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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 09-17 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 SEPTEMBER 17, 2002 COHEN COMMUNITY ROOM CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting to order at 6:58 p.m. ROLL CALL Chair Sorenson, Commissioners Ebert, D. Peterson, Russell and Theis were present. Commissioners R. Peterson and Shinnick were absent and excused. Also present were City Council Liaison Bob Peppe, and Community Activities, Recreation and Services Director Jim Glasoe. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Ju ne 18, 2002 Commissioner Russell made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ebert to approve the June 18, 2002 minutes of the Parks and Recreation Commission as presented. The motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Council member Peppe reported that the neighborhood street reconstruction projects were moving along, including some concrete apron replacement in the 2001 project area. Liaison Peppe informed the Commission that the 2003 City Council goals would not include a goal regarding the Destination Parks Plan, as it had in the past, as the Council felt the plan was well established and being implemented. Council member Peppe noted that the preliminary aid figures from the State were less than anticipated and would result in a $200,000 deficit that would have to be made up by budget cuts. Council member Peppe indicated that plans for a transit hub on the site of the old Fuddruckers was moving forward slowly, and that staff was working with prospective developers regarding the old Jerry's site. Council member Peppe noted that construction continued on the new Culvers and IHOP restaurants and at Brookdale. Council Liaison Peppe also indicated he was not aware of any plans relating to the former Wells Fargo Bank property or the vacant lot adjacent to the Earle Brown Heritage Center. 2003-2007 PARKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN CARS Director Glasoe presented a draft of the 2003-2007 parks Capital Improvement Plan and discussed the planned improvements for each of the years. Mr. Glasoe indicated that improvements planned for Grandview Park for 2002 and 2003 had been moved to 2003 and 2004 to coincide with the revised construction schedule for the new Earle Brown School. CARS Director Glasoe asked the Commission that, in addition to park improvements, they consider identifying funds for ongoing equipment and furnishing needs at the Community Center. Mr. Glasoe noted the Community Center should be considered a recreational amenity similar to parks, and that it more heavily used than many of the parks. After additional conversation, Commissioner Russell made a motion to recommend to the City Council the 2003-2007 Parks CIP as presented. Chair Sorenson noted that the majority of the expenses for 2003 and 2004 were related to Grandview Park, and that perhaps the Commission should table this item until they had discussed the Grandview Park District #286 Land Exchange item. Commissioner Russell withdrew his previous motion. Commissioner Theis made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell to table the 2003- 2007 Parks CIP discussion until after the Grandview Park/ District #286 Property Exchange item was discussed. The motion passed unanimously. ADOPT-A-PARK Commissioner Ebert suggested a clean up day of September 21, but also indicated that she operates a Day Care and that her day care kids could perform the fall clean up. The September 21 date was discussed. As most Commissioners were not able to make the September 21 date, Commissioner Ebert offered to conduct the clean up with the day care. GRANDVIEW PARK/DISTRICT #286 PROPERTY EXCHANGE CARS Director Glasoe reported that he was concerned with the lack of progress that was being made on a cooperative agreement between the City and District #286 relating to the Grandview Park Site. Mr. Glasoe informed the Commission that the City, from the beginning of negotiations, had . stated that the framework of an agreement needed to be in place prior to any construction. Mr. Glasoe indicated that a draft agreement had been sent to the District in early August and shared with Commissioners letters and a-mails that had been sent to the District since that time regarding the agreement. Mr. Glasoe reported that, as of today, no response has been received from the District. After considerable discussion, the Commissioner Russell made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ebert to recommend to the City Council that a letter be sent to the School District regarding their concern over the lack of progress on the cooperative agreement. The motion also recommended the City Council inform the School District that no construction could begin until an agreement was in place. The motion passed unanimously. 2003-2007 PARKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Chair Sorenson reopened discussions regarding the 2003-2007 Parks Capital Improvement Plan. CARS Director Glasoe indicated that, as a result of Commission interest in identifying some funding for aggressive skate park equipment, staff had taken a look at the draft plan and identified funding for a running track at Evergreen Park in 2005 as an item that could possibly be displaced. Chair Sorenson noted that he would like to fund the item earlier than 2005. CARS Director Glasoe noted that allocations for work at Grandview needed to be preserved, but that allocations for the tennis court revisions at Central Park may be revised. Mr. Glasoe discussed the tennis court revisions, including turning two of the courts into basketball courts. Chair Sorenson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ebert to change the allocation for tennis court reconstruction at Central Park to $70,000, and allocate $20,000 to the purchase of aggressive skate equipment. The motion passed unanimously. CARS Director Glasoe reported that the Draft CIP included a $230,000 allocation for new ball field lighting at Central Park in 2005. Mr. Glasoe indicated that staff was examining the feasibility of retro-fitting the current lighting in Central Park in lieu of new lighting. In addition, Mr. Glasoe indicated he was hesitant to recommend upgrading the lighting in light of the recent field conditions. CARS Director Glasoe indicated that the Central Park softball Fields had been unplayable for a good portion of this year and last year due to high water level in Shingle Creek and the surrounding area. Mr. Glasoe informed the Commission that a study was being considered to determine the cause of the high water levels and to recommend some solutions. Mr. Glasoe indicated that without improvement, the City would run the risk of losing the Dudley softball tournament and many teams from the softball leagues. Council Liaison Peppe remarked that we did not want to lose the Dudley Tournament, and that we should do everything possible to ensure the fields are playable. . After additional discussion, Commissioner Russell made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Ebert to recommend the 2003-2007 Parks Capital Improvement Plan to the City Council as amended. The motion passed unanimously Commissioner Ebert asked if the 2005 allocation for a running track could be reallocated to a BMX bike track. After additional discussion, Commissioner Ebert made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell to amend the previous motion to include the change. The motion passed unanimously. CIVIC CENTER BUILDINGS UPDATE CARS Director Glasoe informed the Commission that work on the remodeling project was complete except for some "punch list" items. Mr. Glasoe indicated that repair of the Community Center parking lot was included. Mr. Glasoe reported that the response to the remodeling work has generally been very positive. Mr. Glasoe continued that the Community Center attendance for Summer 2002 were almost equal to the Summer attendance figures for 2001. CENTERBROOK . CARS Director Glasoe reported that revenues at Centerbrook Golf Course were down approximately 13 % from 2001 levels. Mr. Glasoe indicated that, in addition to being one of the wettest summers on record, in excess of twenty days during the summer had daytime temperatures over ninety degrees. Mr. Glasoe informed the Commission that little golf is played in wet or very warm conditions. Mr. Glasoe reported that, in order to offset a portion of the revenue shortfall, expenditures were being cut back where possible. SET NEXT MEETING DATE By consensus, the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was set for October 15, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. in the Cohen Room of the Brooklyn Center Community Center. MEETING ADJOURNED Commissioner Peterson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell, to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. 0