HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 03-16 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
MARCH 16, 2004
COMMUNITY ROOM #221
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:09 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chair Sorenson, Commissioners Hauger, Peterson and Theis were present.
Commissioners Ebert, Russell and Shinnick were absent and excused. Also present were
I.S.D. #279 staff members Linda Nelson, Barb Nyhammer, Lisa Volkert, and Community
Activities, Recreation and Services Director Jim Glasoe.
• APPROVAL OF MINUTES - February 10, 2004
Commissioner Peterson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Theis to approve the
February 10, 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.
WILLOW LANE SCHOOL-PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS
CARS Director Glasoe introduced Linda Nelson, Barb Nyhammer and Lisa Volkert,
representatives of the Willow Lane Early Childhood Center.
Ms. Nelson provided the Commission with a description of the children and families who are
served by their programs. Ms. Nelson noted that many of the children that they serve have
special needs, and as a result, have increased safety needs. Ms Nelson indicated the
approximate student to teacher ration was 3:1.
Ms. Nyhammer showed the Commission a plan of the revised playground equipment and
• discussed the proposed modifications. These modifications included slight changes to the
current equipment, the addition of some new equipment, and the addition or access surfaces.
CARS Director Glasoe reported that City staff had reviewed the changes to the playground
equipment and found no problems. Mr. Glasoe noted that appropriate fall zones and
clearances had been pre-engineered by the playground equipment vendor.
Ms. Nyehammer further discussed the safety requirements for the children and discussed the
proposed fencing. CARS Director Glasoe indicated that he had spoken with District staff and
had shared that he was not going to be able to support the fencing portion of the project as
presented. Mr. Glasoe continued that a 5'high chain link fence would give the impression to
residents that the equipment was "off limits" to non-school use. Mr. Glasoe added that, the
lack of access gates from the park portion of the property, and the fact that the fence
configuration cut off important trail sections.
Ms. Nelson indicated that alternative fencing types; locations, additional gates and signage
were possible. Chair Sorenson noted that the proposed fencing would need to not impact the
trail segments. CARS Director Glasoe handed out some pictures of alternate fencing.
Commissioner Theis indicated that he wanted to work cooperatively with the School District
and encouraged City staff to work with District staff to find a fencing type and configuration
that was acceptable.
Commissioner Theis left the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
After additional discussion, Commission consensus was that CARS Director Glasoe would
work with School District staff on the fencing issue, and report back at a future meeting.
CITY ORDINANCE REGARDING PARKS AND RECREATION
Due to a lack of a quorum, this item was referred to the March 2004 agenda.
BOAT TRAILER PARKING-TWIN LAKE
Chair Sorenson distributed copies of an e-mail he had received from Council member Lasman
regarding the lack of boat trailer parking for Twin Lake. Mr. Sorenson noted that the city had
one designated boat access on both Middle and Upper Twin Lake.
Chair Sorenson shared some background on previous Commission discussions regarding
improvements to Twin Lake Park, issues related to parking, boat traffic on Twin Lake and
boat access.
After some discussion, this item was held over for further discussion at the April meeting.
The Commission asked that CARS Director Glasoe determine the number of boat launches on
each of the lakes and to attempt to find out the availability of open parcels for potential parking
areas.
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2004 TRAIL GRANT
CARS Director Glasoe reported that Public Works Director Todd Blomstrom had informed
him that the City had received a $30,000 grant for additional trail reconstruction. Mr. Glasoe
noted that there was a 1-1 match for these funds, and that they would be used to continue
reconstruction of the Shingle Creek trail segment from 1694 north toward Palmer Lake.
ADOPT-A-PARK CLEANUP
Chair Sorenson announced that the date the kick off of this year's Shingle Creek clean up and
for the Adopt-a-Park clean-ups had been set for April 17. Chair Sorenson asked if Commission
members might be able to assist with the clean up on Saturday the 17" at 9:00 a.m.
Commissioner Hauger and Peterson indicated they would assist if their schedules allowed.
Chair Sorenson indicated he would call the other Commission members to see about their
availability.
SET NEXT MEETING DATE
By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for April 20,
2004 at 7:00 p.m. in Community Room #221 of the Brooklyn Center Community Center.
MEETING ADJOURNED
By consensus, the meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
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