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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 10-21 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 OCTOBER 21, 2003 COMMUNITY ROOM #221 CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Sorenson, Commissioners R. Peterson, Russell, Shinnick and Theis were present. Commissioner Ebert, was absent and excused. Also present were City Council Liaison Diane Niesen, Recreation Program Supervisor Sue LaCrosse and Community Activities, Recreation and Services Director Jim Glasoe. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June 3, 2003 Chair Sorenson noted that, under the Council Liaison item, the minutes should read; "Councilmember Niesen was not in attendance at the meeting." Commissioner Russell also noted that Commissioner Shinnick's name was misspelled on the second page. Commissioner Russell made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to approve the September 16, 2003 minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission as amended. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Council Liaison Niesen reported the City Council is continuing review of the proposed 2004 budgets. Ms. Niesen indicated a new addition was $60,000 for a "fiber optic" connection between the new Hennepin County Service Center and City Hall. Ms. Niesen noted a funding source had not been identified, although it was discussed to use recreation funds. CARS Director Glasoe interjected; it was his understanding, that one funding option was the Capital Improvements Fund, not General Fund recreation allocations. Ms. Niesen continued that funding it from the CIP might take away from available funds for future park improvements. Ms. Niesen also reported the City Council had approved a lease for a new liquor store at 691" Avenue and Brooklyn Boulevard. Chair Sorenson asked if there were any development plans for the northwest corner of 69' Avenue and Brooklyn Boulevard. Councilmember Niesen responded the Council had not been made aware of any plans. RECREATION PROGRAM REVIEW CARS Director Glasoe introduced Recreation Program Supervisor Sue LaCrosse. Ms. LaCrosse updated the Commission on all of the programs, special events and activities she supervises, the effects of recent budget reductions on programs and the program plans for 2004 and beyond. Programs discussed included; Earle Brown Days, the Special Events Committee, Entertainment in the Parks, Winter Family Fun Day, Halloween Party, Holly Sunday, Safety Camp, Day Camp, Gymnastics, Dance, Holiday and specialty classes, Kids Carnival and After-school programs. Ms. LaCrosse reported that budget reductions and the State's unallotment of After-school Grants had greatly affected the after school programming efforts. FUNDING REALLOCATION FOR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING CARS Director Glasoe provided the Commission with a background on the City's Central Garage. Mr. Glasoe noted the portable "Showmobile" stage was part of the Central Garag equipment, and each year accumulated depreciation payments had been made for its eventu replacement. Mr. Glasoe noted, as part of the 2002 budget development process, it was determined the "showmobile" would not be replaced. Mr. Glasoe indicated, at that time, the depreciation payments that had been accumulated to date would be spread amongst the other pieces of CARS equipment to help in their replacement. e al However, Mr. Glasoe noted it had recently been discovered that this had not been done, and slightly more than $58,000 worth of accumulated depreciation was still in the Central Garage for the " Showmobile. " Mr. Glasoe reported that, after this discovery, staff began the process of determining the best way to use the funds. Mr. Glasoe indicated that options considered included, using the funds as describes previously, allocating the money to the Capital Improvements Fund, or using the money for program purposes. Mr. Glasoe. indicated, after careful consideration and after discussing the issue at length with • City Manager Michael McCauley, the decision was made to propose using the funds for after school programming eliminated as a result of budget cuts and the State of Minnesota's unallotment of After-school grant funds. Mr. Glasoe reported, as a result of this discussion, he had asked Program Supervisor Sue LaCrosse to develop a two-year proposal. Ms. LaCrosse presented the proposal to the Commission and answered questions. After considerable discussion, Commissioner R. Peterson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell to recommend to the City Council that consideration be given to reallocating the $58,000 in accumulated depreciation funding for the "showmobile" to after- school programming efforts in 2004 and 2005. The motion passed unanimously. COMMISSION VACANCY CARS Director Glasoe informed the Commissioners that Don Peterson had resigned from the Commission as a result of health related issues. Mr. Glasoe indicated Commissioner Peterson had served on the Commission since 1983, and had served