facility campus and the surrounding commercial buildings. The existing salt storage building will become centralized storage facility for park maintenance and park program equipment. Heavy-duty shelving will be installed to allow for palletized storage. Project Year 2007 Kylawn Park $180,000 Construction activities will include the replacement of the existing shelter building. The new structure will include picnic facilities, a unisex bathroom and a small storage/utility area. This new shelter will be consistent with other destination park facilities. Project Year 2008 West Palmer Park $200,000 Construction activities will include the replacement of the existing shelter building. The new structure will include picnic facilities, a unisex bathroom and a small storage/utility area. This new shelter will be consistent with other destination park facilities. Project Year 2009 Northport Park $75,000 Construction activities will include the replacement of the existing shelter building. The new structure will include picnic facilities and some limited storage space and an integrated enclosure for a portable restroom. CARS Director Glasoe informed the Commission that he and Mr. Blomstrom were not requesting a Commission recommendation related to the revised improvements plan at this meeting. Mr. Glasoe asked that Commissioners consider the revised improvements plan, and come to the October meeting ready to make a recommendation. PALMER LAKE TRAIL RECONSTRUCTION Public Works Director Blomstrom requested the Commission consider adding the reconstruction of the Palmer Lake Trail to the Capital Improvements Plan for 2005. Mr. Blomstrom indicated that he did not like to add projects to the Capital Improvements Plan, but a recent physical survey of the trail indicated several areas where the deterioration was so great that it was a safety hazard. Mr. Glasoe added that the City and Three Rivers Park District were in discussions regarding the possibility of the Park District assisting with the financing of the reconstruction, as that trial section was designated as part of the Three River Regional Trail System. After some discussion, Commissioner Peterson made a motion seconded by Commissioner Russell to place the Palmer Lake trail reconstruction in the Capital Improvements Plan for 2005. The motion passed unanimously. CITY ORDINANCE REGARDING PARKS AND RECREATION Chair Sorenson directed that this item be held over to the October agenda. TOBACCO FREE PARKS INITIATIVE CARS Director Glasoe noted that the City Council had passed a Resolution supporting tobacco free park areas during organized youth activities. Mr. Glasoe indicated the resolution had been sent to the Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation program for their review related to free signage. Mr. Glasoe noted that the signs would be posted as soon as they were received. TRAIL MARKINGS 0 Chair Sorenson directed that this item be held over to the October agenda. BOAT TRAILER PARKING- TWIN LAKE Chair Sorenson directed that this item be held over until the October meeting. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for October 19, 2004 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 8:39 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. 0