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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 05-18 PRM• MINUTES 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 18, 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 and Shinnick were present. Commissioner Theis was absent and excused. Also present was Kari Lindholm-Johnson and Kim Winkleman from Garden City School PTO, students from the Brooklyn Center High School Civics Class and Community Activities, Recreation and Services Director Jim Glasoe. • Chair Sorenson introduced himself and asked that everyone do the same. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Peterson asked that Trail Markings be added to the agenda. By consensus, the item was added to the agenda under Old Business. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - April 20, 2004 Commissioner Russell made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to approve the April 20, 2004 minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Council Member Peppe was unable to attend the meeting. GARDEN CITY SCHOOL-PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS Kari Lindholm-Johnson and Kim Winkleman from Garden City School PTO presented the plan • for playground improvements at Garden City School. Ms. Lindholm-Johnson noted that the Parent Teacher Organization had raised in excess of $25,000 for the improvements. • Ms. Lindholm-Johnson referred to her letter requesting the City's assistance in the purchase and installation of two park benches and the purchase of $4,758 in playground equipment. Chair Sorenson asked about the approximate cost of park benches. CARS Director Glasoe responded that cost is primarily determined by the type and size of the bench.. Mr. Glasoe indicated that $1,000 per bench was a reasonable figure, as installation typically included a concrete pad under the bench. CARS Director Glasoe indicated he had spoken with Ms. Lindholm-Johnson regarding the funding process for park improvements and the Capital Improvements Plan. Mr. Glasoe noted that the Capital Improvements Plan for 2004-2008 had been approved as part of the 2004 budget process, and that the plan would need to be amended to accommodate any additional expense. After some discussion, Commission Russell mad a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shinnick that the Commission recommend to the City Council purchase of the two park benches. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Lindholm-Johnson thanked the Commission and asked about the possibility of funding the requested $4,758 for playground equipment. CARS Director Glasoe reminded the Commission that park improvements included in the . Capital Improvements Plan for 2004 could not be deferred, as they were tied to a cooperative agreement with the Brooklyn Center School District. After considerable discussion Commissioner Russell made a motion, seconded by Commission Shinnick to recommend to the City Council that $4,758 be allocated from the Capital Improvements Fund for playground equipment at Garden City School. The motion passed unanimously. LETTER OF REQUEST-DOG RUN Chair Sorenson referred Commissioners to the copy of the e-mail to Mayor Kragness regarding a request that the City consider constructing a dog run. Chair Sorenson noted that the Commission had briefly discussed this topic at the last meeting in discussions related to the City's Park and Recreation Ordinance. Commissioner Peterson noted that Brooklyn Center had many parks and trails for citizens to walk their dogs. Chair Sorenson commented that the current ordinance states that all dogs be leashed on park or trail property. Mr. Sorenson continued that the e-mail writer seems to prefer an area where the dogs can run without restraint. After additional discussion, the Commission asked CARS Director Glasoe to get cost estimates • to develop and maintain a dog run. This item was placed on the September 2004 agenda. WALKABLE COMMUNITIES WORKSHOP CARS Director Glasoe reported that, staff from the Community Development Department had not yet completed the written report on the workshop, including recommendations for making the community more accessible. By consensus, this item was placed on the September 2004 agenda FREEWAY PARK/MOUND CEMETARY- ADDITIONAL ENTRANCE CARS Director Glasoe reported that the City had received a request from Mound Cemetery for an additional access/egress to the cemetery from Freeway Park. Mr. Glasoe reminded the Commission that the park property was made available to the City via a perpetual lease agreement. Mr. Glasoe shared copies of the lease agreement and discussed its contents. Mr. Glasoe noted that the aerial map showed two alternatives for the new access. Mr. Glasoe continued that the access on the west side of the property was the option proposed by the cemetery. Mr. Glasoe indicated Public Works Director Todd Blomstrom proposed the access on the east side of the property. After some discussion, Commissioner Russell made a motion seconded by Commissioner Ebert to recommend to Mound Cemetery staff that they consider developing the easterly access. The motion passed unanimously. • In addition to the recommendation, the Commission asked that CARS Director Glasoe convey to the Mound Cemetery staff that they would not object to the westerly access. TOBACCO FREE PARKS INITIATIVE CARS Director Glasoe discussed the additional information he had received from the Tobacco- Free Youth Recreation Program regarding their efforts to have communities adopt tobacco free policies for their parks. Mr. Glasoe noted that most communities taking part in the program had initiated internal policies regarding the use of tobacco in parks. Mr. Glasoe added that only two or three communities had included language in their ordinance banning tobacco in all park areas. Chair Sorenson indicated that he was somewhat uncomfortable about developing a policy that prevented all tobacco use in parks. CARS Director Glasoe noted that some communities had adopted policies that were not as stringent, and simply indicated that tobacco use was not allowed in designated park areas during scheduled youth events. After some additional discussion, Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Peterson that recommends the City Council consider enacting a policy that designates park properties as "tobacco free zones" during organized youth activities. The motion passed unanimously. BOAT TRAILER PARKING-TWIN LAKE CARS Directed Glasoe indicated that at the April 2004 meeting the Commission asked him to get additional information on the actual feasibility and estimates on the costs to develop the parking areas. Mr. Glasoe distributed a summary of rough estimates of costs related to development of a boat parking area. Mr. Glasoe noted the estimated cost was over $116,000 and did not include permit fees, soil remediation, (if needed) or storm water retention. Chair Sorenson noted that the cost to develop the site was not practical. After some discussion, the Commission asked that CARS Director Glasoe determine the approximate opening date of the boat launch in Robbinsdale, and the number of anticipated parking stalls. Additionally, the Commission asked that CARS Director Glasoe contact the Public Works Department regarding the possibility of signage indicating to boat owners the location of allowable parking. CITY ORDINANCE REGARDING PARKS AND RECREATION Chair Sorenson asked CARS Director Glasoe if the continued discussion of this issue was time sensitive. Mr. Glasoe indicated that it was not. • By consensus, it was agreed that this item would be placed on the September agenda. Commissioner Shinnick left the meeting at 8:38 p.m. TRAIL MARKINGS Commissioner Peterson noted the Commission had begun discussion of this issue at the February meeting, and had tabled it until this meeting. CARS Director Glasoe handed out copies of Commissioner Peterson's original recommendations regarding trail markings, and copies of the meeting minutes where the issue was discussed. Chair Sorenson noted the costs associated with trails markings as detailed by Public Works Director Todd Blomstrom at the February meeting. Commissioner Ebert asked about the minimum width for trail markings. CARS Director Glasoe noted that 10 feet was the current minimum standard for trails with markings. Commissioner Peterson reminded Commissioners that past discussions had contemplated trail markings, only as trails were redeveloped to the 10- foot width. By consensus the Commission asked that CARS Director Glasoe contact the Three Rivers Park District to determine if they had developed standards for trail markings. Commissioner Peterson indicated that he would assist in getting a multi jurisdictional task force together to discuss the issue. CARS Director Glasoe indicated that he would attempt to identify any existing groups, such as the Parks Maintenance Supervisors group, that might already be in existence and could be an appropriate group to discuss the issue. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for June 15, with a Parks Tour at 5:30 p.m. By consensus, the park tour will include Grandview Park, Twin Lake Park, the Hennepin County Service Center and other locations to be determined. MEETING ADJOURNED Commissioner Russell made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Peterson to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 p.m. • 0