as its Vice-chair for the last many years. Mr. Glasoe reported City Clerk Sharon Knutson had posted the vacancy, and distributed copies of the posting. Mr. Glasoe passed around a card for the Commissioners to sign. Mr. Glasoe indicated a resolution recognizing his service would be on the next City Council agenda. Chair Sorenson recessed the meeting at 8:05 p.m. and reconvened at 8:11 p.m. APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIR Chair Sorenson noted, with the resignation of Commissioner Peterson, the Commission would need to appoint a Vice-chair. Chair Sorenson asked if any of the Commissioners were interested in serving in that capacity. Commissioner Shinnick indicated he would serve if other Commissioners were not interested. Chair Sorenson noted that the past practice had been for the Chair to appoint the Vice Chair. Hearing no other interest, Chair Sorenson appointed Commissioner Shinnick as Vice-chair. THREE RIVERS PARK DISTRICT- FIRST TIER TRAILS PLAN CARS Director Glasoe reported that the City Council had passed a resolution supporting the First Tier trails concept at their last meeting. Mr. Glasoe noted the next step would be Metropolitan Council approval of the First Tier Trails Plan. Continuing, Mr. Glasoe noted Met Council approval would release funds for actual trail work pending the execution of a cooperative agreement between the City and Three Rivers. Mr. Glasoe noted a draft cooperative agreement is almost complete. Mr. Glasoe continued that $185,000 had been allocated by The Three Rivers Park District for the trail segment from Twin Lake Park to 53`d Avenue. CITY ORDINANCE REGARDING PARKS AND RECREATION CARS Director Glasoe reviewed the current parks ordinance from Champlin that had been included in the meeting packets. Mr. Glasoe called attention to the numerous references to the Mississippi River found throughout the document. Chair Sorenson noted that this item had been on the Commission agenda for quite some time. Chair Sorenson suggested the Commission establish a goal to have the review completed and any suggested changes identified by March 2004. TWIN LAKE PERSONAL WATERCRAFT CARS Director Glasoe reported that, as requested, he had gathered background materials on the issue for Commissioners that had not been on the Commission the last time the issue had been addressed. CARS Director Glasoe briefly discussed the last Commission involvement with the issue and explained the current enforcement efforts. Chair Sorenson asked that Commissioners review the materials, and asked that this item be held over until the February 2004 meeting. DEER TASK FORCE Chair Sorenson asked about the progress of the Deer Task Force. Councilmember Niesen indicated the Deer Task Force had been meeting and would be bringing a report and • recommendation to the City Council very soon. Ms. Niesen indicated it was her understanding that, if needed, expert archers would be used to thin the deer heard. Councilmember Niesen left the meeting at 8:36 p.m. TWIN LAKE PARK-SOD, PLANT WATERING CARS Director Glasoe reported that, as requested by the Commission, he had spoken with Public Works Director Todd Blomstrom regarding the sod that appeared dead at Twin Lake Park and the watering of the new shoreline plantings. Mr. Glasoe indicated Mr. Blomstrom had responded that some of the sod appeared to be "coming back", but with the reduction of employees and the increased work load, the watering of the sod may well have been missed. Mr. Glasoe reported that Mr. Blomstrom indicated the sod that did not survive would be top- dressed and over seeded along with other areas of the park in the spring. CARS Director Glasoe reminded the Commission that part of the agreement regarding the shoreline plantings at Twin Lake Park was that volunteers were going to handle all of the planting and watering. However, Mr. Glasoe noted that City crews had been watering the plantings. Council Liaison Niesen indicated she thought the Shingle Creek Watershed was reimbursing the City for the cost of having staff water the plantings. NORTH MISSISSIPPI PARK- ROAD CLOSURE CARS Director Glasoe reported that he had contacted the Minneapolis Park Board to determine the reason for the closure of Lyndale Avenue at approximately 52' Avenue at the northerly border of North Mississippi Park. Mr. Glasoe indicated that, after a number of phone contacts, the initial staff response indicated the closure was the result of through-traffic and security concerns. Mr. Glasoe also reported that, although not marked, on-street parking was allowed north of the barricades. Mr. Glasoe indicated he would continue the phone contacts, with the ultimate goal of having the barricades removed. TRAILS STRIPING AND MARKING Chair Sorenson asked Commissioner R. Peterson if this item could be held over until a future meeting. By consensus, the item will be placed on the November agenda. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for November 18, 2003 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 8:44 p.m. The motion passed unanimously.