HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 03-18 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
MARCH 18, 2003
COMMUNITY ROOM #221, COMMUNITY CENTER
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CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chair Sorenson, Commissioners, D. Peterson, Shinnick and Theis were present.
Commissioners Ebert and Russell were absent and excused. Commissioner R. Peterson was
absent.
Also present were Mayor Myrna Kragness and Community Activities, Recreation and Services
Director Jim Glasoe
• APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 21, 2003
Chair Sorenson noted that Commis§ioner Theis was listed as absent, but that he had arrived
late to the meeting. Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner D.
Peterson to approve the January 21, 2003 minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission as
amended. The motion passed unanimously.
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT
Mayor Kragness reported on the March 17 Council/Commission Chair meeting. Mayor
Kragness indicated that much of the discussion was regarding the impending budget cuts.
Mayor Kragness reported that City Manager McCauley felt that we would make it through the
2003 cuts, but that 2004 was going to be bad.
In addition, Mayor Kragness indicated that she was going to be testifying in the morning on a
bill of Representative Debra Hilstrom regarding a transit hub in Brooklyn Center.
Mayor Kragness reported on the move of the current transit benches from Xerxes Avenue to
56' Avenue and Metropolitan Council's efforts to acquire the Citgo site at Xerxes and 57th
Avenue's through eminent domain. Mayor Kragness noted that the preferred site was the old
Fudrucker's Restaurant site at intersection of Bass Lake Road and Shingle Creek Parkway.
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AGGRESSIVE SKATE PARK-GRANT APPLICATION
• CARS Director Glasoe reported that the grant application was still in the process of being
completed. Mr. Glasoe indicated that he was hoping to bolster the portions of the application
that refer to youth participation and skate park design. As the work on the general Grandview
Park site will not begin until April, Mr. Glasoe indicated that a fall timeline was contemplated
for completion of the skate park.
2003 PARK IMPROVEMENTS
CARS Director Glasoe indicated that as a result of the current state budget shortfall, the
Governor has recommended significant reductions in state aid for Brooklyn Center. As a
result, City Manager Michael McCauley has asked that the Commission review planned park
improvements for 2003-2007 to prioritize the improvements and to determine if any could be
deferred until a later date.
CARS Director Glasoe referred the Commission to the summary of the planned park
improvements for 2003 - 2007 that had been included in their packets. Mr. Glasoe noted that
the 2003 improvements included reconstruction of the tennis courts, rink lighting and
basketball goals as part of the Grandview Park improvements. The improvements also
included new scoreboards at Evergreen Park, reconstruction of the tennis courts at Central
Park and the purchase of aggressive skate park equipment for Grandview Park.
. After considerable discussion regarding each of the planned 2003 improvements,
Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner D. Peterson
recommending that, if reductions w e ere necessary, the planned 2003 Central Park tennis court
improvements, the Evergreen Park scoreboards and the rink lighting at Grandview Park would
be their priority for project deferral.
The Commission further recommended going through with the portion of planned
improvements at Grandview that are part of the cooperative agreement with District #286 and
the purchase of aggressive skate park equipment.
Furthermore, the Commission, by consensus, indicated a preference to study planned
improvements for 2004-2007, based upon projects not completed in 2003. The motion passed
unanimously
CITY ORDINANCE REGARDING PARKS AND RECREATION
Chair Sorenson directed that this item be held over until the April meeting.
PARKS SIGNAGE
Chair Sorenson asked about the lack of consistent park signage. Chair Sorenson indicated that
not all Brooklyn Center parks had the same signs, nor was sign placement consistent. CARS
Director Glasoe indicated that this was a Public Works function and that he had very little
knowledge on the current practices. Mr. Glasoe indicated he would research the issue and
report back to the Commission at a later meeting.
APRIL 21 COMMISSION RECOGNITION EVENT
Mayor Kragness reminded the Commission that the annual Commission Recognition Event
was scheduled for April 21, 2003, 6:30 p.m. at Constitution Hall in the Community Center.
Mayor Kragness encouraged all Commissioners to attend.
SET NEXT MEETING DATE
CARS Director Glasoe indicated that he had recently attended a meeting with representatives
of Garden City School to discuss the proposed improvements to Garden City School. Mr.
Glasoe reported that this addition would impact. the Garden City Park site.
As a result, Mr. Glasoe reported that the school had requested the Parks and Recreation
Commission review the plans prior to the Planning Commission on April 17; 2003. By
consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for
April 15, 2003, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room #221 of the Brooklyn Center
Community Center.
MEETING ADJOURNED
Commissioner D. Peterson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shinnick to adjourn the
meeting at 8:43'p.m. The motion passed unanimously.
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