HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 09-16 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
SEPTEMBER 16, 1997
CITY HALL
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Sorenson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Chairperson Sorenson, Commissioners Peterson, Theis, Russell, Ebert, Shinnick and Mead
were present. Also in attendance were Councilmembers Bob Peppe and Kathleen Carmody
and Acting Recreation Director Jim Glasoe.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June 17, 1997
There was a motion by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Ebert to approve
the minutes. The motion passed.
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT
• Councilmember Peppe reported the Council had discussed the proposed reorganization of city
departments that would make recreation a separate department. He indicated that the Council
is no longer considering Firehouse Park as a potential site for the new police station.
Commissioner Theis asked Councilmember Peppe about the possibility of Hennepin County
selling the Government Center in favor of space at Brookdale. Councilmember Peppe
indicated he was not aware of any plans, but would try to get additional information.
Councilmember Carmody arrived at the meeting at 6:42 p.m.
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
Councilmember Carmody showed pictures of a large playground in Spearfish, Iowa that she
and her family had visited this summer. She asked Commissioners to consider a large timber
type structure when additional equipment replacements are made. Commissioners discussed the
timber structures.
PARKS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Acting Recreation Director Glasoe presented a draft of the five-year parks' capital
improvement plan. He explained that this plan anticipates the continued use of the operating
budget to make improvements such as minor equipment (picnic tables, drinking fountains, trash
receptacles, etc.) replacement; trail repair and sealcoating; minor shelter building and electrical
repairs; landscaping enhancements; minor tennis court rehab; etc. Major improvements such as
playground replacement; shelter replacement; replacement of field and trail lights; parking lot
improvements; etc. would be financed through the Capital Improvements Fund.
He indicated that this plan uses the following principles to establish priorities for improvements:
• 1) Complete the replacement of playground equipment by 1999.
2) If possible, improve neighborhood parks coincident with neighborhood street and utility
improvements.
3) Provide geographic balance in improving parks, so that over a short period of time all
neighborhoods have access to at least one fully improved park.
3) Complete improvements at one community park per year.
4) If possible, when improving a park complete all improvements comprehensively. For
example, complete all playgrounds, shelter, and other large improvements as well as
smaller improvements such as replacing picnic tables, trash receptacles, bleachers, and
drinking fountains, etc., repairing basketball courts, adding landscaping, sealcoating
trails, and replacing signs.
5) Improvements should be made systematically and annually from the Capital
Improvements Fund and General Fund, rather than periodically by bond issue proceeds.
Annual expenditures from the Capital Improvements Fund should not exceed $200,000.
He added that these prioritization principles result in a program of seven to eight years of capital
improvements.
Commissioners discussed the program at length and responded favorably to its format
and content.
. ADOPT-A-PARK CLEAN UP
Commissioner Mead reported that as Marlin Park was still the responsibility of the
construction contractor, it would not need to be cleaned. He added Lakeside Park was
small enough that he could handle the clean up himself. As a result, no fall clean up date
was scheduled.
MEETING TIME CHANGE
Commissioner Shinnick made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Peterson to move the
regular Parks and Recreation Commission meetings back to a 7:00 p.m. start. The
motion passed unanimously.
SET MEETING DATE
The next meeting will be October 21, 1997, at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room A of City
Hall.
MEETING ADJOURNED
Commissioner Peterson made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Russell to adjourn the
meeting at 8:27 p.m. The motion passed.
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