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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004 02-10 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 FEBRUARY 10, 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 and Russell were present. Commissioners Shinnick and Theis were absent and excused. Also present were, Public Works Director Todd Blomstrom and Community Activities, Recreation and Services Director Jim Glasoe. • APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 20, 2004 Commissioner Russell made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Peterson to approve the January 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. Public Works Director Blomstrom reported the City Council had approved the feasibility study for the 2004 street reconstruction project, in the Northport area, and that a public hearing was set for March 8, 2004. Mr. Blomstrom added that, with increased storm water requirements, storm water detention ponds might be needed. Mr. Blomstrom also informed the Commission that a portion of Northport Park would be used for a staging area for construction equipment. Chair Sorenson asked about the process for restoration of the area after the project, and asked if the restoration had been completed at Happy Hollow Park. Public Works Director Blomstrom indicated that the restoration work had not been completed at Happy Hollow, but that restoration would take place in the spring. • Chair Sorenson commented on the relatively unsuccessful restoration of Marlin Park after it • had been used as a staging area. Mr. Blomstrom noted that staff had developed new standards for restoration. Public Works Director Blomstrom also reported that reconstruction of 73`d Avenue, west of Humboldt Avenue was scheduled for this summer. Mr. Blomstrom noted that the trail section from I-694 to Shingle Creek Parkway had been completed in 2003. Mr. Blomstrom added the trail was built at a 10' width, which is the new standard for multi-use trails. Chair Sorenson asked Mr. Blomstrom if there was any plans to re-do 69' Avenue west of Brooklyn Boulevard. Mr. Blomstrom responded that reconstruction of that segment was not included in the current 5 year Capital Improvements Plan. Additional discussion was held regarding snowplowing and signage in the parks. TRAILS-SIGNS AND PAVEMENT MARKINGS Commissioner R. Peterson discussed a handout he had developed regarding his recommendations concerning trail markings. The handout included trends personally observed by Commissioner R. Peterson, potential issues created and the formal recommendations. Public Works Director Blomstrom described the City's current practice for trail maintenance, markings and signage. Mr. Blomstrom noted the cost to provide center striping on the trails . would be approximately $400.00 per mile. Mr. Blomstrom indicated the life expectancy of this application to be approximately three years. Additionally, Mr. Blomstrom noted the cost for additional pavements markings such as directional arrows or speed limit marking would be $500.00-$700.00 for manufacture of a specialized stencil, and then approximately $35.00 per marking. Mr. Blomstrom continued with three considerations he had for considering trail markings. The first was "where to mark." Mr. Blomstrom noted that most of the current trails were 8 feet in width, or less. Mr. Blomstrom indicated a 10' width would be the standard he would recommend for a multi-use, marked trail section. The second consideration described by Mr. Blomstrom was the on-going cost. Mr. Blomstrom noted that, while the initial $400 per mile cost might not be considered sizeable by some, as you added additional miles to the "marked system" each year, the cost would increase substantially. The final consideration posed by Mr. Blomstrom was enforcement. Mr. Blomstrom noted that in any instance where markings are added, there would be an expectation that enforcements efforts will take place. Mr. Blomstrom added that there would be a resulting cost for the enforcement piece. • CARS Director Glasoe noted that the general fund budgets for 2004 had been established, and any recommendation from the Commission would have to be considered by the City Council within the context of the current budget constraints. After considerable discussion, Public Works Director Blomstrom suggested that one option to consider might be to establish a marking program for any new trail section that are completed or reconstructed in the future. After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission to hold this item over until the May 2004 agenda. WILLOW LANE SCHOOL-PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS Mr. Glasoe reported to the Commission that he had received a request from representatives of the Willow Lane Early Childhood Center requesting they be added to the March 2004 meeting agenda. Mr. Glasoe noted that they were compiling descriptions of the children and families who use their space and conducting additional work to determine if the current equipment could be modified, the cost effectiveness of the modifications versus new equipment, and their current funding capabilities. CITY ORDINANCE REGARDING PARKS AND RECREATION Chair Sorenson referred Commissioners to the list of items regarding the ordinance the Commission had identified for further consideration as compiled by CARS Director Glasoe. This item was referred to the March 2004 agenda. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for March 16, 2004 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 8:30 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. 0